Singapore is all about imported goods. You can possibly find every brand from around the world in this city. But when you wish to take memorabilia back from the city that is ‘truly local’, the options seem somewhat limited. This convinced Amreen Rahman to launch the gift brand Kala Pata, allowing visitors to take a little bit of Singapore, back with them.
Over a quick chat, at one of the cafes overlooking Orchard Road, Amreen (a graphic designer by profession) tells me all about her recent venture. She places the little notebooks, she has designed, on the table. I’m already in love with the colours. But, what is so Singaporean about these, I wonder?
She says it is the motifs. Incidentally, the motifs she uses are influenced by the Peranakan culture. This is new to me. I find out the Peranakan culture is a hybrid one (apparently still a living one). The Peranakan Chinese are descendants of Chinese traders who settled in Malaca, and around the coastal regions of Java and Sumatra, as early as the 14th century. In the 19th century, the Peranakan Chinese, drawn by commerce, migrated to the bustling ports of Penang and Singapore. She encourages me to visit the Peranakan museum in the city. I hope to someday!
Amreen’s experience in Singapore with firms like George P Johnson and Leo Burnett, provided her the skills to finally pursue her passion. Her brand (just a few months old) is a one-man shop, where she handles everything from design to delivery. For now, her collection includes greeting cards, iPhone covers, notebooks and boxes.
Not to say the ride has not been fraught with challenges. Amreen says Singapore, unlike its neighbors, Indonesia and Vietnam, does not have talented craftsmen. And the ones that are, charge a whole lot.
That’s the reason she prefers to collaborate with artisans abroad. For example, her iPhone covers have been made in China, whereas the recently launched lacquer jewellery boxes are completely handmade by Vietnamese artists. While the print does not seem very new, the craftsmanship totally is: they are all hand-painted!
The brand Kala Pata seemed appropriate. Kala Pata means ‘banana leaf’ in Bengali, reflecting the Bengali, she is, at heart! And of course, it is totally synonymous with Singapore too, and reminds you of the kopitiams (local coffee shops), which serve food on a banana leaf.
To appeal to visitors (and locals) who want to take a piece of Singapore home, Amreen stocks her products in several museums across the city: Peranakan Museum Gift Shop, Singapore Art Museum, National Museum of Singapore, MAD Museum of Art & Design, and online retailers like Haystakt.com, Jooix.com and Naiise.com
The generous Amreen has sponsored a giveaway worth S$50 for one of our readers. She is giving out notebooks, greeting cards and an iPhone cover. All you need to do is tell us what you love about Singapore? Email us at [email protected] or post a comment.
{Photos by Kala Pata}
Leave a Reply