Boon: "The lookbook feels raw and familiar - why did you choose this location and style?"

Mr Sabotage: It’s a mix of personal history and cultural pride. I wanted to pay tribute to the neighborhood I grew up in - the same place where I first heard Metallica. And with our 60th national day. It felt like the right moment to show the world what a Singaporean neighborhood really looks like. It’s familiar to me, but fresh to anyone seeing it for the first time.

Boon: "You seem to have a sense of patriotism towards Singapore recently with your work. When did you decide to take on this mission?"

Mr Sabotage: "I got my start in streetwear young, and in those early days, a lot of people assumed Sabotage was an American brand. Honestly, it was flattering - most of my heroes were from the US. Later, I started taking on Japanese sensibilities in my work, and I realised I was learning while also having the chance to present my work to a global audience. At some point, it hit me: Singapore is such a young city that, whether I like it or not. I’m contributing to its history. I began asking myself - why are America and Japan such strong brands? It comes down to pride. The people own it, protect it, and show it to the world. Knowing that people in Singapore and Southeast Asia take pride in my work, I felt a responsibility to push that further. To help make us a great brand too. We’ve always looked to the West for inspiration. Now, I want them to look here. For me, America and Japan are “great brands” because their identities are built on instantly recognisable icons. In the US, it’s things like the dollar bll design, yellow taxis, fire hydrants, NYC subway signs, even old army uniforms - all of it subconsciously considered the best in its category by many. Japan has its own set of icons - from zen gardens and deep-rooted design philosophy to their mastery of craft. Both countries have created visuals and cultural cues that are distinct and impossible to mistake. I want to start doing the same for Singapore - showing the world an identity that goes beyond Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion. Through my lens, I want to make our city iconic in a way that feels real and true."

Boon: "Lastly, what shoes are the model wearing in the lookbook?!"

Mr Sabotage: "Haha those are my upcoming collab with Mizuno dropping sometime at the end of this year! They are wild so I thought I included an Easter egg in this shoot."