New showcase for designers on Orchard Road

SINGAPORE — More than a year after local designers vacated a spot along Orchard Road at which to strut their stuff, they will get a new space at the same Orchard Green location by the end of 2018.

The new Design Incubator showcase, which will feature more than 40 local brands on an annual rotation, was announced by the Singapore Tourism Board on Thursday (April 13) as one of the measures to capitalise on Orchard Road’s popularity with visitors. The project is expected to run for 10 years. The previous “Keepers” showcase ran for 16 months.

The space, which will span around two-and-a-half floors, will be managed and operated by local retail operator Naiise, which has plans to hold festivals to draw the crowds, including tourists.

Jointly developed by the STB, JTC Corporation and Spring Singapore, the Design Incubator will feature a range of products, including fashion apparel, accessories, souvenirs, and furnishing, by both new and established local designers.

The space will also feature working spaces — including private work studios, co-working spaces, photography studios and meeting rooms — for designers to work on their ideas.

At the Tourism Industry Conference held on Thursday, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran said the showcase “will be an exciting addition” to Orchard Road’s offerings, in a prominent location that will allow visitors to the area to buy as well as discover locally designed products.

Spring Singapore chief executive Poon Hong Yuen added: “For Singapore to own good brands and products, we need to build the capabilities of our local designers. With the Design Incubator, we will nurture Singapore’s design talent in a holistic manner — by equipping them with the essential knowledge, exposure and business support to develop their brands into global ones.”