The hardworking folks at local label Sifr (honestly, we try not to feature these guys every week, but it’s hard) have recently come up with two more exciting projects. After wrapping up their second pop-up store at Isetan last week, they’ve just released two of their latest (and perhaps greatest) ranges of men’s shirts yet: The slim-cut Eppaulette shirt ($159), made from custom 60s double micro sanded cotton poplin, featuring single needle stitching, a split seam placket and mother of pearl button; and the gingham jersey contrasts shirt ($139), made from lightweight Japanese cotton, both available at Know It Nothing (51 Haji Lane, 6392-5475). Who needs overpriced Comme des Garçons when you have these?
Girls, don’t miss out on the highly sought-after and cutesy Samantha Thavasa bags when the label opens its first flagship boutique in town at ION Orchard (#B1-27A) in mid December. The bags, already a hit among the kawaii loving fashionistas in Japan as well as celebrities like Penelope Cruz, will be available in their full frilly glory here—from the classic New Thavasa and Deluxe lines to even more whimsical designs from its Petit Choice range that will have giggly girls laughing all the way to the bank.
I know how dire online shopping can be, especially since the shipping cost always sets me back quite a bit. Which is why I totally dig the idea of a style-savvy middle man that I can rely on to do the ordering for me instead. The affable Singapore-based Jap stylist Taoki Mishima, whom we interview on page 10, also runs an online shopping service on http://online-shoppingagency.blogspot.com/, where he will take orders from interested customers for cult Jap labels like Wacko Maria and Bankrobber and bring them in bulk to save on unnecessary shipping costs. This means that there are minimal middle man fees involved, and you’re basically just paying for the price of the goods. Mishima even goes to the extent of taking orders from certain labels that he doesn’t normally deal with (Undercover, anyone?), but be prepared to pay a little more for these. For those who’ve been hankering for rare Jap labels that you previously couldn’t get your hands on, you know where to look.
