At just 137 kilometers north of the Equator, no wonder Singapore gets hot - really hot - not to forget the sticky humidity, frequent sporadic rain falls - in and out of rainy season - apart from carrying the token fashion accessory to protect from the sun and shield from the rain - you guessed - an umbrella, most women tend to wear loose skirts and dresses to keep cool, however shorts and a T-shirt are common sights even along the High Street of fashion, Orchard Road.
Choose plain coloured shorts to easily mix with tops. Thin breathable leggings will be warmer in air-conditioned places and a pair of Palazzo pants look stylish in the evening. But when it comes to fashion - no matter where you are in the world - it is all about individuality.
In our continuing series highlighting the best shopping experiences in Singapore we put the spotlight on fashion and introduce you to brands that are recognised as some of the best when living in, or visiting the Lion City. Main Image Credit: TheAC
Reckless Erika
Reckless Erika is a Singapore fashion brand with bold and original prints in The Durian, Chilli Crab, Fish Head Curry, and their latest Kaya Toast series. Reckless Ericka is for a woman who’s unafraid of personal expression, absorbed in what she is doing and unaffected by people around her.
Reckless Ericka is for the cool kid (3 to 6 years old) who mix and matches their own outfits. Featuring comfortable and stylish outfits, it is also an excellent choice for active children. Image Credit: Reckless Ericka
a. Reckless Ericka Design Studio, Biztech Centre #05-09 Singapore 389842
The Shirt Bar
Through The Shirt Bar's decades of experience in design & manufacturing, they have come to understand what true quality really is in menswear. Their work with top international brands have enabled them to distill the learnings of the industry, putting together a concept aimed at emulating the best in the industry and yet filling the existing gaps to better offer you what you truly desire – real value. Image Credit: The Shirt Bar
a. 320 Orchard Rd, Level 3, Singapore 238864
Ying the Label
'Less is more; Odd is beautiful' - A unique handwriting underpins all of Ying The Label's designs, from its quaint choice of colours, out-of-the-ordinary silhouettes and humble detailings. Ying The Label is attentively minimalistic and inspired by the everyday, and the people that surround them all.
Ying The Label knows you best, if your wardrobe is filled with black, white and blue, then its time to add that splash of colour. They assure you it will brighten up your day! Image Credit: Ying The Label
Our Second Nature
Our Second Nature is a clothing brand that focuses on comfortable, everyday wear. As part of each collection, they work with an in-house designer to create a unique print that sets the tone for the collection. Through each print, they wish to convey an unspoken energy, inspired by the highs and lows of everyday life.
They believe that clothes are personal and instinctive, and this is what they design their collections around. Their inspiration comes from the sum of all the things they like, and all other things intangible – slow walks in the park, the smell of fresh linen, when a nostalgic song comes on the radio – these small things that make life theirs; their trademarks, their quirks, their second nature. Image Credit: Our Second Nature
GINLEE
GINLEE take immense pride in creating beautiful, thoughtfully-designed pieces that are mainstays in ones’ wardrobe. Equipped with Fashion and Industrial design backgrounds, their passion extends towards 3D elements that not only flatter the female form, but make wearable pieces of art. They don’t design for the perfect body, they design for the real body. They believe that good design should be accessible to everyone and that’s why their clothes are made to flatter a myriad of sizes.
The easy, day-to-night sensibility makes their garments practical for the everyday woman, the way it should be. Merging form and function, their signature pleats not only look good on the hanger, but drapes beautifully on the wearer, highlighting the impeccable craftsmanship. Most importantly, the GINLEE woman feels comfortable in her own skin wearing it which is why they put their garments through a little Dance Test before it goes out to the world. Video Credit: GINLEE Studio
a. Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Rd, #02-35, Singapore 179103
Josée.P.
Josée.P is a Singapore-based womenswear label focusing on dressy casual wear that aims to be a complement to the innate elegance every woman has within her. Launched in the form of carefully considered collections, Josée.P’s pieces are designed to be presentable enough for occasions; yet versatile enough to bring one from AM to PM. At its core, it aims to be the go-to inspiration of elegance for confident women ready to make an impression. Image Credit: Josée.P
w. josee-p.com/
Hher
Hher is a modern ready-to-wear fashion brand with a focus on design, comfort and quality. Clean lines, soft shapes and subtle details. Expect wardrobe essentials and reinvented classics with a hint of quirk or in a pop of colour. Every piece is thoughtfully designed. Made to last beyond seasons, to be loved a long time.
