Art + Design

Your essential guide to Design Orchard, the latest landmark on Orchard Road

01.04.2019

By Su Fen Tan

Your essential guide to Design Orchard, the latest landmark on Orchard Road

If you have yet to set foot in Singapore this year, then this is one new gem you should put in your to-visit list. Having just opened its doors in January, Design Orchard is the latest addition to the shopping mecca that is Orchard Road.

Located at the junction of Orchard Road and Cairnhill Road (it’s beside Midpoint Orchard!), it is poised as a retail showcase and incubator for local brands and design talents, spanning 2.5 floors—the first floor houses a retail hub that features over 60 homegrown brands; managed by Textile and Fashion Federation, the second floor is an incubation space with co-working facilities, photography studios and creative spaces open to budding creative talents; on the rooftop, lush greenery and timber seats occupy the sloping landscape, making for a nice spot to chill and get away from the hustle and bustle of the streets below.

Here, take a quick virtual walk through the space to see what it entails before visiting it IRL.

 

1st Floor: SHOP, SHOP, SHOP

You can find most global brands in KL anyway, so why not shop local when you’re in Singapore? At 9,000 sq ft, the retail showcase on the first floor is huge. Fun fact: the space is curated and operated by Naiise (who has a lovely store here in Malaysia too), so you know you’re in good hands. As mentioned, there are no less than 60 brands under one roof here, with products ranging from artisanal wares and furniture, to skincare and fashion.

 

 

Buro picks: Look out for Matter, a label that champions textile heritage and sustainability, fashioning the most beautifully printed fabrics into wardrobe hero pieces. Don’t miss a visit to Oo La Lab, where you can create your own personalised fragrance to take home. They are cruelty-free, just like Re:erth, a mindful skincare brand with high-performance formulas powered by nature-derived actives. The Paper Bunny is also there for all your beautiful stationery and statement tee needs.

 

 

2nd Floor: GET CREATIVE

You’ll find The Cocoon Space on the next level, an incubation space set up for local lifestyle and fashion designers. There is a Makers Studio and Fabric Library set up in the co-working space, where independent designers and fashion businesses get to hone their craftsmanship and creativity, as well as network and collaborate with industry players. If you’d like to pick up a craft while you’re there, look out for the different workshops by local designers and artists which are held throughout the year.

 

READ MORE: A creative’s guide to Singapore

 

Rooftop: GO GREEN WITH A VIEW

Don’t forget to check out the rooftop for a vantage view of the ever-bustling Orchard Road. The fact that the space is designed with greenery in mind doesn’t hurt either. The urban amphitheatre and communal space hosts a range of exciting events from time to time, such as local jewellery showcases and exhibitions where fashion and food intertwine. But when it’s not in use, it’s the perfect spot to just sit back, relax, and watch the world go by.

 

 

For more information on Design Orchard, visit the website

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