Designer and Owner of Singapore Label 'MAZ', Mazri Ismail, On A (Fashion) Label Without Labels

“Don’t wear something just because it’s trendy, wear your identities on your sleeve.”
This was something you said in the video, so what is your identity and how do you wear it on your sleeve?

I use fashion as a form of self expression from how I style myself to my designs- staying true to myself and not conforming to how others expect someone to dress, regardless of culture and gender.

Going into fashion is a pretty unconventional route, what drew you to this path?

Doing fashion is where I most myself. I really do love the process of designing and making, from the concept to finished garments. Having the freedom to go crazy artistically but also balancing out functionality (of garments).

What is the most challenging thing about being a designer in Singapore? And what is the most fulfilling?

SUPPORT! Having support in the creative scene in general is hard. Majority of creatives, be it artists or designers, are independent creators. Thus, financing and investing in their own work takes more time, and many compromise design elements and aesthetic just to fit into the mass local market in hopes to sell.

The most fulfilling thing is when someone can appreciate the work that goes into a garment made purely by myself without any design and artistic compromises.

I would be lying if I said that I don’t wish to be someone else, especially now during this crazy pandemic.

You have a very exciting and eclectic sense of self. How has your identity aided in your career? Or were there times you wished you were someone else because it would be “easier”?

I do wish at times that I pursued another route, because it is so hard to find a job in fashion. Fashion does not pay the bills. But also, I do love fashion so much that it is hard for me to let go. I do find myself giving excuses just to create. I am in love with the process that this is part of me now. For now, I have to do multiple jobs to keep myself afloat while trying my best to create, but I keep telling myself it will go the way I intend it to be sooner or later.

In your career as a designer, have you ever felt like you were boxed in or labelled by people?

Definitely! When I first started designing, I started of with doing Hari Raya clothes, bridal gowns and such- a very typical approach by a Malay designer. Nothing against Malay designers, but growing up in the Malay community, the majority of fashion designers do modest wear and bridal (styles), and people do expect me to go down that route as well.

While I was completing my degree in fashion design, I realised that my style and aesthetics are the total opposite of Malay culture and values. To respect my own culture, I stopped making Raya collections from 2019, as my own personal styles were a conflicting source of aesthetics and values (from my culture).

If you could say something you the younger version of you just starting out, what would it be?

It is a long journey, but just keep on creating as it fuels you to keep chasing your dreams. I’m nowhere near where I want and hope to be in my designing career, so that advice is still applicable now, but all I can say, even for now is that, one day I’m really going to make it.

What would success in your career mean to you?

To have my brand MAZ, available under a global luxury retailer and collections being showcased on VOGUE for every season that I’m designing.

Ultra Music Marketing & Promotion Consultant (Asia), Juliet Tan, on Putting Yourself First Even in Motherhood

So, tell us about what you do!

I’m Juliet and I’m a mother of one. I also work as a digital and music marketing consultant. Right now, I am the Asia marketing and promotion consultant for New York Dance Label, Ultra Music (Steve Aoki, Calvin Harris). I am also the digital marketing director for a local digital marketing agency in Singapore called Massive Group which focuses on digital transformation.

I also have my own business which I set up about two years ago with two close friends from the music industry called Blackstar. We’re a regional digital and music marketing boutique agency that helps independent artists who aren’t represented by major labels. Currently we’re working with American-Korean band Japanese Breakfast. She’s recently launched a book and a new album, so that’s what I’ve been busy with.

You’ve made a switch in careers, what was that journey like?

One of my first jobs was working for Universal Music and Warner Music in Singapore. I was part of the local team that helped to promote and market releases. Subsequently, I went on to broaden my experience in the entertainment industry by joining cable networks like MTV Asia and NBC Universal. Then, with the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Netflix, there was a lot of uncertainty looming over the cable industry so I made a very concerted decision to move into digital marketing. I joined a team set up by one of my ex-bosses, who was roped into set up Expedia in Asia.

Making a career switch from the music and entertainment industry to digital marketing was my second professional milestone that actually set me on the path to what I’m doing now.

You’ve done marketing for a very long time, what’s something that drew you to marketing? Or was there something in the music industry that drew you to it?

