How Ong Shunmugam celebrates Southeast Asia’s heritage, culture and textiles in its designs

In the second part of our four-part series on fashion designers’ best-kept travel secrets—and how these locations have influenced their work—we talk to Priscilla Ong about how the cultural riches of Malaysia and Singapore have inspired her

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next travel destination, there is an unlikely source you’ve probably not even thought about: fashion designers. It makes sense, designers are always on the lookout for inspiration for their next collection and adventures are full opportunities that spark inspiration. In fact, many designer brands have been built on their founders’ insatiable wanderlust or the love they have for the place they call home. From the most secluded coves are in Turkey to the most untouched beaches in Thailand, fashion designers have been inspired by some of the world’s most beautiful locations.

In our four-part series, these globe-trotting designers spill their best-kept travel secrets to Tatler and tell us how these destinations have form the basis of their collections. In part two, we talk to Ong Shunmugam founder Priscilla Ong about how the cultural complexities of Malaysia and Singapore inspire her brand’s ethos.

Former law student Ong took a life-changing detour to study dressmaking and pattern-cutting for a year in England, which led to the birth of her label Ong Shunmugam in 2009. Today, the Singapore-based designer is celebrated for her Southeast Asia-influenced womenswear and homeware, and is a leading figure in the Asian design community.

In case you missed it: How Colombia’s beaches inspired Agua by Agua Bendita, a fashion brand loved by Jennifer Lopez and Hailey Bieber

Above Ong Shunmugam’s cheongsam collection from 2021 (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

What are some hidden gems you like to visit in Southeast Asia?
If clear blue waters and fine sand are your thing, [then] Koh Lipe in Thailand is perhaps one of the last true paradises in the region. It’s not that easy to get to, but [it’s] so worth it.

Meanwhile, to really get into the heart of Southeast Asian cuisine and [to experience] just how painfully good it can be, make sure to visit Penang, Malaysia. Nowhere does street food come with such flair.

Any memorable moments from these trips?
My first visit to Koh Lipe was way back in 2007 and it was still relatively untouched. To snorkel, we just walked into the sea from the beach, and within 20 metres, were greeted with a crazy amount of beautiful corals and sea life. I’ve never ever experienced anything like that again.

Above Ong Shunmugam Cruise 2022 collection (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

When is the best time to go?
Between November and April. Otherwise it rains pretty much every day.

What are some unmissable things to do, see and eat in Penang?
In Penang, you really have to down a bowl of assam laksa. It’s a bowl of noodles with many layers of flavour and herbs that ends with a spicy kick. I sometimes have two bowls back-to-back. Penang is also lovingly historical, and you can lose yourself in the many old alleys, stepping back into colonial times and then back into air-conditioned comfort. China House, for example, has a glorious array of cakes and is surrounded by plenty of unassuming neighbours.

You might also like: A food lover’s guide to George Town, Penang

Ong Shunmugam Suvarnabumi porcelain (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

Above Ong Shunmugam Suvarnabumi porcelain collection (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

Did these places inspire you when you were founding your brand?
Ong Shunmugam is a project about bringing heritage from the past into the future, so it is beyond [any particular] time or place. But if there’s any place that merges the cultural and historical nuances across Asia and Asian diaspora, it’s likely to be Malaysia or Singapore. They both struggle with not just post-colonial identities but also with immigrant societies that keep evolving. I wanted to create a label that’s sensitive to these complexities, and I’ve had the privilege of keeping my ears to the ground in these two countries.

How have these places inspired your collections?
Throughout Asia, textiles are one of the most powerful and exciting art forms. In Southeast Asia, in particular, we have an astonishing variety of techniques that are used to fashion objects from everyday clothing to sacred and ceremonial regalia.

They’re also living historical sources; over the centuries, textile artisans have reacted to the steady stream of new ideas and materials arriving from India, China, the Islamic world and European colonisers. We’re very fortunate to be able to tap into this wide reservoir of traditional textiles and play around with them. Every single Ong Shunmugam collection consists of at least a few traditional Southeast Asian textiles, and this is something I’m very proud of.

Photo 1 of 6 Ong Shunmugam Suvarnabumi homeware collection (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

Photo 2 of 6 An Ong Shunmugam basket (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

Photo 3 of 6 An Ong Shunmugam chair (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

Photo 4 of 6 An Ong Shunmugam screen (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

Photo 5 of 6 An Ong Shunmugam tray (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

Photo 6 of 6 Ong Shunmugam Suvarnabumi collection (Photo: courtesy of Ong Shunmugam)

If you could only pack a carry-on on your travel, what would you bring?
Flip-flops, sunglasses, insect repellent and a second stomach (for Penang).

What’s one destination on your bucket list?
Los Angeles. It’s been a dream for a while, but I’ve just wanted to wait for the right time and the right person to do it with. Great expectations, I know, but I doubt I’ll be disappointed.

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Topics

Travel destinations Designer interview Thailand Ong Shunmugam Southeast Asia

Tatler Asia

Destination by design: How Southeast Asia’s textiles and heritage shaped fashion brand Ong Shunmugam