Hey there, print enthusiasts! We've got some exciting news to share with you. We're thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new scarf collection, the Singapore Chronicles! Get ready to embark on a whimsical journey through the little stories that make this island so special.
Picture this: you're strolling along the vibrant streets of Singapore, immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of its culture and history. Suddenly, you stumble upon a hidden gem, a charming little spot that sparks your curiosity. It could be a quaint old house full of Chinoiserie bric a brac where a mahjong game is taking place, a bustling tropical fruit market, or even a secret garden. These are the moments that inspired our latest collection.
Each scarf in the collection chronicles a unique story, capturing the essence of these hidden treasures. From the bustling streets of Little India to Katong, and to the serene beauty of the Botanic Gardens, these scarves are like wearable works of art that transport you to the heart of Singapore.
Now, we know what you're thinking. "But how do these scarves look?" Well, let us tell you, they are nothing short of gorgeous! We have poured our hearts and souls into creating intricate patterns and vibrant colors that truly bring these stories to life. Whether you're a fan of bold and vibrant hues or prefer a more subtle and elegant look, we've got something for everyone. See a preview of the new collection in the video 'The Mahjong Night' below, featuring Jada Jade (who is a Singapore's drag performer) as the primadona.
The Mahjong Night short version from D. Tunas on Vimeo.
But wait, there's more! We've also made sure that these scarves are not just a feast for the eyes, but also a delight to wear. Crafted from the finest materials like 100% silk, cashmere blend or soft recycled fibres, they are soft, lightweight, and oh-so-comfortable. You'll feel like you're wrapping yourself in a cloud of pure comfort.
So, what are you waiting for? The collection is available online here starting next week but if you prefer to shop in person "Singapore Chronicle" scarf collection you can come down to Boutiques Fair and meet us there. Trust us, you don't want to miss out on these little pieces of Singaporean magic. Whether you're a scarf aficionado or simply hunting for Christmas presents, we've got you covered.
So, grab your tickets and get ready to embark on a sartorial adventure like no other. The "Singapore Chronicle" scarf collection awaits you. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of Singapore's hidden stories. See you at the Boutique Fairs!
]]>Our friend Mary-Victor, talented makeup artist and body positivity activist, donned a floor length dress featuring our brand new dragon fruit print. She completed the look with real dragon fruits (from Chong Pang market no less!) in a net bag as the ultimate arm candy.
Bryan, our friend who is a professional model, wore a sleeveless kimono and sarong skirt, featuring hornbill prints in green and blue combo colour way. He looked simply stunning in it.
Lizzy, a sustainability activist, wore a gorgeous halter neck dress, that was up-cycled from two large scarves (which were sample pieces). The two scarves were skilfully assembled and hand-stitched, and pulled together with a blue silk tie and tassel, featuring a oh-so-sexy low back detail.
TK wore a fun half jacket featuring the hornbill print. It was simply gorgeous!
Sari made a floor-length dress with plunge neck line, featuring the hornbill print in bright red shade, and completed the look with a matching purse.
Santhi wore our silk kaftan featuring the botanic garden theme, and a wrap sarong skirt featuring the same design.
With striking colours and bold prints, hand down we were the most colourful tribe of the whole lot! We had so much fun at the party, meeting old and new friends.
Thank you Daniel for the invitation! Here is to many more years of fashion achievement! Thank you Mary, Bryan, Lizzy, TK and Nadya for making this event possible!
]]>Scarves can be made of various different fabrics. Sometimes they are made of natural fibres such as silk, cotton or linen, or synthetic fibre such as polyester. All these fabrics has different characteristics and hand feel. Here are some information about a couple ofl fabrics that we frequently used for our collection.
100% Silk Twill
Silk is probably the most luxurious fabric for scarves. It has gorgeous luxuriant shimmer, soft to the touch and yields beautiful drapes. Silk can be further characterised by its weaving methods, i.e. twill and satin. For most of our collection we typically use 100% silk twill that is characterised by diagonal ridge upon closer look. 100% silk twill scarves make a perfect gift for that special person.
Cotton Silk
We also have a limited collection of cotton-silk blend, which consists of 70% cotton and 30% silk. It has the comfortable light texture that is typical of cotton and silk's gorgeous shimmer. It has the best of both worlds! It is very soft to the touch and feel super comfortable on your skin. Cotton silk scarves look more casual than 100% pure silk twill that tends to look more dressy and formal.
Pure Cotton
Cotton scarves are easy to wear, thanks to its light natural texture. It gives a more casual air. It makes a great scarf for travelling.
Lyocell
Lyocell is made of wood cellulose, it is cool to the touch and great for casual wear. it is a very sturdy fabric, Lyocell scarves are thus great for wearing as sarong - beach wear.
Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic based fabric. This non-natural fiber is sturdy and vibrant in colour. It is a popular choice as it is easy to maintain as it does not need ironing and does not crease easily. Our polyester scarves come in satin (which is shinny silk-look) or chiffon (which is translucent).
The choice finally is yours, depending on how you intend to wear the scarves and on the given occasion. In any case, you cannot go wrong with a great piece of scarf whatever the fabric is. It will instantly jazz up your outfit and help you fend off that chills.
]]>When Andaz Singapore - 5 on 25 approached us to co-create this year bespoke mooncake box, we were elated! The result is simply gorgeous. Inspired by the bustling two-story shophouse scene in the hotel’s neighbourhood, Kampong Glam, the simple yet elegant shophouse design features defined windows and minimal ornamentation. It is a close representation of an early shophouse style used from the 1840s to the 1900s. Encased in eye-catching hues of green, pink and blue, the box opens up to unveil two inner drawers, wrapped in a beautiful geometric pattern of leaves of breadfruit trees, which are in abundance in the area.
