Latest news with #TheClosetLover
Time Out
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Another one bites the dust: Isetan at Tampines Mall will shut its doors in November 2025
We've recently bid farewell to local fashion label The Closet Lover and Japanese retailer NBC Stationery & Gifts – and now, another name is joining the list. Beloved Japanese department store Isetan will be shuttering its Tampines Mall outlet after 30 long years of operation. A familiar name to many Singaporeans, Isetan has been a go-to for everything from homeware and groceries to clothing and footwear. The news was announced via Tampines Mall's official Facebook page, revealing that the store will close its doors in November 2025. No reason was given for the closure, and there's been no word on which tenant might take its place. This isn't the first Isetan outlet to close in recent years – the Westgate store closed in 2020, followed by the Parkway Parade branch in 2022. Once the Tampines Mall outlet ceases operations, only two Isetan department stores will remain in Singapore: at Shaw House and NEX. Despite this, there's plenty to look forward to, including the opening of the new lifestyle hub Geneo , the lease extension of Pearl's Hill Terrace , and the upcoming launch of Weave at Resorts World Sentosa . READ MORE Gelato Messina Review: Australia's famous gelato chain lands in Singapore Singapore's first Lotte Mart Express is now open with popular Korean snacks, street food and ramyeon bar Popular Korean fast food chain Lotteria to open its first Singapore outlet in 2025
Time Out
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Local fashion brand The Closet Lover is shutting down this June after 17 years of operation
Running a business in Singapore is no walk in the park – which makes The Closet Lover's (TCL) 17-year run all the more impressive. But even good things come to an end, and the beloved homegrown fashion label has announced that it will officially close on June 15, 2025. Founded by sisters Bertilla and Brianna Wong, TCL began in 2007 as a humble blogshop run out of their bedroom, with the duo packing orders by hand. Over the years, the brand gained a following for its wide range of apparel, from casual staples to chic occasion wear, offering styles that are versatile for anyone and everyone. TCL soon became a favourite among local shoppers and eventually opened three physical stores in Orchard, Bugis, and Tampines. Today, the brand boasts over 137,000 followers on Instagram. The decision to close down was a personal one. Both sisters have been diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue. While Bertilla's condition has remained under control, Brianna's health has recently deteriorated. The sisters have chosen to prioritise rest and recovery, stepping away from the business to focus on Brianna's well-being. Although no future plans for TCL have been confirmed, fans can look forward to one final collection that is set to launch on May 25. In the meantime, TCL will continue its weekly livestreams. From May 19, shoppers will no longer be able to earn cashback or points, and all existing rewards must be redeemed by June 15. Do note that returns and exchanges will no longer be accepted from June 1 onwards.
New Paper
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Paper
'I want my sister to live': Local fashion label The Closet Lover to shut amid co-founder's health scare
Local fashion label The Closet Lover (TCL) will be shuttering after 17 years due to the deteriorating health of owner Brianna Wong, but her co-founder sister is not ruling out a comeback. Ms Bertilla Wong, 35, told The Straits Times on May 3 that her sister's health took a turn for the worse in February during her two-week visit in South Korea. "She experienced very high blood pressure. Her legs and limbs were extremely swollen and she even had difficulty breathing at times such that she had to visit the doctor twice while she was in Seoul," said Ms Wong. Ms Brianna Wong, 39, who was previously diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly referred to as lupus, was warded the moment she returned to Singapore. Lupus is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks the healthy tissues and organs. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that at least five million people worldwide have a form of lupus, and women make up the majority of such patients. Scientists suspect that sex hormones play a part. Symptoms associated with the condition include joint pain, fatigue and a butterfly rash that appears across the cheeks and nose. Ms Bertilla Wong said the doctor informed her older sister that her kidney and heart were inflamed due to the stress she was facing and advised her to prioritise her health. "When I heard that, I was very worried and persuaded her to end the business first to recuperate because I want my sister to live," said Ms Bertilla Wong. TCL, which started as an online blogshop in 2007, will close its doors on June 15. Until then, the fashion label, which has 137,000 followers on Instagram and 13,400 followers on TikTok, will continue with its weekly livestreams and launches. The brand's final act before bowing out will be on May 