Courage, culture, and fashion: Mae Pang shares more on the Breast Cancer Foundation’s empowering Courage Catwalk 2025

Bold, beautiful, and brimming with strength – the Courage Catwalk returned for its second edition on 7 March 2025, uniting breast cancer survivors and advocates in a powerful showcase of resilience.

Held at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre’s Grand Ballroom, this year’s catwalk was bigger and bolder, featuring 20 breast cancer survivors – aptly known as “Pink Warriors” – striding down the runway in bespoke creations that honoured Singapore’s rich cultural tapestry. Aptly themed A Cultural Mosaic of Courage, the show spotlighted four distinct cultural segments – Chinese, Malay, Indian, and International – brought to life by six emerging designers from Lasalle College of the Arts: Jocelynne Pricilia Cantona, Iris Zulfa, Keya Prajapati, Wu Chuyue, Alison Oh Jing Rou, and Ni Siting. Each piece was infused with heritage motifs and stories of survival, showcasing how fashion can be a vessel for healing, empowerment, and pride.

Among the Pink Warriors was Andrea Lim, 35, one of the youngest participants, whose story touched hearts – diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant, she made the heartbreaking decision to focus on her own survival. Also taking to the runway was a diverse line-up of women from all walks of life, including those still undergoing treatment, all united in reclaiming their confidence and sharing their journeys.

One of the pillars behind this extraordinary night is Mae Pang, Breast Cancer Foundation’s head of advocacy & communications, whose work in shaping the event reflects her broader mission – to amplify breast cancer awareness and ensure no one faces the journey alone. With over two decades in brand and marketing communications, Mae has turned her focus since October 2024 to championing early detection, breaking stigma, and building a stronger community for those impacted by breast cancer.

Here, Mae shares her insights on what it takes to bring Courage Catwalk to life – and why this cause remains close to her heart.

How was the Breast Cancer Foundation’s second Courage Catwalk different from the first one last year?

Building on the success of our first Courage Catwalk, this year’s show was bigger, bolder, and more inclusive. Inspired by our Voices for Ibu music video, we brought to life a Cultural Mosaic of Courage, celebrating survivors from diverse backgrounds. Featuring four cultural segments – Chinese, Malay, Indian, and International –  we doubled the number of Pink Warriors, giving more survivors the chance to share their stories. Through this, we wanted to show that breast cancer knows no boundaries – and neither does courage.

How were the designers from LASALLE selected for the show?

We partnered with Lasalle to identify young designers whose creative visions aligned with Courage Catwalk’s spirit – celebrating culture, identity, and resilience. Each designer worked closely with their assigned segment to create bespoke pieces that honoured tradition while empowering the Pink Warriors who wore them. Their dedication made fashion a true medium of storytelling and strength.

What stood out the most about this line-up of Pink Warriors?

The incredible diversity of their experiences. Many have faced unimaginable challenges, and some are still undergoing treatment. Yet they chose to step forward and embrace this moment. This year, we also saw more younger survivors, like Andrea Lim, who was diagnosed at 35 while pregnant. Her courage to share her story on the runway was a powerful reminder of resilience and hope.

Which moment during the Courage Catwalk 2025 were you most proud of?

The finale – when all 20 Pink Warriors walked down the runway hand in hand. Seeing them stand tall, owning their stories in culturally inspired designs, was a deeply moving moment. The energy in the room – the cheers, tears, and solidarity – reminded us that this was more than fashion. It was a powerful declaration of strength and unity.

What was the key takeaway from this event?

That strength comes in many forms. Courage isn’t just about fighting an illness – it’s about showing up for yourself and embracing life. To anyone facing breast cancer: you are never alone. And to family, friends, and colleagues – your support matters. Breast cancer affects everyone, and the more we talk about it, the more we break stigma and encourage early detection.

What can we look forward to for next year’s Courage Catwalk?

We’re already dreaming up ways to make Courage Catwalk 2026 even more impactful. Expect bigger themes, deeper storytelling, and more partnerships with designers, artists, and performers. But above all, our goal remains the same – to give breast cancer survivors a platform to share their stories and inspire others.