Local Talent
Top Singapore Designers You Need to Know
Wednesday, 7 Mar 2012
Homemade
You wouldn’t have guessed it, but Singapore has a thriving fashion industry.
And these designers are actually… good.
We’re not talking Prabal Gurung (he was only born in Singapore, let it go, guys) or Ashley Isham (who at least spent twenty odd years here). They’re both great, but we also love our other designers who are honest-to-god geniuses.
Because there are just so many of them, we reluctantly narrowed the list to womenswear designers we’re currently loving. Credit cards at the ready now.
Aijek
We guarantee a dress from Aijek will be your go-to option. Danielle Woo uses sustainable fabrics to create wearable and effortlessly sophisticated (with a touch of sexy!) pieces. Very weather-appropriate too.
Available at: nana & bird, Tiong Bahru Commons, 79 Chay Yan Street #01-02 (entrance along Yong Siak Street), p. 9117 0430; Trixilini, Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-57, Singapore 03959, p. 6338 7060; http://www.aijek.com/
AL&ALICIA
We’ve raved about AL&ALICIA before but we just had to include them in this list. ‘Cos really – have you seen their clothes? It’s one-half slouchy without being frumpy and the other half feminine for the gamine.
Available at: Little Man, 7C Binjai Park, Bukit Timah, p. 66464 6515; Antipodean, 27A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, p. 6463 7336; Blackmarket No. 2, 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central #02-10, p. 6296 8512; Lula Rock, 9 Scotts Road, #02-02 Pacific Plaza, p. 6236 7179, Threadbare & Squirrel, 660 North Bridge Road, Bali Lane, p. 6396 6738, http://www.alandalicia.com//em>
Ong Shunmugam
LOVE. We are huge fans of designer Priscilla Shunmugam, who’s perhaps best known for refashioning traditional Asian wear like the beloved cheongsam. Super exclusive pieces and easily customizable at Atelier Ong Shunmugam too.
Available at: Atelier Ong Shunmugam, 16 Raffles Quay B1-36, Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581, p. 6223 4804
Ong Shunmugan will also be available at Blueprint Emporium 2012 on 19-20 May at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Blueprint Emporium is Asia’s defining shopping event featuring more than 150 emerging, established, and up-and-coming designers.
RAOUL
Huge fans of this one! The most successful brand always sells a lifestyle and RAOUL has got that down pat. The clothes are youthful but sophisticated, easy to wear but always statement pieces. RAOUL doesn’t come cheap but this is the price of understated elegance – it’s worth all your pretty pennies.
Available at: RAOUL Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, #02-49 Paragon Shopping Centre Singapore 238859, p. 6737 0682; RAOUL Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Road #01-13 Raffles City Shopping Centre Singapore 179103, p. 6334 5023; RAOUL The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue #B2-17 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Singapore 018956, p. 6509 4296
OwnMuse
Best friends Shu Juang and Johanna broke the friends don’t do business together rule and the results are stunning. Extremely wearable, easy to mix and match, and very affordable.
Available at: Restyle at Isetan Scotts, 350 Orchard Road, PARCO Marina Bay, 9 Raffles Boulevard, Millenia Walk, Level 2, #P2 – 30C, http://www.ownmuse.com/
By Invite Only
You already know that accessories pull a look together, but the jewellery from By Invite Only is so covetable they are the entire look. Inspired by 18th century circuses, these whimsical pieces are readily available at many local retailers, but come in limited numbers.
Available at: Asylum Shop, 22 Ann Siang Road, p. 6235 3019; Antipodean, 27A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, p. 6463 7336; Epitome, 14C Kensington Park Road, p. 6280 7207; The hansel Shop, #02-14 Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard p. 6337 0992; Lauren Jasmine, 9 Scotts Road, #02-03/04 Pacific Plaza, p. 6735 5234; nana & bird, Tiong Bahru Commons, 79 Chay Yan Street #01-02 (entrance along Yong Siak Street), p. 9117 0430; Sulin Serio, #B1-18 Tanglin Mall, p. 6235 5707; http://byinviteonly.info/
By Invite Only will also be available at Blueprint Emporium 2012.
alldressedup
Here’s a name you might recognize. Founded in 2005, husband and wife duo Tina Tan-Leo and Lionel Leo have taken alldressedup from the streets of Orchard Road to the runways of Paris and New York. The brand also has a complete line of fun accessories.
Available at: alldressedup, #03-11 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, p: 6509 3089, #02-37 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, p. 6836 3238, Level 2 Isetan Scotts, 350 Orchard Road, p: 6235 7123; The Link, #03-03 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road, p. 6235 4648
Lauren Jasmine
Ugh, workwear. Most of it tends to be so… blah, but not Lauren Jasmine. Co-designed by Hazel Chang and Liyana Johan (the owners of fave boutique Eclecticism!), the label marries professional sensibility with creative sophistication.
Available at: Lauren Jasmine, 9 Scotts Road, #02-03/04 Pacific Plaza, p. 6735 5234
hansel
It would be blasphemous if we didn’t mention Jo Soh of hansel. Named after her adorable Jack Russell Terrier, hansel consistently delivers original prints, retro-inspired styles, and retains a sense of girlish charm.
Available at: The hansel Shop, #02-14 Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard p. 6337 0992; Antipodean, 27A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, p. 6463 7336; Epitome, 14C Kensington Park Road, p. 6280 7207; The Little Dröm Store, 7 Ann Siang Hill, p. 6225 5541; http://www.ilovehansel.com/em>
Yumumu
We are obsessed with the intricacy of Yumumu garb – reminds us a little of origami. Forget East meets West, this is hard lines meets soft draping, and the results are beautiful.
Available at: The Society of Black Sheep, #B1-63 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave, p. 6688 7223; Antipodean, 27A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, p. 6463 7336; Blackmarket No. 2, 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central #02-10, p. 6296 8512; http://yumumu.com/
