SINGAPORE, 16 January 2019: Design Orchard will open its doors, 25 January, bringing over 60 local brands together on Singapore’s iconic Orchard Road.
Located at the junction of Orchard Road and Cairnhill Road, the 2.5-storey development comprises a retail showcase on the first level, incubation spaces on the second level and the rooftop, with an events space on the rooftop.
Spearheaded by Enterprise Singapore, JTC and Singapore Tourism Board, Design Orchard is part of the government’s on-going efforts to transform Orchard Road into a lifestyle destination, offering a compelling retail experience amidst lush greenery.
The project also aims to groom up-and-coming designers in lifestyle and fashion sectors to prepare them to take their products overseas.
Homegrown retailer Naiise will operate the retail showcase, which will feature 61 new, emerging and established brands.
These include Artisan of Sense, JEWELS, QLOTHÈ, SoftRock Living and The Animal Project.
The brands cut across categories such as fashion apparel, beauty and wellness, food souvenirs and small home furnishings.
Naiise will also run a mentorship programme, covering areas such as marketing, merchandising and expansion plans, for the brands in the retail showcase.
Well-known entrepreneurs including Unlisted Collection founder Loh Lik Peng, Spa Esprit Group founder Cynthia Chua and Motherswork founder Sharon Wong will be part of the mentorship programme, sharing their knowledge and experience through regular one-on-one mentoring and group sharing sessions.
STB director of retail and dining, Ranita Sundra said: “Singapore is home to many global brands (but) we noticed that more people are drawn to local products with a Singapore story…. This is an exciting opportunity for us to profile the best of Singapore talent under one roof.”
The Textile and Fashion Federation of Singapore (Taff) will operate The Cocoon Space, an incubation area on the second level targeted at local lifestyle and fashion designers. It will also run an incubation programme, the Bridge Fashion Incubator, for aspiring fashion start-ups from both Singapore and around the region.
