Mandarin Gallery - Blog

Boys’ Toys – Luxury Edition

MG Team — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:52:33 +0000

At Mandarin Gallery, we know exactly what will make grown men go weak in the knees and get as excited as little boys on Christmas Day. Here are three treats for the stylish geek who loves all things gadgety and sleek.

SpidoLite II Titanium By Linde Werdelin
The timepiece of a sport enthusiast should match his out-going personality. The clean yet athletic design of the SpidoLite II Titanium by Linde Werdelin will please any adrenalin junkie who is also big on style. Unlike the tacky digital sports watch, this is a classy analog with a three-part case that is crafted in titanium, making it considerably lighter and extremely durable. Its skeletonised dial that reveals parts of the movement adds to its charm while functions like a 42 hours power reserve and 100m water resistance make it perfect for the active man on the move.

The SpidoLite II Titanium comes in a numbered series of only 100 pieces and is available for SGD17800 at E’Collezione (#01-14A, Mandarin Gallery)

Constellation Quest Ferrari By Vertu
Vertu’s new Constellation Quest Ferrari is the next best thing to actually owning a Ferrari. Inspired by the Ferrari 458 Italia, this high-tech smartphone features the iconic Cavallino Rampante (crafted in polished stainless steel) embedded in the titanium battery cover. Every detail, from the materials used (Ferrari calf leather) to the custom-created ringtones (live recordings of the Ferrari on a test circuit), is a tribute to the legendary car. Users of the phone will also have access to unique Ferrari content, experiences and events.

The Constellation Quest Ferrari is available for SGD17000 at the Vertu flagship boutique (#01-02, Mandarin Gallery)

Leica M9 By Leica
In the world of photography, the Leica M9 stands for a multitude of good things, including classic, timeless design, advanced German technology and impeccable image quality among others. The history of 35 mm photography started with the legendary Ur-Leica 100 years ago and today, the M9 (and its sister model the M9-p) is carrying its legacy into the digital age.

The smallest full-format, digital system cameras that the world has ever seen, the M9 is known for its ability to produce authentic, natural images that captures the fleeting moments of life. Compact and powerful, owning the Leica M9 will up your street cred instantaneously.

The Leica M9 retails for SGD9600 at the brand new Leica boutique at #01-18, Mandarin Gallery

Montblanc – Nib Service

MG Team — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:37:52 +0000

In a world of mass production and fast fashion, personalised possessions remain the mark of true luxury and bring back memories of classier good old days. Recognised for its pioneering spirit and innovative streak, we can trust Montblanc to come up with something more exciting than an engraved monogram when it comes to customisation. And it certainly did – with its Bespoke Nib Service that caters to the distinctive style of the writer in order to majorly enhance the experience of putting pen to paper.

A Montblanc bespoke nib is made possible by the poetic coming together of technology and tradition. Although a cutting edge computerised system is used to identify the unique personal characteristics of an individual’s handwriting, each customized nib is still handcrafted and the final decision and recommendation for a perfect nib can only be made by Montblancʼs master craftsmen. The invaluable skills of these expert artisans, who pays attention to every tiny detail, ensures that the precision that is crucial to the manufacturing process is always respected.

The Bespoke Nib Service is highly exclusive and is currently only available at the Montblanc headquarters in Hamburg and Montblanc boutiques in Hong Kong and Singapore. One can simply walk into the Montblanc flagship store at Mandarin Gallery and request for a detailed handwriting analysis, which among other things, measures the writer’s writing speed, writing pressure, pen rotation, swing range and inclination angle. The analysis and the resulting recommendation made from a range of standard nibs are free of charge.

However, if you will like to create a one-of-a-kind nib that is perfect for your use in every way, your measurements will be sent to Hamburg where your bespoke nib is created through an iterative process of hand grinding. While this service may not come cheap at SGD1180, it has the power to transform everyday chores (e.g. making lists) into life’s little pleasures.

From this point of view, it does indeed seem to be a worthy investment.

The Bespoke Nib Service is available at the Montblanc boutique, #01-01, Mandarin Gallery

Ambush02 – Just For The Girls

MG Team — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:46:54 +0000

We saw it coming from a long way off – multi-label boutique Ambush has been churning out too much cool stuff to be contained within a single store. So, it is hardly surprising for us when Ambush02 was born recently. To play fair and to balance out the male-inclined inventory (e.g. bearbrick collectibles, Forfex sneakers, Uniform Experiment apparel) at the original store, the new store will cater exclusively to womenswear.

