+15 Skywalk

Where: Calgary, Albert, Canada
Length: 16km
The world’s largest skywalk network features 59 bridges connecting a myriad of buildings in only 64 blocks. The skywalk is elevated 15 feet from the ground, hence the name “+15”

Minneapolis Skywalk System

Where: Minnesota, USA
Length: 11km
Despite being the second in length, the Minneapolis Skywalk System is the world’s largest continuous elevated walkway. Winters in Minnesota are incredibly harsh, so the skywalk helps keep folks warm on their way to office buildings, stores and banks within 80 blocks connected by this web of climate-controlled walkways.

Saint Paul Skywalk

Where: Minnesota, USA
Length: 8km
Like the Minneapolis Skywalk System, the Saint Paul Skywalk, built in 1967, connects several buildings and stores located in a 30-block area. Part of the skywalk is designed to allow visitors to take in the beautiful sights of Saint Paul.

Des Moines Skywalk

Where: Iowa, USA
Length: 5.6km
Built in the 1980s, the elevated transport network serves people in a controlled 22.5-degree-celsius enclosed system of sky bridges, connecting buildings and department stores spanning 30 blocks.

Mumbai Skywalk

Where: Mumbai, India
Length: 1.3km (1st phase)
Still in the first stage of development, this skywalk system is set to be one of the largest in the world. The focus of this system is to allow users to easily connect to other public transportation within Mumbai like the bus station and taxi stands. It also lets commuters to reach popular shopping destinations.

1. The width should be at least 2.5 meters so that two wheelchairs can pass each other comfortably.

2. The gradient from the sidewalk to road level should be around 5 degrees.

3. Zebra crossings (crosswalks) at all intersections and every 100-120 meters.

4. Walking is entirely at street level: no skywalks or pedestrian bridges.
5.  The Braille block path (for the blind)should be free of obstacles and consistently warn of intersections.

6. Intervals in grates should be under a 1/2 inch and perpendicular to the direction of travel so that wheels on strollers or wheelchairs don’t get jammed in the grates.

7. Street vendors should have their own designated space, leaving the sidewalk to pedestrians.

8. Trees provide shade and process carbon dioxide. Ideally, sidewalks should benefit from some kind of shade, either from trees or awnings.

9. Bicycles lanes should be on the road, not the sidewalk. They should be one meter wide.

10. Surfaces should be smooth and free of any holes likely to make people trip.

68%

Approval rating for the Super Skywalk according to BMA Governor Sukhumbhand Paripatra

18%

Approval rating for the skywalk according to an online BKmagazine.com poll

To put things mildly, Bangkok’s sidewalks are not pedestrian friendly. For one, a good footpath is 2.5 meters wide, the width two wheel chairs need to easily pass each other at the same time according to the principle of urban planning. Obviously, most sidewalks in Bangkok fail on that count. But that’s not the least of it. There are also all the things that force pedestrians off the sidewalk in order to pass them: phone booths, bus stops, police boxes, overpasses and armies of street vendors—not to mention motorcycles and giant potholes.

The BMA’s solution? To build a super skywalk, a 50km-long walkway that loops around Sukhumvit, Phayathai and Taksin, which would make it the world’s largest skywalk system. Is this just sweeping our walkability issues under the carpet? Is the B15 billion budget reasonable? BK speaks to the city’s deputy governor, an urban planning expert and a walkability activist to find out.

Walking the Thai Way

Defining walkability to 2.5-meter-wide sidewalks is probably too narrow a view. Hot and humid, Bangkok’s walkability isn’t just a function of bigger is better. Asst. Prof. Khaisri Phaksukcharern from Chulalongkorn University explains:

“Udon Thani has a very wide footpath but no one walks because there are no trees or roofs to protect you from the sun and the heat. On the other hand, Singapore has wide, well-designed footpaths shaded by trees and people do walk there, even though it sits closer to the equator than us. So according to a psychological principle, if you have a very nice walkway, people will walk. We need to do things our own way, without copying countries with cooler weather.”

