Vetyver Spring/Summer 2024 Collection
Capsule 3: Sodium explores the culture of exercise in 90s Singapore
Vetyver Spring/Summer 2024, Capsule 3: Sodium. Image courtesy of Vetyver.
With the Olympics just finishing off, it is timely that Singapore’s homegrown brand Vetyver found inspiration from the sports complexes built in Singapore in the 1980s and 1990s for its third capsule collection. Vetyver founder and designer Pit Firdaus Aris explains, “This collection is not necessarily about sportswear, but the ideas behind these spaces.” He adds, “It’s a proposal to see landmarks like the Kallang Stadium in a different way and to take inspiration from what I see around me. I wanted to capture, in this collection, the spirit of competition that feels like such a Singaporean ideal. ” Highlighting his points of references, he says, “They are things that generally have an unsexy feeling to it like active SG and Safra Club.” He elaborates, “I wanted to look at things from my childhood and question the yardstick of tastefulness.”
Vetyver Spring/Summer 2024, Capsule 3: Sodium. Image courtesy of Vetyver.
Vetyver Spring/Summer 2024, Capsule 3: Sodium. Image courtesy of Vetyver.
Vetyver Spring/Summer 2024, Capsule 3: Sodium. Image courtesy of Vetyver.
It is fitting that research into Singapore sports in the 1990s would have unearthed many references to football culture, a symbol of national ambition and masculinity which Adris notes wryly is opposite of what is considered “his thing”. Growing up, Adris disliked uniforms, conformity and most of all, he disliked sports. It is with some irony that the collection was built around the football kit. The collection offers a new signature piece, the grey and black panelled long-sleeved shirt. It is also available in more unexpected colourways of fluorescent, goal-keeper orange, silver and sky blue. Other standout pieces include dresses made out of reworked sports tank tops. The effect is an eclectic mix of references set in Vetyver’s signature style of deconstructed tailoring.
Reference images for Vetyver Spring/Summer 2024. Image courtesy of Vetyver.
In recent years, public sports centres across the island are renovated to reflect changing tastes. Upgraded complexes are designed in a manner reminiscent of gentrified neighbourhoods across the globe. Many have switched from bright primary colours to calming tones, with decorative geometric shapes in the architecture removed and remodelled to more aesthetically pleasing rounded surfaces. This style is also mirrored in fashion where pastel-coloured bra tops and yoga tights are the go-to look for off duty Singaporeans in their 20s to 30s. The wellness lifestyle–think Lululemon and Alo–is something Vetyver seems to rally against. As a collection that references Singapore culture, it is refreshing that the team does not fall into the trap of trying to “make it sexy” as many are wont to do. The collection Sodium is ultimately a humorous commentary on the culture of exercise in Singapore.
Vetyver’s third capsule will be released in batches and made-to-order from their website. You can follow them on Instagram at @studiovetyver or watch this space for further updates for their latest drops.