Elly Lau is a Behavioural Analyst at Canvas8. With a degree in sociology and Japanese studies from the National University of Singapore, she operates at the intersections of cultural insight, strategy and storytelling. Armed with a uniquely APAC perspective, Elly has conducted research on DIY media in Singapore and East Asian art history. She also writes a music criticism newsletter in her spare time and is a lifelong defender of fangirl culture.

People are looking for belonging in exclusivity 

Insider Status

People want their identities to be reflected in mainstream culture

Collective Equity

Alex Quicho is the head of cultural intelligence at Canvas8

 Her research into identity, ethics, and technology has been published widely, including in 

, and a recent monograph for Zero Books. She is an associate lecturer in speculative futures at Central Saint Martins and holds a master’s degree in cultural criticism from the Royal College of Art. At Canvas8, she designs innovative methodologies and develops cultural understanding for clients including Google and Nike.

Global

Philippines

Beauty

Make-up

Elle

Interview with Alex Quicho conducted by the author

Bangkok Post

FleishmanHillard

VICE

Edelman

Statista

WARC

Sunnies Face is a fast-rising Filipino beauty brand that’s achieved cult favourite status thanks to its nuanced approach to diversity alongside a globally-minded strategy. Buoyed by the viral success of a single lipstick line, it’s offering Gen Zers an authentic alternative to mainstream brands.

Sephora: appealing to Chinese Gen Z through C-Beauty

Unilever invests to meet needs of Indonesian beauty buffs