Budding local designers may have found a new home. In less than two months, three new local boutiques—Blackmarket, Sabrina Goh and The Reckless Shop—have opened at Orchard Central, invigorating the previously lackluster mall (odd layout, poor traffic) with much needed fashion vivacity. Although it’s still too early to say if the mall’s paradigm shift will take off in the long run, more clued-in fashionistas have been popping into the mall than ever before, albeit slowly. And with two more local fashion labels setting up shop here (including local stalwart Ashley Isham), things are certainly looking up. “We’re here to conquer Orchard Road,” says Jasmine Tuan, owner of Blackmarket. “We’re here to educate Orchard shoppers that there is more than just Gucci, Zara and Topshop, and that there is just so much more variety when it comes to (independent) regional brands.” Blackmarket stocks emerging mens and womenswear labels like Ling Wu, WanderWonder and Painkiller, while The Reckless Shop and Sabrina Goh are homes to the local labels Reckless Ericka and Elohim by Sabrina Goh respectively. We clue you in on what to buy at this new shopping hotspot.

Blackmarket
#02-10 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6296-8512.
The 1,800 square feet shop is a real treasure trove. Gorgeous one-off refurbished vintage bags by Abandoned Baggage can be found alongside a multitude of curios and objects by Books Actually and The Little Dröm Store, but it’s the clothes and fashion accessories that are the highlights here. Latest drops include funky, rock ‘n’ roll T-shirts by underground Thai label Painkiller ($119 each), well-crafted handmade leather bags by Ling Wu ($350 upwards), roomy recycled bags by Indonesian label Super Earth Goods ($119) and drape dresses and blouses by Normally Abnormally ($126 upwards).

The Reckless Shop
#02-08/09 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6338-8246.
One of the more exciting local labels to emerge from the woodwork over the last year, Reckless Ericka offers dresses, tops and jackets for both men and women, now available at its second standalone shop The Reckless Shop (previously located at Stamford Building). While here, check out its current season collection “Fleur de Sel,” which is inspired by the concept of gourmet sea salt that is hand-harvested by salt farmers in Brittany, France. Pieces like its silk chiffon dress with geometric flake-like prints ($219 upwards) reflect this aesthetic brilliantly, alongside semi-tailored layered suits and slouch cardigans for men ($219 upwards).

Sabrina Goh
#02-11/12 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6634-2201.
Versatile, thoughtful pieces are the order of the day for fashion upstart Sabrina Goh. Inspired by the camouflage concept, Goh’s latest Spring/Summer collection for the label Elohim by Sabrina Goh is a hybrid of billowy dresses (check out the signature black dress that can be worn in six different ways, $189.90) and cool and playful casuals (the sheer blouse with rampant zebra prints is especially attractive, $169.90). Also, look out for accessories and clutch bags by Indonesian label Soehoe ($89 upwards).

Abyzz by Desmond Yang
#02-21/23 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6509-8892.
For those looking for something a little dressier, head to Abyzz, one of the first local boutiques to open in the mall. Designer Desmond Yang effortlessly fuses Eastern and Western elements to create colorful evening and cocktail dresses ($169 upwards) as well as some experimental casuals, like the tapered dress with extra sleeves. Wild.