Creative Capital: The Singaporean entrepreneur who tells stories through clever bags
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CNA Lifestyle
Creative Capital: The Singaporean entrepreneur who tells stories through clever bags
Now stocked in countries like Japan and Sweden, Gnome & Bow are inspired by literary tales that founder Quanda Ong hopes will inspire positive alter and energy in its owner.
(Photograph: Quanda Ong)
07 Oct 2022 07:18AM (Updated: 04 Jul 2022 09:31PM)
Quanda Ong, the 32-year-one-time founder and CEO of leather accessories brand Gnome & Bow, likes to call himself a Main Talesmith. For him, books and storytelling are paramount, not just in business, simply also in life. A literacy advocate, this 32-twelvemonth-old entrepreneur spearheaded a project to build mobile libraries in Cambodia and teach kids to read.
In 2014, Quanda set upwardly Gnome & Bow afterwards a successful crowdfunding entrada – "The largest manner crowdfunding campaign at the time" – he proudly claims. The products were billed as "cleverly crafted numberless for the discerning gentleman", and included a page case, briefcase, duffel handbag and backpack. He besides sold bracelets, card sleeves and wallets.
To create a distinct identity for the brand, he used literary references. Each collection, for example, is chosen a new book, and classic tales inspire many of his pieces from the packaging to the blueprint motifs. To date, at that place take been iii collections as well as iii special collaborations.
One such projection was a fencing bag for Zzuma, a specialty shop for elite fencers in Brooklyn, New York. It may be the single most cute way to behave a sword (or whatsoever other martial arts gear) nosotros accept ever seen.
The brand also launched women's handbags in the fourth quarter of 2017. Reviews and sales accept been positive, and this five-year-old local brand is at present stocked in countries such equally Sweden and Japan. Information technology's as well available to global customers through the Gnome & Bow site every bit well every bit other e-tailers.
Despite the relative success, Quanda stays very grounded. In person, he's cheerful, humble, well-dressed and charming, and oozes a sincerity that makes you want to root for his success. He unwinds with a expert book, karaoke with friends, and hitting, every bit he puts it, "the salsa dance floor".
Here, in a new CNA Lifestyle series where we speak with creatives making their mark in Singapore, Quanda chats nigh how he incorporates messages in his products, and how he balances being both a artistic and an entrepreneur.
QUANDA ONG: When I first founded Gnome & Bow, everyone saw me every bit an entrepreneur, simply on hindsight, the truth is I was more than of a creative – an artist wanting to paint my stories using bags every bit my canvas. However, reality soon kicked in.
Every bit I grew the business, I found myself becoming more and more of an entrepreneur – charting the futurity, analysing numbers and seeking commercial opportunities. Therefore, the not-and so-directly answer to the question is that it will always exist an human activity of balancing the two and finding the sweet spot where they synergise.
Do Yous Ever HAVE I OF THOSE "WHAT IN THE Earth AM I DOING?" MOMENTS?
Many times! It's easy to get into the daily grind and be overwhelmed by work that comes your manner. And then of a sudden, 1 of those moments comes. It'southward a blessing though; a wake-upwardly call to rethink your direction and sharpen your strategies.
READ More than FROM THE SERIES: The Singapore artist who paints on Hermes Birkin bags
WHAT'Due south BEEN YOUR HERO PRODUCT SO FAR? WHAT DO You lot THINK IS ITS Appeal?
Our Strand Briefcase from Book II – Jekyll'due south Hyde is probably our almost iconic production so far. The pocketbook boasts two distinct looks in ane: A archetype, piece of work-friendly side and a more than radical, creative side when reversed.
Above all, subtle details make this bag a standout, such equally the inner voices of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde engraved on the base of operations of the bag, and tasteful touches like our signature oxblood manus-stitching.
It's easy to become into the daily grind and be overwhelmed by 'work' that comes your way. Then all of a sudden, one of those moments comes.
WHAT'South BEEN THE TOUGHEST CREATIVE Challenge YOU'VE FACED SO FAR?
That would be designing and launching that aforementioned collection, Jekyll's Hyde. The idea was to create a series of reversible bags that showcases the ii contending faces of man nature: The rational, reserved side versus the wilder, more spontaneous inner self. The question is: "Which side will prevail?"
The design cursory was to create a bag that could go along upward with the modern individual's lifestyle, ane that was non only adjustable to work and play, but also interactive and emotionally engaging.
Ane side of the bags features a classic and lustrous nylon which speaks of a distinguished Dr Jekyll. When flipped, the bags reveal a custom printed cotton canvas, each motif testament to the unconventional ways of Mr Hyde.
Designing it was only one half of the challenge. Then came the fabrication, which took an incredible amount of resolve and resourcefulness. The creative in me really pushed to perfect the drove. Meanwhile, the entrepreneur in me hoped for the all-time. I'thousand glad it turned out well.
WHO IS YOUR Blueprint OR Artistic HERO?
Paul Smith. His curiosity for all things effectually him, quirky personality and passion for life inspire me.
TELL US SOMETHING Almost YOUR CREATIVE Process THAT NO Ane WOULD Expect?
Nosotros program our books (collections) at least five books ahead to ensure a seamless transition and story line. Each collection is inspired by stories chosen not randomly, just via a rigorous checklist to ensure both creative and commercial appeal. Every chemical element of our pattern is idea through in particular, from the name of each product to the symbolic representation of our central messages. Finally, we tell stories through our goods on ii levels.
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The first is how our numberless communicate the narrative or concept of the story through details, colours and textures. The second, which most people might non know well-nigh is how our products relate to the user in a personal or emotional way. What do they mean beyond the narrative and into the lives of the user?
Book I: The Hare & The Flying Tortoise, for case, represents the underdog in the rat race, the wings innovation and perseverance, characteristics of a victor. We designed it in a way to help consumers tell their story, in plough hoping to inspire positive change and free energy in them.
Each collection is inspired past stories chosen non randomly, but via a rigorous checklist to ensure both creative and commercial entreatment.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE Time to come OF RETAIL?
The future of retail is in onmi-channel, making certain that offline and online touch on points piece of work hand-in-mitt. Farther to this, the existent pin lies in how brands can differentiate themselves through a consistent and engaging brand experience.
Brands need to go up close and personal with consumers or piece of work with stores (the middleman) who can interpret or replicate their make experience without dilution. These are increasingly hard to find. Mass distribution and aggressive marketing is not just going to work anymore as consumers get more than discerning.
IS SINGAPORE A TOUGH PLACE TO BE CREATIVE?
The answer lies in what makes a artistic tick. Singapore has grown leaps and bounds in the artistic scene since my dad's time, where engineering was the hot industry. Anyone tin be a artistic in his own correct, but what's really tough in beingness a creative is existence a commercial one. It's a abiding challenge breaking through creative clutter while making business concern sense, understanding consumer needs and meeting them.
And so, yes, it is very tough in my opinion as Singapore still has a herd mentality, especially when it comes to the arts and mode, post-obit mass trends, playing prophylactic and fitting into popular stereotypes.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED By RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I've learned loads. I virtually don't know where to first when asked this question. I guess a key learning point is the importance of commercial creativity. Inventiveness and commercial reality accept a strong symbiotic human relationship that you demand to harness to stay competitive and relevant in the business. Another is the importance of people. They are what make any business alive and thriving. Always invest in them.
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