20 Haji Lane, 9747-2251.

In this sparsely decorated, earth-tone coloured store are T-shirts, vintage jeans, second hand designer one-off pieces and handcrafted jewellery. Treasures include a $600 Levi’s 503 redtab, a Vivienne Westwood vintage bag and quality secondhand clothing from Japan.

2 Haji Lane, 6297-7470.

Trendy girls will love this one. Besides playful dresses by local label Fantastik Antik, handmade bags and accessories by co-owner Cindi are the mainstays here too, alongside stylish travel guides, Misery Girl bags from New Zealand, Junk Food tees from the US, coffee table books, baby tees and other fun stuff. Prices range from $79 to $269 for Fantastic Antik, while bags and accessories are priced from $49.

34 Haji Lane, 9225-4131.

One of the latest indie street boutiques to set up shop at Haji Lane, Niche is a cool little enterprise run by six students. Come here for Stussy Custom Made, XLarge, Zoo York and other US and Japanese street designer labels. This is no ordinary business—the students behind this venture are using it to gain credits for their business diplomas at the local poly. Get cool clothes and help these guys make it in the real world too.

Basement, Wisma Atria, Isetan Orchard, 435 Orchard Rd., 6235-2103.

The popular Agnès b. opens its latest outlet at Wisma Atria. The Agnès b. Voyage store specializes in the brand’s complete range of Voyage and a strong accessories collection. Look out for the chic messenger bags, sporty backpacks and other trinkets like bracelets and earrings when you’re here. The store boasts white walls, warm lights, clean-lined fixtures and showcases—creating a clean, comforting store atmosphere that blends easily with the merchandises.

#02-05 Stamford House, 39 Stamford Rd., 6338-5020

Fans of all things vintage will fall head over heels with Swirl. Just one month old, this delightful boutique carries an assortment of one-off dresses, bags, cushions, lamps, brooches and accessories. Some of our favourites include the quirky bags with offbeat handles from the ’60s and ’70s, and the cocktail dresses. Owners Evelyn Foo and Suzanne Sng provide personal and friendly shopping tips and consultation when you visit their store, so what are you waiting for?

#01-129/131 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, 6376-9870.

It may not be the biggest store in town, but it’s still worth a visit if you’re a fan of US retail chain Gap. Available for the first time in Singapore, the store at VivoCity carry a respectable selection of bags, caps, skirts, dresses and T-shirts for boys and girls. But the star of the store is the extensive jeans collection. For girls, the skinny jeans are a hoot, while Gap’s offering of dark, clean denim straight fit jeans is classic yet stylish. Get them before they run out.

Watch It

Two sporty watch collections are highly sought after this season. Adidas Originals’ CANDY collection, priced at an affordable $98, is already being lapped up by b-boys and b-girls everywhere. We’re not surprised, as it features nine diverse colors including red, yellow and baby blue, and is as functional as it is funky.

Elsewhere, Diesel’s chunky and classic timepieces for Fall/Winter 2006 are also good to go. The collection is inspired by rock ’n’ roll, and feature classic finishing such as stainless steel, leather straps and three-hand movements. Both collections are available from Tangs Orchard (310 & 320 Orchard Rd., 6737-5500).

Miss You So Much

Miss Sixty’s Fall/Winter collection this year is as diverse as ever. Fans of femininity and romance must check out its basic line, which harks back to the brand’s origin, and focuses on slim wearables and mini skirts. But those who are more adventurous must check out the pieces featuring psychedelic ’70s influences. Look out for sequins, beads, graphics and prints that come in strong hues of yellow, violet and black. Another commendable collection features large hoods and collars, teemed with ’50s-styled flared and sheath skirts. Highly eclectic. Available from #02-29/30 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 6735-1660.

X Marks the Mod

Creative has invented a nifty plug and play device that promises to restore compressed audio formats such as the MP3 and AAC to an experience that is “beyond studio quality.” Attach it between your music player and speakers or headphones, and allow compressed playback to be converted into an adjustable surround sound vibrance. The Creative Xmod is compatible with both Mac and PCs and costs $139. Try before you buy at The Creative Store, #04-06 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd., 6895-4100.

Stealthy

The O2 Xda Stealth ($998) is a good solution for those who are used to a mobile phone, but crave the essential functions of a PDA. The latest addition to the recent spurt of convergent devices that support Windows Mobile 5.0, the aptly named Stealth comes in an unassuming matte black finish and slides up quietly to reveal a 12-key alphanumeric keypad. It comes with the usual Intel Xscale PXA272 processor, 2Megapixel camera, WIFI, Bluetooth, 192MB Flash ROM, 64MB RAM and expandable memory up to 2GB via a Mini SD card. Users familiar with O2 will be pleased they can still opt to access functions or text by using a stylus on the 2.4 inch QVGA TFT LCD screen. Available from the M1 Shop, #B1-28/29 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 1800-843-8383.

Check In

The residents of Habbo Hotel (www.habbo.com.sg)—the hot virtual community with features like online games and chat rooms—stand a chance to win a cool swag of items like Halo 2 Kubrick and Trexi collectibles. And all they have to do is blog about their virtual life on Windows Live Spaces (http://spaces.live.com). Along with Coke Singapore, Windows Live Spaces is handing out these goodies to the Habbo bloggers who show off the best design and content on their online diaries. Participating’s a synch—all Habbo Hotel residents need to do is sign up for a free account at Windows Live Spaces and blog according to a weekly theme decided by Habbo Hotel. There are three themes in all and prizes will be given out for the top three sites for each theme. The competition ends Nov 30.

In our continuing series for the Singapore Biennale, a know-all art connoisseur and an oblivious jock attempts to decipher the meanings behind the art exhibits at Tanglin Camp. We look at what they have to say.

Sunday, Tang Maohong

The Connoisseur: This five channel video installation comprises of animations of lotus flowers, clouds and girls in unusual and, at times, erotic situations. By crafting a world which is seemingly innocent, yet very sexual at the same time, Tang questions our preconceptions when interpreting the world.

The Idiot: Wow. I can watch these sexually pervasive images over and over again! My erotica DVDs should make way for these!

We Live in a Dangerous World, Brian Gothong Tan

The Connoisseur: Tan creates an installation which comprises of sculptures, a Merlion, a Kuan Yin Buddha statue and video clips. By placing an eclectic assortment of objects in the same room, daring links about the state of spirituality, war, humanity and religion can be drawn.

The Idiot: Wah! Singapore art not bad ah! Got Singapore Girl, got video works, got subversive writings. Thumbs up!

The fog is rising, George Chua, Alwyn Lim and Yuen Chee Wai

The Connoisseur: Chua, Lim and Yuen create a room painted entirely in black, with a portrait of Lim hanging in the centre, and a dull drone permeating the place. Come experience the gloomy ambience and ponder how sound is used as a metaphor to examine social relations.

The Idiot: Eh, this room got nothing leh! Get me out!

Occupation Bleue, Agathe de Bailliencourt

The Connoisseur: Painter Bailliencourt interweaves her scribbles, scratches and marks with existing smears and marks on the walls and floors of a room. Abstract and spontaneous, her work reflects her dispositions and moods when interacting with the environment.

The Idiot: Oh my, my, my! So funky! I want these in my room now!

#03-07/08 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd., 6235-2103.

For those who have not already checked out their bags at the Wisma Atria store which opened just a few weeks ago, hop in and check out the new Fall/Winter collection “My Pride.” Porter carries trendy yet functional bags that are all water resistant, and have gone through brittleness tests. Be it a carrier for gym gear, documents, laptop or money, the sturdy construction and clever compartmentalization of the bags are sensible and will make your life hassle free.