Last Long, Feel Good: Inside FIN Crafted Goods’ Sustainable Fashion Studio

PUBLISHED February 4th, 2026 08:04 am

In a quiet corner of Singapore’s industrial district, FIN Crafted Goods has spent 12 years revolutionising sustainable fashion through meticulous clothing repair and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Founders Erliana Kamiti and Fahmy Ishak have mastered the art of Boro and Sashiko stitching, two ancient Japanese repair techniques that transform worn garments into functional works of art, extending the life of beloved pieces while challenging Singapore’s throwaway culture.

While they operate within the fashion ecosystem, FIN Crafted Goods is not a fashion brand in the conventional sense. When I visited their atelier tucked away in an industrial building off the beaten path in Singapore, I discovered not just a workspace, but an oasis: a vibrant hub of creativity and learning. The couple’s studio is filled with beautifully repaired and reimagined pieces, each a testament to their reverence for craftsmanship and their commitment to preserving well-made, functional, and aesthetically rich objects.

The Story Behind Singapore’s Leading Clothing Repair Atelier

How did you meet?

“We actually met while working at Adidas. Erliana had a part-time role there at the time,” Fahmy recalls. “What started as a casual work connection quickly became something deeper. We began dating and have now been married for 16 years.”

Without hesitation, Fahmy admits: “She’s my rock. The person I turn to for everything, especially emotional support. From the moment I met her, I just knew.”

Erliana echoes the sentiment, though in her own way: “There wasn’t one defining moment or reason. It just felt easy. We clicked instantly, and it’s been effortless ever since.”

 

What did you study?

Erliana: “My background is actually in Intelligent Buildings Technology at Temasek Polytechnic, but I never really went into the field. After working in several startups, I focused on Entrepreneurship for my business degree, and most recently, prior to FIN, I spent about four years at INSEAD, supporting the Dean and faculty and running MBA programs.”

Fahmy: “I studied Materials Science and Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic, but my career pivoted early on. I found my way into retail operations first at Adidas, where I spent eight years in operations and training, then later moving into purchasing for Japanese menswear brands. Before going independent, I held an operations role at the Far East Organisation.”

But the idea for FIN Crafted Goods was taking root long before that. “I was a huge fan of Japanese magazines,” Fahmy recalls. “I subscribed to so many, just absorbing the culture, the attention to detail, and especially men’s fashion.”

It was through these pages that he discovered a key insight: the Japanese don’t necessarily invent, but they refine and elevate. “They just make things better,” he reflects. This philosophy would later become central to the brand. As Fahmy puts it, one of FIN Crafted Goods’ guiding principles is: “Last long, feel good.”

FIN Crafted Goods does many things well, one of them is focusing on ensuring things last by taking old things and giving them a longer life.

Learning Japanese Repair Techniques: Boro and Sashiko

How did you learn to repair clothes?

The couple are frequent travelers to Japan, drawn by their deep appreciation for Japanese brands, especially the country’s exceptional fabrics. While there, they never miss a visit to the antique markets, where they find inspiration and materials for their handcrafted pieces, such as aprons for restaurants.

It was at an antiques market that they discovered Boro, a traditional Japanese method of repairing clothes from the Edo period. In truth, they have a passion for vintage markets wherever they go.

When they bought their home in Singapore, they sourced much of their furniture from a shop on Craig Road. They visited so often that the elderly owner, affectionately known as “Uncle,” was invited to their wedding. To this day, he’s still running the store.

The “Repair and Build” Philosophy

I love the repair and build tagline on your website. Where is it from?

The couple started off making aprons for restaurants, cafés, butchers, and tattoo artists, essentially hard-wearing denim aprons for creative businesses. From those aprons, they had denim scraps that could be transformed into so much more. “It’s so versatile, wears well and is long-lasting,” Fahmy explains.

The repair business grew organically. For example, a customer had old boots he’d worn until they could not be repaired anymore. He loved those boots so much that he wanted to preserve them. He asked FIN to help, and they suggested indigo dye.

“People come in with their treasures and we translate their waste into something beautiful,” Fahmy says. “That’s what we are known for. Clothes have memories, a history.”

The husband and wife team translate other people’s items from waste into something beautiful.

Fahmy: “It started around 2010, back when I was working as a buyer for Japanese menswear. Our office was on the second floor of a building that also housed a café on the ground floor and a bar upstairs. At the time, cafés were popping up all over Singapore. One day, one of the baristas who was training for the World Barista Championship asked if I could make an apron for the competition. That ended up being the very first item created under the FIN Crafted Goods banner.”

