Community & Heritage
Tanglin Rugby Club
Supporting Community Rugby Through Bespoke Design
Creating an exclusive handcrafted hand fan collection for the TRC Cup tournament, celebrating club identity while supporting a volunteer-run rugby community.
Project Highlights
Client
Tanglin Rugby Club (TRC)
Location
Singapore & Malaysia
Industry
Private Members' Clubs & Community Sports
Project
TRC Cup Rugby Tournament
Purpose
Fundraising Collection
Services
Creative Concept Development
Original Watercolour Artwork
Bespoke Product Design
Logo Integration
Luxury Event Merchandise
The Challenge
Tanglin Rugby Club is a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation led by parents, coaches and volunteers dedicated to developing youth rugby and building a strong community.
For the TRC Cup tournament in Malaysia, we were commissioned to create a bespoke collection that members, families and supporters would genuinely want to purchase while helping raise funds for the club.
Our challenge was to transform the club's identity into something elegant, artistic and memorable without losing the essence of the TRC brand.
Rather than simply printing a logo onto a product, we wanted every detail to feel intentional and beautifully crafted.
Creative Direction
Our starting point was the club's visual identity.
The official TRC logo was an essential element, but instead of treating it as a graphic placed on top of the design, we carefully integrated it into an original hand-painted composition inspired by the club's colours, energy and heritage.
To reinforce the connection between rugby and Singapore's tropical climate, we introduced the phrase "Tackle the Heat"as part of the artwork—a playful message that connected the sport with the practical purpose of the fan while giving the collection its own personality.
The result was a design that felt recognisable to club members while offering something unique, sophisticated and collectible.
Original Artwork
Every illustration was first painted by hand using watercolour techniques before being transformed into handcrafted luxury hand fans.
The final artwork combined:
Tanglin Rugby Club colours
Creative integration of the official club logo
Original watercolour illustration
The "Tackle the Heat" concept
Contemporary handcrafted design
Premium artisan finishing
The Collection
The finished collection was created as exclusive event merchandise for the TRC Cup tournament.
Each handcrafted fan was designed not only as a practical accessory for Malaysia's warm climate but also as a meaningful keepsake that celebrated the club's identity and community.
Community Impact
This project was about much more than creating merchandise.
By developing a premium product that members, parents and supporters would genuinely enjoy owning, the collection helped contribute to the club's fundraising efforts.
As a volunteer-led, non-profit organisation, Tanglin Rugby Club relies on the dedication of its community to continue developing youth rugby and organising events such as the TRC Cup. We were proud to contribute to that mission through thoughtful design.
Our Approach
At Island Whisper Atelier, we believe bespoke merchandise should tell a story.
Every project begins with understanding the identity behind the organisation before translating it into original artwork that people genuinely connect with.
For Tanglin Rugby Club, that meant respecting an established visual identity while creating something fresh, artistic and memorable—transforming a functional object into a collectible piece that represented the spirit of the club.
Project Reflection
Every organisation has its own story, and our role is to bring that story to life through thoughtful design. For Tanglin Rugby Club, we wanted to create more than event merchandise. By combining original watercolour artwork, the club's colours, the creative integration of its logo and the message "Tackle the Heat", we developed a collection that celebrated the TRC Cup while supporting a community-driven organisation doing incredible work for youth rugby.
Island Whisper Atelier
The Result
The final collection became a distinctive part of the TRC Cup experience, offering supporters an elegant handcrafted keepsake while helping support the club's fundraising efforts.
It demonstrated how bespoke design can strengthen a community, celebrate heritage and transform event merchandise into something people are proud to own long after the tournament has ended.
Why This Project Worked
Original hand-painted watercolour artwork
Creative integration of the official club logo
Bespoke design tailored to the club's identity
"Tackle the Heat" creative concept
Premium handcrafted production
Fundraising-focused merchandise
Community-driven storytelling
Designed for a prestigious private members' rugby club
COMMUNITY & HERITAGE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community & Heritage collection?
Our Community & Heritage collection celebrates the identity, history, traditions, architecture, landscapes, and cultural stories of destinations through bespoke hand-painted fans.
