DEFYING GRAVITY

Despite the economic uncertainties in recent years, six Singapore fashion and design entrepreneurs have fearlessly powered ahead of a bearish market to fulfil their dreams of launching and expanding their businesses.

- LENA KAMARUDIN & DESIREE FANG

TANCHEN STUDIO

Sanchia Tan and Amber Chen started their design studio in 2019 with a focus on creating large installation projects. Their first project was a commissioned piece of woven tapestry using 100 kg of their deadstock fabric that was upcycled, to create a changing room for the Beijing flagship store of Shanghai-based fashion brand WHM.

Unfortunately, the pandemic hit a year later. Sanchia and Amber revealed that when opportunities for large-scale installations dwindled, they pivoted to creating smaller objects for people to use at home, such as bags, rugs, and coasters.

Luckily for them, Gut Oggau, one of their favourite Austrian wine producers, contacted the designers via Instagram with a commission for a wine bottle carrier with an exclusive colourway by Tanchen. Sanchia exclaims: "It was a real fangirl moment for us!"

Formerly from Central Saint Martins in London, Amber and Sanchia met in 2013 when they studied textile design. The duo are no stranger to international collaborations, having also created installations with a design gallery in Barcelona, as well as businesses in London. In July, they presented their biggest showcase to date with an art installation for retail event Green-House 2023 in Singapore, using upcycled scrap materials from Mercedes-Benz and returned furniture from Castlery.

Sanchia recalls the fun learning opportunity, as they were able to experiment with many materials that were different from what they were used to working with. "As much as possible, we try to look at scrap materials and deadstock fabric with a different perspective, and ask ourselves how these materials can be used in inventive ways," she says.