The hher woman is confident and boldly unconventional. She enjoys the arts and contemporary culture as much as she would a day at the beach or an afternoon in with a favourite read. Drawing inspirations from h h e r everyday life, the collections are defined by a minimalistic, eclectic, feminine yet androgynous style with an emphasis on tailoring, material and construction. Image Credit: HHER
Klarra
The Klarra woman is an independent individual with a vivid mindset of her own. Unfazed by passing trends and undefined by age, she seeks empowerment within, never compromising on her values. Her quiet confidence is a mystery to some and only understood by the discerning. Klarra wish to give women the freedom of expression through one brand - so they craft their aesthetics and products to accompany women in their everyday and through their different phases of life. Image Credit: Klarra
a. Raffles City 252 North Bridge Road #03-33 Singapore, Singapore 179103
w. klarra.com/
In Good Company
In Good Company is about people. It’s about being in excellent companionship with like-minded people and the curious; it’s about working and collaborating with creative people and brands. Characteristically modern and quietly confident, In Good Company is designed to form the building blocks of a versatile wardrobe. New modern classics are offered in womenswear, menswear and mini me.
Following a company philosophy that is also embodied in its name, In Good Company enjoys collaborating with like-minded creative businesses and artists who have unique signature quirks and uncommon visions of the world we live in. IGC has sought the company of other creatives who have as much fun doing what they do. Image Credit: In Good Company
a. ION Orchard, #B1-06 2 Orchard Turn
Jo Kilda
Jo Kilda is for the distinctive woman - classic with an edge. They are all about the lifestyle experience. Simply beyond retail fashion, they want to introduce a platform where women can feel modern and stylish, yet edgy as a reflection of their confident, fun and forward-thinking everyday living. They are just at the beginning of their sustainability journey, but they will always be committed to doing better and growing into a reliable sustainable brand.
They are working towards protecting the planet and caring for the people involved in our processes. Jo Kilda cultivate honest and transparent relationships with all suppliers, manufacturers, and agents, and within the Jo Kilda team as well. Being responsible is the pillar of their brand and how they envision their present and future. For Jo Kilda, it is all about making decisions with love and consideration for our planet and the people in it. Video Credit: Jo Kilda
a. 314 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park #01-10 Singapore, Singapore 247977
Lisa Von Tang
Lisa Von Tang are obsessed with creating exquisite, sacred pieces, and this requires mastery of fit, fabrication and fine execution of every detail. Each design goes through multiple rounds of fitting and prototyping. After perfection is achieved, they work hand in hand with their master tailors, embroidery workshops and ethical production units to ensure the highest quality is achieved.
Over 90% of the fabric they use is sourced from leftover (overrun production) from textile factories. They love finding the last meterage left of unique silks and rare jacquards. When larger quantities of a specific fabric is needed, they combine orders with others to reduce waste. By upcycling fabric, they optimise 'waste' and our customers benefit from more textile variation in special, limited batches. Image Credit: LISA VON TANG
Ong Shunmugam
Ong Shunmugam is a contemporary womenswear label with a simple quest to craft beautiful clothes by focusing on sartorial construction instead of fast fashion; on cut and fit before look; on longevity over excess. Available only through their atelier, website and a tightly curated guerilla gallery, Ong Shunmugam pieces are often one-offs or produced in lean quantities.
Designed and made across Asia, their atelier often reworks familiar influences, weaving traditional textile techniques, colours and silhouettes into the modern wardrobe, while deliberately disregarding stereotypes and caricatures. They employ intuition and an exacting aesthetic, and they believe that clothing should be cerebral yet wearable. Video Credit: OngShunmugam
David’s Daughter
Turn every light into a spotlight with the bold silhouettes, cheeky detailing and popping colours of David’s Daughter. They set to empower women to turn heads and make a statement. They believe in making beautiful garments sustainably and ethically, that is why David’s Daughter items are handmade in small quantities with very little production waste.
This also ensures the uniqueness of our items and makes it almost one-of-a-kind for their customers out there. This Singaporean label is a daughter’s tribute to her dad, a father of three girls who may not have any sons but has now inherited a brand that celebrates his legacy. Image Credit: David's Daughter
a. 158 Kallang Way Singapore, Singapore 349245
Beyond the Vines
Beyond The Vines is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Singapore. At Beyond The Vines, their design philosophy has always been about duality – create boldly, design simply. The core of their inspiration comes from keeping with the pulse of contemporary culture and their natural atmosphere, to find strength where differences exist. Beyond The Vines puts forth a way of life that celebrates possibility. Video Credit: Beyond The Vines
a. 107 North Bridge Rd, #02-08 Funan, Singapore 179105
Minor Miracles
Minor Miracles is a print and textile studio that aims to bring happiness into every wardrobe and home. While designing an exclusive print for bridesmaids, Dawn Bey (Founder) received encouraging requests about her prints which led to the leap of imagination to blend her love for pattern making with her core discipline of fashion design. This led to the creation of Minor Miracles.
