Hot Spots: A Curated Guide to Exploring and Shopping in Singapore

Singapore is celebrated as a popular tourist destination due to its vibrant cityscape, delicious cuisine, and immersive attractions, such as Gardens by the Bay or the ArtScience Museum. With fashion, design and streetwear growing rapidly in this city, Singapore has become a must-visit for travelers who have a knack for the arts and creative cultures.

In this Hot Spots City Guide, Hypebeast rounded up some of the must-visit shopping neighborhoods and unique experiences that Singapore has to offer. Take a look at the list below — whether you’re a first-time explorer or a returning visitor, these destinations are sure to give you an ample look into what the diverse and innovative city is all about.

GRAYE Studio

 

GRAYE is a genderless ready-to-wear label that was founded in 2016. The brand blends sustainable fashion practices with a hyper-functional, minimalist aesthetic. All pieces are designed in-house, overseen by founder Xie QianQian, an NAFA degree scholar who embraces constant innovation. GRAYE’s flagship location, an industrial-inspired storefront boasting the brand’s most recent collection, is a go-to spot for tourists who love to dive into the local fashion scene while visiting a new city.

Address:
The Lab Store – 01 Orchard Road, #02-13, Wheelock Place, Singapore 238880
The Studio Store – 57 Eng Hoon Street, #01-86 Tiong Bahru Singapore 160057

Dover Street Market

 

Based on the iconic Kensington Market in Britain, Dover Street Market has become a staple retailer for fashion lovers all over the world. With destinations in NYC, Los Angeles, London, and Singapore, it has established an impactful international reach. The concept space brings together creators and designers from different walks of life, providing offerings that may not typically be readily available in each of these cities. Dover Street Market’s Singapore location offers brands including Comme Des Garçons, Aoyama, sacai, Simone Rocha, NikeLab — the first Southeast Asian store in Singapore, and more. The space itself is accented by futuristic design elements and tactile displays that truly immerse the shopper.

Address: 18 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249677

Brass Lion Distillery

 

Singapore, historically, did not have a traditional “spirit,” that is until Brass Lion decided to create its own. The distillery set out on a challenging six-year operation to craft and perfect the first spirit originating out of Singapore. After traveling the world and absorbing knowledge about distilled spirits, founder Jamie Koh was dedicated to creating Brass Lion Distillery, which then debuted its flagship spirit: the Singapore Dry Gin. This spirit is made in Singapore, by Singaporeans, so it is a must-try for visitors. Brass Lion also allows guests to partake in a Gin School, a 3-4 hour gin distilling and bottling experience, for those who want to see the behind-the-scenes process of the alcohol and craft your very own bottle of gin.

Address: 40 Alexandra Terrace, Singapore 119933

CO PLAY

 

CO PLAY is a recently opened community space located within Plaza Singapura. This retail and conceptual space was created for artists and collectors of all ages, as it boasts a wide array of toys and special-edition items. The location is also a great way for visitors to interact with the local design and art scene, as all of the toys offered are innovatively crafted by local and international artisans. If you are looking to visit a fun spot while in Singapore or bring some collectibles back for the novelty fans in your life, CO PLAY has you covered.

Address: 68 Orchard Rd, #03-67 – 69 Singapore 238839

Design Orchard

 

Design Orchard is not only a retail space, but also functions as an incubator for emerging design and lifestyle talent in the local region, acting as the largest one-stop-shop in Singapore for homegrown apparel and goods. It is a great brand discovery destination, as it carries over 100 independent or emerging local designers. Co-working spaces are situated above the building’s retail floors, providing a meeting point for artists and designers to collaborate, produce, and test their products. Many events and workshops are open to the public as well.

Address: 250 Orchard Road, Singapore 23890

SNKRDUNK

 

SNKRDUNK is Japan’s leading online sneaker retailer, which has now grown into an IRL experience in Singapore. The site guarantees authentication with every pair sold, and the in-person retail space is no different. The flagship opened in 2022 at Mandarin Gallery, and it offers an enviable collection of exclusive collabs and elusive best sellers. With sneaker culture expanding within Singapore, this is a great addition to the travel itinerary for sneakerheads who like to browse international options that may be difficult to access in other destinations.

Address: 333A Orchard Road 01-09/02-10 Mandarin Gallery