Pictured from left to right: Karen Teo-Robertson, Veronica Teo and Claudia Yong from Re-store, Emily Ong from SG Enable, and Joshua from Autism Resource Centre (ARC) with his mother and grandmother at the collection’s launch.
“From the get-go, we started with a heart for wanting to provide equal opportunities for marginalised individuals,” says Claudia Yong, CEO and Creative Director of Re-store.
In fact, Claudia already has a team of deaf seamstresses behind the brand, known for making upcycled lifestyle accessories from dead stock textiles. When she came across i’mable Collective’s Call for Collaboration in January 2024, it was an easy choice to participate. It invited Singapore designers to train and hire persons with disabilities to co-create a capsule collection and promote inclusivity in the design sector. This evolved to be the i’mable Collective x Design Orchard Capsule Collection, a partnership between i’mable Collective and the Singapore Fashion Council.
“I think this initiative is really good, in a sense that it creates more awareness and education around inclusive hiring,” Claudia shares. On top of designing the collection, Claudia also took up the task of coming up with a training programme just for the collaboration, working with Enabling Academy at SG Enable to do so.
Titled Weaving for Empowerment, the programme taught persons with disabilities the techniques of fabric weaving, introduced them to basic colour theory, and transforming textile waste into woven tapestries. Through i’mable Collective, Re-store trained four persons with disabilities from Autism Resource Centre (ARC) and one from Re-store. Trainees enjoyed experimenting, and created a line of bags, pouches, laptop sleeves, trays and coasters.
Textile artist Natalia Tan, who came onboard as a trainer with Re-store, learnt a lot from the trainees too. “It was such a pleasure working with my students with autism. The biggest highlight of my journey with them is witnessing them pick up the skills with patience and enthusiasm, and experience the joy of weaving! I’m very thankful for the support of Re-store and SG Enable in helping me understand how I can interact with my students effectively.”
Re-store with their trainees at the ‘Weaving for Empowerment’ training programme presenting their woven works.
A trainee at Re-store’s ‘Weaving for Empowerment’ training programme learning how to weave using a hand loom and fabric strips.
The collaboration didn’t end with training. Two makers from ARC, Clarence and Joshua, were hired to continue weaving for at least six months, showcasing Re-store’s commitment to providing sustainable work opportunities. “The makers are involved in every step of the production process,” Claudia explains. “Our team of individuals with autism weave the tapestries using hand looms and fabric strips, which are then sewn into new or existing products by our deaf seamstresses. It’s a wonderful cycle of collaboration.”
Claudia guides Clarence as he weaves using a hand loom.
Clarence, a production assistant at ARC, expressed his joy in being part of the project, saying “I’m happy, because of the money!” His work not only represents a source of income, but also a step towards greater independence.
His words of encouragement to fellow makers? “I’ll call the others to keep working, and good job!”
This collection is a perfect reflection of Re-store’s ethos, where sustainability meets compassion. Re-store is reshaping the design sector, not just by breathing new life into discarded textiles, but also by proving that inclusive employment and fashion can go hand-in-hand.
