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About Us

The People Behind the School

Meet the passionate artisans, educators, and visionaries who are redefining sewing education for the modern world.

Meet The Founder

KALPANA SINGH

Fashion Educator | Design Entrepreneur | Sustainability Advocate | TVET Leader

Personal & Educational Background

Kalpana Singh is a seasoned fashion professional with more than 20 years of experience spanning design innovation, technical mastery, and educational leadership. She holds a Master’s in Leather Apparel & Design Technology from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT, New Delhi), complemented by a Bachelor’s in English Literature from Delhi University. In 2025, she further upgraded her credentials through NIFT’s PG Bridge Programme, earning a Master of Design degree.

Her career began with Liberty Shoes and Bata Shoe Organisation, where she designed commercially successful footwear and accessories collections that shaped seasonal trends across India. Relocating to Kuala Lumpur in 2009, she transitioned into education and entrepreneurship, founding Kalpana Singh Design Studio Sdn. Bhd. and its training arm, D Sew Club, in 2016.

In 2023, she realized her long-standing vision by launching The International Sewing School, a fully accredited TVET institution offering SKM Level 2 & 3 certifications in Ladies Garment Making and Technical Operations. The school operates under an exclusive collaboration with Singer Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., ensuring students train with industry-standard equipment. It is also a recognized partner of the Malaysian Official Designers’ Association (MODA), strengthening its industry relevance and connections. Kalpana herself is certified with a Malaysian Skills Diploma in TVET Instruction (Level 4), enabling her to train globally.

Credentials & Recognition

A testament to decades of dedication, innovation, and leadership in fashion education and sustainability

  • SKM Level 2 & 3 Certifications in Ladies Garment Making & Technical Operations
  • Recognized Partner of MODA (Malaysian Official Designers’ Association)
  • Featured and interviewed in Fashion Fidelity Malaysia, Star Lifestyle, Stailo, Ustana, The Sun Daily, and China Press
  • SKM Level 2 Certification in Apparel Pattern Making — the first and only holder of this credential in Malaysia
  • Malaysian Skills Diploma (Level 4) in TVET Instruction
  • Named among Swingvy’s 100 21st Century Women
  • Certificate in Sustainable Fashion (City University of Paris, 2024)
  • HRD Corp Accredited Trainer (2022–2025)
  • Malaysia GPM® Sustainability Award (2024) – Project Excellence for “Threads of Change: Fashion Education for a Greener Industry”

    • Advocacy & Social Impact

    Championing sustainability, inclusivity, and systemic change in the fashion industry
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    Fashion Revolution Malaysia

    Kalpana is an active member of Fashion Revolution Malaysia, consistently championing sustainability through campaigns, university talks, and industry workshops. She has represented Malaysia at MATRADE and served as a panellist at the FMFTA Council Meeting (2022), advocating for systemic change in fashion education and production.

    Women's Aid Organisation

    Collaboration with Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) on the “Abuse is Inexcusable” campaign, using fashion as a medium for advocacy.

    Refugee Empowerment

    Empowering refugees, including supporting a Somali student to obtain a Malaysian Skills Certificate via portfolio assessment.

    Joyful Jiggle Partnership

    Partnership with Joyful Jiggle, hosting inclusive mending and alteration workshops for plus-size women.

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    Career Talks & Mentorship

    Conducting motivational career talks at leading schools and institutions, including Montfort Boys Town, IGB International School, Australian International School Malaysia, and Ideas International School.

    Zero Waste Pattern Making

    Organizing Zero Waste Pattern Making Workshops to instill eco-conscious design practices.

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    Sustainability Seminar at UiTM Shah Alam

    In February 2024, Kalpana conducted a landmark seminar on “Sustainability in Fashion” at UiTM Shah Alam, in collaboration with industry leaders and academic experts. The seminar spotlighted the environmental impact of fashion and the importance of ethical sourcing, while empowering participants to become change makers through practical, eco-conscious design strategies.

    This seminar reinforced Kalpana’s role as a thought leader in sustainability, bringing together pioneers, professionals, and students to collectively explore how responsible innovation can reshape the fashion industry.

    Our Vision

    Kalpana’s vision is bold and future-focused: to scale The International Sewing School into a regional hub for Technical and Vocational Education and Training across Southeast Asia. She aims to integrate AI-driven design modules, expand digital learning platforms, and build global student pathways through institutional partnerships. Her mission is clear—to empower the next generation of fashion professionals with skills, sustainability, and social responsibility at the core of their practice.
    OUR TEAM

    Experts in Their Craft

    Every member of our team brings decades of real-world experience from the world’s finest ateliers and fashion houses.

    Azzureenna Abdul Aziz is a passionate and accomplished fashion design professional, currently serving as a Level 3 Ladies Garment Making trainer in the SKM program at The International Sewing School and Kalpana Singh Design Studio Sdn Bhd. With extensive expertise in garment making, instructional delivery, and curriculum development, Azzureenna empowers aspiring designers through hands-on training, written instructional materials, and performance assessments. Her leadership style is rooted in open communication, strategic thinking, and a commitment to knowledge sharing, making her an inspiring mentor in the fashion education space. Certified in Ladies Garment Making and technical operations, Azzureenna combines creative flair with technical mastery, fostering excellence and innovation among her students.

    Nur Aiza Binti Alias is a dedicated and detail-oriented fashion design professional with hands-on experience in ladies’ garment making, specializing in both SKM Level 2 and Level 3 operations. With a strong foundation in creative design, pattern making, and the use of industrial sewing machines, Nur Aiza Binti Alias excels at producing high-quality, customized clothing and accessories. Her background includes roles as a boutique assistant, creative design assistant, and seamstress at various boutiques and tailoring establishments, where she consistently delivered meticulous workmanship and innovative designs. Proficient in digital embroidery and decorative stitching, Nur Aiza Binti Alias is also committed to continuous learning and skill enhancement, currently advancing her teaching credentials to train others in garment making and technical operations. Her proactive attitude, openness to feedback, and passion for the craft make her a valuable asset in the fashion education and design industry.

    Anupama Singh is a seasoned fashion and retail leader, personal branding coach, and HRD Corp accredited trainer with over 20 years of experience spanning India and Southeast Asia. Renowned for her expertise in merchandising, category leadership, and market expansion, Anupama Singh has successfully led teams and shaped innovative fashion concepts across both offline and online ecosystems. Her journey blends entrepreneurship, strategic leadership, and a personal reinvention that informs her empowering approach to confidence and identity. As a trainer, Anupama Singh specializes in personal style development, professional presence, and fashion entrepreneurship, equipping individuals with practical industry knowledge and the tools to reinvent themselves with clarity and authenticity. Recognized as Mrs. India Worldwide 2025 (Malaysia Winner), she is celebrated for her confidence, presentation, and personal style, making her a transformative force in the fashion education and personal branding space.