As Ahmad Habshee continues to navigate Urban Salvation to the next level, nurture his team of talents and educate the importance of sustainability, one constant in his life has remained steadfast — his father being his greatest hero. As Men’s Folio celebrates the theme of Heroes in August, Ahmad pays a glowing tribute to his father as Father’s Day was around the corner at the time of the interview. Here, he also shares what it means to be a hero today, the self-starting days of Urban Salvation and his favourite material to work with.
HOW DID THE NAME URBAN SALVATION COME ABOUT?
It’s two parts — “Urban” stems from the urban culture of Singapore and “Salvation” is about educating people on sustainability and make beautiful furniture out of wood waste. I was from the entertainment industry where things like set designs were discarded after a single use; I salvaged those items when I first started.
DO YOU RECALL THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED WHEN URBAN SALVATION FIRST STARTED?
It was 2015, I only had myself and started with nothing more than an idea — not many investments and neither did I inherit the business. I started with a Carousell account and took it upon myself to make it a full-time job. I was lucky they [Carousell] wanted to promote me because at that time they were new and not many people were using the platform. From there I came up with more new designs; I was sure of what I wanted to do.
HAVE THESE CHALLENGES IN YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED TODAY?
Denne historien er fra August 2021-utgaven av MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 2021-utgaven av MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
An Electrifying Ride
With a pack full of features, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV promises luxurious, joyful and fuss-free journeys.
Full Circle
The Macallan travels back in time with the TIME:SPACE to celebrate 200 years of whisky-making mastery.
Maturity in Spirit
The Glenrothes' revamped Core Collection mirrors our human bildungsroman, revealing the artistry behind the maturation process with its latest pop-up.
Benvenuto a Locanda
There is no experience more impactful than an honest meal and earnest hospitality, so Locanda makes for an appealing culinary stopover that should not be missed.
A Genuine Article of Fusion
Quenino by Victor Liong is the resident fine-dining hideout of Artyzen Singapore, its degustation menu showcases the best of Asian cuisine melded with contemporary Western savoir-faire.
The Last Word
As the Official Timekeeper for the Olympics, there is a tremendous onus that comes with the role. After all, the Olympics is the world's stage where human excellence is measured down to the minutiae. By that standard, OMEGA's competence in the timekeeping field is also measured.
From Paper to Metal
Men's Folio visited the Cartier Manufacture and Maison des Métiers d'Art earlier this year to discover the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation within those wall
Mavericks Amongst Traditionalists
Fashion watch brands are finding their feet amidst century old watchmakers as their maverick approach sets them apart from the current landscape of watchmaking.
The Case for the "It" Watch
As much as watches in popular culture being necessary might be an unpopular opinion, here is why it is crucial to the survival of the passion we all love.
Heavy Lidded
In the masculine world of grooming, the sport (or art) of decorating one's lids with darkened kohl has been practised amongst niche circles, reserved for only a few brave men willing to go - or draw - the lengths of a sharp winged liner. Given the past decade's adoration of the bare-is-best routines, the notion of lined eyes has been mostly cast away. However, as the return of the Indie Sleaze movement returns, confronting the pressing question cannot be put off any longer. Should the world be opening its eyes and waking up for the return of \"guyliner\"?