Angis Tiew decided in 2018 to close all six of her fast fashion boutiques, which she had built over 15 years. In doing so, she underscored her commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. The 45-year-old entrepreneur wanted to demonstrate that impact can outweigh profits.
“Over the years, our focus has shifted towards creating sustainable fashion lines. It makes me feel less guilty and I approach fashion with a more conscious eye,” she says.
Upon the birth of her son in 2011, she realised how fast fashion was affecting the environment and that she had been contributing inadvertently to it. It was time to make ethical decisions. “Until my son was born, I didn’t think about what I was doing to the environment. After becoming a mother, I realised I was contributing to making my son’s environment unhealthy.”
Tiew embarked on a mission to redefine sustainable fashion in Singapore. After a significant investment, she relaunched Little Match Girl as a sustainable fashion label in 2019. She and Can Heng, her husband and partner, emptied their company’s bank account to pay for it. Even so, they persisted because they believed in the long-term benefits for the planet and their brand.
Sustainable living and creating sustainable impact should be joyful, she says. Leaving a greener environment for the next generation is crucial.
“Someone needs to get the ball rolling in the industry and I’m glad I can do it now.”
Angis Tiew on taking the leap
Tiew currently produces six to eight designs per collection, all in small batches. As the sole designer, she creates a vision that doesn’t harm the environment. In her designs, she incorporates Tencel, a revolutionary fabric made from sustainably sourced wood pulp. In addition to providing exceptional comfort and durability, the material is biodegradable and minimises the impact on the environment. Since Tencel is cooling, it is perfect for a hot, humid climate.
Looking back on previous investment losses, Tiew seeks to align profitability with sustainable practices now. By taking a slower approach to smaller production, she ensures the company is not overproducing.
“As a business, we will not let profit dilute our purpose. We can increase our profit margin by following sustainable patterns of consumption, crafting timeless designs in smaller batches, and not overproducing. The goal is not to waste fabrics and incur more costs,” she stresses.
Little Match Girl’s garments are made in a factory in China, where Tiew works closely with the manufacturers to ensure sustainable practices.
She and her husband now manage three retail stores at Raffles City Singapore, Wisma Atria, and Amoy Street. Keeping to three stores allows her to spend more time with her family and herself. “I can also embrace a slower pace of life and prioritise the things that matter most to me,” she says.
Art direction: Ed Harland
Photography: Mun Kong
Photography assistant: Melvin Lee
Makeup: Keith Bryant Lee using Estee Lauder
Hair: Crystal Loh using Goldwell
