MATTER: Field Notes

[matterprints]

Connected Clothing: Jennifer Nini

Jennifer Nini is a writer, activist and the founding editor of Eco Warrior Princess - an online platform discussing all things concerning eco-fashion and a green lifestyle. Her journey to sustainable and ethical fashion is one where intention meets mindfulness. As action creates impact, Jennifer and her partner decided to move from city to farm to start an organic food venture while cultivating a permaculture farm and food forest. From what she wears to how she lives - Jennifer Nini makes a conscious decision to actively be a part of the solution.

What is your intention behind what you wear and what you buy?

Process and material are just as important as style. I seek first clothes that are well designed, and made sustainably and ethically. The main motivation is that I want the clothes I wear to be biodegradable, not just because it feels better on my skin but because of its impact. What this means for me is that I usually buy natural and organic fabrics, like organic cotton, lyocell, tencel, hemp, and bamboo - plant based materials that are built to last and transeasonal. Of course, bamboo isn’t as eco-friendly because of the way it’s spun but I trust that over time, it will be improved.

 When I’m adding pieces, I know what my non-negotiables are. It has to be sustainable and ethical - from process to product. Living on an organic farm, I’m committed to wearing fabrics that are sustainable because I see first hand what the impact is from that - and so I’ll steer away from anything synthetically made and created with chemicals. Aside from sustainability, I’m also passionate about the ethical aspects of fashion - it’s important to me that the garment workers, farmers, and people involved in the supply chain and production are paid and treated fairly.

I tend not to buy very frequently, when I need an item I try instead to look for secondhand options first. Where a brand gets me is the story, if they practice what they preach and value their positive impact in the community and the environment - then I’m more inclined to support them.

When I say that it’s something I’m passionate about, it’s not just a superficial statement. This really is my life and purpose.

Tell us more about your journey to ethical fashion, was it a change that happened over time? How did this come about?

 Like many modern women, I grew up in a time of fast fashion. This generation is the first where fast fashion has completely taken a hold of the industry, before that I would say that conscious fashion and respect of the garment and trade was more important. I did a Fashion Business course and in that time my business partner and I went to China in 2008 on a mission to start our own fashion brand. In our time there, we learned about the background of fashion - everything behind the scenes, beyond the glory and beauty of aesthetics and advertisements. We travelled around South China, in cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou to look at the different factories and got a glimpse of the industry that one rarely gets to see. We never did get the fashion brand off the ground, but it was still a significant trip for us. It was the key changing point for me where I really thought about my clothes, who made them, the factories involved, and the way the workers were treated - this was the catalyst to my journey with ethical fashion.

Growing up, I had always been politically active - my parents fled from the Philippines because they felt that the government was corrupted and the President ended up stealing millions of dollars. I learned from a young age that it was vital to stand for social justice. I had always been going to protest marches, but I never thought about fashion in that same light. To come back from that trip in China was an awakening for me, and I started talking to anyone who would listen. My partner encouraged me to start a blog and so I did - that’s how Eco Warrior Princess came to be. 

The name Eco Warrior Princess is a tribute to the fact that I was living in cosmopolitan Melbourne and about to make my move to a rural area of 300 people where I would live in a tent for 4 months. I left Melbourne because I wanted to start producing my own organic foods. The farm runs 100% on solar power, it’s sustainable, self-sufficient, and we recently received our organic certification - our life has completely shifted to a more primitive sort of lifestyle but I love it because of its low impact. There’s 40 odd varieties of things that I grow - from mangoes to nuts. It’s a cross of two worlds, cocktail parties and organic farms. I moved to the country to live off the land and be one with nature, and it’s taken me several years after to learn more about what this lifestyle really means. When I say that it’s something I’m passionate about, it’s not just a superficial statement. This really is my life and purpose.

Vintage pieces are my weakness when it comes to curating my closet - it’s like a collectible for me. I have high respect for the construction and uniqueness of the garment, they’re one of a kind treasures that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

What are some of the items currently in your closet?

Actually, I don’t really have a closet - not in the conventional sense anyways. 3 years ago, my partner and I bought a farm and we’ve since yet to build one. What I use instead is just a tall boy - a set of drawers to hold my clothes. I figured since I don’t really have many clothes, I don’t exactly need a closet. I have a highly curated selection of clothes, it’s completely minimal with only the necessities. Most of them are pieces that I can wear easily with others, secondhand pieces, and gifts that I’ve received through Eco Warrior Princess.

What would your ideal wardrobe look like?

Most people might not agree, but I would say my ideal wardrobe is the one I have now. When I look at it, there’s nothing that I would consider adding. The only thing I can see myself needing would be a pair of gum boots for the farm. Every 6 months, I sort through what I own and make sure it’s curated properly so that I’m not holding onto anything that I don’t need.

 Vintage pieces are my weakness when it comes to curating my closet - it’s like a collectible for me. I have high respect for the construction and uniqueness of the garment, they’re one of a kind treasures that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. I tend not to buy multiples of anything, I’m not looking to buy repeats - I prefer pieces that are unique in look and history.

What do my clothes say about me as a human being and the identity I created for myself today?

 What statement do you want to make with the clothes you wear?

Clothes, for me, are a sense of expression and an artistic endeavor. Everything I own is highly functional and versatile - it’s an expression of who I am first and foremost, then what I stand for. Because of the industry I’m in and the values that I’m passionate about, what I choose to wear goes beyond the surface of how it looks on my body. That might be the first conversation shared, but the more important one to consider is - what do my clothes say about me as a human being and the identity I created for myself today?

If your house is on fire, what are the five pieces you would save - even if it meant running back into a burning house?

Definitely my vintage dress, it was an old 1960s style dress that I found in a shop in Melbourne. I brought it to a tailor to get the sleeves cut off and it’s one of my go to pieces. I’d also grab my leather skirt, a secondhand vintage piece I bought 10-15 years ago (before I made the decision to go vegan) and it still fits me perfectly. My engagement dress would be another to take along, the year I got engaged I didn’t want to buy anything new - even for my wedding, and so I found a vintage dress from the 1950s and got it secondhand. I was lucky to score it and till now, I still wear it on other occasions. There’s a pair of skinny jeans that I got as hand me downs from my niece, she was going to get rid of them but I saw it before she did and grabbed it. I was on the lookout for a pair of black skinny jeans and since then they’ve been a staple. The final thing I would grab is an old hoodie that I’ve had since I was 16, it was my first boyfriend’s basketball hoodie - it’s a sentimental piece to me because he’s since passed away and it’s something of his that I have to hold on to.

Sustainability isn’t just about consuming what’s there, it’s also making sure that you’re consuming someone else’s waste.

What advice do you have for those who want to build a more sustainable closet?

