In addition to running her bespoke jewellery business, designer Dorothy Ng seamlessly balances being a wife and raising two young daughters. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
When one thinks of bespoke jewellery, the first word that comes to mind might be “luxury”, but for Dorothy Ng, founder of Muse Jewels, it’s far more personal.
With a keen eye for artistry and meticulous attention to detail to match, Ng, 43, has spent years crafting one-of-a-kind pieces that blend tradition with contemporary design.
The mother-of-two took some time out to open up about her creative journey, the balance between personal and financial value in today’s jewellery market, motherhood and her approach to style.
Crafting artwear
To Ng, jewellery design is more than a profession – it’s a form of storytelling.
“Over the past years, I have been thoroughly mesmerised by jewellery design with a focus on creating bespoke, one-of-a-kind pieces,” says Ng. “What excites me most about this work is the deeply collaborative process – engaging in meaningful conversations with clients, understanding their personal stories, and interpreting their individual style into wearable art.”
She takes great pride in listening closely to her clients, whether the project involves redesigning a sentimental heirloom or creating a bold new statement piece.
This process isn’t just about technical execution; it’s about building trust and co-creating something that feels uniquely “theirs”.
“Whether I’m sketching initial concepts or selecting materials, every step is guided by their vision. Seeing how a thoughtfully crafted piece can celebrate a milestone, honour a memory, or simply bring joy has been incredibly rewarding. It’s this intersection of artistry, empathy and precision that fuels my passion for custom jewellery design,” she says.
Heirloom jewellery and modern pieces alike are often seen as investments, and Ng aims to bridge the gap between this motivation and treasuring jewellery for sentimental purposes.
Her brand of jewellery design is grounded in both classical and contemporary aesthetics, as she finds beauty in the conversation between the past and the present.
“To me, jewellery design is a conversation across time – a dance between the whispers of history and the pulse of the present,” she explains.
“Classical craftsmanship is the root; it’s the centuries of hand-forged filigree, the patience of lost-wax casting, the reverence for materials that ancient artisans passed down like heirlooms. These traditions are my foundation, the language I honour.”
However, she embraces modern design as a natural extension of this rich history, using tools like 3D modelling, laser engraving and sustainable alloys which redefine what luxury means today, to create pieces that speak to both heritage and innovation.
“Every piece becomes a bridge. A client’s grandmother’s jade might rebirth as a minimalist pendant. Or a vintage-inspired ring might wear a hidden C chip, linking to a digital love letter. It’s not balance – it’s alchemy. Respect lives in the ‘why’, innovation thrives in the ‘how’. Together, they create heirlooms that don’t just endure time, they converse with it,” says Ng.
Wearable archives
Heirloom jewellery and modern pieces alike are often seen as investments, and Ng aims to bridge the gap between this motivation and treasuring jewellery for sentimental purposes.
“My goal is to balance sentimental and investment value by prioritising timeless design, ethical sourcing, and heirloom-quality craftsmanship,” she explains.
She emphasises the importance of sustainability, such as sourcing conflict-free diamonds and gemstones.
“Clients want assurance that their pieces are crafted from ethically sourced materials that align with sustainable practices,” she notes, adding that jewellery pieces need to evolve with their owners, allowing them to be reset or redesigned over time.
This approach lets a piece hold emotional weight and retain intrinsic value.
Looking to the future, Ng sees a shift in how jewellery is perceived.
“Clients aren’t choosing between meaning and investment; they expect both. Whether it’s a family diamond reimagined into a custom design or a vintage-inspired ring linked to a digital love letter, jewellery is evolving to carry both emotional weight and long-term value.”
A fulfilling family life
Away from the studio, Ng is a devoted mother of two girls aged three and five, and as any parent knows, balancing work and family life can be a challenge.
“Parenting two children is a beautiful chaos,” she says. “The day-to-day hurdles often revolve around ‘balance’ – balancing their individual needs, school routines, emotional check-ins, and carving out one-on-one time with each child.