A few years ago, sidewalks on Ratchadamri Road got a facelift, making them some of the best in Bangkok. We owe it to Bangkok Sabai Walk, a group of university professors, activists and urbanism experts who lobbied hard better walkability. Oraya Sutabutr, part-time lecturer and member of Bangkok Sabai Walk, explains his collaborative approach:

“We need to work together. We asked entrepreneurs along the
road to pay for better footpaths in front of their buildings and it worked very well. Now we’re taking this approach to Siam Square. People need to wake up and act. You can’t just rant.”

Bangkok Sabai Walk organized a competition, seeking out ideas from the wider public and, finally, took its projects to the area’s major players. “We got a few designs and spoke to Chula, who is paying around B10 million, as well as Siam Paragon, Bangkok Bank and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administraton (BMA). We all agreed to push forward on this project. Now, we’re waiting for the illegal vendors to move out,” says Oraya. But he also places the blame on pedestrians themselves. “Students who need to use the sidewalk have to stop buying from vendors. Cheaper prices are not an excuse for those who do not play by the rules.”

The project includes widening a walking space and adding more trees and proper slopes for the disables but, now, the BMA seems to have changed its tune. With the Super Skywalk, it’s giving up on the sidewalks and taking pedestrians to new heights. “We were waiting for street vendors to move out, and now the BMA is announcing a Super Skywalk. We’re a bit amazed,” Oraya says.

Taking to the Skies

Bangkok’s Deputy Governor Teerachon Manomaiphibul is proud of his skywalk cred. “Skywalks aren’t new to me. I am the one who approved the Siam-Chidlom skywalk project when I was working for former governor Pichit Rattakul,” he told us. “Skywalks decrease vehicle use. That skywalk transports 100,000 people a day. Bangkok is getting more and more crowded every day and the sidewalks just aren’t enough. That’s how we came up with the Super Skywalk project.”

The BMA is adamant people want skywalks. Governor Sukhumband released his own poll saying 68% of Bangkokians are in favor, which had even the Bangkok Post asking in what conditions the poll had been held. BK Magazine held an online poll, too. 57% of respondents chose “we need better sidewalks, not skywalks” and only 18% voted for the skywalks. But Teerachon, of course, claims we all love skywalks. “The world’s most livable cities all have their own skywalks. We did research and polls and the result is that people and buildings along the train line want skywalks.”

Chula Prof. Khaisri flat out disagrees. “Cities with pedestrian overpasses are cities that surrender to cars. Cars are always at the core of urban planning decisions even though there are only 30 percent of urbanites that drive. People are the weakest vehicles. They should get the best treatment,” she says. “Pedestrians should be at the center of urbanism. And now we’re moving them into the air where they won’t have interaction with the urban fabric? It’s all wrong.”

Foot the Bill

The Super Skywalk is budgeted at B15 billion. Of course, Khaisiri doesn’t see this as a wise use of tax payers’ money. “The same amount of money can be spent to developed more space on sidewalks, add more trees and organize spaces for cart vendors on several roads,” she says.

“I think Thai people often use too much emotion when making decisions,” says Deputy Governor Teerachon. “I’m an engineer. I’ve been studying this since 2009. You need a reference point [to evaluate the budget]. For example, there is a private skywalk that is planned, linking Ratchaprasong and Pratunam. Its budget is B400 million for 800 meters—a lot higher than ours.”

To activist and lecturer Oraya, the project makes sense downtown. “Some areas or intersections that have busy traffic or are lined with high-rise buildings, like Ratchaprasong, need skywalks to move people around at the same time. But for less busy area, like Taksin, I don’t see the point.”

That segment, though, is the first to go up. The skywalk that links BTS Wongwian Yai and King Taksin Monument is under the BTS management and construction could begin as early as 2011. The BMA has scheduled completion of the entire system by 2014.

“We will see the feedback from the first project. If it is positive, we will continue. Remember there used to be a protest from a school that didn’t want a Skytrain station in front of their grounds, but now the same school is asking for a link from the station directly to the school. If it’s good, a project proves itself. You don’t need to trust me on everything. Do your research. Make your own decision. And if you think we failed, don’t vote for us in the next elections,” Teerachon says.

