Winding up after 17 years due to co-founder's health issues

Local fashion label The Closet Lover (TCL) will be shuttering after 17 years due to the deteriorating health of owner Brianna Wong, but her co-founder sister is not ruling out a comeback.

- Elaine Lee

Ms Bertilla Wong, 35, told The Straits Times on May 3 that her sister's health took a turn for the worse in February during her two-week visit to South Korea.

"She experienced very high blood pressure. Her legs and limbs were extremely swollen, and she even had difficulty breathing at times such that she had to visit the doctor twice while she was in Seoul," said Ms Wong.

Ms Brianna Wong, 39, who was previously diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly referred to as lupus, was warded when she returned to Singapore.

Lupus is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks the healthy tissues and organs.

The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that at least five million people worldwide have a form of lupus, and women make up the majority of such patients. Scientists suspect that sex hormones play a part.

Symptoms associated with the condition include joint pain, fatigue and a butterfly rash that appears across the cheeks and nose.

Ms Bertilla Wong said the doctor informed her older sister that her kidney and heart were inflamed due to the stress she was facing and advised her to prioritize her health.

"When I heard that, I was very worried and persuaded her to end the business first to recuperate because I want her to live," said Ms Bertilla Wong.