Author: Iqmall Hayat

Growing up as a 90s kid in Singapore was arguably the best time. It was a time when Singapore was advancing so rapidly that these days, you can barely find remnants of the past that we grew up in. Hence, we hold on to our memories, tighter than any other generation. Let me take you on a nostalgic journey back in time, with this list of fashion brands that ONLY the 90s kids would remember. 1. Ocean Pacific What’s with Singaporeans and surf-wear back in the day? It was the go-to clothing brand to raise your street cred. Ocean Pacific (OP),…

For a country that’s notoriously isolated from the rest of the world, there sure is a lot of insight into this mysterious nation. 3DPRK will be revealing an unseen exhibition of the country with a 3D twist, from now till 7 January 2018 at DECK. Matjaž Tančič is a Slovenian photographer who is based in Beijing, and with the help of Koryo Studio, he has used a 3D stereoscopic technique to photograph North Koreans. This technique requires the subject to be still for a couple minutes whilst the required perspectives are being shot. This collection of photos will not only feature…

Many things don’t live up to their price tags. Remember that whole fiasco about Kylie Jenner’s lip kits? ColourPop produces similar results for a fraction of the cost. With that in mind, I wanted to see whether H&M’s more expensive cousin, COS, is worth the huge price bump or if it’s all just pure consumerism. COS (Collection Of Style) is a subsidiary of the H&M group, focusing on minimalist style inspired by architecture, graphics and design. With an emphasis on modern clothing pieces that do not revolve around trends like other similar-priced labels, they’re designed to outlast seasons. That being…

Kydra (pronounced as kai-dra) is the brainchild of a group of university students who didn’t want to sacrifice style for functionality. The 2-In-1 Flex Shorts V2.0 are their marquee product and with good reason. The shorts feature built-in tights, ventilation panels at the crotch point that’s prone to tearing, and ballistic mesh pockets to withstand the harshest of regimes. Extra hidden pockets, such as the secure card pocket and water-resistant media pocket allow you to store your belongings safely whilst not disrupting the intended aesthetic. The team at Kydra have kindly sent me a pair of the Liner-Less Flex Shorts…

I guess it’s safe to say that everyone’s favourite time of the day as a kid in school was recess. Usually set around 9.30am, we would have already discussed how we were going to spend the coveted time through slick nods and whispers during lessons in the earlier part of the morning. On days with special food items on the menus, a sizeable portion of your playing kakis will flock to the food queues, whilst your ride or die(s) would forego a meal for the game that’s equally as tempting as the dish of the week. Here are 10 games that you spent…

While the rest of us are in 2017, Hotel Jen is in 3017 with its two newest hires. The fun hotel brand from the Shangri-La Group are the first international brand to use autonomous relay robots in Asia. The duo, playfully named Jeno & Jena, now deliver desired amenities and local delights from the in-room dining menu to guests round the clock. Need an extra towel or a bottle of water? You can expect these robots to have them delivered to your doorstep within 15 minutes. These relay robots boast features such as space awareness sensors, the ability to make calls…

Many may not be familiar with Lumine but this urban lifestyle company owned by one of Japan’s major railway companies has welcomed its first customers in Singapore this weekend. Located at The Central in Clarke Quay, the 10,000 square feet space will be filled to the brim with iconic Japanese brands, including Tomorrowland, Iéna, Fray ID, Lily Brown, Mila Owen and Moussy. Although it’s smaller as compared to the other malls of the chain, I don’t think anyone here is complaining – this is the first international store outside Japan! The clothes are priced mid-range and curated especially for the fashion-forward woman.…

I don’t know about you but I always believe in trying something once before casting judgement. Having been intrigued with male grooming for the longest time, I decided to offer my body (my legs specifically) for the sake of this article. I tried removing my leg hair for the very first time at Sugar(ed). My pre-conceived notion of any kind of  hair removal that it’s the act of slapping piping hot goo onto your hairy nether regions and having chunks ripped out swiftly, in the hope that this compensates for the unbearable split second of pain. But the team at…

If there was one thing I wish I could do, it’s to take a road trip somewhere picturesque with my mates. Going through the countryside, watching the clouds roll over the mountains and landscapes. But being in Singapore, this will merely remain a dream for most. Great sights of Mother Nature are hard to come by in our concrete jungle. Which is why I was so surprised when I stumbled upon this picture on the Singapore subreddit and quickly browsed through the comments in the thread. The mountain in question is apparently called Gunung Pulai located deep in Johor. One…

Once a secret hideout for all who possess a penchant for anything funk- and soul-inspired in Serangoon, Choice Cuts Goods has relocated to Katong, specifically in MOX — the co-working space for like-minded designers, creatives, makers and crafters. Hoping to create the same communal vibe it had at the old location, the folks behind the vinyl store are opening their doors for any occasion that calls for drinks, coffee and great music. In the avalanche of cafe spots around Singapore, only a few will come out of the rubble unscathed. Choice Cuts Goods, brought to you by the DJs from Matteblacc…

National Service (NS) has always been a hot topic amongst the male demographic in Singapore. There may be grievances towards the whole programme and its lingering after-effects even after our two years serving the nation, but the necessity of it outweighs every proposed alternative we have heard throughout the years. No matter what is heard through the grapevine, one thing is for sure: this rite of passage for males in Singapore changes us. Either for the better or for the worse. So what exactly is life like after NS? Impending ORD When the date creeps closer, feelings tend to be…

The annual 24-Hour Race is happening this 2 – 3 December 2017. It’s more than a race, conducted with the fight against slavery happening around the world today in mind, giving you an opportunity to be a flagbearer of freedom for those who do not share the same privilege. The race will be driven by the spirit of youth and it aims to raise awareness of an unpunished crime around the world. Students will plan the events, which include live music and a food festival. All whilst taking part in the same race, fundraise and advocate the communities. Race details will be provided when…

As the hype around Supreme intensifies with every drop since the collab of the year, its presence has finally started to make ripples in Singapore. Before, procuring slightly more limited items has always been a Goliath task, since we do live in a little red dot. Fortunately, as with many other trends that have made its waves across the oceans, Singapore has always been notoriously quick with its supply for any kind of demand. It’s pretty easy now to get Supreme from less trustworthy websites, but grabbing hold of your favourite (and authentic) pieces is still quite a quest. There’s…

Coming out of its sleepy corner in Bishan, Ethos will be holding its annual book sale this coming 1 – 3 December 2017. This bookworm paradise will be held in The Substation’s Gallery for all your festive come-ups. Not only will there be good reads going for as low as S$2, there will also be a series of author programmes where they will divulge the inner workings of their literary pieces. Fuel up with kick-ass food and beverages from participating partners (to be announced) and walk away with a limited edition Ethos tote bag with every S$30 spent! If these…

Shopping malls for adults are likened to playgrounds for kids. Sometimes you’ll hurt yourself from playing so much but you’d be almost guaranteed to have a good time. So, how about taking on the largest mall in the whole of Johor? Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru will officially open this 28 November 2017. Boasting six floors of non-stop shopping goodness, you’ll be spoilt for choice with 600 stores ranging from large anchor tenants such as Parkson, to smaller players and even an indoor climbing gym, Camp 5. With 2 million square feet dedicated to this new mall, you can bet on…