Sustainability is such a broad topic. I think the first step is to focus on what’s important to you. What is important to you - veganism, locally produced, natural fabrics, workers’ rights? What are the key factors and values that matter most to you? If you’re able to define what that is first, then it’ll be easier to break it down into something that’s easier to tackle later on.

Do your own research! Some people find it difficult, but there’s a lot of apps and platforms available like Project Just where you can check up on certain brands. Research before you make a purchase.

Always look for secondhand stuff before making a brand new purchase. Sustainability isn’t just about consuming what’s there, it’s also making sure that you’re consuming someone else’s waste. It’s a part of sustainable fashion to shop secondhand - to reduce waste that goes into the landfill. Try first to purchase something secondhand, and only when you can’t then buy something new.

All photos were taken by Ben McGuire.

We began with the intention to inspire consciousness in our everyday, to cultivate a culture that encourages others to uncover where and why something is made. The Connected Clothing series spotlights on different individuals in the fashion industry - why they wear what they wear and the significance behind their choices. 

Read the rest of the series here.

[matterprints]

MATTER Wraps: A Collaboration

The origin of the MATTER WRAPS was a confluence of opportunity, timing and the right intention. It began over a conversation in December with Aarika Lee. She approached us wanting to do something grounded on impact, and we talked about the possibility of creating headwraps with batik - which would allow more control with placement prints. We always knew we wanted to explore partnership outside of India, and we had been talking about it for the past year. From there, the dots connected and idea became reality after a WhatsApp video call with Denica, the founder of SukkhaCitta. Connected by a cause, we collaborated together with the intention to make this a purpose-led project above all else.

Created in the Jlamprang village of Semarang, the artisans we worked with are a part of SukkhaCitta’s Field to Fabric initiative. For the past year, SukkhaCitta has been working with them to rebuild their capacity for the craft of batik and indigo dye - with it, providing stable employment for 10 of the 150 women in the village. As we aligned with them to produce the wraps co-designed with Aarika Lee, we wanted to bring about a positive discussion around the challenges and opportunities of economic freedom, choice, and sustainable livelihoods in craft in agricultural rural areas.

We wanted to bring about a positive discussion around the challenges and opportunities of economic freedom, choice and sustainable livelihoods in craft in agricultural rural areas.

Handcrafted in batik, all proceeds of the MATTER WRAPS go towards the artisan community in Jlamprang. The hope is to cover the costs for three years of land rental, and building a workshop facility and indigo vat - all in an effort to sustain their economic freedom. The grant received from these proceeds will follow a Pay It Forward model - where the amount raised will be reinvested into another artisan community after a few years. We’re heartened by this impact-driven project, and even more so to know that it doesn’t end here but that this is only the beginning of a ripple effect.

In designing the wraps with Aarika Lee, we took these strong characters and personified them in modern adaptations of the traditional batik motifs of Parang, Kawung, and Buketan.

This capsule collection consists of 3 designs - Warrior, Creator, and Dreamer. Collectively they represent the characteristics that are intrinsically present in each and every one of us, and the roles we take on at different stages of our lives. In designing the wraps with Aarika Lee, we took these strong characters and personified them in modern adaptations of the traditional batik motifs of Parang, Kawung, and Buketan.

The large sword repeat in the Warrior wrap is a symbol of unyielding courage in the face of constant change. The Warrior print is a reinterpretation of the Parang motif, a traditional sacred war pattern with its roots in Yogyakarta.

Inspired by Kawung, one of the oldest batik symbols, the Creator wrap holds a repeat of an Areca palm blossom splayed with four petals and a fruit at its center. The circular motif points to a profound philosophy of universal energy and the sacred origin of humanity within a divine order. Dyed naturally with the indigo plant, it takes 5 dips across 3 hours for the deep blue to soak through.

The Dreamer interpretation of the Buketan print is a modern depiction of floral patterns and butterfly wings. Often found in coastal batik, the motif is a historical hybrid of influences from multicultural origins. The mahogany wood bark is a natural dye used in the Dreamer wrap. Boiled for 4 days, the first dip leaves an intense brown on the fabric. After a second boil, the earthy tones give way to reveal a dusty pink.

We created the MATTER WRAPS with an intention grounded on impact, and along the way it grew into something so much more. Co-designed with Aarika Lee and created with SukkhaCitta, this capsule collection champions the very heart of what matters to us - the desire to create an empowering space for women to gather, converse, collaborate, and create.

Over the past weekend, we were a part of Keepers x Straits Clan’s takeover at the New Majestic Hotel - and in those two days, the MATTER WRAPS sold out. We didn't expect such an overwhelming response, but we're truly so encouraged to know that our cause resonated with so many of you. 

[matterprints]

Connected Clothing: Andrew Yeung

As a freelance illustrator based in Hong Kong, Andrew Yeung spends most of his time creating and exhibiting his artwork across Asia. A creative before all else; his clothes and illustrations are all a form of self-expression. His wardrobe is a clutter of statement pieces - an amalgam of prints, textures, and colour. With every piece added, he believes that it should be a collective reflection of who he is, and so he exclusively curates vintage products with a design unique to its own.

His room is an open reflection of his colourful personality - with paintings and posters clustered together like puzzle pieces on the wall, and a desk speckled with a variety of odd trinkets like a ketchup-shaped pencil case, an eraser that looks like fingers, and a pencil sharpener in the form of a nose. His clothes are hanging in an open closet, spilling out of shelves and drawers, and for all those who know him - it is safe to say that his style is never monotone.

Can you share with us more about your clothing and intention behind what you wear?

I see fashion as an extension of who I am. Some people wear their heart on their sleeves, I wear it in my entire outfit. That’s why I only shop from vintage stores or wear my own designs. Growing up, my sister worked in Japan so I would often visit her, and we would go shopping at vintage stores. The vintage stores there are unlike the kind in the States, it’s not secondhand clothing but instead unique pieces that were made one off or in limited quantities. About 90% of my closet is vintage, and the pieces that speak to me most are the ones with patterns and colours - because I feel like it is a reflection of my personality.

I realized that in shopping vintage, I was minimizing my environmental impact and it inspired my conviction to continue doing so.

In 2016, I went to Japan to exhibit my own artwork. There were critics there who would come up to me and say “I can see yourself in your art”. That was the highest compliment, to know that who I am extends to what I wear and what I make - I take pride in that kind of synonymous novelty.

There have been a few times (enough to count on one hand) where I’ve see someone else wearing a piece identical to mine. That’s why I would prefer to make my own pieces - I wouldn’t call myself a designer because I don’t make the clothes from scratch, but I love to up-cycle existing pieces and add my own touches to something seemingly ordinary. I’ve also experimented with wearing my sketches, by scanning my prints, then printing them on ready made shirts.

There were critics there who would come up to me and say “I can see yourself in your art”. That was the highest compliment, to know that who I am extends to what I wear and what I make - I take pride in that kind of synonymous novelty.

