Top shops 2.0: six online shops by Jo Soh

Jo Soh, with her eye-catching glasses and unconventional label, is a noted figure in Singapore’s fashion landscape. A big fan of online shopping, Soh often uses her web-retail fixation for design inspiration. ‘You can find many things you can’t find in Singapore and it’s so convenient,’ says the Central Saint Mar tins graduate.

Best site for accessories

Mardeu (www.mardeu.com)

‘This is run by my Japanese friend Kazumi Hiruma. She sources a stash of interesting, unusual accessories from overseas designers and artists. Her sister makes oneoff ceramic pieces in their family home in Japan and sells them through Kazumi’s online shop.’

Best site for vintage fashion

Couture Allure Vintage Fashion (www.coutureallure.com)

‘I love vintage fashion. This site has a great collection of hard-to-find, high-quality vintage clothing from the 1930s to 1980s, and it’s a place where I get inspiration for my own collection.’

Best site for hosiery

Urban Outfitters (www.urbanoutfitters.com)

‘They have some really affordable, unusual, creative stocking designs [about $15 a pair] that I’ve used to dress my models at fashion shows. They do not ship to Singapore, so I had to ask my friend in New York to bring them to me when he came for a visit. Alternatively, you can use vPost to have your items delivered.’

Best site for Singaporean labels

Cate (www.cate.com.sg)

‘This is a new, local multi-label shop that opened in April this year. The website is great because it’s well designed and the photos are well taken, so everything looks understated and classy. It’s a good place to check out some of Singapore’s best fashion labels.’

Best site for paper-related products

Sukie (www.sukie.co.uk)

‘Sukie is based in Brighton [on England’s southern coast] and I got to know about it when I was a student in London. I love the designs – they’re retro-inspired, naive and whimsical art. Some of my favourites are the silkscreen printed pillowcases.’

Best site for inspiration

Matteart by Matte Stevens (www.etsy.com)

‘Matte is based in the United States. His artwork has a retro vibe and plenty of light-hear ted naive drawings, which I really like. I love his prints – they’re a fertile ground for new ideas and imagination.’