Terris Recommends: 10 Best Couture Stores Singapore (2026)

I got to know G & K Couture when I built their website and optimised their Google presence for both English and Chinese search terms. That project meant spending time in their atelier at Far East Plaza, photographing their hand-embroidered cheongsam up close, and understanding what makes their approach different from every other cheongsam shop in Singapore.

What struck me most was the level of craft. G & K specialises in Su Xiu (Suzhou embroidery), a traditional Chinese needlework technique that takes months to complete on a single piece. Their cheongsam use Song Jin silk brocade fabrics and handmade Pankou buttons, details that elevate these garments from clothing into collector-worthy heirloom pieces. They also offer Tang jackets for men, which is harder to find than you would think in Singapore.

Since launching their redesigned website, their showroom visits have doubled, which tells me the demand for this level of craftsmanship exists. People just needed to find them. If you are looking for a bespoke cheongsam that is genuinely handcrafted using traditional techniques, G & K is my top recommendation.

Website: gkcouture.sg
Location: Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road #04-122, Singapore 228213
Best known for: Bespoke cheongsam with Su Xiu hand embroidery and Song Jin silk brocade

Laichan is a name that carries weight in Singapore's cheongsam world. The brand was founded by the late Goh Lai Chan, widely recognised as Singapore's "Cheongsam Grandmaster," who passed away in April 2025 after more than three decades of elevating the craft. His brother Eddie Goh now continues the legacy, working from their atelier in Mandarin Gallery with the same commitment to quality that made Laichan a household name.

What sets Laichan apart is the fabric sourcing. They work with Italian silk, Japanese kimono fabrics, and French lace, materials you will not find at most cheongsam shops. Their semi-precious stone buttons are another signature touch. Prices start around $1,500 and can reach $10,000 or more for their most elaborate pieces, but you are paying for genuine artistry and a direct connection to Singapore's cheongsam heritage.

If you want a cheongsam from a brand with an unmatched legacy in Singapore, Laichan is the place. Eddie carries forward the standards his brother set, and the craftsmanship speaks for itself.

Website: laichan.com
Location: Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road #02-08/09, Singapore 238897
Google Rating: Well-established legacy brand
Best known for: Heritage cheongsam with Italian silk, Japanese fabrics, and semi-precious stone buttons

Kevin Seah is the name I hear most often when someone in Singapore asks about truly bespoke suits. He trained on Savile Row in London and brought that tradition back to Singapore, but what makes his work distinctive is the way he incorporates Southeast Asian heritage textiles. Batik, ikat, and shibori fabrics appear alongside traditional English suiting, creating something you genuinely cannot get anywhere else.

His atelier at The Mill on Jalan Kilang is worth visiting even if you are not ready to commission a suit. The space itself reflects his philosophy: meticulous attention to detail, respect for craft, and a willingness to push boundaries. Shirts start from around $320 and suits from $2,000, which is competitive for Savile Row quality in Singapore.

Kevin has been featured in SCMP, Luxurious Magazine, and various regional fashion publications. If you want a bespoke suit that goes beyond the standard navy worsted, particularly something that blends Asian craft with Western tailoring, he is the best in Singapore at that intersection.

Website: kevinseah.com
Location: The Mill, 5 Jalan Kilang #03-01, Singapore 159405
Google Rating: 4.7 stars
Best known for: Savile Row-trained bespoke suits with Southeast Asian heritage textiles

If you want couture that makes a statement, this is where you go. Time Taken to Make a Dress is run by designer duo Letitia Phay and Jade Swee from their upper-floor shophouse studio in Kampong Glam. Their work sits at the avant-garde end of the spectrum: architectural silhouettes, unexpected fabrics, and designs that look like they belong in a gallery.

Their highest-profile moment came when actress Constance Lau wore one of their creations to the Crazy Rich Asians Hollywood premiere. That kind of exposure tells you about the calibre of their work. Short dresses start from around $2,800 and long gowns from $4,500, with elaborate pieces reaching five figures. The price reflects the time and skill involved; these are not production pieces.

I recommend them for anyone who wants a custom evening gown or cocktail dress that is genuinely one-of-a-kind. They are not the right fit if you want something classic and understated, but if you want to turn heads at a gala or red carpet event in Singapore, they deliver.

Website: timetakentomakeadress.com
Location: Kampong Glam, Singapore (by appointment)
Best known for: Avant-garde couture dresses, featured at the Crazy Rich Asians premiere

Lark & Peony is what happens when you take the traditional cheongsam and reimagine it for how people actually dress today. Based at their charming Keong Saik Road shophouse, they create small-batch cheongsam, kebaya, and qipao using Japanese-sourced fabrics in contemporary silhouettes. The designs are modern enough to wear to brunch yet respectful enough for a formal family occasion.

