FJ Benjamin founder dies at 90

SINGAPORE – Mr Frank Benjamin, who helmed retailer FJ Benjamin for 63 years, died on Dec 10 at the age of 90.

He was known for his knack of sniffing out new, in-vogue fashion brands each time older labels went out of style.

Mr Benjamin retired as founder and chairman of the Singapore-listed retailer in December 2022.

In an obituary, FJ Benjamin hailed Mr Benjamin as “a pioneering figure in Singapore’s retail industry” who “transformed the region’s fashion landscape” after he established the company in 1959.

“Mr Benjamin will be deeply missed by his family, colleagues, friends and all who had the honour of knowing him,” read the obituary from FJ Benjamin’s board of directors, management and staff.

Paying tribute to Mr Benjamin, the Jewish Welfare Board said on Dec 10 that he was a “pillar of our community, a patriarch and a steadfast leader whose commitment and integrity shaped generations”.

In a memorial notice posted on Facebook on Dec 11, the board also called him “a respected figure in Singapore’s civic landscape”.

“Across many decades, he worked quietly and consistently to strengthen communal life, support charitable initiatives, and foster mutual respect across diverse groups,” it wrote.

“His guidance was often sought, and his steady presence helped shape community institutions and relationships.”

The board added that Mr Benjamin was a patriarch in the Jewish community, whose wisdom shaped generations.

Mr Benjamin started his business by distributing international clothing brands that did not have a presence here in the early 1970s, when he struck a deal to market Australian jeans label Amco in Singapore.

He later convinced French luxury label Lanvin to appoint FJ Benjamin as its exclusive franchisee here and set up the first standalone Lanvin boutique in the region at the Hyatt Hotel in 1974.

Following its success, similar franchise deals were signed with Gucci, Fendi and other luxury brands, in Singapore as well as Malaysia and Indonesia.

When the luxury houses eventually stopped the arrangements and set up their own chains in the 1990s, Mr Benjamin moved to focus on lifestyle brands. He listed the company on the Singapore Exchange in 1996.

The brands FJ Benjamin has under its belt include the Guess, Marc Jacobs, La Senza and Superdry retail lines.

Mr Walter Wee, the chief executive of international marketing and trading company Kings Group, paid tribute to Mr Benjamin on LinkedIn on Dec 10.

Mr Wee, on behalf of the management of private museum RegalRare Xperience and RegalRare Group, said: “Over six decades, Mr Benjamin played a truly pioneering role in shaping the retail and fashion landscape in Singapore and the region.

“Through his vision, passion and tasteful instinct for what resonates with people, he transformed not only FJ Benjamin but also the broader sense of style and possibility across generations.”

FJ Benjamin manages RegalRare Xperience, according to the museum’s website.

On the Obits.sg website, St Andrew’s School (Junior and Secondary) and St Andrew’s Junior College also expressed their condolences to Mr Benjamin’s family.

“He had been a great benefactor of the St Andrew’s family, exemplifying the spirit of a saint. He will be deeply missed,” said the schools.