Black Market

Finally got tired of going to the mall so I dragged Ana to Little India in search of an independent store called Black Market, co-owned by Filipino designer Quincy Teofisto.



Last month I bumped into Quincy (left) at the Audi Fashion Festival with designer Karlo Vicente who is also currently based in Singapore.



Ana and I took a cab from the Grand Hyatt to 19 Jalan Pisang, near Victoria Lane.



Mich Dulce's hats are stocked here



as well as Trimode of Bangkok. These are silkscreened, padded brooches



and silicone rubber "watches"



Ana loved it



Here's the fitting room



Various accessories



Had to stop myself from buying all of these T-shirts from a local artist—really good quality at only SG$ 50 each.



The store carried this lovely scent. I can't remember where I've seen this before.



Lovely handmade stationery



Beautiful leaves on the sunroof. Makes you think someone planted them there.



Finally, I felt proud of Proud Race, proudly made in the Philippines, and the brainchild of partners Rik Rasos and Pat Bondoc, who had come up with this funny shirt about three years ago.



Proud Race is currently the bestseller at Black Market. The sales assistant told me the locals appreciate the pricepoints, while I appreciate its crude handmade quality, without the mass-produced feeling.
I couldn't resist getting this padded T-shirt, even as I tried to text Rik in the fitting room if he had it cheaper and in stock in Manila.



I ended up just paying Singapore dollars for it (Rik's phone was unreachable), to support Rik and Pat, aside from really loving the piece. Ana bought a vest with giant armholes, and I, a chambray cape/shirt also by Proud Race.
Since I don't bump into Rik so often I figure I might as well get it now before Karl Lagerfeld sues!



Buy Proud Race locally at 1/3 the price. Know more about them at http://inyofaceproudrace.multiply.com/
and Black Market at http://www.theblackmarket.sg/