Amid the flurry of stuffy and more “proper” high-end labels at fledgling mall The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, new multi-label store The Society of Black Sheep (if the name is anything to go by) stands out for its unpredictable and quirky mix of clothes, shoes and accessories; spanning underground labels like Sydney’s Mjolk, Injury and Friedrich Gray, Helsinski’s Minna Parikka and London’s People’s Market, House of Holland and Lungta de Fancy. Not necessarily the kind of clothes that will tickle the fancy of the preppy set that frequents the mall, but the trio behind Black Sheep—Lim Li Hsien, LY Lim and Eric Lim—are undeterred with their more leftfield selections. “We put the clothes together with a thought for the individual who appreciates incongruity, but with the preference to express their uniqueness in a subtle way,” says Lim. “The three of us come from a generation that has the freedom to travel and shop almost anywhere. We enjoy having the ability to make style discoveries on our own, and put together unique personal looks. So we created a slice of everywhere right here in Singapore, and put in pieces that work for a grown up lifestyle that is still subtly edgy.”
That said, the design, aesthetics and layout of the store are by no means as unconforming. Old gentleman style meets vintage cool is the overall direction here, with British Raj style antique tables, iron bound chests, an ornate silver vase and portraits with sheep’s heads standing out among the wooden panelling and floors. Peppered throughout are a compelling mix of deconstructed and distressed pieces from Friedrich Gray’s Dislocation collection, Lungta De Fancy’s romantic styles, and wearable, casual pieces and shoes from House of Holland and Bstore. Upcoming in the next month or so are rock ‘n’ roll-inspired T-shirts and jeans by Bolongaro Trevor and flowy dresses by Handwritten.
The juxtaposition of the boutique’s direction with the rest of The Shoppes’ more conventional offerings is what gives it its edge. “We give a lot of thought to our displays … to give our customers the inspiration to have the same playfulness and irreverence towards fashion that we feel,” adds Lim. “But we also never forget that our customers are busy people; so while they love their style, they don’t have to fuss about it while they go about their day, so comfort is always key for us.”
#B1-64 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7223. Open daily 11am-11pm.
