Mandarin Gallery Blog

In this age of instant gratification, we have come to expect information at our fingertips. Thanks to the Internet, everything we need to and want to know is often just a few clicks away. When it comes to shopping, keeping up with our favourite brands and stores has never been easier than with the various social media platforms, including the omni-present Facebook.

From new arrivals to special limited period sales, checking your Facebook timeline can yield you unexpected retail gems. To help you sieve the must-know deals from the cyber white noise, here are the latest Facebook updates from some of our favourite stores at Mandarin Gallery!

Atomi
This well curated little shop condenses the best of Japanese design and presents you with an excellent selection of furniture, accessories and other knick-knacks from the land of the rising sun. Manned by a friendly husband-and-wife team, Nipponophiles will find much to love in this cozy little space.

As Seen On Facebook: Follow the Atomi duo’s live reports of their adventures at the Japanese design tradeshows in Tokyo, gain insight from their encounters with Japanese master craftsmen or simply check out what is new in-store.

Bape Store Singapore
There is always something exciting happening at the Bape Store. From Singapore-only limited edition merchandise to the latest collaborative collections, fans of the über cool Bathing Ape can constantly look forward to new things to covet.

As Seen On Facebook: To celebrate Halloween this year, the Bape Store will be giving you a treat (no tricks) with any purchase – hurry down to find out what it is!

hansel
This shining star of the local fashion scene always has something fun and cute up its fashionable sleeves. Specialising in sweet dresses and pretty knitwear, this is the go-to place if you are looking to inject a dose of quirky femininity into your wardrobe!

As Seen On Facebook: Flyaway Donkey, hansel’s AW11 collection, will be available at a pop-up store at Isetan Scotts, Level 2, from 4 November to 1 December. Enjoy 10% off a minimum purchase of 2 items or 15% off when you spend a minimum of SGD350!

Inhabit
Stuffed with racks of the trendiest of designer labels from all over the world, Inhabit is a treasure trove for the discerning fashionista who likes to add a little edge to their ensembles. The avant garde jewellery the shop carries deserves special mention for their uniqueness.

As Seen On Facebook: Fans of Alexander Wang will be both sad and delighted because although the brand will no longer be stocked at Inhabit, the designer’s earlier collections will be marked down as much as 95% at a special farewell sale!

.WoodWould..
This haven for lovers of paper goods is stocked to the brim with colourful stationery, greeting cards, design books and other pretty things. With Christmas breathing down our necks, here is a great place to start the gift hunting for all the parties you will no doubt be invited to.

As Seen On Facebook: Receive a Mandarin Gallery voucher worth SGD10 with every SGD50 spent. This .WoodWould.. + Mandarin Gallery special is for a limited time only!

They may follow a fashion calendar that is reversed from the one that we use, but the fashion scene in Australia is every bit as vibrant and exciting as those in the Northern Hemisphere. Known for their distinct brand of laid-back style, Aussie designer fashion has also come of age over the past couple of decades. In addition to the sporty beachwear that the country is famous for, top-notch labels from Down Under have also been pulling their weight on the international stage. While most of them continue to stay true to the street wear tradition, many of the collections also look decidedly more polished and elegant. Here are three antipodean labels that mean serious business with their cool and edgy threads.

Lover
Log on to the Lover website and you will be greeted with a lovely short film featuring a graceful ballerina. Inspired by the beauty of ballet, the lable’s S/S2011 collection, A Dance For One, draws on both the artistic and athletic elements of dance. Mixing delicate lace with raw hemmed grey sweatshirts, utilitarian jumpers and shirtdresses, the looks come off simultaneously as strong and ethereal. The well-constructed outerwear pieces (e.g. vests, sleeveless jackets, cropped blazers) are also a delight. Lover has definitely come far from its humble beginnings as a weekend market stall.

Ksubi
Ksubi is one of those cult Australian brands that needs little introduction. Having made its mark as one of the leading trend-makers in the niche of designer denim, the brand has then successfully branched out to include a line of impossibly cool street wear in their repertoire. The label’s latest collection, Beware, Wear, is a challenge to the current perception of popular culture. Through the use of print and fabrics, the clothes serves as camouflage for its wearer against the prevalent urban decay. Expect a somber palette of ash and slate, which is then complimented by deep plum and fresh neutrals.

