South Asian-Owned Singh Studios is Melbourne’s Next Emerging Fashion Label to Get Behind

Much like your māmās (read: uncles) glued to the Indian Premier League, fashion is an unpredictable beastie. Brands can reach cult status overnight. Trends die and resurrect often.

You just never know which designer will hit the next six.

While we don’t have the inside scoop from GQ or predictions from our auntie’s favourite astrologer, our bet is on Sameet Singh and his brainchild, Singh Studios, being the next fashion label to get behind this year.

High-quality fabrics. Cut and sew. Classic silhouettes. Wide, boxy, unisex fits. Unorthodox logo placements. There’s much to admire about Singh Studios. And, for head honcho-ji Sameet, it’s all about outlasting trends and creating long-lasting, premium, and timeless garments—in his own words, luxurious simplicity:

‘Luxurious Simplicity’ is a guideline to create our best work. This term represents our commitment to using premium fabrics and creating long-lasting garments with minimalism (simplicity) in mind. This particular aesthetic is something that I’m always aiming to live by; I try to live a simple, minimalistic lifestyle as best as I can.

Sameet Singh on Singh Studios

Singh Studios’s new collection drops at 7 PM on 28 September 2023. We recommend doing some finger curls in preparation for some furious clicking action. Ahead of the launch, we caught up with Sameet to chat about all things Singh Studios, styling (seriously, skinny jeans are a hard no) and his favourite places to find a fit in Melbourne/Naarm. 

Our conversation has been edited for clarity and concision.

Brown Boy Magazine: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What drew you to fashion in the first place, and in particular, to creating Singh Studios? What motivated you to move to Melbourne?

Sameet Singh: I’m originally from Newcastle in northeast England, but I moved to Melbourne when I was 21, and I haven’t looked back since. 

Singh Studios is a product of the extended lockdowns in Melbourne. Still, I only took real action once I suffered a severe arm injury in 2021 playing Aussie football, which forced me to quit my job and pushed me to reevaluate what I wanted and where I was going with my life. I couldn’t be more grateful that it happened, as it’s put me on the path that I’m on now. I’ve always been interested in fashion, music and culture, and I take pride in looking after myself, dressing well and staying fit, so I feel like this was a natural space for me to progress into. 

Melbourne is a very unique city with so much potential to grow and build in the creative industry. I think Australia is one of the best countries on earth, and I’m very lucky to be here building the dream. 

Brown Boy Magazine: Tell us more about Singh Studios and the inspiration behind it. Is it inspired in part by Acne Studios? Why did you choose this particular aesthetic? And why is minimalism and durability so important?

Sameet Singh: Inspiration comes from so many different places, one of them being Acne Studios, but Singh Studios is a mixture of several brands that I resonate with. I don’t try to reinvent the wheel with what I’m putting out, but I do try to deliver the best possible standard I can. I hope that’s what we’ll be known for in years to come—that when customers shop with us, they always know what they’re in for. 

‘Luxurious Simplicity’ is a guideline to create our best work. This term represents our commitment to using premium fabrics and creating long-lasting garments with minimalism (simplicity) in mind. This particular aesthetic is something that I’m always aiming to live by; I try to live a simple, minimalistic lifestyle as best as I can.

Brown Boy Magazine: Can you give us an insight into your design process, from conceptualisation to the final product? How do you source your fabrics? How and where do you make your clothes?

Sameet Singh: I’d like to give you some groundbreaking ethos about how I go from thought to reality, but I’m honestly learning as I go. There are several questions I ask myself when I’m thinking about any product. Is this product and design timeless? Will it still be relevant in 10 years? Is this something that I personally would wear every day? 

We’re currently working with a few factories in Hong Kong, Japan and Portugal—working towards some new pieces and accessories for a summer drop. We’re in constant contact with our suppliers to ensure that they have the appropriate certificates and that garments are being produced to the highest standard.

Brown Boy Magazine: How do the fashion scenes in Melbourne and London compare?

Sameet Singh: I think Melbourne is very unique; most people and brands have their own thing going on, which is cool. Although I feel like Melbourne has a long way to go in terms of quality and variety, especially in menswear. Comparing the two, obviously, London is miles ahead, although give Melbourne 5 to 10 years, and it could be on par. There are a few brands coming up that are bringing that quality, which in turn brings better competition and makes you lift your game. Melbourne has so much potential to be a fashion capital, and I’m ready to contribute to it.

Brown Boy Magazine: As a young creative in the industry, what’s your message for other budding South Asian designers looking to carve a niche for themselves in the fashion world, be it in Australia, the UK, or anywhere else?

Sameet Singh: I can’t really say that I’d be the best at giving advice; that usually comes with experience, and I’m still in that beginner phase. But if I had to, I’d say try not to get disheartened when things don’t go your way. I think as a creative you go through so much trial and error; I feel like that’s just something you have to do. It can get very draining, and you feel like you’re getting nowhere, but in my experience, the more you’re out there trying new things and experimenting, the more likely you are to find whatever you’re after.

Brown Boy Magazine: As a designer, do you have any styling tips you can recommend or share with us? For someone keen on building a timeless wardrobe, what key things should they consider when shopping? Any telltale signs of quality or design that they should look out for?

Sameet Singh: The way I see myself in my head is so different to how I dress now, but it’ll come over time. I try to keep it as minimal and cosy as possible. I tend to buy pieces that cost a little more that I know are going to last and reuse them. It ain’t too hard if you don’t overcomplicate things and do your research on what colours go with what.

Fashion and styling are on a broad spectrum because it’s all personal taste—you should always just wear whatever you want to wear and feel confident in it; apart from skinny jeans, those things need to be incinerated.

Brown Boy Magazine: Where do you shop in Melbourne? And what are your go-to favourite brands in general?

Smaeet Singh: Top Floor Gallery in Collingwood has some sick pieces, and Incu and Havn usually stock some cool stuff. The majority of the time, I’m rocking my own, but I do a lot of shopping from brands in the UK and Europe (Seventh Stores, Glorydays and Our Legacy). 

Brown Boy Magazine: We’re obsessed with UK rap. What are you listening to right now?

Sameet Singh: I have been bumping a lot of Octavian, Skepta and Aitch coming out of the UK. I’m all about Kanye, Drake (need the new album ASAP), Playboi Carti and Noname. I’m pretty basic with my music. 

Brown Boy Magazine (@brownboyau) celebrates worship-worthy tastemakers and changemakers in the South Asian Australian diaspora (without taking itself too seriously).