Singaporeans will never be able to dress well<\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ text_font=”Montreal Medium|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”15px” header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_5_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”20px” header_5_letter_spacing=”0.5em” header_5_line_height=”1.8em” width=”83.3%” min_height=”0px” custom_margin=”15px|129px|-22px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|0px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|63px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.8em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”32px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”14px” header_5_font_size_phone=”12px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ inline_fonts=”Montserrat” global_colors_info=”{}”]
The title of the article might\u2019ve made you roll your eyes in opposition or concur in acceptance. But ASHLEY WONG posits that it\u2019s simple: If fashion is meant to be a reflection of what you want to express, Singapore doesn’t often allow that to happen stylishly and freely. <\/span><\/i><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_margin=”-194px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ min_height=”84px” custom_margin=”-80px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-145px|auto|-100px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About Us” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”1463px” custom_margin=”-136px||-385px|||” custom_padding=”107px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ custom_margin=”-55px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-35px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”2px|0|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px||true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-40px|79px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”] <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BY Hype Issue #56<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n A few months ago, I incredulously became the owner of an olive Beyond the Vines Dumpling Bag.<\/span><\/p>\n It was purchased from a friend who already owns a grand total of seven of the Singaporean design outpost\u2019s<\/a><\/span> emblematic bag silhouette. Perhaps sensing my bemusement at a very \u201coff-brand\u201d carryall selection on my part, she quickly assured me:\u00a0 \u201cThis is such a you<\/i> colour! And it\u2019s been sold out for one year, so you should honestly thank me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dresswell-1.png” title_text=”dresswell-1″ force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” inline_fonts=”Montreal Medium” global_colors_info=”{}”] The olive Beyond the Vines\u2019 Dumpling Bag, the author\u2019s new choice of everyday carry.\u00a0 <\/i>Photo from <\/i>Beyond the Vines<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.7em” custom_margin=”|-415px|0px|-616px|false|false” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|false” inline_fonts=”Montreal Medium” global_colors_info=”{}”] She was partially right. The Beyond the Vines Dumpling Bag is an off-brand choice for me, as someone who dresses down often and is rarely seen in a dress, while the bag is often paired with a midi one on its owner\u2019s way to lunch in the Central Business District.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Other heartening statements followed, almost as to justify the existence of the bag to a sceptic like me: There\u2019s a new magnetic clasp, the ruche has improved, and this is the bag\u2019s third design iteration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My friend, alongside many other young people, seemed to be fully aware of the derision that awaits the proverbial Dumpling Bag and other Singapore street stalwarts like the <\/span>Gentlewoman tote bag<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span> or the <\/span>Officer Cadet School (OCS) singlet<\/span><\/span><\/a>. These wildly popular selections of the Singaporean wardrobe often draw flak online for being shining examples of Singaporean fashion \u201cemptiness\u201d; scoffed-at symbols of the phenomenon in our little red dot where denizens apparently lack the ability to develop a unique sense of style, or rather, a simply stylish one, often relying on trends and blindly buying whatever\u2019s been hyped up on social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are multiple reasons for this phenomenon, and also multiple layers to unwrap. But the scorching Singapore sun that reaches highs of 39 degrees Celsius ensures that there are certainly no physical layers to unwrap, leaving one with the inability to have variation in what to wear on the day-to-day: It\u2019ll always be a toss-up between the singlet and shorts or the shirt and shorts, both options paired with flip-flops.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Being overpowered by our demanding climate means that the Singaporean uniform to the mall, market, and even to casual restaurants will always be the unsightly aforementioned combinations. But who can blame us? With over 5.6 million people in Singapore from all walks of life, and especially in a city defined and built on the back of metrics like the competitiveness of our workforces and\u00a0 quality of our schools, it might indeed be a tall order to take time out of our day to plan an outfit that turns heads.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite this, it is evident that the national ethic of Singapore has bled into the design philosophy and fashion ecosystems we have developed in our city. Beyond the Vines is our local answer to a brand like <\/span>Noah<\/span><\/span><\/a>, the New York City-based menswear brand that has taken streetwear devotees by storm. Both shops are almost identical in ethos and even aesthetic style: They have a deep history intertwined with community and design, celebrate their respective city\u2019s roots, and have a strong focus on increasing accessibility to high design at a reasonable price. Both shops are even run by husband-and-wife duos.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dresswell-2.png” title_text=”dresswell-2″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dresswekk-3.png” title_text=”dresswekk-3″ force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”] Are there similarities between New York City\u2019s Noah (above) and Singapore\u2019s Beyond the Vines (below)? The author thinks so, with their sharp attention to design ethics and sourcing, and the way they fit into their respective cities\u2019 fashion ecosystems. Photos taken from <\/span><\/i>Highsnobiety<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span> (above) and <\/span><\/i>Beyond the Vines<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span> (below).<\/span><\/i><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.7em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”|0px|30px|0px|false|false” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Abhaya Libre” global_colors_info=”{}”] The garments indeed reflect the brands\u2019 respective cities: Beyond the Vines\u2019 apparel, while thoughtfully designed and reflective of the shifting goalposts within Singaporean fashion design, usually performs as officewear that\u2019s happy to be slightly colouring outside the lines. Noah\u2019s boating-inspired style is often seen on creative types and at art gallery showings in Chelsea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But despite taking on a very similar visual language, they mean very different things across the world: In New York, it signals an homage to a creative renaissance. In Singapore, it means going back to work.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Screenshot-2023-04-26-at-1.32.58-PM.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2023-04-26 at 1.32.58 PM” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Ashley Wong<\/b>
Deputy Editor<\/b><\/p>\nPublished on<\/h5>\n
April 25, 2023<\/h5>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” inline_fonts=”ABeeZee,Montreal Medium” global_colors_info=”{}”]