By Fashion Jeannie

When I was at uni in North America, I discovered vintage and fell in love with the romance of past eras. There was something about the history of fashion that intrigued me; not just of the garment and who had lovingly owned it before, but also the craftsmanship and the pride of the maker. Clothes then were made to last a lifetime. Many were lovingly hand stitched, and the detailing on them was impeccable. I didn’t tell my parents back in Singapore though, that I was buying vintage. Instead, I used the fact to my advantage and told them that I was buying second hand clothes. They were immensely proud of how frugal their shopaholic daughter had become.

When I returned to Singapore after four years, I was thrown into the abyss of cookie cutter fashion. Everyone wore the same thing the same way. Life became vanilla. I tried foraging at the Salvation Army stores and various thrift shops, but no joy. I had to depend on overseas forays to quench my lust for vintage.

Then, a few years ago, vintage shops started popping up in Singapore. Imagine my (internal) whoop of joy as each shop sprouted. We’re not talking about thrift shops here – vintage Pucci, Givenchy,  high street brands of the time , can now be found at Déjà vu Vintage, Dustbunny Vintage, Granny’s Day Out, Pluck and a few  other ‘specialty’ shops. My life has suddenly become more colourful.

Granny’s Day Out

Granny's Day Out

Stuck in the middle of shops hawking camera equipment, trainers and other sports paraphernalia, Granny’s Day Out is undoubtedly in a strange location… which to me, makes it appear to be even more of a find. The shop carries accessories, vintage tees, tea, cocktail and evening dresses. I bought a jersey 70s disco dress there as well as an early 60s tea-party dress. Both of which I’ve worn to death because I get compliments non-stop when I wear them. The both cost less than $200 each. PS: they sell online too.

Granny’s Day Out
9 Coleman  Street
03-25 Peninsula Shopping Centre
Tel: 6838 9774

Déjà Vu Vintage

Déjà Vu Vintage

When Déjà Vu first started at the old Mandarin Shopping Arcade, it caused  flutters in my heart.  Finally, there was a place where I could find vintage couture labels (at a fraction of their original cost).  Valentino, Givenchy, Pucci evening gowns are available here. I musn’t have been the only one who loved them , because they now have two stores – one at The Cathay, and the other one at Millenia Walk.  Both sell contemporary and vintage accessories that complement their collections.

Déjà Vu Vintage
The Cathay
Handy Road, 01-18
Tel: 6333 6630
Open Mon – Sun: 12pm to 930pm

Millenia Walk
#01-70 9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: 63388013
Open Mon – Sun: 11 am to 9pm

Dust Bunny Village

Pia at her Temple Street shop

Pia at Dust Bunny used to sell her vintage bags online, from her home and at various fairs.  But now, she has an actual shop that is open by appointment at Temple Street. Her collection of vintage bags is indisputably the best in town. And now, she has added fashion (lots and lots of it) to her repertoire. Contact Pia to get an appointment before heading to her shop at Temple Street in Chinatown.

Dustbunny Vintage
15A Temple Street #02-01.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri (1230pm – 9pm)
Saturday (2pm-630pm)
Tel: 96919305

Pluck

Pluck

This was one of the first retail outlets to open in Haji Lane which, incidentally, is one of my favourite shopping haunts in Singapore. Walking into Pluck is a bit like walking into Aladdin’s cave.  There is an ice cream parlour within the premises which is filled with vintage wallpaper, jewellery, refurbished vintage furniture pieces, lamps, as well as a small selection of fashion made from vintage fabric.  I know it’s not strictly fashion, but I got a folding screen made of vintage wallpaper a few years ago, and I still get compliments on it today.  So I had to share this find of a shop with you…

Goblin Market

Goblin Market is a bit more off the beaten track.  Be prepared to trek to Joo Chiat to discover this find. Never mind, you can drop by the famous Fei Fei wanton mee down the street (it’s at number 62), get a really good (legitimate) massage  and explore vintage Singapore along the way.

Goblin Market has been around for a couple of years, but seems to be frequented by those ‘in-the-know’. They stock vintage sunglasses, and an array of dresses, and a cute collection of vintage band tees.

Their website, which is a blog, also serves as an online shop.

