Singapore Labels Are Popping Up At Takashimaya S.C.
Proudly Singaporean fashion and lifestyle brands are spicing up the luxury mall.
A fresh wave of home-grown brands have set up shop in Takashimaya S.C., signalling a new turn for the mall once reserved largely for global and luxury brands.
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At least eight local fashion and lifestyle brands opened stores in the past year, defying the pandemic's wrath on physical retail. According to a Takashimaya spokesman, local fashion brands have been a part of the mall's tenant mix since its inception in October 1993 – although they "comprised just a small percentage" then.
Homegrown menswear label Benjamin Barker opened its flagship at #B2-04 in August. Designed to look like a hotel, the space was inspired by the works of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and film-maker Wes Anderson.
While there was no concerted effort to court them, the mall has observed an "increased interest and evolution in local brands" in recent years.
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"Due to the pandemic and travel restrictions, some global brands had to exit the Singapore market and many were unable to expand overseas. Larger retailers are generally less nimble. Hence, we took the opportunity to diversify our tenant mix and work more closely with some local brands."
The Paper Bunny's Everyday Store at Takashimaya S.C. marks the stationery and lifestyle brand's first physical store.
Instead, what the mall has been on the lookout for are brands that bring "valuable and memorable" in-store experiences, since shopping has evolved in the pandemic.
The Editor's Market houses a Korean-inspired cafe Found within its premises at Takashimaya S.C.
"Retail experiences are more important than ever before. We work closely with our tenants to curate and create one-of-a-kind concept stores," added the spokesman, pointing to apparel brand The Editor's Market's new experiential store that includes a gourmet cafe as an example.
Ahead, we zoom in on some of the new players at Takashimaya S.C.
In October 2020, the well-loved apparel and lifestyle label unveiled a rebrand in conjunction with its Design Store, which has been the launchpad for numerous coveted new drops and collaborations since. It has two other stores – in Ion Orchard and Funan.
Shop the full ready-to-wear collection alongside signature bags ranging from tote bags to carry-alls. A mirrored bag bar at the front of the store displays its best-selling XS Dumpling Bags ($79).
New offerings include refreshed Dumpling Bags ($59 to $109) with improved functional details and new colourways, and a lifestyle collection of drinkware and accessories ($15 to $79) in collaboration with home-grown coffee tech company Morning.
In December, fans will also be able to shop the brand's first-ever sneakers – the Type 01 Canvas Sneaker ($109 to $139) in four colourways.
The home-grown fragrance house, founded by French perfumer Johanna Monange, opened a concept store in September. It joins heavyweight global fragrance brands such as Le Labo, Jo Malone London and Maison Francis Kurkdjian on the mall's unofficial beauty floor.
In different parts of the boutique, customers can attend one of the brand's signature bespoke fragrance crafting workshops ($150 a person), get a whiff of its premium Black Collection of rare perfume essences and discover its customisable range of home scents, which includes candles (from $150), oil burners ($240) and diffusers ($160).
In light of Covid-19, the brand created a touchless scent bar for customers to test out fragrances hygienically.
After stints at Funan and a discreet home studio in Chip Bee Gardens, the local textile studio known for its loud, quirky prints has opened its first flagship store in Orchard Road.
The 800 sq ft space is designed by Kaizen Architecture, with earthy tones and a custom-built, round stone counter to provide contrast to the riot of colours in store.
You can find Minor Miracles' main collection of in-house prints ($128 to $198) as well as a new premium line called Dawn by Minor Miracles ($188 to $368). Sharing its name with founder and print designer Dawn Bey, the line uses higher-quality fabrics and will include solid-coloured pieces – a first for the brand.
Look out for new designs from the latest collection, Seasons, which features prints and palettes inspired by a past holiday to the Keukenhof tulip fields in Holland.
Shop at the brand's fourth and largest retail outlet, then head to its in-house cafe, Found, for bakes and coffee.
At 8,000 sq ft, the store is spacious yet still packed with options for shopaholics. Prices for womenswear start at $30 for a top and at $40 for a dress. Try on your choices in the 18 fitting rooms.
The brand aims to be a one-stop destination for all things fashion and lifestyle – and has curated footwear, accessories and homeware to complement its own offerings. Shop from more than 30 local and international lifestyle brands in its expanded home and living section.
A section called The Market Square will host collaborative events and workshops for shoppers.
The aesthetically designed cafe, Found, inspired by minimalist cafes in South Korea, serves up refreshments from a rotating list of local bakeries and roasters.
Opened in October, The Paper Bunny's Everyday Store marks the stationery and lifestyle brand's first physical store.
The compact but cosy space boasts pleasing neutral tones and curved edges all around. Shop in-house designed items – signature planners (from $39.50), bags (from $37.50) and casual apparel (from $34) – or global brands such as Porter and Stojo.
Nifty gift ideas for Christmas include the 2022 planners, reusable shopper bags (from $18) and its functional Multi-Way Tote ($80).
Launching next month is a new collection of kids' T-shirts and adjustable bucket hats.
Spend at least $25 and receive a roll of exclusive TPB wrapping paper. With a minimum purchase of $80, receive a limited-edition water bottle, while stocks last.
A version of this article first appeared in The Straits Times