Just for You
Shutting down all their outlets and moving into a single space at 313@somerset was uncharacteristic of the Actually crew, who have always had two or more boutiques under their hipster belt. So it was no surprise that the indie multi-label store is back in the chain business with the opening of their biggest boutique to date. Signature brands like Freitag, Boy London and Dr Denim Jeansmaker are still in stock, plus more new labels to look forward to, including sneaker label BucketFeet.
The cult British label known for its anarchic graphics and heavy punk-rock vibes is set to launch its first standalone store within the mall. Besides its signature distressed tees, expect printed maxi dresses and destroyed knits for women, as well as drop-crotch berms and leather jackets for men ($90 upwards). If you can’t wait to get your hands on the cool threads that won over the likes of Agyness Deyn, Matt Bellamy and Michael Fassbender, head to its dedicated space at Isetan Orchard.
Launched online in September last year, the emerging Singapore-based womenswear international label pays a beautiful tribute to the fashion of the ‘50s with its romantic, vintage-inspired aesthetic, pared down for a modern feel. Silhouettes are typically hourglass and feminine, kept fresh with geometric prints and classic cuts (shirts and tailored vests). Colors aren’t wild either—think black, white, grey, blue or pastels—which should do well in the office.
Helmed by designer-duo Kenny Lim and Andrew Loh of local label Depression, this 1,600 sq. ft. menswear-focused multi-label boutique is divided into five sections, each catering to a specific style—casual, street, preppy, edgy and unisex. Look forward to a slew of new-to-Singapore brands, including Bangkok’s Shake Appeal, UK’s Bad Taste and Hong Kong’s 11 After 11, and their affordably priced apparel, accessories and home wares ($10 upwards).
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A Cut Above
My childhood was filled with idyllic days of recess and after-school sessions of soccer with classmates.
It was a wonderful time undistracted by computer games, smartphones and social networking online. “Networking” back then, consisted of inter-class games and extra-curricular activities.
I wanted to make movies as a kid. In fact, I finally registered the script treatment for a movie idea that’s been sitting in my head for the past 8 years. I’m looking to find a director and co-screenwriter next year and finally get this up and going!
You should never build something the market already wants, because when you’re done, everyone else has moved on.
I come across as highly competitive and elitist to my peers or “rivals” in the digital publishing industry. That’s not the case really. I’m always only looking to better SENATUS.NET.
I have a knack for seeing potential in people—looking beyond what someone has already done but what he/she can do. Everyone who has worked with us has found a springboard to bigger and better things. That makes me feel highly gratified.
People who are not aware of how self-indulged they are amuse me.
Life is about loving what you do, evolving when compromises cannot be made, and finding time to appreciate everything around you.
I pretend I don’t know how entrenched relationships are in the magazine business, with advertisers, brand managers and so on, as it would be easy to get overwhelmed, discouraged and ultimately give up.
I collect beautiful pictures, and store them on my own website “in the cloud”. So nothing will ever be lost, nor lose color, so to speak.
Smoking is an unhealthy and dirty habit I picked up from my banking years. My wife has been nagging me to quit.
Social media is going to be a part of life, in how we communicate with friends and business associates.
I am curious to know if enough Singaporeans realize that their destinies are in their own hands, the jobs they wish to have, the salaries they wish to be paid, are a direct result of how good they have shaped themselves to be. No one else can do that for them, especially not the government.
I believe that if you seek to become excellent, the pay will sort itself out.
What will always pique my interest is someone who is tremendously skilled in the art they have chosen to do. This can range from a litigation lawyer to a ballet dancer.
I am a Buddhist, a religion of which the best practices and philosophies were instilled in me by my wife, who grew up in Thailand.
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Essentials
adidas Sport Performance Store #B4-25/25A ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6238-7908.
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Juicy Couture Ngee Ann City, #03-03 Ngee Ann City, 6736-3597.
Stadium by Royal Sporting House #B2-28/31 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6538-8888.
Touch the Toes 2/F, 31 Arab St., 6396-5025.
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Most Wanted
2013 was a year of sad closures. We said goodbye to Blackmarket in September, after it won our Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Indie Boutique for the third year running. Multi-label boutiques Hide & Seek and The Society of Black Sheep soon followed suit, though the latter is moving to a new location next year. We were thrilled however with more openings and expansions in the indie retail scene, worthy of celebration. Here is our pick of the ten best:
FASHION
Actually
The Actually crew’s biggest boutique to date is still as off-beat and hip as ever, with more labels to be had, including mainstays like Freitag and Boy London alongside local names such as Coupe Cousu.
Fifty Five
Clad in dark wood and industrial fittings, this swanky boutique offers a faultless range of menswear and accessories from local indie labels K by Kevin Seah and Ed Et Al as well as international names like Jack Spade and Masunaga Eyewear from Japan.
Nana & Bird
The second and flagship store of Nana & Bird retains the intimate, homey vibe of the first outlet, but offers different labels spanning ready-to-wear, accessories and homeware such as Heinui from France and British brand Falcon Enamelware.
Robe Raiders
The permanent showroom of online boutique Robe Raiders stocks used but good-as new fashion offerings from covetable luxury labels and past season designer items (think Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, 3.1 Phillip Lim) at unbeatable prices.
Salon by Surrender
Styled like a quaint 18th-century tea salon with a modern, minimalist approach, the hip sibling of Surrender carries cutting-edge names like Viktor & Rolf and Christian Dada in menswear, womenswear and accessories.
HOME
The Godown
Everything you see in this quaint vintage home furnishing store—whether it's the herringbone-patterned coffee table, or the glass table lamp—is for sale and new items are added each month, so there's always something new to discover.
The Moongi Project
This small but well-stocked flea market of a shop offers an ever-changing collection of restored furniture and eccentric antiques such as a French medicinal bottle and vintage wine barrels. Prices are incredibly affordable and up for negotiation, too—extremely rare for a shop on Orchard Road.
LIFESTYLE
PACT
The three-in-one concept store has expanded its floor space to include Fred Lives Here, which comes replete with a giant half pipe, an art gallery, a food truck serving hot coffee, and seriously funky furniture from Thailand’s Propaganda and the UK’s Ooh Deer.
Supplies & Co.
Helmed by former Surrender folks Danny and WJ Tan, this multi-label boutique specializes in hard-to-find furniture, homeware and accessories that blend heritage with modernity. Noteworthy labels include Stephen Kenn and Maison Martin Margiela.
Temporium
We love pop-ups, and this store-diner-gallery (through Mar 8) is arguably one of the most interesting so far. The 4,000 sq. ft. space carries a cool range of clothes, ceramics, books and curios, plus food and coffee.
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