After visiting a friend in Shanghai, she decided to move here and initially worked in a financial services company where she met her future business partner, Wang.

"We are both shopaholics, we would talk about fashion and clothes and we both had a dream to make our career in fashion," Sin says.

Wang's sister recently entered the business and the trio have branched out into customized wardrobes, wedding planning and personal styling.

In addition to designing fashions, Cat Walk provides makeovers and even has designs for corporate clients.

Sin is currently designing new Moroccan-style uniforms for People's Square restaurant and bar Barbarossa.

Yana Sin

Nationality: Russian (Japanese/Korean)

Age: 30

Profession: Fashion designer

Q&A

Description of self:

Unique, adventurous, vogue.

Favorite place: Airport - love to feel the movement of the crowd. Someone is leaving (what do they feel); someone is coming (what are they expecting from Shanghai); someone is in transition. It's like an overview of life. Very inspiring!

Strangest sight:

Oh! There are so many and I have not seen it all yet! One was the chairman of my previous company eating soup at a meeting.

Worse experience: Visa issues! Always! And local trains.

Motto for life: Follow the flow because you never know how it will work out.

How to improve Shanghai:

People's attitude.

Advice to newcomers:

Don't listen to the stories, come and see and make your own.

(Shanghai Daily May 6, 2009)