3EIGHTH V3.0: A NEW SUN RISING
Welcome.
You’ve arrived at the 3EIGHTH universe - our haven for happenstance, surprise and discovery. A New Sun Rising represents progress into a new space and era for the brand.
Our mission of providing an allowance for everyone to simply be themselves, stays true. 3EIGHTH designs reflect a desire for self-expression - sometimes quietly, and sometimes unabashedly. We constantly explore the boundaries of colour, texture and looser silhouettes. 3EIGHTH delivers well-tailored clothes that give you an allowance to move freely and feel confident to step out in.
A New Sun Rising is a space where you can safely exist beyond the confines of a box, and where your hearts can expand. Here, chaos and calm can coexist. In fact, Sheryl, our lead designer, invites you to relish in it. Let us begin…
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As you enter the studio space, you are first greeted by a white antechamber, which houses a trio of small mirrored blocks and a pendant lamp resembling Saturn - a subtle signal to your entry into our universe.
You are then welcomed into a new dimension through a cobalt blue-bordered door. What follows is negative space and your eyes immediately catch sight of a large mirror cave, also home to our fitting room, which gives an illusion of infinite vastness. Perhaps you’ve stepped into a gallery, or even outer space itself. Everything feels almost pristine. The floor is glossy, the surfaces are hard, intersecting and linear with some bits of silver hardware and track lights that illuminate the space with a warm white glow. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see that we’ve installed little nuggets of vivid colour for your visual feasting, and somewhat playful touches of art that we hope may illicit a smile. A bold yellow wall-to-floor feature that accents our mirror cave, a desk shaped like a cloud.
No detail within the space is spared. Right down to the vibrant red bench and cobalt blue chairs, to rugs with colours that take reference from the furnitures around. All of it is placed in with an intention to surprise. Even the interiors of our changing room, which houses an all-encompassing warm salmon-pink interior, is meant to induce feelings of warmth and safety within a changing space. Not forgetting, some personal touches too; a large print that sits near the door, by one of Sheryl’s favourite artists - Yoshitomo Nara.
The concept of our space was one driven by the process itself - what started off as a blank, white canvas has became a playground for colour and textures, a gateway to take each one of you into different dimensions, unchallenged by the confines of a space. Each element and detail seeks to surprise, and serves as an expression of our universe - where art and clothing can exist together.
We sat down with Sheryl to pick her brains and talk us through her thoughts about the new space. (Responses have been edited for clarity)
Q: What does this space mean to you?
This space is a dream, made real. It has been a vision, that up until awhile ago only existed within me as a feeling. I think of this space as a canvas for new ideas, bigger ideas. I think of it as my own universe, when I step into the space everyday, it makes me happy.
Q: What was the inspiration and concept for this space?
Initially, I imagined a large expansive all-white space, which in hindsight feels interesting that I have arrived at a much bolder end point. One of my early concepts was for this space was for it to be ambiguous and different, to challenge the notions and expectations that people may have when experiencing tailoring, and what a studio space should look like. This final version is something I’ve arrived at with a lot of twists and turns in the decision making.
This space is an encapsulation of how I am as a person, as an extension of me coming out of my own cage. I think that it is a great reflection of how I view my life to be and how I dress - colourful in many ways. It makes me very excited and energised to exist in this space and I hope that when customers enter this space, they will be able to share this feeling.
Q: How does this space reflect your design philosophy?
I like the feeling of being caught off-guard and surprised, especially when I design or appreciate design from other artists. This feeling is something I chase while I design. The more it intrigues me, the better. At the same time, nothing feels forced together or cliché. Which explains on why this space has some unexpected or surprising elements. And that’s also because I straddle many “in-betweens”.
This space reflects my constant state of curiosity, discovery and exploration. My handbook has few rules, if any. To me, nothing feels or sounds crazy. I am energised by conversations around “how can we make the impossible possible” and '“how can we achieve it in an unexpected way”. This requires me to be very present with my customer, or with myself, when I am designing.
Q: What considerations did you make for the space's intended use and audience?
I view this space as a stage to exhibit my works. I wanted to challenge the notion of a classic retail experience - to not simply have an abundance of clothes creating visual clutter. I imagine my audience as people who would experience things very similarly to me. This is a universe we have created, and I invite you to come and walk through what is in my mind. Step in, experience the space and let us discover, together.
Q: Do you have a favourite corner?
Each corner represents a different part of me. I don’t have an absolute favourite, but I am most fond of the yellow alleyway - being able to walk around the mirror cube feels like I am travelling through a wormhole. It is as though I can disappear and reappear as and when I choose. It gives me this playful, ‘full-circle’ feeling.
Q: What do you think will surprise guests in the space?
One of the most surprising elements of the space would have to be the fitting room. The colour selection was very intentional to communicate a sense of intimacy and safety. When I think of the experience of changing clothes, it feels like a ritual, as though you are transforming from your ‘at home’ self, to your ‘outside’ self. I wanted this space to feel tucked away, like a little personal corner to exist, without mirrors or judgement.
Q: What materials and colours did you choose, and why?
This design journey started with the notion of how could this space encapsulate both my spirit and what 3EIGHTH designs look like.
Together with my interior designer, we explored the themes of bauhaus, my favourite colour - orange , and the presence of red - via the sprinkler system. We thought the back wall in a vibrant yellow would standout. Then, it felt like quite a natural and balanced decision to compliment the selection with blue - to arrive at primary colours. This bold palette was most apt to capture my essence and disposition in life.
Q: What do you hope people will feel or experience when they enter this space?
The idea of this space was to transport people into a different realm, somewhere that smashes all convention of what a clothing retail space could look and feel like.
I hope this space feels very out of the norm, a space that throws you off a little. One that make you go ‘huh?’ in a good way.
This space is a haven for us to dream together. A space to honour you, the ideas that you have, to work together collaboratively.
Q: What are your 5 favourite things in the new space?
First is the Nara painting, I feel that the artist encapsulates my energy a lot, The character has a permanently disgruntled expression, but her cherub features makes her so lovable.
Next is the mirror cube. I would love to spend more time walking around it. I love having many shiny surfaces.
The amount of orange paint in the abstract painting is another favourite. It has the correct amount of orange that captures the energy I was looking for.
Fourth, would be the zhao cai mao and figurine - I feel that these are parts of a designer that I feel used to be hidden away or that I may have shied away from in the past. Now I feel more confident to show this side of me.
Lastly, I really love the fitting room. It exhibits a quieter energy is that is a part of me that also exists.
Q: Any last words?
Honestly, I feel a feverish excitement to welcome new people to this space. This is my universe and I can’t wait to bring everyone through it. This space has been a vision in my head since day one. And I am thankful to all who have supported me on this journey thus far. I hope to welcome customers - old and new - into this little hideout that, I feel, now truly reflects my design energy and excitement I have towards clothing.
I feel like everything about the space, about my brain, is chaotic. As much as I feel crazy some times, I think that it makes me really happy to see that many people enjoy where 3EIGHTH is at. It energises me that people feel the same excitement when they experience the space as well.
And to those who may feel scared, nervous or intimidated… Just come!
I think that this is a space where my heart can expand. Customising clothes can be an intimidating experience. Step into the space, a little less guarded, with a little less expectations of what the process might be like. Be carried away in the fluidity. We don't conform to what the rules and norms of what dressing up is supposed to be like.
Here at 3EIGHTH, we welcome all forms.
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3EIGHTH is a custom clothing studio, our purpose is to provide everyone, an allowance to be themselves. 3/8” (three eighths of an inch) is used as an allowance for garment pattern drafting, thus the inspiration for the brand name.