Singapore’s got talent in droves and this brilliant new wave of creatives prove it. Meet the artists, actresses, designers, bakers, and social media stars that are fearlessly carving out a path of their own—even with everyone else watching. Trust us when we say they’re the ones to have on your radar right now. Meet Denise Chong, jewellery designer and the brain behind Denise Chong Adornments, the young fashion label known for its bespoke beadwork pieces.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Denise Chong (DC): Driven, direct and internally-anxious
How did you find your niche?
DC: I started beading during the pandemic lockdown, restarting a hobby I once dabbled in when I was young. I think the first thing I tried was making a bra top, and then bags and skirts. This was how garment-making came to me and how the brand started.
Do you respond to trends or do your own thing?
DC: Trends do definitely play a part in collection and seasons. I personally do feel that keeping a balance of trendy and timeless pieces is good for the business.
What is your idea of cool?
DC: Dressing well and looking good, I guess! Having a sense of style that I like makes me think you’re cool (laughs).
How do you stay creative and keep evolving?
DC: I think keeping updated and looking at things happening around me helps in keeping me creative. Getting constantly inspired by people or surrounding situations create food for thought on what can be further created in the future and sometimes I just pen that down and slot them [in] for coming collections!
How do you deal with competition?
DC: Honestly, I don’t like it as it makes me feel inadequate most of the time. I try not to subscribe to what other similar designers are creating every collection. Looking is good but I guess it subtly alters your headspace a lot, you either make something too similar or totally avoid making what you initially designed to avoid copying.
Does being publicly visible motivate you or scare you? How do you handle criticism?
DC: It definitely motivates me to continue doing what I love, I don’t exactly deal with criticism well but I try to look at them objectively and how it can better my designs.
What are some new things that you’ve been trying out?
DC: My new collaboration with Metal Metal, an influencer in Bangkok, was definitely a new experience. We came together to create upcycled necklaces that were made with sustainable efforts of reducing waste, parts were sourced in Bangkok, Malaysia and China thrift markets while others were old DCA trial pieces and unused parts.
What excites you?
DC: Beading as a technique and material still intrigues me a lot with the way it’s being shot by different photographers and how it flows on the skin. I think the ways I could possibly manipulate the material is still fun and exciting to me.
What is a motto that you live by?
DC: Try harder ♥️
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