Singapore-based ★ Ms. Ines, who trains Miss Japan contestants, launches new venture in fashion and beauty

Ms. Riglon (NNA photo)

French director and entrepreneur Inès Ligron is launching a new venture based in Singapore. She will offer courses on fashion and beauty, and also handle the sale of clothing and accessories. She plans to explore expansion into other ASEAN countries and Tokyo within the next 3 to 5 years. She is also known for coaching the Japanese representative at the Miss Universe pageant, leading her to win the title and runner-up positions.

In February this year, the studio "Dream Factory by Inès Ligron," developed by Ms. Ligron, opened in Singapore's central business district. The 251-square-meter space sells clothing, bags, and accessories sourced by Rigolon from Europe. It regularly hosts total outfit coordination sessions and makeup classes. A runway is installed in-store, where former Miss Universe Japan and Singapore representatives teach walking techniques. The aim is to capture demand not only from the affluent but also from the working middle class.

In Singapore, where women's participation in the workforce is prominent, Inès notes that educational programs for children also hold growth potential. Beyond clothing selection, the store offers programs encouraging early independence, such as teaching makeup techniques to teenagers. A three-day course, each session lasting three hours, costs 300 Singapore dollars. Demand is emerging, primarily from children of Japanese expatriates, Westerners, and Singaporeans attending international schools, suggesting rapid future growth.

Ms. Ines personally instructs general women on styling (Photo by NNA)

The "Dream Factory" store also features a runway (Photo by NNA)

Ms. Ines notes, "From the perspective of women's independence and adventurous spirit, Southeast Asian women surpass those in Japan." Aiming to contribute to producing Japanese women who can thrive on the international stage, she brought Hiroko Mima, the 2008 Miss Universe Japan representative who had worked as a model and talent in Japan, to Singapore and appointed her as a manager. The plan is to cultivate her as a future business leader.

Ines became Asia-Pacific Director for IMG Models, the world's largest model management company, in 1995. After introducing global supermodels to Asia, she served as Miss Universe Japan Director from 1998.

She focused on elevating Japan's representative to the world's top tier, but relocated to Singapore three years ago. She is also involved in volunteer work providing clothing, food, and shelter to street children with intellectual disabilities in Cambodia.