Tanchen Studio’s Sanchia Tan On Their First Store And Staying True To Their Roots
The playful lifestyle label recently opened its first Singapore store - what can people expect?
Small-batch handmade craft businesses are having their moment. At the forefront is Tanchen Studio, a lifestyle brand specialising in functional, sculptural woven homeware. Think stools, coasters, cup sleeves and more, each hand-made and boasting a contemporary design that balances practicality and craftsmanship. The duo behind the label? The 33-year-old Amber Chen and 31-year-old Sanchia Tan.
Their story began in 2019 in Shanghai, when they came together to run weaving workshops while also dreaming up large-scale installation pieces. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, they worked remotely for two years to create small collections, including the 0/0 Bag (a woven wine bottle carrier) and the Sand Drift rug series – both of which have become brand signatures.
Since then, the label has grown. Tanchen Studio is now stocked at retailers worldwide, from New York City to Beijing, and in early August this year, its first store in Singapore opened at 140 Bukit Timah Road. Here, Tan tells us more about balancing creativity, friendship and business.
Tanchen Studios co-founders Amber Chen (on the left) and Sanchia Tan (on the right).
Congratulations on Tanchen Studio’s new store! At the risk of sounding rude, weren’t you doing just fine without it?
“Not rude at all! And yes, we were doing well without a physical store, but for us, opening a space wasn’t about fixing something that wasn’t working, but about evolving intentionally. So much of our work is tactile and sculptural, and we felt that digital platforms alone couldn’t fully communicate the materiality or presence of our pieces. The store allows people to experience the textures, forms and details in a way that’s much more intimate and immersive.”
As designers who were design‑educated at Central Saint Martins, what has been the biggest challenge transitioning from academia to running a business?
“One of the biggest shifts was realising that it’s not just about the idea, but about how that idea actually gets made, priced and delivered. In school, we could spend weeks experimenting with a single material. When we started Tanchen, though, we had to learn how to scale that kind of work without losing what made it special. Many of our designs have gone through countless iterations and several stages of prototyping before reaching their final version. We make everything by hand in our studio and some pieces take six to seven hours to create. Sometimes, we have to shelve a product because it just isn’t feasible to produce. Now, every design starts with the same question: ‘How do we keep its integrity while making it viable for the real world?’”
Seeing as how you and Amber are both designers, a lot of effort must have gone into designing your space. Tell us more?
“Amber and I were super hands-on throughout the process and we were fortunate to have our friend Dekan from Sakai (a Shanghai-based interior design studio) to guide us. Just like our textiles, the space is built around materials. We chose birch plywood for our cabinetry, handmade terracotta tiles, sisal flooring, bamboo racks, accents of black in the form of borders and a pillar to highlight the building’s original features, and steel‑framed doors and fixtures to add a slight contemporary flair.
All these were teamed with our collection of Chinese and British furniture that we had sourced beforehand. We also wanted to add handcrafted elements. Our hanging feature light was custom-made by StudioSoSlow and traditional kite artisans from Weifang, China. Amber and I hand-bound each light piece the day before our opening. It took us a total of five hours to tie more than 70 knots. Another feature at the front of the store was also hand‑crocheted by us, with Dekan creating the light fixture.”
What do you think has allowed Tanchen Studio to buck the trend of weak sales?
“I think it comes down to staying true to our values: craft, care and slowness. We’re not chasing trends; we’re just making things we believe in, and people respond to that. We’ve also been flexible, evolving our work without losing that core, and I think that has helped us build real trust.”
If there’s one motto that defines Tanchen Studio’s brand ethos, it’s “attention to detail”. From its handwoven products to the display cases in its first physical store that opened in early August this year, the label’s founders Amber Chen and Sanchia Tan have thought through everything to reflect their emphasis on material, process and care. All the racks in the charming boutique, for example, were custom‑made by a shifu (or “master” in English) in China who made weekly trips to the woods to source bamboo of similar heights and thicknesses.
What do you think people want to buy most now, and how does Tanchen Studio appeal to these preferences?
“I think people are looking for things that feel intentional. Not just beautiful, but also meaningful. They want pieces that last, that have a story, that feel personal. There has definitely been a shift away from fast, throwaway culture. With Tanchen, we focus on material, process and care, so each piece feels like it has a soul. It’s not about mass appeal; it’s about creating something that resonates deeply with the right people.”
Does the business of fast fashion influence the way you work and operate in any way?
“Fast fashion has shaped expectations around price and availability, particularly among younger consumers. At Tanchen, we consciously take a different approach, prioritising slowness, materiality and craft over speed and scale. Our pricing reflects the time and care invested into each piece, but we also believe in accessibility. That’s why we’ve introduced smaller, functional objects that carry the same values, allowing more people to connect with our work in a meaningful way. It’s about offering an alternative to disposable design – one that encourages people to buy less, but choose well.”
What’s the least and most expensive item you stock?
“Our R/R coaster retails for $12; our large 8/8 bag goes for $250.”
Does a fashion entrepreneur need a fashion or a business degree to have a successful career?
“Honestly, a degree in fashion or business can help, but it’s not the gatekeeper to success anymore. What you really need is vision, taste and grit. The industry is full of people with credentials who still play it safe, while some of the most exciting voices come from completely different backgrounds. At the end of the day, your work has to resonate.”
Advice for aspiring business owners on growing their business?
“Stay patient and true to your values – growth takes time. Financially, be careful with cash flow and don’t overspend early on. Understand your numbers or find someone who can help. And remember: building relationships is just as important as building your product.”
THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED FOR BREVITY AND CLARITY.
This article first appeared in Volume 2 of F Zine.
PHOTOGRAPHY ANGELA GUO ART DIRECTION JONATHAN CHIA