SPOTLIGHT ON CREATIVES: AMIRA AZMI (SINGAPORE)
Photographer Rachel Loh invited us into part of her creative world as she brings together talented friends from Singapore and South Korea to share about themselves and their works, while also capturing our latest collection in their own unique way.
Please introduce yourself and what you do.
I’ve been doing graphic design, digital design, and art direction for close to a decade now. Both independently and with design studios I’ve worked at in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Singapore. But right now, I’m taking a break from that to focus on a book I’m writing! I’ve been working on it on and off for a while, and I’m excited to finally give it the time it needs.
What do you find inspiring about Singapore versus Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is a pretty big part of who I am today, there is so much I carry with me. I know there is a stereotype of Scandinavians being cold, but the people I met there have become such close friends of mine and are some of the warmest and most content people I know. Their way with people gives me energy. In Singapore, though, I feel we’re in a bit of a conflict. Culturally, we’re very welcoming and community-minded, but it kind of gets overridden by the pressures of big-city life which makes us keep to ourselves. And we all know there are a lot of rules and expectations here, but that’s also what makes the creative scene all the more inspiring. People here brave through the challenges, are so resourceful, and create amazing things independently despite it all. At the moment, I share a studio space with people doing cool stuff who inspire me. Shoutout to Restless and Strange Weather!
Amira wears Kinsley Scoop Neck Top in Midnight and Pippa Trousers in Midnight
I know you sometimes watch the birds outside your window, how does taking breaks like this fuel your creativity?
I watch the macaques too! With my binoculars I can really see the details — the colours of a bird’s feathers, the interactions between a macaque parent and its child, the textures of the trees. The forests in Singapore are so lush, you can get lost just looking at them. I also sometimes pair the watching with walks in the nature reserve. It looks funny, but I use my binoculars to look at roosters or lizards even when I’m a couple of metres away from them because then I get to see them magnified.
I think we tend to overlook Singapore’s nature, or see it as manufactured or don’t categorise it as such because there are no mountains, no four seasons, or because our waters are full of cargo ships. But our rainforests and wildlife have been around for hundreds of years, and they are so unique to us. Because I’ve moved around a lot, taking breaks like this helps ground me and remind me where in the world I currently am. And because a lot of my work is tied to my laptop, things can sometimes feel a bit unreal. As simple as it sounds, it’s good to just look at other living things that share the planet with us. The book I’m writing is a lot about where I grew up so it’s kind of part of my research to be present here. I’m in the Malay Archipelago, the land of my ancestors! That’s so amazing to me.
How do you think styling yourself is/can be a reflection of your philosophy towards design?
I think there is a lot of visual noise everywhere, so I like to be intentional. Both in what I wear and in design. I tend to be emotional and sentimental, so I treat the things I wear in that way. Every piece of clothing I own means something to me, either it’s tied to a certain memory, or I value the craft or brand behind it. It’s the same with my work in design — it has to have a story and meaning. Otherwise, it’s just a nice thing to look at, and I don’t think that makes it last.
Photography & Interview: Rachel Loh
Featured Artist: Amira Azmi
Styled in: Kinsley Top (Midnight) and Pippa Trousers (Midnight)