In 2020, SPADES emerged as a vibrant hub for Singapore’s fashion-forward youth, quickly establishing itself as a pillar within the burgeoning fashion community. Its diverse selection of both local and regional emerging designers has been a key factor in its success, and it has undoubtedly played a role in the recent surge of concept stores popping up across the island.
As the team shared in a 2022 interview with Vogue Singapore, ‘We have always felt that Singapore needed something more for the community; an outlet with greater outreach than everything else on our shores.’ And for the past four years, SPADES has undoubtedly fulfilled that need.
However, all good things must come to an end, and earlier this month, the SPADES team announced on Instagram that the retail space would be closing after four years of successful operations. A clear-out sale and farewell party will be held on the 18th of May to mark the occasion.
‘It was a great feeling,’ the team remarks. ‘The farewell party was, more than anything, a celebration of our time in the space. We saw people that have been to every single one of our events and customers that had never been to the store before.’ They express their gratitude for the opportunity to create lasting memories with their patrons one last time.
Reflecting on their journey, the team emphasizes their unwavering ethos: ‘We have always seen SPADES as not just a concept store, but a low-risk incubator for local designers. We’ve taken on the challenges of rising cost and rent, and have always looked to provide a platform and sanctuary for young creatives to showcase their works within a collective space.’
Looking ahead, the team remains optimistic about the future of the industry in Singapore. ‘Good things take time to grow, and our creative scene is nearly getting there. We hope that SPADES has provided a glimpse of the untapped potential that Singapore has, and we hope this fiery passion never dies out. Most importantly, we hope that the youth of today do not conform to international archetypes, and instead create something that they can truly call their own.’
While this marks the end of SPADES as a physical retail space, members of the team will continue to pursue their individual creative endeavors. ‘Our own brands Cherub & Flipside will be putting out more things now that we have the time, and interested parties can definitely stay connected with us there,’ they share.
As for the possibility of a SPADES revival in the future, the team remains open-ended: ‘No plans. See you if we ever see you again, if not, thank you for making our dream come true.’
Vogue Singapore takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting several of the most memorable community events held at the multi-label store during its four-year run, including Archive Weekend, Art@SPADES, NOISE, Anniversary Hangout II, SPADES Exhibition: Wong Kawaii, and SPADES Garage Sale. These events showcased the store’s commitment to supporting local creatives, fostering community, and celebrating the diverse facets of fashion.
SPADES has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Singapore’s fashion landscape, and its legacy will continue to inspire and shape the future of the industry in the years to come.
