Singapore Little Black Book

Hansel
Shop: For local design
Singapore’s fashion scene may not be as big compared to the giants of Milan and
Paris, but there’s a healthy number of world-class talents here. Admittedly, most have
to go abroad to achieve success and recognition, but their creations are available at
home, too. Here are a few names to look out for.
Baylene’s (#01-04 Stamford House, 39 Stamford Rd, +65 6336 9619, www.baylene.
com) eponymous label is a toddler in fashion terms at only a few years old, but her
use of charcoal, jet-black and stark white, graphic shapes and fine pleats is very
grown-up. She also has a hip menswear line, Baylene’s Boyfriend. Jo Soh is possibly
the freshest, most fun and unpredictable designer in Singapore. Her label Hansel
(www.ilovehansel.com) – named after her Jack Russell terrier – is a big hit in the
Western world, especially Australia. Her designs are quirky, vibrant and varied, often
inspired by trivial topics – candles, for instance, or pet camels.
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Reckless
Ericka
Raoul
Nic Wong’s Nicholas (#02-323 Marina
Square, 6 Raffles Blvd, +65 6337
3726, www.nicholasnic.com) regularly
has fashion critics sitting up and
taking notice. A previous winner of the
Mercedes Benz Asia Fashion Award,
his trademark asymmetrical creations
for men and women combine clean-cut
silhouettes with quirky, clever tailoring.
Local designers Afton Chen, Diorelle
Sy, Ruth Marbun and Louis Koh are
the quartet behind cult label Reckless
Ericka (The Reckless Shop, #02-08/09
Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd, +65
6338 8246, www.recklessericka.com),
known for its edgy take on classic
silhouettes. FJ Benjamin launched Raoul
(www.raoul.com) in Singapore in 2002
as a men’s shirt label, branching out to
womenswear in response to the demand.
The homegrown brand has since added
accessories to its stable, including
bespoke bags and belts, with outlets in
Paragon, Raffles City and the Shoppes at
Marina Bay Sands.
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Tax refunds
As a tourist in Singapore, you
can claim a refund on the 7 per
cent GST paid on purchases made
when you leave Singapore and
take your purchases home. Simply
spend SG$100 or more to qualify.
Refunds are deposited via the
Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme
(eTRS). Choose one credit/debit
card for all purchases; this
card will allow eTRS to retrieve
all of your purchase details at
the airport.
1 At the shops
When shopping, use one credit/
debit card as your ‘token’ to
link up all your purchases.
Ask for your eTRS ticket and
original invoice/receipt before
leaving the shop.
2 Before departure
If you plan to check-in your
purchases, first apply for your
GST refund at the eTRS self-help
kiosk located at the departure
check-in hall (before departure
immigration) using your token or
eTRS Tickets. You will not be
entitled to a refund if you have
checked in your purchases prior
to the application.
3 At the eTRS self-help kiosk
Use your chosen credit/debit
card to retrieve all your
purchase details. Follow the
instructions on the eTRS selfhelp
kiosk to apply for your GST
refund claims.
4 Collect your refund
Choose to have the refund
credited directly into your
credit card at the eTRS self-help
kiosk. You may board your plane
after completing your claims.