#20 Virtual Travel From Closet

Editor: @hyssl.kr

“Even if you move to Singapore, you should be active on Instagram, and don’t just wear sportswear or t-shirts.”

When I first arrived in Singapore, I had a few concerns. The rent is so high, which I felt equivalent to a fresh graduate’s salary, and the city’s reputation as a barren place for dating. But what I didn’t expect was the possibility of losing my love for fashion. At that moment, an alarm went off in my mind. "Let's not forget that fashion brings vitality to my life."

 
Yes, clothes are an element that adds vitality to my life. Here are two reasons behind this.

First, it stems from my childhood. My family never placed much importance on clothing. To them, clothes were merely tools to protect the body from external elements. As a teenager, sensitive to appearances, I was so envious of my friends who wore trendy brand clothes. Meanwhile, I had to pick clothes every few months from the discounted section of a local department store. Everyone knows the excitement of saving up New Year’s money to buy something from an online shop. I still remember the thrill—carefully adding and removing items from my cart, reading reviews over and over, before finally pressing the order button.

Second, I have always wanted to go beyond just liking fashion. I want to get to know the people who build these great brands and support them. With unfounded confidence, I double-majored in fashion design and merchandising. Reality, of course, wasn’t easy. I spent countless nights wrestling with my lack of dexterity in the practice room, often greeting the cleaning staff at dawn. But through this process, I met inspiring people and had the chance to reflect on what I truly value.
For instance, during my exchange program in Milan, I worked on a group project researching a luxury brand’s new season. We were assigned ‘Chopard,’ a brand I had never heard of before at that time. Viewing online, it seemed like just another luxury jewelry house. But stepping into their store changed my perspective entirely. A dandy store manager, speaking with a thick Italian accent, welcomed us warmly, asking about our school and professor before introducing the brand’s story and products. Though I barely recall his explanations, I remember his passion vividly.

This day's visit was a stark contrast to when I was working part-time at the SPA fashion brand, and when asked questions like "Do you have this size? Do these clothes go with those?" I would just reply "Yes, No, IT'S LOOK GOOD ON YOU" with a tired look. Not only the product quality, but the stories of the people who created the products and brands were also filled with love and concern, so in just a few dozen minutes, my thoughts changed from "What is this brand I've never heard of?" to feeling like "my coolness index had gone up just by knowing about this brand." Of course, the kindness I experienced was a bonus.

Time passed. I adapted to Singapore, and one day, I looked at my recent purchases—Lululemon workout gear and basic Uniqlo innerwear. Maybe it was because I was working out more, because there weren’t as many curated fashion boutiques as in Seoul, or because the endless summer made it easier to default to comfort. But, I ended up shouting 'nevertheless' and turning on the alarm that had gone underground.

I’ll take a look at some brands I’ve been buying in Singapore—or adding to my wishlist while window shopping—categorized by their cities of origin.

🇪🇸 Barcelona, ​​Spain

@gimaguas

Founded by twin sisters Claudia and Sayana Durany, Gimaguas takes its name from the Cuban word ‘jimaguas,’ meaning ‘twins.’ Based in Barcelona, most of their pieces are made in Spain, with a strong focus on craftsmanship and collaborations with local artisans. Their collection includes Indian gold jewelry and gingham hats made in Madagascar. In Korea, they’re particularly known for the "Franca bag".

 

Among my purchases, I’m most satisfied with the Tacha skirt and the Ete dress. The Tacha skirt is a midi piece in stretchy knit, with silver button accents at the waist—perfect for someone as detail-sensitive as I am. 

 

The Ete dress, on the other hand, feels like something made for Bali. Beyond everyday wear, Gimaguas offers many pieces ideal for Mediterranean summer escapes. The materials are resistant to seawater and sand, making them a great choice for sun and sea lovers.

