The first ding hits the hardest. I remember the first time I rolled my Rimowa around the streets of Osaka, fresh off the buyer’s dissonance after having swiped my card to purchase it the day before. As the rough tarmac cut into the fresh wheels with each step forward, I felt a pang — it seemed like the brand-new piece was already getting worn down. But then I realised how silly it was of me to expect my belongings to stay pristine — they will only do so if I keep them stashed in their dust bag and not use them at all. A few more trips later, I stumbled at the airport, which sent the Rimowa hurtling down an escalator. That warranted a much different response. With the new dents, I was mainly glad that no one was at the end of that escalator and that my belongings were fine. In retrospect, the luggage was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.
Fashion purchases, especially for the working class, have always carried the idea of being signifiers of status and expression of one’s identity — a costume to one’s character. With the oftentimes heavy price tags and scarcity in availability, it is hard not to feel like there is a need to preserve them in mint condition and only save them for special occasions. But at the end of the day, things are just… things. To appreciate them is to wear them. As a demonstration of the craftsmanship and enduring style of one’s treasured belongings, five individuals share personal accounts of how they have made their pieces live, breathe and grow old with them.
What has made their pieces so endlessly alluring and still relevant to their style? Joshua and Ethan consider their belongings to be cultural iconographies. Inspired by hip-hop and Tokyo street style, Joshua sees the Nike Air Force 1 as a revolutionary piece that has stood the test of time. “The Nike Air Force 1 (AF1) served as the base design for the Nike Air Jordan 1. During a time when the streets and the courts were dominated by the Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars, the AF1 came in and disrupted the scene — kickstarting Nike’s golden era. It has all the features like the built-in air bubble for enhanced wear and performance, and yet fits like a timeless white tee.”
“These are custom Nike Air Force 1s with a painted Goyard motif. I started painting them in Oct ’15 and finally made two pairs for myself about six months later. My most memorable moment with these shoes was when I wore them to Tokyo and styled them with Rick Owens pods, a leather jacket and satin robe by Arnold Putra. I remembered wandering around Nikko, Kanmangafuchi on a rainy day—while the AF1s were not meant for hikes I still managed to get to where I wanted to and had a good time.”
Joshua Chia (@surlyhumanoid), 34, Business Development in
Tech and Co-Founder of @duskform.world
Ethan likes the rich stories that these icons come with. “I like observing how designs gain popularity and, eventually, their status as icons. As I already have faith in the label’s craftsmanship, I’m typically more drawn to the aesthetic and the stories behind them,” he shares.
“I got this pair in the early 2000s. Back then, I was inspired by the punk and Seditionaries movement that Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren created. This was the exact design created for Sid Vicious and the Sex Pistols. There was no way I could have bought this in college back then — and unlike the convenience of e-commerce stores now, you had to travel to London to place an order. A friend who was in the UK on a working holiday landed a job at Vivienne Westwood and received this very pair as his uniform. I begged him to sell it to me when he returned (to Malaysia) and have kept it since. Owning this itself is a core memory I cherish even now.”
Ethan Chu (@ethanchuchu), 46, Fashion Stylist, Creative Director of ETC Smiles and Founder of ETCID
So what will it be? To preserve your belongings in a spotless condition, or to cherish every use? “I think the [Balenciaga] City Bag ages beautifully, even with each new crack it develops. I use my bag without babying it too much and still think it looks quite good,” expresses Jenn.
“I bought this work bag two years ago from a woman who was clearing out her wardrobe. I wanted it the moment I saw it. A moment I’ll never forget was when I almost lost the bag in an airport.”
Jenn Teh (@eggyoek), 22, Make Up Artist
“Although it is heavier, I chose the aluminium version because I enjoy its matte black look. Since it dents easily and attracts fingerprints, it isn’t meant for folks who baby their luggage. It is designed to be thrown around,” shares Lucas, who finds each scar telling of the journeys he has embarked on, along with the stickers he covers a side of his luggage with. “These stickers are all collected from previous places I worked at, cities I’ve been to, and brands I love. The intention wasn’t to buy 200 stickers on Shopee to plaster my luggage with.”
“I got this in 2018 as a gift from my parents. Rather than a single memory, it has been with me on all my travels ever since. It did collect dust during the pandemic, but after that I took it with me on a long solo trip to Japan. It was with me all the way from Osaka, to Tokyo, to Mount Fuji. I don’t get to travel as often as I’d like, but I choose it every time I do.”
Lucas Lau (@notlucahs), 40, Copywriter
However, for collectors and dealers like Razeq, the sentiment of wanting to preserve vintage pieces in pristine condition is understandable — to retain their value should they wish to sell. “It’s like holding on to a gold bar, the more well-preserved it is, the more it is worth,” Razeq explains.
“I acquired this piece from a buyer named @glam_archive when I visited Bangkok in January for a popup market. This was a jacket from Hedi Slimane’s “Strip” collection from SS04, which continued from the previous AW03 collection and featured similar fabrics and waxed finishes reimagined for warmer weather. The process of acquiring it by flying out to Bangkok made it even more special.”
Razeq Jeffry (@razeqjeffry), 25, Archive Fashion and Furniture Dealer (@archive.gems)
Whether spotless or timeworn, it remains the owner’s prerogative. “It’s up to the individual to perceive the item as a belonging, collectable, art piece or simply precious because it’s limited and possesses great value,” Ethan says. So use your belongings with intention, with rigour, and with love. After all, they are just… things.
Photographer Vyvian Goh
Styling Liew Hui Ying
Photography Assistant Bernard Chong
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