A bittersweet year

WOW, it’s such a bittersweet feeling writing this as it is my final article of the year. Never had it crossed my mind that I could commit to this when the Flair team approached me almost a year ago but look where I am now. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re capable of until you try.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team behind this column. Twelve months! Time really flies, doesn’t it?

This would not have been possible if I hadn’t been offered this opportunity in the first place. So thank you, editor, Syida Lizta, the Flair team and readers who have been following my column.

As I looked back on the crazy journey that was 2017, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed. A lot can happen in a span of one week, let alone a whole year.

Things went from good to gone-in-theblink-of-an-eye. Who would have expected that? I must admit this year really took me by surprise. But that’s okay because that’s the best thing about life, right?

Tati (left), who decided to leave us after five years.

The Mimpikita family is ready to welcome 2018.

Remember the hopes and dreams that I wrote about in my very first article? Now is a good time to reflect. I can’t say for sure that I managed to cross off all of my resolutions for 2017 but I have no regrets because what’s important is the lesson behind every single thing that happened.

I’m so forgetful — to the extent where I need social media to remind me of my past activities.

Bless Instagram for its existence because without it, I might not remember most of the things that happened over the year.

I’ve been catching up a lot with work lately since my confinement period is over. I wish I could put everything on hold and focus entirely on my twins. The arrival of Adam and Noah has been nothing but a blessing and pure joy in my life.

I learnt so much about motherhood and I’m still learning. Well, it’s safe to say that I’m enjoying it thoroughly. Thank you to my mother, my little sister Syera and friends for sharing numerous tips on how to manage my babies.

I honestly do not want my twins to grow up too fast but I know I can never win against time.

So for now, I’m just going to make the best of the moments I have with them. Sheesh, just the thought of them growing up is already giving me heartache. Can somebody please freeze time?

Adam and Noah have completed our family.

As for Mimpikita, it has been nothing but a bittersweet year for my darling brand.

We bid farewell to some of our longserving staff who had been with us for the most part of our journey.

It took me some time to digest the fact that my right “wing” was gone. It was not easy to let them go. To find replacements was a chore. We basically had to start from square one all over again.

Their departure left me and my sisters with mixed emotions as we had to adapt to a new environment at work surrounded by new faces.

But change is the only constant and I hope that with goodbyes comes a breath of fresh air for the brand.

My prayers and best wishes are always with those who have helped me achieve what I have today, especially in nurturing Mimpikita as a fashion brand in Malaysia.

I know those who have left are going to achieve great things on their own. As someone who has watched them grow over the years as creative individuals, I am really excited about their future endeavours.

As for the economy, I’ll just say that I noticed how this year’s market competi-

tion has grown rapidly compared to last year.

The arrival of hundreds of local and international brands has made the competition a lot tougher.

Regardless, I’m quite pleased to see the growth of the fashion industry in Malaysia. The cake has got bigger and everybody gets to have a piece.

It’s all about healthy competition really because each brand is unique in its own way. Each has different aesthetics which makes it appealing to its target market.

Moving forward, 2018 is going to be an even bigger year for Mimpikita because it’s going to be our 10th anniversary!

A lot of exciting plans are in the making and we can’t wait to share them with you.

My hope for the new year is for God to continue to bless me with more inspiration, energy and aspiration as a designer, entrepreneur and mother.

To officially end this year’s column, I would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year! May 2018 bring us more happiness, more blessings and new memories to be cherished for the rest of our lives.

Remember, it’s only going to get better from here. See you guys soon!