Posted Under Behind the Storefront | 05.17.2012
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 PHOTO: Gabby Cantero | INTERVIEW: Nante Santamaria
JACKY CHIA opened his store, Sup Clothing, back in 2008 when everyone in Singapore’s Haji Lane still knew each other. Now that his home base has become a bustling shop area for independent brands, he shares how he keeps balance in the ever-changing scene, recalls time of cheap rent, and tells us why beer is important in their house brand’s image.
Sup, Jacky! Before opening the store, you took Aeronotical Engineering in college. Did you originally want to make airplanes or be a pilot? What got you into streetwear?
Sup, Nante! All good! Prior to opening the store, I just chose a course that I think might have the biggest prospect for myself, not necessarily because I’m interested in the course. I was not interested in fixing planes or wanting to be a pilot unlike some of my peers. I got a chance to start my own store during my second year in school, where we had to start a business program under Entrepreneurship, be it online business or anything. I chanced upon Haji Lane and, at that time, rental was dirt cheap here. I just poured in whatever money I had from my savings and just did it. I guess, at that time, when I was just 19, I did not have any fear of failing, so I just did what I wanted to do.
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Posted Under As It Happens | 05.02.2012
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There’s no doubting the Filipino love for music, but the Philippines did not have a response to the region’s crop of international music festivals until Malasimbo. And just when you thought it’s over, the same organizers, Volume Unit Entertainment, made another stage in the national capital. This Labor Day, amidst graffiti sprays and watergun squirts, cool Manila cheered A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Zulu Nation’s Afrika Bambaataa (Amen Ra of Universal Hip-Hop Culture), and Shinichi Osawa of the acid jazz collective Mondo Grosso at the grounds of Manila Music Festival. Also featuring local acts like Kjwan and Sinosikat, club DJs SkratchMark, Badkiss, and Kristian Hernandez, up-and-comers June Marieezy and Similar Objects, the fest just made another reason for a long drive, maybe even a short flight, as Parañaque’s Alphaland Bay City Grounds filled up like it was Coachella.
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Posted Under In a Different Light | 04.26.2012
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 Sassa Jimenez shirt, The Artisan jacket
 The Artisan shirt
 Sassa Jimenez shirt
 The Artisan shirt, The Artisan vest
 The Artisan jacket
Photographed by Gabby Cantero
Hair by Mark Familara
Grooming by Ara Fernando
Posted Under Behind the Storefront | 04.04.2012
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 PHOTO: Gabby Cantero | INTERVIEW: Nante Santamaria
Legendary stores have legendary people behind them. Here’s Earn Chen, founder of Surrender, Singapore’s premiere menswear hub. A day after the Laneway Festival, we look back on the music fest performer Girls’s Whitney Houston tribute, talk about his love for vintage cars and whisky, and why he travels with love.
Earn, before Surrender, you actually founded Ambush.
Well, actually, before Ambush, I started distribution for Crumpler. After that, I finally had the chance to visit New York. I have been inspired by New York subculture since I was a kid. The graffiti, breakdancing, hip-hop, etc. So when I finally went there in the late 90s, I wanted to bring some of that culture back. That was when I started Ambush, which sold mostly New York labels.
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Posted Under On the Drawing Board | 03.24.2012
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 PHOTOS: David Sheldrick | INTERVIEW: Nante Santamaria
“There is nothing masculine about being reserved. Menswear needs to be dazzling again.” This is the manifesto of the daring menswear label BODYBOUND by Kim Choong-Wilkins and, recently, Pliny Champion. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Wilkins has worked for Ermenegildo Zegna, Matthew Williamson, and Alexander McQueen. With Champion’s background as a photographer, BODYBOUND widens its visual references and moves from a knit-centric position to becoming more of an established menswear brand. This week, they presented their Autumn-Winter 2012 collection as part of Men’s Fashion Week in Singapore. A Different Cut caught up with them below after their London Fashion Week show last February.
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Posted Under Store Hours | 03.21.2012
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SURRENDER
Recently renewed last month, it stocks today’s most coveted menswear brands, making it Singapore’s premier menswear boutique. Legendary designer Hiroki Nakamura of the Japanese streetwear brand VisVim makes his stopover and sells his wares here. Other labels in store are Mark McNairy, Thom Browne, Raf Simons, Neighborhood, Maison Martin Margiela, Head Porter, and Band of Outsiders.
Raffles Hotel Arcade
#02-31, 328 North Bridge Road
Singapore 188719
Tel : (65) 6733 2130
Thanks to store owner Earn Chen.
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Posted Under Privé Style Series | 03.16.2012
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Posted Under Behind the Scenes | 03.14.2012
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Posted Under Uncut | 02.25.2012
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Photos by Gabby Cantero
For Uncut with Lovi Poe
By Mikael Daez for The Philippine Star
Hair by Chris Rodil for L’Oréal Professionnel
Makeup by Carla Avanceña
Photo Assistant: JC Taruc
Posted Under Store Hours | 02.23.2012
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MAISON IKKOKU
Opened in September 2011, it is “a lifestyle boutique combining mid-high end international menswear retail and a café centered on quality coffee.” Their store offers brands from Japan, France, USA, and UK. Currently, they have clothing by nonnative, Lad Musician, Orcival, Kuro, Discovered, and Habanos, shoes by Underground, Pierre Hardy, Yuketen, and Twins for peace, accessories by MIANSAI, Hobo, and Nanamica.
20 Kandahar Street Singapore 198885
T +65 6294 0078
F +65 6294 2616
Thanks to Retail Manager Fahmy Ishak.
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