Exciting New Threads At PARCO next NEXT

Hopped in to grab a first look at incubator retail space PARCO next NEXT's presentation of its third cohort of 18 new Singapore labels (and 5 existing ones) for SS/2012. There're several designers whose collections I really like! Arty.Lily, ANGELIA, eve, ffayth, Episene, etc. It was a madhouse at the launch where every which way I turned saw me either knock into humans or try to avoid their shoulders and elbows. And man...the schmoozing, oh the schmoozing. o_O I'm eyeing a couple of items. Dresses and tops for sure. Need to look at bottoms more carefully. I'll come back on a less crowded day to buy them.

You know I always make it a point to wear something by Singapore designers at random social outings, work functions and the sorts. Threads by Singapore designers are in no way sub par to other international labels. When these clothes are not exactly produced en masse at bargain prices, one gets quality in the selections. Some are quirky but not so OTT that one can't wear them out in the streets. The rest are done in stern monotones with intricate subtle detailing that fit my preferred color palette. This is by far the strongest overall presentation for viable retail in this space.

There was alcohol. Pretty pink concoctions floated around in plastic cups. Vodka with 28 black açaí. Is the Brazilian açaí still popular? I recall a craze about it some years back. Is there a revival now? The mind wandered to a 2011 article about the fruit. Anyway, fresh from a not-too-disastrous morning of cycling in Pulau Ubin, the endorphins were still pumping, and I wisely avoided the alcohol booth. There were macarons, cupcakes, muffins, ice-cream and sweet bites scattered around the spaces. Each designer prepared treats and door-gifts for guests this special day. Of course I passed. I took more pleasure in grabbing photos of the pretty colors.