SMART SHOPPING
Valentino’s Supervee bag is a great investment piece with its versatile styling options.
Metal and strass cuff, Chanel
Cotton blouse, about $529, Lug Von Siga at Net-a-porter
Metal sunglasses, $297, Ray-Ban
Stainless steel and diamond Defy Midnight watch, $15,600, Zenith
Leather slingbacks, $1,200, Givenchy
Faux leather sandals, $56.90, Charles & Keith
DolceVita rose gold watch, $9,070, Longines
Polyester dress, $480, Sandro
Gold plated cubic zirconia earrings, $329, Thomas Sabo
tarting a business is never easy. A challenge faced by many start-ups is obtaining that initial moolah. One way to get it: crowdfunding. With an initial goal of as low as $1,000, one can get interested “backers” to fund your project by pledging a sum of money, either with no strings attached or with rewards in return.
And one of the most popular platforms to do so is Kickstarter. Founded in 2009, the Americanbased company's mission is “to help bring creative projects to life”. As of June 2020, it has raised more than US$5 billion dollars (around S$6.96 billion) for over 183,000 successfully
Sfunded projects. While music start-ups are the most successfully funded (17 per cent), fashion enterprises are a force to watch too, making up 4.85 per cent. Still, it's a competitive world out there, and not every project that meets its goal actually goes on to become an established business.
Here, six SG-based fashion labels that made it. Started and designed by local talents, they got their start on Kickstarter, but have since gone on to launch their own brands. What they all have in common: contemporary and affordable designs that are easy to wear, and fit right into the modern woman's wardrobe.
Goal:
No. of backers:
The custom-made jackets are made from Wabash and Heavy Slub selvedge denim. t’s not easy to find a pair of jeans that fits perfectly and lasts – that was what prompted Lincoln Thong and Wayne Lee to start Journal Projects in August 2016. The brand specialises in custom-made raw denim pieces (from jeans to jackets, $179-$259) made by a family of craftsmen in Indonesia.
Lincoln says they had a great experience on Kickstarter, despite the “preparation work, such as marketing, photoshoots and brand awareness, needed before the launch”, and that it helped their brand gain awareness both locally and globally. They met their initial goal of $8,000 in two weeks, with customers coming back for a second piece post campaign because they liked the fit, as well as their service.
Currently, the bespoke service is available for both male and female customers. There’s an initial 30-minute consultation for measurements, after which it takes three to four weeks for completion. The brand also offers ready-made tote bags ($59-$79). The founders intend to expand their range to include custom shirts and shorts, as well as more ready made accessories in the future.
I
aul and Sara Ho of Superblessed launched their streetwear label specialising in T-shirts and caps on Kickstarter in November 2017 to gauge the demand for their products. As its name suggests, the brand aims to spread positive messages with its apparel. Actress Felicia Chin is a fan, snapping up their socks and 3M
Preflective logo T-shirt earlier this year. The siblings say their first experience on the crowdfunding platform “was quite a roller coaster of emotions, from the anticipation to the preparation, the thrill of and the fear of not hitting the target”. But it was all worth it – they reached their goal of $10,000 in 25 days.
To date,
The latest design released in April this year. Cotton T-shirt, $55
Founders Sara Ho, 29, and Paul Ho, 32
Superblessed offers six T-shirts ($55-$65), a set of two pairs of socks ($40) and two cap styles ($55 each). Its T-shirts are sourced and made in Singapore by Konstrukt Labs, a local supplier that offers silk screening so it’s a great way to #supportlocal.
Wool-blend cap, $55