i’mable Collective x Design Orchard Capsule Collection

Pictured left to right: The capsule collection at Design Orchard featuring products from Bound Designs, ANS.EIN, Re-store, Photo Phactory and IKKIKIDZ.

A Call for Collaboration was launched in January 2024 for Singapore designers to train and hire persons with disabilities to co-produce this capsule collection. Five designers – ANS.EIN, Bound Designs, IKKIKDZ, Photo Phactory, and Re-store submitted their proposals.

i’mable Collective worked closely with the designers to embark on training and employment approaches for their respective lines of products. The collaboration extends beyond the runway through two training and employment approaches: Train-and-Place and Place-and-Train.

These two approaches ensure that persons with disabilities receive customised training and job opportunities, enabling them to build abilities, gain confidence, and access a broader range of employment possibilities.

Place-and-Train

Persons with disabilities are placed directly into roles based on job suitability and skills matching. This model allows individuals to upskill on the job to increase their capabilities and understanding of company-specific work processes. The Job Placement Job Support (JPJS) Programme also provides post-placement job support that helps persons with disabilities seamlessly integrate into the workforce.

Train-and-Place

Persons with disabilities undergo comprehensive training modules designed to develop or enhance new skills. This aims to enhance employability and retention by equipping them with the necessary technical and soft skills to thrive in the workforce. Upon completion, the individuals, if suitable, are matched to job placements accordingly.

This collaboration saw the training and employment of more than 40 persons with disabilities in a variety of skills.

“This partnership showcased the training and employment approach for persons with disabilities within the design sector. Through tailored training and employment opportunities provided by SG Enable, we can showcase the possibilities of hiring persons with disabilities through an inclusive employment pathway," says Emily Ong, Senior Director of Employment & Lifelong Learning, SG Enable.

Meet the Designers and Makers

 ANS.EIN

Pictured from left to right: Shennie and Yu Peng from Journey by TOUCH Community Services, Sor Chin from MINDS, Anseina Eliza from ANS.EIN, Emily Ong from SG Enable, and Yimei from MINDS at the collection’s launch. 

Through i’mable Collective, Anseina collaborated with four makers – Sor Chin and Yimei from MINDS, as well as Shennie and Yu Peng from JOURNEY by TOUCH Community Services. With guidance on training and employment approaches from SG Enable, the team embarked on a meaningful journey of co-creation. ANS.EIN utilised the Place-and-Train approach, in which makers received on-the-job training to learn how to interlock the fabric scraps while applying basic principles of colour and design, adding their personal artistic flair to the final pieces.

“We took fabric scraps that people regard as trash, but we upcycle it and process it to become treasured pieces,” Anseina explains. “Each maker carefully selected the patterns and colours, and combined the fabric scraps piece by piece, by hand, to create a beautiful fabric.”

This experience was not only a creative outlet but also a significant milestone for the makers. As Sor Chin and Yimei expressed, “I’m happy that I get to work.” Yu Peng, in a heartfelt message of encouragement, added, “If I can do it, you can do it.”

Read about ANS:EIN's collaboration

Bound Designs

Pictured from left to right: Lu-Lyn Chang from Bound Designs with Hadiyah from MINDS and Halidah from MINDS learning macramé knotting. 

Bound Designs launched a training programme called ‘Macramé for Fashion Handbag & Accessories Making’ where persons with disabilities learnt macarmé knotting and simple colour theory of textile colours. They created bags (clutch, bucket bag) and accessories (tassel keyrings, rope necklaces, wristlets, crossbody straps). Through i’mable Collective, 24 persons with disabilities from MINDS were trained, and two of them, Hidayah and Halidah, were hired to produce the line of bags.

"This collection is made with heart. I am very happy with what Hidayah and Halidah have created. Their work attitude, openness to feedback and ability to just roll with the punches are traits any employer would want in their employees. More importantly, the skills they have learnt have equipped them with the ability to make more products and create a sustainable living. This has always been my objective.” Lu-Lyn shares.

Read about Bound Designs' collaboration

IKKIKIDZ

Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth and Ayu from APSN, Ivana Dobnikar from IKKIKIDZ, Emma from ART:DIS and Gigi Teo from IKKIKIDZ at the i’mable Collective x Design Orchard Capsule Collection’s launch.

IKKIKIDZ had a clear vision – their collection was designed to impart the skill of linocut art to makers with disabilities. “This collection is our way of raising awareness of working with persons with disabilities, and encouraging society to care for and include them – a message that is very important to us,” Gigi, co-founder of IKKIKIDZ, explains.

IKKIKIDZ trained persons with disabilities under a training programme called ‘Linocut Art Workshop’, supported by the SG Enable Training Grant. This included learning how to make a linocut print from drawing and carving of linocut printed onto childrenswear. IKKIKIDZ trained Emma from ART:DIS (Arts & Disability) Singapore to produce the linocut prints and hired Elizabeth and Ayu from APSN to handle the printing.

To make the collection more inclusive, IKKIKIDZ also worked with the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) to make braille embossed prints on both the garments and hang tags, ensuring the collection's story is accessible to everyone.

 

Braille embossed prints on the garments and hang tags in IKKIKIDZ’ collection

“I’ve met an excellent coach named Arzelle through the workshop with IKKIKIDZ, and she taught me how to do lino-cutting and printing on garments. I've also learnt to better cultivate patience in order to create beautiful art pieces,” Emma shares confidently.

Read about IKKIKIDZ's collaboration

Photo Phactory

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, this collection was an opportunity to blend heritage with purpose. 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.”

Photo Phactory’s training programme titled ‘Block Printing Workshop’ taught trainees how to apply paint on wooden blocks and print onto cloth. The line included scarves, kitchen mittens, placemats, and tea towels. Through i’mable Collective, 14 persons with disabilities from ASPN were trained, and Jessica and Aidah were hired to produce the merchandise.

Jessica and Aidah 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!”

Read about Photo Phactory's collaboration

Re-Store

Pictured from left to right: Karen Teo-Robertson, Veronica Teo and Claudia Yong from Re-store, Emily Ong from SG Enable, and Joshua from Autism Resource Centre (ARC) with his mother and grandmother at the collection's launch. 

Re-store’s training programme titled ‘Weaving for Empowerment’ taught trainees about weaving of fabric, simple colour theory for artistic direction, and the sewing of woven textiles into products. 

Re-store trained four persons with disabilities from Autism Resource Centre (ARC) and one from Re-store. The collaboration didn’t end there. Two trainees, Caleb and Joshua, were hired to carry out the weaving on an employment model for at least six months, creating a line of bags, pouches, laptop sleeves, trays, and coasters.

“The makers are involved in every step of the production process,” Claudia, CEO and Creative Director of Re-store, explains. “Our team of individuals with autism weave the tapestries using hand looms and fabric strips, which are then sewn into new or existing products by our deaf seamstresses. It’s a wonderful cycle of collaboration.”

Claudia guides Clarence as he weaves using a hand loom.

Read about Re-Store's collaboration