#Shoplocal: Homegrown Brands for Different Personality Types

Singapore is home to a plethora of brands – ranging from fashion to food and wellness – that take inspiration from the island itself. This month, it’s all about local pride as we shine the spotlight on homegrown brands that reflect the culture and heritage of Singapore.  

There’s plenty to discover. If you don’t know where to start, we bring you these ten Singapore brands for different personality types.

Always the best-dressed person in the room, this fashionista has style in spades. What’s more: she always looks put-together without breaking a sweat – even in Singapore’s sweltering heat. Her style secret? Breezy wardrobe pieces that are chic yet comfortable.

Local womenswear label, GIN LEE STUDIO offers easy, effortless pieces for ladies on-the-go. Take for example, the Kiyona Dress. Not only does it boast impeccable craftsmanship and subtle details such as contrasting straps, its pleated design is made to drape beautifully on the wearer.

Another homegrown label to note is R Y E, which adopts a less-is-more approach to design. From structural dresses to asymmetrical kaftans to tailored outerwear, each piece is timeless and pared down, yet undeniably befitting of a cool fashionista.

Be it food, wine or even leather goods, the tastemaker appreciates the finer things in life. Led by a discerning taste, this savvy connoisseur has a predilection for quality goods that bear a high level of craftsmanship and attention-to-detail.

Case in point: Faire Leather Co. This local leather goods company marries intelligent design with functionality to offer a line of elegant and sleek briefcases, wallets and other accessories – minus the luxury markup.

Hook Coffee aims to elevate your coffee-drinking experience by delivering delicious, affordable and freshly-roasted coffee from the world's best farms right to your doorstep. Its unique flavours – think Yaya Kakaya, Give Me Smores and Choco Loco – in convenient drip coffee bags or Nespresso® Compatible ShotPods will certainly get you hooked.

Commune is a homegrown brand that is synonymous with contemporary designer furniture. Crafted with the needs of the modern individual in mind, its range of furniture, lighting, tableware, and soft furnishings will add a homey yet chic touch to any space.

If you’re looking to decorate your home with timeless and well-made pieces that will last a lifetime, Scanteak will be right up your alley. As its name suggests, it specialises in well-crafted teak furniture.

Going beyond just aesthetics, the local company is also committed to functionality, quality, and safety. All its teak wood is sustainable and responsibly harvested, and undergoes rigorous testing to minimise the risk of harmful formaldehyde gas emissions in your home.

We’re no stranger to the stressors of everyday life, be it work, family or financial obligations. It’s no wonder that many (if not most) of us constantly seek a moment of calm to relax and recharge amidst our busy day-to-day schedules. If quality me-time is on your agenda, some simple self-care practices or an at-home spa day may just do the trick.

Treat yourself to luxurious products that not only feel good, but also engage your sense of smell. A soothing scent can help allay stressful thoughts as it stimulates your olfactory senses and sends a message to the brain to relax.

Look to local aromatherapy brand HYSSES. Its range of home fragrances, skin and body products is formulated to soothe, uplift or relax – depending on your mood. Choose from a variety of therapeutic scents to get you into zen mode such as the Remedies Stress Relief, which contains an aromatic blend of tangy grapefruit and sweet vanilla notes.

Homegrown wellness company To Be Calm was created with the simple premise that fragrance can create an optimal state of mind. And that it does: the essential oils and reed diffusers feature ylang ylang, lemongrass, geranium and other relaxing scents that will add a soothing atmosphere to any living space.

It’s easy to spot this personality type. She always stands out from the crowd, thanks to her love for jewellery and her more-is-more approach to layering accessories. But make no mistake: not any jewellery will do. This bauble lover has her discerning eye on one-of-a-kind pieces.

The local jewellery scene has no shortage of design talent that will add a distinctly Singaporean spin to your accessory collection. One such name is Carrie K., helmed by award-winning designer Carolyn Kan. Passionate about story-telling, Kan creates each unique piece – be it the Mini Love Knot necklace or Pearl Pave Trilliant Jacket earrings – as a form of self-expression that can be worn for years to come.

For a mix of history and luxury, look no further than EDEN + ELIE. Inspired by Singapore’s heritage, this handcrafted jewellery brand combines traditional bead-weaving techniques with contemporary materials to create vibrant pieces that’ll add a pop of colour to your ensemble. The Modern Peranakan Gold Bangle is a bold choice; its vermilion hue and handwoven pattern take inspiration from the rich colours and motifs in Peranakan design.