Goblin Market
267 JooChiat Place
Tel: 6348 8396 (ask for Bruce)

Some tips when shopping for vintage

1. Contemporary sizes do not equate to vintage sizes so always try the garment on!
2. Vintage clothes have history and you need to check carefully for fading, stains, holes, etc. and if you find a stain don’t assume that it will come out.  Stains on the underarm always never come out.
3. If collecting, designer labels will command a higher value but there are so many unlabeled gems out there that you will love, so don’t discount them.
4. Don’t be afraid to accessorize a vintage dress with a contemporary handbag or jewellery and you can do the same in reverse, in fact it is a must.
5. Don’t worry about broken buttons. Those can always be replaced. But check the zips.  Those are harder to replace.
6. Have your allergy medication on hand.  Vintage shops (especially those overseas) can be a dusty affair.
7. Have a good tailor on hand. Clothes can be altered to fit.  Make sure your seamstress is comfortable with working with older fabrics and finishes of older clothes.

Goblin Market and Deja Vu have moved:  please click here for latest info.

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By Fashion Jeannie

I am in love. He is everything I always wanted in a man — he’s smart, gregarious, has a FILTHY sense of humour; he’s larger than life and has an impeccable sense of style. …and he’s openly gay. He is a fashion consultant and an fashion stylist to the stars (Madonna, Bryan Ferry, All Saints to name just a few), now star of How to Look Good Naked and Fashion Fix (both on BBC Lifestyle, StarHub ch 83), author of several best-selling books, creator of a lingerie line, eye glass line, skincare line for Boots and connoisseur of women of all shapes and sizes. He is Gok Wan, more popularly known as Gok. Standing over 6 tall, the half Chinese-half-English star from Leicester is no different on TV than he is in real life. In the best way possible.

I met Gok last week in Hong Kong when he was there to do a series of media interviews as well as have a bit of a holiday before heading back to the UK to a gruelling filming schedule, book launch and his skincare launch. I supped with him, drank and shopped with him, as he told me filthy jokes.

Over the course of several evenings, he answered many burning fashion questions I had – what are women’s worst fashion mistakes EVAH; what should I have in my wardrobe that will make me look fashionable next season etc? But first, I had to ask him what the three essential rules of making a girl feel good. Here’s what he said (in summary)

1. Commit to a style. Decide on the look you want for the season, and make a complete go for it – the hair, the make-up and the accessories. Some women will go boho but will want to wear their Louboutin stilettos, which obviously won’t work. Give 100% to the look you choose. Look at the Olsen twins with their upscale boho look and Dita von Teese with her 1940s diva image. They not only commit, they are totally married to their respective styles (which is more than you can say for most relationships). They have the complete look, down to the lipstick. PS: Dita more than rocks with me.

   

2. Underwear is not an afterthought. We need proper foundation. Remember that clothes are cut on a mannequin. On real women, they are not going to hang in the same way. Wearing the right under garments gives us a shape as similar to the mannequin as possible. Always ensure your bra is fitted correctly, and never be afraid to use body shapers. They don’t have to be the ugly and flesh-coloured. Think boudoir to inspire you. Go to www.simplyyours.co.uk for inspiration.
   
3. Have a relationship with your mirror. Loads of women walk past a mirror and purposely avoid looking at it. How can we look our best if we don’t truly know what we look like? Gok recommends that we can first start to know our bodies by moisturising it thoroughly. Only then will we recognise the bumps, the curves, the sexy and the bits we don’t like so much. Then really really look in a full-length mirror to appreciate your body fully. With knowledge of your body, you’ll not only have a better idea of which bits you want to hide and accentuate, but more importantly, you’ll realise how sexy you really are.

And with that thought, I’m going shopping for a new full-length mirror.

The Gok has spoken. I so love him!

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By Fashion Jeannie

I believe in creativity, self expression, in being true to oneself.

I truly believe that we are all unique, people who should celebrate our differences – through our art, our words, and the clothes we choose.

I try to deny the cookie-cutter life, the every-day ho-hum of day-to-day living.

Sometimes there aren’t many opportunities to do this. I am passionate about fashion, so I make the most of self-expression through the clothes I choose.

This week, in celebration of Singapore’s 44^th birthday, I’d like to celebrate designers in Singapore who are doing their own thing. They are edgy and different. Their pieces are conversation starters, not stoppers – I likey!

Hansel

Jo Soh, the designer behind the label, trained at St Martin’s in London.  She blends quirky playfulness with understated minimalism (according to her website!).  To me, her clothes are a mix of 1950s housewife meets geek chic meets glamour puss – eclectic, original and timeless. In her latest Fantastic Jurassic collection, she designed everything, down to the dinosaur-print jersey fabric.  And – oh yes – her label was voted wallpaper magazine’s ‘Secret Elite’ in 2008.

