Singapore designer Faezah Shaharuddin is taking Malay cultural references to the world through furniture

Singaporean designer Faezah Shaharuddin is elevating the status of Malay cultural references in the world of furniture. Through her Studio Kallang, based in New York, the designer draws inspiration from her childhood memories and Southeast Asian craft traditions to create furniture that reflects her cultural heritage.

Well-known Malay desserts and biscuits like Onde, Agar, and Biskut might not immediately bring to mind contemporary furniture, but Faezah's furniture collections by the same names do just that. As the founder of Studio Kallang and part of the creative leadership behind her family's furniture business, Gamar, Faezah's work has gained recognition at Milan Design Week and in design-forward spaces across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Faezah's use of her heritage's colours, memories, and everyday references distinguishes her from the prevailing European design traditions, Japanese minimalism, and Scandinavian modernism that have historically shaped the language of collectible furniture. By incorporating these elements, Faezah aims to elevate the cultural significance of the furniture she creates, making it as valuable as any other art form.

Though furniture is merely the medium for Faezah, her Studio Kallang serves as a platform for exploring cultural memory through objects and design. With a background in visual communication rather than product design, Faezah returned to Singapore during the pandemic and found new meaning in the workshops and materials of her childhood.

Her furniture designs, such as the Mamun bedside table and the Onde, Agar, and Biskut collections, showcase her unique artistic approach and her commitment to preserving and celebrating Malay cultural heritage.