kapok x Olivia Burton Secret Garden Party

Cool store kapok at the National Design Centre had a little party launching their collection of Olivia Burton watches last week, and I had the pleasure of an invitation with Ottie as my social lubricant plus one. Olivia Burton was founded in 2012, after design duo Lesa Bennett and Jemma Fennings decided to fill in the gap for design watches with a distinctive vintage British style. Just take a look at the beautifully-decorated display and how it perfectly complements the brand’s aesthetics! I’ll take everything please:

Frankly, I haven’t been wearing watches in years; it’s hard to keep the habit when your wrist has very little meat-padding to facilitate comfort and a stable orientation of the watch’s face. That, and they don’t usually survive for very long my compulsive need to clean. However, I can appreciate the appeal of timekeepers as a style accessory (apart from its utility), as a friend taught me a few years ago when I questioned what a broken watch was doing on her wrist.

Anyway, the Olivia Burton watches come in Mini, Midi and Big dial sizes, with a variety design styles such as The Dandy (modern minimalism), Modern Vintage (speaks for itself), Woodland (painted animals and florals inspired by the English countryside), and Chrono (multi-dial features). My favourite was the Woodland series, which are pretty much the embodiment of the British vintage aesthetic to me.

I took a picture of this display too late, after someone had already bought my favourite piece depicting the insect!

Here’s a picture of the watch that was snapped up:

Photo by Olivia Burton.

The party was also graced by Pin Tea (品茶), a local premium tea brand with some pretty awesome names. I loved their Silver Pearl Jasmine Tea in Tekka Minute (inspired by Little India’s Tekka Market), and am also liking the quality assurance of their teas being 100% natural and free from pesticides and artificial flavourings!

Can’t pass up the chance to take a mirror selfie. Added bonus if Ottie looks super derp.

I’ve been here a couple of times, but didn’t realise that kapok also has its own items; I also didn’t know that kapok originated in Hong Kong and has branches in Taiwan and Tokyo as well. I think it’s great that they have such a carefully-curated selection of cute and quirky products befitting contemporary lifestyle, especially so when each branch features local brands for about 70% of the products displayed. I hope to have enough time in between sightseeing for a trip down to their branch in Japan when I visit soon!

Photo by Kapok Singapore.
We were introduced by Sharon (Kapok’s PR) to the best-dressed guy in the room, and had a great time chatting with the both of them! Was also suitably shamed for not knowing or taking Ottie to some of the most common sights in my own country. I… I don’t get out much. Hah! But we had a field day taking down notes of where to eat and drink.

These pretty Lumio lamps are everywhere in this store. I first salivated over them when they appeared on kickstarter so long ago, and am so pleased to finally see one for real. There’s even a Mini Lumio+ out now which can also act as a phone charger!

As this party was of a significantly floral theme, I originally went with a floral cardigan, but ditched it after walking outdoors in the evening temperature of 30°C (86°F). At least I had my floral bag to make up for it. We also met up with Jesca for dinner after so long! (Ten months ago, in fact.) It was great catching up and I hope to see more of her soon. <3

Scoot off Ottie, I’ve missed the best roommate in the world so much. :'(

Wearing
Black crop top c/o Dresslink
Draped Jersey Harem Pants – Haute Hippie (c/o Shopbop)
Floral bowling bag c/o Dressin
Black platform booties – Rubi (via Zalora)
Earrings – Forever 21

Outfit photos assisted by Jesca and Ottie.