To challenge the rising army of e-tailers, indie brick-and-mortars have to win the battle of the four Cs: curation, customer service, concept and creative synergy. They have to give shoppers a space and an experience that can’t be replicated online. Mondays Off, a two-level, multi-label shop at 76 Haji Lane, is taking the good fight to the ground.
Photo: Frenchescar Lim
From online in 2012 to brick-and-mortar a year later, Mondays Off is known for its tight edit of fashion, lifestyle and homeware. It was founded by Leyna Poh, whose day job is graphic design (she was a former art director of Female). She sources new brands and POVs from her travels, flea markets, trade shows and online, and features designers and brands from Singapore, South-east Asia and East Asia prominently. Here’s our curation of the best of the newest.
Ceramics from Oh!eaf
Photo: Frenchescar Lim
Designed locally by Carol Long and Duan Mengxi, but handmade at their studio in China’s Jingdezhen, a city famed for its porcelain and pottery. Every purchase of a mini vase is complemented by dried flowers. Their flagship store is just above Mondays Off. $12-$120.
Assorted homeware
Photos: Frenchescar Lim
These items at Mondays Off come from brands like HK Living from the Netherlands, and Ommo from Hong Kong. $6-$175.
Postcards and greeting cards
Photo: Frenchescar Lim
The store’s selection – designed by regional and local designers (The Paper Elf, The Paper Bunny, and Fingersmith Letterpress) – will make you actually want to put pen to paper. Maybe a thank-you note to Jimmy Fallon? $1-$9.50.
Anything’s traveller totes
Photos: Frenchescar Lim
It’s an in-house brand of cloth bags with words like “Artist”, “Traveller”, “Photographer”, “Programmer”, “Journalist”, or “Entrepreneur” – to remind dreamers of their ambitions. $12 each, or two for $20.
Straw bags and hats from local label Two Baked Buns
Photos: Frenchescar Lim
Founder Candi Tan scours Asia for handmade rattan bags, clutches and straw hats, and offers customisable text on the latter. The service is $10 at the store with a one-week lead time. $75-$135.
Tree & Bee jewellery
Photo: Frenchescar Lim
Designer Bryan Lim uses sterling silver, ethically sourced stones (which includes conflict-free diamonds, Ethiopian opal rainbow moonstones, turquoise and black onyx), and synthetic stones in all his handmade earrings and rings. Each design’s limited quantities just make them more precious. $45-$160.
This story was first published in the June 2018 issue of Her World.
Art Direction: Shan
Photography: Frenchescar Lim