Urban Fabric

The Super Skywalk will get its own private security to prevent street vendors from selling their merchandise on the skywalk. The implication is that the BMA’s own force, the tessakit, are too corrupt and inefficient to carry out this mission. On Rama 1 Road in front of Siam Square, the three-meter-wide footpath is flanked by two parallel lines of street vendors so that many people end up walking on the road. But while street vendors are very damaging to walkability, Bangkok would be a pretty sad city without them.

“We’re actually looking for allowing more street vendors into the city. It’s part of our lifestyle,” says Teerachon. “But we need proper spaces for them, to make it more like walking streets just like in big cities around the world. We need to organize the place and time as well as standards of hygiene. Just like what we did at Saphan Kwai and Sanam Luang.”

While even Oraya and Khaisiri agree on managing street vendors in similarly vague terms, they also dream of seeing some new faces on the streets: bicycles and wheel chairs. “The reason you don’t see disabled persons on the streets is not that they don’t exist. It’s because they can’t get around easily,” says Oraya.

Could the Super Skywalk help? It promises elevators for wheelchairs and senior citizens, and free passage at BTS stations but elsewhere in Bangkok, what we’ve seen is that the interconnectivity of the disabled access is so poor that it remains impossible to use. For example, the massive flight of stairs at the newly opened Phaya Thai city rail link station makes it all but impossible to carry luggage up down from the train unless you’re an Olympic weight lifter—a problem the station’s skywalk link to the BTS station doesn’t address.

“Bangkok’s sidewalk complication is more complex than we thought. It’s not only a physical problem but it’s also related to social and economic issues. Bangkok has been hiding many problems for so long that they would take years to solve. Before imagining a breakthrough project like Cheonggyecheon in Seoul [a verdant artery running through the Korean capital’s downtown], we need to understand that Bangkok’s infrastructure is still below standard. The governor needs to treat this issue with sustainable solutions,” says Khaisri.

The Perfect Sidewalk: Ten qualities an ideal pavement should have

Five skywalks from around the world

BK ASKS: What is your worst pedestrian experience?

1. FARFAST Messenger Bag, B1500. Rollyas, Soi 18, Ramkamhaeng Soi 24, 087-919-7719.
2. Pyramid Fixie T shirt, B490. Err-or Design Store, JJ market, Section 4, Soi 1, 081-554-7288.
3. Lee Macky Jeans, B1,800. 2/F (Atrium), CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-673-1066. BTS Chit Lom.
4. Nike 6.0 Brata, B2,590. VII Athletic club, Siam Square Soi 1, 084-705-7744.

1. NuForce NE-700M

B2,290, Munkong Gadget
Bullet-like smoky bronze earphones with a built-in microphone and music controller. A great choice to go with a phone loaded with MP3s.

2. Monster, SOLO HD

B10,990, iStudio
The SOLO HD was rated one of the ten Best Headphones of 2010 by DigitalTrends.com. The flexible and well-engineered material allows you to adjust the size and rotate the padding for a comfortable fit.

3. Sennheiser/Adidas PMX680

B2,490, iStudio
Sennheiser joins forces with Adidas to offer sporty types a new series of headphones with a lightweight neckband design that minimizes the chance they’ll fall out. And of course, they’re water-resistant, so even sweaty manly types can use them.

4. Sennheiser MX400

B275, Munkong Gadget
The design is nothing to write home about, but Sennheiser is a 65-year-old German maker of Hi-Fi equipment and they come with a 2-year warranty. Not a bad deal.

5. SkullCandy Lowrider

B1,590, Munkong Gadget
Although Lowriders are slimmer and less obtrusive than other SkullCandy headphones, the heavy bass and bold design should still please teens trying to look tough and unapproachable on the BTS. Comes in ten different colors and designs.

6. Sony, MDR-PQ4/Z: PIIQ

B940, Sony Style
The MDR-PQ4/Z’s clips are meant to save you the trouble of tangled wires when clipped to your clothes and look like earrings when worn. They’re lightweight and comfortable and, best of all, they come in bright, funky colors.

