Fashion collaborations that merge a brand’s aesthetic and an artist’s touch are always full of surprises. New designs aside, such partnerships build interesting connections between art, commerce and pop culture.
Closer to home, there’s another duo teaming up to create an exclusive art and fashion mash-up: Braun Büffel and Singaporean artist Alvin Tan. The unique alliance sees an injection of artistic expression to the well-crafted pieces that the German purveyor of premium leather goods is known for.
It’s definitely a symbolic effort on Braun Büffel’s part to champion local artists like Tan who are prominent in a diverse range of art forms and more known by industry insiders. Singapore’s artistic landscape is brimming with talent, though the creative works of several artists—especially the less social media savvy—often slip under the radar because they have not found the right platforms or amassed a cult following yet.
Which is why the German luxury brand’s ongoing artist collaboration series is a meaningful initiative. It offers local and international creatives a big opportunity to create unique, high-quality items for everyday use with their signature touches. Beside encouraging artists to explore disciplines like product design, Braun Büffel is shining a light on their individualistic personalities for a global audience.
It’s no surprise, then, that Braun Büffel has picked Tan as their creative collaborator. The luxury house boasts an illustrious legacy that dates back over a century ago, which runs parallel to Tan’s level of expertise in Singapore’s design industry.
Having co-founded local art collective PHUNK as an undergraduate in 1994, Tan has an extensive multidisciplinary practice and a repertoire of projects with international brands. His works with PHUNK and as a solo artist have also won critical acclaim for their post-modernist design sensibilities and neo-pop art themes.
More recently in 2022, Tan revealed his milestone project with the Singapore Tourism Board: a monumental public art sculpture titled ‘Here Is SG’ located at the heart of Marina Bay Sands promenade. Not to mention, the collaboration is a full-circle moment for Tan—the artist fondly recalls using a Braun Büffel wallet when he was in his early teens.
Tan’s collaboration with the German luxury house sees the artist exploring the concept of love and its indiscriminate nature. The ‘Love-Is-Love’ philosophy and campaign were inspired by the social, political and environmental interests of our up-and coming generation.
To visually reflect the liberties that ‘Love-Is-Love’ encapsulates, Tan created a monogram of his graffiti-style hand-script. The artist’s freeform lettering is splashed across Braun Büffel’s accessories and prêt-à-porter pieces, ranging from drawstring backpacks to oversized T-shirts in black and yellow iterations. Practical everyday items like laptop cases, wallets and AirTag holders each get a touch of Tan’s design.
If you’re looking to find a gift for a fashion and art lover, the collection’s small leather goods such as cardholders and wallets are fail-safe options. Our best pick? The Braun Büffel x PHUNK mini crossbody bag. With a structured silhouette and plenty of card slots, it’s a compact carry-all that neatly sorts all your essentials. Detachable straps make the season-defying accessory versatile too. For a casual outfit, try wearing it slung across the body or even as a clutch.
The collaboration between Braun Büffel and Tan doesn’t just stop there either. Recently, the brand took to the streets of Singapore and placed an experiential Love-Is-Love art installation outside of ION Orchard.
Built with an infinity mirror made of LED screens, the Instagram-worthy spot showcased Tan’s hand-scripted artwork. The message of Braun Büffel’s capsule collection was translated through interactive activities as well. Visitors were encouraged to write messages of love and take animated selfies with custom backdrops in the space.
Seeing how Braun Büffel and Tan have created something truly special by joining forces, it’s safe to say that there’s an exciting future for fashion’s dalliance with the art world.
The Braun Büffel x PHUNK capsule collection is available to shop online and in-stores at all Braun Büffel boutiques. Browse our top picks below.