Who is this service designed for?
It is designed for tourism boards, museums, visitor centres, cultural institutions, heritage organisations, local councils, historical sites, community groups, and destination projects.
Can the design reflect our local heritage?
Yes. Every design can be developed around the history, traditions, architecture, landscapes, flora, fauna, and cultural identity of your destination or community.
Are the designs hand-painted?
Yes. Each original design is hand-painted in watercolor by our artist before being carefully adapted and printed onto the fan.
Can the artwork tell the story of our community?
Yes. We work closely with each organisation to create meaningful artwork that represents the history, character, traditions, and sense of place of its community.
Can local landmarks be included in the design?
Yes. The artwork can feature historic buildings, monuments, churches, castles, gardens, traditional streets, coastlines, mountains, or other recognisable local landmarks.
Can the fan feature local nature and wildlife?
Yes. Native flowers, plants, birds, animals, coastlines, forests, mountains, and distinctive landscapes can all be incorporated into the watercolor design.
Can traditional patterns or cultural symbols be included?
Yes. Traditional patterns, crafts, textiles, decorative motifs, and cultural symbols can be incorporated respectfully when appropriate permissions and references are available.
How do you ensure the design represents our heritage accurately?
We develop the artwork from the images, historical information, approved references, and guidance provided by your organisation. The design is reviewed before production begins.
Can our organisation's logo be included?
Yes. Your logo can be engraved onto the wooden ribs, printed discreetly on the fabric, or incorporated naturally into the artwork.
Can you match our organisation's colours and visual identity?
Yes. We can develop the design around your visual identity and preferred colour palette while preserving the artistic and heritage-focused character of the fan.
What can the bespoke fans be used for?
They can be used as visitor gifts, cultural souvenirs, commemorative keepsakes, tourism merchandise, event gifts, fundraising products, and official destination gifts.
Can the fans be sold in museum and visitor centre shops?
Yes. Bespoke fans can be created as premium retail products for museum shops, galleries, visitor centres, cultural attractions, heritage sites, and destination boutiques.
Can you create fans for cultural festivals and community events?
Yes. We can create exclusive designs for cultural festivals, community celebrations, heritage events, exhibitions, public programmes, and destination campaigns.
Can you create a commemorative design for an anniversary?
Yes. Bespoke designs can be created for significant anniversaries, historical milestones, restoration projects, institutional celebrations, and special commemorative occasions.
Can historical dates or messages be included?
Yes. Important dates, short messages, place names, or commemorative wording can be added discreetly to the fan, engraving, pouch, or presentation card.
Can you create different designs for several locations?
Yes. We can create an individual design for each town, city, region, museum, visitor attraction, historical site, or destination within the same project.
Can the wood, pouch, tassel, or packaging be personalised?
Yes. Depending on the project, we can personalise the wood, engraving, pouch, tassel, gift box, sleeve, ribbon, and presentation card.
Can information about the heritage story be included with the fan?
Yes. A personalised card, sleeve, or insert can explain the inspiration behind the artwork and share the cultural or historical story represented by the design.
Can the fans support fundraising or community initiatives?
Yes. Bespoke fans can be developed as fundraising products, commemorative gifts, or retail pieces supporting cultural, conservation, restoration, and community initiatives.
Do you work with tourism boards and cultural institutions?
Yes. We collaborate with tourism organisations, museums, cultural institutions, local authorities, heritage venues, creative teams, and destination representatives.
What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order quantity depends on the level of customisation and the requirements of the project. Bespoke orders generally begin from 25 or 50 pieces.
How long does production take?
Production normally takes around four to six weeks after the final artwork has been approved. Timings may vary depending on quantity, personalisation, packaging, and destination.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We work with museums, heritage organisations, tourism boards, cultural institutions, and community projects internationally and can arrange delivery to different destinations.
Can you help us develop the creative concept?
Yes. We can guide you through the story, visual references, colours, landmarks, materials, logo placement, packaging, and final presentation of the collection.
How do we start a bespoke project?
Send us information about your organisation or destination, images, historical references, logo, preferred quantity, required delivery date, and any ideas you would like us to explore. We will then prepare a personalised proposal.