Simone Irani: Resortwear to wear everyday

If you have ever wandered around Tanglin Mall, you will undoubtedly have come across Simone Irani Resortwear at one point or another at their regular pop-up boutique events on the first floor. A UWC (United World College) Dover alumni, Simone is the girl who has put the ‘pool party chic’ in resort wear and has women of all shapes and sizes scrabbling to get their hands on one of her gorgeous designs – myself included. At last count, four of her designs have found their way into my wardrobe!  Why? Every time I put on one of her very wearable pieces when I head out to meetings or to run errands, women admiring my dress stop me. Now if that isn’t a compliment, I don’t know what is!

Fluent in Mandarin and armed with a law degree from London, never in her wildest dreams did this talented designer imagine she would one day have her own label, especially after being told she was not artistic at school. But after five years in Law, through serendipity, Simone found herself designing for a friend’s label, which gave her the confidence to launch her own in 2004. Innately stylish, Simone’s eponymous label has since grown and evolved as word has spread and her customer base increased. And if I had to describe the designs in one word? Gypset — think gypsy/bohemian unconventional, fused with cool sophistication of the ‘jet set’.

So, where does this sassy designer get her inspiration? “Traveling!” Simone exclaims.  “That’s where I get it from! Whenever I travel, I always come back home with a notebook filled to the brim with ideas from the ‘snapshots’ my mind captures.” In spite of her love of travel however, Singapore is home, and where she finds she is able to digest all her ideas and consolidate them to produce beautiful outfits. What’s more, by concentrating on manufacturing in India and Indonesia, the label is able to offer their clientele top-end designs at very affordable prices. I love it!

As the collection evolves constantly with varying colors in both bright and more classic hues, it pays to check-in with Simone every now and then. Starting from the end of April, it will be even easier as the label takes up residence in my new favorite mall – Cluny Court at shop #02-17! Cue happy dance!

My Sassy Mama tips on her ‘must have pieces’ are:

1. ANY of her lightweight kaftans ($120) with cutout sleeves which come with a tie-belt.  Very adaptable, you can throw one over your swimmers, or team them with some slinky heels, or a pair of shorts/pants. And with SO many colours and prints to choose from, don’t be surprised if you walk away with more than one!

2. Hybrid Kaftan ($280) I LOVE these! The cutouts are oh-SO funky and the silk feels so luxurious! As someone who is not even remotely skinny, I love the way the dress is so ‘forgiving’ and flatters all types of body shapes.  Although they also come with a tie-belt, I prefer to just ‘hang loose’.

3. Sari Dress ($350) Truth be told, I CANNOT wait to snap up one of these numbers. Simply cut and very elegant, this dress is definitely a showstopper that will have all your       friends dying to know where you bought your dress from – I won’t tell if you don’t!

Simone Irani
#02-17 Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 259760
Tel (+65) 9005 9849
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