Support our local zany accessory artists and #handmadequeens this August
There is something so ethereal yet fragile about a piece of handmade perfection that is made up of several other collected art pieces. We tend to soften our touch and movements as we handle them because they are not only beautiful to look at, but they are also delicately put together by human hands for our visual pleasure and adornment.
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It is no surprise that handmade accessories are always more fascinating and attractive to gaze at than the mass-produced stuff because of the individual artistry, time and effort put into the value of each and every accessory.
But what is more intriguing is when the artist puts their own personality and background into their art, and these homegrown accessory artists and designers do just that.
These locally-based artists not only incorporate elements of quirk and individuality into their art pieces, but they also integrate social and cultural aspects into them like shokuhin sampuru (food models), which replicate food that is familiar to Singaporeans, or peculiarly Singaporean tropes like the red plastic bag and styrofoam boxes.
This wholesome effort to imprint a local and individual identity onto one’s accessory pieces celebrates everyone for their own quirkiness and uniqueness and what it means to be Singaporean, which truly makes these brands so special.
1. Kowa
Kowa, which means ‘to make peace’ in Japanese, is a brand that aims to bring a kind of zen tranquility and happiness to their clients. Their use of muted, pastel colours with the recurring motifs of flora, fauna and blue waters displays a truly Japanese aesthetic of nature and philosophy of minimalism in their products. Their accessories are all handmade and they range from a variety of earrings to barrettes.
See also: Heaven And Earth: Inside The Mind Of Japanese Artist Chiho Aoshima