Operated by Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF), The Cocoon Space (TCS) is a co-working and event space that seeks to boost creativity, collaboration and community building. This co-working space, supported by Enterprise Singapore, will provide an interactive environment for both local and international, cross disciplinary designers to congregate, exchange ideas and connect with potential partners and talents. It intends to bring together industry players who are relevant to the fashion and design ecosystem such as value chain suppliers like fibre producers and textile manufacturers, beauty & lifestyle service providers such as photographers and make-up artists.

Housed at the top two levels of the newly opened Design Orchard, The Cocoon Space is designed to provide the community with networking and interaction opportunities, whilst also offering quiet corners and workstations to foster creativity and innovation. The open work area on level two, which includes, adaptable desk spaces at the Gallery, the Co-Lab, the Incubation Room and theatre space - The Cave is thoughtfully designed to cater to a variety of business needs by providing web-meeting and other high-tech facilities. TCS also caters to special fashion-centric requirements with The Makers Studio which is well equipped with industrial grade sewing machines and by providing a dedicated space which allows designers to exhibit their work. Adjacent to The Makers Studio is a Resource Wall that will feature different types of fabric and materials and a 3D Printer. On the top level, TENCEL™ Studio (the event hall) is set against a lush, green outdoor amphitheatre overlooking Orchard Road – a perfect space for designers to launch their collections, or for companies who intend to run workshops or fashion shows.

“The Cocoon Space has been designed with much support from TaFF’s partners; this includes colleagues from Singapore Furniture Industries Council who have provided advisory on suitable furniture and SGTech on tech infrastructure. TCS is indeed a project of shared effort and collaborations”, says Mr Wilson Teo, Vice-President, Executive Committee, TaFF.

In addition, TaFF is working with international partners such as The Mills Fabrica of Hong Kong to provide members of TCS with the use of their state-of-the-art prototyping lab and techstyle-focused (intersection of technology and style) workspace in Hong Kong. Such efforts will help TCS’s community to venture into international markets and to provide tangible benefits for those who have plans to take flight beyond the domestic market.

The First South-East Asia’s Fashion-Business Focused Incubation Programme

TaFF is also launching a programme called The Bridge Fashion Incubator (TBFI), supported by Enterprise Singapore, which will run at TCS.

TBFI is a 30-week long programme that equips and enables aspiring firms who are keen to launch and/or scale their business in the fashion industry. Applicants may include firms with fashion or accessories collections, fashion technology and textile related products or solutions. Applicants for the program will be curated by a panel of distinguished business veterans from both the fashion & textile and technology industry. Successful applicants will undergo mentorship in product portfolio development, business model structuring, pitching, and relevant exposure to technological innovations and sustainability.

It Is All About Collaboration

To help firms scale and internationalise, TaFF will increase efforts to raise knowledge and awareness in technology and innovation, sustainability and Asian craft. TaFF looks to broaden and deepen its network collaboration efforts with institutions, international brands and different communities.

The first partnership that TaFF has signed is a strategic collaboration with the Lenzing Group. The partnership includes supporting TCS community to have a better appreciation of and access to eco-friendly fabric. The partnership also provides an opportunity to share industry knowledge in areas that Lenzing Group is well-established in, such as sustainability and innovation.

The Lenzing Group will provide the Resource Wall at TCS with TENCEL™ and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded fabric and eco-friendly fibre information. The partnership will allow designers to tap onto their broad network from Fabric mills and suppliers, to connections with regional designers and experts in eco-fabric.

“We are happy to be part of the TCS community as our visions are aligned and we want TCS to be our regional hub for our network of experts, fashion designers and supply chain partners to congregate,” says Mr Vineet Singhal, SVP (Senior Vice-President, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Lenzing Group).

To provide designers with the latest technological tools, which can help differentiate and re-define craftmanship and design, TaFF is working with National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) and SIMTech to provide its tenants with the capability of 3D printing and wearable technology.

TaFF has also partnered up with Bernina for high-end domestic sewing machines, to provide artisanal sewing skills to craft makers. This serves to increase knowledge of the basics of fashion industries and access to quality equipment for small businesses and hobbyists.

With the opening of The Cocoon Space, TaFF seeks to collaborate with experts and partners to accelerate the learnings and development of local artisans and fashion entrepreneurs.

Events During the Launch Week (11 March -17 March)

During the launch week, visitors to TCS can expect to see:

1. a projection installation inspired by Singapore history and local fashion at The Cave (Level 2);
2. A fashion showcase by renowned Singapore designer Mr Thomas Wee (Level 2);
3. At TENCEL™ Studio - an immersive exhibition on sustainability and innovation was presented by Lenzing Group (Rooftop).

Guests who came for the opening day on 11 March, were treated to an international fashion runway presented by the Lenzing Group featuring works on sustainable fabric by designers from Austria, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Hongkong and Singapore.

During the week-long launch, public who wish to view the space, installation and showcase within Level 2 may register at the reception counter for a visit during the office operating hours, Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm. Level 3 is accessible by public for all days from 11am – 8pm.

From 12 Mar 2019, facilities at TCS are available for bookings. Priority bookings will be given to designers, firms and freelancers who are in the fashion and textile industry and/or support the sustainable development of these markets.

Annex

Bernina - Founded in Switzerland in 1893, Bernina is the world's premier sewing machine manufacturer with a proven reputation for offering outstanding products.

Lenzing – Lenzing is a world-market leader in speciality fibres made from the renewable raw material wood. It produces viscose fibres, modal fibres, lyocell fibres and filament yarn, which are used in the textile industry - in clothing, home textiles and technical textiles - as well as in the nonwovens industry. The brand name for modal and lyocell specialty fibres used in textiles is TENCEL™.

NAMIC - A national programme initiative in Singapore, led by NTUitive, to translate upstream 3D printing into downstream commercial applications.

SGTech - Premier trade association for the tech industry in Singapore to create an ecosystem that develops sustainable initiatives to strengthen the community and growth of the industry.

Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) - Official representative body of Singapore’s furniture and furnishings industry to promote the interests of its members and of the local trade.

The Mills Fabrica – A business incubator, fund and space/lab/store for techstyle startups and strategic partners – cpmpanies at the intersection of technology and style

Facilities at The Cocoon Space

TENCEL™ Studio - The event hall at the rooftop that opens up to the lawn outside is great for launches, design installations, educational story pieces; usage of the space is only limited by imagination.

The Cave – A mini theatre fully equipped with projector and sound system with web conferencing capability; ideal for small workshops and seminars.

The Makers Studio - especially set up for fashion designers, this professional sewing studio is fitted with industrial sewing equipment. Aside from supporting independent designers, the space will also be an ideal training place.

Resource Library - A resource wall with fabric swatches and relevant equipment are made available for designers to experience and explore.

The Gallery / The Co-Lab/ The Incubation Room – Convertible work spaces serves as personal work tables, and can be adapted into discussion areas and meeting/ seminar rooms.