“Having more than one child means that there is always going to be sibling dynamics. Managing conflicts (which are inevitable!) while fostering their bond. One moment they are best friends composing a new song and dance number; the next, they are fighting over who gets the last strawberry. Teaching empathy and conflict resolution without dismissing their feelings is a tightrope walk,” she adds.
She is also no stranger to “mum guilt”.
“It’s real,” she says. “Saying ‘no’ to constant requests for screens or sweets, prioritising work deadlines – it’s all part of the experience. But I’ve learned that boundaries are a gift to both them and me.”
Ng and her husband, Christopher Ho’s approach to parenting is grounded in values of empathy, resilience, and integrity. “We want them to practice compassion and empathy, always encouraging them to ask, ‘How might the other person feel?’ We also emphasise the importance of mistakes – they’re teachers, not failures,” she says.
Curiosity and a love for lifelong learning is also important to Ng, who encourages her children to love books and always seek out knowledge.
To Ng, jewellery design is more than a profession – it’s a form of storytelling.
“I love nature, history and art. Curiosity about the world (cultures, science, art) fuels their creativity and critical thinking. Embracing lifelong learning also keeps you grounded,” she adds.
When it comes to raising her daughters, Ng’s vision for their future is one of authenticity and self-assurance.
“My deepest hope is that they grow into adults who feel ‘whole’,” she shares. “Not because life is perfect, but because they have learned to embrace both their light and shadows.”
She hopes her daughters will trust themselves and follow paths aligned with their values, whether in their careers or in personal relationships.
Above all, she wants them to carry kindness as their compass, both for others and themselves.
“Adulthood can be loud with demands, but I want them to know their worth is not measured by productivity or someone else’s ruler,” she says. “You are enough, exactly as you are.”
While Ng’s professional life is demanding, she and her husband make it a priority to nurture their relationship.
They regularly schedule date nights and “reset” vacations just for the two of them, despite their busy schedules.
“We schedule us ‘first’. Date nights go on the calendar in ink, not pencil,” Ng says, adding that these moments are about connection, not just entertainment.
She notes that their approach to love is rooted in quality over quantity.
“It’s not about grand gestures, but the daily choice to stay connected,” she says. “At the end of the day, we’re not just raising a family; we’re nurturing the partnership that started it all.”
Contrasts in style
When it comes to personal style, Ng describes herself as a “petite paradox” of shadow and whimsy.
“Black is my anchor,” she explains. “Some days, I’m all noir – fitted black dresses with interesting details. Other days, I’m a walking garden in a bias-cut dress swirling with peonies.”
Her fashion philosophy embraces contrasts – tough and tender, dark and daring – while focusing on clean, adaptive lines.
“Edgy is in the details: a single asymmetrical seam, a matte versus gloss contrast, or a sheer panel sliced into a tailored dress: playful, mood-driven, and tailored to my frame. Since I have quite a small frame, I avoid overwhelming shapes daily, but that does not mean playing it safe,” she says.
“My staples are shorter pieces that flirt with contrasts: a structured mini with sharp origami folds, a flowy dress in a beautiful floral fabric, or a play suit with asymmetric hemlines. I let fabrics do the talking; crisp poplin, liquid satin, eyelet lace, leather, light tweed; I love them all.”
Ng’s go-to style for events is what she calls “sculpted minimalism with a bite.”
For her, this means balancing edge with elegance – often with a monochrome palette and sleek, minimalist silhouettes.
“Edgy doesn’t mean harsh,” she says. “I soften the bite with little feminine touches and, of course, always with jewellery.”
She views event dressing as a creative challenge. “I approach it as a collaboration with the host’s vision,” Ng says. “It’s about honouring the theme while infusing my own voice – precise, a little dangerous and always in heels.”
Whether she’s creating bespoke jewellery that tells a personal story, balancing the demands of motherhood or crafting a distinctive, thoughtful outfit, Ng is a testament to the power of embracing both the heart and the art of life.
