"The Clone Wars"

Hello my darlings,

Shopping is becoming a bore in Singapore.

Although there are malls every where: In every housing estate, on Sentosa and not to mention downtown where we literally have a whole stretch of malls right next to each other. Kilometers of them. It's something that's so unique to our tiny island. However, it doesn't take one long to realize that it's the same old brands in every mall, over and over. Mango, New Look, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Esprit, Charles & Keith (local brand), BYSI (local), Topman, Forever 21, Zara, Guess, Cotton On - Those are just the more popular high street fashions brands available. As for the luxury brands: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani (A/X, Emporio), Tod's, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfigher. As for departmental stores: Tangs, Robinsons, Metro (all local).

It's "THE CLONE WARS"! Clones of each of these brands every where. Invading our retail space. These are the "giants" that have swallowed the quaint shops. They are all warring brands, rivals in the industry. It's "The Clone Wars" happening in the Singapore retail market and we're caught in the midst of it.

Unfortunately, it's not a very exciting war.

I was so disappointed to see how this new phenomenon called "New Look" (a UK high street fashion brand) has invaded our shores. I was recently at Suntec City, hoping to check out Mango there, low and behold, New Look was in its place. It was a mega store that took over both Mango and Novo (shoe brand owned by Royal Sporting House).

I am going to be honest, and tell you that New Look does not cut it. They do not have the collection that can support the sudden expansion. It's the same old trashy stuff over and over. I would appreciate it more if they had a different theme for each outlet. It'll give a person a reason to go to a particular outlet. Moreover, there's really no need for a mega store. Why create a hyper mart of clothing? It works for food and factory outlets, but such a concept for a single brand? I'm not so sure.

Anyway, I thought I'd give you an update on the latest scores of the "The Clone Wars":

Forever 21 - New 4 level outlet at 313 @ Somerset. 2 other big outlets existing.

Zara - New 3 level outlet at 313 @ Somerset. Several other outlets existing (more than 4)

New Look - New mega outlet at 313 @ Somerset and another at Suntec City.

Cotton On - Mega outlets at 313 @ Somerset and Suntec City. (numerous other existing outlets)

Till my next post my darlings, enjoy the numerous year round sales and discounts resulting from the consequence of "THE CLONE WARS".

313 @ Somerset Saga: Parte Cinco

Hello my darlings,

I re-visited 313 @ Somerset, as promised, to check out the four leveled Forever 21 and the three leveled Zara.

First of all, Forever 21 has completely thrown taste out the window. Style is very present in the collection, but taste...I...don't...know. The queue on each level for the fitting rooms was horrendous. There were only five rooms per level. The crowd matched their clothes - lack of taste. The crowd was unpleasant and strange. Nonetheless, the brand has kept their promise of affordable fashion.

Zara was like a whole different world. No queues, no rude crowds and had tasteful clothing. However, I found the clothes either a tad bland or gaudy. Gaudy with the frills and upholstery looking prints.

I had dinner at Marche. Lovely. It was just lovely. The excellent ambience that was made up of authentic swiss wood, antiques and milk maid looking uniforms for the lady hostesses at the entrance and exit and the toilets were so quaint. They were quaint with a hi-tech touch. The entrance of the toilets have an auto, wooden door that swings open once you're about a meter away from it. The taps, flush and soap dispensers were all activated by motion/touch sensor. The food was excellent.

So I guess this pretty much concludes my 313 @ Somerset Saga. It took five parts. I hope you'll find as much fun in shopping as I do.