Showing posts with label changi airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label changi airport. Show all posts

Sunday, February 17, 2013

pashma.

A leading global retailer in luxury linen, cashmere and silk resortwear and the first (in the whole world!) to print on cashmere, Pashma has grown exponentially since it's inception in 1998 by design extraordinaire Shilu Kumar. As well as featuring a colorful, eclectic variety of lightweight scarves, shawls and ready-to-wear items, Pashma's range also extends to accessories, winterwear, home and travel items, all of which are produced in limited, exclusive quantities.  
Despite retailing in over 2000 stores across 40 countries, this humble label keeps close to its Indian roots in Ladakh, Changthang and New Delhi. What really resonated with me during my visit to the Pashma showroom (courtesy of Heat Branding!) was hearing about Pashma's social side. The brand has established concrete roots with the Changpa people residing in Changthang village, who are the meticulous hands behind the exceptional-quality cashmere that sets Pashma apart from the rest. As well as providing them with 5,000 changra goats just last year, Pashma has helped the Changpa people secure stable sources of income by buying the rare cashmere at suitable market prices, as opposed to the below-market prices that were previously paid by other businesses.
 Furthermore, Pashma's production process is limited exclusively to India, honoring the ethnicity of the designer and the source of the fabrics, as well as cutting transportation costs. All manufacturing is done under one roof in New Delhi, where the hand-spun cashmere is brought to watercolored life under rigorous quality control. Head designer and founder Shilu Kumar has 10 vastly capable designers under her, who also oversee the manufacturing process to ensure their visions are accurately, ethically and meticulously conveyed from paper to Pashma. The brand also showcased their more high-end capsule collection "Petanu" at Milan Fashion Week last year, which was undoubtedly a huge success. "Petanu" features vibrantly printed kaftans in light silk cashmere, flowy silhouettes printed with abstract textures, and an exotic palette of bold summer hues.
Pashma first opened its doors in Singapore 4 years ago, and has now expanded to four locations islandwide: two in Changi Airport (T2 and T3), an island boutique in the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and their flagship store at Raffles Shopping Arcade, tucked into the quaintness of the Raffles Hotel. Be sure to check out Pashma's gorgeous items, priced from SGD$200-$2000!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

carlo rino.

A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to visit the Carlo Rino showroom at Changi Airport T2, courtesy of Q, Susannah and the rest of the folks at Access Communications. I've never been a huge one for bags but I can feel myself slowly slipping into a bag-obsession, fueled by the shocking number of bags that I've both purchased and been gifted during the past month in particular (the festive season is always a reason to treat yourself!). As I'm sure you can imagine, setting foot into this bag paradise didn't exactly help subside my mounting obsession for arm candy; I was absolutely drooling over both Carlo Rino's new collections (which are launched up to twice a month - heavenly!) and their classic collection of sleek, streamlined wallets.
 What surprised me the most about Carlo Rino was observing the changes in their collections over time. Twenty-odd years ago, they were known as the one-stop shop for middle-aged "aunties," but they've evidently done an amazing job at gradually transitioning to appeal to younger audiences. From glossy quilted bags (like the one Susannah's holding in the picture below!) to slouchy genuine-leather shoulder bags (like the one I'm holding), Carlo Rino's design team has proven to be extremely versatile and quality-conscious in their designs. Prices range from $40-50 for small coin purses and cardholders, to about $350 for genuine leather products.
I was so so happy when I received my gorgeous Carlo Rino treat the other day, and upon unravelling the ribbon and tearing back the tissue paper, I found another Carlo Rino item which one of you lucky readers will win very soon! Stay tuned for this special Carlo Rino giveaway as well as a bunch of other giveaways next month!