Aided by a locally staffed team of fashion graduates and creatives, Dawn and her team would design, pattern make by hand and sew samples in-house. This obsession with keeping true to her fashion and sewing roots essentially challenges the current norm of factory supplied designs and trends allowing the team to grow in its craft of pattern and clothes making. Video Credit: Minor Miracles
a. Takashimaya S.C, 391 Orchard Road #03-08B Singapore, Singapore 238872
GRAYE
GRAYE started in 2016, is a ready-to-wear men's clothing label that seeks to portray their interpretation of balance and sustainable fashion concepts into their designs. Advocating modern zen lifestyle, their pieces are minimally designed with the convergence between eastern and western fashion elements. Every collection brings insight into their design process, as they try to share more about their creative process in the effort to bring about transformative design. All their merchandise is designed in-house, created to endure through time in both quality and style. Image Credit: GRAYE
a. 29a E Coast Rd, Singapore 428750
Elnadyah
Elnadyah create unique women’s and men’s apparels and accessories with the influence of Batik that gives the wearer a unique modern twist of tradition, bold and colourful touch.
Elnadyah is a fashion graduate who started to create unique women’s and men’s apparels and accessories with the influence of Batik that gives the wearer a unique modern twist of tradition, bold and colourful touch. Her creations ranges from casual to outfits for special occasions depending on how an individual matches the outfit. Image Credit: Elnadyah
Benjamin Barker
Benjamin Barker is a purveyor of smart-casual, heritage inspired apparel and a lifestyle destination for the discerning gentleman. Working closely with their partners, they make clothes for real men. They make clothes that speak style and personality. They start with their shirts, an eclectic mix that marry versatility and style - a display of sartorial elegance that leans towards design. From the fit, construction and form, they develop and explore different fabrics with modernized style details to add personality and other thoughtful touches. Image Credit: Benjamin Barker
a. 10 Tampines Central 1, #02-17, Singapore 529536
Esse
Esse has been paving the way for the slow and sustainable fashion movement since 2017 and was born out of a desire to redefine the way they approach fashion, inspiring them to consider their garment’s purpose and lifecycle. A conscious fashion brand that is constantly moving the needle forward, Esse merges timeless designs with a traceable supply chain that champions environmental and social responsibility, striving to create positive change in the fashion industry. Through creating a transparent supply chain and two-way dialogue, they want to create a community of people who care about every step of the process as much as they do. Image Credit: Esse
Dark Horse Vintage
Dark Horse Vintage carries a range of modern vintage-inspired collections as well as a range of true vintage apparels including vintage accessories that are unique, quirky & one-of- a-kind. DHV stock a wide range of true vintage pieces ranging from one-off pieces apparel from 1960s sundresses to flamboyant Flower Power maxis from the 1970s and vintage accessories such as leather handbags & purses, quirky earrings and oversized sunglasses to top-off vintage styling.
The collection is proudly designed in Singapore and carries the Made-in-Singapore label. Taking a lift from classical cuts and silhouette including beautiful and interesting detailing, the collection is a combination of old school charm & feminine style meet a modern girl who goes for bold & trendy, comfort & practical style to meet her fun social lifestyle. Image Credit: Dark Horse Vintage
Attaby
The Attaby Collective is a thoughtfully curated multi-label lifestyle boutique that’s home to over forty of the best independent brands in Singapore. Their collections are ever-changing but they’re sure you’ll always find something you love no matter whether you’re shopping for yourself or to find a special gift for a dear friend. With an ever-growing family of creative, dynamic designers, their boutique is brimming with an on-trend assortment of unique home decor and stylish, summery fashion collections.
