Blame it on the penny-pinching economy or a desire to break free of same-same malls, but what was once a novelty is now the norm. Zouk’s quarterly Flea & Easy used to be the go-to (and pretty much only) weekend bazaar for used designer clothing and unheralded artworks on the cheap. Today, not only is that formula being imitated, but perhaps it has been improved on, with the proliferation of younger upstarts like the new weekly Bras Basah. Bugis Arts Flea Market at Bugis+ and the bi-monthly Sunday Artists Market at The Vault. Other independent bazaars like Boutiques are also upping their game, featuring vendors selling original creations not found elsewhere. And not forgetting regular bazaars like the weekly China Square Central Weekend Bazaar specializing in arts and antiques—there’s no longer any shortage. So ready your wallets and credit cards as we gear up for the ultimate battle of the flea markets.
The Stalwarts
Flea & Easy
The city’s first trendy flea market (great music, cool crowd, rare finds) may have lost some of its luster with its slightly more random (and younger) pickings these days, but it still tries its darndest every time. Recently revamped from a daytime flea to an evening one to set itself apart, with operational hours from 4-9pm and a convivial shopping atmosphere set inside Zouk, this flea has 70 stores offering anything and everything from pre-loved clothes and books to vintage collectibles spanning 20,000 sq. ft. worth of space. And it has probably the best music vibe of them all—the all-girl DJ group FFF DJ Bootcamp are always on board to drop quality dance music tunes while you shop, and even after 14 years, it’s still one of the coolest fleas to see and be seen in.
Quality: ☺☺☺
Variety: √√√
Frequency: Once every quarter
Number of stalls: 70-80
Price point: $ to $$$
Payment mode: Cash only
Ambiance: ☼☼☼☼☼
Bras Basah. Bugis Arts Flea Market
Organized by the ubiquitous Public Gardens collective, this highly popular flea market, now a monthlstaple, is one of the most reliable fleas for random shopping: vintage goods are sold alongside artworks, clothing, food, CDs, books, locally published zines and collectible toys. Although pre-loved products are kept to a minimum here—you won’t be able to find that past season Valentino or Prada at any price—more affordable creations by aspiring designers as well as trendy home accessories like trendy terrariums are easy to snap up. It’s simple, casual, not overly ambitious and does the job well enough.
Quality: ☺☺☺
Variety: √√√
Frequency: Monthly
Number of stalls: 50-100
Price point: $ to $$$
Payment mode: Cash only
Ambiance: ☼☼☼
Winner: Flea & Easy. It’s a close fight in terms of variety and price point, but Flea & Easy gets an extra mark for its one-off charity editions (held annually) where portions of rental fees are donated to charities.
The Art Farts
MAAD
This is the original flea mart that focuses on original products created by local and locally-based artists and creatives. Spanning a spacious 700 sq. m. inside the Red Dot Design Museum building as well as another 120 sq. m. outside along the sidewalk, it also boasts a convivial atmosphere with DJs spinning trendy dance music and displays of ad campaigns, posters and product designs by local design and advertising agencies. Goods wise, this is the perfect place if you are looking for small gift ideas—there are lots of one-off notebooks, accessories like earrings, temporary tattoos and hand-painted ceramics available for sale.
Quality: ☺☺☺
Variety: √√
Frequency: Once a month (held either on the first or second friday of the month)
Number of stalls: 60
Price point: $ to $$$
Payment mode: Cash only
Ambiance: ☼☼☼☼
Sunday Artists Market
One of the coolest new entries in town. Co-organizer Sharmaine Khoo handpicks all the emerging local artists found here, which has already grown from just 12 at its inaugural edition in November last year to its current 25. The eclectic range of products and services found here is inspiring: get some henna artwork and a haircut done (courtesy of the Hounds of the Baskervilles and Feist Heist teams) while you shop for original works by up-and-comers The Jungle (Pop Art merchandise), Carte Postale (funky prints on T-shirts), Koom (customized shoes), Forest Child (handmade leather products) and HMLM (crochet works).
Quality: ☺☺☺☺
Variety: √√√
Frequency: Bi-monthly (held on the first Sunday of every alternate month)
Number of stalls: 25
Price point: $ to $$$
Payment mode: Cash only
Ambiance: ☼☼☼☼☼
Winner: Sunday Artist Market. Not only is the atmosphere great and in the presence of like-minded individuals, this is the new place to be for rare, one-off buys. Plus, you’re supporting local artists.
