Singapore Guide | Cafes – L’etoile Cafe
L’etoile Cafe Inspired by the indie cafes in Japan, L’etoile is a lifestyle shop cum cafe with Japanese-French influences. Located in the heart of Novena/ Farrer Park area, it offers an off the beaten track venue for a quiet afternoon to be spent over drinking coffee and reading good books. Come evening when the sun...
Singapore Guide | Designers – Yumumu
YUMUMU Made for: Females Designed by Lu Yilin, Yumumu is a womenswear brand that projects an unwavering image of modernity in an understated, yet distinct style. The brand is best known for its geometric emphasis and collaged fabrication. Fusing influences from global cultures and contemporary art, Yumumu takes pride in its artisanal approach to the...
STITX
Introducing a brand new concept that revolutionises the idea of a personal workspace: STITX. Essentially made up of a great many pockets, STITX is placed on the back of one’s laptop screen in order to create the perfect desk organiser. It effectively reduces clutter and increases productivity by minimising time spent on locating one’s...
Singapore Guide | Cafes – Carpenter & Cook
Carpenter & Cook Carpenter & Cook is a vintage home store and artisan bakery café, located in Upper Bukit Timah, Singapore. They have a range of carefully curated vintage furniture, home decor, as well as fresh home-made baked goods and confectionery. Carpenter & Cook also provide dessert tables, styling services, vintage props and decor for weddings, parties, photoshoots and...
Singapore Guide | Hotels – Wanderlust
Wanderlust Combining a sense of artistic whimsy with cutting-edge design, Wanderlust in Singapore’s Little India was created with adventurous travelers in mind. Hotel owner Loh Lik Peng, a local hero after the success of his New Majestic Hotel, gave four different design firms each a floor to create their own interpretation of contemporary style and...
Sim Teow Li
In a country where the arts scene is still being nurtured, the phrase ‘Singaporean writer’ might seem like an irony to many. For Sim Teow Li, that is but who she is. One Sunday morning, I had a chat with her at Café Au Jardin by Les Amis against the beautiful backdrop of the Singapore...
Singapore Guide | Cafes – Old School Delights
Old School Delights Old School Delights is about re-living culinary memories of Singapore’s past through authentic recipes handed down through generations. Inspirations behind our cafe lies in our desire to serve home styled food which is still prepared in a traditional manner, using quality fresh ingredients and rempah (paste) that is lovingly hand-cooked for at...
Singapore Guide | Shops – Tokyobike
Tokyobike Tokyobike is the product of exploring one’s favourite city whilst pacing themselves in today’s fast-paced society. Situated in one of Singapore’s artistic paradise, Haji Lane, Tokyobike distinguishes itself amongst the sights, sounds and scent of middle-eastern shisha, street food, trendy bars and fashion boutiques. It is also the first and only flagship boutique in...
Singapore Guide | Designers – FOREWORD
FOREWORD Made for: Females, Accessories FOREWORD clothing stands out through fabrication, femininity and it’s innovative presence. Creating aesthetically pleasing, versatile and comfortable garments. The label carries contemporary ready-to-wear women’s apparel and accessories. FOREWORD’s designs are soft and light which lavishes gentle looks that flaunts women’s femininity while throwing in unexpected hard edges by including unique constructions...
Local Bands: An Interview with rocketswan
Though their name consists of a seemingly random amalgamation of unrelated themes, rocketswan’s fuzzy girl-fronted lo-fi surf pop has got nothing odd about it. Their equally randomly-titled debut EP “my name is Abel, how do you do”, which has been entirely written, recorded, and produced by the band themselves, evoked dreamy vibes reminiscent of bands...
Dempsey Hill
Singapore is a volatile place with changes happening constantly. Before you know it, new developments are popping up here and there on our tiny island. A couple of years back, I remember being so proud when I brought guests to dine at Boat Quay. With more than 80 F&B outlets in old houses lined...
Obedient Wives Club “Murder Kill Baby” EP Launch
Anyone with a penchant for cutesy indie music and a sharp ear for relentlessly passionate lyrics are sure to have heard of Obedient Wives Club. On 15 february, we met the product of their work in form of the new EP, Murder Kill Baby. Before dwelling in further, Rocketswan did a stellar opening performance with...
Glam Up Kampong Glam
Glam Up Kampong Glam gives you an insight behind Singapore’s hippest area; Kampong Glam. As you can tell from the photographs, a once typical tourist hangout with a wide variety of budget souvenirs has now developed into one of Singapore’s unique hangout spots. Now, you will see upscale boutique hotels, fashion joints and the...
Singapore Guide | Hotels – The Club Hotel
The Club Housed in a 1900s heritage building, The Club Hotel is a 22-room luxury boutique hotel located in one of Singapore’s creative districts – Ann Siang Road. This stylish hotel is uniquely decorated: it is pampered with contemporary minimalism with an oriental twist. The Club is an excellent venue to rest, play and work,...
Singapore Guide | Shops – Foundry
Foundry Foundry is a unique furniture store that is located in the arts and heritage district of Singapore. They have a smart and unconventional take on furniture. Collaborating with structural elements, their furniture are a piece of art on its own. Other than their own collection, they carry designer labels that share the same timeless,...
