2DII – Zine Process #1

my zine concept is going to be documentating the forgotten of beauty world. i narrowed down to 3 store owners that caught my attention the most during my first recee – Cushion Specialist, Sew Easi Alteration and Lucky Star Hair Dressing Saloon.

prior to the visit i made, i crafted a few initial questions to ask them. they were mainly questions on their thoughts of bukit timah and their thoughts when people associate it as an atas area, but forgetting this part of bukit timah.

Cushion Specialist 

jenese, vanessa and rogan were really friendly people to talk to. jenese is a 60 year old lady who runs the business together with her son and daughter in law. it was a business started by her late husband but took over upon his passing. throughout the whole conversation, it was really heartwarming to hear her speak continuously and so passionately about her job.

vanessa told me that they do animal rescues on the side, and it was the reason why they have 4 cats in their workshop (and 10 more at home). it was really really nice to meet and know there are kind hearted people like them that exist.

images below are insights that i got from the interview.

Sew Easi Alteration

lilian came to singapore from hong kong in 1989 due to the Tiananmen massacre in china. she runs the business for her husband because he holds a double degree – TCM and Alteration (she runs it because her husband cannot cope with 2 jobs). i was glad that i found out she came from hong kong because i was able to communicate with her in cantonese (that made the converastion more comfortable for her and casual). however she was really uncomfortable to be infront of the camera, so i could not get any photos of her face and her colleagues.

images below are insights that i got from the interview.

Lucky Star Hair Dressing Saloon

this place was a challenge for me to get an interview with them. they were closed the previous 2 times i went to beauty world plaza for recee. during the 2nd time, i asked vanessa (from cushion specialist) if they’re always closed. turns out they are closed on every tuesday. the third time i went on a thursday to specially interview them, i waited for 2 hours because they were busy. afterwards, the old man (Mr K Palani) told me to come back tomorrow morning (around 10am) because he cant speak english but his son will be there tomorrow to hold the interview. i agreed and came back the next day. on friday, i came in 10am and Mr Palani told me that his son wont be here until 2pm. (i was really discouraged at that point of time because i have been wasting too much time). luckily i came back at 2pm and his son arrived and agreed to do the interview with me.

they were really nice people to talk to, especially Mr Palani (we commuicated through simple english) and i could feel his pride in his craft. i learnt that their business has been around for 60+ years. during the 2 days ive been there, customers kept coming in and they were extremely busy. turns out they’re really famous. Mr Palani was so passionate about telling me how long his customers have been going to him. he told me some of his customers have been with him for 30 years, and now hes starting to cut for theit grandchildren. he also told me how the relationship between him and his customers is more than just a business interaction, but a bond. i could feel his sadness when he told me some of his customers have passed on, and some are sick.

Mr Salvam and Palani showed me a book on the old bukit timah they were given from PAP when i told them my proj. (talk about the real originals of bukit timah!)

here’s a video on them in action! (pay attention to Mr K Palani’s hand movements and the sound of his scissors. definitely an old professional indeed.)

images below are insights that i got from the interview.

i really enjoyed the interview process. it broadened my perspectives on knowing the stories behind these craftsmen – they’re really passionate in what they do, and they put their customers’ needs more than their attempt on making their money. this is probably because they’ve been doing it for many years, and making money from their regulars is the last thing that they want. their customers also add on to the fact why they are unwilling to move. (reasons include their customers are familiar with their location, or because their customers live around the area and its accessible for them).

some behind the scenes images

 

 

 

Author: Natalie Cheng

only human, just like you.

Leave a Reply