I-S turns the spotlight on our local fashion insiders to find what’s hot this Great Singapore Sale. By Zaki Jufri. Photography by Richard Lee and Tetuko Hanggoro Prasetyowibowo
The Great Singapore Sale (GSS) is upon us again, and who better than our very own style icons to let us in on the best deals on the hottest threads this season. Here, five style icons show us their picks from the hottest boutiques and high street stores that are participating in this year’s GSS.
The Shoo-In
Who: Marie
Choo
Where: River Island (#02-24/25/26 Raffles City
Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Rd., 6336-8722). 50 percent discount
storewide.
“Fashion and shopping are my forte,” says Marie Choo, Director of
consultancy firm Alchemy Consultancy. The spunky looker is one of the people
responsible for the highly touted Belvedere Beat series of parties that was held
here last month. She’s also a favorite with magazine editors who occasionally
feature her in their stories for her bold sense of style. “Beauty is in the
details, and it’s worth spending to achieve that, especially on accessories like
shoes and bags,” she tell us. “If you buy from high-street labels like River
Island, make that outfit truly yours by accessorizing it so that you stand out
from the crowd and not be afraid of bumping into someone wearing that same dress
or top.”
Marie’s GSS Picks:
1. “I love little details
like this brooch that comes with this dress. And the clothes here are full of
little surprises.”
Turquoise block dress with flower detail brooch,
$50 (after 50 percent discount)
2. “Doesn’t this look something from Dolce & Gabbana? Just pair
it with some accessories and you’re good to go.”
Leopard print
chiffon dress, $75 (after 50 percent discount)
3. “Although I’m a designer footwear type of girl, details like these
really call out to me.”
Sandal with gold studded details, $36.50
(after 50 percent discount)
The Standout
Who: Henne Mercer
Where: Front Row (5 Ann Siang Rd., 6224-5501). 60
percent discount off past seasons’ collections.
With her platinum blonde
crop, Henne Mercer, Marketing Director of Toni & Guy, certainly stands out
from the crowd. With her finger on the pulse on what’s hot on the hairstyle
front, the fashionably dressed Henne is a regular fixture on the front rows of
fashion shows here. “I think you should always browse around first to view
what’s available and think about what you need so that if something really
catches your eye, then you can buy it and not regret later,” Henne shares her
shopping tip with us. “Invest in great accessories—you can dress up any outfit
with them. You should also look out for more vintage pieces and you can mix them
up with modern items. Just be creative!”
Henne’s GSS Picks:
1. “This is a great classic piece which you
can wear to work. Just add different accessories to create different looks from
day to day.”
APC grey shift dress with bow detailing, $275 (after 50
percent discount)
2. “I like the fact that although this dress
has vintage sensibilities, it still looks modern and contemporary. And the color
is just lovely.”
Eley Kishimoto dress, $358 (after 60 percent
discount)
3. “This top is just great with skinny bottoms, and
this necklace by Crux is just what you need to complete the
look.”
Grey Eley Kishimoto top, $260 (after 60 percent discount);
black and silver tentacles by Crux by Vik Lim, $100 (after 50 percent
discount)
The Smart Dresser
Who: Hideki Akiyoshi
Where:
Tang+Co Men (3/F, Tangs, 320 Orchard Rd., 6735-7322). 30 to 50 percent
discounts off selected items.
With over 20 years experience in the fashion
industry, Hideki Akiyoshi is considered a style icon in fashion circles here.
This former head honcho of marketing communications company Style Asia has since
struck out on his own after a one and a half year sabbatical in Japan; and is
currently consulting for Eric Khoo’s Zhao Wei Films and Puma. “Sale period is
great to buy things that you wouldn’t normally buy or wear,” he says. “As prices
are marked down, it’s a good opportunity to experiment with new looks and
colours.”
Hideki's GSS Picks:
1. “Knitwear is definitely in this season and
you should invest in good quality ones. Look out for vest and cardigans in light
fabrics. You wouldn’t want to work out a sweat wearing heavy knit ones
here.”
Daniele Fiesoli polo T-shirt and vest, $169 and $186
respectively; Weber shorts with nautical details, $439; white leather belt,
$259; and Puma Black label sneakers, $253 (after 50 percent discount). All
other items are at 15 percent discount for Visa cardholders
2. “I like to mix patterns like stripes and checks together, creating
subtle contrasts for this season.”
Emporium Viri shirt, $159 (after
50 percent discount), Rice navy sport-jacket, $911 (after 20 percent discount);
Weber pants, $271 (15 percent discount for Visa cardholders) and Puma Black
Label sneakers, $248 (after 50 percent discount)
3. “For a dressier yet casual look, pair up knitwear with distressed
jeans like these.”
David Mayer Naman shirt and long-sleeved
cardigan, $159 (after 30 percent discount) and $203 (after 15 percent discount
for Visa cardholders) respectively; Coast graphic tie, $118 (after 15 percent
discount for Visa cardholders); and jeans by David Mayer Naman, $195 (after 30
percent discount)
The Fashion Princess
Who: Tjin Lee
Where:
Blackmarket (19 Jalan Pisang, 6296-8512). 10 to 30 percent discounts
off selected items.
