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SINGAPORE | MATTER is a socially motivated lifestyle brand connecting communities to opportunity, creating travel wear with stories to tell. The name comes from the idea that the provenance of an items of fashion is an important part of it. Where the materials come from, who they come from and why the item has been made matters. Since being founded in 2014, MATTER has collaborated with several designers from around the world in conjunction with a small number of artisan communities. Stories of heritage textiles have been told and translated for a modern, global audience with all prints hailing from an existing heritage motif tied to a place and time.
We recently discovered MATTER after hearing about their latest launch AKIN, which is a collaboration with Sydney based Australian multi disciplinary designer Joanna Kambourian from Ms Brown’s Lounge. The collection was inspired when Joanna discovered her grandmother’s hand carved wooden pattern blocks in the grooves of her radiator, and from the intricate patterns of her great grandfather’s rugs (he was an Ottoman rug dealer). AKIN was born when Joanna made the connection between the patterns and her Armenian-Dutch ancestry. Designed in Lismore, Australia and block-printed and stitched by 4th generation artisans AK Textiles in Jaipur, India, AKIN features 3 designs:
THE DRAGON: The motif is representative of the Dragon’s ancient meanings of strength and power, being bold and distinct with its robust geometrical structure. Constructed in a muted grey with mint highlight, the scarf embodies the mysticism of the dragon.
THE POMEGRANATE: Manifold in meaning, the Armenian national fruit has been attributed towards the immortality of the soul. Its symmetrical and repetitive print is a modern interpretation of the abundance of seeds inside a pomegranate, signifying prosperity, fertility and generosity.
THE AMULET: Amulets are believed to have the ability to ward off misfortune and injury cast upon by the “evil eye”, guiding the wearers toward having spiritual balance. The seven teardrop like shapes symbolise divine light and wisdom, while the diamond signifies clarity of mind.
Each of the designs are available as a cotton silk scarf that doubles up as turban, sling bag, wall hanging or sarong.