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COVER STAR
26
April15
Why the name Unika?
I chose it because I wanted to
express the boutique’s support of
unique designers in a very simple
way. The word Unika has a Japanese
influence, actually, a culture I’m heavily
influenced by and absolutely love.
How did you start up your
business?
After four years of living in Singapore,
I moved to Shanghai, where I met a
designer who created really beautiful
leather bags – the brand is called Label
88. We became good friends, and when
the time came for me to move back
here, we agreed I would bring the
bags back to sell in Singapore. This is
how the idea of starting a company
bringing in independent designers
came about.
I participated in fairs around the
island for three years, almost every
month, and after feedback from
customers I realised a need to add
to the bags with jewellery and other
accessories. I then got in contact with
designers who I liked back in Israel,
to introduce them to the Singapore
market – and I haven’t looked back.
The response to the items was so
positive that I eventually decided to
go for a more stable location with a
shop-front – and I’ve been here for
two years. I chose this shophouse
because it suited the nature of the
brands – it would have clashed with
the products to go into a mall full of
mass fashion. They are quite exclusive
and we don’t stock many pieces of
each design; plus, this place has a nice
neighbourhood feel to it.
I agree – this shophouse is
just perfect!
Thank you. Before I opened the shop,
my customer base was mainly expats;
they love the boutique because they
can find the kinds of designs they are
used to seeing back home – in Europe,
for instance. I was also exposed to
a lot of expat shoppers at the fairs.
Now, being across the road fromGreat
World City I get a lot of local shoppers
coming through too, with the office
crowd popping in to browse during
their lunch breaks and after work.
Are all the collections sourced
in Israel?
By and large, yes – aside from Label
88, which is a Dutch brand, and
some shoes I stock, which are from a
French label. I actually bought them
from a boutique when shopping
back home; after I’d purchased my
third pair, I thought they definitely
needed to be stocked in the boutique!
This place has a
nice neighbourhood
feel to it