@paloma wool
A Barcelona-based brand with a free and artistic sensibility, led by Paloma Lanna.
They define themselves as a 'project' that experiments with art and fashion, not just a brand that simply makes clothes and accessories. They are active beyond fashion, such as collaborating with various local artists and expressing 'the power of togetherness' by making pyramids out of wool in the fields with architects.

Among them, the most talked about one was probably the 2023 S/S season runway themed on women's bathing. Women wearing thin knits that reveal the silhouettes of their bodies enter the bathhouse one after another, wash their bodies, talk, wash each other, and stare at the camera. This is based on the Biblical 'Betsabé'. Bathsheba was often portrayed as a woman used by the power of men (King David). Paloma Wool presents a new perspective of a subjective woman by organizing the runway with a new perspective of women that was not included in existing stories. In this way, Paloma Wool actively conveys values ​​such as 'women's subjectivity' through fashion.

The projects and runways they have been working on can be easily viewed through their official website .

I own a pair of pants from their last S/S season, featuring a blue waistband and light stripes. It is suitable for wearing in spring and summer, and it is a fun pair of pants that can be worn anywhere when you are bored of wearing only slacks in Singapore, so I am still satisfied with my purchase.

🇩🇰Copenhagen, Denmark

@Cecilie Bahnsen
Cecilie Bahnsen is known for minimal romanticism, blending traditional couture techniques with modern textures like embroidery, quilting, and sheer fabrics. I saw a photo of someone getting married in a library on Instagram, and it was such a beautiful scene that it caught my attention, even though I have no romantic idea about marriage. The moment I found out that the dress she was wearing was from a brand called "Cecilie Bahnsen", I also started to romanticize the brand. In fact, the brand has a separate bridal edit for weddings, and you can make an appointment to visit the Copenhagen showroom and try things on in person.

I couldn't find the 'that' photo I saw, but it was something like this: a small festival with cheerful, natural, colorful details.

Of course, there are plenty of clothes that can be worn as everyday wear in addition to weddings.

Although they have a dedicated bridal line, they also create everyday pieces with the same delicate touch. Recently, they collaborated with The North Face for the 25FW season, fusing their signature femininity with outdoor practicality.

I don’t own any Cecilie Bahnsen pieces yet, but I occasionally try them on at Dover Street Market Singapore, enjoying the experience while keeping the brand on my wishlist.  I will keep an eye on the brand's future path and cheer on until the day I can own one.

🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan

@PLEATS PLEASE ISSEY MIYAKE
No introduction needed—this is Issey Miyake. It is a brand that started with the idea of ​​making light and long-lasting clothes without sewing from a single piece of fabric, and has been loved consistently since the founder Issey Miyake passed away few years ago. When I see people who look good in an Issey Miyake set-up, I can't help but think they are cool, but it's not easy to match clothes as well as they are original.

I remember laughing out loud when I tried it on a few years ago because it didn't suit me at all. But still, I couldn’t let go of my desire to own a piece. Sounds funny but all the cool seniors at my internship wore Issey Miyake, and while clothes don’t define a person, for sure, I couldn’t shake the feeling that wearing the brand might make me feel more like them. 

Then, I heard that the Issey Miyake store at Marina Bay Sands was holding an off-season sale. While browsing, I found a Mandarin-collar Pleats Please shirt. Fortunately or unfortunately, unlike before, it actually suited me. The lightweight material was perfect for Singapore’s weather while aligning with my preference for long sleeves and pants. The next day, and the week after, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So, I made the purchase. And wore it like skin during my recent business trip to Seoul, and what's more, it's perfect for Zoom meetings when I work from home in Singapore. Some people commented that it would get holes in it, but whatever. It's a magical piece of clothing that even has a placebo effect that allows me to work without loosening up, even at home.

 

As a side note, the sub-brand me ISSEY MIYAKE offers bolder, more playful designs at a relatively reasonable price point, making it a good choice if you want to try Issey Miyake, which is not so commonly seen. You can see a lot of winged designs like the one below and more pop colors.

Source: me ISSEY MIYAKE official Instagram account @meisseymiyake_official