In Little India, Loop Garms and Stakeout have carved a niche in Singapore’s fashion scene with unique offerings and a focus on customer experience.
In the vibrant neighborhood of Little India, the dual storefronts of Loop Garms and Stakeout have become a go-to destination for shoppers seeking unique vintage and select streetwear. Founded by Isaac Ang and Sai Feng Jia, both 32, these businesses have carved out a niche in Singapore’s fashion scene and are noted for their creative approach to retail, fostering an environment that resonates with customers both young and old.
Loop Garms, established seven years ago, is recognized as a pioneer in Singapore’s post-millennial second-hand fashion revolution. The store specializes in vintage streetwear, offering a carefully curated selection of pop culture merchandise from the 1980s to 2000s. Its companion store, Stakeout, launched three years later, operates as a “select clothing store”, focusing primarily on new collections from trendy Japanese brands such as Needles and Shinyakozuka.
The founders, Ang and Jia, are celebrated not only for their entrepreneurial success but also for their engaging presence on social media. Reflecting on their business philosophy, Ang remarked, “Honestly, anybody can have products and start a store. People can visit and when they leave, they might forget what you have in the store, but one thing they’ll never forget is the way you make them feel, and that’s something that can’t be translated entirely online.”
The store’s location at 635 Veerasamy Road has been recently renovated to create an inviting ambiance, further enhancing the customer experience. As the retail landscape evolved through the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Loop Garms and Stakeout proved their resilience. Jia mentioned, “When people search for vintage clothing or select items on Google here, chances are, we’ll be among the top few hits because, as far as brick-and-mortar stores go, we’re among the few with regular opening hours that still do what we do.”
In addition to their traditional offerings, Ang and Jia have recently introduced two innovative initiatives. One is Pushing Daisies, an in-house label run by Ang’s mother, Daisy, which focuses on fashion-forward staples made from upcycled materials. The other is Rags-O-Rama, marketed as Singapore’s first booking-only, session-based rag house, allowing customers to scour through a curated selection of thrifted garments. Participants are provided with the location only after confirming their booking, thus creating an element of surprise and exclusivity.
With their keen understanding of customer experience and a commitment to authenticity, Ang and Jia continue to attract a loyal following, demonstrating their flair for blending fashion with emotional resonance while continually evolving their business model to meet market demands.
Source: Noah Wire Services