Yeah, my friends and I always joke about how we can never get out of the music industry. I guess it's fun because I love music, I constantly have music on. But after working within Singapore for a bit, I felt like I needed to be exposed to more regional work. So when the opportunity for MTV Asia came, I jumped at it because it was a regional position. The whole experience at MTV was so different. I got to learn about the local nuances of different countries and it was very refreshing to be exposed to different facets of creativity in different markets. That's the interesting part about marketing, because as long as you don't stop learning, there's always new things to learn.

I always talk about my project at Warner Music, where we came across this Jazz musician from Canada that the main headquarters didn’t want to push and market. We (the Asia team) picked it up. We worked on this project and that project was Michael Bublé, and he’s a household name now.

If you weren't in music, if you weren't doing marketing, what do you think you would do as a career? 

This is where I would quote Ali Wong and say, “I would lie the fuck down and not do anything.” Like seriously. If I had a choice I wouldn’t want to work. But jokes aside, I think I would get bored haha! When I left Expedia my body was breaking down, my work desk was half filled with baskets of anti-biotics, anti-histamines. It was crazy. But within a month of leaving, I was back on LinkedIn looking for part-time jobs. But…if I had to choose I would become a yoga instructor. It’s perfect for me because I like yoga. I get to exercise while teaching people, while meeting new people while earning money.

As a marketing consultant, what are your hours like and how do you negotiate time now that you're a mother?

Wow. The hours are actually quite brutal. So before I was a mother, things were quite easy because there was no one who needed my time. But now I have a system where I’ll try to wake up early, go for a swim, do some work before my son wakes up. When he wakes up say about eight, I have breakfast with him, I send him to school, and then I continue all the way until I pick him up from his school at about six and we have dinner together. Since Ultra Music is based in New York, I have night calls about twice a week. I'll make sure that I get to spend time with my son and then continue working after that.

What does motherhood mean to you?

Wow, it means a lot man. Motherhood taught me about rediscovering myself, relearning and re-prioritising things. And it's a very, very wonderful experience. Like, I really don't think you can expect or plan what kind of mother you’ll be. It's like every day is a new day and you just take it as it comes. It’s forced me to face my fears and to identify what my strengths and weaknesses are.

Sami just turned four in December! Just the thought that I'm responsible for this little thing is very daunting, but I've come to learn that these little things are actually very hardy. While I can teach and guide him, I’ve also learnt a lot from him and I let him guide me in return on how our relationship should be. It’s almost like getting to know a person again. Like you're making a new connection! Except this guy is my son.

“

I love being 40, and I didn't expect to love motherhood so much, you know?”

Tell us more about your relationship with your mom. 

We have a very good relationship, very close. When I was growing up, she was very tough on us because she was a working mom. And back then, I think like thirty or forty years ago, a lot of mothers would stay at home but she had such a hard life. She had to wake up at like five AM to prepare breakfast and then send us to the school bus. And then she'll go to work at a factory, where she had to be on her feet for nine to ten hours. And then she'll come back and then cook dinner for us. Oh my god. I could never do what she did- being a woman bringing up two kids while working so hard.

There's a lot of different camps on how one should focus on your career versus focus on making the home, making the family. How do you feel about the idea of the career woman having to have some kind of trade off in order to be a good mother?

It's definitely not true, but I guess it's to each her own right? I mean, I respect both. Like if you want to be a stay-at-home mom, it's fucking hard to be a stay-at-home mom. Honestly, it's like, it's a thankless job, man, because everybody thinks that, “Oh wow, you get to sleep and wake up any time you want and stay home.“ Oh my god, I did that on top of my freelancing and it’s not easy because you have all this time that you don’t control. There were times when I was a stay-at-home mom and I didn’t even have time to shower. And you’re with this little person that you can’t even hold a proper conversation with and… you can get depressed you know! It’s really not a cushy job at all.

Whatever the priority is, I guess what's really important is as a mother, you need to free yourself to grow into the role that you want.

You want to be a stay-at-home mom, do it. You want to be a career woman, do it - but do not be afraid to ask for help and seek support because support networks were so important through motherhood. I had a very strong support system with my husband, my parents, my in-laws. And I have this really tight group of girlfriends who are experienced mothers, and they’re so generous with advice and their hand-me-downs. They are so amazing.

What is your definition of success now and how has that changed from when you started working?

