In the ever-evolving landscape that is the Singapore fashion scene, local streetwear brand The Salvages has steadily made its mark and garnered a cult following over the years. Conceptualised in 2016 by co-founders Earn Chen and Nicolette Yip and stocked in retail stores around the world, the brand is driven by youth, music and subculture, and features a diverse array of wearable garments that tread the line of design and functionality.
Outside her role as creative director of the brand, Yip is also a rising name in the local DJ scene. Having played at some of the hottest spots in town—think Mandala Club, Boiler Room Singapore and Edition Hotel (for the recent Louis Vuitton Cruise 2025 trunk show), her sets are filled with energy and rigour, gaining her fans from across the region.“DJing is a powerful way to communicate and share my love for music with others,” notes Yip. “I grew up surrounded by music, from learning to play the piano to joining choir practice in school. As I got older, I also started appreciating and collecting records.”
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However, it was during a trip to Tokyo, when Yip attended a set by American record producer and DJ Joe Claussell, that her interest in the practice deepened. “Something clicked for me,” she mused, filled with nostalgia. “His energy, the way he connected with his music and how he used it to create this whole experience for his audience for six whole hours—it was transformative.”
“The greatest gratification comes from knowing that what you love creating is making an impact and bringing people together.”
Experimentation seems to be the name of the game for Yip, who often blends together seemingly unorthodox traditional sounds with modern elements, resulting in an experiential smorgasbord of euphoria and whimsy. “I’m drawn to longer sets that allow me to build a journey with the music. I love to play obscure songs, sometimes with interesting edits or a familiar melody, or tracks that might not always be the most obvious choice but that fit the mood I’m creating. My choices are not bound by genres. The common thread is that I’m always looking for tracks that feel expansive, uplifting—something that resonates emotionally with myself and the audience.”
Yip is also quick to note the contiguous relationship that music and fashion have. “Both speak to the same human desire to express ourselves and to communicate who we are without words. It’s all part of a larger cultural conversation on finding one’s sense of belonging.” Community building is key for Yip, who prides herself on sharing her work and connecting with other like-minded creatives in varying disciplines. “I find joy in seeing my work resonate with others and knowing that it’s part of something larger than myself. Whether it’s through music, fashion or art, the greatest gratification comes from knowing that what you love creating is making an impact and bringing people together.”
Photography Zantz Han
Styling Bryan Ho
Hair and Make-up Wee Ming using Kevin Murphy and Dior Beauty
Photographer’s assistant Amos Lee
Vogue Singapore’s December ‘Gratification’ issue is now out on newsstands and available online.
