Chacott & Freed of London Flagship Store Is Now Open

Hi Huneybees,

Ballerinas would fall in love with this wonderland - Chacott & Freed of London, that is newly opened in Marina Gallery. Right at the entrance, I was already greeted by this lovely ballerina dress.

Chacott and Freed of London are two of the most esteemed labels in the ballet world. They have a rich history of producing some of the best handcrafted pointe shoes and they are the two must-have brands for professional ballet dancers.

Freed of London

Founded in London, England in 1929 by shoe maker Frederick Freed, Freed of London supplies pointe shoes to many of the leading ballet companies throughout the world. The company is one of few that boasts handmade pointe shoes, but they don’t last very long. There are six varieties of Freed Pointe shoes, but its “Classics” are the most popular and most easily recognized.

Chacott

Chacott is a subsidiary branch of Freed of London. Chacott pointe shoes are known for a short break-in period, an important feature to many dancers.

You can try on these lovely pointe shoes with the bar and mirror in stores, but you would have to make an appointment as the professional to help you might not be in the store all the time. You can find ballet required dresses, tutu-s, bags, shoes and accessories right here in the store for all gender and ages. I love the little girl's dresses, they are so adorable and guess my motherly side is showing?

But other than just ballet, the store has also offers a range of dancing shoes and gymnastic and yoga apparels. Because their fabric is so comfortable and stretchable, the exercise gear is here for your every needs.

Chacott also has a professional make up range - Chacott for Professionals. It is used on stage by ballerinas for the long lasting use and the range is of assured quality, being made in Japan. The products are formulated for professional use and are resistant to sweat and liquids. It also has these key features:

- Suited for High definition TV

– UV protective effect (Non-chemical SPF/PA)

– Uses mainly vegetable extract, natural colorant – Gentle to the skin and safe for children

– Fragrance-free, Colour-free & Mineral oil-free

Chacott for Professionals offers a range of 25 unique and highly pigmented colours, from its bold regular shades to its pearly Winking Series and vivid Varie-lining series, suitable for use as eyeshadow, blush, highlight, contour and more. In addition, there are 14 lip colours and 1 lip gloss. The colour range comes in singular palettes and can be fit into customized palettes created by Chacott. 

Chacott for Professionals' loose powders were also featured in Nylon’s beauty hit list 2014 reader’s choice!

The store is located at Mandarin Gallery #03-21A, 333A Orchard Road.

Also check out and follow them --- https://www.facebook.com/chacottfreedSG for interesting dance related updates and promotions!

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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ColorWash Launches Revolutionary High-Density Transparent Coating For Leather

Hi Huneybees,

Don't you just hate it when your branded leather/fabric bags get dirty and stains might not be removed due to the long exposure?

Well, now with ColorWash (leading professional cleaning service provider), they have launched a new cleaning technology that is set to revolutionize the industry in conjunction with their 10th Anniversary.

Introducing High-Density Transparent Coating.

Lengthy name, but once you know what magic it does, you will be wanting to have all your bags coated with it!

It is the first in local leather care industry to incorporate Silicone into transparent coating, protecting yout bags and other items from water and minor food stains. Silicone is known for its strong water-repelling and anti-abrasive properties, it will be as though your bags are wearing a raincoat.

Silicone also allows the leather to breathe, preventing the growth of fungi by exhuming trapped heat and moister through water vapour. The coating is also fortified with additional minerals to keep the leather supple and soft. What's more, is the minuscle particles in the High-Density Transparent Coating cover even the smallest seams, extending its application beyond leather products to include fabric and suede!

In short, the High-Density Transparent Coating:

• allows leather and fabric to last longer
• adds a soft and glossy layer to leather and fabric
• lets leather and faric breathe better
• repels water on leather and fabric more effectively
• protects leather from the effects of oxidation

Being its 10th Anniversary, ColorWash has also extended 2 more branches, totalling up to 10 stores in Singapore!
You can now find ColorWash (www.colorwash.com.sg) at:

• Alexandra, PSA Building #02-13
• Asia Square Tower Two, #02-20 (Opens on 30th September 2013)
• Bukit Timah Plaza, #B1-14
• China Square Central, #01-01
• Katong V, #02-05 (Opens on 25th October 2013)
• Mandarin Gallery, #03-05
• Marina Square, #B1-05
• Siglap Centre, #B1-02
• United Square, #B1-36A
• West Coast Plaza, #02-48

Nothing beats protecting your expensive bags! Let's go get them coated!

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J.Lindeberg Concept Store Opening Party @ Suntec City

Hi Huneybees,

J.Lindeberg opened its doors at the all new store in Suntec City this August. Together with the opening party, we also previewed their AW13 Men's Collection during the opening party. Hubby sure had a fun time shopping that night as this was his favourite brand when it comes to golf clothings...

