Singapore designers and brands to offer unique multi-sensory retail experience in Paris for a week in October
September 15, 2021
Paris, September 7, 2021 – A collective of more than 10 designers and brands from Singapore will showcase their designs and products at a special retail pop-up in the Marais district of Paris from 5 to 10 October 2021. Led by Paris-based Singaporean shoe designer Mashizan Masjum, the presentation highlights the unique design voices of Singapore, allowing Parisians to experience a multi-sensory retail experience.
The showcase, titled “From Singapore to Paris: A Journey of the Five Senses,” will include a presentation of works by Singapore fashion designers, sound artists, botanical designers and skincare specialists.
“Beyond giving an opportunity for Singapore designers and brands to present their best creations, we also want to create meaningful memories for our visitors and clients", says Mashizan, founder and creative director of footwear label MASHIZAN who is lead curator for the pop-up.
Karen Ong, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Paris commented, “Singapore is gaining international recognition as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, where local designers, artisans and entrepreneurs are innovating to create unique, compelling, high quality products and experiences."
“We are proud that these creations are being showcased in Paris, which is widely recognised as the fashion and design capital of the world. This retail pop-up is a great opportunity to showcase the Singapore brand – our unique culture, outlook and design sensibilities, to a discerning French clientele, and introduce them to the wider European market, deepening awareness of Singapore as a city of ideas, design and creativity,” she adds.
With the theme of five senses, the presentation aims to take visitors on a journey that delights the senses of sight, touch, smell, sound and taste.
“You’ll get to feel the textures of exotic fabrics used by Singapore fashion designers, hear the sounds of Singapore curated by a sound artist, taste the richness of Singapore flavours, smell the aromas of lotions and potions, and see the myriad of colours that embody Singaporean creativity,” says Mashizan.
The brands have been carefully selected based on their strong and distinctive design voices, many of which reflect upon Singapore’s heritage and global outlook.
“This is a great opportunity to highlight Singapore brands that pay homage to our heritage” says designer Adelyn Putri of Nude Femme who will present part of her Singapore Stories 2020 collection that derives inspiration from the strength and values of early advocates of Singapore female activists.
Above Left: The Missing Piece by Ee-Ling Fock | Above Right: Nude Femme - Singapore Stories collection by Adelyn Putri
Joining her is designer Ee-Ling Fock, another much-loved Singapore creative whose brand The Missing Piece will be presenting for the first time to Parisians.
“The Missing Piece is very much about melding Singaporean heritage and botanical elements with an urban sensibility, and creating pieces that are easy and pleasurable for today’s woman to wear,” says designer Ee-Ling Fock.
Appearing alongside them in Paris are several notable fashion and lifestyle brands including accessories designers Jaime Lim of [In]Trigue and Stephanie Choo of Eden + Elie as well as fashion designers Gin Lee of Gin Lee Studio, Oniatta Effendi of Baju by Oniatta, and Nida Tahir Shaheryar of Nida Shay.
“The showcase is particularly significant to me as I studied design in Paris and this would be the first time for me to present my collection in the city that inspired me to become a fashion designer at the age of eight,” says Shaheryar who will be showcasing a collection from her signature series alongside exclusive new designs.
“You can expect the signature regal zardozi hand embroidery as well as vibrant colours and luxurious, intricate techniques of artisanal hand embroidery using sequins, beads and silk thread from the new collection titled ‘Seasons of my heart’,” she adds.
In addition to fashion and accessories brands, several lifestyle and consumer labels will also partake in this special showcase; one of them is skincare brand Dr GL whose founder, Dr Georgia Lee, has more than two decades of skincare aesthetic experience.
“Dr Lee has combined beautifully science, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and skincare technology into our skincare formulations,” says Christabel Chuah, director of Business Development at Dr GL.
Another skincare brand joining them is Straits Skincare: “I’m excited to present Straits Skincare to the Parisians. Our brand is anchored by traditional Peranakan heritage secrets yet developed and perfected through science,” says Dr Jade Kua, founder of Straits Skincare. “The juxtaposition of roots and wings, medical discipline and artisanal flair, history and modernity resonates both in Singapore and Paris,” she adds.
A highlight will be the artistic works of botanical design studio This Humid House, showcasing their expertise in all things floral and botanical.
“We want to trigger a sense of wonder and curiosity for visitors,” says Françoise Ozawa, partner of This Humid House, who will be setting up a permanent base in Paris for the design studio in 2022.
“We hope to create an installation with plants, flowers, and even fruits that are evocative of the tropics yet created with materials that are available in Paris. Our aim is to conjure a sense of place,” she adds.
Equally captivating will be the sonorous works of sound designer Jerry Teo who will create a mélange of Singapore sounds that will stream via a uni-directional speaker in the store.
The week-long event will also see several workshops, masterclasses, and roundtable discussions held during the pop-up to engage with the various Parisian stakeholders.
Oniatta Effendi, founder of Baju by Oniatta, for instance, will be sharing her love of batik by holding a workshop on batik craftsmanship to Parisians, a first time for the cultural entrepreneur.
“As a batik advocate, I see this as an important opportunity for the European market to experience and appreciate the beauty of South-east Asia – with batik as the best medium for this experience,” says Oniatta.
The presentation is supported by DesignSingapore Council and the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore, in association with Singapore Tourism Board, Enterprise Singapore, and the Economic Development Board of Singapore.
The pop-up will take place at concept store Heureux Les Curieux at 23 Rue du Pont Aux Choux, in the 4th Arrondisement, in the hip Parisian district of Marais, where many artists, designers, and brands often launch their works and creative projects. The retail pop-up is open to public during opening hours, while specially curated events require reservation.
About MASHIZAN
MASHIZAN is the eponymous brand of creative director Mashizan Masjum, an award-winning former TV documentary producer/director/writer turned luxury shoe designer. Currently based in Paris, he’s also pursuing the EMBA in Global Fashion Management at the prestigious Institut Français de la Mode. Each collection of his is inspired by international travels and the filming of factual TV programs for U.S. cable networks. MASHIZAN is handcrafted in Florence by a boutique manufacturer, with materials sourced in Italy. For more information, visit www.mashizan.com
About DesignSingapore Council
DesignSingapore Council’s (Dsg) vision is for Singapore to be an innovation-driven economy and a loveable city through design by 2025. As the national agency that promotes design, our mission is to develop the design sector, help Singapore use design for innovation and growth, and make life better in this UNESCO Creative City of Design. Our work focuses on three areas. First, we help organisations and enterprises use design as a strategy for business growth; and for excellent delivery of public services. Second, we nurture industry-ready talents skilled in design and innovation; and engender a design-minded workforce for the future economy. Third, we advance the Singapore brand through raising design appreciation on home-ground; helping local design talents and firms go international, and making emotional connections with people across the world. The Dsg is a subsidiary of the Singapore Economic Development Board.
Singapore was designated UNESCO Creative City of Design in December 2015. The designation supports Singapore’s development of a creative culture and eco-system that integrates design and creativity with everyday life. It also expands Singapore’s opportunity to collaborate with cities from the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The City of Design Office is sited with Dsg which coordinates and implements programmes that respond to UCCN’s mission.