“This partnership encompasses our shared passions for architecture, Singapore’s heritage and nature. The neighbourhood encapsulates all of these elements, and the shophouses form the canvas of the design because of its timeless appeal and historical significance,” says Santhi Tunas.
As for the mooncakes? They are simply delish! The twins just cannot stop munching of these! Making a debut this year is a new sweet and savoury Citrus Surprise mooncake, which displays Chef Francis’ creative prowess in experimentation. Inspired by Kampong Glam’s melting pot of cultures, Chef Francis shines the spotlight on an interesting trio of ingredients – caramel, miso and yuzu. The umami of the miso cuts through the rich caramel paste, while the addition of yuzu white chocolate lends an uplifting zing and citrusy aroma.
Another must-try is the Gula Galore mooncake. Chef Francis infuses smooth lotus paste with rich caramel-like Gula Melaka and adds high-quality pecan nuts for an extra layer of crunch and texture. “This treat caters to all as it is subtly mellow and is highly addictive on first bite. Its flavour is also inspired by traditional Malay kuehs, which are commonly found in the vicinity,” says Chef Francis.
Using a traditional recipe by Chef Lim and back by popular demand are the 5 ON 25 Signature Tea Blend and Silver Lotus++. The former offers a fragrant medley of Osmanthus, Oolong and Pu’er tea notes, while the latter comprises white lotus paste and two golden egg yolks at the core encased in the golden baked crust. These mooncakes are perfect for purists alongside a cup of tea.
Two fixed sets are available for sale: 5 ON 25 Mooncakes Set which consists of a box of four assorted flavours is priced at SGD 88 nett. 5 ON 25 Silver Lotus++ Mooncakes Set which consists of a box of four double yolk mooncakes is priced at SGD 92 nett.
Guests can enjoy a 35% early bird offer for orders made until 31st July 2023. A 25% regular offer is available for orders made between 16th July 2023 and 29th September 2023. Orders can be made via Andaz Online Shop at https://andazsg.whyqueue.shop/ or at the Mooncake Concierge on Level 25 at Andaz Singapore from 1st August 2023 as well as at mooncake fairs held at Ngee Ann City and CIMB Plaza. For enquiries on mooncakes or bulk orders, email mooncakes@andaz.com.
In 2021 Paula together with Mary Victor, founder of The Body Within movement created #youbeyou Campaign to promote and show body acceptance. Recently she uses her platform to organise events for women by women like the super fun SUP (Stand-Up Paddling) sessions at Sentosa beach.
We invited Paula for a chat to get to know more about herself and her whys. The more we learn about her, the more inspired we are.
Can you tell us about yourself?
I’m Paula. From Ireland, though I’ve been away for over a decade now. I will be 40 this year (big celebrations planned!). I am married and have one dog though I’d have a lot more if I could!. I love sports and being active. I love meeting new people and trying new things.
What motivated you to start UBU swimwear? Tell us more about the brand
I started UBU because I could not find swimwear that look good but not fussy, and had enough coverage and support for me to run around in without worrying about "wardrobe malfunctions". I needed something that was active-friendly and was made to last and doesn’t get really saggy and fade after just a few wears. I spent many years as a consumer researching best designs and fabrics and eventually that led me to start working on those designs and starting UBU when I moved here to Singapore. Way before UBU, I had spoke to many friends who were not comfortable and self-conscious in swimwear and I am still having similar conversations with women today. It makes me so sad. Swimwear should not make us feel in the spotlight - it should represent good times, times hanging out at the beach or by the pool with family and friends, or taking some chill out time to ourselves, making great memories. I am working to provide women with swimwear that you can be comfortable enough in to just enjoy yourself. To JUST BE YOU.
We heard about your awesome efforts on community building through UBU, tell us more about it.
Aw thank you! Yes, I started #ubuwomen events last year. They are events FOR WOMEN BY WOMEN. I love to try new things. But sometimes its a bit intimidating to walk into a class or try a new activity on your own. I was posting about some new activities I was trying / learning and getting lots of messages from women who “always wanted to try it” but were nervous, or had no one to go with etc. So I started #ubuwomen events! These events are a safe place for women to meet new people, try new things and move *for the joy of it*. Your only goal here is to have fun! I honestly believe that the self-confidence we gain from trying new things and getting outside of our comfort zone reverberates into our everyday lives. The more confidence we get, the more comfortable and happier we are. And this is *our* goal at these events - to help women be more comfortable in themselves.
What signifies a great style to you?
“Fashion is what you buy, Style is what you do with it”. Style is very personal. You can make ANYTHING stylish if you wear it with confidence and make it yours. Great style to me is anything worn with confidence and comfort!
Favorite weekend activity in Singapore?
My ideal weekend would be: Saturday - long walk with the dog, breakfast, sailing, a curry and beer at our local hawkers or catchup with friends. Sunday - beach morning with the dog, some sports and a chill evening at home!
What are you reading right now?
I'm reading two books at the moment! Shy by Annie Rideout - my morning / public transport reading. And Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter - my bedtime read!
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They could be fellow designers, fashion gurus, models, our mother, our lovely customers or our personal friends. These muses come from different parts of the world, various ages, shapes and genders.
Meet Mary-Anne, the muse behind Maryanne dress. This lovely lady came into our life about 12 years ago when we lived in the same housing estate. Gregarious, warm and friendly, we were instantly drawn to her. It is so easy to like her. Hailing from Australia, she has made Singapore home for a decades.
