Cutting-edge thought leadership, progressive values, and a sustainable vision for the future. These are the defining traits which brought Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore together with German carmaker Audi on Wednesday for an evening of informative activities and discussion at the ArtScience Museum. Focused on reinventing our conception of what sustainability truly means, this latest partnership with Audi’s House of Progress event, the first of its kind in Singapore, put Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore Creative Director Windy Aulia and Associate Fashion Director Jeffrey Yan in conversation with three stars of Singapore’s sustainable fashion circuit. Sitting on this panel were visual artist and creative Josiah Chua, perhaps best known for his viral BTS sneakers made of McDonald’s packaging, self-taught crochet artist Kelly Limerick, and luxury marquage artist Cherin Sim, a pioneer of her craft.

Against the backdrop of Audi’s immersive brand experience, featuring the brand’s new grandsphere concept, among several other high-end vehicles, one could feel the futuristic atmosphere in the air. The House of Progress, meant to embody the values of digitalisation and design, features several new activities aimed at highlighting how little steps (literally, with a launchpad illustrating how your very own footsteps can help generate energy) can add up to a big leap towards a more sustainable future. And that’s exactly what the five panelists sought to get across in their messaging Wednesday evening, as they discussed each of their beginnings in the realm of sustainable fashion, why sustainability matters to them, and how everybody can play a part in reducing our consumerism.

For Limerick, the very essence of her craft boils down to the reuse of discarded materials, working with a carpet supplier to source yarn for her pieces, while Chua and Sim both work frequently with either unconventional and/or pre-loved materials. When asked about the inspirations and motivations for their work, all the panelists agree that issues like climate change make the need for sustainability an urgent one. But each panelist presents a different vision of what sustainable fashion means as well as how people can get more involved, with Sim tapping on the desire for individuality as one good reason to start. “People want to stand out and be different, and my work can help them do that,” says Sim.

After the panel discussion, guests were invited to experience the House of Progress space through the lens of customised activities set up by the panelists, get up close and personal with the Audi cars on display, and even go on some test drives. From decorating suede and leather accessories with Sim to creating tote bags out of pre-loved garments with Chua and mending old wardrobe favourites using Limerick’s crochet technique, there was something for everyone at the “Forever in Fashion – The Art of Craft” event. Read ahead to see photos from the fun-filled evening.

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