What started out as a way to purchase unique pieces at an affordable price point eventually became something much more. I realized that in shopping vintage, I was minimizing my environmental impact and it inspired my conviction to continue doing so.

Would you say that you have your ideal wardrobe?

Yes! Everything I own right now is timeless, and I can see myself wearing them into the coffin. I’d want to be buried in my clothes, that’s how ideal I think my wardrobe is.

If your house is on fire, what are the five pieces you would save - even if it meant running back into a burning house?

Funny enough, this is actually a question my sisters and I ask each other often. The first would have to be my Big Bang Blazer - I named it that because it reminds me of the Korean band and it makes me feel like I belong on a stage surrounded by spotlights. I’d also take my printed jacket, it’s blocked with letters and patterns of miscellaneous trinkets like a zebra, fish, and the Sydney opera house. 

That’s how one floral shirt got me on the cover of a magazine, and the opportunity to fly to London Fashion Week to meet the designers and press. 

The next piece would be my favourite floral collared shirt, I love the memories associated with it. There was a campaign from TOUCH Magazine where a famous photographer would take portraits of anyone with an interesting fashion style. I decided to walk into the the studio and ask for a photo, mostly because I wanted a new picture for my Facebook profile. 2 weeks later, I got a call from the magazine announcing that I was the winner because they were intrigued by my fashion style and thought it would be different to pick a guy for once. That’s how one floral shirt got me on the cover of a magazine, and the opportunity to fly to London Fashion Week to meet the designers and press. 

I would also grab with me my USA bomber jacket, I named it Aaron Kwok, after the celebrity in Hong Kong. When I wear it I feel like I’m Aaron Kwok - in a movie scene with explosives blowing up in the background while I ride off in a motorcycle. My mother even saw the connection before I told her what I named the jacket. The last item I would take with me is a paisley floor duster kimono jacket that I bought in Japan.

At the end of the day, what I wear is just an expression of who I am. Others see my style and think I’m purposefully trying to be different, or making a statement by being weird - but that’s not why I wear what I wear.

What statement do you want to make with the clothes you wear?

Once, I was on the train wearing a mask over my mouth that had tiger fangs painted over it, and the people around me just kept staring. One woman went so far as to tug her boyfriend’s sleeve and point a finger at me. But in LA and Japan, it’s completely different. People in LA are more likely to shout that they love what I wear, and in Japan I get a lot of head nods - there is a mutual respect and understanding that what we wear is an extension of who we are and there is no need for judgement. If I wanted to be in the spotlight, I would do something more extravagant than what I’m doing now.

At the end of the day, what I wear is just an expression of who I am. Others see my style and think I’m purposefully trying to be different, or making a statement by being weird - but that’s not why I wear what I wear. In Hong Kong, even as I’m walking down the street I can feel other people staring at me, and from time to time there are strangers who come up to me and ask “why are you wearing this?”. 

We began with the intention to inspire consciousness in our everyday, to cultivate a culture that encourages others to uncover where and why something is made. The Connected Clothing series spotlights on different individuals in the fashion industry - why they wear what they wear and the significance behind their choices.

[matterprints]

Connected Clothing: Stephanie Dickson

The clothes we wear are an extension of who we are, and the pieces we invest in are a window into our story. With this spirit in mind, we visited Stephanie at her shophouse apartment to meet the woman who has recently transitioned from a fast fashion fanatic to the founder of Singapore’s leading conscious community. 

Stephanie Dickson is the founder of The Wedge, a leading platform connecting conscious people from around the world together. She started this social enterprise as a way to form a community that would impact change. Out of that venture, she then created Green Is The New Black - Asia’s first conscious festival, inspiring others to buy better. Both platforms are rooted in the motivation to empower others to take action - an element she felt was missing in the current industry. 

Her home is a reflection of who she is: where conscious living meets mindfulness. With a collection of handmade frames gathered over a white wall, each one is filled with images of memories that she holds dear to her heart - of her family, her time in Ubud, and when she went wind surfing with her boyfriend. Every photo is paired with a quote she loves, and together they serve as reminders that anchor her in her everyday.  

Tell us more about your journey from shopping fast fashion to now advocating for the conscious and slow - how do the dots connect?

My journey in my approach towards shopping and fashion can be divided into two distinct chapters of my life; drawing a line at the moment where I intentionally decided to distance myself from fast fashion. Before this change, I lived for the thrills of online shopping. Admittedly, the process of looking for items, purchasing them, waiting for it to arrive, and unwrapping them had its own invigorating high. There was something so exciting about the exclusivity of receiving boxes filled with the newest and trendiest clothes. 

But when I quit my job, my income reduced and I couldn’t afford to buy as often as I used to. At that point, I also came to realize that the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. The weight of that reality sort of put everything in context and I realized that my purchase decisions were contributing to that plight. 

I actually don’t miss the aspects of fast fashion that I once loved. There’s so much more value and sentiment behind the process of saving up for clothes that I feel proud wearing. Instead of buying more when I feel that I need to update my closet, I’ve been swapping clothes with my friends - what’s old to someone else is new and treasured to me, and the same can be said for them. By removing the overload of clutter and working towards a greener and more sustainable lifestyle, I’ve become happier and healthier.

There’s a large misconception that ethical fashion is reserved for hippies only, but it’s untrue - you can be conscious and fabulous.

What are some of the items currently in your closet?

When I curate my closet now, I look for simple and unique pieces. Currently I have playsuits, high waisted pieces, tops, and my most complex print is MATTER’s All Day Jumpsuit. For my birthday, my friends pooled together to gift me a dress from Reformation and a pair of pants from MATTER. There’s a large misconception that ethical fashion is reserved for hippies only, and it is not elegant. But it’s untrue and brands are proving that notion otherwise by breaking the ceiling wide open. You can be conscious and fabulous.

My closet used to be crowded with fast fashion pieces, but now half of my clothes are curated from ethical brands.

What statement do you want to make with the clothes you wear?

My closet used to be crowded with fast fashion pieces, but now half of my clothes are curated from ethical brands. It’s a milestone for sure, but I also hope to grow that portion so that there’s more ethical pieces to fast fashion pieces. 

In my efforts at The Wedge and Green Is The New Black, there’s so much value and significance placed in conscious living and I want to practice what I preach. Conscious living isn’t something I want only to be celebrated in these platforms, it’s a dedication I strive to commit to across all aspects of my life.

If your house is on fire, what are the five pieces you would save - even if it meant running back into a burning house?

Without hesitation - my MATTER All Day Jumpsuit, the new Reformation Dress I received as a birthday present from my friends, my grandmother’s vintage dress that’s been passed on from her to my mom to me and hopefully to my own, and a top I bought when I was fourteen. The last piece would probably be something that holds great sentiment, maybe an old t-shirt that tells the story of a certain time in my childhood or something that reminds me of my past, I don’t know what it’ll be specifically but I’m sure I’ll make a decision should my house ever catch on fire.