When I was much younger, I defined success as a goal. I wanted to be like, the head of a department or a director or something. So that was always my goal before I was a mom. And then when I reached that goal, when I was the head of marketing for Expedia, it felt so good to have that title on my CV. But yeah, looking at all the medicine on my table, was it worth it?

Now I see success as time. Whether or not I have the luxury of time to do things that I like. I see success as raising a happy and healthy kid. And I see success as myself being happy, doing things that I want. I guess the less you want, the happier you are.

This might seem like a sudden change of topic, but you love music… so do you have a favourite song at the moment?

I love this question. Oh my god, this is hard. So I have this this underwater headset that accompanies me when I swim and it’s like a game changer. So I guess my favourite song at the moment would be what's on loop right now. It’s ‘Love Don't Owe You Anything’ by Strays Don’t Sleep. And oh my god. Can I choose two songs?

Sure!

The other one is Jimmy Eats World, ‘23’. My favourite song, it’s so long but it's amazing. Every time I hear this song, all I want to do is just lie down, not move, and just listen to it, it’s so nice.

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity

Follow Juliet here

Executive Producer at NSFTV and 'One Take', Tan Hui Er, on Creating Meaningful Work

Like many young people in Singapore, you were brought up by our education system. What did it feel like when the next phase of your life wasn’t predictable anymore?

After University, I was adamant about not doing a full time job. I wanted to be selfish for once because it was the one time I could literally do whatever I wanted (because I was privileged enough to).

I was so excited, the world was so big and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen. I was hungry and ambitious and curious. But life had its own plans for me - my batch mate and I had an idea to do a short film that turned into an anthology that then turned into a web series. We knew it was going to be good and the only company we trusted enough to produce the web series with offered both of us full time positions to bring it to life, so here I am.

I don’t blame anyone or anything and I don’t regret it. I wanted to tell a good story and that was the only way I knew we could. 

Your first job out of school always seems like a venture into the wilderness, how did you navigate towards charting your own path?

I actually think it’s the opposite. I don’t think it felt very wild. It was scary for sure, but no it did not feel wild. Because that’s what people do right? After school, you work. And boy, did we work. I think when you are fuelled by your own purpose, the need to prove yourself, and to bring justice to a story - you kind of just push yourself. So I guess it was different from school in the sense that no one was there to grade us or tell us what to do next. We were pretty much left to our own devices to make One Take. 

Quite simply, we were a bunch of fresh graduates given a platform to do whatever we wanted with. We were very lucky. And if someone hands you a microphone, gives you a crowd, you might as well say something good with it right?

Speaking about finding your way, social media seems like the last place you’d want to venture into given how noisy and negative it can be. What were you trying to accomplish with NSFTV?

Social media can get very noisy. That was one of the big things we considered while trying to decide what to do with the brand. We realised that despite the space being so crowded, it can be so easy to feel lonely. Why?

I think that became our premise. How can we make people feel less alone? The whole point of social media, glaring negatives and all, is just people trying desperately to connect, to be seen, to be heard. So it’s about creating a platform for just that. 

So what has been the thought process behind the content that gets published on NSFTV?

It’s always been about making people feel seen, and creating conversations about issues not discussed enough. And doing it in a way that is engaging, exciting and interactive for social media. I can’t outline a clear definitive thought process, but there’s a sense of being reactive to the times. 

The values we built One Take on translated into the values we wanted to have for the brand - we wanted to tell stories that weren’t authentically represented in media and we wanted to show that the boundaries of making moving visuals are endless.

“We are building a community of people passionate about change and authentic storytelling and I really think this is just the beginning.”

Just like your path into work and adulthood, NSFTV leans towards taking unconventional routes to discover purpose and a unique voice. But personally, what does NSFTV mean to you?

I mean, I’ve spent way too many sleepless nights on NSFTV so maybe it’s sunk cost fallacy that makes me so emotionally invested, haha! But I guess in a way, yes. What excites me about the work is that no other platform is doing what we are doing. I think about the younger version of me and the types of content that was available to me at that point in time - the stories that were being told, the type of people that were on screen and how I didn’t recognise those stories or those people in my own reality.

And now, when I read comments or messages about how our young audiences feel seen and heard, it’s a very special feeling. 

