Jewel Changi Airport is becoming quite the hot place to go to during the weekends and if you are looking for some uniquely Singaporean gifts to get, one retail shop that comes to our mind is Naiise Iconic!
Since its humble beginnings in 2013, Naiise has grown tremendously and is now one of the largest and fastest-growing design retailers in the region. With more than 25,000 products from more than 1,000 emerging and established designers from around the world, there’s definitely something for everyone!
When you arrive at Naiise’s shopfront, you will notice that its entrance is decorated with circular wood carvings which might seem like, “it’s just another design” but when you look at it for some time and ponder deeply, you will soon realise that it has a subtle meaning behind it. If you still don’t get it, think about the scales on Singapore’s iconic Merlion. These wooden Merlion scales are handcrafted by local artisans and the wood comes from locally-sourced fallen Rain Trees, also known in Malay as the Pukul Lima or “5 o’clock Tree” as its leaves open during the day but shut when sunset comes around.
Once inside the shop, there’s just so much stuff to explore, experience, see, feel, touch, and taste that you probably will need an hour or so to truly appreciate the different zones that have been thoughtfully crafted. If you’re planning a visit to Naiise Iconic, there are 3 Key Experiences that you shouldn’t miss!
Naiise Iconic Key Experience #1: The Pantry
Step into Naiise’s first foray into the Food & Beverage (F&B) scene with The Pantry, an open-source cafe that connects diners to interesting homegrown F&B brands such as Nuude by Udders, Joe & Dough, Bettr Barista, Doki Doki and Fossa Chocolate. With The Pantry, you can now “cafe hop” to these local F&B brands at just one location and what’s more, the prices for the food and drinks are pretty reasonable.
If coffee’s not your cup of tea, you can hop over to the Tea Bar operated by local tea aggregator Teapasar and sample quality teas from more than 30 brands, get educated on farm-to-table teas, and catch a glimpse of tea roasting happening live at the bar. The Tea Bar also provides tea sampling services where you will be served teas based on a combination of your taste preferences and technology-enabled taste profile recommendations.
Naiise Iconic Key Experience #2: The Gift Bar
Check out Singapore’s first in-store Gift Bar where you can customise gift wrapping on the spot by choosing from more than 100 gift wrappers, ribbons and other accessories. From just SGD$3, select from more than 100 different gift wraps, ribbons and accessories like dried flowers and pom poms to truly make your gift personalised. The Gift Bar also provides free wrapping services and other customisation add-ons such as calligraphy services and wax seal stamping.
If you are looking to customise some products for your loved ones, The Gift Bar offers on the spot jewellery engraving, hot foil stamping, and perfume label customisation. These services are provided by Naiise in collaboration with The Mindful Company and perfumier, The LAB Fragrances.
If all that doesn’t entice you, pop by the ana tomy, a notebook maker whose artisans will customise notebooks for you on the spot or head to the upper floor for a more intimate and luxurious experience where you can get your own personalised skincare product that’s created by homegrown skincare brand Alche{me}.
Naiise Iconic Key Experience #3: The Workshop
A regular component of Naiise’s retail-experience since its founding includes its monthly workshops, talks and events. The Workshop space at Naiise Iconic play hosts to weekend craft workshops for consumers, as well as a series of curated monthly talks and events to promote dialogue and collaboration among its community of designers, makers and consumers. If you’re in need of some inspiration or if you’re thinking of taking up a new hobby or interest, The Workshop at Naiise Iconic is the space for it!
Some upcoming workshops to look out for are the Introduction to Floral Embroidery and Miniature Wheel Pottery Workshop!
In Summary…
Boasting the largest selection of locally designed products and souvenirs with more than 140 local brands stocked, Naiise Iconic should be the first stop for tourists to Singapore! Even if you’re not a tourist, there are so many things that you can see and do at Naiise Iconic and if you ever run out of ideas for gifting (like I always do), head down to Naiise to get some really Naiise presents!
