Benny Ong, a Singaporean artist-designer, gained fame for dressing royalty, notably Princess Diana. In an interview with May Yip of the Business Times (Singapore) from the 1990s, Ong discusses his evolution from couture fashion to textile-based artworks:

I appreciate the beauty and nature of textiles but fashion is limited to a degree; it is very transient by definition, and there is nothing wrong with that. But beautiful textiles created for fashion are forgotten after a season, and the appreciation of textiles should not be subject to whims and tastes. I aim to be kinder and more understanding towards textiles, and showcase many more possibilities than what I can do through fashion.

Embarking on a journey through the ASEAN region, he delved into collaborative ventures with traditional weavers, ultimately converging with master artisans in Laos.

The reason why I use traditional crafts is because cultural heritage that has gone on for centuries will be lost,” “I hope to be a conduit between the past and the contemporary by showcasing a traditional skill through modern images.