Orchard Road, once a bustling hub for Singaporeans, has undergone significant changes over the years, leading many locals to dismiss it as a tourist trap. However, a new festival under Singapore Design Week, “Re-Route: Orchard,” running from 26 September to 6 October, aims to challenge this perception. Through a series of design installations and curated experiences, the festival encourages visitors to rediscover the iconic street’s hidden charms and rich history.
Background
“Re-Route: Orchard” is part of Singapore Design Week and seeks to breathe new life into Orchard Road. The festival features a map and a list of eight hidden gems, inviting participants to explore the area with fresh eyes. The initiative aims to prove that Orchard Road is not just for tourists but holds significant cultural and nostalgic value for locals as well.
Design Orchard and quirky finds
The journey began at Design Orchard, which opened in 2019 and continues to showcase cool local brands. The festival brought in a retail showcase featuring quirky and unusual clothes and accessories, including taxidermied butterflies made into sculptures and jewellery. This blend of art and commerce aims to evoke both comfort and discomfort, challenging visitors’ perceptions.
Nostalgic stops
The next stops were more nostalgic, starting with The Centrepoint Orchard, which hosted an exhibition of Kopitiam chairs. This display showcased the versatility of these stools, transforming them into child-friendly chairs, bins, basketball hoops, benches, and even rocking horses. The Centrepoint was a prime hangout spot in the 1980s, known as the “Harajuku of Singapore,” and continues to hold sentimental value for many.
Far East Plaza, another nostalgic spot, featured an 80s-inspired playground. Festival director Cheryl Sim explained that the installation aimed to connect the teenagers of the 80s, now adults, with their children, allowing them to enjoy the same mall four decades apart.
Revisiting teenage haunts
The exploration continued with visits to Cineleisure and Lucky Plaza. Cineleisure, once a hotspot for phone covers, has transformed into a mix of retro stores and trendy bars and restaurants. Lucky Plaza, known for its thrift stores, has become a Gen Z destination, with young trendsetters sharing their favourite thrift shops on social media platforms like TikTok and Lemon8.
Hidden gems and people-watching
Taking the time to wander around Orchard Road, the writer discovered hidden gems like Kurasu “The Stand,” a specialty coffee stand from Kyoto. This stand, part of the festival’s “hidden gems,” offers a unique experience with its calm, Japanese-style decor amidst the bustling street. Visitors can collect stamps at all eight locations and redeem a secret prize at Design Orchard.
More than just for tourists
The writer’s experience at Orchard Road mirrored a recent visit to Maxwell Food Centre, initially dismissed as a tourist spot. Despite being full of tourists and slightly expensive, the food was good, and the stalls were run by earnest locals. This revelation led to a reconsideration of Orchard Road, realising that it holds more than just expensive food and shopping.
Orchard Road may not be the same as it was in the past, but it remains a microcosm of Singapore, with plenty of character beneath its curated and pristine surface. The festival encourages locals to explore their city with the same curiosity they would have abroad, uncovering hidden gems and appreciating the area’s unique charm.
For those interested in exploring Orchard Road anew, more information about “Re-Route: Orchard” can be found here.