Pricing is approachable for what you get, ranging from $198 to $288 for their ready-to-wear pieces. They also offer custom options for special occasions. The brand has been featured in Tatler, TimeOut, and Harper's Bazaar Singapore, which gives you a sense of their design credibility.

I recommend Lark & Peony for anyone who loves the cheongsam silhouette but wants something with a modern, contemporary edge. Their pieces are well-made, beautifully designed, and far more wearable than traditional styles. Great for Chinese New Year, weddings, or honestly just a nice dinner out.

Website: larkandpeony.com
Location: 18A Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089125
Best known for: Modern cheongsam and qipao in Japanese fabrics with contemporary silhouettes

Lorraine Lee founded Zion Creation in 1993 and still personally handles every client consultation and fitting. That kind of hands-on attention is increasingly rare in Singapore's fashion scene. The brand specialises in bespoke modern cheongsam, mother-of-bride and groom gowns, and evening dresses, all crafted from their studio at The Commerze @ Irving.

What I appreciate about Zion Creation is the balance between tradition and modernity. Lorraine understands that a cheongsam for a 2026 wedding needs to look different from one made in 1993, but she has not abandoned the craftsmanship principles that made her business succeed in the first place. She has been featured in Tatler and consistently receives strong word-of-mouth referrals.

I recommend Zion Creation for mothers of the bride or groom who want something elegant and perfectly fitted, and for anyone who values working directly with the designer who will actually make their garment. Thirty-plus years of experience shows in the quality.

Website: zioncreation.com.sg
Location: 1 Irving Place, The Commerze @ Irving #07-08, Singapore 369546
Best known for: Bespoke modern cheongsam and mother-of-bride gowns with 30+ years of experience

CYC is Singapore's oldest surviving tailor, founded in 1935. That is over 90 years of continuous operation across three generations. They dressed Lee Kuan Yew. If longevity and heritage matter to you (and in tailoring, they should), CYC has credentials that nobody else in Singapore can match.

Their made-to-measure shirts start from $139 and suits from $890, using fabrics from Thomas Mason, Albini, and other premium mills. The fit at Capitol Piazza is sleek and modern, a far cry from the cramped tailor shops you might expect from a 90-year-old brand. They have also modernised their process with an online measurement system, though I would still recommend visiting in person for your first commission.

CYC is my pick for anyone who wants a well-fitted suit or shirt without the $2,000+ price tag of a fully bespoke operation. Their made-to-measure process hits a sweet spot between off-the-rack and bespoke, and the heritage behind the brand adds something you cannot buy elsewhere.

Website: cyctailor.com
Location: Capitol Piazza, 13 Stamford Road #02-11/12, Singapore 178905
Google Rating: 4.4 stars (888 reviews)
Best known for: Singapore's oldest tailor (est. 1935), made-to-measure suits and shirts

Boutique Flamingo fills a gap that most couture stores in Singapore ignore: plus-size and inclusive sizing. Owner Yvonne personally attends every appointment at their Orchard Road studio, and the focus is on custom evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and mother-of-bride outfits that fit beautifully regardless of body type.

They won the Singapore Business Awards in 2022, and reading their reviews, the common thread is how Yvonne makes clients feel genuinely comfortable during fittings. That matters more than most people realise, especially when you are commissioning a gown for a high-pressure event like a wedding or gala. Alterations are included in the price, which removes the anxiety of "what if it doesn't fit perfectly on the day."

I recommend Boutique Flamingo for anyone who has struggled to find formal wear that fits well off the rack, or who wants a custom evening gown designed with their specific body shape in mind. The personal attention and inclusive approach set them apart from the more exclusive ateliers on this list.

Website: boutiqueflamingo.sg
Location: 277 Orchard Road, #B2-29 The Underground, Singapore 238858
Best known for: Plus-size inclusive custom evening gowns and mother-of-bride outfits

The Missing Piece has reimagined what a cheongsam can look like. Founded by a mother of three, the brand creates modern cheongsam in unexpected silhouettes: jumpsuits, flared skirts, waist cut-outs, and designs with lace and sequin details that feel fresh rather than traditional. They also do family matching sets, which is a lovely touch for Chinese New Year photos.

They have two physical locations (Cluny Court and Kim Yam Road) and have been featured in TimeOut, Quintessentially, Her World, and Harper's Bazaar. Prices range from $150 to $350, making them one of the more accessible options on this list. The quality is excellent for the price point.

I recommend The Missing Piece if you want a cheongsam that does not look like your grandmother's (though your grandmother would probably love it too). The family matching sets are particularly popular for festive occasions, and their two locations make them easy to visit.

