Why this Singapore fashion label is rescuing Japan’s discarded kimonos and giving them a second life
CNA
Founded by Eshton Chua and Suffian Samat, Syne Studio transforms surplus Japanese kimonos into meticulously restored, one-of-a-kind pieces – blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary refinement and sustainable intent.
Most fashion entrepreneurs are driven by a lifelong passion for style and design. For Syne Studio's Eshton Chua, 31, and Suffian Samat, 32, however, their motivation stemmed from witnessing the darker side of the industry – and wanting to change it.
Having previously worked in fast fashion, the pair were confronted with the sheer volume of waste generated by the industry. “We had similar past experiences witnessing the vast amount of waste due to contractual obligations involving off-season or damaged items. It became a pain point for us, seeing how many companies were unable to donate or repurpose these pieces,” said Chua.
Rather than turning away from the problem, they decided to address it. That conviction led to the birth of Syne Studio, a label focused on restoring unwanted kimonos from Japan and giving them renewed life with a modern sensibility, in 2020.
“We realised that, at that point in the industry, the easiest workaround for many fashion companies was to collaborate with another brand that could give unwanted inventory a second life. That inspired us to position ourselves as a brand that works with excess stock to create new pieces from it,” Chua explained.
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Why this Singapore fashion label is rescuing Japan’s discarded kimonos and giving them a second life
Founded by Eshton Chua and Suffian Samat, Syne Studio transforms surplus Japanese kimonos into meticulously restored, one-of-a-kind pieces – blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary refinement and sustainable intent.
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