For generations, the cheongsam has been an emblem of power dressing and a statement of one’s cultural identity. Its versatility is evident in the way its style has evolved over the years, with fashion designers continuing to be inspired by it. The garment is still worn today on special occasions such as Chinese New Year and weddings, and even as formal work wear. The practice of tailoring custom-made cheongsams is a treasured and intricate ICH practice.

In Singapore, there had been strict restrictions on social, cultural, business activites during the "Circuit Breaker" period from April to June 2020. Yeo Kirk Siang shares the ICH activies during "Circuit Breaker" period and showed the role of ICH in COVID 19 pandemic. \n\nYEO KIRK SIANG is currently the Director of the Heritage Research and Assessment Division (HRA) at the National Heritage Board (NHB) of Singapore. The division focuses on the research, documentation, and commemoration of Singapore’s tangible heritage and the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, in partnership with non-government organisations and public agencies. He is also the coordinator for the “Our SG Heritage Plan”, which outlines the broad strategies for Singapore’s heritage sector from 2018 to 2022.

The Craft X Design project is part of NHB’s efforts to promote greater awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), raise the profile of local traditional craftsmanship, and increase access of local traditional craft practitioners to new markets, networks and designs. Craft X Design pairs four traditional craft practitioners with four local designers and/or studios to reimagine traditional crafts into innovative and modern products that express and embody Singapore’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.\n\nThe multi-spherical bamboo lamp is a collaboration between Jimm Wong, one of the few remaining traditional Chinese lantern makers in Singapore, and designers from NextOfKin Creatives (NOK), Melvin Ong and Xu Xiao.

The Craft X Design project is part of NHB’s efforts to promote greater awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), raise the profile of local traditional craftsmanship, and increase access of local traditional craft practitioners to new markets, networks and designs. Craft X Design pairs four traditional craft practitioners with four local designers and/or studios to reimagine traditional crafts into innovative and modern products that express and embody Singapore’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.\n\nAnita Tompang, a ketupat weaving practitioner, and designer Andrew Loh worked together and applied ketupat weaving techniques to weave strips of thick felt around foam, creating ketupat-shaped foam modules that can be combined to form different types of furniture.\n\n

The Craft X Design project is part of NHB’s efforts to promote greater awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), raise the profile of local traditional craftsmanship, and increase access of local traditional craft practitioners to new markets, networks and designs. Craft X Design pairs four traditional craft practitioners with four local designers and/or studios to reimagine traditional crafts into innovative and modern products that express and embody Singapore’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.\n\nThe collaboration between kebaya maker Raymond Wong and designers from Aller Row, Joanna Lim and Joanne Quek led to the reinvention of the traditional Peranakan Kebaya as a modern couture gown. \n

The Craft X Design project is part of NHB’s efforts to promote greater awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), raise the profile of local traditional craftsmanship, and increase access of local traditional craft practitioners to new markets, networks and designs. Craft X Design pairs four traditional craft practitioners with four local designers and/or studios to reimagine traditional crafts into innovative and modern products that express and embody Singapore’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.\n\nRangoli practitioner Vijaya Mohan, and designer Jarrod Lim worked in collaboration to create three-dimensional rangoli-inspired metalware which retained the artistic integrity of rangoli and showcased this traditional craft in a unique and modern way.