Vanguard Designs: Located Across the Gallery Hotel

Upon entering Vanguard's work & retail space you're greeted by a friendly staff, an open brick interior, and raw wood finishes; the space is filled with a number of different styled bicycles lining the walls or hanging from ceiling fixtures. The shelves are filled with an array of different art, design, travel, photography books and periodicals. If you look a little harder you'll find a number of interesting products sprinkled around the store. Ranging from obscure 2B pencils to Brooks bicycle seats.

Vanguard's projects take inspiration from vintage and contemporary styled bicycles, there aren't too many places in the world where you will find a 1960's styled french commuter bike for sale. The parts are restored vintage or fabricated by hand; the bicycles are then handcrafted in Singapore. If you're looking to ride something that's more than a bicycle I'd suggest you drop by.

Located at7 Rodyk Street 01-30 - Watermark Robertson Quay (across Gallery Hotel)
T: +65-6835 7228
E: info@vanguard-designs.com or contact us at +65-8399 7097 [outside business hours]

Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays: 1pm – 8pm; Saturdays and Sundays: 11am – 9pm

Public Nuisance Radio Show No. 59 : Funk Bast*rd (Cosa Nostra)

Public Nuisance show No. 59 w the Funk Bast*rd (Cosa Nostra) by Cosa Nostra
Enjoy!

Song Combo: Dirty Projectors and (MF) Doom

Stillness in the Move


That's That

sifr essentials : v-neck and crew-neck henley

Chatroulette

I can't believe Chatroulette went on CNN last night. You need a webcam and microphone to fully participate.

Fulgeance - Rubiscube

Fulgeance - Rubiscube by fulgeance

sifr 2010 : 1st drop

sifr is proud to announce it's first product drop of 2010.

We're trying out new fabrics: ultra lightweight gingham, 2ply porous gauze fabric, 60s light oxford, as well as beautiful combed broadcloth that is soon to come. Please click on the images below to view individual garment details.

Product is available at K.I.N and rockstar.












Sincerely,
sifr

Onra - The Anthem

Google: Search On

A brilliant ad (a friend mentioned that this aired during the Super Bowl XLIV) from one of the most powerful companies in the world.

Fulgeance - Haggis

Fulgeance the other side of Souleance. Word up to Funk B*stard on the heads up for this one.

The Killer Gerbil: SG - FR - NL

Our homie the killer gerbil made a trip over to Paris and Amsterdam for some down time check, the video below by rastAsia for an interview into his experience coming to Europe and experiencing the culture there; comparing it to the culture back home in Singapore as well as a few pieces he did on his way around.

The Killer Gerbil: SG-FR-NL from Hasan Ismail on Vimeo.

Giles & Brothers Available at White Room

Our good friends over at White Room have recently brought in Giles & Brothers. They're great accessories to complete an outfit.

"We are very excited to announce the arrival of Giles & Brother’s range of jewellery by New York based jeweller Philip Crangi in our store.

Giles & Brother, created by brother and sister team, Philip and Courtney, is the diffusion line featuring the favourite motifs and icons of Philip Crangi’s main collection. Inspired by classic estate jewellery, iconic motifs and ethnic African tribal beaded adornments, this distinct line of bracelets, necklaces, rings and key chain, comes in 3 distinct groups : (1) solid brass range (2) sterling silver range and (3) leather range.

Vanguard Designs: February Releases

The good people over at Vanguard Design just released their February bike collection, click the photos to find out more information or click on the link above to head to their main page.

From Vanguard’s private collection, the WWII BSA Paratrooper is an ultra rare and fully-stocked 1942 para-military folding bike. This exquisite museum-worthy piece comes with its authentic serial number, original British parts and components, including its front and rear brakes, wheel set, tyres, pedals, free-wheel, crank, and frame. One of the few (in full working and riding condition) in existence in the world today, this priceless find is specially released for all collectors and aficionados.

Inspired by British “club racers” and “all-rounders” of the 50s and 60s, Étienne is a durable, long distance urban commuter that is specially re-built and restored using a 1960s Raleigh Superb Sport frame. Étienne is fitted with a pair of front and rear Sturmey Archer drum brakes together and Sturmey Archer 3-speed gearing system with an original vintage stick shifter and external cable/pulley wheel. Whether participating in the l’eroica race or commuting to work everyday, Étienne will show you an unforgettable experience on a velocommute ride.

Cassidy is designed in tribute to the raw forms and athletic images of board track racing of the 1920s. This handsome ride is specially reconstructed and fabricated as a crafted objet d’art by Vanguard’s team in Portland. Fitted with leather saddles and a coaster hub brake, the finished product is a vintage inspired street cruiser, re-imagined for the modern world.

