THEY'VE come home.

In as much as Singapore was their birthplace, it remains today one of their two home bases, at least.

They are Ashley Isham, local kampung boy made good on the high-end streets of London, and Farah Khan, the original Link Boutique girl who crossed the Causeway and stayed there for 25 years.

When creative meets inventive, something's gotta give.

On one of his quarterly trips back here from London, Ashley "saw the space".

The retail space is the tallest-ceilinged in town - three flights of white and gold stairs curve to racks of designer wear, harem-like circular tents for changing rooms and a tea parlour.

It's dresses and desserts, luvvie.

The Ashley Isham Boutique and Parlour in Orchard Central is multi-label.

Both the Farah Khan and second-line FK labels are in place here.

"This is my first foray back here (after 26 years)," said the Kuala Lumpur resident, who won one of Singapore's earliest Young Designer of the Year awards all those years ago.

Khan summarised it as best as one can at cocktail parties: "I have 28 stores in Malaysia and carry 100 brands, and I'm also in 42 countries around the world. And I dress the stars in bling. Here, it's on this page in my magazine."

The head-turning interior is the artistic work of Norman Yeo, who has "done the homes" - and he mentioned a few well-heeled names here.

Hundreds of guests flocked in from two levels, directly towards the bar and cake counter - confections by Johor patisserie Humble Beginnings.

Models in frocks tried to wend their way across the crowded room on that enchanted evening when you meet not a stranger but party people you know.

Also in attendance were hot cutie actor George Young, Carrie Perrodo (founder of Carrie's Models), Annabelle Francis (Mrs Sheikh Haikel) and power personal stylist Karen Ng in an exclusive leopard print that Ashley designed for her and her alone.

"She's my muse," he cooed.

Later, while waiting for her car, two perfect strangers ran up to Karen: "We just have to ask you, where did you get your dress from. It's beautiful?!"

You'd have to be amuse, missy.

The boutique carries AI, FK, Catherine Deane, and Modern Love, a label to love for its stunning prints. Prices from $75 for a T-shirt to $1,000+ for an evening gown.

This article was first published in The New Paper.