With clean, whitewashed interior that is decked out with minimalist, no-nonsense racks, there is little to distract the shopper from the clothes. Housing an array of conceptually exciting brands, Ambush02 is set to become the go-to place for discerning fashionistas who appreciate the under-the-radar.

Chalayan Grey Line
Launched just last September during Fashion Week, Hussein Chalayan’s Chalayan Grey Line is an exercise in simplicity and restraint. Other than the occasional splash of orange and metallic blue, the entire first collection is rendered in a clean neutral palette dominated by white. The silhouettes were carefully relaxed, elegant and very sophisticated. Immaculately constructed, refreshing sporty details have been woven into the collection, as seen in the Hood Parka and Shirt Skirt.

Tess Giberson
Having been brought up to value traditional craftsmanship and creativity by her parents, Tess Giberson’s collections are known for their remarkable details and beautiful handwork. Incorporating diverse elements into her fashion shows, including video, performance and installation, her designs are meant to be more than mere clothes; they are an experience. For S/S12, she utilized intriguing techniques of material manipulation, with a “disintegrating knit” as the highlight.

B Store
An exciting concept store located in London, B Store is the shop’s in-house label by its co-owners. Representing “classic style with a modern edge”, the clothes are unfailingly youthful and usually colourful. Drawing inspiration from art, music and film, the brand is heavily influenced by late 20th century musicians, including David Bowie and post-punk bands such as Joy Division. From quirky printed jumpers to gold-buttoned denim blouses, dressing up should always be such fun.

Ambush02 is located at 02-21, Mandarin Gallery

J.Lindeberg – Gotland’s Finest

MG Team — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 03:58:19 +0000

The wait is over. Swedish clothing label J.Lindeberg has officially opened its first menswear flagship store in Southeast Asia! Housed at Mandarin Gallery in the heart of Orchard Road, the boutique’s classy interior décor is a tribute to the architectural heritage of the brand’s Scandinavian roots, which is enhanced by strong contemporary touches. Spacious and arranged with redesigned vintage furniture, it is welcoming, organised and a pleasure to browse.

For its Spring/Summer 2012 collection, the brand invites you to travel to Gotland in the Baltic Sea, the largest island of Sweden. Inspired by Gotland’s beautiful landscape and cold northern climate, multi-functionality and utility are key elements of the clothes. By experimenting with shape, form and function, the resulting looks incorporate a “modern utility” and provided traditional fabrics with a new lease of life. An innovative approach to the construction of the clothes has also been taken in order to enhance the experience of the wearer. Laser-cut high performance Japanese fabrics are combined with clever taped details and cutting edge moisture repellent and transporting membrane technologies. Considering Singapore’s increasingly erratic climate and the higher frequency of sudden downpours, these pieces will definitely come in handy.

These practical clothes will also no doubt be great for travel. In neutral hues like grey, chalky white and beige, they are made to be mixed and matched whenever you need to live out of a suitcase while retaining their stylish edge. A must-have item for seasoned travellers is the “Concord Travel Wool” travelling blazer, which comes with hidden internal pockets for everything that you may need to carry.

With the opening of its new boutique, J.Lindeberg has introduced MediaCorp artiste Tay Ping Hui as its brand ambassador in Singapore. As one of the most well-dressed men in the local entertainment circle, his winning charisma seems a perfect fit with J.Lindeberg’s sharply modern aesthetic.

The J.Lindeberg Spring/Summer 2012 collection is available at the brand’s flagship store, located at #02-17, Mandarin Gallery. Prices start from SGD69 for a T-shirt and SGD639 for blazers

Hansel – Tiers Of Joy

MG Team — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:23:27 +0000

The latest Spring/Summer 2012 collection from leading local fashion label hansel will more likely than not strike a chord and evoke sweet nostalgia for many a Singaporean. After all, who doesn’t like the colourful nine-layer traditional Peranakan sweet, Kueh Lapis, which inspired the broad stripes and delightful shades in Tiers of Joy?

In collaboration with the National Heritage Board, this collection has a greater social role of creating awareness of the Peranakan culture. Other than the adorable Kueh Lapis motif on the clothes, you can also expect to find a range of quirky accessories in-store, including a limited edition box bag that looks almost exactly like a giant Kueh Lapis!

The Tiers of Joy collection is available at hansel, 02-14, Mandarin Gallery

J.Lindeberg – Swedish Dandy

MG Team — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:00:17 +0000

Here is a piece of good news for the sartorially inclined boys: Swedish clothing company J.Lindeberg has landed on our fine shores and will be opening their menswear flagship store at Mandarin Gallery! In true Nordic style, the brand is known for its ability to fuse cutting edge fashion with street-inspired sportswear. The result is a sleek, insouciant cool that is equal parts elegant bohemian, progressive trendsetter and impeccable craftsmanship.