Inspired by the Stockholm City Library (by Erik Gunnar Asplund), the collection fuses modern details with elements of traditional tailoring for a look that is rooted in modernity. The colour palette is formed around the rich colours found within the interior of the library; the traditional library desk lamps, contrasted with intense burgundy, deep plum tones and saturated reds. Intense blues and midnight navy complete the colour spectrum, with reference to the dark library interior, accompanied with flashes of gold and silver through metal detailing and hardware.

This season's collection sees structured shapes, colours and patterns inspired by the staircase or exquisite windows found within the library. The sculptured and fitted tailoring makes the male models look so sharp and smart!

Ladies, fret not. They also have Golf Wear for the Women too! I bet after seeing those pieces, you would wana get a few pieces for yourself, even though you are not a golf player...

J.Lindeberg’s Celebrity Spokesperson and MediaCorp artiste - Tay Ping Hui also graced the event, drawing even more crowd to the store.

About J.Lindeberg
Founded 1996 in Stockholm by Johan Lindeberg with a vision to  challenge the establishment of the fashion and golf industry through an anti-conformist and rebellious business idea. J.Lindeberg was created as an 
affordable alternative to designer luxury brands and was a pioneer in the new contemporary premium market offering fashion forward  products, lifestyle focused marketing and effective PR.

The conservative golf industry was dominated by shapeless clothing, cotton fabrics and mass market sportswear. J.Lindeberg started a  modern movement in golf by introducing real fashion into the 
game, a slimmer silhouette and technical performance fabrics, treating golfers as stylish athletes. The game has since then never looked the same.

In 2010, J.Lindeberg launched a modern luxury ski collection, offering  the best performance fabrics available but with a tailored fit and  fashion forward designs, offering a product and a look not before available in the ski market.

Since 2012, the new private owners of J.Lindeberg, led by  Co CEOs Stefan Engström and Kristian Vinther, have embarked on an aggressive growth plan to further expand the brand in Europe,  North America and Asia.

J.Lindeberg is today established as a leading International Fashion House with its men’s and women’s fashion and sports collections available  in over 900 stores in 35 countries and a strong following amongst  the world’s biggest stars in music, film, popular culture and sports.

J.Lindeberg stores are located at:
Suntec City , #01-365, Tel: 6336 9921
Mandarin Gallery, #02-17, Tel: 6735 8955

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ShopGuru Revolutionizes The Way You Shop

Hi Huneybees,

In partnership with retail giants Ossia International Limited and VGO Corporation Limited, ShopGuru,
the mobile shopping and rewards app, officially launches in more than 60 retail stores within Singapore.


For Singapore, shopper loyalty and rewards programs will never be the same again. ShopGuru is the next-generation mobile shopping and rewards app that promises to simplify the way shoppers and retailers connect and interact.

The “iSenze” presence technology is so small...

ShopGuru employs a proprietary technology that allows shopping rewards to be delivered to a user’s mobile device the minute they walk into the store. This is achieved by deploying a hardware device near the store entrance that “senses” when a customer opens the ShopGuru app in a 5-10 meter radius of the device.

The ShopGuru app also allows the user to:

• Collect reward points for browsing retailer offers on the app
• Receive offers tailored to his or her preferences
• Obtain reward points for certain actions, such as scanning promotional QR codes or barcodes of certain items
• Earn reward points for spending at partner retailers
• Redeem rewards with collected points, such as free coffee, gift vouchers, flat screen TVs or air-tickets. Users can even donate their reward points to charity!

I was at the app launch last week at Bread & Butter. It is just so nice to get greeted to moment I stepped into the shop.

The event was hosted by Ong Shu An and she brought us around the store to show us how incredible the app is. Irene Ang and supermodel Rebecca Tan graced the event to show their support for this revolutionary app that allows for a whole new shopping experience and changes the way shoppers and retailers connect and interact.

Andrew Wong, one of the founders of Rainmaker Labs – the company behind ShopGuru – gave a riveting speech to thank the guests for their support as well as revealing the plans they have for ShopGuru in the near future. 

“Imagine walking into a World Of Sports store with the ShopGuru app open and being rewarded just for walking in. Upon entering the store, the ShopGuru app will greet you with ‘Welcome [First Name] – You have earned 100 points. You will then receive offers specially tailored for you directly through the app.” ---ShopGuru Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Andrew Wong.

Dr Christina Liang-Boguszewicz, Senior General Manager of Ossia International Limited, addressed the crowd as well, showing her belief in the app and urging the guests to keep calm and carry on shopping – the tagline printed on the Baggu canvas duckbags that each guest got to carry home with them as a goodie bag.