Are you still in touch with your first customers?

Fahmy: “Actually, yes. For our 10th anniversary, we were able to borrow that exact apron. It’s a great reminder of how it all began, and a testament to the durability of what we make. In fact, our products often outlast the cafés and bars we make them for, which says quite a lot about both our quality and the pace of change in Singapore’s F&B scene.”

Building Relationships Through Sustainable Fashion

Who are your customers?

“There’s really no single profile when it comes to our customers,” says Fahmy. “We’ve had everyone from lawyers and doctors to the ex-chief of staff to the Prime Minister and even a few billionaires. We even had President Tharman visit our studio for filming. One of our customers is a psychologist working in a Singapore prison. What connects them all isn’t their profession, but their mindset.”

“It’s a brand for people who want their treasured pieces to last.” Many are collectors, often into cars or vintage items, who appreciate the utilitarian aesthetic. They gravitate toward workwear because it’s practical, almost like a uniform. It’s easy, functional, and it offers a sense of protection. That’s what draws them in: clothing that’s built to serve and endure.”

You do a lot of collaborations. What’s your philosophy for collaborations?

Collaborations are two things: the most important is a meeting of minds. Fahmy says, “I have to love the brand,” otherwise there’s no point. It’s a niche business which has to run on a lot of things, so the financial aspects are important.

Do you have a strong design aesthetic or design philosophy?

“I have heroes but no philosophy,” Fahmy quotes designer Dieter Rams, creator of iconic Braun products. “Studying is the worst thing you can do instead of learning something yourself. You take on the bias of other people.”

He clarifies: “Studying is good, but learning while you work is important. Our influence is not just clothes, it could be cars, architecture, nature or even tattoo artists. It should be a myriad of things.”

Erliana adds that Fahmy reads voraciously. “He’s like a sponge.” He prefers to learn by doing, which is why, to him, internships are more useful. “For example, we attended a short course on ‘go to market strategy’ and he realized many lecturers are out of touch. The landscape changes so quickly. If you are bound by rules, it doesn’t work.”

Why Quality Denim and Workwear Matter

The brand has a workwear, Japanese aesthetic. Do you have a love for denim, US workwear, or is the final product customer-led?

Fahmy: “We love denim, jackets, military, and workwear because denim and workwear are timeless. Lots of people wear it for work, mostly people who work in an oil refinery or on sites that need functional workwear. Some of our customers are blue-collar workers.”

“We also have denim enthusiasts, people who love denim, and others who are into workwear and often go all in, right down to the boots. Our main customer is someone who romanticizes workwear and is drawn to the culture around it. They’re often into cars, motorbikes, and that whole utilitarian mindset.”

When it comes to denim, what makes it covetable?

Fahmy: “It was made for miners because it doesn’t tear easily. Good denim uses real indigo dye, which is a process that takes time. Denim wears beautifully and forms a patina. As it’s worn, it gets more beautiful.”

“Really expensive denim reflects the processes the product goes through. For example, there’s a Japanese brand that handlooms the actual denim for the specific customer, so the price is about $3,000. Each loom can make only one pair at a time, reflecting the specialist processes and the artisans who’ve made the product.”

“With indigo, the process from growing the indigo plant, harvesting the leaves, drying and then converting it into dye takes a considerable amount of time and effort.”

What’s your thought on current mainstream fashion and menswear?

“H&M selling a dress for $19.90 is ridiculous. We know how long it actually takes to make something properly, so if it’s that cheap, someone along the line isn’t being paid fairly.”

Fahmy, who has a long-standing love for menswear through his work in the fashion industry, adds: “Dressing men is easy. The simplest approach is going monochromatic. No logos, no fuss. Blue on blue, brown on brown and you’ll look like a million dollars.”

He believes in investing in timeless pieces rather than chasing trends. “You don’t need big brands, just spend on a few classics. People follow the hype because they feel the need to impress their friends. But really, all you need is a good pair of shoes, some jewelry, and to keep it simple.”

The Business of Clothing Repair in Singapore

Is repair the biggest part of your business? How does the creative studio work?

“Yes, we do customized products for individuals, as well as apron orders for F&B and other service-based businesses,” Fahmy shares. Both he and Erliana are currently hands-on with clients, though in the future, they envision the business evolving, potentially working with just one key client to sustain operations.

