Break away from shopping at uninspiring mainstream brands. Check out these alternative shopping hunts where you'll possibly find great buys and apparel that is sure to give you a fashion edge.
Treasures at Trove
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At first glance, Trove, a quaint designer boutique outlet located at The Esplanade will catch your eye.
The store is pleasantly designed in soothing colours, walls decorated with prints and painting by international artists and its main artefacts - the fashion apparel - are featured in the middle of the store to give shoppers a unique cultural experience as they browse fashion as art.
Who would have thought of setting up shop at The Esplanade where art and entertainment are the mainstays of the cultural hub?
Officially opened in December last year, Trove is the brain child of friends Victoria Bay, 30, and Caris Tay, 29, who decided during the economic downturn that the bargain safari is the way to shop. Their strategy is to carry off-season collection at affordable prices at the store so that shoppers can have affordable couture.
Apparel featured could be from Spring/Summer 2007 (SS 2007) collections through to SS 2009, but Trove offers shoppers exclusive finds of globally reknown designers such as Karen Walker (New Zealand) and Lulu Cheung (Hong Kong) and cult labels like Built by Wendy (USA), Lover the Label (Australia), Minimarket (Sweden), among others.
If you are lucky, you'll find the occasional bargain as it offers shoppers discounts ranging from 20% to 50% off retail prices. Prices range between $20 - $250. New stocks arrive every two to three weeks.
Trove is located 8 Raffles Avenue #02-10, Esplanade Mall, Singapore.
Jump into style
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Jumpsuits are the latest rave and if you're not already into them, you better jump right in!
nsha carries a wide range of jumpers and rompers in a variety of colours (I'd like to call it the 'jumpsuit specialist'). The brand is part of multi-label boutique, Front Row, which recently shifted to Raffles Hotel Arcade from Ann Siang Hill.
The womenswear label was founded by Nishta Shah, 29, a Thai native with Indian descent who is also a licensed pilot and avid sailor. As a jet setter, Ms Nishta recognises the importance of versatility in clothes to cater a woman's hectic lifestyle. Therefore nsha signature jumpsuits function as loungewear, constructed with motion fabric such as soft skin-sensitive cotton and bio treated jersey for ease of movement and comfort. That same stylish garment is designed to be taken anywhere - from yoga class to dinner and after-parties.
While these jumpsuits are a little more pricey, you are paying premium for the colours they come in. The Autumn/Winter 2009 collection, which is still in stores, come in rich piercing jewel tones such as Mulberry Purple, Phantom Grey and Powder Blue or the simply choose from basics shades of white or black. You can be sure that if your in a nsha jumper, you won't be mistaken for wearing Far East Plaza knock-offs because of the quality and unique colours. Prices range from $365 to $460.
nsha is available at Front Row, The Raffles Hotel Arcade, #02-08/09, 328 North Bridge Road, Singapore.
Local designs with Japanese edge
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Singapore-based fashion label, Individual Expressions (I.E.), continues to gain headway in the Japanese market. Recently, the label made waves when it signed a deal with Japan's leading fashion chain, United Arrows, to retail at their stores in Japan.
While Japanese retailing is not entirely new to I.E., which has been in the market for the past 6 seasons, this partnership shows recognition of the local brand as a continued source of fashion inspiration for contemporary women.
The collection is hard to miss. Local designer Keith Yap loves creating romantic and bohemian designs often with the gypsy or hippie chic in mind as his typical muse. His trademark is youthfulness in bold colours and vibrant prints.
For Spring/Summer 2010, the I.E girl travels to India for inspirations. Dress inspirations are derived from Gondola from India, while the prints are updated from the Indian Saree.
Great for women who want to stay forever young.
In Singapore, Individual Expression retails at Tangs Orchard, VivoCity and Takashimaya. Blouses range from $69- Dress range from $89-$169.
Vintage glow
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She calls herself the "one-woman needlework extraordinaire".
Dressmaker Ms Lilian Choo's label Dayglow Vintage is a brand which specialises in custom-made vintage dresses built from scratch.
For those who dig the reminiscient look, but have difficulty buying fitting vintage dresses off the rack, Dayglow Vintage offers the option to make-to-measure.
Up till the end of last year, the only way you could get your hands on a Dayglow Vintage dress was through its online website; but this year, the brand is going to make itself available in retail spaces to create more accessibility for fans and shoppers.
While Choo tries to keep her dress construction simple, the plain dresses tend to look like convent girl pinafores - perhaps the look is of the times, it is not my cup of tea. The saving grace of her designs are the floral dresses. A play with pleats and frills give the vintage dresses an updated look.
Dayglow vintage retails at Odette & Shuu, 30 Raffles Place #02-29 Change Alley Chevron House and The Little Drom Store, 7 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore.
