Latest from Karen Tee
Supported by Dover Street Market and Comme des Garcons president Adrian Joffe, and fresh from their first showing in Paris, Singapore design collective Youths In Balaclava could be the breath of fresh air the fashion industry needs.
Supported by Dover Street Market and Comme des Garcons president Adrian Joffe, and fresh from their first showing in Paris, Singapore design collective Youths In Balaclava could be the breath of fresh air the fashion industry needs.
Singaporean luxury retail group boss Michael Tay says wearing a smartwatch could stoke a young consumer’s appetite for a mechanical watch later on. He reflects on the future of bricks-and-mortar retailing and the importance of service.
Singaporean luxury retail group boss Michael Tay says wearing a smartwatch could stoke a young consumer’s appetite for a mechanical watch later on. He reflects on the future of bricks-and-mortar retailing and the importance of service.
Singapore Social on Netflix is no Crazy Rich Asians, but are the haters hating on themselves when they say this new reality show is vapid and fake?
Singapore Social on Netflix is no Crazy Rich Asians, but are the haters hating on themselves when they say this new reality show is vapid and fake?
Designer Afton Chen, of Reckless Ericka, is marking the Singapore label’s 10th anniversary by making the country’s national obsession – food – an object of sartorial desire.
Designer Afton Chen, of Reckless Ericka, is marking the Singapore label’s 10th anniversary by making the country’s national obsession – food – an object of sartorial desire.
Whether it’s for private functions with VIP guests or flashy store openings, Olga Iserlis is who many in the Lion City turn to. After fleeing Russia for the US aged 15, she draws on her experiences for inspiration.
Whether it’s for private functions with VIP guests or flashy store openings, Olga Iserlis is who many in the Lion City turn to. After fleeing Russia for the US aged 15, she draws on her experiences for inspiration.
Plus size and 1.85 metres tall, Becca D’Bus would stand out on the streets of Singapore even if she didn’t wear dresses that draw stares. ‘I wear my creations because I am proud of them and not to challenge societal views,’ she says.
Plus size and 1.85 metres tall, Becca D’Bus would stand out on the streets of Singapore even if she didn’t wear dresses that draw stares. ‘I wear my creations because I am proud of them and not to challenge societal views,’ she says.
Pek Lay Peng, of Singaporean multi-label boutique SocietyA, is on a mission to get Asian designers the credit they deserve – labels such as LIE from South Korea, Malaysia’s Jonathan Liang and Peggy Hartanto from Indonesia.
Pek Lay Peng, of Singaporean multi-label boutique SocietyA, is on a mission to get Asian designers the credit they deserve – labels such as LIE from South Korea, Malaysia’s Jonathan Liang and Peggy Hartanto from Indonesia.
Lelian Chew pulls out all the stops to create perfect weddings for her wealthy clientele, for whom little is beyond the realms of possibility: million dollar dresses, purpose-built structures in remote places – even weather control.
Lelian Chew pulls out all the stops to create perfect weddings for her wealthy clientele, for whom little is beyond the realms of possibility: million dollar dresses, purpose-built structures in remote places – even weather control.
Biro, founded by Singaporean brothers Kenghow and Kage Chong, sells a tightly curated collection of utilitarian apparel made in Japan that combines precision tailoring with carefully sourced premium textiles.
Biro, founded by Singaporean brothers Kenghow and Kage Chong, sells a tightly curated collection of utilitarian apparel made in Japan that combines precision tailoring with carefully sourced premium textiles.
Two Singaporean entrepreneurs have launched a brand, Caviar Colony, to showcase the ‘black gold’ harvested from a caviar farm in Yunnan, southwest China, and gain for Chinese caviar the recognition they say it deserves.
Two Singaporean entrepreneurs have launched a brand, Caviar Colony, to showcase the ‘black gold’ harvested from a caviar farm in Yunnan, southwest China, and gain for Chinese caviar the recognition they say it deserves.
Singapore-based Priscilla Shunmugam says one of her design hallmarks is tasteful colours for Asian skin. Diffusion line OM is for women who are not afraid to look both capable and fashionable.
Singapore-based Priscilla Shunmugam says one of her design hallmarks is tasteful colours for Asian skin. Diffusion line OM is for women who are not afraid to look both capable and fashionable.
Muslim women from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, by offering followers a glimpse of their lives through Instagram, aim to spread understanding of their fashion and faith.
Muslim women from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, by offering followers a glimpse of their lives through Instagram, aim to spread understanding of their fashion and faith.
Marquee in Singapore features a 30-metre-tall Ferris wheel, Ce La Vi is the highest rooftop lounge in Taiwan, and Zouk Genting in Malaysia has a social gaming lounge. And they’re not all the new venues offering something different.
Marquee in Singapore features a 30-metre-tall Ferris wheel, Ce La Vi is the highest rooftop lounge in Taiwan, and Zouk Genting in Malaysia has a social gaming lounge. And they’re not all the new venues offering something different.
LVMH regional chairman Ravi Thakran says there are many rising fashion stars in Asia that have the potential to go global, but he does not see the continent producing a true global luxury fashion brand in the next decade.
LVMH regional chairman Ravi Thakran says there are many rising fashion stars in Asia that have the potential to go global, but he does not see the continent producing a true global luxury fashion brand in the next decade.
Contrary to popular belief, using ethical sources of crocodile leather and snakeskin in the fashion industry can help in wildlife conservation, says some industry leaders.
Contrary to popular belief, using ethical sources of crocodile leather and snakeskin in the fashion industry can help in wildlife conservation, says some industry leaders.
