Mandarin Gallery Blog

Ippudo Turns Two – New Grand Menu

MG Team — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:50:45 +0000

Time flies when you are having fun (and eating well). So, it came as a bit of a surprise to realise that Ippudo, which serves some of Singapore’s favourite ramen dishes, turns two this December. In commemoration of its anniversary and the upcoming Christmas festivities, the celebrated restaurant establishes its position at the forefront of Japanese cuisine by launching a new Grand Menu that promises to bring new tantalizing flavours and taste to the table. In line with Ippudo’s spirit of constantly experimenting with new dishes, this revamped and improved menu is designed to enhance the dining experience.

At Ippudo, ramen takes centerstage. This explains why the Shoyu Wanton-men, a ramen dish featuring a clear, flavourful broth and succulent scrimp dumplings, is a highlight of the Grand Menu. Ippudo is also introducing Menma (bamboo shoots) as a new accompaniment to go with your ramen, in addition to the popular Tamago (flavoured egg), Chashu (simmered pork belly) and Kakuni (tender pork cubes).

Ippudo fans will be happy to see that some of their old favourites, including Bakuretsu Tofu, Goma Q, Pork Buns and Dashimaki Tamago, will remain on the new menu. At the same time, they will be delighted with the new creations, such as the Salmon Hotplate Steak and Tarutaru Chicken With Balsamic Sauce.

Three dishes are worthy of a special mention. The Aspara Ohitashi with Onsen Tamago is a cold appetizer that brings together an intriguing mix of warm (hot spring egg) and cold (chilled asparagus) components.

The Grilled Mentai & Potato Avocado Shrimp Gratin, a healthy oven-baked dish that features a deliciously thick white sauce, and the Tonkatsu Tamago Toji, a sizzling deep-fried pork cutlet dish, are also destined to be massive crowd-pleasers.

The new Grand Menu will be available at Ippudo (#04-02/03/04, Mandarin Gallery) from 12 December on weekdays from 5pm onwards and all day during weekends and public holidays

And The Award Goes To – Adidas SLVR, Nudie & Vans

MG Team — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:56:55 +0000

The only global industry magazine to focus on denim and sportswear, Sportswear International is arguably one of the most authoritative publications on casual and street fashion. This explains why we are extremely pleased to announce that three of Mandarin Gallery’s brands are winners of the prestigious Sports International Fashion Awards! Celebrating the best collections of the year, winners are picked by both readers and an independent jury. Beating intense competition from premium brands including Diesel Black Gold, G Star and Fred Perry, Adidas SLVR, Nudie Jeans and Vans came up top.

Best Sport/Street: Adidas SLVR
Adidas’ sleek, urbane and smart fashion line has been going from strength to strength with each new collection. Founded on the principle of melding beauty with utility, Adidas SLVR constantly strives to push the boundaries of sportswear inspired clothing. Featuring refined, modern silhouettes, tasteful colour palettes and clever details, each piece is an investment that you can wear season after season (and probably in more ways than one).

Adidas SLVR is available at Adidas, #03-13, Mandarin Gallery

Best Denim: Nudie Jeans
Possibly the very best jeans money can buy, Nudie takes denim very seriously indeed. Proclaiming to offer not just jeans, but “a way of thinking, a concept and an undying passion”, this is definitely not your regular denim label. Working towards the goal of using organic cotton exclusive in the long run, the Swedish brand has gained recognition for their eco-friendly ways. The best raw materials and a slow production process ensure that every pair of Nudie jeans is a masterpiece.

Find a good selection of Nudie Jeans at The Denim Store, #03-09-11, Mandarin Gallery

Best Sneakers: Vans
Born in 1966, this iconic Californian sneaker brand continues to reflect the optimistic spirit of its founding decade. First popularized by skateboarders and BMX riders, Vans’ clean-cut designs soon found their way onto the feet of other sportsmen, including basketball players and even skydivers. Today, Vans is best known for its wide range of styles and colours and counts legions of hip, fashion-conscious individuals as fans of the comfortable soles and classic good looks of its sneakers.

Pick up your pair of Vans at in:Famous, #03-21, Mandarin Gallery

Street Chic – Sleek Sneaks

MG Team — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:12:52 +0000

Once upon a time, sneakers were associated with scruffy boys who play basketball and could not care less about fashion. But that is all in the past now. Today, these casual, comfortable shoes are enjoying a chic makeover as a staple for the insouciantly stylish. A throwback to the simpler days of our youth, the sneaker has long since gone beyond its humble athletic origins and become full-blown fashion statements. Here are three brands that have brought the fine art of canvas footwear to new heights – help yourself to a pair (or two) of these very cool kicks!

