Every issue, GRAZIA Singapore highlights a Game Changer who inspires, educates and celebrates individuality, beauty and style. This month, meet Jasline Ang, the designer and co-founder of Singaporean fashion label Studio Qiling, who taps into the magical world of mythical creatures for the her signature prints.
Ang and Melissa Tan are the young creatives behind Studio Qiling, a Singaporean fashion brand that first began in 2023 with a primary focus on hand-drawn prints. For Ang, this all began in her early days as a student of fashion design. That journey in school—learning to illustrate, tell stories through craft and heritage, and technical development—was what kickstarted her career in luxury fashion houses.
Not two years after its launch, Studio Qiling expanded its key offerings to silk scarves, kimonos and other ready-to-wear pieces that incorporate Ang’s signature Asian-inspired motifs. Each pattern from the brand is a labour of love, more often than not requiring hours of designing and redesigning, before it ultimately finds its place amongst Studio Qiling’s collections.
Ahead, we speak to the independent designer about her craft, the challenges of running a growing fashion business and the delicate balance between heritage, innovation and lasting legacies.
Tell us more about Studio Qiling’s hand-drawn patterns and prints. What drove you to explore this craft as the brand’s prime offering?
At Studio Qiling, our prints often feature animals and nature, always with a whimsical touch. The name “Qiling” is a blend of my Chinese name and my co-founder Melissa’s. It also happens to be the name of a mythical creature in Chinese folklore, perfect for a brand rooted in imagination and storytelling.
To build on this concept, I created print collections that feature legendary beings such as the dragon, phoenix and the qilin. Each print begins with illustrating a magical creature at its heart and I let my instinct guide the rest, adding elements from nature that reflect the mood I want to create.
I chose to focus on prints because it’s where my strengths naturally align—illustration and the ability to turn drawings into timeless, versatile patterns. With a background in fashion design and years spent at luxury houses like Louis Vuitton and Goyard, it felt instinctive to bring hand-drawn artwork into textiles and fashion.
What makes your prints, which blend traditional motifs with contemporary design elements, unique to the brand?
I enjoy adding a touch of magic to the works I create—often through animals (sometimes magical ones) and nature, as they tend to spark joy and connection in all of us. People often tell me which animal in our collection they resonate with, and I love that it becomes a personal experience for them.
My strength lies in my sense of composition and colour, creating prints that feel both familiar yet fresh. I put a lot of thought into creating work that feels timeless—it’s a quiet responsibility to make art that endures. I suppose it’s that sensitivity and level of detail that makes the designs recognisably mine.
In an industry that often prioritises speed and trends, what inspired Studio Qiling’s conscious consumerism business model?
By limiting our production runs, we ensure that our collections remain exclusive and special, while also minimising our environmental footprint. Each piece is made with quality materials and craftsmanship, so it lasts—and we hope our customers treasure them for years to come.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since the inception of Studio Qiling?
I’m lucky to have a business partner I trust who manages the financial and operational side of things—otherwise, that would have been my biggest challenge. Creatively, I’ve truly enjoyed the journey of being a brand owner. After years of working with luxury brands, having the freedom to express myself without limits has been incredibly fulfilling. The challenge is less about creativity, and more about building the right foundation to support that creativity long-term.
How do you define success?
For me, success is about building a business that is sustainable—both creatively and financially—where we can continue to grow without compromising our values.
I also find success in the small, meaningful moments, like when a customer shares how special a piece made them feel, or how much they love the print and design. It’s also reflected in forming genuine collaborations and building a brand that represents who we are.
This story first appeared in the May 2025 issue of GRAZIA Singapore.
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