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Style News: Bag brand The Sophia Label turns 10, craft market of 250 local makers
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The Sophia Label turns 10
Home-grown bag brand The Sophia Label is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a series of bag drops.
With seven fresh designs in three drops from August to 2026, the milestone collection honours the ethos of timeless appeal and functionality that founder Sophia Chen first prized when establishing her brand in August 2015.
First to launch on Aug 8 was the Signature Pocket Micro Bag ($28), a dainty crescent shape made in padded nylon and from the brand's Posh series. It is sold in a blind bag for an added surprise, with five possible colourways.
(From left) The Sophia Label Signature Pocket M Rei Tote Bag in Chalk, Signature Pocket L Rei Tote Bag in Camel and Taupe.
PHOTOS: THE SOPHIA LABEL
Launched on Aug 13, the Signature Pocket M/L Rei Tote Bag ($88 to $98) is for those who crave more structure.
In vegan leather, the trendy boxy silhouette takes you from work to play with an envelope-style pocket on the outside, a spacious main compartment and inner pockets. The bag comes in sizes M and L, and the larger version has a nifty back luggage slot for hands-free travel.
In September, fans can look forward to slouchier hobo bags and padded crossbodies.
Info: Available at
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SG60 craft market of more than 250 local makers
Wood carving artist @ is one of more than 250 local makers participating in the Common Touch Craft Festival.
PHOTO: COMMON TOUCH
In the spirit of National Day and SG60, local pottery studio Common Touch Craft Unit is bringing together more than 250 local makers for a market celebrating the creative community.
From Aug 16 to 17, the Common Touch Craft Festival showcases booths across three zones: Handcrafted Items, featuring artisanal ceramics, textiles, jewellery and heritage crafts; Design & Lifestyle Products that include art and homeware; and Illustrative Merchandise, encompassing prints and zines.
The aim is to bridge different disciplines – positioning traditional potters, weavers and woodworkers alongside contemporary designers and digital illustrators, says Common Touch co-founder Zestro Leow. The potter, who runs a studio with partner and ceramicist Fyon Cheong, got his own start selling at art markets in the 2010s.
Creations from pottery label @___life_25 (left) and Creations from earrings label @mayzydazy.
PHOTOS: COMMON TOUCH
While you will not find their handmade works at the event, look out for pieces from more than 250 other labels, including earrings brand Mayzydazy, wood carving artist Lyn Ng of Studio Mu Yu and a part-time potter who goes by @___life_25 on Instagram.
Info: Hall 405, Suntec City Convention Centre, 1 Raffles Boulevard, from Aug 16 (noon to 8pm) to 17 (11am to 7pm). Entry is free. For more information, go to
Fragrance pop-ups from Byredo, Rare Beauty and Gucci Beauty
Rare Beauty Rare Eau de Parfum by Selena Gomez.
PHOTOS: RARE BEAUTY
Orchard Road is a perfume lover's dream this weekend, with several pop-ups launching new fragrances for the season.
Start your scent trail at Sephora Ion Orchard, decked out for the debut of Rare Beauty's first perfume. The Rare Eau de Parfum ($125 for 50ml) is sweet but not cloyingly so, with notes of caramel, pistachio, vanilla, spicy ginger, tonka beans and skin musks.
Founder and pop star Selena Gomez, who suffers from lupus and arthritis-like symptoms, worked with a hand therapist and packaging engineers to design an ergonomic yet luxe fragrance bottle that enables easy dispensing for persons with disabilities.
Until Aug 20 at the store launchpad, receive a two-piece gift set with a minimum spending of $45 on Rare Beauty. On Aug 16 and 17, buy a 50ml Rare EDP and any Rare Beauty blush, and get to personalise a keychain for free.
Byredo Alto Astral.
PHOTO: BYREDO
Stop by Ngee Ann City for a whiff of Alto Astral ($297 for 50ml), the latest eau de parfum from luxury Swedish fragrance house Byredo. Named after the Brazilian Portuguese expression 'alto astral', which translates to an elevated state of mind, it seeks to evoke the feeling of joy and optimism.
The vibrant summer scent opens with a sparkling coconut note and fresh aldehydes, moving to a complex heart of incense, jasmine petals and milky musk, before settling on a base of sandalwood, cashmere wood and salted amber.
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Intense featuring singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus.
PHOTO: GUCCI BEAUTY
Over at Paragon Shopping Centre, check out the Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Intense ($285 for 100ml). Fronted by singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus, the floral-woody gourmand scent deepens the original, sweeter Gorgeous Gardenia scent with a rich, creamy sandalwood essence.
Here, you can also swatch the brand's Blush de Beaute ($95) in Silky Rose and Bright Coral, and Rouge De Beaute Brillant in They Met In Argentina ($65), in limited-edition packaging.
Info: Rare Beauty's pop-up is at Sephora Ion Orchard (B2-14/15) until Aug 20. Byredo's pop-up is at Ngee Ann City (Basement 1 atrium) until Aug 24. Gucci Beauty's pop-up is at Paragon Shopping Centre atrium from Aug 15 to 21.