Something Else By Natalie Wood
The name of the label may sound a little forlorn, but the collections themselves are anything but. Helmed by designer/artist Natalie Wood, Something Else is the result of collaborative efforts between highly respected artists from various creative disciplines. Melding high fashion with an indelible street edge, the looks from the latest Middle Of Nowhere collection are pleasingly feminine with beautiful prints and flattering cuts. However, you will never mistake the Something Else girl as ‘just another pretty girl’.

Lover and Ksubi are available at Inhabit – The Other Store (#02-16), while Something Else can be found at The Denim Store (#02-09-11), Mandarin Gallery. Enjoy 10%-50% off storewide at Inhabit and exclusive promotions at The Denim Store during the Great Singapore Sale

Spring always brings with it a breath of fresh air. It is the season of awakening and renewal, chirping birds and blooming flowers. However, nothing captures the intoxicating exuberance of springtime like the brilliant pop hues of the rainbow. Give in to the infectious spring fever with this collection of delectable retail treats in riotous shades of orange, yellow, pink and blue!

Clockwise from top left: Eva Solo Fridge Carafe (SGD156, The Touch), Doodllery Acrylic Necklace (SGD49.90, .WoodWould..), Ray-Ban Wayfarer (SGD349, OJO Optometry), Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh (SGD114 to SGD147, Marc by Marc Jacobs), Ipanema Sandals (SGD39.90, in:Famous), Angry Birds iPhone4 Case (SGD39.90, Green Light), Triwa Watch (SGD285, Inhabit), Patent Shark Sneakers (SGD229, BAPE Store), Doggie Hair Clip (SGD56, Agatha Paris), Bubu 1er Stool from Philip Starck (SGD250, Platform).

There is an emerging trend of luxury street wear and it seems to be gaining momentum. While this may seem absurd to many of you, there is a growing appreciation for quality, stylish everyday threads that is differentiated from their inferior counterparts by their top-notch materials, immaculate construction, blissful comfort and admirable durability.

The price tags may seem overly large for wardrobe staples like t-shirts, sweaters and tank tops, but if we spend so much of our time in clothes like these, why not invest? Here are three brands that take street wear very seriously indeed.

Elizabeth And James
As the Olsen Twins are fast becoming fashion superstars with their designer line The Row, their more casual sister line, Elizabeth and James, is also holding itself up to be a formidable player in that no man’s land between designer and high street. Exuding effortlessly cool downtown chic, the brand is contemporary without being trendy. Its well-made basic t-shirts and tank tops have won it many fans among the young and fashionable while the ultra-soft cardigans and sweaters will become your prized favourites in no time.

Selected pieces from Elizabeth and James retails from SGD274 to SGD802 at TriBeCa, #02-05-08, Mandarin Gallery

Kai-Aakmann
With such a curious sounding name, it is hard not to take a closer look at Korean label Kai-Aakmann. Designer Soonjin Park’s modern take on the interaction of feminine and masculine elements in her clothes has resulted in a surprisingly pleasing aesthetic that is almost genderless.

Specialising in soft jersey pieces, the brand is largely inspired by youth, street culture and nature. Carefully constructed to compliment the human form, each piece drape and folds in just the right way.

Kai-Aakmann is stocked at Ambush, #03-14, Mandarin Gallery. Prices start from SGD70 for a tee

Willow
Australian fashion label Willow gives street wear an edgier, more glamourous spin. The Bachelor Girl collection is a masterful fusion of the pretty and the tough, the young and the sophisticated. Featuring shiny, black feathers and leather, it is a varied showing that consists of little tweed dresses, printed wide-legged pants, tee dresses and draped capris. Top pick goes to a highly versatile tank top with a leather front and mesh back that can be worn in a million and one ways.

Willow is available at #02-16, Mandarin Gallery. Prices range from SGD519 to SGD819