Continuing our tradition of sparking conversations, Esquire Talks kicks off its 2019 edition with a topic that's extended from our March issue's theme: Collaboration. As usual, we gathered thought leaders, industry professionals and Esquire readers to engage in inspiring discussions.
Held at The Cocoon Space (a co-working incubator for budding fashion designers) in the brand new Design Orchard (where we also launched our Esquire Singapore collaboration tees in a pop-up), we explored the power and perils of collaboration. Before delving deep into the significance of working together with panelists Circe Henestrosa, the Head of School of Fashion at Lasalle College Of The Arts; Debra Langley, Venture Partner at Start Today Ventures and a regular host of our Esquire Podcast; and Semun Ho, CEO of the Textile and Fashion Federation, guests were nourished with Mod-Sin donburi creations from Uncle Kiisu and lifted into good spirits by sipping quality whites and reds from Pengwine.
The audience was asked to do a pre-event personality quiz to evaluate whether they are a Creative, Realist or Entrepreneur and grouped accordingly to their responses. Once sorted, the esteemed panel took the stage to share their expertise and experiences about the benefits and pitfalls of collaboration.
Watch the video below for highlights of the night.
If you've missed this insightful event (say what?), we got our panelists to sum up their key thoughts about collaboration.
Circe Henestrosa | Head of Fashion at LASALLE College of the Arts
What are the key ingredients to a good collaboration?
You have to be open, willing, curious and be happy to explore new ideas.
Is collaboration for everyone?
I think it should be for everyone. If people say it's not for them, then they should push themselves to give it a go.
What can we learn from bad collaborations?
I think everything always has a learning experience. So a bad collaboration can help you grow and learn from mistakes. It can only help you get better.
You can choose who to work with. So if you find yourself working with a collaborator that went bad previously, if you choose work together again, you have to establish clear communication and rules from the beginning. You need to manage the relationship that's beneficial for the final outcome.
Debra Langley | Venture Partner at Start Today Ventures
What is your advice for collaborators?
You must know your DNA, what your brand stands for, and you must know your partner's DNA and what their brand stands for. Then you're in a great position to set the objectives for the commercials and objectives for the design. When all the people know what they are working towards and what the brand stands for, you're in the best position to execute well.
Is collaboration for everyone?
There are so many different kinds of collaborations, from fashion and design to marketing and promotion, it's lots of different things. I think everybody has a little bit of collaborative material in them.
What can we learn from bad collaborations?
You learn what to do, what not to do, and what you should do—because it's not always what you did.
Semun Ho | CEO of the Textile and Fashion Federation
In your experience, what makes a collaboration successful?
Typically, it involves people coming together that understand each other, have a common vision, and complement each other in their skill sets and capabilities.
Coming from the same industry allows collaborators to have a common base, but it isn't necessarily the sole ingredient that'll allow the collaboration to be successful. I've seen bankers that worked with lawyers, both different professions. They can come together to start a business which can be pretty successful as well.
Is collaboration for everyone?
In today's world, absolutely. In fact, there's a term 'co-opetition'. Not only parties are competing with each other, but they are also collaborating with their competitors as well. Absolutely, especially because Singapore is so small.
What have you learnt from unsuccessful collaborations?
When a collaboration goes bad, it's because the vision that they initially shared has changed. It's important to not lose your bearing and stay aligned. Or communicate the changed vision or values immediately. But when collaborations don't work out, it's better to go your separate ways quickly and break it cleanly. Businesses change and evolve constantly, so who knows, the same parties can work together again and things can still work out as well.
POLL: What are your thoughts on collaboration?
[socialpoll id="2541975″] [socialpoll id="2541974″]CASE STUDY
A magazine in Singapore is collaborating with a local designer to create a T-shirt that's inspired by the ethos of the magazine, 'Less is More'. The designer wants to create a design that shows breasts on the tee with the hashtag #FreeTheNipple. The sales team is concerned that the advertiser paying for the production of the T-shirts will pull out because of the design, while the publisher is concerned the IMDA will fine the magazine for being 'Unsuitable for the young'.
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Photo Credits: Robin Thang & Adli Dinie
