Have you ever heard of AUPEN, one of many buzziest trend manufacturers making waves internationally proper now? For those who haven’t, contemplate your self acquainted now. Helmed by Singaporean Skye Tan, who’s Head of Product & Design, with Lydia Maurer, Head of Idea, AUPEN’s bag designs boast a clear silhouette and distinct asymmetrical design.
Skye and Lydia’s names could not ring a bell, however belief us — they maintain weight within the trend world. Lydia Maurer is the ex-artistic director of trend powerhouse Paco Rabanne, and has had stints working at Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent.
As for Skye, he has come a great distance. An HDB boy at coronary heart (his phrases, not ours!), Skye is now based mostly within the glamorous Massive Apple. The style photographer, an alum of the celebrated College of Visible Arts of New York, minimize his tooth working with business heavyweights Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Paul Smith, to call a number of.
Regardless of having simply entered the scene, the model has already caught the eye of A-listers — Kylie Jenner and Gabrielle Union have each been noticed clutching an AUPEN bag.
Forward, we chat with the style insider who spills all about AUPEN and his journey within the trend world.
Inform us all about Aupen! We’d like to study the way it took place and the which means behind the identify and model.
The identify AUPEN is a portmanteau of the phrases “AU-thentic” and “o-PEN”. At AUPEN, we attempt to carry sustainability and transparency to the forefront of trend — each when it comes to our environmental utilization in addition to selling psychological well being.
I conceived AUPEN’s idea on a late evening on the streets of Brooklyn after I had one too many drinks… so nothing too fascinating there. Visions of bag designs appeared earlier than my eyes, and the debut assortment was birthed.
By utilising vegan leather-based for each product, we need to be part of the revolution the place the business is shifting away from animal sources akin to fur and leather-based. Although many should still want these supplies proper now, we’re decided to indicate them that eco-friendly choices may be cool too.
Your mission is to empower folks to stay with a better sense of well-being. How does Aupen plan to attain this?
I’m excited to be on a mission combining my expertise in two completely totally different realms, trend and childhood psychology. Working with particular wants kids at PS169 Sundown Park College in Brooklyn, New York, has been a heart-opening expertise for me. I’ve seen first-hand how sensory and visible cues can powerfully have an effect on your temper and emotions.
That’s why I need to empower folks in every single place by cheer-filled equipment, the place you’re feeling blue after a breakup or simply need some enjoyable equipment whereas on the lookout for your subsequent bae, let’s take this journey collectively!
Your varied collections all have a distinctly asymmetrical design. Why is that this so?
Aupen’s debut assortment is feel-good trend that embraces imperfection! The Japanese idea of fukinsei serves as its inspiration — the concept being that asymmetrical types could make us extra tolerant of hardship and open up our moods with a easy reminder that we don’t should be good.
So when life throws you curveballs, decorate accordingly! With AUPEN’s designs in your nook, no impediment has to look insurmountable. It’s completely regular to have ups and downs!
Aupen’s merchandise are all vegan and ethically made. Why did the model make this determination — versus going the standard route and utilizing calf leather-based — and the way does the model guarantee sustainability?
Animal leather-based has an enormous environmental price, and that’s why we’re obsessed with utilizing solely different supplies as a part of our dedication to sustainability. We all know the influence of normal leather-based is immense relating to land use, greenhouse gasoline emissions and biodiversity loss. This isn’t simply due to its manufacturing course of, but in addition because of huge power consumption together with chemical utilization to show animal pores and skin into tanned leather-based.
However sustainability doesn’t cease at bodily merchandise — moral labour practices are an necessary half too. That’s why we work carefully in partnership with Heng Lengthy, an LVMH subsidiary, to create thrilling new designs whereas nonetheless staying true to our requirements with out compromising on high quality or craftsmanship.
You’re initially from Singapore, and also you’ve come thus far within the cut-throat trend world. Singaporeans like to see one among our personal making it on the worldwide stage, so share with us your journey in trend.
Though I’ve labored in trend for a very long time, this is likely one of the first instances I’ve gathered the braveness to make the leap and do one thing independently. Most of my earlier trend profession has been working for different manufacturers starting from Louis Vuitton to Stephane Rolland.
My journey wasn’t simple, coming from a humble household in Singapore with out connections or wealth to jumpstart my very own tasks, all the best way to New York right this moment. I’m proud as an HDB boy to have come thus far, and I hope to encourage others which will really feel unsure or scared to channel that into creativity and drive. If I can do it, then you are able to do it too!
Lastly, any thrilling new plans or tasks within the pipeline?
We’re nonetheless rising and gaining momentum with the Fearless bag that Kylie Jenner wore, nonetheless fulfilling orders from the waitlist that was generated. We’ve additionally had some fairly thrilling inquiries from malls and types about teaming up. Hold your eyes peeled for what we have now in retailer subsequent — AUPEN goes to make an enormous transfer quickly!
Store AUPEN right here.
Supply: Her World