A Guide to Design Orchard: A Nurturing Space for Designers
Are you feeling the urge to change your current style? Then, you might want to go to Design Orchard to find your new aesthetic and buy clothes and accessories that fit it!
Located in the heart of Orchard Road, Design Orchard is a retail and co-working space that aims to inspire and support local designers in the lifestyle and fashion industries. It’s also home to over 100 local brands, making it a shopper’s paradise!
Whether you’re a designer or a shopaholic, Design Orchard has something for you. This article lists some of the best activities and shops here!
Things to Know
Address: 250 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238905
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10:30 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +6565131743
History and Background
Design Orchard is spearheaded by multiple government agencies, namely Enterprise Singapore, JTC, and the Singapore Tourism Board. It’s currently managed by the Singapore Fashion Council, the country’s official association for the fashion industry.
Design Orchard is conceived as an “incubation space” for emerging local designers. That’s why it has several spaces for retail showcases and working areas.
But it’s not just a place for designers to work and show off their creations; it’s also a shopper’s paradise. Currently, there are over 100 brands in Design Orchard, selling a wide range of products—from clothes to accessories to homeware.
How to Get There
MRT: If you prefer riding the MRT, take the train to the Somerset station, then walk to Design Orchard. It should take you about six minutes.
Bus: The bus services that pass by Design Orchard are 7/7B, 14/14e, 16, 36/36B, 65, 77, 106, 111, 123, 124, 128, 143, 162/162M, 167/167e, 171, 174/174e, 175, 190/190A, 502/502A, 518/518A, 587, 590, 598, 700/700A, 971E, and 972/972A.
Car: If you prefer driving your own car, the nearest car parks are at The Heeren (260 Orchard Road) and Orchard Building (1 Grange Road). The Heeren’s parking is open from 8 am to 11 pm daily, while the Orchard Building’s parking is open 24/7.
Best Time to Visit
You can visit Design Orchard anytime you want. That said, if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best if you come here on a weekday and in the morning; weekends and evenings tend to bring in more people.
Additionally, if you’re planning to use The Cocoon Space, be sure to arrive early. That way, you can pick your desired seat.
What to Do
Admire the architecture
Design Orchard may be known as a combination of a shopping mall and a co-working space, but it’s also a building with eye-catching architecture. After all, it was designed by WOHA Architects, a local architecture firm that has won several awards!
In a nutshell, Design Orchard’s architecture is a marriage between modernity and nature. It has a modern palette of concrete and glass, and at the same time, it features pockets of lush greenery; as a result, the building is stunning to look at.
The main highlight has to be the concrete wall outside. This wall has circular glass openings that, sometimes, let the light shine through and, other times, reflect light instead; it makes for a perfect Instagram-worthy spot, so you better take a photo!
Enjoy the view from the rooftop garden
Orchard Road is a bustling section of Singapore, so if you ever get tired, feel free to seek refuge in Design Orchard’s rooftop garden.
This rooftop greenery has greenery everywhere, and it’s terraced, so you can watch the activity below with ease. It’s also constructed with inclined planes, making it almost resemble an amphitheater; because of this, it can also serve as a venue for live events.
Despite being smack-dab in the heart of Orchard Road, the rooftop garden gives off a peaceful atmosphere, especially in the morning. At night, it transforms into a lively space full of music and people socializing.
Get some work done at The Cocoon Space
If you need to work but find it hard to do so when you’re at home, you might want to take advantage of Design Orchard’s The Cocoon Space.
The Cocoon Space is a co-working space, and it’s a big one—at 10,000 square feet! Here, you’ll have a lot of space to brainstorm or quietly work on your project; you can also have a meeting with your co-workers or network with other professionals.
Additionally, this co-working space has other resources that you can use. These resources include a photography studio, a fabric library, and a whole slew of business development and digital services.
Join a photography tour
Instagram-worthy spots are aplenty in Design Orchard, and by going on a photography tour, you’ll find them all!
You can join a tour hosted by a third-party organizer, or you can join one hosted by Design Orchard themselves. To do so, you only have to send an email to [email protected] to confirm your interest.
The rooftop garden is one of these picturesque spots, but aside from that, I think the outdoor seating area (it has grey monochromatic tones with a pop of green and red) and the walkway (it has a high ceiling and decent lighting) are perfect for Instagram shots.
Be sure to have your camera—whether it’s a professional camera or a camera phone—ready and take all the photos you want!
Attend a workshop
It’s never too late to learn new skills—even if you’re already an adult with kids. So, if you ever want to tap into your creative side, Design Orchard has you covered because there are many workshop classes hosted here.
Here are some of the workshops available, and one—or two—of them might pique your interest. If you’re interested in any of the workshops below, reach out to [email protected] to book your spot.
Find your style (with professional help, of course!)
Do you want to be more stylish? Design Orchard can definitely help you with that!
Singapore in Style is a program hosted here that aims to inspire people to embrace local charm. Fashion items featured here all embody Singaporean culture in some way, so you’ll learn about the country’s history and heritage while choosing your outfit.
The best part is that there are professional stylists—both in-house and guest—ready to help you find the best style for you. Plus, they’ll give out invaluable fashion tips, so you’ll be prepared when shopping in the future.