Why did you keep the piece you bought when you were fourteen? What is its significance?

First of all, it was expensive. Well, for a fourteen year old anyways. It was also my very first investment piece, I had to save up over a couple of months before I was able to buy it. Most of all, I keep it because it fits. Even after all these years, I’m still able to wear the piece and I still do.

Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want - Anna Lappé

How do you think the choices you make with your clothes affect your immediate surroundings?

The butterfly effect has to start somewhere. Conscious living is something that has to manifest in everything that you do, the change happens from within and you can affect others with the choices you make.

What is the most important message you want to share about conscious consumerism?

Believe that you have the power and don’t discount the impact an individual can make. One of the most memorable quotes that has stayed with me is by Anna Lappé who once said “Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”

What are some tips you have for someone who wants to make the shift into conscious consumerism?

There are 3 main things:

1. Decide what you care about. Is it brands that are ethical, or brands that source environmentally friendly materials?

2. Reduce, reuse, recycle

3. Repeat!

This process will cause a ripple effect. You really can make a difference in the decisions you make.

We began with the intention to inspire consciousness in our everyday, to cultivate a culture that encourages others to uncover where and why something is made. The Connected Clothing series spotlights on different individuals in the fashion industry - why they wear what they wear and the significance behind their choices.

[matterprints]

Connected Clothing: Raye Padit

As a voice for conscious fashion, Raye Padit is motivated by the belief that one person’s actions, no matter how small, holds great impact. This core ideal has driven him to start his three passion projects: Connected Threads Asia, PeyaR, and Swapaholic. Raye co-heads Connected Threads Asia - a platform connecting fashion designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers, to create a lasting conversation around the culture of sustainable fashion. He is also the face behind PeyaR, a design label with a focus on bespoke apparel made through upcycled pre-consumer textiles. He began Swapaholic, his most recent venture, for people to exchange their clothes and build their closet without adding to the waste of the fashion industry.

Raye cycles through a closet of 47 items, believes only in the bare necessities, and keeps a giant jar of coins because he hates carrying around change in his pockets. This minimalistic approach guides his everyday. His room is vibrantly cluttered, with posters from past concerts he’s been to, sketches of clothing he wants to design one day, and notes from friends. Everything tacked onto his pristine walls has a story behind it. Though it isn’t minimal, it has the same sentiment - everything he keeps matters to him, and it holds an irreplaceable significance.

How did Connected Threads come about?

When I started the Fashion Revolution events in Singapore, I soon realized that it lacked continuity. I wanted to create a platform for people to learn more about ethical fashion, that way even after the event ended people would still have a way to support the cause. This ambition led to Connected Threads - we wanted to explore the side of fashion beyond the surface of glamour and expression. To encourage consumer responsibility, we would host events and documentary screenings as a way of building a community beyond the aesthetics of clothing.

When I started the Fashion Revolution events in Singapore, I soon realized that it lacked continuity.

What were you doing before you started Connected Threads?

I worked in marketing, and I was happy with my job - but I always knew I wanted more. Growing up, my mum loved fashion and she would attend special events on occasion. Whenever this was the case, she would go through the lengthy process of finding inspiration from magazines, picking out fabrics, going to the seamstress to have it made - and I would be by her side through it all watching the magic unfold as an idea went from fabric to dress. At a young age, I already knew that I wanted to work with fashion, and so I began doing internships with local designers and eventually moved into the ethical fashion industry.

Tell us more about how you started your new online clothes-swap platform Swapaholic, and how that has evolved now.

Swapaholic was actually a result of Connected Threads. As Connected Threads grew I felt that an exchange of ideas was simply not enough, and I wanted to do something tangible to contribute to the movement. I began exchanging clothes with my close friends as a way to get new clothes. But I soon came to realize that on a larger scale, I was able to build my wardrobe without adding more waste to the fashion industry.

When we began, the biggest challenge was the stigma behind swapping clothes. Some people saw it as an exchange of hand me downs, even though every piece brought in is as good as new. Now, there’s a change in mindset towards clothes-swapping, and there’s a growing interest as people realize they can open up their options. What I’ve been doing now is small-scale events, but the bigger picture is to create an online platform by next year to make it more accessible.

I try to think beyond consuming and instead focus on how can I make an impact without adding to the waste.

How has your style evolved since you came into ethical fashion?

I think it is more accurate to say that my behaviour towards clothes has changed. I used to want only what looks good on me, but now that I’ve become more conscious of my environmental impact, I try to think beyond consuming and instead focus on how can I make an impact without adding to the waste. As a designer, I have the liberty to conceptualise my own designs. With the creativity and resourcefulness of this job, I am limitless with the limited resources.

Nowadays, I try to minimise the amount of clothes I have in my wardrobe. Because really, how often will I wear all these clothes when I always go back to the few pieces that I am most comfortable in? 

What is your ideal closet?

Currently, I have a capsule closet. I was inspired by a movement in the States where people would rotate between 33 pieces of clothing every 3 months. In that timeframe, what you have is your staple and you don’t add to it. I decided to take that same idea but tailor it for my lifestyle. Instead of changing my closet every 3 months - I’ve changed it up so that I own only 50 pieces. Currently, I have 47 pieces, including my underwear and socks, and I feel like I already have my ideal closet. 

I’ve curated set looks and uniforms for certain occasions, and it helps me focus on things that are more meaningful to me. The only thing I’m missing is a two-piece upcycled suit. But the nature of upcycled fabric makes it difficult to reconcile the pattern with a clean-cut shirt, and so I have yet to find a tailor willing to take on this project.

My high school chemistry teacher once told me that a person should always have two things on them at all times: a rosary and a handkerchief.

Is there a favourite piece in your closet that you always turn to?

I don’t have a favourite, but out of all the pieces I own it’s my uniform shirt that gets the most wear. I designed it myself, and it’s a staple in my closet. I prefer custom-made clothes, and a large portion of the garments I own reflect that. I also mirror this in all my designs - I refuse to make anything that has already been created, even if it was a past design of mine I still like to add extra details to make it unique.

I can’t say this is another favourite, perhaps more of an essential - something I always carry on me is a hanky. My high school chemistry teacher once told me that a person should always have two things on them at all times: a rosary and a handkerchief. It sort of became my rule to live by. As a kid, my mom would never buy me handkerchiefs no matter how much I asked her to, and so I ended up taking them from my dad’s collection. Now of course I get my own, I used to have a collection of 12 handkerchiefs but it’s dwindled down to 3 - it’s so easy to lose them!

Nowadays, I try to minimise the amount of clothes I have in my wardrobe. Because really, how often will I wear all these clothes when I always go back to the few pieces that I am most comfortable in? 