Mary-Anne loves Singapore but she has always found shopping for clothes a little bit challenging. A size 12/14 AU, she finds it difficult to find clothes locally that are curve friendly.
We took up the challenge to create a dress that Mary-Anne would love to wear and that's how the Maryanne dress came into being.
Maryanne dress boasts a V-shaped neckline that is not too low and not too high. We create this dress with slightly raised waistline that can be cinched by tying the attached straps to create a slimming silhouette. This dress comes with drop shoulders that balance out pear-shaped body which is narrower on top and wider at the hip. These kind of shoulders are also perfect for those who prefer to have their upper arms covered but still allow ease of movement.
This dress comes in two sizes, size 1 and size 2.
If you are blessed with curve like Mary-Anne and are highly animated when speaking your mind (which might or might not come with hefty Italian DNA ;)), you probably want to choose size 2 for more freedom of movement.
Size 1 is perfect for those who typically wears size S to M (average local sizing). We promise you that this dress will look gorgeous on you. The adjustable waist will accentuate your shape and the flowy fabric will make you want to twirl. And if you like to look stylish on your holiday like we do, this perfect resort-chic dress can be easily dress up and dress down.
You will also appreciate its smooth buttery and cool to the touch fabric.
Thank you Mary-Anne for the inspiration and our endless laughter together.
The great thing about having regular interns at our studio is having novel design ideas that we have never thought about before. We always asked our interns to experiment - to play around with the upcycling concept.
This time our intern Sree from NAFA made a top out of men's ties from our past project. The top was meant to be used in a photoshoot with our featured guest Nurindah Iskandar (see the article here). We need something that is sexy yet elegant to match her personality.
With her nimble fingers, Sree combined six ties and hand-stitched them to form a gorgeous corset with a crossed back. Secured in the front with a pair of buckles, the result was simply stunning. It was truly a statement piece that really matches Noorindah's style. She cannot be happier with the top. Look how stunning she is in this top (and see the complete feature here and read more about this cool gal!)
We love it so much that we decided to make another version for ourselves (with a matching fascinator) to wear at the Front Row - Museum Take Over Fashion Gala (directed by Daniel Boey). This version was made out of eight ties. The ties transformed into a great outfit that costs zero dollar! We certainly got lots of compliments on this outfit. See picture below (photo by @Natalie Kiri).
Got any cool upcycling ideas? Contact us and let's talk!
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We just knew that we wanted to feature her here.
Can you tell us about your self?
My name is Noorindah Iskandar but you can call me Rin. I’m the founder and writer behind Shy & Curious , an online platform that explores sex and love without the fear of having to hide your Google search history. I’m also the marketing manager at Blitzwerks, which runs Horny.sg and Pink Lifestyle. I like to refer myself as a sex toy sommelier as I’ve a very fun and meaningful job of breaking taboos and helping people explore self-love and intimacy!
What motivated you to start 'Shy and Curious'?
The catalyst behind Shy & Curious was the relationship I had with my mother and her experience with breast cancer. We’d a very unusual relationship in that we were close enough to share and joke about sex and dating but she kept her breast cancer a secret from all of us until 4 days before she passed. When I questioned her why, she admitted she felt shame around her body and that it was a taboo for her so she didn’t want to burden anyone else.
It took some soul-searching after her passing to figure out what’s next in life for me but I knew I didn’t want anyone else to feel alone when dealing with difficult topics. So initially the idea behind Shy & Curious was to hold sharing circles for strangers to gather in real life but the pandemic happened and all events were a no-go. I didn’t want her first death anniversary to pass without honoring her legacy so I thought about the next best thing I could do. I love to write and have always been fascinated with sex and love so that’s how the blog was born!
It started off as an educational space but I found that people resonated more with my personal stories of dealing with the big emotions and healing. So now, through honest conversations with a tinge of humour, Shy & Curious aims to demystify taboo topics and unlearn shame & guilt around sexual wellness, relationships and self-love for the shy yet curious at heart.
We have heard a lot about slogan 'Women supporting Women', how do we actually practice it beyond lip service?
I love this question! I think it’s quite poignant as I’ve been in situations where a scarcity mindset and competitiveness can give rise to ugly behavior amongst women.
So I’m going to look at the question from a different angle - before we practice supporting other women, let’s take a deep look at ourselves and see how we can be there for ourselves first. Like the saying goes, if you don’t heal what hurt you, you’ll bleed on the people who didn’t cut you.
It’s easy to support our friends and loved ones but trickier when it comes to peers that you feel are more successful than you. It can be a challenge to not let our emotions take over and spiral into jealousy, pettiness or self-loathing
If you feel threatened by another’s actions, use it as an opportunity to dive deeper and ask yourself what is the root of it that you need to self-soothe. My therapist shared this amazing gem with me “feelings are not instructions, they are data”. Whenever I feel upset about a person’s reaction, I ask myself what is the true reason that I am feeling disempowered. It’s not the easiest thing to do on days where you just want to rant and rave but it has been the most insightful and healthy way for me to understand what needs healing and support in myself so I can show up for others when I can!
What signifies a great style to you?
The older I get, the more that I recognize great style comes from having a strong sense of self.
I appreciate it when someone puts thought into their outfits and looks cohesive. That doesn’t just include knowing what proportions and colours work for you but it’s wearing outfits that make you smile, feel comfortable and say “Yup, this is me!”
If you have foreign visitors where in Singapore would you take them?
