A Converstation With Textile Designer Stacy from Yabai Yabai

Hi everyone, welcome to another episode of The Polkaros Potcast. Today, my special guest is Stacy from Yabai Yabai. Stacy and I reminisce about our last chat during the COVID lockdown before she moved back to Singapore. It's been four years, and I'm thrilled to catch up on her journey since then.

Stacy, a textile designer with her own studio in Singapore, shares her inspiring journey from being a graphic design student fascinated with object making to studying textile design in Japan. We delve into the concept of surface design, a blend of fashion and textile design, and how it translates into everyday objects.

Stacy recounts her intense experience at Bunka Fashion College in Japan, where she learned not just textile techniques but also sewing and making fashion apparel. We discuss how Japan's culture and her working experience in the Japanese textile industry influenced her current work and inspired her to start Yabai Yabai.

We explore the unique and playful name Yabai Yabai, its origins, and how it reflects Stacy's design philosophy. Stacy also shares her design process, from conceptualizing themes to choosing materials and creating collections. We talk about the challenges of running a textile studio in Singapore, from public awareness to maintaining consistency and managing costs.

Stacy's latest collaboration, including a unique ramen bowl with Sankaku and Maruhiro, showcases her ability to innovate and apply her textile expertise to different mediums. We also discuss her future plans for Yabai Yabai, including upcoming collections focused on kitchenware and a new collaborative brand related to sports.

Join us for this engaging conversation as we dive into the world of textile design, the journey of Yabai Yabai, and Stacy's exciting plans for the future. Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube for the full episode, and check out the video on our Patreon.