“I’m living in the material world!”, sang George Harrison in his 1973 hit single and, today, his statement still stands true. Like it or hate it, the world of fashion is here to stay and the level of creativity in Singapore would surprise you.
Haute couture and hipster fashion brands are no longer just a thing of overseas designers – these rising stars right here in The Little Red Dot showcase their own style with these 10 homegrown clothing labels:
1. Al et Clar
Al et Clar gets its French name from founders Alicia and Clarissa, who started the brand in 2012 with a love for classic cuts that remain timeless. The pieces that you can buy from their online store are simple, and for the most part, minimalist with classy colours that toe the line between office wear and casual.
Many of the outfits are elegantly modelled with slip-on shoes, a staple when it comes to convenient footwear in Singapore so that you have an idea of how to dress for both comfort and style.
Al et Clar: Website | Facebook
2. Rye
Started around mid-2016 by Singaporean designer Bessie Ye, Rye carries womenswear that you can invest in as each piece is designed to be timeless and effortlessly fashionable. The clothes are modelled without any accessories, yet still give an air of elegance; you can simply wear each piece as a statement on its own on those days when accessory-matching your outfit proves a hassle.
They have an excellent free local courier service that delivers your purchases to you by the next working day which is pretty awesome, because maximum convenience is a big plus for busy office-goers who won’t have to worry about last minute shopping.
3. Zhai
Zhai is THE label for eco-friendly fashion that is designed to be great for the environment and for your comfort, with plants that can be regrown quickly and are therefore sustainable. In fact, Zhai’s bamboo line of clothing comes from plants that are grown with neither pesticides nor chemical fertilisers.
While their standard prices are not cheap, you shouldn’t pass on this label before you look at their Past Seasons section online, where discounts can go up to more than 50% off! Furthermore, many designs are classics so you can snap up those bargains with no worry of them going out of style.
4. Saturday
Named after the best day of the week (no early wake-up call and no alarm to fear the following morning), this label by designer Nic Wong has gained international recognition and is stocked overseas in Kuala Lumpur, New York, San Diego, Canada and London.
Although Saturday plays around with classic, gentle colours using intricate cuts to give a sophisticated feel, there are also daring ventures into vibrant and outstanding fabrics such as shimmery silver and other bright shades. At the moment, you can find the collection stocked locally at TANGS at Orchard Road, easily accessible during your shopping sprees in the city area.
Saturday: TANGS, Tang Plaza Level 2, 310 Orchard Road Singapore 238864 | Opening Hours (Tangs): 10.30am – 9.30pm (Mon to Sat), 11am – 8pm (Sun) | Tel (Tangs): +65 6737 5500 | Website | Facebook
5. Depression
Specialising in gothic- and punk-style clothing, it’s no surprise that much of Depression’s clothing lines favour black, white and the occasional red. One of their signature accessories is an eyepatch, which adds a whimsical, yet chic effect to their hooded vests and skull-patterned garbs.
In spite of the limited colours they use, they’ve managed to create designs so complex and stylish that some pieces border on, dare we say, impractical but are nevertheless extremely attractive. The price of these eye candies isn’t low, but you can check out their sales for some good deals that can even go as low as half price.
Depression: stocked at Sects Shop, 277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway #04-14, Singapore 238858 | Opening Hours (Sects Shop): 12pm – 10pm | Tel (Sects Shop): +65 97547355 | Website | Online Shop | Facebook
6. ELOHIM by Sabrina Goh
Designer Sabrina Goh’s label has gone from modest beginnings to being stocked in Japan, New York, Washington DC and Utah today. The styles under this label range widely from simple, minimalist clothes to bold prints and patterns, so you’re sure to find something to suit most tastes and occasions here.
If the 2016 collaborations with Star Wars and Disney (to create the Equilibrium Collection and Minnie Rocks The Dots Collection) are anything to go by, we can’t wait to see what new, imaginative styles will be up next.
ELOHIM: 13, Stamford Road, #02-14 Capitol Piazza, Singapore 178905 | Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Tel: +65 6385 2185 | Website | Facebook
7. FLAX
FLAX is a small label created by WISE Enterprise, a group of social entrepreneurs who aim to create job opportunities and means of financial self-sufficiency for the socially disadvantaged. By buying goods from FLAX, you’ll get yourself a quality product while supporting the designers who helped bring them to life.
From casual accessories to pieces suited for a fancy evening out, FLAX has a little of everything and even carries leather goods at a fraction of the prices you’d find at branded stores. One of the most imaginative items we found was their Bilberry bag, which can transform into two separate purses with ease.
If you like one-of-a-kind designs, drop by their showroom and meet their Fashion Consultants to find out more.
FLAX by WISE: 140 Paya Lebar Road, #03-01, AZ@Paya Lebar, Singapore 409015 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm (Tues to Fri), 12pm – 6pm (Sat), Closed On Sun, Mon & PH | Tel: +65 6635 5722 | Website | Facebook
8. Beyond The Vines
Beyond The Vines was founded in 2005 and plays with soft colours and fabrics to bring you comfy-looking outfits that appear polished at the same time.
The brand claims to live by the idea of “honest designs for the everyday woman” and we can see that they certainly deliver on that with character; the sleeveless outfits and flow-y dresses are simple and certainly practical for the hot weather of Singapore.
Beyond The Vines Shop Installation: Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard Road, 02-21, Singapore 238897 | Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Daily) | Tel: +65 8157 0577 | Website | Facebook
9. Stolen
Stolen, by Elyn Wong, will mesmerise you as soon as you look at its collections. Aside from the vague titles that hint at more meaning within, the clothes themselves have an amazing balance of intricacy and boldness.
The label’s pieces are a salute to architecture and we can see that clearly in the unique designs; each garment has details that break out of the conventional shape that one would expect, to produce silhouettes and folds in ways that can only be described as arresting.
Stolen: Stocked at various stores | Website | Facebook
10. In Good Company
In Good Company will win the hearts of everyone in the family with a taste for modern designs, including children with their Mini Me collection. If there’s one place people of all ages can get something classy to don, it would be here.
In Good Company’s range of clothing is effortlessly smart without looking too try-hard, perfect for any occasion, and it doesn’t hurt that they also have an in-store bakery! Cupcakes and shopping are such a sinful combination, aren’t they?
In Good Company: ION Orchard B1-06, Singapore 238801 | Opening Hours: 10.30am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Website | Facebook
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After reading about all these local brands, is the fashionista in you all ready to shop till you drop? Before you get to that, if you’ve got more Singapore-based labels that you think should have been on the list, do give us a heads up in the comments!
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