Website: iwantthemissingpiece.com
Location: Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Road #03-05 + 46 Kim Yam Road #02-04
Best known for: Modern cheongsam in unexpected silhouettes, family matching sets

YeoMama Batik is a mother-daughter brand that fuses two of Southeast Asia's most iconic textiles: batik and cheongsam. The result is something vibrant, culturally rich, and uniquely Singaporean. Their prints feature traditional batik motifs (clouds, parang, kawung) rendered in bold, contemporary colours, and the cheongsam cuts are flattering and modern.

With 69,000+ Instagram followers and features on TripAdvisor as a cultural experience, YeoMama has built a following that goes beyond fashion. They operate primarily online with regular pop-up events, and their ready-to-wear pieces range from $80 to $250. This is the most affordable entry on this list, but the quality and design creativity punch well above the price.

I recommend YeoMama Batik for anyone who wants to celebrate both Chinese and Malay heritage in a single garment. It is a genuinely Singaporean brand in the best sense: multicultural, creative, and proud of its roots. Perfect for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, or any occasion where you want to wear something that tells a story.

Website: yeomamabatik.com
Location: Online store with regular pop-up events across Singapore
Best known for: Batik-cheongsam fusion in bold contemporary prints

After working with fashion businesses and visiting dozens of ateliers across Singapore, these are the criteria I use when deciding whether to recommend a couture store.

• The designer's involvement. The best couture experiences happen when the person designing your garment is also the person fitting it. Mass-production operations where you never meet the designer produce a fundamentally different result.
• Fabric quality and sourcing. Ask where their fabrics come from. The difference between a $200 cheongsam and a $2,000 cheongsam often comes down to the silk. Italian, Japanese, and French fabrics are a good sign.
• Specialisation over generalism. A shop that does "everything" (suits, gowns, cheongsam, alterations, dry cleaning) is usually not great at any of them. The best couture stores focus on what they do well.
• Client photos and real testimonials. Polished studio shots are nice, but I trust a couture store more when they show real clients wearing their designs at real events. It demonstrates consistency, not just one perfect sample.
• The fitting experience. Couture is personal. If the fitting feels rushed, impersonal, or pressure-filled, that is a red flag. The stores on this list all provide consultations where you feel heard, not hurried.

Bespoke couture pricing in Singapore varies enormously depending on what you are commissioning. Here are realistic ranges based on what I have seen across the businesses on this list:

• Modern ready-to-wear cheongsam: $80 to $350 (Lark & Peony, The Missing Piece, YeoMama Batik)
• Bespoke cheongsam: $650 to $5,000+ depending on fabric and embroidery complexity (G & K Couture, Laichan, Zion Creation)
• Made-to-measure shirts: $139 to $320 (CYC, Kevin Seah)
• Made-to-measure and bespoke suits: $890 to $3,000+ (CYC, Kevin Seah)
• Custom evening gowns: $2,800 to $10,000+ (Time Taken to Make a Dress, Boutique Flamingo)

As a general rule, expect to pay more for hand embroidery, imported fabrics, and multiple fittings. The timeline also matters: a rush order (under 4 weeks) typically costs 20 to 30% more than a standard 6 to 8 week commission. If you are ordering for a wedding or major event, I would suggest starting the process at least 3 months in advance.

The best places to get a bespoke cheongsam in Singapore are G & K Couture (for heirloom-quality hand embroidery), Laichan (for heritage luxury), Zion Creation (for modern bespoke), and Lark & Peony (for contemporary ready-to-wear). Prices range from $198 for modern ready-to-wear to $10,000+ for fully bespoke pieces with hand embroidery and premium imported silk. Most ateliers require 6 to 8 weeks for a custom cheongsam, with 2 to 3 fittings included.

Couture (or "haute couture" in the French tradition) refers to garments that are custom-made for an individual client, typically involving multiple fittings, hand-finishing, and premium fabrics. Ready-to-wear refers to garments produced in standard sizes for general sale. In Singapore's context, "bespoke" and "made-to-measure" sit between the two: bespoke means a garment is created from scratch for you, while made-to-measure means an existing pattern is adjusted to your measurements. The stores on this list range from ready-to-wear (YeoMama Batik, The Missing Piece) to fully bespoke couture (G & K Couture, Laichan, Time Taken to Make a Dress).

A custom cheongsam in Singapore typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from the initial consultation to the final fitting. This includes fabric selection, pattern drafting, 2 to 3 fittings, and any hand embroidery or detailing. Highly complex pieces with extensive embroidery (like those from G & K Couture or Laichan) can take 3 to 6 months. Rush orders under 4 weeks are sometimes possible but usually carry a 20 to 30% surcharge. My advice: start the process at least 3 months before your event, especially during peak seasons like Chinese New Year and the wedding season (October to March).