Mention Orchard Road and immediately our minds think of one thing – shopping. It’s a haven for material gworls who love scoring the latest in fashion trends with its rows of boutiques. Add one more to your list of must-shops with Design Orchard Retail Showcase, which has reopened its doors after a month’s reno work.
To inaugurate the swanky new space, Design Orchard has put together a lineup of activities to tickle the hearts of fashionistas and shopaholics alike. Expect runway shows from local labels and styling workshops, as well as a zhng-ed up interior. Here’s what’s new:
Post-renovation, the 1st floor has expanded to showcase more than 100 local fashion brands, a one-up from the previous 60-odd. Whether it’s swimwear, men’s clothing, jewellery, or even home decor, the local designers have left their original spin on it. You can catch them on display – and for sale – here.
The Cocoonese x Victoria Hertel bag designs resemble a common local sight – koi fish swimming in a pond.
There are also limited edition collections from 30 local brands to check out, including clothing by designer Sabrina Goh, and handbags by Cocoonese. You’ll even be able to spot the latter’s collab with German-Venezuelan artist Victoria Hertel on display.
Themed pop-up pieces can be found at the Shop In Shop. This season’s theme features Carol Chen’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection after its showcase at Paris Fashion Week.
There are racks of clothing to suit just about any style. GFs, you’ll be able to put together a chic head-to-toe look for your BFs here. Deck him in men’s couture by Duxton, then accessorise with artisanal wristwatches from Black By Blue that casual horologists will love.
Finix athleisure (left) and Duxton menswear (right).
If you and boo are of the sportier kind, pick up athleisure by Finix, which manufactures unisex pieces made of soft and breathable fabric – perfect for SG’s humid weather.
Besides the upgrade in space, Design Orchard has also ensured their staff receive an upgrade in their skill sets. They’re now equipped to style, so if you get stuck putting together a fit, just holler and they’ll help pick out new additions for your wardrobe.
With fashion trends whizzing by faster than you can spell “Gabbana”, we get the struggles of wanting to cop the latest pieces without succumbing to fast fashion.
The next best thing is shopping from sustainable clothing brands. At Design Orchard, not only will friends of the earth be able to shop green items for your wardrobe, you’ll also be able to #supportlocal while you’re at it.
Yup, the Smocked Sleeve Midi Dress ($169) by Little Match Girl has pockets.
One such brand is Little Match Girl that has trendy basics for OLs and tai tais alike. Their garments are made of Tencel, which you may already know as being a popular fabric for bedsheets. The cellulose fibres are biodegradable and maintain a soft texture when worn.
The Torres Cloud Blue clutch ($450) by Lingwu features batik prints of Indonesian cloud motifs.
Match your look with clutches from another sustainable local brand like Lingwu. Each leather piece is made-to-order, so that materials aren’t unnecessarily used in mass production.
The redesigned shop space also has some cool new features for shoppers to enjoy, with additional perks for Design Orchard Gold members thrown in.
Pulling double duty is the swaggy new store window. By day, mannequins dressed in haute couture take centre-stage. When it’s time for a fashion show, the window display platform will be transformed into a catwalk for designers to showcase their latest works to shoppers and passers-by too.
Go for the gold by signing up for a Design Orchard membership online or in store. Gold members are then selectively awarded to regular patrons of Design Orchard and its events.
As a Gold member, your status lets you skip the queue for regular changing rooms and access a private fitting room. You’ll also get access to the VIP lounge just adjacent to the fitting room. Shoppers can park their bags and partners on the plush chairs here while you continue your retail therapy.
The store is first and foremost a retail space, but they also host events like candle-making workshops and trunk shows by designers. Don’t worry if you’ve missed out on previous installations, following the Textile and Fashion Federation’s Eventbrite page will keep you abreast of future affairs.
Buskers Jason and Dwayne will fill the store with their melodic voices.
Image credit: Design Orchard
On the horizon are buskers and free ice cream to welcome back shoppers to Design Orchard. If you’ve missed hanging out at the al fresco space on the 2nd floor, come chill here on 2nd and 3rd July. With live music back on the table, the space will see buskers serenading their hearts out.
From sweet voices to sweet treats, swing by Design Orchard on 9th and 10th July to snag free old-school ice cream sandwiches for a sugary boost post-retail therapy. It’s as easy as following Design Orchard’s Instagram to score yourself dessert.
A visit to Design Orchard is definitely on our list of things to do in Orchard Road. With its number of local brands to shop from, we’re bookmarking this place the next time we need a wardrobe makeover made in Singapore.
Address: 250 Orchard Road, Singapore 238905
Opening hours: 10.30am-9.30pm, Daily
Contact: 8642 3576
This post was brought to you by Design Orchard Retail Showcase.
Photography by Alvin Wong.
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