The New Normal

Most memorable project you’ve worked on:
In 2016, we were approached by Sanyo, a Japanese coat maker, to design an exhibition for their 100-nen (100-year) coat. Their philosophy really touched me: they believed that the coat was made to last 100 years, and that when parts of the coat get worn out or broken, it should be mended rather than discarded. They also believe that the coat follows its owner throughout their lifetime, hence the name 100-nen. I fell in love with this philosophy. They were on a humble budget, but we came up with a simple idea for them that was personal and close to the heart.

A source of inspiration for you:
Anything can be an inspiration. To me, new experiences are always inspiring. You can find new discoveries even in ordinary everyday experiences.

As a designer, what’s your opinion on the role of social media?
The way people value design and branding is different now. Trends don’t really change overnight, but branding and advertising have evolved a lot over the past few years. Because of social media, influencers now have a bigger part to play. It’s no longer about what the brand is saying but it’s also about what ordinary people are saying about the brand. It’s also good because you can get more honest opinions—but sometimes you don’t know either if they’re truly honest.

What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
I was having lunch with a friend when we started talking about how nice it would be to have a business around plants or flora. Two weeks later, we plucked 2 more friends to start The Botanist & Her Thieves. This is something very special for the 4 of us, and we have lots of fun digging our fingers into earthworm poop and getting jealous over whose plant collection is bigger and better!

Do you have a favourite plant?
It has to be the Monstera Deliciosa Variegata! In my opinion, it is the most stylish houseplant. It’s a plant that is beautiful in form, and I love the marble print of the leaves. Being a variegated plant also means every leaf has a unique print, which makes it a delightful surprise!

Advice you’d give to someone starting out in their first job?
If you are a designer starting out, passion, along with some optimism, are things that will keep you going!