Like department stores, the retailers here cover your daily needs from fashion to homeware. The difference: They’re intimate, design-driven and have a distinct POV. 

The One Stop Shops Part 1 Supermama Bloesem Co

SUPERMAMA
(Level 2 Isetan Scotts, 10am-9:30pm daily)

What: The first store-in-store concept of the well-loved multi-label shop owned by award-winning industrial designer Edwin Low and his wife Meiling. Opened in April, it takes its intimate, artisanal approach to design beyond the creative community to the masses, and offers a bigger focus on homeware (prices average $50) compared to its standalone boutique at the Singapore Art Museum.

Why visit: The impeccable curation puts it on a par with design stores in Tokyo and Antwerp. Low makes it a point to know the names behind every brand he stocks, and nothing is mass-produced. “I don’t carry items based on product type, but on how dedicated its maker is and how it adds value”, he says. The philosophy extends to the two-year-old in-house label Artefacts, which celebrates local culture and puts a “high quality” spin on tourist souvenirs. Made up mostly of porcelain ware designed by a roster of Singaporean architects, graphic designers and illustrators, everything is produced in Japan.

The One Stop Shops Part 1 Supermama Bloesem Co 2

BLOESEM 
(They’ve recently moved out from their Tiong Bahru shophouse premises, so stay tuned for their new location)

What: Established by Amsterdam-born graphic designer-turned-blogger Irene Hoofs last December, Bloesem carries fun yet functional objects sourced from Europe and Singapore. Spanning 22 brands at press time, they include stationery, kitchen supplies and even freshwater pearl necklaces handmade by Hoofs. The Singapore resident – a fan of contemporary design – is big on DIY creative projects and also hosts classes on everything from tapestry weaving to food styling on site.

Why visit: It’s like Kinfolk-meets-Ikea Stockholm. There’s an impressive range of tasteful products – over 130 at any one time and all exclusive – at wallet-friendly prices (most cost between $59 and $89). Hoofs says the imported pieces are not marked up (they cost the same here as they would overseas) to help promote the foreign designers in Singapore. The workshops helmed by visiting artists are also refreshingly charming with their focus on old-school crafts.

An adapted version of this story first appeared in Female‘s May issue, out on newsstands now. 

Like this? Check out these other stores offering great deals for Singapore Fashion Week.