Need something to wear to a wedding in Singapore and tired of the same mall brands? Anmako, a local label known for working traditional textiles into modern cuts, has just the thing. Its new SEISO Collection, launched on 21 August 2026, is a dedicated line of occasion wear built around hand-drawn Indonesian batik — and most pieces are one of a kind.
The name comes from the Japanese word seiso (正装), meaning formal wear, which sets the tone: this is clothing for weddings, anniversaries, graduations, conferences and festive celebrations rather than the weekend errand run. Prices run from S$229 to S$899, and the collection will stay in stock through the rest of 2026 and into the Chinese New Year period in 2027.
The fabric story is the interesting part. Anmako's Batik Tulis — batik drawn by hand rather than stamped — comes mainly from Pekalongan and Cirebon in Indonesia, often in limited runs or as single pieces. The collection introduces two firsts for the brand: Batik Tulis Prada, which adds gold detailing to the hand-drawn fabric, and Natural Dye Batik Tulis, coloured with plant-based dyes that give softer, smokier shades of green and blue compared with the brighter cotton-and-silk batik elsewhere in the range.
There are clever cuts, too. A Sarong Skirt keeps the draped look of a traditional sarong but swaps the wrap-and-tie for a back zip, so you get the silhouette without the fuss. A cheongsam dress in a cotton-silk blend pairs the Chinese dress shape with Indonesian batik, the slight sheen of the blend making it dressy enough for evening events. For anyone who wants a break from batik entirely, there's a White/Gold Lace Dress — a clean, minimal piece with gold accents and no Asian textile influence at all.
Why should a traveller care? Because Singapore shopping is often reduced to Orchard Road's familiar chains, and this is the kind of souvenir-with-a-story that actually gets worn again. The brand's director, Eiko Sumantri, positions the collection as clothing made to outlast a single event — heritage fabrics and silhouettes adapted so they don't look dated next season. If you're attending a wedding or a big celebration in Southeast Asia, or you simply want a unique dress or skirt with genuine craftsmanship behind it, SEISO is worth a look.
You'll find it on Level 3 of Takashimaya, right in the heart of the Orchard Road shopping strip, or through Anmako's online store. Just note that with many pieces being one-offs, sizes and designs may not wait for you — if something catches your eye in-store, it's likely the only one.