What is the statement you wish to make with your clothes?

I always tell my clients “you should wear you.” Do not be blinded by mainstream messages. What works for others might not work for you and that’s okay, when you choose what works for you, it will empower you and make you feel confident.

When I design for my clients, I prefer to meet with them first to learn more about who they are, what they wear, and why they wear what they wear. There is no point to creating pieces that they will only wear once. I want to create pieces that fit their lifestyle, and I want it to be timeless.

Out of all your designs, which are your favourite works?

It’s a tie between two dresses. There’s a silver dress I made out of boredom, which I love because there’s so much complexity that went into designing it in detail, and yet it drapes so effortlessly. The other dress is a wedding gown I made for a client, her fiancé had recently passed on but she wanted a dress anyways to keep as a memory of him and what they shared.

Final question. If your house is on fire, what are five things you would save, even if it means running back into a burning house?

My passport, my laptop, all my clothes (it’s all or nothing,) my sewing machine, and books.

We began with the intention to inspire consciousness in our everyday, to cultivate a culture that encourages others to uncover where and why something is made. The Connected Clothing series spotlights on different individuals in the fashion industry - why they wear what they wear and the significance behind their choices.

[matterprints]

Connected Clothing

We began with the intention to inspire consciousness in our everyday, to cultivate a culture that encourages others to uncover where and why something is made. It is our belief that the products we create are built on stories that connect the wearers to the makers. There is a history behind the textiles used, prints woven, styles designed - and intention in it all. 

Connected Clothing spotlights on different individuals in the fashion industry - why they wear what they wear and the significance behind their choices. Throughout this series, we’ll be featuring Raye Padit, Stephanie Dickson, Rosalina Ma, Jennifer Nini, and Andrew Yeung. 

From the co-founder of Connected Threads Asia who has a capsule wardrobe of 47 items, to a designer in Hong Kong who curates her four closets based on old glamour vintage pieces - read the series on our journal here.

[matterprints]

Kérastase: A Collaboration

We believe in the value of collaborations, that great things are done by a series of small things brought together. Where there is shared passion, the potential for collaboration is far more valuable than competition - and it is our mission to manifest this in our everyday.

We have had 11 collaborations so far. Some of the more notable ones include our range of necklaces made with Singapore’s atelier Amado Gudek, where every piece was crafted with vegetable tanned leather, and embedded in bio-resin with off-cuts from our signature block-printed fabrics. The pants from the Kumaon edition were designed with Preetika Sah, where her intentions were to initiate dialogue around the art and culture of Kumaon. The scarves in the Akin edition were created with Joanna Kambourian as an exploration of her Armenian-Dutch roots, inspired by her grandmother’s woodblock prints and grandfather’s rugs. We find significance in building a community that creates together, with the common purpose of furthering industry change.

We see sustainability as a journey with the actions taken shaping its impact.

When Kérastase first approached us, we were flattered and curious to explore common grounds for collaboration. In our research, we found that the L’Oréal group holds high standards for ethical business practices, and all their products are cruelty-free. We decided to meet with them to understand more. We learned of their commitment to conscious and sustainable production; that they redesigned their packaging with post-consumer recycled plastic, and created the Aura Botanica line using organic, sustainably extracted, and responsibly sourced Coconut and Argan Oil. As they shared more about the journey behind their Aura Botanica range, we were able to see how action creates impact; the coconut oil sourced helps invest in health and training programs for 200+ Samoan women, while the Argan Oil helps Moroccan women harvest trees alongside their initiative to conserve the UNESCO forest.

We see sustainability as a journey with the actions taken shaping its impact. For us, we took our step forward in the recent organic cotton range, and brought back signature prints in a material that places the people and environment first. We found a parallel in Kérastase’s efforts, and collaborated together under the shared respect for provenance and process. We looked to their products and philosophy for inspiration and consciously designed an exclusive range of pouches and tote bag. The two are block-printed with azo-free dyes; the pouches creates 104 hours of employment and tote bags create 40 hours of employment for the artisan communities in Bagru, India.

We were inspired by Kérastase’s transparency in every detail shared along the way.

To accompany their package redesign initiative, we created pouches inspired by Kérastase’s philosophy of Beauty For All. We wanted to take this idea of universal beauty and mirror it in the design of a golden ratio. Inspired by the golden rule of beauty, the pouches are block-printed with a motif featuring symmetrically repeating patterns. To parallel the variety of the Kérastase product range, we added multi-coloured handmade tassels as a vibrant detail.

Alongside Kérastase’s recent launch, we created tote bags inspired by the floral motif used in the Aura Botanica range. We reinterpreted it to a design of 4 variegated leaves, representing the 4 distinct products, surrounding a circular Moroccan nut. The pattern is reiterated in a manner similar to the arrangement of Moroccan tiles to reflect the Moroccan oil used in the Aura Botanica range.

There is so much meaning in building a community that creates together with the common purpose of furthering industry change.

Throughout this collaboration, we were inspired by Kérastase’s transparency in every detail shared along the way, especially about their products and process. It heartened us to see a prominent brand like them take a stand for conscious and sustainable production in a culture where that has yet to be the norm. There is so much meaning in building a community that creates together with the common purpose of furthering industry change - and we were reminded of that in this collaboration.

Shop at any one of these salons to get our limited edition pouches and tote bags:

