Many of us are often purchasing products made from other countries such as China, and designer products made in America and European countries. I mean, really though, most products are manufactured in China due to the low production cost.
Little that we know, there are so many local businesses here in Singapore that are making high quality and unique products too! You can buy bags, handmade patches and more. Let’s look at some of the locally made products that you can purchase to support local businesses in our Lion City!
WHENIWASFOUR
Wheniwasfour is a Singapore-based design studio and label that creates local-flavoured life products. Emphasising on simplicity in every creation, they draw inspiration for the little things in life.
But why ‘four’? The age of four is when we start having first impressions of the things around us. Thus, they hope to bring back some of our fond childhood memories through a wide range of their handmade products.
Some of their products include their Kopi Bag, which is a tote bag that resembles the takeaway kopi bags we purchase at coffeeshops. These takeaway bags are so iconic, I actually still do purchase them from coffeeshops near where I live.
You can also purchase their Retro Good Citizen Sling Bag, designed to resemble the retro paper food packaging used back in the day. This bag reminds us of the Civics and Moral Education lessons we had back in primary school or at least for our parent’s or grandparent’s generations at least.
Wheniwasfour: 231 Bain Street, Bras Basah Complex, #04-41, Singapore 180231
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 12.00pm – 7.30pm | Saturday: 12.30pm – 6.30pm
Closed on Sunday
Cane Art
Support your movement in style. Cane Art created uniquely designed walking canes that emphasises on both safety and functionality. It is Singapore brand under Haf Box Pte Ltd that developed in 2013 to promote the use of good looking canes when in need of one.
Talk about portability, the cane’s body is made from aluminium thus, it is pretty strong and lightweight. It is also easily foldable and adjustable to suit any height and fit into any sized bag. Cane Art believes that choosing a walking cane, be it for yourself or as a gift, it reflects one’s self.
You can purchase some of their unique designs such as the Tiong Bahru Monochrome Luxe Cane which is one of their collaborative designs with Singapore brand Binary Style. You can also browse through their selection of executive canes, designed with abstract patterns, fit for everyone.
Cane Art: Haf Box Pte Ltd Showroom, 271 Bukit Timah Road, Balmoral Plaza, #02-13, Singapore 259708
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10.30am – 5.30pm | Closed on weekends
Pew Pew Patches
Pew Pew Patches was established in 2014 in a collaboration between two individuals who met at an art school in Hong Kong. The brand aims to reinterpret the hot item used in the 80s in the voice of millennials todays.
Each patch has its own story behind them. Apart from iron-on ones, you can also purchase their self-adhesive patches that works great on any type of fabric. The brand has also collaborated with several other brands such as Snackfood in Malaysia and Flabjacks from Shanghai.
They have also collaborated with Vans to allow customers to iron-on their patches on their Vans shoes, bags and other items. Now that we have to always wear out mask when we head out, you can decorate your mask with their mask patches!
Pew Pew Patches: 78 Airport Boulevard #02-205/206, Singapore 819666
Operating Hours: 10.00am – 10.00pm daily
Onlewo
Drawing inspiration from its Singapore roots with designs that tell stories. Onlewo hopes to connect people and memories, enliven conversations, and ignite passion through their contemporary take on heritage, places, and culture.
Shop home décor items such as cushions, curtains, tables lamps and more. These items are great for your homes or as gifts. One thing that attracts me the most is their wallpaper designs. They feature patterns inspired by cultural places in Singapore such as Chinatown, Little India and Tiong Bahru.
Onlewo: 5000L Marine Parade Rd, Singapore 449293
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 11.00am – 5.00pm
It is amazing how getting inspiration from our little red dot can create a whole new world of products made by local businesses. Now that I am more aware of some of the things that were made by local businesses in Singapore, I am more than excited to visit their stores and browse through their items.
Share this with your friends and family and you can also head down to their stores or visit their websites to support our local businesses!
