A programme of Singapore Design Week 2019.

A big part of who we are is influenced by culture. Culture can have racial roots, or it can stem from national identities. As creatives, how can we use design or artistry be used to honour our cultural differences? How can design help people to relate better to a specific culture?

An informal talk by two creative entrepreneurs, sharing their experiences and their perspectives, and culminating in a panel discussion between two.

You are also invited to visit the studios where the creatives work ‐ and interact first‐hand with them and their work.

Symbiosis

By Ruixian, Studio HHFZ
Dress‐Maker

Every waking day, every scroll down our timeline, we become more numb to injustice, violence and unrest in our society. As we take one step forward, ignorance and intolerance take us two steps back. With the rising racial tension spreading like wildfire around the world, we began to wonder how are we able to extinguish this flame?

As every artist picks their medium to express their hopes for the better world, Ruixian, in collaboration with other creatives, have created Symbiosis with the message of beauty in unity and coexistence. A made‐to‐measure collection, Symbiosis marries quality craftsmanship and purposeful concept.

Her message is this: “Humanity can only survive by understanding the importance of coexisting and harmony of cultures. Different cultures can have a mutually beneficial relationship."

Just like a dress is never just a dress — but a friendship between a dressmaker and every individual wearer — Symbiosis is also a celebration of a 7 years friendship between a Chinese dress‐maker and a Malay designer.

In this talk, Ruixian will share her creation of Symbiosis, and how it is designed to help people appreciate the beauty in unity and spread the message of harmony.

About Ruixian

Founder and dressmaker of Studio HHFZ, Ruixian is a passionate designer who sees the beauty in tradition and the versatility in modernity. Her pursuit for the right balance of the two elements brings out her attention to the littlest details, which weaves in seamlessly to every piece of dress and cheongsam she produces. Ruixian sees each piece she design and sew as a beginning of a friendship. And with such a belief, it is easy to understand why Studio HHFZ is not just a sewing studio, it is an open home.

Bringing Cultural Icons to the Mass Market

By Jonathan Hee, Meykrs
Product Design House

Being a young country ‐ our cultural icons such as the Ang Ku Kueh and Merlion are perhaps important to us as a whole as we grow our collective identity. But such icons are rarely visible in the hands of consumers.

The market is a tough beast to tame ‐ it accepts ideas virally, as fast as it rejects products deemed as lame or lacking.

As the founder behind Meykrs, the brand famous for its life‐size Ang Ku Kueh cushions, Jonathan has found a stimulating challenge in designing and making things that people buy ‐ including icons of our Singaporean culture, such as souvenirs and other culturally‐infused everyday products.

Come hear his sharing on his experience, and the insights he discovered while on this journey.

About Jonathan

Jonathan Hee is the CEO of MEYKRS and Red Republic, whose products are commonly found in concept stores across the island and Changi Airport. As a firm believer of designed goods with mass market potential, he is constantly thinking of new ways to captivate consumers with the products his company designs. Most recently, he has started area65, a retail concept store for tastefully‐designed, locally‐flavoured goods.

About BRAVE:DIFFERENCE

How Design Is Making a Difference
From The Heart of Joo Chiat

Design and artistry have impact.

On we contribute to sustainability.
On we connect as humans.
On how our kids learn.
On how we honour and remember cultures.
On how we realise our dreams.
On how we form and challenge perspectives.

Real stories from people who are in the game. A community exploration of how design can be impactful, even in the smallest areas, BRAVE:DIFFERENCE is a series of informal talks and panel discussions featuring creative entrepreneurs from MOX, and their stories.

BRAVE:DIFFERENCE is a key programme of Singapore Design Week 2019, and part of BRAVE ‐ a series of events by MOX to celebrate the spirit of creative entrepreneurship.

wwww.themox.co/brave/difference