KNOWN FOR 

Beautifully handcrafted miniature origami accessories.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Sylph is a unique, bespoke artist that delights in creating paper handicrafts. These waterproof miniature origami accessories are designed to showcase traditional Japanese craftsmanship, by using a single sheet of paper without cuts or glue. Each piece is a work of art and a modern fashion statement, created by using a folding technique alone. Even though these miniature origami pieces are challenging to create, nevertheless each origami earring is folded with love and attention to detail, before being paired with a gold–plated or gold-filled attachments. They are usually folded from 37.5mm x 37.5mm papers, but can sometimes get as tiny as 18.5mm x 18.5mm.

VISION & MISSION

Sylph aims to reintroduce traditional handicraft skills like origami and kirie (the art of Japanese paper cutting) back into modern society. Using paper, Slyph champions Penang Peranakan culture, heritage, and tradition. Aside from creating unique trinkets to treasure, Slyph aims to empower women and raise awareness about child abuse through art.

Sylph aims to reintroduce traditional handicraft skills such as origami and kirie (the art of Japanese paper cutting) back into modern society. Using paper, Slyph advocates to share her Penang Peranakan culture, heritage, and traditions. Through her paper artwork, Sylph aims to empower women and plays her part in raising awareness about social issues, especially autism as Sylph is also a Special Needs Therapist.

Originally hailing from Penang, Sylph sources the majority of her materials from the region to help support the local community. Any additional materials required are sourced from Japan in a nod to the roots of the art of origami. Environmental waste is reduced by ensuring all packaging is recyclable and working almost exclusively with paper only.

WHAT’S ITS FIGHT 

PROTECT THE PLANET: Sylph uses recyclable packaging materials where possible

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: Sylph aims to empower women and plays her part in raising awareness of social issues, especially autism as Sylph is also a Special Needs Therapist. Sylph is also heavily involved in community events to give back to society.

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Shu Ying started cultivating her interest in art at a young age, thanks to her parents’ influence. Her mother is always making something intriguing, such as washi eggs and lace tatting. Her father, on the other hand, finds ways to make use of recycled materials to make art, such as cut-outs from newspapers to paste on lamps making personalised “wayang kulit” (traditional shadow play). Her amah (grandmother) also makes paper helicopters whenever the wind blows.

Growing up (and even now), Shu Ying revels in recreating and designing crafts as gifts and out of pure curiosity. One of the very first origami she learnt was the tortoise. A Penangite Nyonya, she also uses paper (kirie) to design and cut out motifs as a way to share her Peranakan culture, tradition, and heritage with society.