BAZAAR Power List 2024: Claudia Poh Is On A Mission To Provide Fashionable Pieces For The Disabled

Since day one, Singaporean fashion designer Claudia Poh has set out to fashion a kinder, and more inclusive tomorrow through her own clothing label, Werable.

Riffing on the phrase “we are able” for her brand name, Poh, who has collaborated with Paralympian Yip Pin Xiu in the past, has steadily racked up acclaim for her commitment to creating fashionable pieces that serve customers with disabilities. At press time, Poh is travelling in Paris as part of a collaboration with Toyota, who is also sponsoring Paralympic swimmer Toh Wei Soong.

Related article: BAZAAR Power List 2024: 8 Female Tech Founders Changing The Game In Health, Travel, Finance And Beyond

Her designs are as ingenious as they are fashionable—sleek shapes, monochromatic colours and sculptural lines hide clever magnetic closures or can be worn with just one hand. Some pieces are designed with hidden compartments to store catheters or other medical devices that need to be worn at all times. Many of her designs eschew the use of zippers or buttons because what may work easily for able-bodied users can be difficult for people with disabilities.

“I think a lot of us are in a position of power, but we don’t realise it. The decisions we make can influence the way people think, and the energy of the community,” Poh states firmly. “Werable is a constant reminder to myself and a source of encouragement to the people I care about. It was conceived to include, motivate and to create a sense of belonging.”

Related article: Women Designers To Watch In 2024

While the fashion industry has made improvements in the way it addresses bodies of different sizes, the same cannot be said for the way it regards the disabled community, and this is something Poh is cognisant of. “We must be truthful with ourselves and as an industry,” she muses. “This is especially important when difficult conversations must be had. Over time, I found the courage to stand by my convictions even if it comes at the cost of presumed success. I thought that put me in a vulnerable position and not that of power.”

When asked about what she feels is her proudest achievement to date, Poh beams as she recounts the moment Werable was awarded the grand prize for Shenzhen’s fifth Design Award For Young Talents. She highlights that this allowed her to grow the brand’s presence in Asia, and “has always meant a great deal to the team. It truly impacted me when I realised that receiving this award also put Werable on the radar of netizens on the Chinese social media platform, Baidu.”

On one trip to source for new fabrics in Shanghai, Poh shared that the supplier shared their love for Werable’s missions after looking them up online.

Related article: Going Global: How Nabilah Islam Champions Sustainability Through Her Slow Fashion Label, One Puram

Still, Poh’s journey isn’t sunshine and gold-paved roads all the time. Poh candidly talks about the episodes of doubt that she’s had to overcome along the way, especially when receiving criticism from people that she looks up to.

“In hopes of self-improvement, sure, it helps to listen to others and consider how our own perspectives are misaligned,” she says. “But it is a fine line between openness and losing your sense of self. Indeed growth means change, but what if you change the best parts of yourself just because people don’t see your value? It means a great deal to me today to be able to preserve my sense of self and choice.”

Editor-in-Chief: Kenneth Goh
Photographer: Wee Khim
Stylist: Gracia Phang
Makeup: Rina Sim using Chanel Beauty
Hair: Aung Apichai/Artistry Studios using Kevin Murphy
Photographer’s Assistant: Ivan Teo
Stylist’s Assistant: Tara Amelia Sharil