From Kimono Mom to Yvon Bock, these are our favourite motherhood stories from Asia
Before she was Kimono Mom, Moe was a secondary school dropout. On two occasions, she talked to Tatler about everything she's overcome to be here: her journey to becoming a geisha, her struggles through divorce and depression, being a working mum and using traditional culture to empower other women—including her daughter.
Read Kimono Mom's story here and here. Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Datuk Yvonne Chia
Above Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Datuk Yvonne Chia and their daughters Izzana Salleh and Francesca Chia (Photo: Micky Wong)
'I unapologetically carried the tradition of my parents—but never at my daughter's expense.'
- Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil -
Powerful women and devoted mothers—can one woman truly be both? Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Datuk Yvonne Chia and their daughters Izzana Salleh and Francesca Chia share their honest takes.
Read their full story here. Oliver Chan
Above Oliver Chan (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Zed Leets)
'Most of the directors who have made films involving mothers are men, or women who haven't experienced motherhood. If I don't tell these stories, who will?'
- Oliver Chan -
Following the box office success of Still Human , a film that sheds light on domestic workers in Hong Kong, director Oliver Chan came back with The Montages of a Modern Motherhood in early 2025. She sat down with Tatler to talk about what inspired her to make the movie, as well as the challenges of motherhood in Asia.
Read Oliver Chan's full story here. Yvon Bock
Above Yvon Bock, founder and CEO of homegrown mother and babycare brand Hegen, wants to empower mothers in their breastfeeding and motherhood journey
'The challenges [I faced] inspired me to create an ecosystem that champions breastfeeding and empowers mothers.'
- Ivon Bock -
For many mothers, breastfeeding is a journey fraught with challenges. Here's how Hegen founder Yvon Bock has been transforming motherhood challenges into a Singaporean success story.
Read Yvon Bock's full story here. Fiona O
Above Fiona O, a Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow 2024, founded GloStudy (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong)
'I now have an additional identity [as a mum], but that doesn't mean I'll lose myself.'
- Fiona O -
Inspired by fellow female entrepreneurs, edtech founder Fiona O realised she didn't have to choose between motherhood and her career as she welcomed her first child.
Read Fiona O's full story here. Aida Zunaidi
Above Malaysian social enterprise, Ibupreneur, helps mothers to improve their home-ready skills while equipping them to become micro-entrepreneurs ()
'I grew up with a mother who had to hold our family together and was the sole breadwinner. Having witnessed her drive, I wanted to follow in her footsteps.'
- Aida Zunaidi -
Aida Zunaidi of Ibupreneur discusses how she deftly manages parenting demands with the rigours of running a social enterprise that enables other mothers to pursue their dreams.
Read Aida Zunaidi's full story here. Kathryn Weaver
Above Employment lawyer Kathryn Weaver is driving conversation around adoption and the different ways to grow a family (Photo: Alex Macro)
'You can't go into adoption half-hearted. You've got to be fully committed to it and to everything it brings.'
- Kathryn Weaver -
Lawyer Kathryn Weaver has navigated Hong Kong's challenging adoption system twice; she discusses interracial adoption and the systemic barriers and challenges adoptive families face.
Read Kathryn Weaver's full story here.
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