J'S SALON PTE. LTD.   392 Havelock Rd, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, Singapore 169663 SALON 360 DEGREE PTE. LTD.   2 Bayfront Avenue, #B1-02, Marina Bay Sands, 018972 PROTRIM SALON Ngee Ann City, Tower A # 05-34, 391A Orchard Road, S238873 313 @ Somerset #B1-35/36. 313 Orchard Road, S238895 50 Jurong Gateway, Jurong East Mall (JEM), #04-55 Singapore 608549 CausewayPoint, #04-17/18, 1 Woodlands Square, S738099 STYLENA HAIR 80 Marine Parade Road, Parkway Parade #02-67, 449269 311 New upper changi Road #B1-57, Singapore 467360 Compass Point, #04-03, 1 Sengkang Square, S545078 SALON LE POINT 1 Cuscaden Road, #01-07/08, Singapore 249715 MAHOGANY 70 Tras St, Singapore 079009 HAIRTALK BEAUTY STUDIO #02-30, Chevron House, 30 Raffles Place, Singapore048622 TONI & GUY SINGAPORE 170 East Coast Road, Singapore 428876 1 Vista Exchange Green, #B1-22 The Star Vista, Singapore 138617 #03-17 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897 Marina Bay Financial Centre, Tower 2, #B2-22 Marina Bay Link Mall, Singapore 018984 179 Thomson Road, Goldhill Centre, Singapore 307626 Rochester Drive, #02-01 Rochester Mall, Singapore 138639 SHS HAIR STUIO 583 Orchard Rd, Forum Galleria, Singapore 238884 REDS HAIRDRESSING 391 Orchard Road #B2-10A/11/11A Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore238872 3 Temasek Boulevard, #02-354/355 Suntec City Mall, 354-355, Singapore 038983 80 Marine Parade Road, #02-06 Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269 4 Tampines Central 5, 03-10/11, Singapore 529510 CREATIVE SALON 460 Alexandra Rd, 02-08, Singapore 119963 1 Maritime Square, Singapore 099253 The Sail @ Marina Bay #B1-03, 2 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018987 COSMO HAIR AND BEAUTY SALON 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #B2-08 Great World City, Singapore 237994 HAIR GRAPHICS 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Singapore 082001 SWEE SALON UNISEX 201 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530201 BACKSTAGE 3 Killiney Rd, Singapore 239519 PROJECT HAIR #01-03, 1 Goldhill Plaza, Singapore 308899 NK HAIRWORKS 370 Alexandra Road, #B1-22, Anchor Point, Singapore 159953 1 Pasir Ris Central, Street 3, #03-24, White Sands Shopping Centre, Singapore 518457 23, Serangoon Central, #B2-56, Nex, Singapore 556083 68 Orchard Road #B1-14 Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839 80 Marine Parade, #01-63/64, Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269 JANTZEN SALON 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #02-27/28 Great World City, Singapore 237994 1 Woodlands Square, #04-16 Causeway Point, Singapore 738099 West Coast Plaza #02-37/38, 154 West Coast Road, 127371 The Centrepoint #02-22, 176 Orchard Road, 238843 Jurong Point #02-19, 1 Jurong West Central 2, 648886 West Mall 04-19, 1 Bukit Batok Central Link, 658713 HAIR MECHANICS 68 Orchard Road, #02-12/13 Plaza Singapura, 238839 Velocity, 238 Thomson Rd, Singapore 307683 4 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529510 SALON #1 513 Bishan Street 13, #01-518, 570513 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, Cathay Cinema AMK Hub, Singapore 569933 Blk520 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #01-54, Singapore 310520 11 Petir Rd, Singapore 678268 Petir Rd, Singapore 678268 SEQUENCE PROFESSIONAL HAIR TEAM 154 West Coast Rd, Singapore 127371 JUZ HAIR SALON Mandarin Gallery, #03-19 333A Orchard Rd, Singapore 238897 VINTAGE 201 Victoria Street, #03-09/10 Bugis+, Singapore 188067 311 New Upper Changi Road , #B1-45 Bedok Mall, Singapore 467360 3 Gateway Drive, #03-25, Westgate, Singapore 608532 83 Punggol Central, #01-37, Waterway Point, Singapore 828761 THE HAIR SHOP PTE LTD Paragon #05-06, 290 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238859 SALON VIM 435 Orchard Road #02-01B, Singapore 238877

[matterprints]

How To Wear The Lounge Lunghi

There’s more than one way to wear the Lounge Lunghi, and we’ve come up with three for you - the Front Drape, Straight Leg, and Long Bow. 

Here is a step-by-step instruction guide below on how we style our Lunghis for lounging, but if you’d rather fast forward there’s a video on the three ways you can wear the Lounge Lunghi.

Once you’ve mastered the wrap, browse through our Lounge Lunghi collection to find your favourite look. 

Let’s start with the basics: 

Step 1: Secure the button option that sits comfortably above your hips

Step 2: Do the same for the other side and find what gives you the best fit 

Now you’re ready to wrap and go.

Style 1: Front Drape

Step 3: Take both ends of the strap and wrap it around the front 

Step 4: Cross the two sides over and bring the straps to the back

Step 5: Take them back to the front again (notice how the strap is shorter?) 

Step 6: Tie a knot and loop a strap over once to create a casual bow

Insider Tip: Make sure the pants sit secured above your waist before you tie the knot. 

Style 2: Straight Leg

Step 3: Take both ends of the strap and wrap it around the back

Step 4: Cross the two sides over and bring the straps to the front

Step 5: Tie a knot and loop a strap over once to create a casual bow

Insider Tip: Finish the knot on the side or to the front - whichever you prefer

Step 6: Adjust to make sure the wraps sit below the waist line of the pants for a secure fit.

Style 3: Long Bow

Step 3: Take both ends of the strap and wrap it around the front

Step 4: Tie a bow and leave the straps draping down

Watch the video

[matterprints]

FIELDTESTED | JACLYNN SEAH

Jaclynn’s wandering spirit has brought her from the lush greenery of South America to the craters of Indonesia. Despite working at a full-time job, Jaclynn spends any time outside of work travelling. Currently she's taken some time off to properly experience long term travel before she heads back to the rat race again. The Occasional Traveller is a platform dedicated to inspire deskbound wanderlusters like herself to remember to take that time off and get away.

Who is Jaclynn Seah?

I'm a travel lover.

What inspired you to start The Occasional Traveller?

I was working long hours in my previous job and realised one year I had too many vacation days leftover - I had somehow forgotten to travel that year. I started the blog as a reminder to myself. A reminder to take time out for myself, no matter how busy I am, there is always a way to make the time for adventures. Now, I hope it inspires others who are in the same circumstance as me to travel more.

What does travelling mean to you?

Travel is about new adventures and seeing new things. It has shown me how small and limited my worldview is. Travel is about constantly learning and being able to consider varied viewpoints. You become more open minded and tolerant as you step out from the confines of your daily life, and you definitely appreciate things that you tend to take for granted.

I love not knowing what adventures lie ahead and the stories I end up making. The best part is meeting new friends and seeing completely amazing parts of the world.

Would you identify yourself as a modern nomad?

I'm not sure I consider myself a nomad, it implies that I have a moving home but I’ve come to realise that despite all my travels, my home is still rooted in Singapore. This is an unchanging part of my identity. Definitely modern in that I can't imagine traveling without my apps and the internet to guide me - losing my phone on one of my trips was one of my lowest points, more so than the fact that I lost my drivers license and credit cards with it. I had to get myself a new phone the very next day because I couldn't imagine continuing my trip without it!

A person or incident that changed you the most?

Going on my first solo trip on 2011 and my subsequent solo travels has definitely changed the way I view travel - I think it's made me more comfortable in asserting my own likes. I’ve become less timid since then, more adaptable and spontaneous to receiving the unexpected.

Famous last words?

"Well let's see what happens!" I try not to jinx myself too much so that's one of the safer things i can say out loud when things are looking dicey!

We are inspired by Jaclynn’s determination to make the time for her passion, and are proud to have her as Fieldtesters, a group of inspiring friends that regularly test MATTER products in their workplace and trails to help us improve durability and design. Jaclynn is wearing The Lounge Lunghi + Philippines Teal, Size 1.

