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Has Lee Kuan Yew's 38 Oxley Road home sparked a fashion trend?

(Photo: Screenshot from Yappari's Society 6 page)
(Photo: Screenshot from Yappari’s Society 6 page)

While the siblings of the Lee family are debating the fate of Lee Kuan Yew’s old home at 38 Oxley Road, the house at the centre of the saga has seemingly become a fashion icon.

The two-storey home, which has existed since the late 19th century, has now found itself on t-shirts, tote bags, bath mats and, yes, even iPhone cases. The products range in price from $24 to $35.

Sold online by Society6, an online art and retail community, the 38 Oxley Road design was submitted by a user with the moniker Yappari. It also includes the initials LKY and a quote – “Remember Ozymandias” – from a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley about the hubris of monuments.

The quote was used by Lee Kuan Yew’s grandson Li Shengwu in his eulogy for the late statesman and also by his children Hsien Yang and Wei Ling in their initial statement against the PM.

Singapore gripped by ‘fami-Lee’ drama

The fate of the house at 38 Oxley Road hangs in the balance as the family drama between the siblings continues to grow, with more thrusts and ripostes being exchanged via social media and media statements from the growing list of involved parties.

Lee Kuan Yew’s elder son, Singapore’s current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, stands accused by his brother Hsien Yang and sister Lee Wei Ling of wanting to preserve the house for personal gain and against the final wishes of their father.

PM Lee, on the other hand, has left the fate of the house to a Ministerial Committee, which includes Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. PM Lee has also said that he will address the allegations from his siblings in Parliament on Monday (3 July).

While using the image of the 38 Oxley Road home may not fall afoul of current regulations, the use of Lee Kuan Yew’s name and image for commercial exploitation may go against the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) in March 2016.

“Relating to the use of Mr Lee’s name and image, MCCY put out the guidelines on our website for the public’s reference and voluntary compliance,” a spokesman for the MCCY told Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore. “Users should accord dignity and respect to the name or image or likeness of Mr Lee and seek the permission of intellectual property rights owners for the use of photos, videos or materials of Mr Lee.”

“Based on our guidelines, it is not recommended to use his name and image on mass merchandise for commercial sale,” the spokesman said.

Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore has reached out to the artist for comment.

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