Who Owns Culture?

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Aqilah Zailan Founder Studio Gypsied, Singapore

In 2011, Aqilah Zailan began her journey across Indonesia — starting from Sumatra and eventually Java. She has not looked back since. Her slow fashion and lifestyle label Studio Gypsied, founded in 2013, is a discovery of heritage and personal stories — an act of coming home.

Hillary Wan Creative Director My Story And I, Taiwan

Hillary Wan, born in 1997 in Taiwan, grew up in Shanghai and studied in the UK. Translating her TCK background into design with her unique perspective on the definition of fashion, combined with exquisite and elegant embroidery craftsmanship, and low-key elegant semi-precious stone embellishments. Hoping to integrate a "Modern Renaissance" concept into the daily life of fashion lovers.

 Hillary Wan graduated in 2019 from the London College of Fashion, with a First Class Honours degree. During her studies, she interned at Christian Dior, Marios Schwab, and participated in the planning of the 2018 London Fashion Week, producing several designer shows. While participating as content creator for Shades of Noir, a UK based anti-racism platform that speaks for the marginalised, after graduating, she launched her own label, My Story and I, in 2020.

Ify Ubby Founder OliveAnkara, Singapore

Born and raised in Italy by Nigerian parents, founder Ify Ubby started OliveAnkara (OA) to make African inspired clothes that can be worn by women of all races. The brand began as a side project for the then molecular biotechnologist, with a post-doctorate in molecular carcinogenesis no less, whilst based in Singapore in 2017 and has since become her life’s passion. OA’s first collection launched in June 2017 and turned heads with a combination of storied Ankara (African wax print) fabric with Ify’s own designs, a reflection of her own mix of cultures - Italian craftsmanship and Asian and African designs. The slow fashion brand places quality and uniqueness above all and has worked towards a zero-waste goal since the beginning.

Martin Bonney Lecturer in charge of BA Hons Fashion & Textiles LASALLE College of The Arts, Singapore

Martin Bonney is a researcher, textiles practitioner and educator at LASALLE College of the Art’s in Singapore within the School of Fashion. Martin coordinates the fashion and textiles disciplines and supervises student research across all 3 levels whilst researching and exploring regional craft and heritage. This work has taken him all around the world sharing the importance of Southeast Asia’s cultural significance. His premise of textile design is more than a romantic nod to the past, or a decorative surface, it is the fabric of our time, a connection to our inner self and needs to be continued for future generations.

Sorcha John, Managing Partner, The Secret Little Agency, Singapore

Trained as an Anthropologist at the London School of Economics,  Sorcha started her career as a field-ethnographer in the UK,  she has since spent 15 years in research, strategy & creative leadership roles examining how culture shifts and propels society.