I’ve a soft spot for Bugis so my usual itinerary is starting out with lunch at either Zamzam or Hajah Maimunah at Kampung Glam just because Indian-Muslim and Malay cuisine is new to them! Also personally it’s my comfort food and I like the low-key relaxed vibe. Then a stroll around the neighborhood where they can look at the kebayas and batik at Ratianah Tahir and custom perfumes at Sifr. Then we can always have a teh halia at the corner store at Bussorah St. If they’re into books and stationery, we can walk over to Bras Basah and browse around. My weekends as a child were spent there browsing through second hand books and art supplies so it’s a place that’s dear to me. Even the National Library next door is a great place to just chill and take a respite from the heat! Finally for dinner and drinks, my favourite restaurant Ginett at Hotel G!
These are the ultimate gifts for that special friend. Made of 100% silk in larger format, these scarves exude comfort and luxury. They cine in several design options to choose from (price: 140-165 SGD). The double-sided printed scarves come wrapped in a gorgeous tissue paper - presented in a blue box bearing our logo.
We also have other scarf options made of cotton-silk blend, 100% cotton, lyocell, soft chiffon (price ranging from 65 SGD - 165 SGD).
2. Sleepy Otters - Sleeping Mask in 100% Silk
This is the perfect unisex gift for the frequent travellers or those who love to snooze in complete darkness. This sleeping mask is made of delicious 100% silk fabric (back and front) and adorned with cute sleepy otters print. It comes in a matching cotton pouch (price: 65 SGD).
3. Kakee Shirts - Tropical Chic 2023
These unisex shirts are made of buttery soft Lyocell fabric. They come in three tropical print designs: The Orange Thief, The Tin Hill and Kingfishers. Great for those who love to dress in comfort and style.
4. Binary Style - Embrace Jewellery Collection
These jewellery pieces are perfect for those who love unique and individual design. Co-designed by Binary Style and Embrace Jewellery, and made in Spain, these pieces are simply gorgeous (price ranging from 79.90 - 95 SGD). The tropical inspired designs, made of lightweight gold-plated brass, will certainly delight everybody.
These knot necklaces are perfect for those who love statement jewellery. Up-cycled from less than perfect scarves, they will please your tree hugger friends. Each piece is handmade, thus unique and individual (price 65 SGD).
6. Scardigan
Our crowd-favourite Scardigans are perfect for those who love to jazz up their outfit with colourful outer. Easily converted into a scarf by unbuttoning, it will please those who love convertible fashion pieces. So versatile, it can be worn as a cover-up on top of your swim suit, or as an outer for your daily outfit! It comes in several print designs that suits different preferences (price 110 SGD).
P.S.
If you are pressed by time, you could pick up your item at our studio upon appointment. We will also have an open-house few days before Christmas, where you can shop with us directly and enjoy a complimentary pre-Christmas cocktail.
]]>Shareen featured our brand in her monthly Wine And Jewellery IG Live streaming series where she periodically launches her new collection whilst showcasing a local brand. We were in awe of the way she is totally a real class act when she presents her jewellery pieces whilst engaging with her audience. This of course we found out later, a skill she honed for years as radio DJ.
We are so thrilled when Shareen brought up the idea of collaboration of creating a capsule collection. She in fact is a fan of our prints and has always thought that our flora and fauna motifs would make a beautiful wearable jewellery collection. So we embarked on this project many months ago and went through many rounds of discussion. Selecting the final pieces for Tropical Chic collection were the hardest as we just loved all of the ideas!
Tropical Chic is launching at Boutiques Fair- The Gifting Edition 25-27 November 2022.
In the midst of this collection launch, we managed to sit down with Shareen and get to know her better and the story behind the brand.
Can you tell us about yourself?
Hi I’m Shareen, founder of embrace jewellery. Also a music and travel junkie and cat lover! When I’m not busy running the business, curating and designing jewellery, I love exploring new places, restaurants and cool tunes!
What motivated you to start your brand?
I took a solo round the world sabbatical after my divorce, and was looking for something different for my life. Until then, I had spent over a decade on and off-air on radio and I wanted a new challenge. I loved these beautiful pieces that I discovered on my travels and was inspired to start a lifestyle store selling homeware and jewellery. 14 years on, I'm thankful that we are still around and have grown to 4 locations with a focus on jewellery and fashion.
What signifies great style to you?
When someone dares to wear what they love. Too many people worry about what others think and how they come across to others. The most fashionable women I know are clothe in confidence and dare to experiment with different pieces and styles. Jewellery is a great way to express yourself and be more adventurous!
What do you do to relax?
I do a radio show… haha. Sunday is my day off and I wake up early to do Sunday lunch on Class 95FM from 10am to 2pm. Friends always ask why but it's something I enjoy. Playing good tunes, telling stories, that’s relaxing for me. Also I’m trying to get back to playing the piano after a 20 year break.
What are you reading right now?
I just finished reading Stoned by Aja Raden. Great book about how jewellery obsession has shaped and changed the course of history. Truth is always more fascinating that fiction!
Where is your fav Singapore neighbourhood?
I love various parts of Singapore but I would say that Holland Village feels like home. I grew up in the neighbourhood, its where I hung out with friends after school as a teen and it’s where we started our first store!
This collection is inspired by the Singapore's East Coast area, one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the island. A perfect spot for brunches with family or sundowners with your mates. Any days of the week, it just oozes relaxed weekend vibes.
East Coast Chic collection consists of printed flowy Maryanne dresses, unisex button-up Kakee shirts and Scardigan featuring flora and fauna of our garden city. Stylish yet casual, it encapsulates the vibe of this charming eastern enclave. Made of buttery-soft Lyocell fabric - woven from natural cellulose fibres with great moisture-wicking quality, it is simply great for our balmy weather. It also has higher wrinkle-resistance than most fabric.