You can get your hands on her creations at her workshop in Paya Lebar – call 67442873 for an appointment. Alternatively, Hansel is available in Singapore at:

• Epitome – 14C Kensington Park Road, Singapore 557265
• Asylum – 22 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069702
• antipodean – 27A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Singapore 277686
• Blackmarket – 19 Jalan Pisang (along Victoria Street), Singapore 199084
• Felt – 11 Stamford Road, #01-18 Capitol Building, Singapore 178884
• Actually Arc – 1 Esplanade Drive, Esplanade Mall #02-10

ONLINE STOCKISTS

• Hansel Online Shop
• Cate
• Mardeu
• We Few

For stockists outside of Singapore, please visit www.ilovehansel.com

Reckless Ericka

A new label (at least to me), Reckless Ericka made its debut at the Audi Fashion Festival earlier this year with both a menswear AND womenswear collection.

The label consists of a team of 4 – Afton Chen, Diorelle Sy, Ruth Marbun and Louis Koh. Afton was the national winner of last year’s Triumph Inspiration Award, and is a graduate of the RafflesDesign Institute. Together with the rest of the team, Restless Ericka produced a brilliantly tight collection around the ‘Brit Kid Goes to India’ theme during the fashion festival in May.  The collection’s silhouettes and cuts are edgy and adventurous but they combine this with classic tailoring techniques.  Check out the shaped waistcoats and asymmetrical long-sleeved shirt!

This is their first collection, but I can’t wait to see more.

Stockists :

• Blackmarket - 19 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199084 (along Victoria Street, near Arab St)
• Antipodean - 27a Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Singapore 277686

LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN

Shop online at: http://shop.notjustalabel.com/

Strictly by appointment ONLY:
2B Blackhall Street, [LONDON] EC2A 4AD

Fru fru and Tiger Lily

This label has always been a bit of a mystery to me.  I don’t quite know who’s behind it, although I have a fair idea.  They have a facebook group but it hasn’t been updated in over a year.  I have been told that they only do a very small capsule collection each time.  They certainly don’t believe in PR as there is very little written about them – hence their ’secret cool’ factor.

 I do love their clothes. They are vintage-inspired and daring. Their clothes have a minimalist feel about them, and they are well-constructed. Dresses are capped at about SGD250 so they are fairly easy on the pocket.

Stockists:

• White Room - 37 Haji Lane, Singapore 189230
• Blackmarket - 19 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199084 (along Victoria Street, near Arab St)

Nicholas

Influenced by his seamstress mother as a child, designer, Nic Wong was always dreaming up fashion sketches for his imaginary muses.

His self named label, nicholas, is today widely known for his figure-flattering cuts and quiet structured styles. His clothes are preppy but ever so slightly twisted. He has uni-sleeved shirts with unexpected keyhole openings and corsets made of slightly mad 1960s curtains. (I couldn’t resist!)

He’s the only designer here who has his own stores – two, as a matter of fact. One in Marina Square and the other in Stamford House.

Stockists :

• nicholas - Marina Square, Unit 02-323
• nicholas - Stamford House, Unit 01-03

Overseas :

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Materiel
• New York, USA – Precision
• Chicago, USA – Frances Heffernan, 810 Elm Street in Winnetka, Illinois.

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By Fashion Jeannie

I love shoes. Love love LOVE shoes (because anyone can look like Kate Moss’ feet in a pair of shoes). I must own at least 100 pairs. I also love design – in particular, furniture and product design (To paraphrase the Ab Fab girls, ‘I love things. Beautiful things!’)

So when I discovered United Nude, I thought I’d died and gone to style heaven.

In 2003, Rem D. Koolhaas (nephew of Rem Koolhaas – who designed the Prada building in Beverly Hills, and the Casa de Musica in Portugal) and Galahad Clark, a seventh generation English shoemaker from Clark’s the shoemakers decided to start a whole new brand.

Combining their two passions, they took footwear design to a whole new artform – creating shoes inspired by iconic furniture. Their first range of shoes ‘Mobius’ was inspired by the Barcelona chair created by Bauhaus director, Mies Van Der Rohe in 1929. This sandal was characterized by a single strip that formed the footbed, sole, heel and upper part of the shoe.

Then, there’s the Eamz range inspired by Ray and Charles Eames’ famous aluminum chairs – complete with a metal heel that seems to suspend the shoe in mid-air.

Best of all, these shoes are the most comfortable you can find.  Madonna apparently owns a pair, and we know how cool she is!

As proof, United Nude’s shoes as well as other  ‘couture’ shoes were put to a sprint test. Guess who won.  Check out the youtube video here.

Who thought I’d be able to afford to buy (and wear) a design classic?

Buy United Nude at www.unitednude.com, or pick a pair (or 2, or 3) when you’re in  North America, Europe or China (for a full list of stockists,check here)

Go to the website to see the full range.

A small selection of United Nude shoes are available at Takashimaya, in the shoe department, in the section labelled ‘French Sole’.

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