The J.Lindeberg man dresses up or down with the same confident finesse. Whether he is channeling the rugged woodsman in a weather-proof parka or looking smoking hot in a James Bond worthy dinner jacket, he will feel right at home.

The J.Lindeberg menswear flagship store will be opening on 11 April 2012, at #02-17, Mandarin Gallery

Tumi – Packing Light

MG Team — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:02:37 +0000

As frequent travellers should know, packing light is an art in itself. For those of you who need a little help in that department, there is always Tumi, whose heritage of design excellence ensures that it fulfills the needs of even the most discerning and sophisticated of travellers. The brand has added the innovative, functional and stylish TEGRA-LITE collection to its already impressive line-up of travel accessories.

This range of ultra lightweight hard-side luggage is made of Tegris, a high performance revolutionary material that is extremely durable and impact resistant. Consisting of two-wheeled and four-wheeled carry-ons, as well as several four-wheeled packing cases, the collection has something to suit every lifestyle.

The TEGRA-LITE collection is available at Tumi, #01-01, Mandarin Gallery, from SGD1060 to SGD1420

Imagining Fashion – ‘Scene On The Street’ Photography Contest

MG Team — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:32:08 +0000

Have you always fancied that you can pull off a Scott Schuman (also known as The Sartorialist)? Now, there is a perfect opportunity to find out. In conjunction with Fashion Steps Out, Canon presents Imagining Fashion, a street fashion photography contest inspired by Canon’s IXUS compact camera series and its tagline, Style Meets Substance. Simply comb the streets for looks that are inspired by the above tagline and the vibrancy of spring and send in your best picture. The winners stand to win fabulous prizes, including the new Canon IXUS 500 HS and IXUS 115 HS, the Canon SELPHY printer and SGD2000 worth of shopping vouchers.

The contest ends on 3 April 2012. For more information and sign-up details, please click here.

Bold Moves – Fashion Steps Out

MG Team — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:17:19 +0000

Last Saturday, Fashion Steps Out kicked the Spring/Summer 2012 season off to a fabulous start with a spectacular runway show on Orchard Road, which was closed for the first time in history to host a fashion event. If you have missed this inspiring display of local and international fashion, fret not, there are still tons of exciting activities and promotions waiting to be discovered during the next five weeks!

As one of the ten participating malls, Mandarin Gallery is proud to be part of this extravaganza that has been designed to make fashion accessible to all on the street. In addition to exclusive shopping deals at many of our stores, you can also look forward to attractive giveaways and special shopping events. As always, Mandarin Gallery rewards you for shopping with us. In fact, the more you buy, the more you gain!

Card Promotions
By charging a minimum of SGD500 on any Citibank credit or debit card, Citibank Cardmembers will receive a SGD40 shopping voucher while Citibank ULTIMA Cardmembers will receive an additional SGD10 shopping voucher. Every week from 16 March to 12 April, the first 100 MasterCard Cardmembers will also receive a SGD30 Mandarin Gallery voucher with a minimum of SGD300 spent.

Free Gifts & Lucky Draws
The first 200 shoppers to spend SGD400 at any fashion stores will receive a stylish limited edition Yoshitomo Nara tote bag, while every SGD50 spent will give you a chance to win a brand new Citroën DS4 priced at SGD90,000. The lucky MasterCard Cardmembers gets to triple their chances!

Fashion Bazaar
From 23 to 25 March, Mandarin Gallery invites you to step under our covered walkway and shop your way through charming booths stocked to the brim with the hottest must-have clothes and accessories of the new season. Highlights include the TopShop Print Shop, Ms Selfridge Candy Store and the Laline-to-go Pop-Up Store!

In-Store Promotions
Step into our participating stores for sweet retail treats and delightful discounts. Click here to have a look at all the ongoing promotions and discounts.

Vertu – Seeing Stars

MG Team — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:32:55 +0000

Leading luxury mobile phone makers Vertu spares a thought for the ladies and launches Constellation Candy, a feminine and elegant rendition of the original smartphone. Available in a range of bold summer colours, it offers Vertu’s signature craftsmanship and state of the art technologies. Created with the fashion-forward modern woman in mind, the Constellation Candy allows its user access to an array of exclusive concierge services, including VIP personalised styling at Stella McCartney and a highly bespoke fashion week experience with invitations to all the most influential shows.

The Constellation Candy will retail for SGD10,500 at Vertu, #01-02, Mandarin Gallery