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