Fashion

ROYAL TREATMENT

A new customisable sneaker is more than a sum of its many parts.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

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Used in ancient Rome as a title for emperors, the term “Cesare” – Italian for “Caesar” – is also the name of the latest sneakers by Ermenegildo Zegna. Named “My Cesare”, the customisable footwear was unveiled at the Italian house’s recent Fall/ Winter 2019 runway show, which took place at the Milan Central Train Station in January. Would we consider Zegna’s high-tops sneaker royalty? We must say, they come pretty close.

My Cesare appears to be a combination of myriad shoe styles that are now trending: Its rubber sole looks like that of a running shoe, its rope laces are commonly used in hiking boots, and its hightop silhouette is reminiscent of basketball sneakers. But these disparate elements somehow all come together nicely, in an unexpectedly lightweight shoe.

Enabling would-be designers (in other words, the shoe’s buyers) to get the most out of the customisation experience, the multi-part construction of My Cesare allows for the mixing of an array  of colours, as well as materials. There are numerous colour options for the XXX logo (which distinguishes Zegna’s runway offerings), mesh, leather upper, leather detailing and rubber sole. We would advise not going overboard with the colour mixing just because you can, but, hey, what the heck – you’re the king of your sneaker domain. My Cesare is available at Ermenegildo Zegna stores and on www.farfetch.com.

 
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02 POLISHED PRESENCE

Fine-footwear fans would probably be acquainted with Mason and Smith, the shoeshine bar owned by local shoe enthusiast and apprentice shoemaker John Chung. Having shared space with tailor Kevin Seah before moving into a temporary space at Telok Ayer, Mason and Smith now opensits first permanent, full-fledged space offering shoe shine and repair, as well as shoe retail. Located within a three-storey shophouse, Mason and Smith’s retail offerings include ready to-wear shoes by English brand Joseph Cheaney. #02-02, 98 Club Street.
 
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03 WEAVE A SPELL

Launched in 2001, the Cabat bag has become a Bottega Veneta icon, thanks to the tote’s distinctive construction: Thin strips of double faced leather known as “fettuce” are woven by hand to create each Cabat. Under its recently minted creative director Daniel Lee, the brand has created the Maxi Cabat, where larger, four-cm-wide leather strips are used to create a checkerboard-like pattern. Also available is a smaller version with a detachable shoulder strap, the Maxi Cabat 30 (a measurement referring to the bag’s length in cm). All styles are available in contrasting or solid colours.
 
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04 ICE COOL

Look no further than Moncler’s newest, and third, store here for proof that the folks on this sunny island really like their skiing (and other winter) getaways. Comprising two storeys spanning 521 sq m, the luxury ski wear brand’s flagship boutique at Marina Bay Sands – its largest in South-east Asia – carries a complete range of its collections and accessories. There’s no mistaking this store as you pass it: Its facade of black marble is inspired by the quilted form of the brand’s signature black puffer jacket. #L1-63 and #B1-141, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
 
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