Three Asian fashion-tech startups to set sail

Three fashion-tech businesses, all graduates of Singapore’s Textile and Fashion Federations’ Bridge Fashion Incubator program, are launching this month.

The three businesses—Shop Bettr, Republiqe and Tropick, are “some of the most promising innovative entrepreneurs” witnessed last month at the Cohort #2 Demo Day.

The Shop Bettr brand is positioning itself as Asia’s first fashion tech search-and-shoppable platform for sustainable fashion. The firm aims to “solve the conscious consumer’s three-pronged challenge of not understanding certifications, not wanting to be deceived by greenwashing, and not finding sustainable products that resonate with their style and budget while helping sustainable businesses reach the ever-growing conscious community”.

More than 50 brands from the Apac region have registered with the platform, reaching more than 90,000 through the firm’s waiting list and brand partners.

Republiqe, an entirely digital luxury consumer fashion label, prepares to open this Friday, promising to “redefine and disrupt the fashion industry through tech-driven digital clothing and creativity”. The firm has launched an enigmatic Instagram account in anticipation of the upcoming launch.

The third brand, Tropick, focuses on staple menswear items (as opposed to temporary trends) created with fabrics optimized for wearing in the tropics, implementing the innovations and attributes of athletic wear. The firm will drop new designs one by one in limited quantities as a means to conserve on resources and avoid wastage.

“We believe Tropick is addressing a huge gap in the menswear market in Asia, but trying on the shirt is where the real magic happens,” said Tropick’s founder Monica Millington. “By creating pieces that are so comfortable and easy to care for – yet still look polished in this climate – we are setting a whole new standard for the men’s modern wardrobe.”