Exactly 10 years ago on September 3, Swedish retailer H&M made its entry into the Singapore retail scene and opened its first flagship store in Orchard Building. So it’s only fitting that to mark its decade-long presence here, the high-street label has turned the space into a party central of sorts for shopping fans.
For the whole month of September, the store will be hosting its ’10 & More Singapore’ campaign that sees H&M enticing shoppers with a slew of engagements and shopping treats that go big on collaborating with homegrown brands.
READ MORE: From Sari To Salwar Kameez, Sabyasachi Brings Its Vision Of Indian Elegance To H&M
Cue a pop-up cafe featuring good grub by local F&B companies like Coffeebreak, GudSht and Maison Sucree and a booth for T-shirt customisations using the graphic prints of homegrown female illustrators like Lydia Yang (September 3 to September 9), Danielle Tay (September 10 to September 16), Aeropalmics (September 17 to September 23) and Marie Toh (September 24 to September 30).
As a showcase of its support for independent labels here, H&M has also launched an initiative dubbed ’10 By 10′ – a product spotlight that comprises made-to-order designs and artisanal creations. To purchase the wares, simply scan a QR code in-store to access each brand’s shoppable links.
Ahead, we take a closer look at these designer collaborations.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Artisan Of Sense is an aromatherapy local brand known for its hand-crafted candles and room sprays that use all-natural ingredients and formulations. This includes the use of eco-friendly soy wax, natural lead-free ingredients.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: Three exclusive scented candles and home scents. They are Wake Up, a refreshing blend of sun-drenched pomegranate with orange and lime; Deep Focus, a rich and intense mix of patchouli and orange with notes of clove and teak; and Wind Down, a calming scent with notes of jasmine, lavender and neroli.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Eat & Sip is a platform that showcases handicrafts made by a community of small-batch artisans from around the world.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: Limited-edition handmade tableware sets crafted by four local pottery brands – Wild Spin, East Field, Art Occasions and Synceramic. Prices start from $38 for a rice bowl and to $88 for a large bowl.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Forest Child is a bespoke leather goods brand founded by Addyna Azlinor that sells locally-made handcrafted goods. Products are crafted from high-grade biodegradable and vegan-tanned leathers.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: A limited-edition range of leather goods that include wallets, cardholders, rivet trays and aprons. Prices start from $49.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Established by milliner Chee Sau Fen, Heads Of State Millinery rethinks hatmaking by incorporating raw and sustainable materials into its experimental designs.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: Garden Party, a limited-edition collection of whimsical hats that takes inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s time-honoured novels.
WHAT THEY’RE ABOUT: Joannalsm is a local label founded by Joanna Lim which intertwines fashion and art. It is joined by Joanne Quak’s B-Nary, a local fashion label that designs empowering outfits for women living in a fast-paced society.
WHAT THEY’RE SELLING: Two capsule collections: the first, entitled Whimsical Transparency, features garments and accessories designed with upcycled fabrics, while the second, entitled Integration, transforms garments donated from H&M’s garment collecting drive into one-of-a-kind designs. Prices start from $18.90.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Nathan Yong is a multidisciplinary designer whose designs borrow observations from the visual environment and challenges the notions surrounding the existential nature of objects. His eponymous label carries a range of products that taps on materials including offcut zinc plates, onyx and fabrics.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: Limited-edition products like shelf units, bar stools and side tables constructed out of repurposed zinc off-cuts. Check out the Trash Bean Bag chair that plays on the typical slouchy design of a bean bag and is a cheeky dig at what ‘bad design’ can be like.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The Gentlemen’s Press is a local company that collaborates with designers and printers and is dedicated to the art of customised, high-quality letterpress printing. In 2017, it established Hrvst.Store to sell ready-made letterpress cards, gifts, and stationery.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: Check out the series of posters and signatures tagged with uplifting messages. Each product is made using environmentally-friendly soy-based ink, recycled paper and plantable seed paper. Prices start from $4.50 for a postcard to $38 for a poster.
WHAT THEY’RE ABOUT: Tuft Club is Singapore’s first tuft-making studio offering workshops to those interested in the art of tufting and creating their own tufted rugs and wall tapestries.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: A collection called Outside In which features plush rugs inspired by the elements of nature. Each piece is priced at $250.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Established in 2018, this multidisciplinary fibre art and natural dye studio advocates for responsible textiles. It conducts workshops and creates DIY kits that celebrate the joy of the different techniques of textile craft.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: With Autumn is selling hand-dyed garments from the ‘Of Geometry & Indigo’ collection which was specially created for H&M’s 10th anniversary in Singapore. In addition to this, it’s also offering a service to hand-dye your own merchandise with prices starting from $49.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: WoonHung is a jewellery label started by Yvonne Chia that integrates the use of natural and found materials with the design influences of craftsmen from Cebu, Philippines.
WHAT IT’S SELLING: WoonHung has created easy-to-match styles like earrings and necklaces from sustainable materials like whitewood or Pangantuon. Prices start from $25 for a pair of earrings, with proceeds going towards supporting the Anecito Panolino Elementary School in Ilo Ilo.