With adjustable waist, Maryanne dress will be your new best friend. It is roomy and deliciously flowy. You will want to wear it everywhere. It comes in three prints; our signature 'Kingfishers' in soft yet fresh colour tones, new prints 'Tin Hill' that depicts Bukit Timah forest, and the 'Orange Thief' that depicts 2023 Chinese New Year horoscope animal, rabbit.
With button-up relaxed cut the new Kakee shirt is unisex. It is great with denim or linen bottoms. It comes in same the print designs as the Maryanne dress, giving you an opportunity to have matching outfits with your partner for CNY celebrations.
Our crowd-favourite Scardigan is also coming back with three new designs: 'The Orange Thief', 'Winged Friends' and 'Butterflies and Orchids'.
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This month we met Iliana Arrazola, a Singapore-based Colombian jewellery designer and jiu-jitsu expert who runs her eponymous label 'Iliana Arrazola Jewellery'. This statuesque lady is not only stunning, she is also very warm, creatively talented and full of enthusiasm. Her jewellery designs are just as gorgeous. Inspired by traditional Colombian crafts, she employs Emberá-Chamí artisans to create a line of colourful statement jewellery which also cleverly incorporates Singaporean elements. Our favourite are the Okama necklaces, made of thousands of glass beads, intricately strung into a stately collar, they can jazz up even the simplest outfit.
We invited Iliana to come to our studio to do a mini photoshoot to learn more about her.
Hi Iliana, can you tell us about yourself?
I studied Fine Arts and have previously participated in various regional and national contemporary art exhibitions in Colombia. I have also worked at globally-known advertising agencies for more than ten years.
What motivated you to start your eponymous jewelry brand?
Since I was little I have always been attracted to fashion and specifically to jewellery. When I was a young girl, my mother had a children's clothing shop where my sister and I used to model her design samples!
My interest in jewellery led me to develop a collection inspired by artistic exploration and re-mixing of Western and Eastern traditions.
What signifies a great style for to you?
For me, great style is what is most authentic and a part of your identity. I love pieces that tell stories about the person who is wearing them.
How do scarves fit in your outfit?
Scarves are basic pieces that you should always wear, they protect you from the cold or can totally transform your outfit. It is one of the few fashion accessories, along with hats, belts and shoes, that has a practical function.
When you have friends visiting from abroad where will you take them in Singapore?
I love China Town and Little India. I love all the wonderfully kitsch objects that you can find in these places.
Last question: What excites you? What sets you on fire?
I love art, especially painting from the Renaissance to the Avant-Garde. I also love studying Kabala and doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it's something I've been doing consistently for more than four years! I am actually a very broad person in terms of passions.
]]>We invited Khadija to come to our studio to do a mini photoshoot and to have a cozy chat to learn more about her.
Can you tell us about yourself?
I’m a reformed lawyer who’s big into style. I aspire to the idea of being a super-ager. At age 60 I married (for the second time), took up horse riding and decided to create a fashion and lifestyle vlog.
What motivated you to start "Excuse me are you 60" Instagram account?
I was inspired to create my channel after following some fabulous mature style vloggers on YouTube and IG. Women of ‘a certain age’ often feel invisible in society and are generally ignored by the media and retailers. Social media gives us a great platform to be visible and to showcase our ageless style, confidence and pro-age outlook on life. I feel really chuffed when a 20 year old follower says she aspires to be like me!
What signifies a great style for to you?
I believe great style comes about when you are comfortable in your own skin and wear things that make you feel happy and confident.
How do scarves fit in your outfit?
Scarves are the ultimate versatile accessory. I use them to add a pop of colour to an outfit, elevate a basic tee or add Parisienne flair to a pantsuit. Scarves are the best way to get maximum style quotient with minimum effort!
When you have friends visiting from abroad where will you take them in Singapore?
My favourite go-to’s include a tour of our Peranakan architecture and culture, the National gallery and all the wonderful eats and sights in Little India, Tiong Bahru, Arab street and of course the hawker centres.
Last question: What would you tell your younger self?
Not to let fear of the unknown hold you back from seizing exciting opportunities when they present themselves. In the words of Richard Branson, “if somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it. Say yes - then learn how to do it".
Kadhija is wearing Shophouses at the Foothill and Fort Canning silk scarves.
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Upon a closer look, visitors can also spot the rich biodiversity: local marine lifes, wild boars and rare birds. This silk scarf is inspired by some of bird species in the island that were thought to be steadily declining due to deforestation such as the green broadbill, black and red broadbill, buff-rumped woodpecker, buffy fish owl, and oriental pied hornbill. Keen birdwatchers, however, observed that these birds have made rather regular re-appearances in the island. Especially prominent was the green broadbills with their striking green plumage that were thought to be near extinct.
Nothing is more apt as a celebratory gesture than to capture these avian beauties on our scarf design. Can you identify which is which? Next time you make a trip to the island, bring along your binocular and try to spot them amidst the island greenery!
]]>When DesignSingapore Council approached us to be a part of National Design Centre display for Singapore Night Festival 2022 we were so elated. Like everyone else, we eagerly awaited the return of this festival after two years hiatus to celebrate the diverse eccentricities of Bras.Basah Bugis (BBB) precinct.
Projection mapping is one of the main draws of this festival, and this year we are so humbled to have our signature vibrant prints projected in the inner atrium of National Design Centre. We were just so giddy with excitement when we first saw the projection.