25: the launch of a collaboration with an international brand that Ms Bertilla Wong declines to reveal more about. Fortunately for Ms Wong, who was also diagnosed with the same condition as her older sister, she is in a much better place today. "My last flare-up was many years ago. I get joint pain occasionally when I'm stressed out but other than that, my organs are intact and fine," she said, adding that she has been helming the business for the last few months while her sister recuperates. When asked if she had thought of selling the fashion brand, Ms Wong said they considered that option but eventually decided against it. She explained that the brand and sales are tied to the two of them, and there "is no point" if they have to continue to help out after selling. "The priority for us right now is to rest and recuperate from the stress of running the business and not think of anything else," said Ms Wong. Besides her older sister's condition, Ms Wong acknowledges that it has not been an easy journey running TCL, whose annual revenue she says is under $10 million, in the post-Covid times. At one point, the company owned four retail outlets in Singapore. Overseas, it operated two stores in Malaysia and had two franchise stores in Cambodia before they closed down in 2021 and 2024, respectively. There are currently three TCL outlets in Bugis, Orchard and Tampines. TCL, which started as an online blogshop in 2007, will close its doors on June 15. PHOTO: COURTESY OF BERTILLA WONG Noting that consumers' tastes and preferences have evolved after the pandemic, Ms Wong said people were thinking twice about spending money on clothes. This drove her company to put in more effort to woo customers on social media and conduct regular livestreams to promote its products. "It was very tiring for myself, my older sister and my employees. The situation got really bad during the recent Chinese New Year launches where we livestreamed six days a week to showcase our new products," she said. "We also had to cut some of our retail leases previously as well so there were definitely some financial losses; but ultimately, even if the business was doing super well, we wouldn't have been able to keep it going if we were to run it at the expense of our health." On their future plans, Ms Wong said she will continue to livestream for TikTok as well as promote health and wellness products for a local brand on social media, while her sister continues to recuperate. The brand's final act before bowing out will be on May 25: the launch of a collaboration with an international brand that Ms Bertilla Wong declines to reveal more about. PHOTO: COURTESY OF BERTILLA WONG But she does not rule out a comeback for TCL in the future. "My sister is still very interested in fashion and when she gets better, she may still come up with something on a smaller scale, something more manageable that will not affect her health," said Ms Wong, adding that her older sister will still appear on her TikTok livestreams from time to time. Beyond that, Ms Wong said she and her sister are extremely grateful to the people they have met - suppliers, friends, collaborators and customers - since they embarked on this enterprise. "We are thankful for their support all these years and especially so for our employees, who have been very understanding about the situation as we try to help them to transit smoothly during this difficult period."
Independent Singapore
03-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Fashion brand The Closet Lover to close after 17 years; Wong sisters with lupus choose to 'slow down and heal'
Photo: Instagram/theclosetlover SINGAPORE: Local fashion brand The Closet Lover will be closing its doors after 17 years, announced co-founders and sisters Bertilla and Brianna Wong. Both sisters, who have been battling lupus, shared the news on Instagram on May 2. 'We know that this announcement might come as a shock to some of you. This is one of the most difficult decisions we have ever had to make. The Closet Lover has always, always been our baby, and closing this chapter is more than bittersweet. As some of you may know, we are both lupus patients. After careful deliberation, we have decided to close the business to prioritise our health,' they wrote. Reflecting on their entrepreneurship journey, which gave them 'endless inspiration and excitement', they added, 'But it is time for us to slow down and heal, and to embrace this next phase of life with grace.' The sisters-turned-business partners also thanked the TCL community for their continued support. 'What began as a humble passion project has grown into something far greater than we ever imagined, and it is all thanks to your continued support. We are deeply grateful to have had you on this journey with us.' The Closet Lover started as an online blogshop but has since expanded to include three retail locations at Bugis Junction, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, and Tampines 1, as reported by Mothership. The Closet Lover's website and stores will be operational until June 15, 2025. /TISG Read also: Cathay Cineplexes bids another farewell: West Mall outlet to close on Feb 20 amid its 'Save Our Screens' campaign