Essentials

Sony Style. 2/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9665-6. BTS Siam
iStudio. 2/F, CentralWorld, 02-613-1540-1. BTS Chit Lom
Munkong Gadget. 3/F, Digital Gateway, Siam Square. 02-623-4143. BTS Siam

1. Frame & Fork

This is the backbone of your ride. Smooth welds and pristine finishes mark a fine quality frame. If you’re interested in tricks, opt for a smaller frame size, or go larger for cruising. Sadio Booster B13,900 at Rollyas, Ramkamhang Soi 24, 087-919-7719.

2. Stem & Bars

Flat and riser bars are ideal choices for Bangkok due to them giving you an upright-seated position, allowing you to keep your eyes on the treacherous road ahead. Zoom Bars, B800, at Cog N Roll, Soi Fraser & Neave, Mahanakorn Rd, 081-376-0606.

3. Saddle

Fit comes first when selecting a saddle. It’s necessary to try a few out before committing to one. Try a small cable lock wrapped around the seat rails as a good theft prevention measure. Origin8 Saddle, B850 at Cuca Bikes, SinTorn Village, Happyland Rd., Bangkapi, 08-1413-0308.

4. Wheels

Deep V branded wheels have long been the fixed-gear standard, and they’ll never go out of style thanks to the myriad of colors, patterns and finishes available. Track inspired Aero wheels are catching up and gaining popularity as the available technology has finally made them crack-proof. Velocity Deep V, B6,500, at Velothai, Klasaemsamut Soi 12, Tambon Baknam, Thanon Sailuat, Amphoe Muang Samutprakarn, 02-388-0199. Aerospoke Wheels, B15,500, at Brother Bike, 28/1 Inthara Phitak Rd., Thonburi.

5. Crank

Selecting the right crank can be tricky; crank arms that are too long will scrape the road. For urban riding, use 165mm crank arms to be safe. Campagnolo Record, B12,000 at Velayenn, Sukhumvit Soi 26, 080-900-2610.

Total Cost: B43,050

Fix Your Look
 

6 New Labels You Need to Know

Accessories

7. By Invite Only
What it is: Accessories in the form of one-off bracelets, rings and necklaces that will make you look and feel good. 23-year-old designer Trixie Khong is still an undergraduate in Public Relations at the National University of Singapore, but has made her maiden accessories label By Invite Only her labor of love for the past two years. Inspired by 18th Century circuses and the Victorian era and made mainly from healing stones such as agate geodes (which allegedly enhances creativity and strength) and pyrite (which is said to enhance intelligence) sourced from the US, Hong Kong and South Korea, the accessories look like something Björk might wear if she went all New Age-y. “I have always been fascinated by sociology and social-psychology teachings,” says Khong. “They definitely inspire me in the way I think about my life and that everyone is shaped by their individual, unique experiences to be who they are today. That is to me what truly makes the substance of a person; not his clothes or his job but his values, thinking, experiences, ideas and opinions.”
Look out for: Colorful, trendy pieces like gold amethyst necklaces ($69) which have calming, meditative particles and the eye-catching quartz cofetti bracelets ($79) that are dipped in 14K gold.
Available at A Curious Teepee, #02-24 Scape, 2 Orchard Link, 6820-1680.

8. Carrie K.
What it is: Luxurious, handcrafted bespoke jewelry made from precious stones since July 2009 but only made available in select boutiques so far, hence amassing a cult status along the way. Designer Carolyn Kan’s offering for the label consists of three ranges: Raw, Chroma and Reborn. Raw features pieces with a harder edge with their imperfections intact, while Chroma’s color-saturated precious stones juxtaposed against silver twig-inspired links are subtly gorgeous, and Reborn is made mostly from discarded everyday things and immortalized in precious metal. “I like to scratch beneath the surface to uncover the truth and look for beauty in people and the things around us,” says Kan. “My collection is handcrafted by me at my atelier. I also work with artisans in Florence, Italy and Thailand while the stones are sourced from all over the world as many are custom cut.” Indeed, Kan’s unwavering determination to create only the best pieces results in one of the most precious accessories labels in town. “I once hunted down a source for amethysts in Uruguay to custom slice the cross section of amethyst, showing the rough edge of the stone along with its many layers of colors, just for me!”
Look out for: More accessible and rarer limited-edition pieces that will premier at Blueprint Emporium priced between $100-3,000. And hopefully in due time, special collaborative pieces with other ateliers in Europe where Kan first learn her craft. “I would like to collaborate with more artisans to showcase their work in order to make it more accessible and grow people’s appreciation of craftsmanship,” she says.
The current collection is available at The Society of Black Sheep, #B1-64 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave.,6688-7223.

