TaFF Talks
TaFF Talks is a series of intimate conversations with leading experts in the fields of fashion, design, and technology, held at The Cocoon Space. Designed to spark conversation, the series brings national and international thought–leaders and opinion–makers into direct contact with Singapore’s fashion and design community, driving knowledge-exchange, network-engagement, and frank insights. TaFF Talks pushes us to engage, to inspire, to motivate, and to give Singapore’s fashion and design community a truly global reach.
Upcoming TaFF Talks
TaFF Celebrates International Women’s Day
Event Date: 11 March 2021
In honor of this year’s theme, we are bringing together a panel of inspiring women of change from different walks of life to share about their passion.
The event will commence with a happiness session conducted by Shireena Shroff Manchharam, creator of Getting to Happy TM that focuses on how gratitude improves our mental well-being.
As the evening continues, you have the opportunity to hear insightful stories from our invited guest speakers, Sabrina Tan (Founder and CEO of Skin Inc), Rebecca Eu (Founder of Mei’s Own) and Aziza Sheerin (Regional Director at General Assembly) on what sparked them to start the lifelong mission that they have embarked on. They will also share the challenges they have had to face and overcome and the powerful experiences they encountered on this journey.
Previous TaFF Talks
TaFF Talks: Dialogue with TaFF Presidents - Present and Future
Event Date: 2 July 2020
TaFF has been on an exciting new trajectory in the past two years, opening up its member base, and creating a slew of programs and initiatives aimed at helping this community to connect and grow. As the global fashion industry sits on the precipice of paradigm shifts across its value chain, an invigorating new vision is crucial, now more than ever. In this edition of TaFF Talks, Mark Lee (TaFF’s outgoing president) and our newly-elected president, Wilson Teo, spoke with Vogue Singapore’s Publisher Bettina von Schlippe, to discuss TaFF has been, where it is now, and where it is going, in the context of our dynamic, evolving industry.
TaFF Talks Presents Conscious Fashion, Pioneering a Competitive Edge
Event Date: 17 June 2019
As Vice President of Social Consciousness at Eileen Fisher, Amy Hall has been at the leading edge of human, environmental and economic sustainability. Her 23 years at the company have seen her advocate for a more ethical and eco-friend fashion value chain that reflects the values Eileen Fisher stands for: responsible business practices, sustainable products and supporting women in being full participants in society.
In Conversation with Tim Kobe — The Return On Experience: The New Return On Investment
Event Date: 27 August 2020
Tim Kobe designed the Apple Store in 2001, pioneering a retail concept which has since revolutionised the way consumers interact with products. Since then, he has brought his work on innovation and branded experience to companies such as Apple, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Nike, Coke, Knoll, and Citibank.
A global leader in design thinking, Tim is now writing a book about “return on experience”, which examines the phenomenon where companies who focus on the experience people have with their brand, do better. Companies who focus on creating positive and meaningful interactions end up seeing benefits across many different metrics — whether it’s changing their brand perception, greater revenue, higher foot traffic, greater advocacy, or forgiveness when they make a mistake.
In Conversation with Guo Pei — Cutting-Edge Couture: The Future of An Art Form
Event Date: 17 June 2019
Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei is a worldwide sensation once compared to legendary couturier Charles James. Listed as one of the World’s 100 Most Influential People in Time magazine 2016, she is the first Chinese designer to become a member of the exclusive Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, and regularly shows on the globe’s most prestigious runways.
In Conversation with Nirvik Singh — From Startup to Stylish: Marketing Fashion in a Hi-Tech World
Event Date: 29 May 2019
Augmented reality. Gamification. Artificial Intelligence-powered trends prediction. Advertising and marketing fashion and design is a rapidly evolving game. In this tech-oriented consumer landscape, how can fashion brands leverage on innovation to draw attention and drive growth?
Nirvik is a marketing and communication industry veteran and has been in the business for over 28 years. He is currently Chairman & CEO of Grey Group Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa. He began his career with Lipton India, a Unilever company. Subsequently, he joined Trikaya Advertising( later became Grey Group India) as head of the Kolkata office at age 26. Swiftly, the agency grew to become the city’s second largest, producing some of India’s most ground breaking campaigns, and winning Agency of the Year four consecutive times.
In Conversation with Juan Hinestroza — Smart Fabrics: Nanotechnology & Fashion
Event Date: 25 April 2019
Imagine the ability to change physical properties of a fabric without any noticeable change in its hand, drape or feel. By working at a nanoparticle level, traditional textile can be made to conduct electricity, repel water and stains, glow under different lights, filter out toxic chemicals, or remain physically cool even in tropical heat – all while remaining unchanged to the human touch.
Juan P. Hinestroza, a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, is a tenured Associate Professor of Fiber Science and directs The Textiles Nanotechnology Laboratory at the College of Human Ecology of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Professor Hinestroza is the co-founder of 3 start-up companies, and has served as consultant to major Fortune 50 corporations in the field of smart and interactive textiles and fibers.Professor Hinestroza works on understanding fundamental phenomena at the nanoscale that are of relevance to Fiber and Polymer Science. Hinestroza has received over 8.4 MM USD in research funding (Federal and State agencies as well as Industrial Consortiums) for his pioneering work in exploring new pathways for creating multifunctional fibers via manipulation of nanoscale phenomena.