A regular fixture at society parties here and abroad,
Tjin Lee, managing director of Mercury Marketing & Communications, a
boutique events management and public relations agency, is the force who puts
together countless fashion events, like the recently concluded Audi Fashion
Festival, which saw a stellar line-up of international designers like Gareth
Pugh and Vivienne Westwood. Lee says: “Invest in classic items that never date.
Seriously—last season’s Ray Bans look like next season’s Ray Bans. I have a
black dress from Donna Karan that is as current today as when I bought it 10
years ago!”
Tjinn’s GSS Picks:
1. “The bold prints of this dress will
certainly make you stand out.”
Dress by Hansel, $237 (after 30
percent discount)
2. “Make a statement with this printed dress
with oversized bow. Just pair with leggings or skinny jeans and high platform
shoes to complete the look.”
Dress by Mich Dulce, $477 (after 10
percent discount)
3. “An adorable blouse that’s adaptable for
both work and a night out.”
Blouse by Hansel, $181 (after 30 percent
discount)
The Starmaker
Who: Keith Png
Where: Style
Nordic (39 Ann Siang Rd., 6423-9114). 30 to 70 percent discounts off
selected items from Jun 11.
Dresser to local TV stars, fashion designer and
boutique owner Keith Png’s latest oeuvre was creating a dress for TV actress
Fann Wong for her wedding ceremony. His creations have graced many fashion pages
and worn by many celebrities such as Zoe Tay, Junita Simon and singer Stefanie
Sun.
Png says of shopping during the sale period: “Singaporeans roughly know
when a sale like GSS is going to happen; and to beat the queues, try what you
like beforehand so that when it’s sale time, you can just ask for your size and
pay without all the hassle.”
Keith’s GSS Picks:
1. “The number of details on this shirt alone
justifies the price. And the cut is perfect for Asian
men.”
Long-sleeved shirt by Junk De Luxe, $139 (after 30 percent
discount)
2. “This jacket is good for an all summer place like Singapore
because of the half-lining inside. As for the T-shirt, I’m just obsessed with
polka dots!”
Filippa K navy sport jacket and polka dot T-shirt, $510
and $104 respectively (after 30 percent discount)
3. “Biker jackets like this is current and the light fabric makes it
very wearable here.”
Black blouson by Pour, $328 (after 30 percent
discount)
Shop Savvy
Here are some tips to make your outings a
success and probably save you a pretty penny.
1) Do Your
Research
Doing your research on your favourite stores can help you
save that bit while still keeping in line with the latest trends. Do familiarize
yourself with the sales period for the different stores.
—Being a VIP member
for certain stores lets you be the first to know when sales start. Club 21 has
regular fashion news and sales preview mailer, simply sign up to be the first to
be in the know.
—Keep your eye out for newspaper advertisements for sales
from the bigger stores.
—It is always wise to check for credit card
privileges before going on a shopping spree.
2) Set a Shopping
Budget
Before hitting town, create a realistic shopping budget. Know
how much you can splurge after factoring out your bills. Decide how much you
want to set aside and always stick to what you need rather than what you want.
3) Go for Classics
Always remember the rule of thumb:
Fads fade, but class is eternal. Choose colours that would never go out of
season. Creams and dark shades are classic choices, but for that extra edge,
inject one or two pieces with bold prints or electric colours.
4) Get the Right Fit
Select cuts that would flatter you.
Opt for pieces that highlight your silhouette. An embellished belt would help
define your waistline while giving a kick to an otherwise drab tunic top.—Andrea
Lin
Other places to head for the Great Singapore
Sale:
Agnés b (2/F, Isetan Scotts, 390 Orchard Rd.,
6733-5848; and #01-26 Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Rd.,
6334-4910)
Enjoy 10 percent discount storewide. Additional 10 percent
discount for Citibank cardholders.
Antipodean (27A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village,
6463-7336)
Up to 70 percent discount on selected labels like Fleur Wood,
Zimmermann and Shakuhachi and 10 percent discount on homewares, accessories and
jewellery.
Beijaflor (#03-11 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd.,
6737-9985)
Enjoy 50 percent discount on designer jeans and Melissa shoes from
Brazil.
Dorothy Perkins (#02-338/339 Marina Square, 6 Raffles Blvd.,
6336-4408)
Up to 50 percent discount storewide.
Energie (#02-11/12, The Heeren Shops, 260 Orchard Rd.,
6738-2927)
Enjoy 40 percent discount storewide. Additional 15 percent
discount for DBS Cardholders.
Esprit (#01-047/051, Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Blvd.,
6333-5690)
Up to 50 percent discount on selected sales merchandise.
Miss Sixty (#02-29/30, Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd.,
6735-1660)
Up to 40 percent discount on selected items through Jul 22.
Miss Selfridge (#02-115/116/117, Marina Square, 6 Raffles
Blvd., 6837-2676; #02-39, Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Rd., 6336-2821)
Up
to 50 percent discount on selected items.
Tommy Hilfiger (#01-80 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk,
6376-9156)
Up to 60 percent discount on selected items.
Topshop/Topman (#02-109/111/113/114, Marina Square, 6
Raffles Blvd., 6309-1200)
Up to 30 percent discount on selected items.