9. Ling Wu
What it is: Created out of a small local workshop and available in very limited quantities, the functional and very well-made bags by Ling Wu are a great alternative for those who crave the intricate stitching and buttery softness previously found only in Chloe and Miu Miu bags, without having to blow their budget. Already stocked in Japanese boutiques like United Arrows and Vulca, these understated babies (priced between $150-1,200) are made using mainly lambskin not just for its outer structure, but inner linings as well. “Buyers will notice too that there is very little hardware used on the bags,” says creator Goh Ling Ling. “This is to show off the natural beauty of the materials. I love using lambskin because of its softness and how it slouches like second skin. I also include python from sustainable sources in the collection. The skin is amazingly beautiful in texture and feel.”
Look out for: Its latest Cruise collection that will be released at Blueprint Emporium, inspired by all things vintage and music by Serge Gainsbourg and The Black Keys. “Both artists are very raw, but their sounds are very real, and humorous even,” she says. “I like how the edges of the bags are left unsewn, which makes them look less precious and more traveled. The tassels and ruffles give a little bit of sex appeal too.”
Ling Wu’s current Spring/Summer collection is available at A Curious Teepee, #02-24 Scape, 2 Orchard Link, 6820-1680 and Blackmarket, #02-10 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6634-5201.

10. Tsura
What it is: Meaning “Light of dawn” in Romani Gypsy, fine jewelry label Tsura is the brainchild of Tara Thadani, a Romani herself who travels widely to Bhutan, Laos and Rajasthan for inspiration as well as to source precious stones for her ethereal creations. With permanent as well as thematic annual collections, Tsura is made for “the modern, global nomad, who is at once from nowhere and anywhere,” says Thadani. “Tsura started with my love for jewelry and love for adornment and embellishment. On a trip to India a couple of years back, I came across a tribal bangle and I had a great idea of how I could improve its basic design and make something contemporary. From there I took a course in gemology in Bangkok and found inspiration in the stones and materials. I came up with the story of a Goddess of the Forest and started to design pieces of jewelry for her.” Tsura’s piece are truly inspired by the beauty of nature and tribal motifs, such as her first Tribal Sun bangle series, with its big, no frills and minimalistic design that makes it utterly accessible and timeless.
Look out for: The new collection Stargazer, which will debut at Blueprint Emporium, priced between $500-2,500. The Wildflower rings—brightly colored petals accented with shimmering stones, with carved stone leaves hanging from delicate chains—is especially exquisite. Also keep an eye out for the Shera cuff—a solid wooden bangle contrasted with an agate resembling a fossil—which channels the beauty of Mother Nature to great effect.

With the inaugural Men’s Fashion Week just over and another big fashion parade, the Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX), just around the corner, style is the word on everyone's lips. And with more accomplished labels like Hansel, alldressedup, Nicholas, Sifr and Woods & Woods having already made their mark in the local fashion arena and overseas, it’s only a matter of time before these newer and more underground local upstarts parallel those successes. Here are 10 of Singapore’s most promising and interesting emerging style mavericks.

