Hit this up for: Thoughtfully made, naturally-dyed shirts. Its dying process (making a single garment can take days to complete) incorporates ice which helps to diffuse colour pigments in erratic Rorschach-like patterns

Who’s behind it: Ethan Lee, 26, started the brand in 2019 after attending a dyeing workshop four years prior. The brand is known for its thoughtfully-crafted, naturally-dyed shirts. The dying process incorporates ice which helps to diffuse colour pigments in erratic Rorschach-like patterns, and a single garment can take days to complete.

What’s next: It just released another small batch of bleached, dyed and hand-destroyed tee shirts on its website. “It was a chance for us to experiment with new and different dyeing and bleaching methods,” Lee tells us. “There are still a handful of these one-off tees available on our website.” Lee also hinted that he is planning on expanding the product range and hopefully launch a capsule collection sometime soon. “It happens when it happens!” he says.

Hit this up for: Party-ready sexy cut-out dresses and structured tops

Who’s behind it: Saxophonist-turned-fashion entrepreneur Michelle Su founded the slow-fashion brand and runs the studio with her four-man team that comprises creative director Edison Wong; the head of production, who prefers to be known as Fiona; and designers Jane Teo and Rebecca Ng.

What’s next: The brand has launched its Summer drop, and is working on Collection 4, due to drop in Nov 2023

Hit this up for: Unconventional, edgy, punk-inspired pieces

Who’s behind it: The collective includes founding members Taufyq Iskandar, Spencer Yeo and Long Yi Chen. If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, Youths In Balaclava (or YIB for short) was started in 2015. Their creations go against the grain of rigidity that exists in Singapore and have created a growing cult following in the +65. And it seems it’s not just the folks of Singapore – the label has weaved its way into the outfits of BTS’ J-hope and Jimin, rapper Offset and Winner’s Mino, just to name a few.

What’s next: The team behind YIB just showed its Spring/Summer 24 collection in Paris last month – which centred around the concept of a staged Robin Hood‐style heist. They’ve also recently unveiled a new partnership with G-Shock watches, and the first launch product sees an objet d’art that doubles as a trinket tray or a watch case. 

Hit this up for: Cropped cardigans, baby tees and hand-painted denim jackets

Who’s behind it: Playhood is the six-year-old streetwear label helmed by 28-year-old London College of Fashion fashion design alumna Sarah Lai. If florals-imbued denim and ’90s-inspired threads are your thing, then this kitsch-meets-skater-girl label is definitely worth your time. Lai describes Playhood as a “fun, inclusive and youth-centred” brand that caters to no specific gender (indeed, flowers are for everybody).

What’s next: The brand is working hard to cater to their evergrowing international community and a key step to this sees Playhood increasing their size range up to 6XL for upcoming collections. They are also planning to release pre-orders for new colours on their bestsellers including the Hoodie Daisy Crop Cardigan.

Hit this up for: Colourful and statement-making pleated dresses

Who’s behind it: Founded in 2011, the womenswear label is helmed by husband and wife duo – Singaporean Central Saint Martins graduate Gin Lee and Israeli industrial designer Tamir Niv. Prior to setting up the brand, Lee racked up experience at fashion house Karen Millen and Hong Kong-based supply chain, Li & Fung.

What’s next: Aside from fashion, Gin Lee’s team also offers in-studio experiences for brand fans to try out. Through guided classes, you get to pleat your own bag to take home. At their newly-launched Make Lab at National Design Centre, attendees are encouraged to bring an old tee that they’d like to repurpose and turn into a functional tote bag.

Hit this up for: Updates on the classic white shirt

Who’s behind it: Founded by Shannon Lee at the tail end of 2019, Shirt Number White is driven by Lee’s focus in reimagining the classic white shirt in a myriad of ways. Through well-crafted, well-cut pieces, he aims to explore the different forms and shapes that the ubiquitous white shirt can offer. His first collection saw white blouses as the singular focus, but since then, he’s expanded his offerings to include more colours, textures and patterns. He also regularly creates custom orders for his clients.

What’s next: Aside from expanding his ready-to-wear into new colours, prints and fabrics, he’s looking to develop the line further by introducing pieces that complete your shirt. Expect soft tailoring in linen and cotton fabrics.

Hit this up for: Beaded accessories

Who’s behind it: This two-year-old brand may be relatively new, but it’s already gaining plenty of attention. From dressing the likes of Eleanor Lee and Chantalle Ng to getting picked up by stockists in Bangkok, the namesake brand of 24-year-old founder Denise Chong is one to watch. Her speciality is in crafting beaded jewellery and garments using a mixture of sterling silver beads and unique precious stones.

What’s next: Denise’s next collaboration will see her teaming up with Bangkok-based label Jetaim-kantan to create a top together. She’s also working on her next drop and collection of garments.

Hit this up for: Environmentally-friendly minimalist designs

Who’s behind it: It’s hard to do a line of basics well, and that’s why we love Sans Faff. Started by Brandy Dallas, the brand champions “conscious consumption, simplicity in design and doing more with less”. Her line of pieces ranges from classic tees to eversible dresses, and incredibly soft sleepwear. True to the name, Sans Faff’s commitment to the environment means that it claims to be the first local brand that is also waste neutral, and they keep its production entirely transparent and accountable through rigorous audit checks.