Singapore Guide | Designers – 20:TWOTHREE
20:TWOTHREE Made for: Guys and girls About: Without a background in any form of arts, the duo create their own interpretations, redefining in the absence of taught rules. A consequence of serious work and fanaticism, 20:TWOTHREE is an outlet where differences share a simple dream – constructing basic frames that withstand time. 20:TWOTHREE consists of...
Singapore Guide | Music – The Summer State
THE SUMMER STATE Genre: Pop/Rock About: The Summer State was conceived in April 2011. The name, derived from the term ‘summer state of mind’, represents the band’s positive outlook. Their music, created through the merging of each individual’s styles and ideas, is defined as a fresh take on the pop/rock genre. The Summer State promises...
Singapore Guide | Hotels – Hotel Clover
CLOVER HOTEL Designed for both business and leisure travel, Hotel Clover is ideally situated in Bugis; one of the city’s most popular locales. Situated only 0.3 Km from the city center, guests are well located to enjoy the town’s attractions and activities. With the city’s main attractions such as Malay Heritage Centre, Sultan Mosque, Malabar...
Shophouse in Singapore
Shophouse in Singapore represents the architectural heritage of this country and has evolved since the British colonial era. Today thousands of shophouses have been preserved under the conservation scheme. Many have been restored, renovated and repainted in variety of colours. To many visitors, the colourful buildings are recognisable and an eye catching treat. The mix...
Singapore Guide | Shops – K.I.N
K.I.N KIN is a project that draws sustenance and inspiration from its historic surroundings, its community and culture, and in turn provides new perceptions and thinking in design and lifestyle. Their philosophy is to use the space as a platform to merge various cultural influences in hopes of creating a thought provoking concept. Here...
Singapore Guide | Designers – Evenodd
EVENODD Made for: Mostly Males. About: The evenodd philosophy stems from the co-existence of polar opposites. Contrast becomes complimentary as simple, refined minimalism meets thought-provoking complications. Harmony and balance is achieved through calculated design and styling. At once subdued and practical yet exciting and adventurous in spirit. The mission? Initiate the uninitiated and challenge the...
Singapore Guide | Shops – BooksActually
BOOKSACTUALLY BooksActually is an independent bookstore specializing in Fiction and Literature.This includes Poetry, Essays, Literary Journals, alongside obscure, critical works and antique/rareeditions. BooksActually also houses the largest collection of Singapore literary publications including some out-of-print titles. The hit to your wallet: $20 – $50 Why we love BooksActually: First thing you see as...
Singapore Guide | Cafes – Selfish Gene Cafe
Selfish Gene Café Selfish Gene Café serve up a variety of delicious sandwiches, refreshing salads, espresso & tea-based beverages, homemade baked goods and more. The cuisine can be described as borderless using French techniques to create simple and unpretentious food. The hit to your wallet: $4 (Long Black) – $12.80 (Roasted Beef Sandwich) ...
Singapore Guide | Designers – CHALK
CHALK Made for: Females About: Bearing pieces that are manifestations of designer Priscilla Tan’s original ideas and inspirations, CHALK is a womenswear label the draws on the importance of self-expression, inviting the wearer to make each piece her own via creations that are easy to slip on, love and wear unbothered. Each piece from...
Singapore Guide | Designers – AMEN
AMEN Made for: Females, Accessories About: Founders, Clinton and Nicole both with an undeniably flair for fashion started AMEN, back in 2010. Through the years, the label has gained a following and started their own line of quirky, not your average joe kind of clothes. This style follow suit in their jewelry line that...
Singapore Guide | Music – Cashew Chemists
CASHEW CHEMISTS Genre: Indie Rock About: Singapore rock ‘n’ roll band, Cashew Chemists began as a heavy metal act in 2005, under a totally different name. But the love and influence of classic pop-rock bands like The Beatles proved too strong and now the band favors strong melodies, sharp guitars and smart lyrics in lieu...
Singapore Guide | Designers – A.K.A Wayward
A.K.A WAYWARD Made for: Both the ladies and the men. About: Mun Foong and Mun Loong of started this label in 2011. Known for the whimsical and theatricality of their clothes, they definitely attract a strong following and I’d like to see their clothes as wearable art. Being fond of characterizing their clothes, there...
Obedient Wives Club | This Month’s Featured Band
Fuzzy 60s-inspired indie pop has invaded our office! That’s right, this month is all about supporting our local artists and gracing our first local band cover is none other than, Obedient Wives Club. Brilliantly labelling their music as “Spectorgaze” and bringing us fuzzed out girl-fronted indie pop that is missing from our local indie...
Laneway Festival 2013 Featured Artist | Tame Impala
Forget about MDMA, LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. Better yet, stay off it. If you want to get psychedelic high legally, Tame Impala has what it takes to take you on the next level of consciousness expanding trip with their neo-psychedelia space rock tunes. Their latest album “Lonerism” was rated NME best album of the...
WILL | Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition 2012
The Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition 2012 provides a platform for inmates and ex-offenders to express their hopes and aspirations through art, showcase their artistic talents, foster closer family relationships and reach out to the community. Themed “Will”, the exhibition is inspired by sense of determination, strength and purpose to strive in the journey...
