Why the rebrand?

Moh: “The new space is an entirely different experience from what came before. With a complete directional shift, the new Spades sets out to be what it originally envisioned: an avenue for everyone as a community to learn, socialise and create.

For a year and a half, Spades was a vintage store with the same aspirations but drifted from the original idea. With the new space, we are putting ourselves back on track and setting out to achieve what it was meant to be.”

What sets your store apart?

Moh: “What sets us apart is our drive for the community. We want to break the current status quo in Singapore and be a driving cultural force here.

We are unique in the sense that we are more of a space than a store − think of Spades as a medium for creative expression. With design outlets in Singapore being sparse and out of reach, we want to create a realistic stepping
stone for aspiring creatives to elevate their brand.”

The brand has spoken about the sense of competitiveness that exists in Singapore and how it hopes to break down the barrier. Do you think this competitiveness exists amongst local fashion brands as well?

Moh: “We feel that this sense of competitiveness and animosity is very much apparent now because of social media, with people forming ideas of each other solely based on what they post online, creating false impressions of people while neglecting real-life interaction.

We think this animosity does exist amongst people here in Singapore, not so much the brands themselves. We hope to rid this competitiveness by getting people to talk to one another, and the problem with creating online impressions of each other. Through this, we hopefully nurture a community that is more supportive than competitive.”

As part of your vision, Spades seeks to rid the idea of “smaller” local brands being segregated from bigger brands. How does it aim to do that?

Liew: “As a store, we want to focus on evening out the playing field and allowing smaller brands to be seen alongside more widely recognised brands. We aim to showcase brands seamlessly throughout the store, regardless of price, status or country of origin.

Expect to see products from a brand made by an individual displayed next to brands that have teams of people working on each collection.”

How else does Spades hope to create a sense of community?

Moh: “We hope to build a strong sense of community through events that anyone can be a part of, from music to art. We hope to host numerous events that encompass each and every aspect of the creative industry, such as music shows, art fairs and fashion events. We’re also looking to collaborate with brands to do pop-ups and brand showcases.

We want people to visit the space not just to shop, but to have a good time, meet new people and find their style or new music.”

Tell us more about the vibe and aesthetic of the new space.

Liew: “For the retail space, our interior designer was inspired by the original lofts at Thomson – making a comfortable and homely space out of a warehouse but with tasteful materials in our furnishing. By having almost all our furniture loose, we are able to make the retail space flexible, allowing us to host different events and pop-ups in the future.

For the current configuration, we placed a lot of focus on our ‘living room’ area, to prioritise conversations and discussions that we hope to have with our friends and patrons. The racks are placed in a way that easily helps our patrons identify different sections of our store, and provides sufficient space for them to linger and explore.”

How does the store’s design and other aspects help to facilitate conversation and interaction?

Moh: “We want people to think of Spades as a space rather than a store. While we do sell clothes, our space is meant to be a place where people can come and socialise and bounce ideas off each other, and bond over this shared love of design. The store has a lounge area for people to sit, talk and make friends while shopping.”

How do you go about curating a multi-label store and choosing which brands to be part of it?

Moh: “We’ve curated our store meticulously by scouring through different platforms and looking at up-and-comers in the scene. These people are starting brands not just as a means of monetary gain, but an expression of their creativity.

We want to showcase the work of people who care about their designs and have high aspirations for their brands, and see their work as an extension of themselves.”

Why will customers be excited about the brands that are part of Spades?

Moh: “We are proud of all the brands we have stocked because of how diverse our selection is, encompassing different price-points from $20 to high-end pieces as high as $3,000 plus. We have brands that cater to both guys and girls, clothing ranging from the high-end archive to vintage and also a range of accessories to choose from.”

What can people look forward to from Spades’ own line of garments?

Moh: “Our Spades line will consist of ready-to-wear pieces that will appeal to everyone, to be launched during our opening. Expect comfort, quality and style. Our cut-and-sew pieces will start with T-shirts, and we’ll progress to bigger things in the future.

Our garment line is designed by me, and I’m currently studying fashion. The inspiration is clothing that anybody can wear, with custom cuts and fitting as well as comfort in mind. Clothes that are simple and easy to wear, reflecting our brand.”

Most brands will be wary of opening a brick and mortar store given the current retail climate which has gravitated towards online retail. What would you say to people who say you’re brave to open a physical store in a time like this?

Tan: “We are extremely serious and intentional about our mission to build something lasting in Singapore. Online retail sites can open and close within days and cannot facilitate interaction and relationship-building as much as a physical space can. This huge step in building the foundations of this store reflects our commitment to achieving those aims (of having a lasting legacy).”

More independent and youth-oriented brands are popping up in the Singapore fashion scene today. Why do you think so?

Moh: “I think with social media and the internet, accessibility has given the youth a headstart and it is easier to get inspired and learn how to go about starting a brand.

With platforms such as Instagram, it is easier to start something and share it with people. Learning about clothes-making and finding suppliers is also more convenient with the Internet’s endless resources. People can also find references and look at old shoots and collections for inspiration.

That is what drives youth today to go about starting more and more brands.”