Aux Media Group turned Binary Style's multi-coloured universe into a mesmerizing projection mapping which is set against paper flora arrangement by PAPERSYNTHESIS. Nearby SERIAL CO_ exhibits beckon visitors to marvel at the world's first living and growing NFT plants. This collaborative art project titled TERRARIUM is truly a hybrid art installation that combines dynamic projection of original artworks, sounds, paper art, and digital realm.
Visitors can expect themselves to step into an immersive garden landscape where the digital and the physical intertwined and to be indulged by colorful digital storytelling centered around this year theme of REBIRTH.
This is truly a sensory experience for all ages. Get your camera ready!
This artwork is co-presented by the National Heritage Board (NHB), the DesignSingapore Council and the National Design Centre as part of Singapore Night Festival.
National Design Centre 111 Midlle road, S188969
19 Aug to 27 Aug 7.30pm – 12am
Free admission
Get your hands on the our Bras Basah.Bugis Precinct scarf ($84) and tote bag with charm ($35), featuring iconic buildings in the area commissioned by DesignSingapore Council to celebrate this event.
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Commissioned by the DesignSingapore Council- the folks who runs the National Design Centre, Binary Style’s home for the past few years, the banners dress the building (front and back facade) to usher 57th birthday of Singapore and the buzz around it.
Kembali - spanning 8.5 meter in width and 18 meter in height, is literally our largest project to date. It took several design iterations and proofs before we came to the final versions for the front and back facades. We are very honoured and humbled to participate in this special celebration with our design. We hope you like it as much as we do!
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It is super versatile, you can wear it unbuttoned as a regular scarf/sarong, or buttoned up as a scardigan. Perfect as an outer for your daily outfit, swimsuit, yoga attire or anything at all. It adds a pop of happy colour to your outfit.
They are available at our online shop and Design Orchard. Grab them while they last and sport the East Coast chic.
]]>Singapore's nature has been a constant source of design inspiration for us at Binary Style. You can find the lush Bukit Timah forest with its cheeky monkeys, serene MacRitchie reservoir, Botanic Gardens, Bedok Reservoir and Pulau Ubin on our designs to name a few. Made of luxurious silk, cotton and cotton-silk blend, they would blanket you with (nature-themed) comfort in the days when you can't venture there.
Together we designed this special limited-edition fabric featuring print inspired by multicultural heritage of Singapore. This crossing-borders print represents a vibrant brew that makes up this island nation.
At the skillful hands of Thomas Wee and with urban islanders in mind this beautiful fabric turned into a wearable resort collection for relaxing during staycation and leisure time around the island.
The collection is available exclusively at @shopdesignorchard (Please approach staffs for special CNY offer).
]]>- a perfect choice for last-minute Christmas gifts for your girl friends and families. A special keepsake that would remind them of our rich tropical flora.
This collection features earrings that are inspired by orchids, anthurium, torch ginger and butterfly pea flowers. You can pair them with day or evening outfit, plain or printed, with hair up or down. You can style them as you like. We even have a matching butterfly pea flower dress and scarf, as well an orchid printed scarf, for those of you who like matchy matchy style.
You can get this collection through this link.
]]>There are many ways to tell a story. Ours is through colours and patterns. Visual storytelling is not new, one can tell from the discoveries of paintings in historic caves or even carvings in ancient temples. We never claimed our way is novel, but we believe our colours and patterns are unique in the way people could relate to the subject matters in a fun way, and the way they reveal that certain uniqueness in the mundanes.
Since we started Binary Style in 2015, we have been continuously looking for stories to tell, be they the obvious ones or the less observed ones. While many of our customers were initially attracted by our vivid colours and catchy patterns, it is the way our designs are tightly woven into the Singapore history, culture, and flora and fauna, that makes them special. In fact, we could easily use our various scarves to illustrate the timeline of Singapore’s history. We have been toying with the idea of creating a promotional video that tells exactly that for some years, but the idea was quickly buried under tons of work.
We were lucky to finally meet the Floating Folks, a video production company - a super talented team of media artists, to help us realise the video. Being artists ourselves, we were a bit nervous about others’ ability to translate our aesthetic language. What if our aesthetic visions do not align? Boy, we were wrong, the team has brilliantly translated our vision into a wonderful video that perfectly speaks of our aesthetic style and vibe, while letting the team’s artistic talents shine through.
The main concept of the video is to convey how our scarves tell the Singapore story, right from the moment Sang Nila Utama encountered the mysterious lion, to the early phase of the Nation Building to economic prosperity, and to the return of the wildlife that represents the softer touch of the island development. We quickly scripted a story board with the help of team. Next step was to select appropriate scarves to represent the different phases, then we looked for models who can bring the scarves to 'life'. We engaged our model friends Dinar and Suri, whose looks, intelligence, grace, and wittiness, perfectly represent our brands. The Floating Folks team then produced the video and animated the visuals using a combination of video recording, graphic animation and voice over. They have also added a catchy background tune. And bam! It is simply magic! We cannot be happier with the result! Hope you like it too!
Special thanks to Ziyu and Azmir and the rest of the Floating Folks team, Suri and Dinar our talented models, Gin Lee studio and Badt and Co for the wardrobes.
Here are the scarves that are featured in the video:
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In the past, we have worked with several artists to create a line of accessories. This year we worked together with Cheerful Atelier and Style Nomads to create these lines of products. Here are more about them.
