By Li Xueying, Political Correspondent

NANYANG Polytechnic (NYP) student Eileen Leow, 20, studies animation design but dreams of becoming a fashion designer.

Yesterday, her ambitions got a boost from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who asked his press secretary to pass her the e-mail address of Paris-based Singapore designer Andrew Gn, whom he had met two years ago.

Industrial design student Sara Leow, 19, whose parents own a furniture design business, also got a tip from the elder statesman. 'Why don't you join Ikea and pick up their techniques?' he suggested.

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