Ian’s Research Club 05: Youths In Balaclava

Bandits breaking in the Singapore fashion scene

Ian Tee, Kash, Taufyk and Izzy, at Youths In Balaclava’s studio. Photo by Jefferson Jong.

Hello and welcome to Ian’s Research Club, an A&M podcast. In each episode, I speak with guests from the visual arts community, as well as creative individuals from adjacent industries. Hosting this podcast is an extension of the long-form interviews I have been conducting, and a way of capturing the personal voice. I hope you find the conversations as generative and enjoyable as I do!

Today, I am at the studio of Youths In Balaclava (YIB), a design collective based in Singapore. YIB is a project that began while its founders were still in secondary school in Singapore. Currently, the collective comprises 12 members from a variety of backgrounds, all united by their desire for personal expression. YIB’s work is characterised by a self-taught DIY approach and the result is edgy streetwear. Staple pieces include tee shirts emblazoned with anti-propaganda imagery, or cargo trousers embellished with straps and utility pockets. However, their creative interests extend far beyond fashion as my guests Taufyk and Kash can attest to. 

We discuss YIB’s origins, the brand’s partnership with Dover Street Market Paris and their ethos to creative collaborations. You will also hear about two exciting projects YIB has in January 2022: their first runway presentation at Paris Men’s Fashion Week for Autumn-Winter 2022, as well as Twisted Paradise (2022) the sculptural display they created for the group exhibition We’re Young Once at Art Agenda. 

Click here to listen on Soundcloud. You can also find the podcast by searching “Ian’s Research Club” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Youths in Balaclava (YIB). Image courtesy of YIB.

Youths in Balaclava (YIB). Image courtesy of YIB.

Behind the scenes at YIB’s first show Honey Memory, 2017. Image courtesy of YIB.

Behind the scenes at YIB’s first show Honey Memory, 2017. Image courtesy of YIB.

Behind the scenes at YIB’s first show Honey Memory, 2017. Image courtesy of YIB.

YIB launch installation at Dover Street Market Singapore, 2018. Image courtesy of YIB.

YIB installation at Dover Street Market Singapore. Image courtesy of YIB.

Campaign photograph from The Bond of Bandits, 2021. A collaboration between YIB Bandits and Royston Tan. Image courtesy of YIB.

Campaign photograph from The Bond of Bandits, 2021. A collaboration between YIB Bandits and Royston Tan. Image courtesy of YIB.

Campaign photograph from The Bond of Bandits, 2021. A collaboration between YIB Bandits and Royston Tan. Image courtesy of YIB.

Campaign photograph from The Bond of Bandits, 2021. A collaboration between YIB Bandits and Royston Tan. Image courtesy of YIB.

Youths In Balaclava, Twisted Paradise (detail), 2022. Image courtesy of Art Agenda.

We’re Young Once, 2022, exhibition view. Curated by Ian Tee and presented by Art Agenda S.E.A.. Image courtesy of Art Agenda.

We’re Young Once is on view at Art Agenda @ 63 Spottiswoode, from 3 to 30 January 2022.

Pre-order the We’re Young Once t-shirt created by YIB Bandits here. It is exclusively available on A&M Marketplace.