Feiyue
A French brand with a Chinese name? That should be intriguing enough to warrant a closer look at Feiyue, which has been making waves in the sneakers world since 2006. Originating from Shanghai, China in the 1920s, the company was acquired by a team of innovative sneaker enthusiasts who infused it with a European aesthetic and improved quality. At the same time, they have also managed to retain the shoes’ vintage authenticity, resulting in a unique blend of cutting-edge design and classic charm. Take your pick from its extensive collection of low, mid and high cut models.

Superga
If it is good enough for Alexa Chung, it is good enough for us. A favourite of the British IT girl, Superga has been churning out its iconic plimsolls since 1911 in its native Turin, Italy. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the brand has made Chung its new face because she encompasses Superga’s fun, effortless style and personality. Its fresh, rubber-soled good looks is famed for its high quality and versatility. It can even be washed to create that cool, worn-in vintage look, just like your favourite jeans!

Both Feiyue (SGD79 to SGD119) and Superga (SGD69.90 to SGD76.90) are available at in:Famous, #03-21, Mandarin Gallery

Forfex
The anti-thesis of the retro-styled canvas sneaker, the distinctly avant garde Forfex is the brainchild of talented young designer Giovanni Forbice. Featuring bold details like brightly coloured felt petals and sharp studs, these sneakers are definitely not for the faint-hearted. With names like Sex Studs and Killers, these loud, dynamic sneakers do not merely make statements – they demand to be stared at. If you like to let your shoes do the talking, you should be making a beeline for a pair of Forfex right about now.

Forfex retails for SGD170 to SGD420 at Ambush, #03-14, Mandarin Gallery

New & Noted – Bud Cosmetics, Elephant & Coral, Marc by Marc Jacobs

MG Team — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:42:56 +0000

At any given point in time, there are a dozen and one new and wonderful things happening at Mandarin Gallery. To make sure that you are kept in the know about the biggest bargains and hottest new arrivals from our fabulous brands, keep a keen eye on this blog because we will be updating you regularly on the latest goodies that should be going onto your to-buy List. This time around, we have a piece of award-winning design, truly organic French perfume and cute time-tellers waiting in store for you!

Bud Cosmetics
Proclaiming to be ‘Truly Organic, Terribly French’, Honoré des Prés, a cult French organic perfume range, took the world of scents by storm and bagged the Wallpaper Magazine’s Best Design 2010 Award. Crafted by renowned perfumer Olivia Giacobetti, who has worked with Guerlain, Hermès, L’Artisan Parfumeur and Dyptique, Honoré des Prés is a luxurious line of fragrances of 100% natural origin that has been certified organic by ECOCERT. Lovers of The Big Apple will be delighted with the sensual, trendy and urbane ‘We Love NY’ (SGD190) collection while the fresh, chic and vintage-inspired Les Verrines d’Honoré (SGD130) collection is an ode to the good old days of our grandmothers.

Honoré des Prés perfumes are available at Bud Cosmetics, #03-32, Mandarin Gallery

Elephant & Coral
Having been awarded the prestigious iF Design Award 2012, the Pentagon Collection from Elephant & Coral is an instant modern classic. Made of polished precious resin and featuring a luxurious 18K gold nib, it has been a labour of love that is 18 months in the making, but the result is certainly worth the effort. Inspired by the Asian interpretation of how the world is conceived, each side of the design’s five-faceted pentagon shape represents one of the following elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Aesthetically simple but strong, the Pentagon is designed to facilitate how it is held, used and stored.

The limited edition Pentagon Collection consists of 200 pieces of fountain pens (SGD1280) and 100 pieces of rollerball pens (SGD1080). Elephant & Coral is located at #03-03, Mandarin Gallery

Marc by Marc Jacobs
You can always count on Mr Jacobs for a bit of fun. This season, the Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Logo collection features the playful font that has been a hallmark of the label’s clothes and accessories. The new Bubble collection is chunky and very trendy with a unique two-piece mirror dial and indexes of cutout dreamy logo lettering. The standout pieces of the collection are undoubtedly the chic aluminum handbag charms (available in shiny silver or black) that can double as a witty pocket watch.

