Jack Neo’s Daughter, Who Now Lives In Sydney, Launches Luxury Loungewear Brand

Growing up as “Jack Neo’s daughter” wasn’t exactly something Ethel Neo, 33, enjoyed being known for.

She avoided talking about her famous filmmaker dad, preferring people not know who her family was.

“I wanted people to see the real me. But as I got older, I learned to accept it,” she told 8world.

Over the past four years, Ethel has carved her own path as an entrepreneur, founding the collagen soup brand Chu Collagen and the jewellery brand Eclat by Oui, which even made it to Milan Fashion Week’s emerging designers showcase.

Her efforts earned her the Spirit of Enterprise Start-up Award — proof that she’s built success entirely on her own terms.

These days, she’s perfectly comfortable talking about her dad, acknowledging how much his creativity, discipline, and passion for storytelling have influenced her.

She shares that the biggest lesson she’s learned as the eldest of four kids in the family is simple but profound: Be faithful in the small things, for they lead to greater things.

“Since young, I watched my parents pour their hearts into filmmaking. They taught me that persistence, humility, and integrity matter far more than fleeting success. These values shaped how I build my brands — with care, patience, and respect for the process,” Ethel said.

She fondly remembers the day her Eclat boutique opened at 313@somerset and the surprise visit from her parents despite her protests.

They hid quietly behind pillars and congratulatory flower stands, just to be there in support.  

“Looking back, that’s such a beautiful memory,” she said.

In July this year, Ethel and her husband, Peter Lau, 40, relocated to Sydney with their two sons, Flynn, six, and Austin, four, for a slower pace of life.

Australia has more open spaces and is closer to nature, which allows her to “breathe, reflect, and rediscover what truly matters”.

“I also want to experience life with my kids — to spend time with them and watch them grow in a different environment,” said Ethel.

Living abroad has changed her perspective on what happiness means.

“In the past, I thought fulfillment came from doing more, achieving more, creating more. Now I realise that true happiness lies in being present, in savoring the beauty of ordinary moments,” she said.

That new mindset also inspired her latest venture, Saints & Sports, a minimalist loungewear brand that celebrates everyday luxury.

In her daily routine of school runs, grocery trips, and remote work, she wanted clothes that were comfortable yet effortlessly put-together.

“I realised that when I feel comfortable in what I wear, I stop worrying about my appearance. It’s a quiet kind of confidence, knowing you’re enough without having to prove anything, and being fully present in the moment,” she said.

Her debut collection features pieces made from SaintsWeight 450 fabric, which is soft yet structured, and SaintsSkin, a smooth, lightweight, and breathable fabric used for yoga wear. The attention to detail is obvious — from seamless yoga pants that flatter every curve to oversized hoodies that frame your face just right.

And when her son said: “I want to wear Saints & Sports too,” Ethel decided to create a matching kids’ line.

The family of four even turned up at the brand’s Singapore launch in full Saints & Sports gear, with her little ones strutting the runway as mini models.  

Because of its heavier fabrics, Saints & Sports pieces are ideal for travel or layering. Ethel is now developing lighter materials suitable for tropical climates.