With “Future Impact 3: Design Nation”, Singaporean designers made their mark at Milan Design Week, presenting their works to the international design community. As part of GRAZIA Singapore’s May 2025 issue, we highlight three female designers of different practices whose works speak to the diversity and dynamism of Singapore’s design scene. Here, we speak to the local fashion designer, Claudia Poh.
Since starting her adaptive fashion brand Werable in 2019, Poh has created versatile clothing that offer mobility and can be worn with ease. Her designs, which incorporate thoughtful details like magnetic closures and ring zippers, are especially helpful to people with disability or mobility challenges.
Now, Poh has employed that inclusive design approach into making Werable’s first bag, the Wishbone Bag. She tells us more about how—and why—she made the accessory.
What does innovation mean to you?
Claudia Poh (CP): Innovation is empathy in action. It’s about observing life closely, identifying friction points, and finding ways to smooth the path forward. For me, it means designing with, not just for—it is co-creating solutions that respect the full spectrum of human experience.
What sparked the idea for the Wishbone Bag?
CP: The Wishbone Bag has been two years in the making. It began when a friend, Wei Soong, asked me to redesign a sling bag. He shared how difficult it was to access his belongings while using crutches or a wheelchair—especially when he had to support himself single-handedly. The design process was guided by three principles: gait, grace, and ease of access. We tested everything from strap placement to bag shape to ensure it could carry a day’s worth of items without looking bulky. One of the key features is a lateral sliding magnetic buckle, which allows for one-handed access. The detachable harness and stabilizer strap keep the bag close and balanced on the body—essential when walking, cycling, or navigating public transport.
You’re known for your modular clothing designs. How different is it to design an adaptive accessory?
CP: Designing an accessory required a different relationship with the body. Unlike clothing, which envelops and flows with movement, a bag must anchor securely while still feeling intuitive. We had to consider not just style and function, but ergonomics—how it affects your gait, posture, and ease of reach. The biggest challenge was making something that feels like a natural extension of you, not an afterthought.
Were there any serendipitous encounters that helped deepen your understanding of the design process behind the Wishbone Bag?
CP: Definitely. I designed the first version of the Wishbone Bag for someone else. But I didn’t expect it would become my everyday go-to. The first time I used it on my bike, something clicked. I realised I was experiencing the same comfort and ease I had hoped to give someone else. That moment reignited my belief in design’s ability to connect people—and helped me reconnect with my own purpose as a designer.
How do you see the Wishbone Bag being used?
CP: This is a bag for people on the move—whether you’re commuting, cycling to work, navigating a city with mobility aids, or just juggling a coffee and your phone. It’s designed for one-handed access, so it supports anyone who needs to balance, multitask, or stay hands-free. It’s gender-neutral and body-inclusive, created to work with you—not against you.
Can we expect more Werable bag designs to follow?
CP: Absolutely. The Wishbone Bag is just the beginning. We’re exploring other wearable accessories and tools that enhance independence without compromising on aesthetics. There’s so much potential in rethinking everyday objects, and we’re just getting started.
Have you seen an increased awareness and appreciation for adaptive design in Singapore since you launched Werable in 2019?
CP: Yes, massively. When we started, there was limited understanding of what adaptive fashion could be. Today, we’re seeing real conversations around inclusive design, not just in fashion but across industries. Collaborating with athletes, therapists, and brands like Toyota has helped amplify the message that accessibility is not a niche—it’s the future of design.
What inspired your showcase at the Future Impact 3: Design Nation exhibition at Milan Design Week?
CP: I wanted to create something that celebrates the quiet power of movement. This year’s design is deeply personal. It’s about returning to why I started Werable in the first place: to make life easier for someone else, and in doing so, rediscovering grace on my own. It’s not just a product; it’s a reminder that design can hold us, support us, and move with us through life.
How do you feel about presenting your work at Milan Design Week?
CP: It’s surreal and deeply humbling. To present at one of the world’s most prestigious design platforms feels like a full-circle moment. For years, we’ve championed inclusion in fashion—seeing adaptive design occupy space at Milan Design Week proves that accessible design is not peripheral. It belongs at the centre of global conversations on innovation.
How do you think Singapore’s design scene has evolved over the last 60 years?
CP: Singapore’s design scene has matured into something bold, culturally nuanced, and socially engaged. We’ve moved beyond function into a realm where design tells stories and addresses real human needs. SG60 is a powerful reminder of how independence—both personal and national—can be a driving force in shaping design for a better future.
This story first appeared in the May 2025 issue of GRAZIA Singapore.
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