From September 18 to 20, the Shanghai-based creative collective Common Rare will transform Suntec City Convention Hall 401–402 into a three-day lifestyle market celebrating independent design, slow living, and emerging global brands.
Founded by Taiwan-born friends Tiffany Wang and Vivian Sze, Common Rare began as a tribute to California’s vibrant shop-local culture. The pair met while studying in Shanghai before heading to the United States, where weekends spent wandering independent markets sparked an idea they carried back to Asia. A few years later, they returned to Shanghai determined to recreate that community-driven spirit in one of the continent’s most frenetic cities.
Today, Common Rare is best known for its creative festivals, illustration showcases, and lifestyle markets that champion emerging brands, independent makers, and under-the-radar creatives. Now the collective brings that same ethos to Singapore, with a market fronted by 200 curated brands from around the world—including overseas labels making their local debut.
A Global Curated Roster
The vendor lineup spans fashion, homeware, ceramics, fragrance, lifestyle goods, and art, with a special emphasis on independent makers. Watch for regional brands like:
- Futuremade Studio (Malaysia) – a respected streetwear label producing utility-driven everyday garments
- Anaabu – comfortable, gender-neutral slow-fashion apparel
- Japfac (Thailand) – clean, multifunctional geometric bags
- Humblezing (Indonesia) – durable, utility-inspired outdoor casual wear and gear
The curation extends beyond Southeast Asia. From the United States, Shawna Chan—a multidisciplinary immigrant artist—creates vibrant illustrations, beaded goods, and ceramics deeply inspired by childhood nostalgia and her Peranakan roots. Representing Shanghai is Grumpy Animal Club, an indie lifestyle brand known for its playful, animal-themed illustrations and quirky graphic goods.
Local Stars and Eco-Conscious Finds
For Singaporean shoppers, the market highlights homegrown names like Scent Journer, a mindful fragrance label crafting mood-led perfumes, and Hands On Film, a community-centric lab catering to analogue photography lovers. Visitors can also explore Studio Yono (a curated design boutique), Rehyphen (an eco-conscious studio that upcycles discarded cassette tapes into art and lifestyle products), and Talking Toes, a quirky local brand weaving motivational phrases across colourful socks.
Beyond Shopping: Food, Workshops, and Pets
Shopping isn’t the only draw. The weekend features live performances, interactive workshops, and hands-on activities. Refuel at coffee stations from PPP Coffee, Homeground Coffee Roasters, Morning, and Smitten Coffee Roasters, or grab sweet treats from crowd favourites like Hello Arigato and Berrybar. For fur parents, the event is pet-friendly—just keep your furkid leashed and supervised.
Tickets are priced from $4 online (available at common-rare.com) and $7 at the door. Early birds can snag a limited-edition welcome gift while stocks last.
Broader Impact and Next Steps
Common Rare’s Singapore debut signals a growing appetite for slow-living experiences in one of the world’s busiest hubs. As more consumers seek out independent, mindful alternatives to mass-produced goods, markets like this offer a tangible counterpoint—and a chance to connect directly with the makers behind the products. For those inspired, follow Common Rare on Instagram for updates on participating brands, and mark your calendar for a weekend of discovery, creativity, and community.