[matterprints]

Remarkable Resilience: Grace Kim

A woman in my life who has shown remarkable resilience is my best friend Grace. Since she was a kid, she struggled with general anxiety disorder and panic disorder. She grew up barely being able to leave her house because of her anxiety, to now being able to traveling across the world alone.

She’s uprooted herself so many times since we met, and that’s already such a brave thing to do for someone who doesn’t deal with mental health problems. She still has panic attacks, but she no longer gives it the power to hold her back from pursuing her dreams. While they still happen, she is able to keep going. 

She’s uprooted herself so many times since we met, and that’s already such a brave thing to do for someone who doesn’t deal with mental health problems. 

In the span of our friendship, she’s taught me a lot about being adventurous and a career woman. The strength she has to cope with her anxiety and panic disorder daily speaks volumes, and it’s in her resilience that I learned how to also be empathetic and take care of myself. 

- Rebekah

With everything going on in the world today, it’s a pulsing reminder that there is still a lot of room for change and progress, especially for women. But celebration coexists with struggle and now, more than ever, we want to celebrate the remarkable resilience of women, individuals who find the strength and passion to go on despite their circumstances.

Tell us about a female figure in your life (who’s not your mom, because we all know they’re #1 in our lives) that embodies remarkable resilience at [email protected]

[matterprints]

IChing

There's a new print on the block - parallel with the Fire and Water motif, we went to the sand and lakes of an island nearby to document the collection. 

Shop the collection here.

[matterprints]

Remarkable Resilience: Dear MATTER #2

I would like to share about a female figure I met in my line of work. From the first day I entered the workforce, I felt welcomed by her. Her gracious and approachable disposition made it easy for me to connect with her. 

Throughout the one and a half years that I’ve known her, she’s stretched me to one of my furthest. Yet I found myself willing to work even harder solely because of the way she takes care of the people under her. It was through her leadership that I understood what it meant when people said “when you feel that you are truly cared for and valued, you’ll learn to enjoy the work you’re given and you won’t mind doing even more.”

Her inclination is always to help others when she can. The value of resilience is one that she has, and she holds it true across all aspects of her life.

In the hours she spends outside of work, she gives her time and care to her family. What I admire about her is how she always manages to keep a smile on her face. She has such a selfless nature and she never turns anyone away, even though she might be busy or tied down with something else. Her inclination is always to help others when she can. The value of resilience is one that she has, and she holds it true across all aspects of her life. I feel that although life has its own challenges, she has made hers fulfilling - and this is one value which I hope to grow into.

PS * I am enjoying my Raka Raven Lounge Lunghi very much and hope to own another pair soon! Best, 

Ling

With everything going on in the world today, it’s a pulsing reminder that there is still a lot of room for change and progress, especially for women. But celebration coexists with struggle and now, more than ever, we want to celebrate the remarkable resilience of women, individuals who find the strength and passion to go on despite their circumstances.

Tell us about a female figure in your life (who’s not your mom, because we all know they’re #1 in our lives) that embodies remarkable resilience at [email protected]

[matterprints]

Remarkable Resilience: Dear MATTER #1

Resilience often stems from a place of brokenness, and this was where I found my friend at the age of 11. It was then that she experienced an event that stripped her of her family, was flown across the world, and placed in an unfamiliar land. 

I asked if she understood her classmates at the time, our playground talks that happened in a language foreign to her, and she said that she often felt lost. Her resilience began in a place of brokenness, but flourished in the presence of love. My friend knew, better than anyone, how to love at a young age. She was forced to realize the impermanence of life as a child, and learned to treasure the lives around her. 

Her resilience began in a place of brokenness, but flourished in the presence of love. 

As we grew up, I noticed her ability to create a comfort zone where people felt safe sharing their brokenness with her. She was a safe place for others. Her loving heart eventually led her to a city in Ghana, where she strategized with two communities for long-term change, while maintaining awareness of the self-sustaining nature of these projects. 

My friend’s resilience is not only in her overcoming childhood trauma, but growing up to love the world despite understanding the darkness of humanity.

- Angel

With everything going on in the world today, it’s a pulsing reminder that there is still a lot of room for change and progress, especially for women. But celebration coexists with struggle and now, more than ever, we want to celebrate the remarkable resilience of women, individuals who find the strength and passion to go on despite their circumstances.

Tell us about a female figure in your life (who’s not your mom, because we all know they’re #1 in our lives) that embodies remarkable resilience at [email protected]

[matterprints]

A Collaboration: The Tea Sommelier

Anne-Carole is the founder of The Tea Sommelier, a business in Singapore created to educate and inspire respect for the Art of Tea. After working in Finance for a decade, she realized she wanted more out of her life. In her search, she came across a shop in Shanghai where she experienced a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, a moment marked as the catalyst for her journey with tea.

For her, the entire process of preparing, tasting, and sharing tea is akin to the creation of a new moment in time, like a haven of serenity and deep connection. It was through tea that she found her sense of purpose, and it is through tea that she seeks to make a difference.

We first connected with Anne-Carole when she wrote in to us about The Tea Sommelier. She shared about how her approach with tea is always grounded in the values of Dao and the balance of the elements. In a matter of timing and purpose coming together, this happened as we were preparing for the launch of our IChing collection. IChing was an ancient divination text used in Daoism, and the motif in this collection is a reinterpretation of the Fire and Water sequence.

Remarked by the parallels between our collection and her business, we saw a confluence of opportunity and intention for us to collaborate. Over a cup of tea, and many more after, we sat with Anne-Carole to learn of her journey.

How did you go from working 10 years in finance to where you are now? How do the dots connect?

I was working in Finance for almost a decade, and many things aligned for me to realize that I wanted more out of my life. I wanted to spend my life dedicated to better values, to things that bring me joy. 

I spent a year in NUS learning Mandarin, and I fell in love with the Chinese culture. Afterwards, I took a trip to Shanghai, and on one of those days I came across a shop where I experienced a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. The entire moment felt like an epiphany - once I took that sip of tea, I knew in my gut that everything finally is coming together. This was the right time, the right place, and this was the right passion for me to pursue.

It was through tea, that I found myself again.

I stayed in Shanghai longer than I initially intended to learn from the tea master and took my time to learn all I could about tea. To understand the philosophy of Dao and how it ties in with the Art of Tea, to grasp the serving process, and the beautiful culture behind such a refined tradition. It was through tea, that I found myself again and in creating The Tea Sommelier, I wanted to share with others this same serenity.

How do the Dao values and the Art of Tea come together?

Daoism is this idea of unity, what flows through you goes through everything else. Everything is interrelated, and this oneness exists within the Art of Tea and its elements. I was first introduced to these values over a cup of tea in Shanghai. With every sip, I felt for myself what The Art of Tea is, there is a relational balance between the elements: water, earth, fire, air, and wood.