Ready-To-Wear

1. Mae Pang
What it is: Drawing inspiration from multi-label international fashion greats such as London’s Dover Street Market and Paris’ Colette, Mae Pang touts itself as the “first local fashion-angled concept label aimed at providing exclusive unique designs with the ultimate goal of increasing the local consciousness towards design and creating a strong community of Singaporean designers across all disciplines.” (Whew.) Indeed, since her first collaboration with local label Woods & Woods in 2009, chief designer Ai Mei has gone on to establish the womenswear label as one of the most edgy and contemporary: A trippy series of hybrid mesh tanks and maxi dresses built from a series of sharp angular cuts married with billowing layers of pleated neon mesh and chiffon, topped off with reflective optical lenses for that futuristic edge. This is a must for bold and statement-making style seekers.
Look out for: Its Cruise Collection for the upcoming Blueprint Emporium show, where Ai will present her latest collection inspired by a hipster music playlist comprising Beach House, Dragonette, Yeasayer and The xx, with graphic images culled from Pink Floyd’s iconic album The Dark Side of the Moon thrown in for good measure. Expect to pay $99 for a tank top and $309 for a maxi dress.
Mae Pang’s current Spring/Summer collection is available at A Curious Teepee, #02-24 Scape, 2 Orchard Link, 6820-1680.

2. Dzojchen
What it is: First established in New York and finally making its way back home, Singapore-based American designer Chelsea Scott-Blackhall draws from a confluence of influences, mainly travel, music and various cultures. Which explains the label’s concept of paradox and duality, with materials sourced from all over the world: Selvage fabric from Japan, leather pelts from tanneries in Spain, threads from the UK, and denim from specialist mills in Japan, India and the US. This results in a hodgepodge, wearable collection for men and women who love quirky, hand-tailored and relaxed pieces that won’t break the bank, especially the quality denim collection and tailored-jackets priced between $200-350. “Like the brand, I live by paradox, contradictions and an amalgamation of unexpected qualities,” says Scott-Blackhall. “Knocking out details, washes, textures and cuts that are anchored in the elements of my ‘moments’.”
Look out for: The 2011 Fall/Winter and Cruise collection that will be showcased at the Blueprint Emporium, featuring innovative uses of signature outseam and inseam, fused with a waistband curve to create carefully tailored and modern silhouettes. “I’ve brought a clean twist to a harder edge this season,” she adds. “Pieces that marry the era of classic rock with charm for more dapper detailing. Think David Bowie marries Iman.”

3. AWOL
What it is: Melding creativity and practicality to beautiful effect, the latest womenswear label AWOL a.k.a. All Walks of Life by veteran Alfie Lee (previously Flag, Capsule and Ming) marks his comeback to contemporary fashion with a twist. Designed for the busy working professional, the clothes are infused with sophisticated detailing and cuts that won’t look out of place in a business meeting. The color palettes of white, grey and black may be stark, but look closer and there are various clever mixes to behold: Cut-and-sew fake lapels attached to blazers, big irregular pins which tuck blouses and pants like stacks of paper overlapping each other, draped asymmetrical linen bias cut dresses with big folds over folds, vests which drop down to hip length and wind up making their way back to the shoulders—this is one of Lee’s most inspired collections yet. “All the details are technically and carefully twisted from the impression of a return to basics,” he says. “Silhouettes that are fitted but also away from the body simultaneously … the indication to be free, defining a state of being stress-free, craved by all modern women today.”
Look out for: The Cruise collection, premiering at the Blueprint Emporium, comprising linen blazers, Capri pants, silk cotton dresses and even sequin shorts for the more adventurous, priced between $45-350.

4. Jason
What it is: Certainly one of the most intriguing local labels to emerge out of the fashion woodwork in the past six months, the debut Jason menswear collection by JR Chan (who previously helmed Cloak & Dagger) first made its mark at the recently concluded Men’s Fashion Week. The collection, with its bold silhouettes and experiments such as men-skirts and eye-catching jumpsuits, will surely prove a hit with the young and very trendy. “That debut collection is inspired mainly by Suprematism, referring to the Russian abstract art movement developed by Kazimir Malevich, which is characterized by simple geometric shapes associated with ideas of spiritual purity,” says Chan. “It’s also a mix of Jason’s peculiarity for details with reference taken from Zaha Hadid’s renowned architectural designs. It aims to dress the individualists, the working class heroes, and the like-minded urban men with an absolute mindset who are not to be bound by trends and rules.”
Look out for: An extremely layered and billowy collection fusing geometric forms with contrasting colors, but cut according to the Asian man’s figure and designed for warm Asian weather (read: No wool). A simpler piece like a basic tank top starts from $89, while jackets, vests and jumpsuits are priced between $300-500.
Available at Blueprint Emporium and Hide & Seek, 176 Telok Ayer St., 6222-2825.