An ultimate ladies’ and gentlemen’s ride, Sabine is chic, simple and responsive. Built using a restored and re-fabricated 1970s Bridgestone multi-speed bike, Sabine is a no-nonsense single-speed ride that comes stripped down and presented in its purest form and function. Low on maintenance and high on the chic quotient, this ride comes ready fitted with leather gear as well as a coaster hub brake.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For more information, press kits, order enquiries and viewing appointments, please contact:
Shaun or Jacinta Sonja . [Workshop] by Angelus Novus Studio . 7 Rodyk Street 01-30 . Watermark Robertson Quay . Singapore 238215
T: +65-6835 7228 E: info@vanguard-designs.com or contact us at +65-8399 7097 [outside business hours]

Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays: 1pm – 8pm; Saturdays and Sundays: 11am – 9pm (We’re closed from 11-18 February; we re-open on 19 February)

DJ Shadow, DJ Krush & Roni Size - Freestyle

The Vice Guide to Liberia

It's crude and uncensored, Vice's reporting provides a fresh take on subjects and situations from around the world in areas that are neglected by conventional media but still have a riveting story to tell us all. In this series the Vice team lead by Shane Smith go into Liberiaa country located in western Africa, a country labeled as a literal hell on earth. If you have a few minutes I urge you to press play and get a shoulder level view of a place that is alien to most of us.



"Welcome to The Vice Guide to Liberia. In this eight-part series, VBStravels to West Africa to rummage through the messy remains of a country ravaged by 14 years of civil war. Despite the United Nation’s eventual intervention, most of Liberia’s young people continue to live in abject poverty, surrounded by filth, drug addiction, and teenage prostitution. The former child soldiers who were forced into war have been left to fend for themselves, the murderous warlords who once led them in cannibalistic rampages have taken up as so-called community leaders, and new militias are lying in wait for the opportunity to reclaim their country from a government they rightly mistrust. America’s one and only foray into African colonialism is keeping a very uneasy peace indeed. In Part 1, Vice’s own Shane Smith provides a brief history lesson and some essential context for understanding what caused Liberia’s civil war and how things got so bad. Liberia was originally planned and founded as a homeland for former slaves back in 1821. But fast forward a bunch of years and a military coup and you find the First Liberian Civil War in 1989: yet another third-world regime change in which the US-backed opposition, led by Charles Taylor, overthrows a government unfriendly to US interests. Once in power, Taylor’s corrupt, dysfunctional government quickly finds itself under attack by local warlords, leading to the Second Liberian Civil War ten years later. From there things go from bad to total shit." -VBS.TV

Rory O'Sullivan: Rethinking Scholarship

If you dropped by the store this Saturday, we'd like to extend a hand of thanks. 


A little bit of a late pass on this amazing video as we haven't had much time to tend to the blog. If you haven't watched do check it out. Langara College is offering $18,000 and a 3 month internship for aspiring designers and art directors, all you need to do is fill a sketchbook full of ideas or rebuild the sketchbook into something else.

For more info please visit: rethinkscholarship.com


Rethink Scholarship at Langara 2010 Call for Entries from Rory O'Sullivan and Simon Bruyn on Vimeo.

Chinese New Year Sale 'aka' End of the Season Sale

It's that time of the year at KIN. We're making space for the coming 'Spring Summer 10' drops. Please do spread the word about the sale as it will only be on during this Saturday, the 30th.

For more information click the flyer below.

Behind The Scenes: Product Development

I just received some photos from Suraj documenting some new things we're doing in Indonesia. Suraj has been there for the last week working on a number of things: our new batch of shoes coming out, each pair of shoes is handmade with a combination of a wood and crepe soles and uses 100% genuine cow leather. We're also working on some new items for sifr essentials that focuses on a different aesthetic, I won't attach words to images, please be patient for some product shots. On top of the new items we're doing for essentials we are also preparing to launch some women's styles. Thank you to all the people that have suggested to engage the female audience to us in store, via email, on the street, at a party; we are almost there.


Washing machines.


Washing machines in operation.


About to inspect the fabric after a test wash.


Drying machines.


Checking on our shoe sample.


Looking at some other models our manufacturer produces.

Hudson Mohawke - Fuse

Public Nuisance Radio Show No. 56 : Funk Bast*rd

Public Nuisance show No. 56 w the Funk Bast*rd (Cosa Nostra) by Cosa Nostra

Some friendly fire, Public Nuisance 56 just released by our man Funk Bast*rd. If you're going to be on the computer for anywhere near an hour, press play to hear some refreshing tracks.

