Mark Ong, better known as Mr Sabotage, is no stranger to the streetwear scene and is widely considered a legend. Dabbling primarily in customised sneakers, amongst others, his works can be seen on the feet of the who’s who of the streetwear scene. Mark sold his first pair of customised Nike sneakers in 2002; the rest was history.
Over the years, Mark perfected his signature camouflage-inspired patterns that became synonymous with his work and brand. Most recently, IWC Schaffhausen roped in Mark on a special collaborative project which brought forth the IWC x SBTG special edition strap. Men’s Folio had the pleasure of speaking to Mark about his next big achievement.
Congratulations on your IWC x SBTG special edition strap collaboration with IWC Schaffhausen! You were first appointed as a friend of the brand (last year), and now you have a collaboration under your sleeve. How would you describe this journey with IWC Schaffhausen so far?
We’ve been working on the strap since last year when I was appointed as friend of the brand. It was hard to keep a secret for over a year! The IWC team has been a dream to work with! The company culture is amazing, and they are all good people that I would definitely hang out with.
It’s almost three weeks since the IWC x SBTG special edition strap launched. Has it fully sunk in that you are possibly the only Singaporean to have collaborated with a luxury watchmaker on the level of IWC Schaffhausen?
I am extremely honoured because not only am I the first Singaporean to have collaborated with IWC Schaffhausen, but my brand, SBTG, also known as Sabotage, is possibly the first streetwear label in Singapore to have done a collaboration to such scale.
Believe it or not, being the first to do something has always been my thing throughout my career. But this is the first time I’m stepping into the luxury realm, and it feels amazing. Until the next project, I will savour this feeling for now!
Having worked closely with Christian Knoop, Chief Design Officer of IWC Schaffhausen and his team, is there a newfound respect and admiration for what goes behind the scenes at IWC Schaffhausen?
Of course! Christian is extremely modest and feels like a big brother whom I could go to any time. We have had many conversations about our cultures, streetwear, design philosophies, and so much more! Did you know we did most of the communication on the strap design via WhatsApp?
I also want to give special thanks to Cindy Sim (Marketing Director of IWC SEA) for the amazing planning. Not only was I blessed to be given the opportunity to attend Watches and Wonders this year in Geneva, but I was also invited to visit the IWC Schaffhausen HQ, which was truly an eye-opener.
Seeing the finished product come to fruition must be one of the highlights, but what valuable insights or experiences did you gain from this collaboration?
We went through a few rounds of samples exploring different applications but eventually returned to the first idea. Taking time to digest the samples was important, and the highlight was when we attached the strap to an actual watch; it all came together perfectly.
I’ve been designing products and working with brands for a long time, and what I’ve gained and decided to do intentionally is to continue to build relationships with the other party. I feel that that is the most valuable thing you can get from a collaboration.
What were some emotions you experienced when you finally laid your hands on the strap? (Pride, elation, sense of accomplishment, gratitude, to name a few etc.)
I am proud to have my work seen as a piece that will go down in history for Singapore, and I am also excited to contribute to the beginning of a luxury meets street culture movement.
Your handpainted works are mainly found on sneakers or clothes. What were some considerations that came to mind when designing the watch straps?
I’ve been hand-painting my work for a long time. With this project, I wanted the final product to look like what I’ve always been putting out. We arrived at a conclusion to include my signature tiger camouflage pattern on the watch strap, and I am super pleased with the results! I feel the design would be a breath of fresh air for the existing IWC audience and my fans to have a sense of familiarity.
The IWC x SBTG special edition strap features the green camouflage pattern, which is your signature aesthetic element. Why were you drawn to the camouflage pattern?
Back when sneakers were designed mainly for sports, I sort of caught a glimpse of what streetwear would look like today, and I followed that instinct to start a journey which became a career. One of the patterns that I’ve decided to juxtapose onto sneakers was the camouflage pattern. Since then, it has greatly impacted my space, and my name has become synonymous with this pattern.
Have you ever wondered what would your alternative aesthetic be had the camouflage pattern not been your signature?
I’ve always been exploring several patterns throughout my career. One of my alternative patterns is a Leopard camo that I often use with the Tiger camo. I call this combination the Feline Fury as they are derived from the cat family. I also love the punk flyer collage style made up of photocopied magazine prints and formed lettering like a ransom note.
To round off this interview, if you could pick the next item to design, what would it be?
I would love to design a plane skin for Singapore airlines!
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