So …. boutique #4 for Monsieur Isham, came in the form of a two-level opulent space at Orchard Central. Rather odd location, if you ask me, but done tastefully nonetheless. If memory serves me right, the space used to be filled by a jewelry store that obviously didn’t last long. Hopefully for Ashley, this will.
Now this, was a proper event. Ushers that guided you every 10 meters to make sure you didn’t lose your way (as one normally does in OC), right from the valet, the mall’s entrance, the side door and down the red carpet, which of course led to the obligatory photo-wall, splattered with sponsor logos and whathaveyous. After taking a couple of shots against the backdrop with my partner, Bobby, in my loaned electric-blue AI dress (I was requested to make an appearance in it, along with my fellow, [the]Collective member, Linda Black.), we headed through the entrance of the store, to be welcomed by 6-foot-tall “live” mannequins, decked out in Ashley’s, and the store’s, finest threads. Up one flight of stairs, only to be met by another curved set of steps (hard to negotiate, when you’re wearing a four-inch pair of heels and a tiny dress, WHILE trying to look glamourous).
Surrounded by gorgeous models, beautiful clothes, carefully put-together guests and lots of champagne, the night was filled with the usual social chatter, the odd broken glass (as I always say, “it ain’t a party till a glass breaks) and the constant flash of cameras.
Now … about the store. It isn’t all about the London-based designer who’s gained popularity amongst Hollywood & European celebrities & social butterflies. It’s also home to international labels like Farah Khan (the Malaysian socialite was spotted amongst the crowd too), Nicole Brundage’s footwear collection – Acrobats of God, Paris-based shoe designer Rahael Young’s, R-flex, as well as Modern Love. The latter of which is a collection of clothes that is best described as inspired by “1930’s Parisian and 70’s New-York disco”.
So …. if you were observant enough to notice the title of this blog ….. I’ll now move on to the “Parlour” section. “Parlour by Ashley Isham” is what takes up the 2nd floor of the duplex. It seeks to bring a different twist to the whole “retail therapy” experience by allowing it’s customers to devour (visually) the beauty of the collections, while at the same time, indulge (orally) the sweetness of its desserts and cocktails.
If you were at the event last night, you might have sampled one of two (or both) cocktails that was being served up. One was a blueberry-based concoction called “Mon Cherie” and the other, a kamquat-flavoured “poison” named, “Mon Amore”. Both of these will be available on a daily basis at the store.
To sum it up, if Orchard Central has been somewhat of a nemesis to your weekly shopping experience, you can now seek refuge in a gorgeous double-storey retail space, whose entrance begins on street-level (which means no losing your way in that maze of a mall), and indulge your senses in the oppulence that’s now known as Boutique & Parlour by Ahsley Isham.