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 44th 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
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
For stockists outside of Singapore, please visit www.ilovehansel.com
Reckless Ericka
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
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
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.