Shop everything from small-batch fragrances and luxury candles inspired by exotic island scents to an array of non-toxic, vegan beauty and wellness essentials plus stunning jewellery. They couldn’t forget the little ones, so they also have a range of children’s clothing, handcrafted toys, and adorable baby basics sourced from amazing sustainable brands. Image Credit: TheAC
a. 420 Joo Chiat Road Singapore, Singapore
Ans.ein
Ans-ein is a fashion brand offering products based on art. Ans-ein was founded by two mumpreneurs, Anseina (Ans) and Erlyn (Ein), who have different backgrounds but complement each other: Ans is an architect and wedding dress designer, while Ein has been in retail business, event and media. Both of them love art and have a desire to appreciate art in many forms; thus inspiring them to establish Ans-ein: a wearable art. All Ans-ein patterns come from the inspirational brushes of their passionate artists. They encompass the strong, confident strokes of adults up to the cute playful sweep of kids. Not only beautiful patterns, they also design models that suit many people in any kind of body shape, and can be worn multiway style. Image Credit: ANS.EIN
w. ans-ein.com/
s. www.facebook.com/ansein.store/
t. +65 84464878
The Form
The Form reflects a sense of classic, effortless style with a subtle edge. Each piece is designed to blend into your lifestyle, creating a curated closet of high-quality pieces that will last for years. They design clothing that you’ll reach for again and again. The average person only wears 20% of their wardrobe on a regular basis. Approaching fashion with intentionality, each piece is designed to fit into your lifestyle, creating a closet curated with high-quality pieces that will last for years. They design clothing that belong to that 20% – pieces you can reach for again and again. Image Credit: The Form
a. TANGS at Tang Plaza, 310 Orchard Rd, Level 2, Singapore 238864
s. www.facebook.com/theform.official
Stolen
Stolen is an ode to architecture and an elegant expression of the feminine allure. Stolen silhouettes are pure and minimalist rather than superfluous. Colour palettes are muted, neutral and timeless. No unnecessary embellishments, nothing frivolous. An exposed back, revealing one of the most elegant parts of the feminine body, has become the recognisable signature detail of a Stolen garment.
It was founded in 2007 by Elyn Wong, an established figure in the local design and art industries and a former creative group head of advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather. A graduate of Visual Communication and trained in graphic design, Elyn's journey to becoming a fashion designer was an unconventional one. Her approach to garment construction is informed by her passions for architecture - particularly the Brutalist movement - and installation art, invoking a structured rather than decorative form. Image Credit: Stolen
Depression
We all have our demons. Buried feelings. Dark psychological conflicts. That's the inevitability of their collective psyche, but also the beauty of the imperfect human condition. In 2006, self-taught designers Andrew Loh and Kenny Lim started Depression as a means to face their own struggles, but more importantly to segue into their fascination for the complexities of human emotions. Minimalist, genderless and a little macabre, the Depression label takes inspiration from emotional fragilities and turns them into wearable art. Image Credit: DEPRESSION
a. 277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway #04-14, Singapore 238858
Aijek
Aijek was created in 2010 by self-taught designer Danelle Woo who wanted to create a line comprising of beautiful, easy and effortless pieces with sustainable high quality fabrics. Choosing to work mostly with natural fibers such as silk which ages beautifully, she presents them in modern feminine silhouettes. The result is a timeless creation of easy-to-wear pieces that will stay in the wardrobe for years to come.
The Singapore-based fashion label has since been chosen to participate in the prestigious international development program created by Singapore fashion week in partnership with the council of fashion designers of America (CFDA). Overseeing the operational process of Aijek from design, sourcing, prototyping to production, she is personally involved in the intimate process of creating each collection and building the Aijek brand. Image Credit: Aijek
a. 310 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238864
Biro
Here to change the way the world views the basics of menswear, Biro stems from the need of original designs in men’s fashion, with a philosophy that true craftsmanship is expressed through individuality, passion and style. The minimalist approach in design keeps the focus of the brand on quality, combining carefully sourced premium materials from around the globe with precise tailoring from artisans in Japan.
With quality and detail at its heart, biro creates timeless wardrobe staples that combine the skills of master artisan from heritage Japan with an international perspective to meet the desires of a new community that seeks a deeper experience than offered by mass production and be the anchor amid fashion’s shifting tides. Image Credit: Biroshouten
a. 333A Orchard Road, #03-23 Singapore, Singapore 238897
Sabrina Goh
Sabrina Goh is a forward-thinking contemporary fashion brand established in 2009 with an enduring goal to present an inspired view of design. Drawing inspiration from the ‘divine creator’, the original spirit of ELOHIM is enfolded into the geometric features and connectedness of its enduring brand mark.
Sabrina Goh continues to elevate the creative values of interplay between menswear and womens wear, conscious detailing and innovative exploration. Presenting an unfolding narrative in its years-long trajectory, the label has constantly danced between a pure, minimalist outlook and covert, playful subversion. Each collection is a meditation on a given theme, across an array of topics from the seasons to textiles, aesthetics, craft, patterns and architecture. Image Credit: Sabrinagoh
a. 252, North Bridge Road, #02-36 Raffles City Shopping Centre Singapore, Singapore 179103
Salient Label
Salient Label is designed for women who value pieces that are necessary and interesting. Thoughtful designs that are realistic and versatile in styling, affordable yet contemporary.
Simple in design and minimal in hues, the pieces from Salient Label are simplistic and understated. The brand aims to produce quality clothes that are realistic and versatile in design, affordable yet contemporary. Image Credit: Salient Label
