Vintage Online Shop

Vintage lovers in Singapore are simply growing. Many young people who are setting up their first home are turning to vintage furniture and housewares such as clocks, drinking glasses, candy trays to make a statement. Retro designs are classic and the quality of those products which have lasted the last 30, 40, 50 years are proof that they are well-made and have stood the test of time.
Ipreloved Reloved is a cool online vintage shop that my partner-in-grime, K and I have set up together since mid March this year. We also have a Facebook page where we aim to have a gathering of the like-minded especially in Singapore. We stock vintage wares that are in good condition, sometimes even mint condition as we get new old stock and items which have probably been sitting proudly in a display cabinet and never been used by the owners because they "couldn't bear" to use them like this half dozen 1950s drinking glasses with gold/gilt rim and printed purple and black floral design from Sydney.

Another popular vintage category of beauties we offer is retro handbags. Why pay $80 or more for a vinyl handbag which is available at all the departmental stores? Why not spend the same amount (or less) on a well-made and uniquely designed bag which will definitely get you compliments and a demand to know where you got it. If you are selfless and kind, you will tell them you got it at Ipreloved Reloved, a cool virtual shop in Singapore!

Thieves Market

This is the original flea market in Singapore. This is the Sungei Road Thieves Market where I guess from its name was the fence for where thieves come to offload their stolen wares. Today, I am sure it is not a fence anymore (the police would be onto them in a jiffy) but more of a flea market for mostly low-end, secondhand household goods.

However some of the more interesting finds that day when we stumbled onto the market quite by chance, were retro turntables in great working order and ancient-looking ceramic bowls. "Ming Dynasty!" so claimed the vendor but I didn't bother to get more into it because I am just a cynic and I don't think I would be so lucky as to score a Ming Dynasty treasure at a bargain price.

I had been lucky once, scoring a Steve Sheridan bowl in a garage sale for a song in Sydney, and I think I've used up my quota in that department.

But a wander around the Thieves Market is an interesting way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Red Dot Design Museum

This building on Maxwell Road holds very dear memories for me because my late father used to work in this building when it was the Headquarters of the Traffic Police. I think he was based there for a short period of time and I remember going with him into his office there, I must have been about five years old.

Now it has got a new lease of life as the Red Dot Design Museum. I am glad the wrecking ball didn't get to this old dame the way the old National Library and the National Theatre went.

The Museum shop carries some really cool stuff like the Photo Curator and the best part about this place that I like is the flea market on the first weekend of every month (when there is also free admission to the museum). This is a really high quality market which only admits sellers who sell handmade items. You can get unique and gorgeous things like fabric journal covers, customised key chains, knitted scarfs, origami earrings (see picture below) and other accessories. I am definitely going back to the market to get some more special gifts for some special people.