Public Nuisance show 56 w the Funk Bast*rd, Singapore (18.01.2010)

Hosted on www.danceandsoul.com, www.radiopellenara.com

1st show of 2010.... yes we are back. :)

1. Jacques Renault - Piano's on the beach
2. Lee Dorsey - Night People (Chris Luck edit)
3. Nigel One - Seen
4. Souleance - La Plaisir
5. Freddy Todd - Can't Fathom This (Om Unit remix)
6. LEMS - Hello beat 3 feat. Naoyuki Takano (Moonstarr Remix)
7. Shlohmo - Antigravity (Low Limit Remix)
8. Jacob Korn - Distant Point Of View
9. Maze - Twilight (The Noodleman's rework)
10. Dub Version - Boogieasy
11. Direct Current - Everybody Here Must Party
12. Banbarra - Shack Up
13. Bill Summers - Straight To The Bank (Touchsoul Edit)
14. Eddie Henderson - Say You will (KRL rework)
15. Social Disco Club - Down Town (version 1)
16. Sharon Redd - Beat The Streets (Cosa Nostra Chop Shop edit)

Phantogram - Mouthful of Diamonds

Clear Channel Prototyping

Here are some photos from our trip to ClearChannel's Outdoor installation warehouse. We got to test pilot our concept on an old Zoo installation bus stop. Nerve racking and filled with anxiety because we weren't sure how the real thing would turn out when the time came.


Doing measurements and concept work at the office.


ClearChannel Outdoor warehouse. It was interesting to see a warehouse filled with ads done with ClearChannel throughout the past few years.


A peak inside the warehouse.


Preparing the space for our prototype.


Mapping the tshirt cut out to test lighting.


Just about to test the lighting with the cotton inside.


Firdhaus and Daryl installing the cotton.


Cutting up the sponge we used as a base to secure the cotton bulbs in the ClearChannel board.


Close up on the cotton inside the board. At this point we weren't sure if the real thing would turn out as anticipated through the digital renders.


Everyone analyzing the lighting situation with the advert.


About to test the transparency of the vinyl with the lighting.


Keep a look out for our ads at:
Orchard Blvd
Cecil St
Bencoolen St
Commonwealth Ave

Kind Regards,
sifr

Moderat - A New Error

sifr essentials : clear channel campaign

sifr : essentials from sifr on Vimeo.

Music: Phantogram - When I'm Small

The clip was shot at a bus stop whilst we were installing a Clear Channel mix media advertisement for sifr essentials.

The advertisement can be viewed at the following locations,
Commonwealth Avenue
Bencoolen Street
Cecil Street
Orchard Boulevard


Ward Regards,
sifr

Prototyping Merchandising Signage pt.2

Here is the 2nd part of the steps to finishing our DIY signage. To summarize the whole process, we took some abandoned wine crates and used a positive emulsion on a silkscreen to create our stencil which we then printed onto the wooden slats, the slats were then baked to dry the ink and gnarl the wood. The result our own custom signage that didn't cost more than our own time and a few dollars.


Photo 1: Successful print on slat.


Photo 2: Editions. Total 4.


Photo 3: The multi purpose oven to dry ink and other stuff!

Keep a look out for the signs at Tangs Orchard, Rockstar, and KIN.

Prototyping Merchandising Signage

One of our new members on the sifr team has been cracking away at our merchandising display. The following photos are from the first segment of the production process for sifr essentials signage that we use at our selected retail outlets.


Printed image on tracing paper. Just checking alignment for wine box slats. This printed image will be 'exposed' onto the silkscreen mesh. The printed image on tracing paper is black, doesn't allow light to pass through so, whilst exposing, the part, that gets light will harden thus preventing the emulsion (next photo, purple) to be washed off.


What an exposed mesh will look like with stencil of image.


Test print for colour.


Test print on wood.

Hope everyone has had an auspicious start to the new year(hangovers count as auspicious)!

Oh No - Adventure

Off Oh No's new album, Dr. No's Ethiopium.

Announcement: We're hiring again!

On top of the previous post we also need someone to help out on the graphics end for sifr, please look at the photo below for more details. 

Just to clarify we are looking to hire for two individual positions: 

1) part-time staff member for sifr essentials

2) part-time graphic design intern for sifr 

Announcement

We are currently hiring!

We're looking for a part-time staff member to help us manage Sifr Essentials.

If you're experienced in sales, stock management (important) as well as enthusiastic, knowledgeable, energetic and organized (most important), please email us with your resume at suraj@sifrsite.com or chris@sifrsite.com. Please only apply if you are serious and meet these requirements.

Have a good week ahead.

Engineered Garments Feature on Honeyee

If you can read kanji there's a great feature on Honeyee about Engineered Garments. If you can't read kanji, the photos are nice to look at.

Common People with K.I.N

A big shout out to Common People for coming by the store to shoot the interview, we had more than a great time talking with you all.

K.I.N - Know It Nothing from commonpeople on Vimeo.

Pharoah Monche - Simon Says

Merry Christmas!

We will be open for a 1/2 day on the 24th.

On the day of Christmas we will be closed.

Merry Christmas!

If you didn't catch us dancing in our last video, here it is again,

Send your own ElfYourself eCards