+65 TOTE BAG

The fact that most Singaporeans own their own homes is often trumpeted as a public housing success story. Critics, however, have likened HDB flats to pigeonholes in the sky, and that public housing in Singapore de-individualises its inhabitants. Having lived half his life in a HDB flat to no visible detriment, the designer suggests how we should never underestimate the individual’s ability to continually overcome the constraints set by the environment, be it a pigeonhole or otherwise.

Many insist that the only way to enjoy this unassuming work of art is by peeling off each and every one of the 9 layers that a pair of steadfast hands spent hours composing and orchestrating. Many also find it extremely excruciating to have to wait and work through all the layers and are convinced they taste better (with all 9 layers) together. Regardless of how this masterpiece is relished, this brilliant kueh takes you to cloud 9 with a single bite; you have just tasted a rainbow.

An experiment on breaking boundaries through creative playfulness. The idea is to allow the person wearing the badge a satisfying control over their trophy of choice for the occasion and to mix unmatched pieces, allowing them further control to recreate a new animal, playing both god and scientist. The wearer would realize that every piece can be connected, thereby building a whole new abstract world of animals.

The fairest of all in the lineage of kuehs, the kueh tutu has skin as white as snow, and a heart as sweet as coconut (although sometimes peanut). This fair beauty takes great effort to get ready: it squeezes itself into a metal corset and undergoes an intense steam treatment to mould its curves to all the right places. Always faithful to its favourite green cape, it is a delicious-hearted kueh after your own heart.