The Right Way to Shop in Singapore

Singapore is well known for its gigantic malls packed with top international brands, but unfortunately the city-state gets less attention for its burgeoning scene of local boutiques and designers. To make sure you don't miss out, we tapped one of Singapore's key tastemakers, Tracy Phillips, for her insider's guide to shopping the city like a local.

Tracy Phillips

One of Singapore’s key tastemakers, Tracy Phillips began whittling out her personal brand of cool during her years as marketing manager for iconic club Zouk Singapore, bringing the nightlife hot spot to international attention. Since then, she's continued to spot and set trends in the city-state as the project director of Blueprint, an annual tradeshow in the Singapore Fashion Festival that focuses on emerging designers from Singapore and the region. While she's a keen traveler— some of her favorite destinations include New York, Sri Lanka, and Ibiza—Phillips is also, as you'd imagine, an advocate for her own hometown, where she keeps a sharp eye on the local talent. Here, she shares her top five shopping spots in Singapore:


Tracy Phillips's Favorite Stores in Singapre


Inhabit at Mandarin Gallery
“Inhabit started out as a denim bar ten years ago but has grown to be a progressive multi-label store that stocks some of my favorite designers from around the globe. They’ve been very consistent with bringing out new emerging brands. For instance, they stocked Alexander Wang and Helmut Lang before anyone else did. Some of their current standout designers are Dion Lee and Josh Goot from Australia. I love Lee’s tailoring. The pieces are cut well and hug like a second skin. It’s almost architectural and yet still very feminine. I like Goot’s prints, choices of color, and combinations, which I find very wearable.” (#02-16 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, +65 68316 363)

Books Actually
“Started by two local Singaporeans (Kenny and Karen), Books Actually is a cozy, independent bookstore that has a great selection of books and nostalgic literary trinkets; it’s my go to place when looking for gifts. It’s always such a pleasure to shop there. I know Kenny and there have been times when I’m in desperate need for a birthday present and I’ll just tell him the touch points I’m after and he’s able to recommend me something. I also love that he does not endorse anything he hasn’t read.” (Various locations including 9 Yong Siak Street, +65 6222 9195)


Pact
“Pact is a menswear store, hair salon, and bistro—so it’s great for the time-constrained individual. Their in-house brand, Sifr does great cotton basics for both men and women. One of their main pitches is they're affordable while using quality Pima cottons. While what’s stocked at Pact is more menswear-skewed, the shop also sells SunMoonRain crystal bracelets and other accessories, which are great for gifts.” (#02-16-19 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, +65 6238 6362)

Noden Collective
“In Singapore, you either have a choice of IKEA or [high-end] Space for home furnishings. Not many places sell vintage furniture, particularly in such good condition. Noden Collective stocks vintage Nordic furniture and accessories. The owner Marko Dylan Yeo—ex regional brand manager for Nixon accessories—is a collector and used to do vintage clothes, and he’s come back to his passion for vintage.” (36 Jalan Pari Kikis)

Manicurious
“Another multi-concept space, you can get your nails done, shop, or have a coffee. While I have yet to get my nails done here—because I don’t have the patience for manicures—my friends have been posting all these pictures of their nails, color blocking, Mondrian designs, creatures for Halloween, that I’m actually tempted.” (41 Beach Road, +65 6333 9096)


Parco Next Next
“The largest grouping of young local designers in Singapore. Some of my favorites local brands currently stocked here are Mash-Up and Rêvasseur. Mash-Up is very fun, club-kid style. It’s young and irreverent but still has interesting details, and they create their own prints. Over the years, I really liked designers [that have been stocked there], such as Mae Pang and Sundays.” (9 Raffles Blvd, Parco Marina Bay at Millenia Walk, +65 6595 9100)


Tyrwhitt General Company
“Housed above Chye Seng Huat Café (a great spot for coffee connoisseurs), TGC sells products from several young emerging crafters and makers. They also organize regular workshops where you can make and personalize your own items, such as leather accessories, and they’ve also got their own letterpress. So if you’ve advanced to the next level of shopping, check out their calendar of events.” (150a Tyrwhitt Road, +65 84445589)

Note: Thank you Tracy for mentioning Sun Moon Rain in this story CNN Traveller xx SMR