But while they encouraged him, they didn’t make things easy.
“I had to put together a full presentation deck – numbers, ideas, a mood board, pictures, everything,” he recalled. “It felt like I was on Shark Tank, pitching my vision in detail… to my own parents!”
After several rounds of discussion and ensuring he had the right contacts and resources in place, Danish finally got their approval – and Gangsa became a reality.
His sisters, Dahlia Arissa Aaron, 15, and Dwi Ariana Aaron, 19, have also been instrumental in the brand’s early days. Dahlia, still in high school, models the clothes and helps with marketing, while Dwi, who is currently studying in the UK, manages Gangsa’s social media remotely.
“My sisters have been a huge help – they even gave feedback on what would work best for young women their age,” Danish said, exchanging a smile with Dahlia, who also helps run the booth.
Looking ahead, Danish hopes Mukaddimah is just the beginning.
“If this collection does well, I’d love to expand Gangsa beyond Hari Raya attire and create more traditional everyday wear for Malays and those interested in our culture,” he shared.
“I’m currently researching traditional workwear for both men and women – I hope to build on that next.”
Gangsa is at booth R8 on Baghdad Street at the Kampong Glam Ramadan bazaar. Open daily from 2pm to 11pm until Mar 25.