Sell your own stuff
If you’re a designer who’s looking to reach out to as many possible buyers, Design Orchard is the place to go.
Design Orchard allows local designers to rent a venue that they can use for their product launches, workshops, and other events. So far, there are three types of venue rentals:
- Shop-in-Shop: A little cozy shop where you can display your products
- VIP Space: A multi-functional room that you can transform however you want to fit your needs. It also provides a view of Orchard Road, so passersby can see your offerings, hopefully leading to more buyers.
- Content Area: A cozy corner that’s perfect for intimate interviews, workshops, and live-stream sessions
If you’re interested in renting a space, contact [email protected] for more information.
Where to Shop
AKINN
AKINN is a fashion label owned by Wykidd Song, one of the most renowned designers in Singapore. Wykidd Song is also the co-founder of Song+Kelly, which is the first Singaporean ready-to-wear brand that’s sold all over the world.
AKINN focuses on the modern, sophisticated woman, which is why the selection of clothes here is versatile and adaptable. Materials and fabrics are also carefully curated; they aim to provide comfortable clothing as much as possible.
Additionally, AKINN’s products are produced in small batches to promote responsible consumption among their customers.
Anerdstore
If you’re looking to add something unique to your closet, you might want to check out the offerings in Anerdstore. This fashion label incorporates batik in their process to help preserve cultural textile heritage and promote sustainability in the fashion industry.
Another impressive feature of this store is that they source their materials and work with textile artisans from Indonesia, so you can expect to find that their products are authentic.
There’s also a wide variety of products sold here—from women’s wear to men’s wear to accessories. There are even items for your pets, so you can be stylish together.
Anaïs An
Is your little one just as fashionable and stylish as you? Then, you should bring them to Anaïs An, a label that specializes in ready-to-wear party dresses for children.
The great thing about this brand is that the clothes look elegant and whimsical. There are also themed DIY t-shirts and interactive clothes that allow you to customize them however you want!
Anaïs An caters to all body types, so you can find something for your child. Additionally, if you yourself enjoy the whimsical aesthetic, you can find some clothing options for adults.
The Elly Store
Another great store for your fashion-inclined child is The Elly Store. This store was founded in 2010, and for more than a decade, it has established itself as one of the most renowned children’s clothing brands in Singapore.
The Elly Store sells clothes and other fashion items for children ages 0 to 14. Sometimes, they partner with other brands like Dinsey, so if your child wants to dress up like a prince or princess, you can find the outfit here.
Clothes for adults are also available here, which is perfect if you like to wear matching outfits with your little ones.
Binary Style
Created by twin sister designers Santhi and Sari Tunas in 2015, Binary Style is all about whimsical and colorful scarves. The scarves also feature Singaporean-themed artwork, such as cultural landmarks and diverse wildlife, making them extra special.
Currently, there are over 200 designs available in Binary Style, and the collection is still growing. The scarves also come in various formats, such as cotton, silk, and chiffon, so you’ll find something that feels comfortable on your skin.
Aside from scarves, Binary Style also sells earrings, dresses, blouses, skirts, and other forms of apparel, so you have more options.
BabeCave Swim
When visiting a beach or resort, be sure to flaunt your body by wearing the most aesthetically pleasing swimwear. If you don’t have one yet—or you need a new one—BabeCave Swim has you covered.
The swimsuits you’ll find in BabeCave Swim are all colorful because the company believes in spreading positivity and freedom. Some swimsuits also use batik fabrics in order to show off a part of Singapore’s amazing heritage and culture.
BabeCave Swim believes in sustainability and ethical production, so all pieces are produced locally in Singapore.
Yumi Active
If you like to exercise—or maybe you want to start doing so—then you know that having quality activewear is key. That’s exactly what you’ll get from Yumi Active, an activewear shop founded by Diana Chang.
What I find amazing about Yumi Active is that they don’t just have top-grade products; they’re also beautiful. Leggings and sports bras usually have some form of Eastern-inspired design, so you’ll always look good when working out.
If you like doing yoga or meditation, this store also sells yoga mats with beautiful designs.
Band of Sisters
Another fitness and lifestyle brand that you might want to check out is Band of Sisters. This store believes that working out in style should be the norm, which is why they primarily sell beautifully designed resistance bands and fitness accessories.
What I like about Band of Sisters is the fact that their products are both pretty to look at and affordable. So, you can stack up on your exercising essentials without having to break the bank!
The Jewel Box
Treat yourself to something elegant and shiny at The Jewel Box, one of the many jewelry stores in Design Orchard!
The Jewel Box is a private design house that creates one-of-a-kind jewelry that looks like ancient heirlooms. Only the highest-quality metals and the most precious stones are used here, so rest assured that you’re getting the best accessories here.
The Fine Jewelry collection is where you’ll find the most luxurious rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces, and more. If that collection is way out of your budget, you can try the Contemporary collection; you might be able to find jewelry as low as S$300 here!
August Berg
If a watch is your preferred accessory, then August Berg should be one of the shops you check out in Design Orchard.