What’s next: Recently, the brand has made taken international steps as they’ve been picked up by New York-based showroom Mint, thereby also giving Sans Faff rack time in the showroom’s Milan and Paris outposts as well.

Shop the brand here: https://www.sansfaff.sg/ 

Hit this up for: Modern wardrobe staples

Who’s behind it: No stranger to fashion design, Good Addition was co-founded by Andrea Chong and Lloyd’s Inn’s co-founder Joan Chang in late 2022. Through Good Addition, they serve up a wardrobe of classic, versatile and functional staples – and the customers lap it up, with pieces selling out often. The designs at Good Addition focus on creating elevated basics for everyday wear. “Good Addition aims to be the go-to brand for your buildable wardrobe essentials, grab-and-go pieces, mix-and-match staples, all with a modern elevated touch,” Chong tells us.

What’s next: We’d never thought we would see the day that there would be a milk collaboration, but Good Addition has that on their portfolio now. Partnering up with local oat milk company Oatside, they’ve designed a capsule collection (pictured) that dropped on August 19. The team is also working on more future drops. They are also celebrating their first anniversary this Oct. “You can anticipate a wave of exciting designs and releases that are bound to catch your attention,” Chong teases.

Hit this up for: Sculptural handbags

Who’s behind it: This local bag brand is a labour of love from founder Yuki Yang, who hopes to build Abara into a global-class luxury bag label. Abara’s designs focus on timelessness and artisanal techniques, and whether you’re getting something that’s ready to go or completely bespoke, they promise the same handmade goodness in each piece. All the leather used is sourced from international tanneries that adhere to stringent environmental codes, and Abara takes pride in ensuring that every bag purchased from them can be brought back for repairs and restoration.

What’s next: They’ve just updated their collections with a Summer drop, and are working on future drops.

Hit this up for: Dressier, structured wardrobe staples

Who’s behind it: First established in 2013 by Jaclyn Teo, Juliene Aw, Sven Tan and Kane Tan, the four are no strangers to the local fashion scene. They were part of the vanguard of local designers in the Singapore fashion scene in the mid-aughts, working for the now-defunct label Alldressedup.

What’s next: Following the success of the brand’s Pouf Bag, the team is making plans to expand their line of bags in the collection, leveraging on the same expertise in material and craftsmanship that is applied to and expected from their ready-to-wear lines.

Hit this up for: Statement jewellery with a graphic and contemporary twist

Who’s behind it: Founded by husband-wife duo Afzal and Ruiyin, State Property blends storytelling and industrial design with contemporary jewellery craftsmanship. The brand has already swept up a megawatt list of fans including Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga and Janelle Monae.

What’s next: The brand has just launched its newest collection, titled Borsh (pictured). Featuring sleek, swooping lines and the same architectural shapes that State Property has come to be known for, the line is an extension of the overarching Arcane collection that explores Byzantine inspiration and pulls design elements from Byzantine architecture and landscapes.

Hit this up for: Artisanal menswear and unisex denim designs

Who’s behind it: Textile aficionados and brothers Kenghow and Kage Chong set up menswear label Biro in 2013 to provide top quality tailoring and materials by way of vintage-meets-utilitarian fits to a local audience.

Hit this up for: Affordable denim and closet essentials with old-Western influences

Who’s behind it: Jeremiah Low and Joash Thum are the 26-year-old duo behind the slow-fashion brand that launched in 2020. The former oversees everything from conceptualising designs to overseeing product creation, while the latter takes the helm for the branding and overall creative direction of the brand. Prior to starting Mobius Mise, Low freelanced as a fashion photographer and Low had a position as art director in an advertising agency (which he still holds).

Hit this up for: Sleek, elevated everyday pieces.

Who’s behind it: The homegrown womenswear label was founded by fashion designer Bessie Ye in 2016. Six years on, the label has expanded into lifestyle offerings and opened its first concept store in Cluny Court in July.

Hit this up for: Eco-friendly and seasonless wardrobe staples.

Who’s behind it: Set up in 2017, the label is the brainchild of designer Alicia Tsi who left her full-time job to pursue a ready-to-wear brand that specialises in quality, long-lasting investment pieces that merge conscious design with style.

Hit this up for: Artisanal designs that span silk corsets to Chinese knot harnesses

Who’s behind it: Taiwan-born Singapore-based Shawna Wu first caught our eye in 2018 with her intricate knit creations. Wu, who is a graduate of the fashion programme at Parsons, considers herself an artist over a designer – something that is reflected in the often sensuous and deeply intimate portraits of her designs. Shares Wu: “I am focusing on developing more objects of value that speak to a deeper cultural practice and are made with quality in mind – thoughtful, fun, dreamy, powerful, and hot.”

Check out: Wu’s current edit is small and considered, comprising silk corsets, slip dresses and intricate knot harnesses. All items are made-by-hand and materials used often include sustainably- and ethically-sourced cashmere and mohair, with a focus on minimising waste. Her knit tops, for instance, take up to three weeks to make from start to finish.

Additional reporting by Khong Yawen & Maya Menon