Local Fashion Vanguards: Nicolette Yip Of The Salvages On Unlocking Creativity In A Crisis
It’s said that the darkest hour is just before the dawn, and while the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on nearly every aspect of our lives, it has also seen a flourishing in creativity as people come up with different ways to stay connected in the face of lockdown restrictions. Fashion houses and designers, on their part, have dug even deeper into their reserves and surpassed themselves with innovative approaches to artistic expression and customer engagement, whether that be at-home photoshoots, augmented reality, Animal Crossing, and more.
Nicolette Yip of homegrown label The Salvages has risen to the occasion by recalibrating her creative process. “Social distancing measures and not travelling overseas means that I design and communicate with my manufacturers, photographers, and other collaborators through technology more now,” she states. Cognisant of the escalating demand for protective accessories, Yip also introduced her own take on the reusable face mask, complete with an adjustable lock and reflective elastic straps.
Established in 2016 by Yip and her partner Earn Chen, The Salvages started out as an e-commerce platform specialising in archival garments from brands like Raf Simons, Helmut Lang, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. But it has since morphed into a highly sought-after streetwear label, offering experimental and inclusive designs ranging from band t-shirts to oversized hoodies to belt bags and baseball caps, all in a stark, monochromatic palette.
Below, we speak with the designer about thriving in the midst of a crisis, striking the right work-life balance at home, the future of fashion, and the importance of music as an escape.
What does a day in the life look like for you now?
I have my coffee as soon as I wake up, while I catch up on news, emails, and messages. Then I walk my dog Lola before I start the work day, which typically involves meetings, designing the next collection, making sure samples are right, checking in on production, and so on.
What are some of the challenges you have faced with your business since the start of the pandemic?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced is with our supply chain. Although we are lucky in that everyone has remained in good health, manufacturing has been disrupted because of lockdowns in countries like Italy, while retail stores have had to reassess their delivery timelines because of the uncertainty regarding when they could or should reopen.
What have you done to adapt your business to suit the current climate?
We are fortunate enough to have built a solid e-commerce business over the years on top of our retail arm and, coupled with a loyal customer base, it means that we’ve been able to conduct business as per usual, at least digitally.
However, social distancing measures and not travelling overseas, means that I design and communicate with my manufacturers, photographers, and other collaborators through technology more now, which has made my iPad Pro especially handy.
What do you hope this pause will mean for the fashion industry and/or your brand when the outbreak subsides?
There was a lot of discussion pre-pandemic about the fashion calendar and the supply chain, and now that there’s been a hard pause because of COVID-19, I would like to see the industry really think about how to adapt moving forward.
What are some of the key pieces you’d recommend from your collection?
Aside from the classic, one-size t-shirts, I’d recommend our sneakers. We’ve put a lot of thought not just into the design, but also the quality of the construction as well, so you’ll feel comfortable even after a long day.
What have you been doing to wind down or treat yourself with the added stress of a pandemic?
I’m learning to keep my work out of sight, and to be more mindful of when to stop, especially now that we’re working from home and the line between the two has been blurred. Music, art, and film help me to wind down, and I’ve started to deejay and put together mixes as a form of ‘getting away’.
What books, films, or TV series have you watched recently?
I’ve just watched The Godfather trilogy again, as well as Mindy Kaling’s Never Have I Ever.
What do you miss most during this period of isolation?
Seeing my friends, and dining out or grabbing a drink together. It’s the simplest things that I really miss.
What is the first thing you want to do once social distancing measures are lifted?
Gather all my friends over at my place to enjoy a good meal and good music.
