Contrary to popular belief, men are not necessarily averse to shopping – in fact, many of them like to indulge in retail therapy as much as the average women. At Mandarin Gallery, we do not play favourites with the genders and there are fabulous buys for the boys as well. We scoured the shops for the hottest boys’ toys and this trio of new arrivals at BAPE, The Denim Store and Ambush came out tops!
Uniform Experiment (Ambush)
Started in 2008, the Uniform Experiment is an experimental project for men’s clothing and accessories. Treading the line between novelty an universality, the label strives to provide an alternative to conventional menswear by contradicting the existing rules. The results are often refreshingly original.
Top Pick: Uniform Experiment X LASONIC iPod Boombox, SGD1440
Uniform Experiment is available at Ambush, #03-14, Mandarin Gallery
Sanders (The Denim Store)
Hailing from the United Kingdom, Sanders is an established shoemaker that has been producing quality men’s footwear since 1873. Crafted from the very best English hides and local oak-bark soles, Sanders’ shoes are designed to be refined, sturdy and fit for the gentleman.
Top Pick: Suede desert boots, SGD319
Sanders can be found at The Denim Store, #03-09-11, Mandarin Gallery
BAPE
The ultimate vanguard of street cool, BAPE constantly churns out the kinds of things that induce a near-slavish cult following. From neon sneakers to Baby Milo t-shirts, the brand has the remarkable ability to turn its products into highly covetable collectors’ items. It single-handedly proves, with its legions of older fans, that being hip is not just for the young.
Top Pick: Camouflage backpack, SGD469
Bape is located at #02-02/03, Mandarin Gallery
You may find it a little hard to believe, considering how it is as hip and fun as ever, but Marc Jacobs’ younger sister, Marc by Marc Jacobs, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! After a full decade of offbeat, playful and cool style, it is marking this special milestone with a limited edition anniversary watch. Fans of the brand’s irreverent quirkiness, cute prints and street-chic aesthetic will be delighted with how this watch has managed to capture the quintessential Marc by Marc Jacobs spirit – youthful and trendy with just a touch of devil-may-care.
Produced for both men and women, the 10th Anniversary Watch features the signature Marc by Marc Jacobs silhouette and is available in either a polished stainless steel or black ion plated case. The brand’s iconic skull print, one of its most popular prints over the last ten years, is found on the eye-catching dial, which is topped by an etched logo top ring. The stand-out details of the watch include its striking lightning-rod hands, an over-sized 10 index and a Love Marc Jacobs etched inscription at the back of the case. To up the fun factor, each watch also comes with easily interchangeable straps in metal and leather to suit your needs and whims.
It may be Fall/Winter season on the fashion calendar, but that is no reason to give colours a miss. Armed with our trusty instant photography phone app, we have prowled the shops to bring you the latest in brightly hued goodness. Indulge the colour chameleon in you with one-of-a-kind kimono print handbags, pop coloured French clothing or a pair of hot pink leather sneakers!
You can always count on hansel to come up with clothes that are fun, pretty and just the right amount of quirky. Following its well-established tradition of building each season around a cute illustrated character, Ali Baba’s playful but faithful donkey take centrestage for the label’s A/W11 collection, Flyaway Donkey.