Vice and Vanity
A three-year-old label that makes chunky accessories ranging from bronze geometric-shaped necklaces to bird-shaped brooches.
The brand is the offspring of former Club21 employee, Vivi Masturah Lim, 35, and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts graduate, Aaron Kao, 30.
What it is all about
The brand designs and assembles all jewellery by hand in a workshop in Joo Chiat Road.
The price range for the current collection Sinew And Strain (below) is between $146 and $179.
The brand has been featured in local designer Baylene’s runway show in the 2007 Singapore Fashion Festival.
The brand’s items can be found at Antipodean, BlackMarket, Nicholas and Ztamp.
How it plans to stay ahead of the pack
“As an exclusive design brand, it is vital for us to be relevant to the times and continually churn out creative styles that are of good quality so that our customers will seek us out when they are looking for great styles that will last several seasons,” says Kao.
Hottest selling item right now Necklaces from the Sinew and Strain collection that are created with leather bits and metal pieces.
Each design is a statement piece made to add attitude to any outfit.
L’ile aux Ashby
Launched in 2006, this label is founded by 24-year-old Rayson Tan, a visual communication graduate from Lasalle College of the Arts.
What it is all about
The brand designs all kinds of baubles and accent pieces, including necklaces (above), earrings, bracelets, brooches and bowties. It will also launch bags and hair accessories like hairbands next year.
The products of L’ile aux Ashby are delicately made with an emphasis on elaborate details and organic shapes.
All designs are produced in limited pieces. Every piece is handmade and can be customised to the customer’s preferences.
The items are priced between $69 and $169.
They can be found at Deja Vu Vintage, Dulcetfig, BlackMarket, Egg3 and Hide and Seek.
How it plans to stay ahead of the pack
“I am holding a full-time graphic designer job, which hones my sense of design. This helps when it comes to maintaining consistency in the branding and marketing of my label,” says Tan.
Hottest selling item right now: The brand’s bowties (below) are very popular with both male and female customers who like the quirkiness of this accessory.
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.