As the brand matures, they see themselves shifting from what they call ‘hand work’ to ‘brain work’: moving towards consulting and creative direction as a way to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

“We’d love to continue the business as long as it remains viable for us,” he says. But they’re also realistic about the future. “The new generation often lacks the stamina for this kind of work. If there’s no real drive, then there’s no point in training new people.”

I love what you say on your website about people buying for purpose over self-worth. Where does that come from?

“Our brand is about building relationships. It’s not just about selling our stuff or repairing. We are not creating customers just for today. Our customers stay with us for a long period. It’s not just transactional.”

“Trends are fleeting. Singaporeans love change and find it easy to throw things away. We love the practice of repairing. Unfortunately for some, repairing is cool now, but the novelty wears off.”

The Future of Sustainable Fashion in Singapore

What do we need in Singapore to push the needle on sustainability?

“Repairing isn’t really part of the culture here,” Fahmy observes. “Take Chinese New Year, for example. People buy new clothes and throw out the old ones to get rid of bad luck. What I’ve noticed is how deeply culture shapes mindset.”

When it comes to sustainability in fashion, Fahmy is skeptical about how it’s presented. “Most of the time, when fashion companies talk about sustainability, it’s just PR. It’s counterintuitive. We’ve worked with so many companies that talk about it for a month and then forget about it.”

He pauses, then adds, “Maybe Patagonia is the one real exception.”

“Sustainability has many layers. It can mean wearing clothes longer, buying better-made garments, using quality dyes, organic ones, even. No organization or individual can do it all. But doing even one of those things is already a good start.”

Still, Fahmy believes awareness alone isn’t enough. “Awareness can only get you so far. Real change only happens when you either make it sexy or make it hurt.”

(He notes that by “hurt,” he means regulation or government intervention.)

Reflecting on cultural differences, he adds, “No amount of campaigns can work here without some government intervention. In Japan, garbage disposal is spread out over the week, depending on the material. For example, Monday is for plastic, Tuesday is for paper and so on. This government policy in Japan ensures recycling is done better.”

How are you pushing traditional Japanese techniques, such as Boro, forward?

“Traditionally, Sashiko stitches are white, but we use bright colors to create contrast and visual interest. Traditional Sashiko stitches are also single-threaded. We choose to double-thread it to ensure it lasts longer on the denim that we repair.”

What is your hope for the future?

“As a businessperson, you have to remove the romanticism from the picture,” Fahmy says. “We choose to work with people whose company we genuinely enjoy. Everything we do is intentional.”

They enjoy other passions outside of the work they do. “We love music and art, and Erliana loves to cook,” he adds.

When it comes to the future, they’re realistic. “There’s no long-term plan, and that’s okay. Who would we even pass this legacy on to?”

Fahmy reflects on the challenges of sharing their knowledge: “We understand the value of what we’ve learned, but often when we try to share it, no one really wants to hear it.”

Their hope is simple: “To keep going and enjoy life.” And if FIN Crafted Goods evolves into something else down the line, they’re open to that too.

Fahmy closed with some wise words: “We all carry preconceived notions of what we think we already know, and letting go of that allows for true discovery.”

I left the interview feeling hopeful. Knowing that, in an unassuming corner of Singapore, two people are quietly dedicated to their craft, helping others keep their clothes longer and appreciate well-made products. All without expectations, just a deep commitment to doing things the right way.

Frequently Asked Questions About FIN Crafted Goods

What is Boro?
Boro is a traditional Japanese repair technique from the Edo period that involves patching and mending worn textiles. FIN Crafted Goods uses this method to extend the life of beloved garments.

What is Sashiko stitching?
Sashiko is a decorative Japanese reinforcement stitching technique. While traditionally done in white with single thread, FIN uses bright colors and double-threading for enhanced durability and visual appeal.

Where is FIN Crafted Goods located?
FIN Crafted Goods operates from an atelier in Singapore’s industrial district. Visit their website or Instagram for appointment details.

What types of items does FIN Crafted Goods repair?
FIN specializes in denim repair, workwear restoration, and custom aprons for restaurants and businesses. They work with any treasured piece that deserves a longer life.

How long has FIN Crafted Goods been in business?
FIN Crafted Goods has been operating for 12 years, since 2010, when they created their first custom apron for a barista training for the World Barista Championship.

Discover more at www.fincraftedgoods.com and follow @fincraftedgoods on Instagram.

This article was originally commissioned and published in the debut issue of Artisan Magazine, September 2025.