At 16, Hayden preferred sewing to studying and learnt scratch sewing basics to design work. He completed his 'O' levels at Saint Patrick's School, Singapore in 1982 and started his fashion career immediately after graduation. In 1987, while doing his national service, Hayden dressed Miss Singapore Universe 1987, Marion Nicole Teo, who was selected into the Top Ten that year. This was the turning point for the self- taught fashion designer, and later that year, at age 21, Hayden opened his fashion boutique HAYDEN. In 1988, Hayden showcased his designs in Australia, and in 1990, he represented Singapore in the Dalian Fashion Festival in China. In 1992, Hayden was introduced to the local theater scene, where he evolved to costume designs. In 2001, he was appointed as the 1st Chief Costume Designer for Singapore's National Day Parade. Hayden worked on Singapore's National Day Parade from 2001 - 2003. In 2006, Hayden was nominated for the Straits Times’ 6th LIFE! Theatre Awards for best costume designer. Hayden also designed the new ceremonial attire for the Singapore Disabled Athletes for the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled 2006 in Kuala Lumpur that year. In 2009, Hayden returned to his beauty pageants roots, and dressed Miss Universe Singapore 2009, Rachel Kum, Miss Universe Singapore 2010, Tania Lim and Miss Universe Singapore 2011, Valerie Lim. In 2011, Hayden also designed the National Costume for Miss Universe Singapore 2011, and was rated as one of the 30 Gorgeous Miss Universe National Costumes that year. In 2015, Hayden contributed to the SAF50 Commemorative Book, "Giving Strength to Our Nation: The SAF and Its People" with an article entitled "Uniform - Fashion vs Function". The SAF50 commemorative book, "Giving Strength To Our Nation: The SAF and Its People", is a collection of stories that celebrate the men and women of the Singapore Armed Forces, past and present, as well as those outside the military who have contributed to building a strong SAF over the years. The book was launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 24 July 2015. In September 2015, Hayden created the ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase. This original showcase concept premiered in Singapore in April 2016, is a melting pot of various unique and carefully curated couture designs and ready to wear collections by established ASEAN designers. More than twenty designer apparels and accessories were donned by six models on the runway, of which included Shn Juay, Miss Earth 2006/Miss Universe Singapore 2011 2nd runner-up, May Hsu, Miss Singapore World 2011 and Singaporean Veteran Model Y.Y. Low, who elegantly opened the show. Built on the theme "Design is for everyone", fashion was brought to life in library@orchard, Singapore’s award winning and only Design Library centered on lifestyle, design and the applied arts. Representing the best of Asian interpretations of haute couture and street fashion, this showcase celebrates the unique styles and diversity around the ASEAN region. The added feature of a pop-up store allows guests to try and buy the pieces as shown on the runway immediately, right after the show. Through this platform, it promotes further cross cultural and creative collaboration while achieving mainstream regional awareness for fashion designers and models. It also hopes to nurture up-and-coming local fashion designers and models with the aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the fashion industry in the region.
Award
On 10 November 2019, Silk Road International Fashion Week presented the Fashion Design Award to Hayden Ng, the Premier Founder of the ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase and the HAYDEN brand, for his fashion design works.
Philanthropy
Hayden has contributed charity work to various causes. In 2009, he and Miss Universe Singapore 2009, Rachel Kum travelled to Sri Lanka to raise funds for the National Thalassaemia Centre Kurunegala. In 2011, Hayden dressed all the female singers in SING SING SING Wonderful 80′s – 星 星 星 再献 80′s to raise funds for the Home Nursing Foundation. In 2012, Hayden, together with Courts + O’Connor & Friends, presented a charity fashion show featuring pageant title holders from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, to raise funds for Eden Centre for Adults and Eden Children’s Centre, both under the care of Autism Association.