Cheerful Atelier
The artist behind Cheerful Atelier (@cheerfulatelier - Instagram) is Nancy Noerdin, an architect turned maker. She works with diverse mediums, most prominently papers. Nancy has been working closely with us since the beginning of Binary Style. She has helped us create our pop-up displays, i.e. SG52 in Tang's and Boutique Fair (do you remember our beautiful hornbill centrepiece?). She has also created sculptural necklaces out of our scarves in the past. Her eye catching necklaces have been a consistent crowd favourite. This year she created more of those necklaces! Each piece is unique, it is a definite conversation starter! Don’t wait too long, her necklaces are sure to fly off the shelf in a jiffy!
Nancy Noerdin - Cheerful Atelier
Style Nomads
Style Nomads has been training single Mums since the end of 2012 to make jewellery so they can look after their children. Since the pandemic there are many marginalized groups who need help. Over the years they have been contacted by social workers and Family Service Centres looking for work for their beneficiaries. Different women from all walks of life who struggle to get employment. Ladies who are hearing impaired, those suffering from mental health issues, over 60s living in a single room flat. So they made the decision to help more women than single Mums. And they started looking to find other ways to help create income for all types of amazing women who struggle to find work. The income we provide them goes towards some of their costs, but the friendship and most importantly community is priceless.
Style Nomads has previously turned Binary Style scarves into trendy headbands, which led to the idea for Christmas Stockings. The prints lend themselves so well to beautiful accessories for the home or for fashionistas alike. They worked with amazing lady who is retired and wonderful at sewing. She especially loves patchwork and upcycling materials.
Headband by Style Nomads
Christmas Stockings by Style Nomads
]]>We are proud to present our first-ever collaboration with The Intan – an award-winning private Peranakan museum run by Alvin Yapp. Growing up in a Peranakan household, we hold this beautiful culture close to our hearts. Binary Style is thrilled to join hands with The Intan to create an exquisite table linen collection for you right in time for the holidays.
The Nonya Table is inspired by elements of Peranakan porcelain ware from the Intan collection and their auspicious symbols. Phoenix and peonies are featured prominently in this collection. Quintessential to the Peranakan culture, described as the king of birds, the phoenix only appears in times of peace and abundance, an auspicious symbol for the home.
The peonies, fondly known as the ‘Flower of Wealth and Prosperity’ (富贵花, fùguìhuā), represent feminine beauty, good fortune and nobility. The perfect pairing of the phoenix and peonies thus symbolises harmony and well being!
The collection features delightful Peranakan colours that will liven up any dining table. A true conversation starter!
This collection includes a table runner (150x35cm), placemats (35x40cm) and napkin (45x45cm). All items are made of premium cotton linen material.
Shop this collection here
]]>The design process, which involved numerous visits on board, was quite an experience for us. After several brainstorming sessions with the team, we came up with a scarf design that was meant to capture the unique cruising experience on board the Dream Cruises. The design was inspired by its iconic row of cabins with curved partition walls and its signature facilities such as the zip-line and rope course, the azul-coloured swimming pool, and its spiralling water slides. We also captured the signature laser show and F&B experiences in the design (can you spot the delightful cocktails and seafood in the corners?). The love story between the astronaut and mermaid, which is the background story of Dream Cruises, was also featured prominently in the design.
This scarf can be purchased on board the Dream Cruises, and due to popular requests, on our online shop as well. Click here to buy.
In case it is not obvious yet - we are huge scarf lovers - even long before we started Binary Style. We always have one in our bag. We wear it when the AC gets too cold (or when the weather started to get chilly when we were living in Europe) or simply when we need to jazz up our outfits or even to manage a bad hair day. We simply cannot live without it. In fact, one of the reasons we started designing scarves was because we could not find any scarf designs that we really like. So why not design them yourself?
When we started Binary Style, we quickly realised that many adore our scarves, would buy them for gifts but do not wear ones themselves. One of the most common reasons was that they are not too sure of how to wear them. We often got requests to demonstrate various ways to wear scarves. Believe us - we love doing that! It also challenges us to explore more creative ways of wearing scarves!
Here are some of our favourite ways of wearing scarves.
1. Simple side knot
This style is very versatile - it goes with a simple t-shirt or shirt or dress, or to jazz up a formal suit. You can use a scarf ring if you have one to create a cute accent.
How:
Fold a square scarf diagonally to form a triangle then roll it starting from the corner to form a long band. Drape the band around the neck and make a simple knot at the side. This style looks better with a smallish scarf.
2. Belt
We like to wear scarves as belt when wearing simple t-shirts and jeans. The drape is also useful to hide bulging post-lunch belly :p
How:
Fold a square scarf diagonally to form a triangle then roll it starting from the corner to form a long band. Wrap the band around the waist through the belt loops (if any), and make a simple knot at the front or side part.
3. Neck tie
This style is simple and elegant. While it is easy to put together, it gives a très chic polished look. It is probably the best way to show off your cool scarf design.
How:
Fold a square scarf diagonally to form a triangle then roll it starting from the corner to form a long band. Drape the band around the neck with one side (considerably) longer than the other. Make a knot to secure the drape. Place the drape either on the front or the side part of the neck.
4. Hair turban
Bad hair begone. No time to wash your hair? No problem! Simply gather your hair into a simple bun and put on a scarf to create a turban. Voilà, a cool bohemian look! This look also works well for a beach-day-out to keep your locks in place.
How:
Fold a square scarf diagonally to form a triangle. Drape the straight side of the triangle on your nape while putting your head down. Tie the two loose ends around the hairline while securing the corner of the triangle. Tie the remaining fabric multiple times to form a nice big knot. This look works better with a cotton scarf.
5. Sarong cover-up
Wrap a bigger cotton scarf around your waist to create a cool cover-up when lounging around the pool. We especially like marine-themed scarves to create this style.
