Colin Chen, 35, founder, The General Co
THE GUY PROMOTING ARTISANAL CRAFTS:
Everybody appreciates old-school craft, but not so much the behind-thescenes craftsmen. Colin has gathered many of these artisans at The General Co (www.thegeneralco.sg) so that they have a place to teach eager tykes and pass on their knowledge. These craftsmen have professional training from institutions in Florence (for leather craft and shoemaking), London (for gold leaf gilding), and Australia (for letterpress printing), as well as private training from other renowned craftsmen around the world – one of the leather artisans was trained by a former Hermes craftsman.
“The General Co hosts basic workshops (from $79) for educational purposes, to generate awareness and appreciation for processes, and to spark interest among the general public about craft trades,” Colin explains. These workshops serve to identify promising young individuals who might be keen to pursue craft trades professionally. Some of the trades practised include metalwork, candle making, marquage, calligraphy and leatherwork.
His company also helps craftspeople gain opportunities to work with big brands – for example, projects for Rolls Royce, Montblanc and Starbucks. Through such commissions, these onceanonymous tradesmen are now being recognised for their skill and individual artistry.
The workshop is in the industrial district of Jalan Besar, and Colin is growing it. The new studio will be a hybrid space, with a modern woodworking lab operated by carpentry specialists Roger&sons, a partial showroom, and maybe retail space for custom-made goods. It will also house The Gathering Room, where The General Co will introduce more lifestyledriven workshops that allow people to understand the slow process of making things, from embroidery to weaving, watercolouring, pasta making, and baking. It will include cocktail-making workshops, and even a series of workshops for younger adults and kids, so that parents can send their children there to pick up creative thinking skills.