Meet Samantha Colbert | Founder and Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Colbert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

I started my business during the pandemic. During lockdowns, the constant hum of movement in this cosmopolitan city just stopped, leaving streets stripped bare, in all their beauty. In that moment, there was suddenly space to feel deeply connected to the place. My background is in community development and placemaking so translating those principles, I wanted to turn these stunning streetscapes into keepsakes. Something that continues to connect us to a time and place long after we have experienced it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

A lot! I tend to juggle a million things at any one time. At the top of the list is building our brand Strait Lights. As a designer and maker, I’m drawn to creating objects with stories. We curate our life through the things we own so there is something special about crafting products that reflect our journey, and relationship to places and each other.

I spend most of my time making but when I’m not making, I’m coming up with ideas. I have pages upon pages of things I’d like to do. Many of them are ideas on how we can work with other small brands to integrate our stories, mediums, or artistic practices to create something amazing. I’m really proud of how much the brand champions collaboration and community. It’s a thread that has stayed consistent throughout our entire brand journey.

Managing growth in a short time has meant there’s been a lot of learning on the go. Last year there were probably more moments where I felt out of my depth than ones I didn’t. We’re looking to expand this year so hopefully I’ve laid the groundwork to make it as smooth as possible!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Singapore is an incredibly vibrant international city. It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with its charm. The blend of old and modern is captivating, so the first place to start is walking the streets. From the historic areas of Joo Chiat, Emerald Hill and Tiong Bahru to the cosmopolitan Orchard Road and Marina Bay, there is so much to see, including the Merlion. The beloved mythical creature is the official mascot of Singapore.

Singapore is known for its food culture and the range of dining options is incredible. From a $4 plate of chicken rice at a hawker centre to a $1,000 meal in some of the worlds best fine dining restaurants, you could spend a lifetime eating your way through this little city. At the top of our list is Empress for Peking Duck, and Chatterbox for their signature Chicken Rice. A drink at 28 Hong Kong Street is a good way to finish the night. Singapore is known as the garden city, so a walk through Gardens by the Bay and a visit to the Cloud Forest is always a winner, especially with this equator heat and humidity.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I was developing the idea for Strait Lights, I hit a huge roadblock. The designs I prototyped were impossible to commercialise. They took too long to make and the cost to produce them was beyond what the market would pay. I’d almost given up when my sister bought me a piece of jewellery using a material I’d never seen before. In an instance her random act of kindness (and good dose of intuition) had solved my problem. Without her, my brand would not be where it is today. She’s a fantastic sounding board and is constantly helping me unlock ideas to refine the brand and our products. I’m so grateful to have her!

Website: straitlights.com

Instagram: straitlights

Linkedin: samanthasaw

Image Credits
Samantha Colbert