Pictured from left to right: Aidah from APSN, Valley from Photo Phactory, and Jessica from APSN.
For Valley Arora, Founder and Creative Director of Photo Phactory, the i’mable Collective x Design Orchard Capsule Collection was an opportunity to blend heritage with purpose. “We love collaborations and empowering the community, and we’ve always wanted to work with differently-abled artists,” she shares.
Photo Phactory is more than a lifestyle brand—it’s a celebration of Singapore’s vibrant culture and iconic architecture, capturing the heart of the Lion City through stunning prints. When the Call for Collaboration was announced in January 2024, inviting designers to co-create a capsule collection with persons with disabilities, Valley saw it as the perfect chance to make her long-held dream a reality.
With a clear mission in mind, she designed a collection that would teach makers with disabilities the art of block printing. “We wanted to share our skills and knowledge,” Valley explains. “Block printing is a fun and accessible craft. If these artists ever wanted to pursue it in future, this can be their starting point.”
Through i’mable Collective, Photo Phactory partnered with APSN, a social service agency that provides special education, vocational training and employment support services for persons with intellectual disabilities. With the support of SG Enable’s Enabling Academy, Photo Phactory came up with a training programme that catered to their needs, enabling makers with disabilities to understand the theory and practice behind block printing. This workshop equipped 14 APSN alumni with the new skill, and two individuals, Jessica and Aidah, were hired to produce the collection.
Reflecting on her role as both designer and trainer, Valley shares, “Working with the incredible individuals at APSN was both humbling and inspiring. Their enthusiasm and unique perspectives brought a fresh vibrancy to the art of block printing, reminding me of the boundless potential of creativity when given the right platform.”
Aidah (left) and Jessica (right) learning how to create their own prints in Photo Phactory’s block printing workshop.
The result is a colourful array of scarves, kitchen mittens, placemats, and tea towels that beautifully marry heritage with inclusivity. Inspired by Singapore’s iconic landmarks, shophouses, Peranakan tiles, and even Singlish, each piece is brought to life with colourful block print patterns. Each print has been lovingly coloured, placed and pressed by the makers, giving it their own unique and personal touch – no two pieces are the same.
Kitchen mittens, placemats, and tea towels from Photo Phactory’s collection showcased in Design Orchard alongside items from ANS.EIN and IKKIKIDZ, two other participating designers.
The collaboration was just as enriching for Valley as it was for the makers.“We had such an amazing time getting to work with the artists, and we actually learned a lot from them, like how to maximise creativity and how to have fun! Their enthusiasm is inspiring.”
Jessica and Aidah, the two makers behind the collection, shared their joy in being part of the project. “It makes me feel excited, calm, and happy,” Jessica says with a smile. Aidah adds, “I felt very happy, made a new friend, and learnt a new thing!”
Through this collaboration, Photo Phactory has crafted a collection that is as meaningful as it is beautiful. It celebrates Singapore’s heritage while championing the abilities of persons with disabilities, showing that inclusivity can inspire extraordinary creations.