The High Enders
Boutiques
What started out as a smallish, carefully-curated high-end shopping fair at Fort Canning Park is now the go-to place to check out creations by local and locally-based independent designers. Held twice yearly in May and November to coincide with Spring/Summer and Christmas, Boutiques is where you can find well-made, fashionable resort wear by local designer brands Simone Irani and Vama, clutch and shoulder bags by Atalier Cheetham, choice accessories from online stores Jooix (www. jooix.com) and homeware from HOME. This is an eclectic yet superior weekend bazaar where the vibe is easy-going yet luxurious—shame that we don’t see it more often.
Quality: ☺☺☺☺
Variety: √√√√
Frequency: Twice a year
Number of stalls: 70
Price point: $ to $$$
Payment mode: Cash and credit cards
Ambiance: ☼☼☼☼
Robe Raiders
Created by fashion editor and fashion designer Sarah Tan, fashion designer Resham Melwani and business development manager Claudia Sondakh, expect only pre-loved designer womenswear and accessories at this notable but very ad-hoc weekend bazaar. How they work: the trio call for submissions of off-season designer brands at their website and blogspot www.roberaiders.wordpress.com periodically, which result in some of the most fabulous designer finds at any bazaar here. In previous editions held in venues like Kha and Palais Renaissance, used Louis Vuitton pants, Chanel and Balenciaga dresses and Proenza Schouler bags were sold at nearly 80 percent off their original prices. Oh, and some of the pieces were raided from the fashionable trio’s personal wardrobes, so rest assured you only get the premium stuff here.
Quality: ☺☺☺☺
Variety: √√√
Frequency: Ad-hoc
Number of stalls: 5-10
Price point: $$ to $$$$
Payment mode: Cash and credit cards
Ambiance: ☼☼☼☼
Winner: Boutiques. It’s more organized and the range is certainly more diverse, even if you can score some unexpected great buys at Robe Raiders.
Hoarder’s Grounds
Thieves Market
Daily, 1-7pm at Larut Road
This is the original flea market, having been around since the ’30s, where local collectors and general hoarders gather to earn a few easy bucks over the weekend. Just a couple of years ago, shoppers could still manage to score an old pair of Levi’s, vinyls and collectible books here—but not any more. Ever since the majority of the area has been hoarded up for the construction of the upcoming Sungei Road MRT Station, some of the peddlers selling collectibles have gone over to the China Square Central Weekend Bazaar (see right), and what’s left are old clothes, shoes, toys and gadgets that may or may not work.
Quality: ☺
Variety: √√
Frequency: Every Sat-Sun
Number of stalls: 50
Price point: $ to $$
Payment mode: Cash only
Ambiance: ☼☼
China Square Central Weekend Bazaar
This weekly flea market is one of the most reliable grounds to score all sorts of antiques and collectibles. Expect to find a wide variety of rare finds here: books, CDs, vinyls, vintage toys, China ware, stamps, comics, old photographs, watches—but at a price. An old Rolex watch can go up to $5,000, but if you’re lucky, you can score hard-to-find movie posters and CDs for as low as $4. As it happens weekly, you won’t have to worry about missing out, plus the same sellers are there almost every week.
Quality: ☺☺☺☺
Variety: √√√√
Frequency: Every Sunday
Number of stalls: 90
Price point: $ to $$$$
Payment mode: Cash only
Ambiance: ☼☼☼☼
Winner: China Square Central Weekend Bazaar. It’s hard to leave here without buying anything, and to shop amongst like-minded collectors and sellers is a real treat.
Semi-Finals
Flea & Easy vs Sunday Artists Market: A tough fight this one. Both are similar in terms of vibe and atmosphere, but this new kid on the block is certainly fresher with its art-focused offerings. And you get to meet lots of budding young artists you’ve previously never heard of.
Winner: Sunday Artists Market
Boutiques vs China Square Central Weekend Bazaar: Depends on what you’re looking for, really. While we love Boutiques for its precious curation of designs by up-and-comers, the selection may be too niche for those looking to do some general shopping. China Square Central Weekend Bazaar is that much more accessible.
Winner: China Square Central Weekend Bazaar
Finals
Sunday Artists Market vs China Square Central Weekend Bazaar: You can’t go to one without going to the other. The fact that they’re located within a minute’s walk from one another is serendipitous; go to both for the best in arts and rarities, old and new.
Winner: Tie
Upcoming sales and fairs in Singapore