ShopGuru Ambassadors with Founders of ShopGuru- Andrew Wong, Alex Leong and Neo Zhi Zhong

Participating stores include World of Sports, Columbia, Salomon, Mizuno, Surf & Liquid, World of Outdoors, Eastpak, Bread & Butter, Evisu, True Religion, 7 For All Mankind, Baby Phat, Springfield, Tally Weijl, Affliction and many others. 

The ShopGuru App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone or from the Google Playstore (at a later date).

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GUINNESS Supports Social Enterprises

Hi Huneybees,

Bettr Barista Coffee Academy, A-changin Private Limited and Design Up Asia – three local social enterprises focused on helping marginalised women in Singapore lead better lives, have taken strong steps in recent months towards growing their businesses with the support of the Arthur Guinness Fund^™.

The Arthur Guinness Fund – A Global Initiative

First set up in 2009 to further the philanthropic legacy of founder Arthur Guinness and his descendants, the Arthur Guinness Fund has since gained global recognition for its commitment towards supporting social entrepreneurs around the world. With over S$11.6 million committed globally since the Fund’s inception, social entrepreneurs across the world have been given a real boost in effecting real social change. It was launched in Singapore in November last year with the aim of helping local single mothers and ex-offenders earn a better living and better cope with their daily challenges.

(From L-R) Mr Graham Villiers-Tuthill, Marketing Manager, Guinness Singapore, the Design Up Asia team and Mr Seah Kian Peng, MP for Marine Parade GRC at the Design Up Asia launch event

“GUINNESS is proud to partner with Bettr Barista Coffee Academy, A-changin Private Limited and Design Up Asia through the Arthur Guinness Fund and to be associated with the remarkable work that they have been doing to not only build their businesses but to crucially empower and help more marginalised women in Singapore. The stories behind each of these social enterprises and those of the women whose lives have been transformed positively as a result constantly inspires us and we are committed to support more of such real social change.” --- Mr. Rene de Monchy, Head of Marketing, Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore.

Design Up Asia Launches In Singapore

I was at their launch event and got to see the beautifully made accessories...

After a three-day Arthur Guinness Fund Hackathon in December involving 200 passionate, like-minded people from all walks of life, the Design Up Asia team emerged with the opportunity to build their winning business idea into a real-world project to facilitate real social change.

Given a grant of S$30,000 by the Arthur Guinness Fund, the team comprising fashion marketing lecturer Anisa Johnny, engineering graduate Ho Yi Chuen and local writer Kim Ong, collaborated to launch an online store (www.designupasia.com) retailing fashionable hand-made jewellery in March this year.

The up-cycled semi-precious pieces are all lovingly designed and hand-made by single mothers who had limited access to formal paid employment but now have the opportunity to earn an income and work from home where they can also care for their children. Working with five single mothers at present, the Design Up Asia team has plans to continue training them and to grow the team in the coming months.

Haute Alteration Initiative Expands With A Bigger Retail Space in Mandarin Gallery

Also receiving support from the Arthur Guinness Fund is A-changin Private Limited, a social enterprise launched in 2009 with a mission to provide training and employment opportunities to grow and empower marginalized women in Singapore. A-changin, which has two retail outlets which offer high-end clothes alteration services, aims to equip disadvantaged women with garment alteration skills so that they can attain an adequate source of income and lead a better quality of life.

With a staff strength of 40, A-changin pays its employees above the market rate and invests heavily in training its team, made up of single mothers, low-income earners or women with disabilities. Winner of the inaugural President's Challenge Social Enterprise Award last year, A-changin was able to move its Haute Alteration Initiative outlet to a bigger, more prominent unit (#03-30) on the third floor of Mandarin Gallery with the support of a S$30,000 grant from the Fund.

The new Haute Alteration Initiative unit, three times bigger than the previous one, has two fitting rooms with automated curtains as well as a luxurious room for its customers who include royalties, socialites, prominent corporate leaders, expatriates and tourists. A-changin believes that the expansion of its Haute Alteration Initiative outlet will generate an increase of 25% on its total revenue which would translate to an increase in training and employment of at least 10 disadvantaged women within the next three years.

Bettr Barista Opens Its Second Outlet In *SCAPE

Bettr Barista Coffee Academy, the first local social enterprise selected by GUINNESS^® to receive support from the Fund last year, has since opened its second outlet at *SCAPE in February this year. Founded in November 2011 with an outlet in Saybons Aljunied, Bettr Barista is Singapore’s first social enterprise centred on arming disadvantaged and underprivileged women with the skills and tools to improve their lives.

Bettr Barista helps these women via a three-pronged holistic programme which combines world-class barista training with emotional and physical skills training, all the while being self-sustaining. With the second outlet in *SCAPE, Better Barista has since been able to grow its overall intake of participants comprising women such as single mothers who have difficulty securing regular income streams.

Additional announcements about the Arthur Guinness Fund will be announced in the coming months. For more information about Guinness Singapore, please visit the brand’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Guinness.SG.

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