My tea master in Shanghai shared with me that the values of tea goes beyond a belief, it is who you are, and how you live. The posture we hold as we share a cup of tea, can also be carried into our daily lives.

Sustainable tea requires a certain price and effort, and people aware of the cost have to be ready to receive it to sustain its production.

You mentioned that you created The Tea Sommelier with the intention to promote sustainable tea, how has that process been?

It is difficult to find tea that is 100% sustainable, the best way that I know how to approach it is to find small batches of producers. What I often do, is travel to China to visit the plantations, and talk to the producers. There is value in seeing the process firsthand and learning more about their intentions in their production.

I think the greatest challenge is to get people to understand the sustainability of tea while creating an opportunity for them to enjoy it. Sustainable tea requires a certain price and effort, and people aware of the cost have to be ready to receive it to sustain its production.

In collaboration with The Tea Sommelier, we are gifting the first 50 online orders of the IChing collection an exclusive tea blend inspired by the Water and Fire print story. Shop the collection now.

[matterprints]

Remarkable Resilience: Hillson To

I know a girl whose life is a manifestation of the quote “Don’t dream your life, live your dream.” Though she is petite in stature and quiet in manner (probably because she never got enough sleep at night), whenever she hits the dance floor, she always takes the center stage. 

When I met Hillson, she was a business student by day who spent any time outside of school dancing. She covered odd jobs to pay for her own tuition, commuted daily two hours back and forth to school, and rehearsed late into the night for weekend dance gigs. 

Growing up, her family was adamant in their disapproval of her dancing. They withheld their support and told her that if she were to take this path, she would have to do it alone.

Those who knew Hillson, knew that whatever her lot, she could take it all and carry it with exceptional grace. Growing up, her family was adamant in their disapproval of her dancing. They withheld their support and told her that if she were to take this path, she would have to do it alone. Even her friends were skeptical and convinced of the impracticality. Yet despite the chorus of discouragement, she decided that her passion was worth pursuing anyways. 

After years of hard work in dance camps, practices in rehearsal rooms, and struggling as she lived paycheck to paycheck, Hillson finally made her mark in the dance industry. Now, when you walk down the streets of Hong Kong and ask for the short girl in oversized sweats who dances, people will know exactly who you’re looking for. 

With everything going on in the world today, it’s a pulsing reminder that there is still a lot of room for change and progress, especially for women. But celebration coexists with struggle and now, more than ever, we want to celebrate the remarkable resilience of women, individuals who find the strength and passion to go on despite their circumstances.

Tell us about a female figure in your life (who’s not your mom, because we all know they’re #1 in our lives) that embodies remarkable resilience at [email protected]

[matterprints]

Remarkable Resilience: Grandma Chuang

My grandmother just celebrated her 100th birthday. The prime minister came to her house and gave her a brand new phone (somewhat of an odd tradition). She must have been smiling inside because in reality, she’s only eighty-something. 

When she was young, my grandmother left China with a fake birth certificate, and nothing but hope in her heart and my stubborn grandfather by her side. Communism was overbearing and they decided, against all odds, to flee and begin a new life on a small island. 

Resilience lives in my grandmother - a small but mighty woman who crossed oceans to start anew, and made a home for herself in an island where everyone including her own spoke a foreign tongue.

She raised seven children, worked with her brittle hands on the farm, and continued with all her might to create a better life for her family. Some of her kids do not even share a language with her because they were raised in a French school and a Creole culture - my mom being one of them. It’s a sacrifice she was willing to make for the safety of her children. Resilience lives in my grandmother - a small but mighty woman who crossed oceans to start anew, and made a home for herself in an island where everyone including her own spoke a foreign tongue.

With everything going on in the world today, it’s a pulsing reminder that there is still a lot of room for change and progress, especially for women. But celebration coexists with struggle and now, more than ever, we want to celebrate the remarkable resilience of women, individuals who find the strength and passion to go on despite their circumstances.

Tell us about a female figure in your life (who’s not your mom, because we all know they’re #1 in our lives) that embodies remarkable resilience at [email protected]

[matterprints]

Remarkable Resilience: Project Aipan

Preetika Sah is a designer from the Indian Himalayas we collaborated with to create a collection inspired by the traditional folk art of her community. The Aipan tradition is slowly diminishing through the age of time, and in a community where art is so intrinsically interrelated with their culture, to lose one is to lose the other. 

Over the years, many from Kumaon have migrated to cities and markets are now selling instant available Aipan art, under these changes the artistic expression of Aipan has been practiced less and less. Determined to revive the culture, Preetika created Project Aipan as a continuation of the narrative that existed in the generations before her. It is through Preetika’s efforts with Project Aipan that we get a glimpse of what enduring tenacity looks like.

Can you share more about Project Aipan?

Project Aipan is my small effort to revive the diminishing art and culture of Kumaon. The name Aipan, is derived from a form of art traditionally done by women, passed on from mothers to their daughters. When I think of my childhood spent on the hills, I think of the cold red clay my mother mixed with water to create a canvas, and we would create intricate geometric patterns of the Aipan art with rice paste. Drawn on walls and doorways as a guard against negativity and evil, Aipan holds great significance in our culture as it marks festivals, celebrations, births and deaths in the Kumaon region.

What is your motivation behind deciding to continue the narrative of the Kumaoni culture?

"We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us." - Winston Churchill. 

Home is a special place for everyone, and I think it's a motivation big enough for you to be able to relive and represent those moments you have experienced.

What did your family think of your efforts in Project Aipan?

My family has always been supportive of all my efforts, Project Aipan has been very special to us! Coming from a family that weighs happiness by passion and creativity, they were proud to see that I was able to make people so far away from home aware of our culture. My father, who is usually a reticent man, recently told me how proud he is of my work and the conversation it inspired beyond our community.

Were there moments where you felt discouraged by the progress of Project Aipan?

Not once did I think that the progress of Project Aipan was discouraging. What matters the most is to take small steps forward in the right direction, I am positive everything will make sense in the end.

You mentioned that you want to create dialogue through Project Aipan, to make people aware of the existence of the Kumaon culture and inspire more people to work towards preserving it - has there been moments of that?

I am certain there are more people than before that know of Kumaon now. My friends, family and colleagues have largely been instrumental in creating this dialogue by word of mouth. A colleague of mine, his mother bought a pair of pants in the United States and she loved them. Others have similar stories. Every time people wear those pants, they will have a story to tell. There have been various instances where people were curious to know the story behind the prints and how it related to my culture.

With everything going on in the world today, it’s a pulsing reminder that there is still a lot of room for change and progress, especially for women. But celebration coexists with struggle and now, more than ever, we want to celebrate the remarkable resilience of women, individuals who find the strength and passion to go on despite their circumstances.

Tell us about a female figure in your life (who’s not your mom, because we all know they’re #1 in our lives) that embodies remarkable resilience at [email protected]