As part of the government's efforts to transform Orchard Road into a lifestyle destination, Design Orchard will open its doors on January 25. Over 60 local brands will be featured in the 2.5-storey development.
Located at the junction of Orchard Road and Cairnhill Road, Design Orchard is spearheaded by Enterprise Singapore, JTC and Singapore Tourism Board (STB). It comprises a retail showcase on the first level, incubation spaces on the second level and the rooftop, and an events space on the rooftop.
According to a joint press release, the project aims to groom new and emerging talents in the lifestyle and fashion sector, and prepare them to take their products overseas.
Homegrown retailer Naiise will operate the retail showcase, featuring 61 new, emerging and established brands. They cut across categories such as fashion apparel, beauty and wellness, food souvenirs and small home furnishings.
Naiise will also run a mentorship programme on marketing, merchandising and expansion plans, for the brands in the retail showcase. Well-known entrepreneurs including Unlisted Collection founder Loh Lik Peng, Spa Esprit Group founder Cynthia Chua and Motherswork founder Sharon Wong will share their knowledge and experience through regular one-on-one mentoring and group sharing sessions.
Ms Ranita Sundra, Director of Retail and Dining at STB, said, “Design Orchard is an exciting opportunity for us to profile the best of Singapore talent under one roof at a prime location on world-famous Orchard Road. With the opening of this new development, local and international visitors can look forward to a livelier and more exciting Orchard Road.”
The Textile and Fashion Federation Singapore (Taff) will operate The Cocoon Space, an incubation space on the second level for local lifestyle and fashion designers.
Taff will nurture independent designers and fashion businesses by offering co-working spaces with resources. These include a Makers Studio with professional sewing equipment and a Fabric Library, as well as collaboration and networking opportunities with industry players.
There will also be an incubation programme, The Bridge Fashion Incubator, for aspiring fashion startups from both Singapore and around the region. Focused on sustainability, innovation and technology, the programme will cover talent development, training and overseas trips for sourcing and production.
Mr Alan Yeo, Director of Retail & Design at Enterprise Singapore, said, “The Cocoon Space provides aspiring Singapore designers with shared facilities under one roof, enabling them to testbed and prototype their ideas, and hone their business skills more quickly. We want to work with them to create products that are aligned to the industry trends and consumer needs. This is why Taff’s incubation programme will focus on fashion technology and sustainability.”
