1st Storey: Singapore’s new destination store for gents
PUBLISHED October 27th, 2012 01:08 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:44 pm
Tiong Bahru is the coolest kid in town. FACT. Every time something new and achingly hip opens lately in Singapore, there’s a pretty good chance it’s going to be in Tiong Bahru- the neighbourhood that embraces innovation but yet, holds its history dear. So when I heard about the latest pop-up shop 1st Storey which is totally dedicated to menswear – my first thought was…about time! While Tiong Bahru is decked out in tempting bakeries and delicious restaurants, beautifully curated shops for women’s fashion, jewellery and trinkets, and a selection of artisan homewares, it had been a bit of a bleak wilderness for the gentlemen in our lives.
Well, no more! In this den of all things masculine; boutique, art gallery, and vintage store all rolled into one, are some of the hippest menswear brands to be found in Singapore, all thoughtfully and conveniently in just the one spot. Well, we know how some of you boys get a little grumpy after too much shopping!
Sympathetic with the gentle rhythm of the sleepy neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru Estate, 1st Storey has a laid-back vibe that encourages leisurely browsing and gentlemanly loafing. Sectioned into three rooms, the store opens into an accessories space that showcases some of the best in bags and cases, followed by two areas for clothing and a smattering of art and decorative items. All very manly of course!
Of particular interest to me, was that the collections are mainly from new brands, entirely Singaporean and quite clearly focused on quality, individuality and a dedication to craftsmanship. This proud support of the Singapore design scene is a total inspiration and provides excellent insight into home grown talent and a unique perspective, from our little red dot. There are 16 labels currently stocked in 1st Story, some of which I have picked out as my faves:
Mixed
Cheery and whimsical, with a colour palate that resembles an ice-cream store, Mixed has a definite 1950’s kitsch feel. Their shirts pay homage to vintage styles, mixing knits with woven fabrics, patterns and colours, for the quirky gentleman.
Prices start at $99.
Jaunty Boys
Firstly, let’s just acknowledge, excellent name! Jaunty Boys is ‘a celebration of youth’ putting a serious dose of fun into fashion and introducing colour, pattern and a bit of wow in to the black, grey, blue, blah! mens t-shirt market. For 1st Storey, Jaunty Boys offers a range of long-sleeved and short-sleeved T-shirts with colour-blocked panels that appear in unexpected combinations. The result is that your man may outshine you but he will look effortlessly cool doing it.
Prices start at $39.
The RegiMen
Conceived as a label that salutes military style, The Regimen is the blood brother of Carryall James who launched last November to critical acclaim. Distinguished by utility styling, durability and hardy construction, these are bags fit for a man.
Prices start at $169.
Crocodile
The most recognisable and established name in the store, Crocodile is one of Singapore’s oldest menswear labels. Founded in 1947, Crocodile now sees itself as a revitalized heritage name, and as such has tapped into the current trend for ‘dapper’ men’s fashion. The current season stocked at 1st Story retains its smart and sleek appearance but with youthful influence such as colour pops and design features.
Prices start at $89 for a basic T-shirt and accessories.
Mils
Labelled as ‘alternative designer apparel for the contemporary man,’ Sunny Lim’s Mils is a ‘redefinition of masculine style’. His debut collection showed at Parco nextNEXT’s Fashion Design Incubator Project @ Milennia Walk, to an appreciative crowd. The collection at 1st Storey includes shirts with striped panels and T-shirts with monochromatic prints.
Prices start at $109 for T-shirts and $149 for shirts.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Other brands stocked include, Mystic Vintage, Fabrix, Carryall James, Steel, Coupe Cousu, Mr Howard, Mixed, Absolute Asia, and artwork by IEX Asian Heritage, He Wears It by John Woo and Andre Tan.
Regrettably, the very meaning of ‘pop-up shop’ is that it will not be around forever, so come on boys, don’t hang around. 1st Storey is open until the end of January 2013, and in those four months, will be making our menfolk dress a little sharper. Let’s hope this is just the first story, and we’ll be hearing about the second instalment soon.
Written by Heh Zee