A trip to Colombia led to the opening of Singapore-based Artitude Galeria. Owners Ravi Thakran and partner Holly Turner were amazed at the similarities between Latin America and Asian art and decided to bring the two together.
A trip to Colombia led to the opening of Singapore-based Artitude Galeria. Owners Ravi Thakran and partner Holly Turner were amazed at the similarities between Latin America and Asian art and decided to bring the two together.
There are 200 Hermès handbags, a similar number of shoes and fashion from the world’s leading luxury labels. The former Singapore Airlines stewardess talks about her style, her work, and the perils of not staying in five-star hotels.
There are 200 Hermès handbags, a similar number of shoes and fashion from the world’s leading luxury labels. The former Singapore Airlines stewardess talks about her style, her work, and the perils of not staying in five-star hotels.
Clothing rental companies are springing up in Asia as shoppers overcome their reluctance to wear used designer outfits. Some companies also offer alteration services and package deals.
Clothing rental companies are springing up in Asia as shoppers overcome their reluctance to wear used designer outfits. Some companies also offer alteration services and package deals.
Singapore and Malaysia-based company Zalora says that understanding the region inside out is what has given it the edge.
Singapore and Malaysia-based company Zalora says that understanding the region inside out is what has given it the edge.
Works on display include a set of books with cut-outs holding found items she picked off the streets and put in ziplock bags. Liu has long been interested in art and had her first solo show, under her Chinese name, in 1993.
Works on display include a set of books with cut-outs holding found items she picked off the streets and put in ziplock bags. Liu has long been interested in art and had her first solo show, under her Chinese name, in 1993.
Seeing fellow pupils at the elite Anglo Chinese School wearing Omegas and Rolexes, Bernard Cheong collected deposits on Coca-Cola bottles to buy his first watch. He shows us his ‘migration box’, a travel case containing eight watches for a quick getaway.
Seeing fellow pupils at the elite Anglo Chinese School wearing Omegas and Rolexes, Bernard Cheong collected deposits on Coca-Cola bottles to buy his first watch. He shows us his ‘migration box’, a travel case containing eight watches for a quick getaway.
The Lion City’s newest ‘It’ model is bringing much needed diversity to runways and ad campaigns around the world. The six-foot-tall Singaporean-Indian made her debut at Paris Fashion Week this season.
The Lion City’s newest ‘It’ model is bringing much needed diversity to runways and ad campaigns around the world. The six-foot-tall Singaporean-Indian made her debut at Paris Fashion Week this season.
Chryseis Tan is not your average Instagram rich kid and is carving out a niche in her family’s Berjaya business while making smart use of social media to spread awareness about her ventures.
Chryseis Tan is not your average Instagram rich kid and is carving out a niche in her family’s Berjaya business while making smart use of social media to spread awareness about her ventures.
City’s would-be Carrie Bradshaws don’t have to go to Singapore for their trendy, affordable accessories fix any more. The LVMH-invested brand known for its minimalist interiors is opening two Hong Kong stores.
City’s would-be Carrie Bradshaws don’t have to go to Singapore for their trendy, affordable accessories fix any more. The LVMH-invested brand known for its minimalist interiors is opening two Hong Kong stores.
The fabulous earrings Gemma Chan’s character buys, the multi-strand necklace Michelle Yeoh’s matriarch wears, and more, were lent by Mouawad. With the family-owned firm set to exhibit at JeweLuxe in Singapore, its director predicts the next trend in diamonds.
The fabulous earrings Gemma Chan’s character buys, the multi-strand necklace Michelle Yeoh’s matriarch wears, and more, were lent by Mouawad. With the family-owned firm set to exhibit at JeweLuxe in Singapore, its director predicts the next trend in diamonds.
Singapore is full of glitzy, cookie-cutter shopping malls selling major fashion brands, but some retail outlets prefer to stock emerging labels and local designs. Here are eight stores that are worth checking out.
Singapore is full of glitzy, cookie-cutter shopping malls selling major fashion brands, but some retail outlets prefer to stock emerging labels and local designs. Here are eight stores that are worth checking out.
China has been slow to harness the healing qualities of its finest teas for skincare products, unlike Japan and South Korea. Chinese-French brand Lu Ming Tang puts that right.
China has been slow to harness the healing qualities of its finest teas for skincare products, unlike Japan and South Korea. Chinese-French brand Lu Ming Tang puts that right.
A recent ivory jewellery brand launch in Singapore, which turned out to be a publicity stunt by the WWF, highlights a shortcoming in the nation’s law that allows trade in ‘old’ ivory and opens the door for illegal new ivory.
A recent ivory jewellery brand launch in Singapore, which turned out to be a publicity stunt by the WWF, highlights a shortcoming in the nation’s law that allows trade in ‘old’ ivory and opens the door for illegal new ivory.
Flesh Imp stayed under the radar for most of its 18-year history, preferring collaborations with the likes of rapper ShiGGa Shay and model Rebecca Tan to hyping its name. With streetwear back in vogue, the brand is expanding to trendy Chengdu.
Flesh Imp stayed under the radar for most of its 18-year history, preferring collaborations with the likes of rapper ShiGGa Shay and model Rebecca Tan to hyping its name. With streetwear back in vogue, the brand is expanding to trendy Chengdu.
Word-of-mouth marketing from satisfied customers, and social media buzz, have driven the growth of three trending beauty start-ups offering artisanal scents, mimimalist skincare high-performance organic products
Word-of-mouth marketing from satisfied customers, and social media buzz, have driven the growth of three trending beauty start-ups offering artisanal scents, mimimalist skincare high-performance organic products