Creatives today are no longer singular; they are multi-skilled and diverse, constantly remixing and fusing identities into one. The new CK Calvin Klein logo by Raf Simons reflects this, colliding the American label’s pop cultural history with the creative director’s cultured aesthetic. The signature is showcased on the Fall ’18 collection of T-shirts, worn here by a collective of up-and-comers who are not afraid to go where their ideas take them.
GARETH FERNANDEZ
Being a singer/songwriter is: My dream since I was a kid and I have fought tooth and nail to keep the dream alive. What inspires you? I like hiking and sunsets, and feel most awed when taking in the beauty on a mountain peak. What do you want to do with your art? Take it abroad. I want to create songs and videos with people in Singapore and overseas, and just make some cool art. What is the most creative thing you have done? It would have to be the music video for my latest single, My Heartbreak Song. It was the largest-scale shoot I have been a part of; we pulled out all the stops like turning a normal HDB room into a “brothel”. What do you always live by? To be grateful for what I have and not focus on what I do not. What are you working on right now? NDP 2018 has been a super fun experience. For the rest of the year, I will be putting out a couple of my own songs plus other collaborative tracks with über-cool artists, so please watch out for those!
AXEL BRIZZY
Being a rapper is: A blessing. It’s crazy to be able to speak to and influence people around me and those I have never met overseas through my craft. What inspires you? The fire in me definitely keeps me craving and wanting more, knowing that I’m far from where I want to be. I don’t want to look back and regret the choices I made or opportunities I missed. What do you want to do with your art? To relate to my listeners through my art, and to show the next generation that it’s possible to take your passion somewhere through hard work, effort, and faith. The most creative thing you have done? Making a beat from scratch, writing a whole song, recording myself, and mixing it after – all within three hours. What do you always live by? Trusting the process; everything happens for a reason. Most importantly, to be consistent with my work ethic. What are you working on right now? New singles are in the works, so stay tuned!
EDEN CAI
Being a DJ is: Engaging audiences with your music selection and telling stories with your style of mixing. What do you want to do with your art? My goals are collaborative – to work with musicians and visual artists on live shows, fashion designers on capsule collaborations, producers and rappers on EPs and albums. The most creative thing you have done? I was fortunate to have worked on my wildest dream back in my London College of Fashion days, pulling off a music-fashion-photography-performance-art installation under the Shoreditch High Street overground railway. What do you always live by? “The story of one person is the story of everyone, and one man’s quest is the quest of all humanity.” This quote in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho has helped me find joy on my worst days. What are you working on right now? Numerous projects including music direction for Fitness Super Star 2018 produced by Hideki Akiyoshi, and a new EP release for my record label, Great Wall of Sound.
JUNI GOH
Being a singer is: A dream, a passion, and a full-time job. What inspires you? Well-written lyrics. When I sing songs by other artists, I sometimes get choked up and teary-eyed if the lyrics tell a beautiful story. The most creative thing you have done? Anything I do with my vocal group, MICappella, is creative. Being an a cappella group means we only use vocals to create every part of a song, from melody to “instrumentals”. What do you always live by? “Fake it till you make it”, which means having the confidence to do something you might not be familiar with or good at. There is also this Chinese saying that translates to “the boat will naturally straighten out at the pier”. Creatives face so much uncertainty, but I strongly believe that where there is a will, there is a way. You never know what is around the corner. What are you working on right now? I’m involved in the NDP with MICappella. We also have plans to travel for festivals and shows, and will be in Kanazawa and Moscow in the coming months.
JEREMY KIERAN & ZHANG MINHUA
Being a cinematographer/photographer is: Zhang MinHua (ZM): More than just holding a camera and capturing what’s in front of you. What do you want to do with your art? Jeremy Kieran (JK): To tell stories beautifully. ZM: Photography is a relatable form of communication, but it is not easy to create something that captures people’s attention. That is what I hope to achieve. The most creative thing you have done? ZM: I shot a lookbook by playing around with light leaks and shadows, and collaborated with a friend to further manipulate the images for an unexpected look. You have to try new mediums and means to progress as a creative. What do you always live by? JK: I tell myself I’m not a creative person, which takes away the pressure of having to come up with brilliant ideas all the time. People have this misconception that we are idea machines, but logic and technique play a huge part. ZM: To push boundaries. Art is never right or wrong, and should be an inspiration and fuel in life.
Interview by Yong Wei Jian
Photography Jeremy Kieran & Zhang MinHua/ Telescope
Styling Sapphire Chin
Grooming & hair Ann Lin/Athens using Kevin Murphy
Styling assistant Valerie Wong
Videography Jeremy Kieran
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