• Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • Female TV
  • #WHATTHEFEMALE
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • FemaleTV
  • #Whatthefemale
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Subscribe Now!
  • Also available at:
Privacy Menu 1
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
SPH Media

MCI (P) 047/10/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • Female TV
  • #WHATTHEFEMALE

Culture

A Gift Guide For The Environmentally Conscious

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Culture

A Gift Guide For The Environmentally Conscious

It’s not just about shopping.

November 30, 2021
sustainable gift ideas

Snap up artworks made by artists on the autistic spectrum at Cuturi Gallery's The Melting Pot exhibition. Proceeds go to The Art Faculty, a non-profit platform that supports autistic artists. Credit: Cuturi Gallery

Most gift guides aimed at those trying to be environmentally-friendly often recommend products developed (or if you’re cynical, marketed) in a sustainable manner. There’s nothing particularly wrong with that. But as sustainability advocate Xingyun Shen told us last year, maybe we should reconsider that approach – it shouldn’t just be about buying the “right” items.

“I feel like whenever the conversation turns to this topic, it’s always about where and what to buy from; what brands should one buy in order to be sustainable. It’s always about buying, but the important thing is to move away from that transactional mindset,” said Shen.

“What we can also do as consumers is to form a relationship with the clothes that we already have so that we don’t feel like we need to fill this void with new ones, which is essentially what drives consumerism.

Alternatively, we can still shop, but much more selectively with a less-but-better mindset and supporting small, independent labels and designers while at it. Even if these labels don’t explicitly set out to be sustainable, their scale of production in comparison to that of big international labels is by default more sustainable considering their much smaller business models, intimate relationship with suppliers and customers, and so on,” explains Shen.

“It’s also about thinking beyond clothing’s aesthetic value and looking at the emotional value and memories attached to them not only from your own perspective, but also that of the people who made them.”

That said, no one likes to be The Grinch during the festive season – working with Shen’s thoughtful advice in mind, here are some suggestions for gift ideas.


Related Articles

Can You Love Fashion And Still Be Sustainable? One Advocate Shares Her Manifesto

Carrom: Creating Scents Rooted In South Asian Memories

Giving The Slow Movement In Singapore A Beautiful Handmade Touch

https://www.femalemag.com.sg/gallery/culture/sustainable-gift-ideas/
A Gift Guide For The Environmentally Conscious
AN EXPERIENCE AT THE THEATRES
image

If you prefer not to gift actual merchandise – how about an experience instead? Treat your cinephile friends to a gift card or membership at beloved independent cinema The Projector and while you’re at it, take the chance to check out their first pop-up space, Projector X, located at Riverside Point.

From $20

The Projector
AN ARTISANAL PIECE OF JEWELLERY
image

Last year, we spotlighted designer Ng Si Ying and her lovely rattan project, where she took it upon herself to push the boundaries on innovative new applications for this traditional material.

Now you can check out her intricate creations in person: Ng is taking part in art platform Plural Art Mag’s first pop-up market, which takes place at Seed The Art Space over the next two weekends at 46 Kim Yan Road. P.S. many local artists’ creations will be on available!

From November 26 to November 28 and December 3 to December 5, 11am to 7pm

Ng Si Ying
A MEANINGFUL ARTWORK
image

If your giftee is an art enthusiast, why not hit up Cuturi Gallery‘s new exhibition, The Melting Pot? The show is running until December 19 at the gallery’s home at 61 Aliwal Street.

The gallery has teamed up with The Art Faculty, a social enterprise by Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) to showcase works by emerging artists represented by both institutions.

The best part is, 100 per cent of the sales from the works made by artists of The Art Faculty and 20 per cent of the sales made from the works by artists of Cuturi Gallery will be directed back to The Art Faculty.

Pictured: Third Wheeling, 121 x 91cm, oil on Linen, 2021, Faris Heizer, $4,000

Faris Heizer
A ONE-OF-A-KIND CERAMIC WORK
image

Many folks are into ceramics these days – why not pick up unique pieces made by local artisans at the ongoing Singapore Clay Festival? With more than 100 local potters and ceramic artists showcasing their works, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye, no matter what style you prefer.