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Logo watch collection retails at #01-11, Mandarin Gallery from SGD320 to SGD450

As Seen On Facebook – Atomi, BAPE, hansel, Inhabit & .WoodWould..

MG Team — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:59:22 +0000

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!

S/S12 Round Up – D&G, Emporio Armani & Marc by Marc Jacobs

MG Team — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:12:50 +0000

Just as the new F/W 2011 collections hit the stores, the S/S 2011 looks are hitting the runway. This may not make sense to the regular person who is not obsessed with fashion, but for those of us who are, it is simply a matter of planning ahead. Over at Mandarin Gallery, it is no secret that when it comes to high fashion, D&G, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Emporio Armani are just some of our favourites. For the new season, here is what you can expect from these perennially stylish brands.

D&G
Having announced their plans to integrate their secondary line into Dolce & Gabbana, Domenico and Stefano’s swansong collection for D&G is literally the last of its kind. With their signature Italian flamboyance, the designers decided to go out with a bang by paying an epic tribute to foulard prints. An exercise in the creative and masterful use of the humble silk scarf, they set the runway ablaze with a riot of colours, dots, crests, medallions, butterflies and flowers – even the shoes are scarf-wrapped wedges! This is a distilled concentrate of what makes D&G so well loved by its fans.

Emporio Armani
Star Trek may have given sci-fi inspired fashion a bad name, but Giorgio Armani managed to turn that around with his S/S12 Emporio Armani collection. Titled Neodesign, the bright white and icy pastels that dominate the show appear at first glance to be a conventional sci-fi reference. However, instead of unflattering bodysuits, the models were clad in sleek blazers + cropped trousers ensembles and shimmering dresses. If this is the future, we definitely want a piece of it.

Marc by Marc Jacobs
A reflection of his younger self, Marc Jacob’s younger sister line has always given off a retro vibe. This season, however, the MbMJ girl grows up a little and catches up with the present in startling bright neons. Although the colours are brighter than ever, the clothes themselves, while playful and fun as always, have taken on subtle sophistication that hints at a post-college sensibility. The moral of this collection story is that even if everyone has to grow up, one can always do that in the most stylish way possible.

Fall Romance At Mandarin Gallery

MG Team — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:06:26 +0000

With Rev-Up@Orchard celebrating F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2011, an incredible line-up of live concerts and a fashion show on street wear, the last week at Mandarin Gallery seems a tough act to follow. If you are looking to chase that high, fret not, because we have you covered. This weekend, Mandarin Gallery invites you to fall in love with fashion and indulge in a Fall Romance of the latest F/W 2011 collections! With fabulous giveaways and some of the season’s most irresistible promotions, succumbing to temptation has never felt so right (for the wallet).

Spend And Redeem
From 16 September to 16 October 2011, simply spend a minimum of SGD300 to receive a SGD20 Mandarin Gallery voucher. Shop away, and be quick, because this redemption is limited to the first 800 customers only!

To help you along in this retail quest, here are the latest Fall/Winter deals from our participating stores:
If jewellery is your kind of poison, head straight to Béjwl and enjoy 30% off 18K gold colour stone items. You should also check out DeFRED’s amazing offer for its ‘Heart to Heart’ collection.

Quirky local label, Hansel, is offering 20% off the second (lower-priced) item. Applicable for regular priced items from both Hansel and Hello Hansel, this is a great opportunity to grab some very cute pieces from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection, Flyaway Donkey!

Planning your year-end vacation? Buy any piece of Rimowa’s remarkably resilient check-in luggage and be entitled to purchase a matching piece of cabin luggage at 40% off!

One can never have too many pairs of shoes, especially if they are as good for your feet as Terra Plana ones are. With 15% off these eco-friendly shoes now, you have even more reason to bust your shoes budget.

Stock up on the sweet dessert wine with The Oaks Cellars – buy 3 bottles of Moscato D’asti and get the next one free!

INSTA-Buys – Ambush, The Denim Store & Bape

MG Team — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:24:00 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, men are not necessarily averse to shopping – in fact, many of them like to indulge in retail therapy as much as the average women. At Mandarin Gallery, we do not play favourites with the genders and there are fabulous buys for the boys as well. We scoured the shops for the hottest boys’ toys and this trio of new arrivals at BAPE, The Denim Store and Ambush came out tops!

Uniform Experiment (Ambush)
Started in 2008, the Uniform Experiment is an experimental project for men’s clothing and accessories. Treading the line between novelty an universality, the label strives to provide an alternative to conventional menswear by contradicting the existing rules. The results are often refreshingly original.

