The Society of Black Sheep

Amid the stuffy and more “proper” high-end labels here, this indie boutique stands out for its unpredictable and quirky mix of clothes, shoes and accessories; spanning underground labels like Sydney’s Mjolk, Injury and Friedrich Gray, Helsinski’s Minna Parikka and London’s People’s Market, Atalanta Weller and Lungta de Fancy. “We put the clothes together with a thought for the individual who appreciates incongruity, but prefers to express their uniqueness in a subtle way,” says owner Lim Li Hsien. Peppered throughout are a compelling mix of deconstructed and distressed pieces from Friedrich Gray’s Dislocation collection, Lungta De Fancy’s romantic styles, and wearable, casual pieces and shoes from House of Holland and Bstore.

Porsche Design Store

The first Porsche Design Store to carry its full range of accessories and ready-to-wear collection outside of Europe, this spacious boutique is fitted with modern display shelves crafted from metal and glass, highlighting the brand’s “Iconic Style” philosophy. Housing the complete luxury collection from Porsche Design, you’ll find an extensive range of womenswear and menswear debuting here. Take your pick from the much sought-after leather jackets, premium jeans, trendy sunglasses, chic watches and gadgets.

Dior Homme

Arguably the most eye-catching boutique in the mall (blame the bright white neon display lights juxtaposed against the black exterior, this is where contemporary fashion designer Kris Van Assche’s well-made men’s line for the luxury label can be found. Although an offshoot of the original store at ION Orchard, the Shoppes’ edition is more exclusive and inviting. A selection of limited edition wallets ($900 upwards) are stocked here alongside Van Assche’s Autumn/Winter collection spanning cowboy-inspired hats, red cardigans, baggy pants and preppy shirts, pants and jackets—all very trendy and luxe.

Robinsons

One of the biggest fashion and health and beauty tenants at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, spanning 20,800 sq. ft. of space, offering various store exclusives for the ladies. Very spacious and well-lit, highlights here include coveted Repetto ballet shoes, separates by Korea-based Eryn Brinie and Paris-based Tila March, funky pumps by Irregular Choice and standalone corners for classic brands like Ted Baker and Coast. Considering that the rest of the mall is pretty high-end, Robinsons is a good bet for ladies who’ve maxed out their cards but still want to look good.

Alleira

Expect a gorgeous collection of contemporary women’s ready-to-wear and cocktail apparel here. Inspired by oriental batik print Alleira may be, but the designs are edgy, but not tacky. All products are hand painted and 100 percent batik. The cocktail collection ($300 upwards) mainly uses luxe fabrics such as quality chiffon and silk to amp up the glam factor, with pieces so versatile they’d be perfect for either your friend’s wedding dinner or a night at the race.

French Connection UK

The industrial-inspired floor of the 1,600 sq. ft. space sets the mood, making it one of the more accessible boutiques in the building: Womenswear at the front, and menswear at the back of the store. While there’s a plethora of blazers, blouses and dresses to browse, ladies should keep an eye out for more luxurious pieces like the studded orange see-through dress ($299) and pleated jumpsuits ($279). Guys can choose from a heady range of men’s polo tees ($99), basic black crew-neck T-shirts ($99) and denim hoodies ($169) that make great staples. This is the perfect place if you’re looking for French-inspired chicness without blowing your budget.

Let’s face facts: Couture fashion is expensive, ranging anywhere from $800-8,000 (and that’s just a ballpark figure). Unless you’re a tai-tai type looking for that one-off dress to wear to a high society ball, chances are you probably couldn’t care less about these mostly over-decorated or over–embellished dresses. Why should you? After all, with high street, mass and imported designer fashion still being de rigeur and way more affordable, there is seemingly no reason for the regular shopper to buy into the trend.

But a small group of couture creators are keeping the scene alive. Apart from stalwarts like Francis Cheong and Ashley Isham (see Where to Buy), younger designers like Kevin Seah are gaining ground with artisanal bespoke and couture pieces for both men and women. Operating from his small atelier at Jalan Kilang in the East, Seah’s elegant dresses and tailored jackets, shirts and pants are extremely wearable. “I’ve always loved the beauty of grandeur and working on the beautiful cloths, intricacies of embroideries and details of garments that are beyond mass produced,” he says. “Clients come to me because of the amount of handwork we put into our garments such as hand-stitched buttonholes and prick stitching which are all done by hand. We even have those looking for bespoke ties, boxer shorts and scarves, working from the selection of cloths that we have.”

Seah’s materials are all imported directly from mills in the UK and Italy, and what ready-to-wear collections lack in terms of customization and attention to details, couture provides in spades. “The work process for couture and bespoke begins with understanding the clients’ body type and their personal style. Typically I will explain to clients the construction of the garment—from the type of shoulders, either soft or structured depending on their shoulder slope; to the styles of the pieces, from the width of lapels to the height of the notch. I will then proceed to choosing of cloths (I have about 10 thousand samples) and linings that will create the look and feel of the garment.”

Couture may not be for everyone, but for the initiated, a gentle and timely reminder that thoughtful fashion is still a trend worth investing in.

Where to buy:

Ashley Isham

The first ever duplex multi-label concept store by homegrown sartorialist Ashley Isham. One-off dresses are the main draws here, alongside other selections by Farah Khan, Catherine Deane and Modern Love by Sarah Arnett.

Francis Cheong

From mama drama one off evening gowns to more contemporary dresses for ladies who lunch, this longstanding boutique is a must for those looking for glamorous standout pieces.

Kevin Seah

Apart from Seah’s selection of hand-crafted evening gowns and tailored menswear, the boutique also carries a small selection of vintage Cazal and Nackymade eyewear and Lodger shoes.

The reason why human beings find the need to create is because we were first created. My hope is that every image I make will be a collaboration between the human and the divine.

Andre Gide once said that “Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.”

My first encounter with art was perhaps through the paintings that my father did. He was really good at drawing and painting and it was he who taught me how to draw and color.

I daydreamed a lot as a child and even made and played my own games.

I also wanted to be in a gang because I thought it would make me look cool. Quite silly really. I am glad that did not happen.

The process of creation is very self-absorbed. After all, you are trying to create a world in your own mind and it can be very draining after a while. You get frustrated and depressed.

Exercise relaxes the mind. Energy is being transferred from the mind to the body, so it definitely is a big part of the process. I don’t really like the word process but I can’t think of anything else.

Prayer on the other hand is something I do because I really do think that it is during prayer that the seeds of creativity are planted. I know it sounds like esoteric nonsense, but it has really worked for me.

Actually, I am happy most of the time. Not deliriously of course, but I am quite happy.

Occasionally I feel slightly lonely but these phases come and go. Maybe I was really, really happy when I was in college. I remember my time there very fondly. I was doing well in school and I was in love. It was really nice.

There were parties to go to every weekend. I didn’t find myself wondering what I ought to do with my life. I was in the midst of a tried and proven track, doing my A Levels as any good student would.

When I discovered a passion for photography, things naturally became more complicated. Not that I became less happy but I realized that I wanted more than just “cheap” happiness.

I wanted purpose and I wanted to doggedly pursue a passion. These things require a certain amount of sacrifice.

Sacrifice and suffering isn’t exclusive to just artists. I think anybody who loves something and desperately wants to be good at it will go through some pain and suffering.

It is never all pain. Maybe it is painful at the start to make good works, but after a while the ideas and visions start to take shape. There is joy to be had. Life is not so one-dimensional.

I look up to people who have made a lasting impact on the realms to which they have been called; people who are not necessarily famous, but very important.