From The Straits Times    |
transformed TANGS photocredit Ministry of Design THUMBNAIL

One of Singapore’s most iconic department stores, Tangs, will be spending $45 million on the “transformation” of its Orchard Road space.

transformed TANGS Main Entrance photocredit Ministry of Design
transformed TANGS Centrestage photocredit Ministry of Design
Artist images of the new-look Tangs facade (above top) and new display space “Centrestage” (above). Images: Ministry of Design

While this is exciting in general for shoppers, for Beauty tragics the most exciting news is which new brands will be filling up the re-dedicated first floor of the store which will become Tangs Beauty.

Drum roll … Tom Ford Beauty will be available in Singapore from October 2012! This will be its first Asian outlet and the brand’s appearance is sure to excite anyone interested in cult, luxe beauty products.

The transformed Tangs will also be home to NARS Cosmetics, the popular cosmetics and skincare company founded by makeup artist and photographer François Nars.

Top Korean beauty brand Sulwhasoo will also make the transformed Tangs Orchard home to its first Southeast Asian store in the third quarter of 2012.

Other new-to-Singapore brands that will be available at Tangs Orchard include prestige fragrances like Maison Martin Margiela and Viktor & Rolf.

If that’s not enough for you, beauty brands such as Aveda and Jo Malone will also be available and YSL Beauty will be “re-entering” the Singapore market thanks to the transformed Tangs.

So, beauty junkies are sure to be sated by the plans for a transformed Tangs, but what about other shoppers?

Fashionistas can breathe a sigh of relief, there will be new to Singapore masstige fashion brands, although names are yet to be released, but don’t panic if you’re a lover of Singapore fashion – Tangs will continue to support local designers.

Mind you, this is only as long as the brands “meet stringent quality levels”, but the plans for Tangs Plaza include renovations to seven levels of the building with levels two and three – where the fashion will be located – coming on board towards the end of the transformation, Level 4 will continue to hold “pop-up” fashion events.

transformed TANGS Loft on Level 7 (1) photocredit  Aedastransformed TANGS Loft on Level 7 (2) photocredit  Aedas
Artist images of the new “Loft” concept to be created on Level 7 of the transformed Tangs Plaza. Images: Aedas

These transformation plans include keeping Tangs’ iconic green-tiled roof, adding a new “Loft” space on Level 7 for special VVIP and spa services – it currently houses the company’s offices – adding or moving escalators, creating “stages” for various events and adding a food outlet of some sort to every floor. Tangs management says everything should be done in three years.

In fact, the company plans to transform Tangs into something like the international destination department stores Harrods or Bloomingdales, which is a great thing for dedicated shoppers.

So, shopaholics rejoice – especially those of the beauty variety – there’s going to be even more great shopping available on Orchard Road.

The “transformed” Tangs will launch new and returning beauty brands in the third quarter of 2012; Tom Ford Beauty should be available at Tangs Orchard by October, 2012. Tangs will remain open for business throughout the three phases of renovation and there will be no change to the department store’s operating hours. For more information, go to www.tangs.com.sg, www.facebook.com/TANGS.SG or follow the brand on Twitter, @TANGS.