Top Pick: Uniform Experiment X LASONIC iPod Boombox, SGD1440

Uniform Experiment is available at Ambush, #03-14, Mandarin Gallery

Sanders (The Denim Store)
Hailing from the United Kingdom, Sanders is an established shoemaker that has been producing quality men’s footwear since 1873. Crafted from the very best English hides and local oak-bark soles, Sanders’ shoes are designed to be refined, sturdy and fit for the gentleman.

Top Pick: Suede desert boots, SGD319

Sanders can be found at The Denim Store, #03-09-11, Mandarin Gallery

BAPE
The ultimate vanguard of street cool, BAPE constantly churns out the kinds of things that induce a near-slavish cult following. From neon sneakers to Baby Milo t-shirts, the brand has the remarkable ability to turn its products into highly covetable collectors’ items. It single-handedly proves, with its legions of older fans, that being hip is not just for the young.

Top Pick: Camouflage backpack, SGD469

Bape is located at #02-02/03, Mandarin Gallery

Marc by Marc Jacobs – 10th Anniversary Watch

MG Team — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 02:56:53 +0000

You may find it a little hard to believe, considering how it is as hip and fun as ever, but Marc Jacobs’ younger sister, Marc by Marc Jacobs, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! After a full decade of offbeat, playful and cool style, it is marking this special milestone with a limited edition anniversary watch. Fans of the brand’s irreverent quirkiness, cute prints and street-chic aesthetic will be delighted with how this watch has managed to capture the quintessential Marc by Marc Jacobs spirit – youthful and trendy with just a touch of devil-may-care.

Produced for both men and women, the 10th Anniversary Watch features the signature Marc by Marc Jacobs silhouette and is available in either a polished stainless steel or black ion plated case. The brand’s iconic skull print, one of its most popular prints over the last ten years, is found on the eye-catching dial, which is topped by an etched logo top ring. The stand-out details of the watch include its striking lightning-rod hands, an over-sized 10 index and a Love Marc Jacobs etched inscription at the back of the case. To up the fun factor, each watch also comes with easily interchangeable straps in metal and leather to suit your needs and whims.

Whether you are a die-hard groupie or just a casual admirer of Marc by Marc Jacobs, the 10th Anniversary Watch will be sure to be a treasured collector’s item. Coming in a specially designed box, it will also make a fabulous gift for a lucky friend!

The Marc by Marc Jacobs 10th Anniversary Watch will retail for SGD490 at #01-11, Mandarin Gallery

INSTA-Buys – Kokon Tozai, No. Fifty & JBNY

MG Team — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:07:13 +0000

It may be Fall/Winter season on the fashion calendar, but that is no reason to give colours a miss. Armed with our trusty instant photography phone app, we have prowled the shops to bring you the latest in brightly hued goodness. Indulge the colour chameleon in you with one-of-a-kind kimono print handbags, pop coloured French clothing or a pair of hot pink leather sneakers!

Kokon Tozai
Made from beautiful kimono fabric, each piece at Kokon Tozai is completely unique. Offering a wide range of products, from apparel to bags and accessories, lovers of the intricately oriental kimono prints will be pleased with the selection. Filled with small pretty things, this is a great place to pick out something nice for a special someone.

Top Pick: Green kimono handbag, SGD69

Kokon Tozai is located at #03-29, Mandarin Gallery

Déjà Fan
Stocked at No. Fifty, a delightfully cheery shop on the 3rd floor of Mandarin Gallery, Déjà Fan is a fun, girlie and very cute French label that is curiously flying under-the-radar on the local retail scene. With a happy-shiny, retro-ish aesthetic, you can expect to find adorable scallop-hemmed shorts, sweet baby-doll dresses and pretty knit separates on the racks. The best part: most pieces (including dresses) go for under SGD250. What is there not to love?

Top Pick: Red & white polka dotted shorts, SGD99

No. Fifty is located at #03-08, Mandarin Gallery

JNBY
Hangzhou, China may not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of fashion, but with brands like JNBY, it is definitely putting itself on the map. With over 500 stores in China, Japan, Russia and New York City, JNBY is a modern street wear label that designs with the young and mobile urbanite in mind. Often architectural and always minimalist, these are clothes that can be mixed, matched and layered to great effect.

Top Pick: Pink leather sneakers, SGD199

JNBY is located at #03-07, Mandarin Gallery