Shop for clothes on Singapore’s East Coast at The Wyld Shop. This has long been one of Joo Chiat Road’s most popular boutiques, offering a range of gorgeous dresses, unique accessories and handpicked gifts from Australian fashion brands as well as labels from Singapore and Asia. Behind it all is its lovely founder KARA BENSLEY. Here, she opens up about her journey!
Where are you from originally and why did you come to Singapore?
I’m from Sydney, Australia. I moved to Singapore in 2010 with my fiancé. What brought us here was a curiosity for change and an opportunity to step outside our comfort zones.
Tell us a bit about your background and foray into fashion.
Well, I’m a lucky, lucky girl! I grew up in “The Hills” of Sydney and I had the most amazing, all-rounded education. But from a young age, I developed a love of fashion. I even started working in retail down at the local shops as soon as I could on Thursday nights, weekends and school holidays! It was here that I truly developed a love for sales, people and, of course, fashion. And now, I have spent the last 20 years in retail and wholesale sales, doing exactly what I love. And with The Wyld Shop I’m building something that I have grown to be super proud of.
We love clothes shopping from the unique brands at The Wyld Shop. What inspired you to start the boutique in Singapore?
The story goes that I had really no intention of coming to Singapore to start a business. But when I did start, some 13 years ago, I had set it up originally as an agency for Australian fashion brands, launching with my beloved Le Specs. Then, within two years, the business pivoted into an “e-shop” as it was known back then. After years of pop-ups and even home showrooms, The Wyld Shop evolved into finally biting the bullet and setting up shop in Joo Chiat, where we have been for nearly six years! But I do believe that ongoing inspiration really comes from the people we now serve.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
I have tried to become slightly more structured recently. Early morning, I drop my son off at the school bus. Then, I either work out or head to my favourite super convenient café, Little Farms, across from the shop. There, I have a coffee and do either life or The Wyld Shop admin before opening the shop at 10am. During the day, it’s retail as usual: visits from our wonderful “Wyld ones”, deliveries, merchandising, marketing, obligatory selfies and so much more. If not in the shop, I’ll most likely be having meetings at Little Farms, trying to do the “so much more”, or I will be doing my favourite job, which is being a mumma.
What do you love the most about what you do?
Hanging out with and coming up with new ways to engage our “Wyld ones” is my passion. I love being part of a community of awesome humans and creating a safe, fun and vibrant environment for people to feel good in. Hands down, I adore our people – the regulars, the tourists, the partners, the kids, the babies, the doggos, our brands (Australian fashion brands as well as labels from Singapore and Asia), models, photographers and, of course, my crew and “OGs”. I get to meet and work with amazing people, and I’m always floored and inspired by everyone’s stories.
Any challenges you’ve found living and running The Wyld Shop in Singapore?
Let’s just say I could write a novel about this topic. I think understanding the “self” and navigating personal challenges while doing business can be challenging. The juggle is real. Burnout is real.
How do you like to unwind in Singapore when not working?
When I’m not working, to be honest, I just love being with my kid and my animals. However, when mumma gets a hot minute, she’s enjoying a good massage or hanging out with friends (who are also getting massages…) or out having a cheeky cocktail and a boogie!
For those shopping for clothes in Singapore, what can we look forward to at The Wyld Shop?
You can expect gorgeous new collections from Australian fashion brands and our “Wyld fam” brands, as well as exciting new brands from our latest initiative, which allows predominantly online brands to showcase as a pop-up for three months at The Wyld Shop. Plus, stay tuned for the possible introduction of our very own Wyld Collection!
412 Joo Chiat Road
8380 8393 | thewyldshop.com | shop@thewyldshop.com
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This article first appeared in the July 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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