a | Live more, Bank less @
10 questions with Addynna
Azlinor, one of Singapore's
next generation of leather
artisansa | Live more, Bank less @
In this day and age of mass production, are trades
such as leather crafting on the decline?
There were no megamalls in which you could buy stuff “off the rack” from one of the
many shops. Back then, if you wanted something, chances were you'd have to get it
made.
Today, things are different. We live in a time of e-commerce, and mass production—
all of which threaten the existence of the modern craftsmen/wornen.
That said, not all hope is lost. Thanks to a group of next-generation Singaporeans—
who are actively trying to prolong the longevity of the craft they love—the sun is yet
to set on these industries,
‘Addynna Azlinor is one of them. After dropping out of a degree in biomedical sciences
in 2009 to bea leather artisan, she started her own leather crafting company, Forest
Child, just 3 years later.
We spoke to Addynna to find out why she chose such an unconventional career path,
how she feels about being part of the next generation of Singaporean leather
crafters, and what keeps her going.| Live more, Bank less
Can you explain why leather crafting appeals to you, and how you got
into the business?
Ive always appreciated handmade goods since | was a child as I was exposed to
DIV-ed things made by my late Grandfather.
Growing up, | was that curious kid who always wanted to know how things work
were made, or what was going on inside a machine or the human body.
\also love leather for its aesthetic appeal: how gracefully it ages with you and its
durability and versatility—strong, beautiful and timeless. A handmade leather
product has its own unique characteristics. Even if two pieces are of the same design
and made from the same piece of leather, no two will ever truly be identical.a | Live more, Bank less @
7 years ago, | crossed paths with this man known as “Sarong’ or rather, the “late
Sarong" today. He was one of the pioneer leather crafters here in Singapore who
always carried around an aged-looking, uniquely-designed leather-bound journal
which drew my attention. Long story short, he became the first person to get me
started on the very basics of leather crafting (.e. how to cut and punch holes into the
leather, how to stitch etc).
Along the way, I was blessed to have also met a few other nice souls who were willing
to share some nifty tips and hacks. And the rest of itis simply based on trial and
error, even up till today!
When | first started out, | only made small leather knick-knacks like lighter/pen
sleeves, leather-bound journals and other accessories. Forest Child had its first booth
that same year at an event called Sunday Artists Market. The response was
unexpectedly overwhelming and that pushed me to start creating and designing
more. My then-business partner joined me for the first 5 years of this venture.
How does it feel being part of the next generation of
craftsmen/women?
| think we're lucky to be where we are today in terms of convenience and accessibility
to more knowledge and useful tips on our chosen craft. Thanks to technology, they
are readily available at our fingertips—literally. The advancement of tools has also
played a huge part in allowing us to produce more quality work, more efficiently
Other than that, | do feel a sense of pride for being able to preserve this handmade
tradition.What are some misconceptions people have about leather crafting?
Most people who aren't in this industry always assume that it’s as easy as “make
something and sell only what!” But the truth is everything requires immense plar_
—especially when it comes to custom work.
From sketching the design, calculating measurements, coming up with the temp’
to deciding on a suitable type of leather, it's a long list of things before we actua,
start on the actual craftwork!
And later comes the QC work, product shoot, graphic design, and everything else
needed for marketing on our social media platforms and websitea | Live more, Bank less @
In my opinion, big manufacturing companies commercially dilute the art forrn of
leather crafting.
Unlike leather crafters like us who take more time to produce handmade leather
goods that last almost forever, these giants produce low-quality products in bulk very
cheaply, marketing them as upscale, high-quality goods. The huge challenge is when
consumers blindly believe these labels and don't find out more.
Overcoming this is and will be, an ongoing, endless pursuit. As part of our efforts, we
try our best to share and educate our followers on how we craft our leather products;
about the differences between leather types and how to spot the differences between
real, handmade leather goods and low-quality ones.
Luckily, people these days are generally more aware of what they're buying and how
it's made. It’s a heartwarming feeling when we watch them become more intrigued
over time. The best “plot twist” is when a wave of questions turns into a lasting
relationship between us leather crafters and our customers.
How do you stay motivated despite these challenges?
We have a relentless spirit for the preservation of the leather crafting trade and an
addiction to create, recreate, design and redesign with unlimited possibilities. While
business is a challenge, the feeling of being able to spread knowledge to the next
generation lingers every day.Looking back, what are the best memories you have of your journey
thus far?
The memories | hold dear are of all the “first times”. | mean, we started out as a
home-based company with no capital. So back when we had our first commercial
space—albeit a shared one—at a shophouse along Bali Lane, it was a huge deal. We
had the chance to decorate the space however we wanted, open our first leather
workshop class to the public, and receive our first bulk order of leather placemats
from Cut by Wolfgang Puck—a renowned restaurant:
The most rewarding thing about my job would be the freedom to create or find >
solution to something. I've grown to learn to rely on my faith and fate. Of course
made “expensive” mistakes but the lessons | took from that are invaluable; sometrung
nobody and no textbook can ever teach you
What do you have to say to those who might think leather is cruel or
unsustainable?instead of chemicals. This makes them more environmentally friendly, biodegradable
and they can be reused or recycled.
Has DBS helped you on your leather crafting journey in any way? It.
how? Could you tell me more about that?
Yup, certainly. They've made so convenient and seamless.
Everything was so efficient online which saved me the hassle of making a trip to one