Designed by Danish designer Magnus Jörgensen, August Berg brings together Danish tradition and modern vintage inspiration. Because of this, the watches here have an elegant feel to them; wearing them truly elevates the outfit you’re wearing.
Another reason August Berg is worth supporting is that they’re committed to making a real impact in the world.
That’s why they’ve promised that for every watch sold, they’ll provide six months of education to a child in Asia or Africa, and for every 20,000 watches sold, they’ll build a school.
Black by Blue Brave
Black by Blue Brave started out as a fashion watch brand, but they’ve branched out to include other products, such as jewelry pieces (earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets), sunglasses, and bags.
The products sold here, especially the watches, are noted for their modernist aesthetic. They’re also vibrantly colorful, so they will catch the attention of everyone you meet.
Rocket Eyewear
Rocket Eyewear is a small family-run eyewear company in Singapore that was established in 2016. Although it’s not as big as other global brands, it proudly has customers all over the world!
The reason for the company’s popularity worldwide is the fact that the sunglasses here are simple-looking yet versatile. There’s also an extensive variety of fits, colors, and sizes, so everyone can find something that works for them.
The shop also ships worldwide, which is why they have a strong customer base in other countries.
Chrisaphe
Chrisaphe was only founded in 2021, but it’s become a leading jewelry store in Singapore. Here, you can find only the most luxurious pieces of jewelry, usually 14- to 18-karat solid gold and embellished with precious stones like diamonds and sapphires.
What makes Chrisaphe unique is that the founder, Maria, is actually a former mathematician, and she uses her passion for math and geometry as inspiration. That’s why the products here come in fascinating shapes and designs.
Chrisaphe’s jewelry also has a timeless look, so you can wear any piece with all kinds of outfits—whether you’re dressed formally or casually.
Cocoonese
If you’d like to buy something that’s one-of-a-kind, Cocoonese is the place to go. This shop sells handmade handbags, wallets, and accessories by local artists, and these are produced in limited quantities, so you can’t find the products anywhere else.
The products sold here are also striking in terms of beauty. They come in a wide variety of themes and styles, including the traditional Nanyang colors and the aesthetics of Japanese or Chinese culture.
The designs are versatile and timeless as well, so you can pair their bags or accessories with absolutely anything.
Fawn Labs
Your skin deserves to be cared for after a long day, so if you ever need quality skincare products, Fawn Labs is a reliable shop worth considering.
Fawn Labs believes that skincare should be simple and straight to the point. That’s why the in-house formulator only adds the necessary nutrients to the products—nothing more, nothing less.
The ingredients are also organic, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals damaging your skin. In terms of sustainability, the brand has committed to keep their packaging available for refill and reuse.
Mildly Pink
Handmade jewelry at its finest; that’s what you’ll get from Mildly Pink. The brand’s founders are passionate about looking at the world with a magical twist, so the jewelry pieces are always themed around anything that sparks joy (usually nature and animals).
Additionally, the items offered here are colorful and pretty, and wearing them feels like you’re wearing a piece of artwork. For this reason, Mildly Pink is a great shop to go to when you’re buying a gift for a special someone.
Oyasumi Scents
For people who love fragrances, Oyasumi Scents is worth checking out. This family-owned business promises to create scents that smell like home; for that reason, their scents are Asian-inspired because that’s what Singaporeans are familiar with.
A few examples of these Asian-inspired scents are lychee and calamansi, jasmine and orange blossom, and acacia and sandalwood.
Scented candles are the most popular products here, but you can also find other options, such as reed diffusers, body soaps, and essential oil sprays. All these products are made with natural ingredients, so no need to worry about toxic scents.
The Lab Fragrances
Another wonderful shop that specializes in fragrances is The Lab Fragrances.
In a world that’s focused on the mass production of scents, this shop chooses to create fragrances in small batches. That way, you can expect that every bottle is being taken care of; you’ll also feel like a part of an exclusive club because these scents are unique.
The perfumes are the bestsellers here, so they’re the best products to start. There are many options, but I personally love the citrus and lavender and the Earl Grey ones.
Aside from perfumes, you can find scented candles here.
The Powder Shampoo
A lot of shampoo brands these days are using chemicals that harm our hair, so if you really care about your hair, you need to start looking for alternatives. The Powder Shampoo is a great place to start your search.
This shop offers vegan, cruelty-free, and plastic-free alternatives to luxury hair care. The shampoos also come in four scalp-specific options, so you’ll find the product that works best for you.
In addition to shampoos, this shop sells body wash formulas that don’t have sulfates, parabens, or synthetic scents. So, not only are they safe for you, but they’re also safe for the environment—the best of both worlds!
Tumadi Batik
For artists and people who want to get into art, Tumadi Batik should be on your “shops to be visited” list.
Batik is an ancient art form, and though it’s primarily used in clothes, batik painting has also become popular. This is because of the efforts of Mr. Tumadi, who has been a batik artist and teacher for about 40 years.
To celebrate this wonderful art form, Tumadi Batik sells products with batik designs; notebooks and mixed wall art paintings are a few examples. If you enjoy painting, you can buy a batik DIY set, which already contains batik dyes and a pre-waxed design.