As a small island nation without natural resources, Singapore’s people are its greatest asset. And Singapore’s creativity and innovation is being recognised globally as these cutting-edge brands and creators have been making waves beyond the little red dot.
1. State Property: dynamic jewellery with modern inspiration
Run by a husband-and-wife team – industrial designer Afazal Imram and award-winning jewellery designer Lin Ruiyin – State Property began in 2015 creating pieces that blend modern, architectural structures into rings, bracelets and necklaces. Their easy-to-wear styles that stand out in a crowd has found global fans like Rihanna, Gigi Hadid and Michelle Obama. Now a decade-old, they can be found at stockists around the world including Dover Street Market in London and at retailers in the Middle East and North America.
Their latest collection which celebrates their 10th anniversary is inspired by a story told by their three-year-old son and the child-like, whimsical wonder that he expresses. The pieces, which feature fun mushroom and egg shapes, as well as rings and bracelets in a distinctive train track, echo the brand’s DNA for blending structure and softness to create jewellery that is resonant rather than trendy.
2. Allies of Skin: powerful science-backed skincare with modest origins
Starting with just one product, Allies of Skin has grown into a globally popular, targeted skincare empire. Founder Nicholas Travis started the brand in 2016, inspired by his own experiences with skin complications and infections resulting from an accident. After two and a half years of research, he confidently launched just three products – the 1A All-Day Mask (a moisturiser with anti-pollution and anti-acne benefits), the Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist and the 1A Retinal and Peptides Overnight Mask with a patented, time-release form of retinal. Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength, with the United States being its biggest market today.
It is sold in over 36 countries in over 800 stores globally and now offers a wider range of products, with its Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum developing an 11,000 person-long waitlist since it launched in late 2023. Last year the brand secured USD$20 million in investments and is looking to grow its team in the United States.
3. Aupen: the mystery fashion brand loved by celebrities
Aupen first launched modestly in November 2022 but very quickly became the must-have bag when Taylor Swift was spotted carrying the brand’s Nirvana bag in August 2023. It quickly became the bag for those-in-the-know – even if the brand and its origins itself was still largely a mystery. Finally at the end of 2024, it was revealed that its designer and founder is Nicholas Tan, a former model and swimmer for Singapore’s national team. Beyond its celebrity fans, which include everyone from Olivia Rodrigo to Beyoncé, Aupen is beloved by the fashion set for its crafting and quality while still remaining “accessible luxury”.
As Tan said in an interview with Vogue, “The pricing, the design, the craftsmanship – [it’s all about] the usability. That’s part of the whole mission: we try to create something that people can actually enjoy.” With quality in mind, Aupen is now partnering with LVMH’s Métiers d’Art, which gives the brand access to the craftsmen and suppliers that produce goods for Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Since then, it has launched a collection of bag charms with Jade Group, which specialises in high-end metal accessories. Fans are now waiting to see what the brand delivers next.
4. Tiger Balm: a heritage brand healing aches and pains around the world
A true heritage brand, Tiger Balm originated more than 150 years ago in Rangoon when a former herbal doctor, Aw Chu Kin, from China opened a small pharmacy. There he developed a unique pomade designed to relieve muscle and joint pain. His sons went on to move to Singapore and establish the brand Tiger Balm. Created from a blend of natural essential oils, Tiger Balm can basically be found anywhere in the world where there is an Asian supermarket or grocery. It’s also available in the United States in CVS, Walmart and on Amazon.
It continues to be sold in the traditional (and iconic) small six-sided glass jars but has also evolved into medicated plasters and neck and shoulder rubs. Most recently, the brand has branched out further, launching their Sensorial Therapy which includes five essential oil scents developed into a balm that can be applied directly to the skin to soothe, ground or uplift.
5. Banyan Group: luxury resorts with a sustainable sensibility
What began as a single resort in Phuket, named for a place of peace that founder Ho Kwon Ping and his wife shared, has become a global luxury hospitality brand with strong wellness roots. Banyan Group is well-known around the world and only just recently opened its first property in Singapore – the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, which is also incidentally, its 100th resort worldwide. The brand remains committed to the idea of regenerative travel and are famed for their properties in China including Banyan Tree Lijiang where the brand is about to start a clean water initiative.
This year, it is also focused on conservation, expanding its marine conservation work in the Maldives and China. The company firmly believes success should support progress and launched the Greater Good Grants in 2020 to benefit the local communities and natural environments in which their resorts are situated. Examples of projects funded by this initiative include Banyan Tree Bangkok, which helped a neighbouring community improve waste management, and at their sister brand Garrya Tongsai Bay outpost in Koh Samui which improved a local school’s access to drinking water.
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