SINGAPORE - Home-grown womenswear label Aijek racked up over $3 million in global revenue last year and has been stocked at major department stores in the United States including Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus since 2017.

Breaking into one of the world's largest apparel markets is no mean feat, but instead of running full steam ahead, founder and designer Danelle Woo, 40, is stepping away from it all.