The Story Behind The Singapore Shawl
Wearable art, living diplomacy, and social empowerment for over two decades.
How It Began
Founded during the 2003 market downturn by Ms. Shelley Siu, The Singapore Shawl was created as a social enterprise dedicated to offering skills development and flexible employment for marginalized and mature women. Before establishing the brand, Shelley was a corporate trainer and international conference speaker who chose to transition into retail with a clear mission: creating meaningful work for women who faced employment barriers.
Shelley set out to position shawls not merely as souvenirs, but as elegant, high-quality pieces of wearable art that tell Singapore’s rich culture, flora, and history.
🎙️ Featured Interview: The Singapore Shawl Story
Listen to Shelley Siu discuss the journey, social impact, and heritage craftsmanship behind The Singapore Shawl:
Our Core Tenets
Every creation from The Singapore Shawl is guided by three foundational principles:
- Country: Promoting Singapore’s living heritage, diplomatic stories, and local identity.
- Community: Empowering local women through flexible, home-based production roles and skill building.
- Environment: Prioritizing eco-friendly fabrics and sustainable production practices.
A Decade of Milestones & Heritage
From milestone fashion shows and ASEAN ministerial gifts to state visits and charity initiatives, explore the journey and key highlights that shaped The Singapore Shawl:
Living Diplomacy & National Heritage
Over the years, our creations have served as premium diplomatic gifts gracing world leaders, state dignitaries, and royalty alike. Our pieces represent Singapore’s botanical heritage, featuring hybrid orchids bred by NParks and named after visiting dignitaries.
Our commitment to eco-friendly, meaningful garments has also resonated locally. For National Day (NDP2024), Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat wore a bespoke piece handcrafted by The Singapore Shawl, celebrating our community empowerment mission on his official channels:
Explore Our Collections & Ordering
Browse our permanent and seasonal collections online, or connect directly with Shelley on WhatsApp. Payment is supported via PayNow (UEN: 202436568M, The SG Shawl Pte. Ltd.) or cash. We offer postal delivery, self pick-up, and personal hand delivery by Shelley.