 On now till November 29 at Enabling Village, 20 Lengkok Bahru

Pictured: A piece by Hairol Md Hossain Tujuan, price upon request

Singapore Clay Festival
A MAKEOVER OF TREASURED THINGS
image

Earlier this year, the bestselling book Worn Stories by Emily Spivak was adapted into a well-received Netflix documentary series by the same title – touching on what different pieces of clothing mean to different people. But time and wear will erode even the most well-made garment – if you have a treasured piece of garment you can’t bear to let go but is in need of repair, the best place to do so is local outfit Fincrafted Goods.

They work based on the age-old Japanese philosophy of mottainai – which loosely translates to respecting existing resources and wasting nothing – and over the years, the founders have made a name for themselves in giving old garments and accessories a patchworked-style makeover. Or to put it into more contemporary parlance, it’s upcycling done right.

39A Jalan Pemimpin, #03-03A 

Fincrafted Goods
A TIME-TESTED PIECE OF FURNITURE
image

Earlier this year, we wrote about Aeae Furniture, which specialises in sourcing for authentic vintage (typically mid-century) furniture from Japan. Since then, they’ve quickly become the vintage furniture retailer of choice for many in the creative scene – probably due to founder Bryan Teo’s discerning eye and the well-priced range.

If you’ve had your eye on their pieces, it’s best to head down this weekend as they’re holding a Black Friday sale, with discounts of up to 40 per cent on selected items – opting for genuine vintage pieces is one way of cutting down on consumption.

25 Depot Ln, #01-16

Pictured: Cantilever tubular dining chairs, $1,000 for a pair

Aeae Furniture
A NIGHT OUT AT THEIR FAVOURITE F&B ESTABLISHMENT
image

What better way to support the battered F&B industry than to savour a meal there in person? Now that dining restrictions have eased a little, perhaps the best way to celebrate – and support your favourite establishment – is to treat your giftee to a meal. Pictured: some of the FEMALE team’s favourite dining spots.

FEMALE
A PRE-LOVED FASHION ITEM
image

If the person you’re gifting is a hardcore fashion lover, Pasar Glamour might be a good option. Taking place next weekend, the annual bazaar organised by thespians Janice Koh, Pam Oei and voicework instructor Petrina Kow will donate 100 per cent of its proceeds to charity – and you can expect to find goodies from the likes of Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Old Celine and more. Get your tickets to the bazaar here.

December 4 to December 5 at 201 Henderson Rd, #04-10

Pasar Glamour
  • TAGS:
  • gift ideas
  • guide guide
  • sustainability
  • sustainable fashion
SHARE THIS ON

Trending

Culture

In Singapore, Five Young Artists Expanding The Limits Of Masculinity

Culture

Luxury Hotels Off The Beaten Track Made For The Nature Lover

Culture

Things To Do In Singapore: Singapore Art Museum's New Exhibitions, A Kiki Ball & More

Culture

A Fashion Insider's Guide To Exploring Berlin Like A Local

Culture

Love French Pastries? Here Are The Bakeries With The Goods

Culture

Things To Do In Singapore: Pink Dot 2022, A Show On Batik & More

Culture

Coveting The Most Stylish Furniture Launches From Salone Del Mobile 2022

Culture

Best Places To Go For Gourmet And Artisanal Ice-Cream In Singapore

Culture

Things To Do In Singapore: i Light Singapore Kicks Off With A Spectacular Show & More

Culture

Billie Eilish Is Performing In Singapore In August

Culture

13 Interior Stylists With A Great Eye For Decor And Fashion To Follow On Instagram

Culture

Things To Do In Singapore: Louis Vuitton and Nike "Air Force 1" By Virgil Abloh Presentation & More

Editor’s Picks
  • Culture In Singapore, Five Young Artists Expanding The Limits Of Masculinity
  • Culture Luxury Hotels Off The Beaten Track Made For The Nature Lover
  • Culture Things To Do In Singapore: Singapore Art Museum's New Exhibitions, A Kiki Bal...
  • Culture A Fashion Insider's Guide To Exploring Berlin Like A Local
  • Culture Love French Pastries? Here Are The Bakeries With The Goods
  • Culture Things To Do In Singapore: Pink Dot 2022, A Show On Batik & More
Female Newsletter
Sign up for one of our free newsletters to receive the latest news, commentary and fashion features straight from FEMALE.

By signing up, you indicate that you have read and agreed with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
?>">
SPH Media

MCI (P) 047/10/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.