How are you, and by extension, NSFTV, planning to grow and develop with your audience and fans?

When we were designing this website, I wanted a page dedicated to the viewers - just to say thank you.

For every work we put out, it’s a piece of the creative team’s heart asking, “do you feel this way too?” So when people respond with the most heartfelt words - be it privately or publicly, it makes us feel seen and heard and we want to keep doing the same for our viewers. 

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

Director and Writer of 'Girls Girls Girls', Alexis Terese, on Empowering Young Girls (...Girls, Girls)

Most recently, Alexis created NSFTV’s “Girls, Girls, Girls” - an original series following the schooling lives of four very different girls as they navigate their youth, sexuality and family. As a female director who focuses on strong and nuanced female characters, we sit down with Alexis to talk about her experience being a female in the creative industry.

What got you started in your creative career?

As I created more and more characters, I came to realise that there’s no one hard way for them to get to their milestones, and it’s always ever-changing. As long as it’s true to them, the audience will get it. I’ve always wanted to be a screenwriter, and used to create characters while zoning out in secondary school. I think I still have my notebooks from then.

So, what does being a creative mean to you?

It means having to come up with different truths to answer life’s questions, commercially or narratively.

What was your proudest moment in your career so far?

Eh… this is a hard one. I’m proud when my parents are proud, so maybe the time where I won a film award and didn’t tell my parents, and found out days later my mother actually watched the livestream and cried. 

What does success mean to you? 

Success means having the opportunities to tell your character’s truths, again and again. 

“I didn’t set out to achieve any particular thing, but strongly wanted to assemble an all-female comedic cast, with mini-arcs in each episode. I think a lot of narratives focus on hard truths/controversial topics, but I was seeking to deliver soft ones. Like how stealing $10 from your mother when you were 15 keeps you awake when you’re 25 and feeling like an asshole. Or shuddering from how silly you were when you fought that one time with your friends, and they all nearly left you? I wanted second-hand embarrassment and lingering feelings.”

Watch "Girls Girls Girls"

One of the clear themes in “Girls Girls Girls” was empowerment, especially to and for young girls. Were there any personal experiences you drew from?

Oh definitely, especially how I deal with my problems. Much like the girls, my friends and I go straight to arguing and then make up immediately because there’s just not enough time in the world with your friends, and you wouldn’t wanna waste it on being passive-aggressive or angry. ‘

Do you think there are similar challenges you are facing as a female in your career? Especially because film is a pretty male dominated industry.

Hmm… If I were to equate this to work, it is pretty challenging to balance the way you communicate as a female. I faced this early on in my career because of my straight-faced demeanour, and was told a lot that I was fierce, or looked angry. I’ve been told to smile countless times too, but I think that’s common for every female in any industry. Luckily I’ve had the good fortune to work with great collaborators who create environments for any person to thrive in.

“I’ve always thought it was important to write what you know. Even when creating unfamiliar characters, I use a base of someone real to jump off of when writing, so that there’s still that truth, no matter how small it may be. For “Girls Girls Girls”, it helped that I had an array of people that I’ve crossed paths with, that helped to form the four girls.”

Was there ever a moment where something unexpected changed the way you see things or decided to change your life?

When I was really young, I resented how I was denied certain things in life, and how different I had to grow up from the rest of my peers. It was a moment that inspired one of the stories in GGG. My mother has been (and still is) obsessed with luxury bags. She finally got the chance to own one when we were young for a cheaper price and was marvelling over it, but eventually had to let it go in order to pay some of our bills. Watching her cry over a bag at that time made me feel like it was so frivolous, but yet, now that I’ve grown up, I know that she was crying over something much bigger. That made me realise how the world doesn’t owe any of us, and that you have to just fight through and find your own truth. 

What are some pieces of advice or things that have guided you through different journeys in your life?

Work hard, life doesn’t owe you shit, and speak loudly when necessary. Feel everything at its hardest, ugly cry, and then move on. 

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

Co-Founder & Creative Director of Kinetic Singapore, Pann Lim, on Finding Work Life Balance

How you would describe what you do and what being a creative means to you?

I think the word "creative" sets a tone that has got to do with something that is in the art business, or in the design business. I do feel that being creative is actually more about being able to look at problems and being able to have empathy. A lot of people don't usually connect these two together, because having empathy will allow you to understand feelings more, hence we are able to tackle more human problems.

