Chit Chat with Creatives

A Lifelong Dialogue with Creatives

Chit Chat with Creatives is a new initiative in 2024 by Fuchsia Lane where we speak to like-minded creatives from different fields on what drives their passion and to understand about the sacrifices they had made, and the struggles faced and personal triumph to achieve what they have today.

Being a brand, whose vision is to revive cultural legacies through modern Nanyang fashion and lifestyle, Fuchsia Lane is always collaborating with creatives from different disciplines and across borders to realise new possibilities.

Fuchsia Lane launched Singapore’s first heritage focussed Fashion and Art showcase “Eternity by Fuchsia Lane” in 2010 at ION Art,

where we collaborated with 3 local upcoming artists including Montblanc Artist Award winner Justin Lee in 2010, to feature their artwork in Peranakan embroidery and beading on 8 wedding themed gowns.

The arduous search of like minded Peranakan artisans who saw the value in this groundbreaking project of using Peranakan Artistry on new silhouettes, and not to produce another Kebaya or beaded shoes, spanned Singapore, Malacca and Penang, the former Straits Settlement for over 6 months.

Working with various government agencies and sponsors to single-handedly drive this showcase which culminated in the successful Opening Night where it was graced by then MICA Minister Lui Tuck Yew as Guest of Honour. This first Singapore Fashion & Art Showcase was widely covered in local press and television, and also attracted the New York Financial Times. Part of the proceeds from the auction of the gowns were donated to Singapore Business Times Budding Artist Fund, intentionally chosen by Vivienne to promote Arts among the young. Fuchsia Lane was awarded the President’s Challenge by late President SR Nathan at the Istana.

This marked a lifelong affair working alongside creatives, artisans and supporting their works and bringing new fashion possibilities by incorporating their dreams into our fashion capsule collection.

In 2017, we also collaborated with artist Clara Yee

to feature her art into our first collection of Korean embroideries by the hanbok artisans. One of the pieces, a bright turquoise mandarin collar silk dress with embroidered vibrant goldfishes was proudly worn by Miss Emily Ong, the former Deputy Executive Director of Design Singapore Council to the President’s Design Award Ceremony at Istana.

During the pandemic, Fuchsia Lane again contacted creatives who are working hard to re-invent themselves amidst the toughest environment ever.

By sharing their stories of how 6 creatives from celebrated Architect Kee Jingzhi, Founders of Teng Ensemble Samuel Wong and Yang Ji Wei , Harpist and Children’s book publisher Laura Peh as well as charity Food Bank Co-Founder Nichol Ng, Director Kelly Keak, the face behind MTM Labo and our own Designer Vivienne, Fuchsia Lane’s Be Fearless Campaign hopes to inspire hope in the bleakest of times and was featured in Lianhe Zaobao in 2021. Partial proceeds from the sales of pieces featured by the Creatives were donated to Children’s Wishing Well- a charity organisation who believes in breaking the cycle of poverty in children from disadvantaged backgrounds by developing a healthy mentality and nurturing creativity.

In 2024, after a preparation of over a year, Fuchsia Lane launched the collection inspired by famous Kun Opera with the same name, The Peony Pavilion.

She collaborated with artist Chong from Penang, another city close to her heart. Chong’s vibrant watercolour art has made him a known name in the Penang’s famous Creative Fair, Hin Bus Depot. Vivienne featured his works on t-shirts and Qipaos on a wide variety of different fabrics from mesh to hanbok silks and a combination of print and embroideries.

We kick start our inaugural series with Chihiro Uchida, a famous figure in the Singapore ballet scene and who has stayed in Singapore for close to 2 decades. Chihiro has been a long-time friend of Fuchsia Lane and Vivienne.

Next person featured is the 2014 Cultural Medallion Recipient Chong Fah Cheong, a sculptural artist who is 78 and believes in active ageing and whose art sculptures are found in various public and private places.

The common thread weaving through these collaborations is a profound love and appreciation for Nanyang fashion, Peranakan Artistry, craftsmanship and a passionate pursuit of excellence in Arts and Culture as a lifelong career.

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Chihiro Uchida & Vivienne

Vivienne & Chong Fah Cheong

Chit Chat with Creatives

Embroidered A Line Qipao with Peekaboo Detail in Fuchsia

A Lifelong Dialogue with Creatives