5. Mileti
What it is: It’s not just in the cut-and-sewn department that our emerging designers are excelling. For those looking for something a little sexier (or skimpier, rather), try on something from new local swimwear label Mileti for size. Born from the love of the outdoors and aquatic life, creators and designers Min (a former banker) and Letizia (also an art gallery owner) conceived a collection that is “chic, feminine and sexy.” Say the duo, “The bright and bold hues of street art are the main inspiration for the color palette … we both love the bold colors of Balenciaga bags and we wanted this collection to have that kind of visual impact.” But it’s not just the hues and sexy designs that make Mileti tick. Quality Italian fabrics made from the newly-developed high-tech Revolutional Mild fabric are used in each piece, making them breathable, quick to dry and resistant to sand and piling. That said, nothing wrong in looking wet in this one when the cuts are sooooo flattering.
Look out for: Chic, deceptively simple and well-cut tops and bottoms ($50-90) and intricate one-piece suits ($140-270) that will make you look like you just stepped off the set of Temptation Island or the Côte d’Azur.
Available at Antipodean, 27A Lorong Mambong, 6463-7336 and AVANA: j, #01-07/08 Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Rd., 6737-4042.

6. Noel Caleb
What it is: One of the more playful and accessible new labels around, womenswear brand Noel Caleb specializes in easy, wearable pieces coupled with quirky accessories. The indie label derives its name from the words “Christmas” and “Devotion” combined, which also explains the various names allocated to its collection, including the Alexandrite dress which comes with smart paneling like a metal stud detail at the cuff and a metal buckle at the waistline, and the Jasper, a single-buttoned three-quarter-length sleeve crop jacket in gemstone colors. “Our design inspiration is to dress the woman up into a person who has inner strength, yet with outer gracefulness and feminine,” says chief designer Shannon Lee. “We design the pieces with the idea of the woman wearing mix-and-match pieces of each collection in a versatile manner, from Mondays to Sundays, and still looking unconventional and stylish.”
Look out for: Their latest Spring/Summer collection dubbed “Honey in a Rock,” showing at the Blueprint Emporium. Girls who are looking for that extra sparkle in their wardrobe can go for the Onyx, a sleeveless shell top with captive cascading drapes down the right, or the Iridot, tailored knee-length shorts with single front pleats, double back pockets, cuffed hems and tarnished metal studs, priced between $108-168.

Next: 4 New Local Accessory Labels

Don’t Miss!

Blueprint Emporium, taking place May 21-22 at Hall F, Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Ave., part of the fashion extravaganza Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX). Here, you can shop for much of the local ready-to-wear and accessories featured in this story, available for sale only at the fair. To further show your love for our local fashion designers, you can also get your hands on the latest Cruise and permanent collections from Hansel, alldressedup and Sifr, among many others, alongside other regional retailers and international brands, including Bangkok’s coveted Greyhound. Better start saving up and marking your calendars now.

Barossa They have restorers here to breathe new life to old yet good quality teak furniture. #05-51 Midview City, 20 Sin Ming Lane, 9664-8451, www.barossasingapore.com.

Couture Furniture Designers here are on hand to help add that avant garde element to your new home. #12-01 Dunman View, 100 Haig Rd., 9722-7857, www.couturefurniture.com.sg.

Just Anthony Model your furniture after refurbished antiques or pick up a quaint coffee table from early China at this awe-inspiring space. 379 Upper Paya Lebar Rd., 6283-4782, www.justanthony.com.

Finezza This warmly-lit showroom sources only the finest wood from North America and Europe. #02-27/28 Park Mall, 9 Penang Rd., 6334-9972, www.finezza.com.sg.

OriginAsia The store showcases stunning, yet uncomplicated design in a 3,000 sq. ft. showroom that also features functional children’s furniture sets. 372/372A River Valley Rd., 6733-7384, www.originasia.net.

The Shophouse They’ve got several showcases here to inspire the way you dress your space, including those done up in the “Chic Min” and “Eclectic Vibrant” styles. 6 Rochester Park, 6344-0100, www.theshophouse.com.