Most of the time creative problem solving has to do with very human things.

What do you have to say about the idea of glorifying the act of overworking?

My team that works with me, I’m sure they know that I love my work very much. But I have always taught them that how much time put into work is really up to an individual. So if you’re someone who loves to do more without feeling burnt out, then do more. But if someone needs to take constant breaks, I don’t stop them (from taking breaks) as long as they finish what is required from them.

Our office is not a sweatshop, everyone has freedom to manage their own time.

“I've never found problems balancing family and work. Because again, it comes down to understanding human emotions. So if I know that my wife and my kids like a particular thing, or if they enjoy certain things, I will make sure not to miss those things. So even if I have very little time, I’ll make sure that time spent with family is valuable and means something.”

The video we filmed of you, we titled it “The Obsessive Creative”. How do you feel about that title?

It’s not far from the truth. I'm quite straight forward with things that I like. I’m obsessed with my wife, my kids, but in a way where I want to love them more as a father and a husband. I’m not doing anything wrong because I think about work all the time. In the first 10 years of my career, I’ll be at a gathering, but my mind was at work. The only person who could really tell was of course, Claire. So I’m always thinking about how to make an idea better, or how to make a particular piece of work more interesting. I can’t help it, it just keeps going in my mind.

After a while, energy levels change when you age. Now I’m always planning ways to make this whole journey sustainable, how do I pace myself in a way to continue running?

What do you personally want to be known for?

I think I want to be known as a person where I'm approachable and we can always work on things together. I think that's all for me. I don’t want to be that person that no one wants to go out for lunch with. Some people go out for lunch, and they siam (slang for ‘avoid’) their bosses, I don’t want to be that person. It’s quite sad, you climb up to the top, it’s very lonely, I don’t like that.

“What you don't want is to go home from a bad day at work to a family that you can’t relate to. That’s the worst.”

What advice would you give to young people who are just starting out in the workforce/

I always believe you need to put in the time when it comes to pursuing your craft. But putting in the time to hone your craft doesn’t mean you have to give up on work life balance. It cannot be construed in a way where it’s just zero to ten.

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

Contemporary Street Artist, Sam Lo on Being a Creative in a Capitalistic Society

You mentioned in the previous video The Legal Rebel that some people said you were selling out by doing commissioned pieces, what does selling out personally mean to you?

I believe it’s subjective to everyone, for me personally it’s not compromising on my own belief system and taking on opportunities that I align with. That being said, I acknowledge that it is a form of privilege to be able to do that.

Is there a way to not sell out and sustain one self in Singapore?

You can choose to turn down jobs, or take a second or third job to sustain yourself so you won’t have to compromise on your art-making.

How do you decide when to rest when working for yourself?

Being in this line all these years, you will start to recognise the signs of burnout- from lethargy, lack of motivation and lack of self-care. When these signs start rearing their ugly heads I take some time out for myself to do what I enjoy doing, and revisit the works again when I am fresher.

What do you wish people could understand about art as a commodity?

That when you buy an artwork, it should first and foremost be because you love it and relate to it. Your personal perception of the value of the artwork should come first, without the price tag.

When is a piece of art valuable to you?

When I love it- be it for what it stands for to how it looks. It’s really as simple as that.

How do you reconcile the worth society ascribes to your art with the value you define them by?

Value to me comes through the process of creation, and in a society that sees the end result over the process I find it difficult to feel conflicted by their perception of how much the work should be priced (that is unless I am spending way too much time and money on the project)...am I making sense?

What do you think is the key for being continuously inspired in a capitalistic society?

To carve out time for yourself and do the things you enjoy, being kind to yourself and self care is so important.

I want to paint murals on HDB blocks in Singapore, that’s a dream project.

You’ve mentioned that your way of critiquing Singapore through your artwork is like a love letter to the country, what inspires you the most here?

The people inspire me the most. I enjoy watching the shifts in mindsets, how we react to things and more, there’s a lot to learn about and from.

What is your advice to young creatives wanting to make a career out of making art in Singapore?

Put your whole heart in it, and if your heart gets broken (many times) along the way learn from it and be better.

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.