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AsiaOne
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
From Singlish-themed cups to T-shirts repping our neighbourhoods: Here are some SG60 collections to look out for, Lifestyle News
Singapore turns 60 this National Day, and brands are marking the milestone with uniquely local merchandise and collectibles. From hawker-inspired treats to tees repping your neighbourhood, here's a roundup of some SG60 collectibles that celebrate the country in quirky and creative ways — so you don't have to go hunting! Singlish heritage When it comes to Singapore's identity, Singlish is something of a national treasure. Courts is tapping into that with a playful series of limited-edition Singlish stickers, available both in print and digital. The stickers feature a variety of Courts products (such as furniture or home appliances) paired with common Singlish terms. Picture a standing fan muttering "buay tahan" or a sofa saying "lepak". Spend a minimum of $60 (weekends only) till July 13 to redeem the sticker set, while stocks last. If you missed this giveaway, fret not. Courts will also be giving away enamel mugs in four collectible designs from Aug 2 (weekends only) with a minimum spend of $160. Be proud of your roots View this post on Instagram A post shared by adidas Singapore (@adidassg) Adidas is looking to celebrate SG60 by asking Singaporeans to literally wear their hearts on their sleeves. The brand's Rep Your Hood collection is back with 17 T-shirt designs inspired by iconic neighbourhoods. First introduced in May, the latest series adds six new designs that pay tribute to Bukit Timah, Chinatown, East Coast, Jalan Besar, Kampong Glam and Little India. Each design acknowledges the essence of the neighbourhood, from the seaside vibes of East Coast to the football roots of Jalan Besar. Whether you're repping the hood from your childhood or simply vibing with the aesthetics, you can get your tee heat pressed at any of these three Adidas outlets: Brand Centre Orchard VivoCity Performance (Level 1) Marina Bay Sands Hawker-inspired pet meals Is it truly a Singaporean celebration without hawker food? Homegrown fresh pet-food brand PetCubes doesn't think so, and they're making sure your furry companions don't miss out on the yummy feast either. Their exclusive SG60 Bundle ($60) transforms familiar local classics into pet-safe meals. Expect four trays of Braised Duck Rice (specially created for cats and dogs), a bottle of Duck Broth, a tub of Kaya Toast Ice Cream, a bottle of Kelp Supplement and a packet of Chicken Breast Jerky treats. Wholesome, nostalgic and proudly Singaporean for every member of the family. 3D-printed Fortune Merlion View this post on Instagram A post shared by UNIPLAY (@unigonsplay) Who said you had to head down to Marina Bay to catch a glimpse of Singapore's official mascot? Launched in conjunction with SG60, the Fortune Merlion is recognised by the Singapore Book of Records as the country's first limited-edition 3D-printed collectible crafted entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Created by local art toy brand Uniplay, each Fortune Merlion stands at 18cm tall and there will be only 60 of these figures, in 10 different colours. As a marker of its exclusivity, each figure is uniquely numbered with a serial number plate on the back of the packaging box as well as inside the accompanying certificate. A noticeable feature is the magnetic "bubble" attached to the Merlion's mouth, which represents flowing water and is a visual nod to the Merlion's fountain. Those keen to own a Fortune Merlion should keep an eye out for an exclusive retail launch by ActionCity, a toy retailer in Singapore, on July 25. [[nid:719687]] amierul@
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Local start-up turns recycled plastic bottles into blind-box Fortune Merlion collectibles
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox It took local start-up Unigons some 30 or so recycled plastic bottles to make each of these 3D-printed Merlion collectibles. SINGAPORE – If you like cute collectibles, but are hesitant about contributing to junk plastic waste, local start-up Unigons has a green concept: Merlion figurines made of recycled plastic bottles in 10 different colourways, all waving their left paws in the style of the Fortune Cat. For SG60, only 60 pieces of these Fortune Merlion figurines have been crafted. Priced at $118, each 3D-printed Merlion is packaged in a blind box and designed with a pedestal base that doubles as a hidden compartment. The compartment contains accessories for the Merlion, including six charms engraved with auspicious words in Chinese script, such as wealth and longevity. Any of these charms can be attached to the right paw of the Fortune Merlion. According to Unigons, each 18cm-tall Merlion required some 30 discarded PET plastic bottles as raw material, many donated by beverage giant Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo's). Unigons co-founder Joe Chua, who designed the collectibles, says that PET is among the few plastics that can be recycled into filaments for 3D-printing. 'We used more than 50 3D printers across Singapore and Vietnam for this project, and worked with PlasticTinkers, a local 3D printing start-up,' says Mr Chua, 50. The first critical step was separating the PET waste from PP, PVC and other plastics, after which the PET waste was then thoroughly cleaned and dried. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore 17-year-old youth charged with trespassing on MRT tracks; to be remanded at IMH World Trump tax Bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year Asia Malaysian nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities Opinion How Apple gave 'the gift of fire' to Chinese electronics firms Asia US, India push for trade pact after Trump strikes deal with Vietnam: Sources 'We added colourants to create custom hues before melting and extruding the plastic into filament suitable for 3D printing. It's not the fastest or cheapest route, but it's the most meaningful one.' he says. 'It adds to the story of each piece.' Unigons was founded in 2017, with the intent of developing creative technology that prioritises sustainability. The company's early projects include an eco-friendly hand-sanitiser refill dispenser, launched in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Unigons co-founder Joe Chua with some of the 3D-printed Fortune Merlions made of recycled plastic bottles. PHOTOS: UNIGONS In the last two to three years, Mr Chua noticed during his travels that European brands had begun to embrace the concept of circular economy in production. He also observed the concurrent boom of blind boxes and collectible toys in Singapore. 'I thought: What if we designed collectibles using recycled PET? With the right design and branding, we could increase the value of recycled plastic from 80 cents to over $50 a kilogram, and in doing so, create a new kind of demand for local recycled material,' he says. Despite their potential, 3D-printed collectibles – much less those made from recycled plastic – have yet to take off, Mr Chua acknowledges. 'Many discerning collectors tend to shy away from 3D-printed pieces, often associating them with rough, unfinished surfaces and low-quality output,' he says. But recent innovations in recycling technology have helped to narrow the gap in the quality between recycled and virgin plastic. 'We're seeing recycled PET being used to create smoother, more durable and more detailed products, opening the door for plastic waste to be transformed into high-value, collectible items that people cherish rather than discard,' says Mr Chua. Some 25 pieces of the Fortune Merlions were printed first, and sold out quickly in an initial 'early bird' drop in mid-June. Mr Chua says that batch was a testing of the waters. 'We were a little nervous. It was only after the success of this first drop that we went ahead with the remaining 35 pieces.' Each Fortune Merlion comes with a pedestal base that also stores accessories for the collectible. PHOTO: UNIGONS The second drop will be launched at Blaxk by ActionCity in Funan Mall on July 25. 'The beauty of 3D printing is that it gives us this freedom to produce on-demand and avoid waste,' says Mr Chua. After this first batch of 60 for SG60, Mr Chua anticipates new and different Fortune Merlion designs in the future, with unique twists. 'Maybe a kaya-toast Merlion or one bearing a pair of wings to soar,' he suggests.
