One shopping enclave in Singapore is home to many expat favourites. Here we look at Rue Madame one of the great fashion stores at Cluny Court.
Ariane Zagury yearned to create a contemporary fashion line for women in Hong Kong, where she was based, so she moved away from the world of finance to do exactly that. Happily for us, she has since expanded the business to Singapore.
Armed with a strong knowledge of textiles thanks to her family’s history in textile retail, Ariane founded Rue Madame Fashion Group in 2010, and has grown her business and become an entrepreneurial force to be reckoned with.
Today, Ariane operates more than 60 points of sale across Hong Kong, mainland China and here in Singapore. The fashion group stocks labels that include both contemporary and premium fashion names – among them American Vintage, Phase Eight, Sweaty Betty, Hobbs, Whistles, Gerard Darel and also the brand’s namesake label, Rue Madame.
Over the past few years, Ariane has steadily become a trusted fashion adviser, too, bent on finding the perfect look. More than just running a business, she says she loves to create personalised wardrobes that are compatible with the lifestyle of her customers; quality and service are priorities, but so is the accessibility of the products – along with a reasonable price tag.
One of Ariane’s strengths is an unrelenting attention to detail in the garments and brands she chooses to work with. It’s no surprise that Rue Madame garners the attention of renowned international brands. More importantly, she recognises that the perfect look is not something to be worn once. Instead, she focuses on high-quality, contemporary pieces that can create timeless and seasonless styles.
Taking things online
In March 2022, Rue Madame Fashion Group launched its first fashion online outlet – The Eastlet. This is Hong Kong’s only online fashion outlet carrying premium brands from around the world. And the products are available for shoppers in Singapore to order too.
The Eastlet is a collective comprised of over a hundred different brands, including apparel, footwear and accessories. It’s a shopping platform that strives to pay close attention to the unique culture and characteristics of each brand.
Moving into and past the pandemic, Ariane says she has leant on e-commerce greatly to showcase her products. She’s keeping abreast of fashion trends and the wants of her customers – both of which are ever-evolving – and has seen the Singapore based e-commerce market, in particular, growing rapidly in that time.
In her personal life, Ariane has four children whom she’s been grateful to have by her side during the pandemic – along with her mother. Family, to her, trumps all; it’s a nurturing side that can be seen in the way she treats her team, the business and its products.
About Rue Madame, Cluny Court
The store is located at #02-11 Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Road. Call 6463 5347 or visit ruemadame.com for more information.
This article first appeared in the May 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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