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WEEKENDS shopping

Singapore — That Singapore is a shopper’s paradise is no secret. Everywhere you go, household names jostle with new players in the retail game for shoppers’ attention. So it’s probably no surprise that VivoCity’s new expanded retail section at Basement 1 has several new entrants to the retail scene along with some familiar brands, including American footwear label Steve Madden, German jewellery giant Thomas Sabo, French menswear brand celio* (offering its latest Spring/Summer 2015 collection) and Korean beauty make-up brand Etude House (with its first Nail Parlour at this outlet).

Singapore — That Singapore is a shopper’s paradise is no secret. Everywhere you go, household names jostle with new players in the retail game for shoppers’ attention. So it’s probably no surprise that VivoCity’s new expanded retail section at Basement 1 has several new entrants to the retail scene along with some familiar brands, including American footwear label Steve Madden, German jewellery giant Thomas Sabo, French menswear brand celio* (offering its latest Spring/Summer 2015 collection) and Korean beauty make-up brand Etude House (with its first Nail Parlour at this outlet).

And then there’s WEEKENDS. Fans will argue that this local outlet could be a microcosm of the shopping experience: The new multi-label store offers 14 lifestyle brands from America and Europe that promise to tickle your fancy and make your senses go into overdrive.

Its offerings include an eclectic assortment of designer stationery, tableware, home furnishing, accessories and fragrances. Wall art and prints fill the store from floor to ceiling, with an aim to celebrate more of the good vibes that weekends bring (something that we can all relate to, for sure). Prices range from S$6.90 for a notebook to S$650 for ceiling lights.

The idea for WEEKENDS, said Benny Low, managing director of Trendspot Pte Ltd, the company behind the store, was to “pack the state of excitement and joy associated with weekends into the retail shopping experience”. “At WEEKENDS, we seek to bring back and complete the experiential and emotional elements of shopping, and offer space for socialisation, entertainment, engagement and inspiration,” he added.

Twelve of the 14 brands WEEKENDS carries are exclusive and new to the market. These include the Czech-based glass-lighting manufacturer Brokis; American designer company Jonathan Alder Gifts & Stationery that offers everything — seemingly — from handbags to kitchen ware; Dutch design studio Mr Maria; Gary Birks Designs from the United Kingdom, noted for its oh-so-cool mugs; and Alphabet Bags, which features bags that are “simple, bold and cheerful”.

That last sentiment is what Low hopes those who pop into the shop will feel. “Our experiential retail concept evokes the memories and emotions of shopping once again through our richly detailed and theatrical, curatorial style and, at times, larger-than-life displays and a good eclectic mix of merchandise from a range of brands that offer consumers a unique experience,” said Low. “An emotional experience that brings a smile to their face, and most of all, inspires them to do more of what makes them happy.”

So just where do you start your WEEKENDS shopping? Here are some of our picks ...

MR MARIA. You’d have to be a real stick in the mud to resist the lamps from Mr Maria. The Dutch design studio collective churns out happy and warm (no pun intended) creations, such as this uber-cute lamp that shows Miffy sitting on fluffy clouds. Other designs include the famous Smiley XL floor lamp and a bear-shaped lamp.

TALENTED. As an eco-conscious bag-art collective started by chief designer and founder Julia Gash, this British-based label says it’s committed to “creating bags that are ethically made and ecologically printed”. The plus point is that the eco-friendly cotton tote bags feature marvellous illustrations by a team of artists depicting lovely cityscapes, boats and cities that are bound to stir up your wanderlust.

FIORELLI. Another UK-based accessory brand, Fiorelli Jewellery serves up cute dainty bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings to ensure you have enough neck and arm candy to party all weekend.

ROYAL APOTHIC. One of the fastest-growing beauty and fragrance brands in the United States whose products are a must-have for those who value quality and beauty.

COULSON MACLEOD. The typographic and illustration art by award-winning British artist Coulson MacLeod who has been in the scene for more than 25 years, is a common mainstay in design blogs around the world — so why not in your home too?

BROKIS. Czech-based brand Brokis uses materials such as glass, wood and hand-pressed metal to create some of the boldest and most stunning bespoke and contemporary lighting we’ve seen in a while, such as Memory Pendant (picture) and the Capsula by Lucie Koldova.

WEEKENDS is located at #B1-10, VivoCity.

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