How:
Wrap a big square scarf around the waist and secure it with a knot on the front or on the side.
6. Statement necklace
Make a statement necklace by braiding a rolled scarf around your neck. It is a guaranteed conversation starter. Everybody will ask you to how to do it!
How: See our tutorial video here !
Happy Styling!
xoxo Tunas Twins
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In the early 20th century, rubber was a very profitable cash crop however it usually requires 5 years to grow. Pineapples were grown as catch crop in rubber plantations.
The fast growing pineapples eventually became the cash crop as they grew very popular globally. At its heyday, pineapples were a status symbol in Europe.
Singapore became the world's larger cannery and exporter of canned pineapples.
Do you know that Singapore’s famous pioneer, Tan Kah Kee made his fortune in pineapple and rubber?
The tropical tale scarf reimagines the heyday of pineapple plantations in Singapore during which the mighty Malayan tigers often made their ocassional appearance.
This appealing prints would definitely make a unique addition to your wardrobe.
]]>This year 2021 National Day celebration might be a low key event, but that should not stop us of getting in the mood of celebration. With the pandemic’s still raging, we are in a very challenging time. That doesn’t stop us though from us release our annual red and white design.
If there is anything that the pandemic can show us is the importance of kinship and social supports. Our SG56 scarf design is inspired kinship. Singapore’s beloved kopitiam is arguably the place where we can witness and experience kinship.
Here is what our friend Krish Iyer beautifully wrote about kinship and kopi tiam.
Where kinship dances among the loving chatter and clutter of the cutlery. Where our faces, some wizened with the years, mingle with those creating our future; telling stories of our heritage to the aspirations for our tomorrows. And when they connect across the steaming kopi, buttery kaya toast on the side, we smile at another Singapore day - sweet and strong.
If only the stoic marble tables and the patina-adorned wooden chairs could speak- what stories would they tell!
Stories of our Kopitiam. Stories of our home.
]]>At Binary Style, we simply love doing collaborative designs.To date we have done collaborations with namely Scene Shang, Singapore Airlines and National Heritage Boards to name among many. We enjoy doing each one of them. Collaborations are such an enriching experience where we get to learn different skills, find new insights of our works and meet new people- some of whom have became friends to keep.
This year, we came together with Gema and Madhu, the brains behind Baliza, an ethical fashion and lifestyle label that focuses in creating distinctive, summer-ready collections for women. We have met the two ladies in many occasions over the years during events and pop-ups.They are fellow members of CRIB Society.
The idea to collaborate with Baliza instantly piqued our interest as they normally dabble with block printing and screen printing. Gema and Madhu challenged us to create a design that is suitable to be executed with screen printing method. The design was to be incorporated in their signature dresses and skirt.
At Binary Style, digital printing is the backbone of our brand. We love to work with vibrant colours and to create detailed designs. Our works are largely inspired by architecture and nature- as trained architects we are naturally drawn to details. Digital printing gives us the freedom to run our imagination wild. Our universe has no boundary!
So yes, the print for this collaboration was going to be different. We need to work with less colour options and simplicity in the design is king.
The inspiration of Halia print comes from Gema’s fond memories of Singapore. Gema’s family lived in Singapore for years until they moved back to Spain. We brainstormed lots of idea on what elements to include in the design that make up memories of Singapore🇸🇬. Eventually we agreed to combine nature and architecture. Sari proposed to put little sunbirds on the design as she is so intrigued by a little sunbird that always hovers around her balcony. A shophouse is included in the print because don't we all love them? We also agreed to feature ginger flowers and hence the print name- HALIA.
Next Baliza sprang into action to do some neccessary tweaking and adjustments so the traditional artisans were able to execute the design. With travel bans, we were not able to meet the artisans in person so communication was really important. Kudos to Baliza for taking care of this part.
We were so blessed to be able to have the support and to support these amazing artisans community in Jaipur who shouldered on through probably the worst pandemic in our lifetime. The master printer was actually ill with Covid-19 which resulted in a slight delay of the production- luckily he has since recovered.
The Halia print is a part of Baliza's newest collection Memories of Singapore. The print is availble as dresses and skirt which can be purchased via Baliza online shop. The print is also available as pareo and scarf via Binary Style onlline shop.
We hope that you like the Halia print as much as we do and appreciate the values it embodies.It was created to embrace slow process and imperfections. It was created with our artisans and environment in mind.
Lastly check out Binary Style Cocktail O'Clock that we create to celebrate this collaboration. We invited Madhu to be our special guest and to taste the Halia inspired cocktail.
Photos credit to Baliza/ Ladli and Zerrin Studio by Susannah Jaffer
Special thanks to Gerlyn, a freelance model and Miss Earth Singapore 2019 who is fronting this collection campaign.
Big appreciation for Design Orchard for hosting Binary Style x Baliza new collection launch.
Design Orchard houses the best of Singapore’s brands and designers in the heart of Orchard Road.
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(Bamboo Sheet Set, Sunday Bedding ; Bittersweet Teal Cushion Cover, Binary Style)
Some element of the room should be in the colour choice of Binary Style cushions chosen- be it the potted plants, the painting on the wall or other home décor.
(Ryo Rattan Tray, themakscoffee.com ; Mousedeer Cushion Cover, Binary Style)
(Nutmeg Blue Cushion Cover, Binary Style ; Bali Lush Tropical, fleurica.com)
( Animal Crossing Inspired Hyacinth, Papersynthesis ; Tropical Party Cushion Cover, Binary Style)
(Lorikeet Cushion Cover, Binary Style ; The Maverick Cane Chair, Scene Shang)