8 Made in Singapore brands that make us proud

From food to jewelry to fashion, these eight brands not only managed to hit the sweet spot with the local crowd but they’re also highly regarded on the international front. Read on for their success stories. 

 

Singaporeans have a lasting love affair with bread so it’s no wonder this humble bakery is now ubiquitous in shopping malls all across the island. What you might not know is that the Bread Talk Group also owns the chain of Food Junction food courts on top of Food Republic, Din Tai Fung and Toast Box. Owner George Quek first started selling dragon beard candy in Taiwan before coming back here and setting up Bread Talk in 2000. Now, they’ve got over 800 outlets across 16 countries including Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia. 
 

Founded by brothers Charles and Keith Wong in 1996, this shoe chain’s first outlet was a modest store at the Amara Hotel. The fast fashion shoe label turned out to be such a huge hit that they decided to create something for men and Pedro was born in 2006. In 2011, the homegrown label sold 20% of its shares to French luxury retailer Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH). The brand now has more than 350 stores worldwide, including in Japan’s Harajuku district and Macau’s The Venetian.

 

With a total of 17 beauty and dining brands under its belt including 40 Hands, Common Man Coffee Roasters and Spa Esprit at House, the Spa Esprit Group is a booming homegrown brand. Not only has lifestyle mogul and founder Cynthia Chua seen her business boom across Singapore since 1996, she has expanded with outposts in London, Manila, Jakarta and elsewhere. Its Strip and Browhaus chains big names regionally when it comes to body hair waxing and eyebrow grooming services. For a full range of beauty services, drop by their beauty emporium on Dempsey Hill. 
 

 

This 66-year-old brand was founded by Chng Tok Ngam in 1948, twelve years after he left his home in China for Singapore to work in his uncle’s goldsmith shop an apprentice. Today, with 15 stores across the island, it’s known for its craftsmanship and 22K gold. Despite being more known for its ornate, traditional jewelry, it also has a contemporary range called Oro22, which features striking minimal designs appealing to young fashionistas.

 

This local brand has come a long way since its humble beginnings back in 1979. Its founder, Tjendri Anastasia, first started making these Indonesian-style pastries in the kitchen of her HDB flat. Word got around of these delicious tea-time snacks, and she opened her first bakery the same year. Today, there are 38 outlets islandwide. Their must-tries include the decadent, rich kueh lapis (layered cake) and the light and fragrant pandan chiffon cake. 
 

Another homegrown brand enjoying plenty of success is The Wellness Group Tea Company or better known as TWG Tea. In case you’re wondering about the “1837” that sits loud and proud on its logo, no that’s not the year it was founded (it was founded in 2008). The number refers instead to the year Singapore became a key trading port for goods like spices, teas and other gourmet products. Within its first year, TWG Tea made it to Dean & Deluca in New York and now, you can find its salon and boutiques in 14 countries including Tokyo, Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia. 

 

This longstanding local brand that’s known for its iconic oval-shaped tinned sardines was founded in Singapore 123 years ago by Frenchman Alfred Clouet. People started referring to these tin cans as “Cap Ayam” (chicken cap in Malay) and Clouet took on this local name and created a unique English and Malay fusion. Now, it’s stocked in supermarkets in over 30 countries. This year, in conjunction with SG 50, Ayam Brand rolled out in six limited edition designs.

 

Yes, this luxury hotel group has its roots in Singapore, even though its first resort opened up in Phuket back in 1994. It came about after founder Ho Kwon Ping and his wife stumbled upon a plot of land in western Phuket. Over time, they earned a name for themselves with their facilities and impeccable service at its extravangant resorts. Two decades on, the company has over 36 hotels and resorts worldwide including in Seychelles, Morocco and the Maldives. They also run 70 spas and three golf courses across 28 countries.