Plop Apparels: The Vintage Store Spotlighting Niche Independent Designers
A new store unites both thrifting culture and independent labels - with a cute cafe to boot.
In 2020, then Ngee Ann Polytechnic business student Jermaine Ho started Plop Apparels as an online store to share her love for vintage clothing. Flash forward to July this year, the fashion gig has grown beyond the virtual realm for the 23-year-old, who has manifested her business acumen into a fashion and lifestyle entreprise that operates from a double-storey shophouse located at 17 Haji Lane. Plop sits on the second floor while the cafe Sooner Or Later occupies the ground level.
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While the fashion store boasts – and has become a haunt for its primarily Gen Z customers – a roster of Y2K-perfect, utilitarian staples like vintage cargo pants, it also stocks small independent labels such as British designer Stephanie Liasis, who is known for her cropped tops made out of deadstock fabrics.
The industrial decor of the Plop Apparels was conceptualised by Jermaine Ho – including the glass-covered changing room that takes pride of place in the middle of the store.
With its industrial-leaning interiors, the retail space is an inviting and comfortable atmosphere to peruse garments and above all, aims to foster a community with a shared love for vintage and clothing from niche labels. You might spot a small selection of original Plop Apparels-branded merchandise like a body-con jersey minidress printed with prints of woman's face among the racks of clothes here.
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Designed by Ho herself, she reveals that a full-fledged fashion line will be the next step for the business. Despite having no formal training in fashion, she learnt how to sew – like most things we pick up today – through YouTube tutorials.
Below, FEMALE speaks to the intrepid fashion entrepreneur about Plop Apparels' humble beginnings, upcoming events, and her favourite items in the store right now.
What spurred you to start Plop Apparels?
"I've always loved thrifted and vintage second-hand clothing as it’s a way of exploring my individuality. I love the idea of not looking the same as anyone else you meet on the street. While stuff from fast fashion brands doesn’t last very long; vintage pieces are made with higher-quality materials and craftsmanship. Additionally, since vintage pieces are already in existence, less resources are wasted (compared to buying something new). The more we adopt sustainable practices, the more ethical alternatives will become the dominant paradigm in a world where fast fashion rules the roost of the garment industry. In my free time, I love exploring vintage stores. The beginnings of Plop were then created after I realised that I had too much stuff in my closet after multiple shopping trips. So Plop really started as more of a hobby! I went overseas to countries like the United Kingdom, Thailand, and the Philippines and formed some connections – these contacts helped me to thrift overseas, allowing me to bring back unique overseas stock to the local scene."
Plop Apparels was originally an online store. What motivated you to open a brick-and-mortar counterpart?
"Very often, clothes don’t fit as well as they look on the models that they’re advertised on. I experienced this first-hand as clothes my size were hard to come by. Therefore, I wanted to provide consumers with an opportunity to peruse and try on the pieces, so they could make more meaningful, informed and less impulsive purchases. For Plop, engaging with our customers and being ready to help if they need a second opinion is important."
Plop Apparels rotates the brands that the store carries bi-monthly. What are your considerations when you select a new brand to work with?
"Brand aesthetics are usually the first factor we look out for. More importantly, however, we pay attention to the identity and values that a brand stands for. Before bringing in pieces at Plop, I always try to meet with prospective creators and have a detailed conversation. As we believe in working with like-minded individuals who believe in creative energy, freedom of expression and new possibilities, we usually work with brands who either create their own pieces or upcycled deadstock materials to create new products.
Currently, we are housing Affirmation Club, Kopi.toast, Rebel Label – all of which are accessory brands from Singapore, as well as UK-based slow fashion brand Stephanie Liasis. We are in the midst of liaising with more brands globally to bring in their items in the coming months. London-based Singaporean knit designer Bryan Yeo (pictured) will also be stocking his garments here soon."
What are some of your favourite items currently on sale at Plop Apparels?
"Of all the items in store, I’m in love with the Plop dress that my team and I envisioned. Inspired by our love for '90s and Y2K culture, the Lilith dress (pictured on Ho here) reflects the contours of the wearer's body by hugging their natural waist and skin. We wanted this piece to allow one to embrace their own skin and be their own muse."
What's in the plans for Plop Apparels going forward?
"Apart from sourcing and bringing in vintage and reworked second-hand clothing, we hope to expand our offerings to create and design our own pieces - we’re currently working on releasing our very own clothing line/collection! To give back to the community, we strive to work with other small designers labels who are just starting out, be it local or international designers. This is in line with our vision of becoming an avenue for these brands to showcase their brand and pieces to the community. Finally, we also have plans to expand our offerings from designers based overseas. One of our immediate plans is to introduce some Vietnamese brands that I’m currently in talks with."
Photography Phyllicia Wang Art Direction Imran Jalal Hair EC Tan/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Sha Shamsi