Singapore Shopping - 3

Boutique

Haji Lane is a nondescript alley in the Arab Quarter. You’d think you were in Brooklyn if it weren’t for the charming shophouses. On Haji Lane, find skinny jeans and tapered button-downs at 2, or vintage dresses at House of Japan. At Know It Nothing, browse art-fashion labels Surface 2 Air and Still Life NYC, designer eyeglasses by Cutler and Gross, and a “gallery” of sneakers by New Balance, Reebok and Nike. After dropping all that cash, calm your nerves with a Moroccan mint tea at Mosi Café.

Souvenir

Souvenir shopping in Singapore poses a bit of a problem—it’s hard to define what’s “uniquely Singaporean,” no matter how hard the local tourism board tries otherwise. With such a mix of ethnicities making up this tiny island, your best bet is to find trinkets that make you think of Singapore, whether it’s an anklet from Little India, a bag of ground kopi (local coffee) or a stuffed Merlion—a mythical half-lion, half-fish creature and a Singapore icon.

For the widest range of options, go to Pagoda Street in Chinatown, a knick-knack haven packed with stalls selling T-shirts, merlion key chains, three scarves for $10, cloth slippers, waxed paper umbrellas, traditional Chinese robes and brocade cheongsams (hip-hugging dresses). If you’re in Singapore in late January to early February, consider bringing home Chinese New Year decorations to remind you of the city-state’s biggest holiday.

 

• Find an assortment of artistic treasures in Singapore’s boutique shops, like these eggshell-laquered decorations.

Donna M. Airoldi

Shopping Events

Great Singapore Sale

Every summer, the two-month-long Great Singapore Sale takes place across the entire island, with shops offering up to 70 percent off and malls staying open until 11 p.m. It draws tourists from around the region, with special privileges for those who show their passport and airplane ticket stub. This year’s event takes place May 26 to July 26, 2009. www.greatsingaporesale.sg

Fashion Festival

Though the event isn’t confirmed for 2010, this year’s Fashion Festival, held in May, featured designs by local icon Ashley Isham, Vivienne Westwood, Marc Jacobs, Christian Lacroix and Gareth Pugh.