the label
Founded in 2004 by designer Lynda Lye, LITTLEODDFOREST™, affectionately known as LOF by fans worldwide, is a Singapore-based indie lifestyle accessories label. The label designs and makes delectable forest, fairy tales and wanderlust inspired lifestyle goods that are quirky and whimsical, yet usable and wearable. Instead of having collections, it works with different thematic series, which expand with the inclusion of new designs throughout the year, and the occasional special collections/ collaborations. It is a niche label that strongly believes that “small is beautiful”. LOF is not fashion per say, and they do not follow trends nor seasons. It is not created for the masses but is catered specially for those who appreciate the exclusivity, effort, and passion that went into their material purchases. LOF aims to be a lifestyle embraced especially by handmade/ craft lovers and connoisseurs from all over the world who appreciate a little dose of fun in their everyday life.

Littleoddforest™ participated in its first trade show in Singapore within less than a year, followed by another in 2006. Their products have been featured in countless magazines internationally, including Lucky (United States and Greece), Bazaar (Singapore) and Seventeen (Singapore). Their designs have also been included in a handful of published books, including cult favorite Print & Pattern by author Bowie Style, and the designer was interviewed on prime time national television in Singapore in 2009.

label lovers
Littleoddforest™ is a label specially catered for the young and colorful at heart, and free-spirited grown-ups with imagination. We believe that adults can and should have fun too! Our customers are women (and men!) who are always looking out for something meaningful and different from both the “in-crowd” and the masses, and are confident enough to ditch their “safe-choice” leather bags as long as the occasion allows (or not!).

aesthetics & name
“ This little odd forest may seem to be random and chaotic at first sight. But it is within this continually evolving vastness of the forest, where marvelously complex and colorful creatures dwell, that one can get consumed with bizarre thoughts and ideas, and find mystery, beauty, peace and delight... “ Since a child, the designer has been influenced by childhood fantasies of bizarre fairytale adventures, set in magical enchanted forests, filled with imagery of talking animals, imaginary creatures and trees, creating this strange little world of colors and endless possibilities in her head. Thanks to her artist-painter dad, who began reading loads of incredible tales to her when she was still in her mother's womb.

the mission
As cliche as it sounds, to make the world a more colorful and happier place to live in. To not be factory-made goods, mass produced, or commercial. To craft as many products as we can by our own selves, ensuring that everything is made with love and sweatshop-labor free, and yet presented at affordable prices. To design and make only beautiful things that I like, and to like what I make. We are the anti-orthodoxy of big brands, shiny leather bags and all things flashy. I source our fabrics, materials and inspirations from all over the world, and all our goods are produced only in very limited numbers, with many one-of-a-kind creations. I strongly believe in good quality and usable hand made fabric goods, and the quality of our craft and sewing shows clearly from our products. I love using vintage/ out-of-production materials, and playing with various combinations to make each piece unique. My unbridled passion is in pervasive creativity. I do not believe in being tied down by mere labels or be dictated by my degree/training, and hope to fuse my love for all things design, be it product design, the graphic arts, packaging or fashion, with my own sense of style. I will lay my hands on everything if I could!

the makers
littleoddforest goods are all ethically and honestly produced, as much as I possibly can ensure, and handmade with lots of love, mainly at our very own fair-wage labor workshop in the Philippines, and also our tiny Singapore home-based studio. Our most loyal team of makers include Belle, Norie, Czar and Beth, and my mother too. We have been making our bags and accessories since 2004, and I started off sewing on my own, in my ex-tiny-bedroom-in-my-parents'-home, right here in Singapore.

the designer
Preferring to draw and cut freehand, Lynda has always been an artsy-craftsy kid, doodling, cutting and gluing away as early as when she was just a wee 4 year-old, scaring adults by snipping away at everything that comes into her sight. A Science major throughout school years and one-time Economics degree dropout, she flew off alone to college in Chicago for 4 priceless years, after much bumming around and feeling lost, and got her Bachelors in Fine Arts (BFA) from the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She majored in Visual Communications, but got to dabble in a little bit of almost everything 'artistic', including painting and fashion, all thanks to a flexible curriculum. She LOVES design, and wanted to do something on her own that she could take pride in and truly love, but got no such satisfaction slaving away in design firms. She felt that many things in the world today tend to be too de rigueur, slick and cold, and was looking for more things quirky, odd and colorful with more personality. So she embarked on this journey, born from daydreams of escaping monotony and constraints, to bring her imagination and creations to life, and hopes to help make this world a more fun and beautiful place to live in.

plans
Expansion of product range, new labels in different styles, more stockists worldwide, and my very own showroom/studio/retail loft. I hope to see more people being educated about independently-run labels and handmade goods, and appreciating and respecting their worth, whereby nothing is quickly and cheaply mass factory produced on a large scale, and the designers and makers (not the very rich corporations and/or factory owners) are paid what they deserve, for the amount of work, care and love put into a product. I am always up to something and have a few surprises up my sleeves, so do stay tuned!