Strangelets: The Cool Collective
PUBLISHED February 25th, 2012 11:48 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:58 pm
They say 2 heads are better than one, so what happens when you put 4 creative minds together? Strangelets in Tiong Bahru is what happens folks. An eclectic, mish mash of beautiful and intriguing things.
This impressive shop is the brainchild of three interior designers, architects and a banker – but we won’t hold that against them…this is obviously a banker with impeccable taste! The shop itself is light and airy with almost a gallery feel to it. It’s full, yet looks considered and spacious allowing the stars of the show to be the compelling curious that seem to whisper ‘buy me, buy me’.
Sleek, minimal objet d’art sit alongside kitsch florals, desirable jewellery pieces and toys for playful grown-ups; the juxtaposition aptly reflecting the feeling that this store is not a slave to one look or feel. It does seem just like you’re peeking in to the minds of four people, four tastes, but all united by a cohesive sense of style.
As always, tough to pick out favourites – this is starting to feel like gym class and no-one likes to be the chubby, malcoordinated kid picked last, but if I must! Here goes…
I have fallen in love with David Weeks’s wooden toys. They are designed beautifully and quite frankly, far too lovely to give to a child who will probably just bite it, pee on it or draw on it with yellow crayon. If the idea of buying a toy aged 30 something is a bit unsettling, pretend its a poseable artist’s model for your still-life classes. I won’t tell.
Channel your inner child a little further with a super stylish Cambridge Satchel, the traditional British school bags that are taking the fashion world by storm.
Dirty Librarian Chains is a relatively new and very exciting jewellery brand favoured by the likes of Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and fashion icon Debbie Harry. Edgy yet elegant, each piece is made of recycled or deadstock, vintage charms and chains so it’s eco-friendly as well as luxuriously and achingly cool. This ring caught my eye for it’s understated, chunky elegance.
Heather Keiko is an Australian textiles designer who uses her skills to create unique and tactile jewellery pieces. Any of her hand-made felt necklaces will instantly lift an outfit to dizzyingly chic heights.
Finally, Carrie K is a Singaporean designer making waves. Recently her collection was picked by Yuji Yamamoto (son of Yohji Yamamoto – KING of understated elegance) for his multi-brand boutique, Make One’s Mark. The Carrie K hand-crafted jewellery stocked in Strangelets is part of the liquid metal collection, simple, organic and elegant. She also has two other ranges, whimsical and limited statement pieces. All beautiful, not cheap but quality jewellery that has the timeless feel of an item you’ll want to keep forever.
So if you’re down in Tiong Bahru this weekend checking out OH!’s Occupy Tiong Bahru, stop by Strangelets and admire the strange and beautiful things within.
Written by Heh Zee
