Singaporean brands are crafting spaces that nurture creativity and community, and transforming stores into something much more. In our ‘Crafting Community’ series, GRAZIA Singapore takes a look at the special spaces and experiences that have popped up in 2024.
To celebrate a decade of crafting beautiful leather and paper goods, Bynd Artisan co-founders James Quan and Winnie Chan temporarily transformed their Holland Village outpost into the 10 Years And Beyond Experience Store. The store’s façade is marked by a vibrant mural by visual artist Sam Lo. Inside, the store emphasises the brand’s spirit of collaboration, showcasing fibre art installations by Alicia Chow Kirwan of Beeyarnd, as well as an array of accessories and leather goods designed together with local labels like Love, Bonito, Scent by Six, and Bound Designs. The store also played host to a series of panel talks featuring local entrepreneurs and creatives. Here, Chan tells us what makes the three-month-long experience so special.
What does “community” mean to Bynd Artisan?
Winnie Chan (WC): At Bynd Artisan, community is at the heart of everything we do. It includes our customers, collaborators, friends, partners, and anyone who resonate with our values of craftsmanship, quality, creativity, and connection. We aim to create a space that brings people together, fosters inspiration, and deepens connections. Over the years, we have connected with our community in different, meaningful ways. Through our annual panel conversations, we invite diverse thought leaders to share their stories, experiences, and insights on topics close to their heart. We also feature exclusive interviews with different personalities that explore their journeys and ideas. We also aim to support creatives in expanding their reach through collaborations with them.
How has the retail landscape in Singapore changed since Bynd Artisan first launched?
WC: The retail landscape in Singapore has evolved significantly since Bynd Artisan first launched. Today, customers seek interactive experiences over purely transactional ones, looking for something they can’t find online such as personal interactions, thoughtful engagement, and memorable encounters. As such, we aim to offer diverse experiences for our customers. For instance, at our ION Orchard, we collaborated with Patisserie Woo on the Bynd Artisan + Patisserie Woo Experience Store, where customers can personalise a leather and paper gift while enjoying artisanal desserts and coffee. At our Raffles City Atelier, customers can join leather crafting workshops during weekends or on weekdays after work, providing a chance to unwind after a long day or week while learning a new skill. Our goal is to create thoughtful, sensory experiences that bring meaning and connection to our community.
What sparked the idea for the 10 Years and Beyond Experience Store?
WC: Our mission has always been to create not just beautiful objects, but meaningful experiences that resonate with our community. We wanted to provide a space where our community could explore Bynd Artisan’s storied history, curated collections, and exclusive anniversary pieces, while engaging in hands-on activities and joining panel conversations. To bring this vision to life, we transformed our Holland Village Atelier in Chip Bee Gardens, a space filled with beautiful memories for nine years, into our 10 Years and Beyond Experience Store.
How have people reacted to the 10 Years and Beyond Experience Store?
WC: Our community members enjoy the Experience Store, where they can browse the anniversary collection at their own pace and discover exclusive collaboration pieces and launches. The space also offers an opportunity to view original works from the Beyond The Canvas and Longevity Fibre Art with Leather collections. Visitors can explore Bynd Artisan’s history through a series of videos, projected on a custom notebook screen made by our master craftsman Mr BC Chong. With spaces to sit and interact, it feels like an immersive exhibition that brings our story and journey to life.
This story originally appeared in the Dec/Jan 2025 issue of GRAZIA Singapore.
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