The duo behind this Singapore silk label includes a former in-house artist at LV and Goyard

When Jasline Ang and Melissa Tan, both 37, first conceived of Studio Qiling, they had no intention of launching a label centred around silk scarves and kimonos. The original plan was to just create a bespoke print label featuring meticulously hand-drawn patterns.
During early meetings with potential clients, however, the silk scarves they brought to showcase their designs unexpectedly stole the spotlight. Enthusiastic requests to purchase the scarves led the duo to pivot, transforming Studio Qiling into a purveyor of luxurious silk apparel and accessories.
Ang, a Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts fashion design graduate, had spent the last decade applying her intricate artistry to designer bags and luggage as an in-house artist for Louis Vuitton and Goyard, where she painted customised designs for the luxury maisons’ clients.
Their requests ranged from the ordinary (“pets, flowers, birds”) to the unexpected (“I’ve done a pangolin, it’s a fengshui thing apparently. There’s also a really weird one – a snake and a turtle fighting, painted on an LV trunk”).
Her best friend Tan, a seasoned HR professional in the luxury beauty sector, saw the potential in her detailed and whimsical work from the beginning – the duo met in secondary school at the age of 13. “I’ve always been confident in Jasline’s talent. Her work is incredibly intricate,” she said.
Observing the success of print-focused brands like Liberty, a luxury department store in London known for its vibrant, floral print fabrics, Ang saw a similar opportunity in our region.
This insight led to the birth of Studio Qiling in October last year. The label’s name is an amalgamation of their Chinese names as well as a reference to the Asian mythical creature, qilin.
METICULOUS CRAFTSMANSHIP
In their airy HDB-apartment-turned-studio in Jalan Bukit Merah, the founders walked us through their collections, each piece adorned with Ang’s hand-drawn prints.
The two friends are uncompromising when it comes to details – every scarf is double-sided, with hand-rolled edges that speak to the brand’s dedication to maintaining a luxurious feel. 
Every Studio Qiling piece was also produced in a factory in Hangzhou, a city known for its rich textile heritage. Their designs are also limited to 100 pieces each but there’s a conscious effort to keep their products accessible. Studio Qiling’s silk bandeaus start at S$98 and kimonos at S$289, and they’re available exclusively through their website.
In a market crowded with luxury silk giants like Hermes and Jim Thompson, how does Studio Qiling plan to stand out?
“It’s about our consumers having a connection with the artist behind the brand,” said Tan. “When you buy a piece from Studio Qiling, you know who drew the print, who created that design. That’s something you don’t always get with established brands.”
Her personal relationship with scarves adds another layer of significance. “I’m a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 2015,” she shared. “During that time, when I lost all my hair, I also lost my confidence. I started experimenting with scarves, getting creative with how I tied them, to make myself feel better and more beautiful. It was really important to me during that period.”
A CREATIVE PROCESS ROOTED IN NATURE
Ang’s design process is as intricate as her artwork. “It depends on the piece,” she explained. “Sometimes I start with a painting on paper, then convert it to a digital file. But most of the time, I work digitally from the beginning.”
The simplicity of a design, she noted, doesn’t always equate to ease. “We have this Dancing Poppies print that seems very simple, but it took me two weeks to get it right. The Autumn Tiger print, which looks more complicated, only took three days because I’m very experienced with painting animals. Of course, that’s not including colour experimentation,” she said, adding that nature serves as her primary source of inspiration.
Animals feature prominently in Ang’s designs, a nod to her previous career in marquage, where clients often requested paintings of their pets or favourite creatures.
Their bestselling print so far? “The Classic Porcelain Cat is doing very well. The pareos (sarongs) are sold out,” shared Tan. Featuring the Singapura Cat frolicking among blue and white florals inspired by traditional Chinese porcelain, the print embodies Ang’s signature whimsy, plus a nod to the label’s Singaporean heritage. It’s fun, but also elegant.
When asked to pick a favourite pattern, Jasline hesitated. “It’s so difficult to choose,” she admits before finally picking up a scarf. “I really love the qilin, because we’re Studio Qiling,” she said with a smile.
ART MADE PRACTICAL
With her corporate background, Tan brings a consumer’s eye to the creative process. She is instrumental in defining the overarching themes that shape each collection.
“I suggested we do a mythical beast theme for Chinese New Year, and the safari theme for our first launch,” she said. Her input doesn’t end there; she’s also her partner’s go-to sounding board for colour decisions. “I’ll ask her – blue and green, or blue and pink? She picks the combo,” Ang shared.
It’s Tan’s understanding of their target market – women in their 30s, typically PMETs – that guides their creative decisions. “We consciously choose colours that complement most wardrobes,” she said. “I know how our customers dress. It’s about adding something special, like a scarf or kimono, to a simple outfit.”
One of her most successful contributions to the product lineup was the introduction of pareos. Initially, Ang was hesitant. “It’s never really been my thing; I don’t gravitate toward it or wear it. But Melissa convinced me to give it a shot,” she said. The decision proved to be a wise one, as the versatile wraparound skirts became a popular item.
NAVIGATING FRIENDSHIP AND BUSINESS
For Ang and Tan, the magic in their synergy lies in mutual regard. “It was really important for me to know that my business partner is someone I can work with without affecting our friendship,” said Tan. “A lot of people warned us about going into business as friends.”
Ang echoed this sentiment. “Many asked me if I really needed a business partner,” she laughed. “I trust Melissa, especially with money. I’m not good at it, so I leave it to her.”
She added: “We don’t really have major disagreements. We know each other’s temperaments.”
BEYOND SCARVES AND KIMONOS
Their first collection was a labour of love, with friends stepping in to help with photography and modelling. “We’re lucky to have this kind of support,” Tan said.
A year into their journey, the founders revealed that their ambitions go beyond scarves and kimonos. In fact, Ang has her sights set on a full womenswear collection. “Resort wear, everything! We’re building up to it slowly, taking baby steps,” she said with an eager smile.
In the meantime, they’re thrilled about upcoming collaborations with other local labels. Partnerships with a lingerie brand and a bedding brand are in the works, tentatively slated for launch early next year.
Studio Qiling will also have a booth at Boutique Fairs happening in November, offering customers a chance to shop their products in person.
“We’d love to have our own studio someday, a space where people can physically come in and see our products,” she added.