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Popular handbag brand Polene to open first Singapore store in 2026
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Polene's Numero Neuf East West in Camel.
PHOTO: POLENE
Polene to open first Singapore store
French handbag brand Polene will open its first Singapore store at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in the third quarter of 2026, a spokesperson confirmed to The Straits Times.
Founded in 2016, the family-owned Parisian house – favoured as an alternative to traditional luxury brands – has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years as more turn to independent labels for value.
Its leather handbags crafted in Ubrique, Spain, have become a familiar sight in Singapore, with many toting its most popular styles, including the Cyme (from US$550 or S$699 for the mini) and Numero Dix (from US$580).
Polene’s Cyme bags (left), one of its most popular styles, and Nodde Hobo (right).
PHOTOS: POLENE
The brand has since expanded its best-selling ranges to introduce styles such as the Cyme Tote (US$630), Nodde Hobo (US$680) and Numero Neuf East West (US$610).
International expansion came swiftly, with Polene opening 10 stores across Europe, the United States and Asia in the last three years. The Singapore store will mark Polene’s fourth in Asia, after boutiques in Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.
Polene’s Tokyo store.
PHOTO: POLENE
Located on The Shoppes’ first floor, the space will be about 100 sq m, with the interior design thoughtfully incorporating elements inspired by Singapore’s culture. Prices are expected to match those on the online store, which ships to Singapore.
Info: polene-paris.com
Italian fast-fashion label Subdued opens to long queues
Subdued’s Wheelock Place store.
PHOTO: SUBDUED
Wheelock Place was besieged by winding queues of teenage girls over the weekend, thanks to its newest tenant. Opened on April 10, Subdued is an Italian fashion brand heavy on youth culture and vintage-inspired streetwear.
Founded in 1994, the brand draws inspiration from the sensibility and aesthetics of teenage girls. With its focus on casual styles, bold graphics and a nostalgic aesthetic, it has been called an alternative to fellow Italian fast-fashion label Brandy Melville.
Subdued’s Wheelock Place store.
PHOTO: SUBDUED
At the 135 sq m Singapore store, one can find the brand’s signature slouchy tees, tank tops, foldover lounge pants, sweatshirts and mini shorts – many emblazoned with sequinned wings and stars. Bestsellers include the Wings Sequin Hoodie ($93), Wide Leg Pants ($68) and Crop Boat Neck T-shirts ($39).
The store marks the latest in Subdued’s network of more than 130 globally, including flagship locations in Milan, Rome, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and New York.
Info: Subdued is at B1-06 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road. For more information, go to subdued.com/ww_en
Marc Jacobs launches Murakami fragrance pop-up
Marc Jacobs Fragrances’ Daisy Murakami pop-up.
PHOTO: MARC JACOBS FRAGRANCES
Murakami mania continues to sweep consumer consciousness. The latest collaborator tapping the creative whimsy of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is Marc Jacobs Fragrances.
Presented as Daisy Murakami ($180 for 50ml), the limited-edition collection of four scents reimagines the classic Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrance with Murakami’s signature floral motifs. Blue is fresh, yellow is sweet, pink smells of coconut and green boasts a heavy note of banana.
The collection leverages the longstanding partnership between Murakami and American fashion designer Marc Jacobs, which dates back to a landmark 2002 collaboration when Jacobs was creative director at French luxury brand Louis Vuitton.
Daisy Murakami perfumes.
PHOTO: MARC JACOBS FRAGRANCES
Smell it for yourself at a pop-up at 265 Beach Road. Until April 19, the pop-up invites you on a multi-sensory journey inside Daisy Murakami’s vibrant universe.
Four colour-coded experiential zones include activities such as a teatime cart of treats (limited redemptions daily), fragrance bottle painting on the weekend (available with every purchase), a photo booth and a claw machine.
Shop the full fragrance collection and special bundles on-site. Spend a minimum of $180 and receive a four-piece gift set that includes a Daisy Murakami umbrella and charm in pouch.
Info: Until April 19, 11am to 8pm daily, at 265 Beach Road. Register at marcjacobs-sg.register.cprv.app
Home-grown jewellery label Thing In Itself’s first mall pop-up
Thing In Itself’s Complex Blob Ear Cuff (left) and rings (right).
PHOTOS: THING IN ITSELF
Thing In Itself, a Singapore jewellery brand worn by the likes of American It girls Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, is holding its first mall pop-up in town.
Till April 26, customers can try on its signature range of understated yet sculptural jewellery at Ngee Ann City. Emulating the brand’s design language, the pop-up will include a Waiting Room, or quiet area for more intimate discovery.
Expect statement bangles and earrings crafted in 18K gold vermeil and rhodium-finished sterling silver, alongside adaptable designs such as stackable rings and hoops.
Founder Xin Chua, who started the brand in 2019, conceived each piece as a timeless sculpture for everyday wear.
Prices range from $200 to $4,270, with a piece like its signature Complex Blob Ear Cuff setting one back $600. Rings include the Tube Ring Short in gold ($440) and Tube Ring Long (from $930).
The brand’s star placements came about when American celebrity stylist Dani Michelle – whose clients include Bieber and Jenner – reached out in 2023.
Thing In Itself is stocked at luxury multi-brand retailer Dover Street Market Singapore and online at thing-in-itself.com
Info: Until April 26 at B1-32 Ngee Ann City, 391A Orchard Road
