By Michelle Tay

FINANCE Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam yesterday singled out two Singapore fashion brands that have not only taken off on foreign shores, but are also still growing in the recession.

Mr Tharman said alldressedup and Raoul were examples of local companies that 'have the skills and the Singapore brand' to make headway in the highly competitive global market.

They also pointed the way for other local firms to take on the world.

Raoul, which the minister said was 'making its presence felt in London', was developed in-house by retail group FJ Benjamin in 2002.

Chief executive and creative director Douglas Benjamin told The Straits Times that the brand is making its foray into Europe via a freshly inked wholesale deal with another home-grown fashion designer, Ashley Isham.

Mr Isham, who designs in London, will start selling Raoul merchandise next month in his boutique Acquaint.

Mr Benjamin added that Raoul is also looking to break into Paris with a similar wholesale deal, as well as to open directly operated boutiques in New York.

Its evolution from those early days in 2002 attests to FJ Benjamin's nimble-footed approach to the fickle world of fashion.

It started as a men's shirt brand offering high-quality business shirts at competitive prices, but has since grown into a name known for ladies wear, leather shoes, handbags and accessories.

And what started as a single store in Millenia Walk has, in six years, expanded to 34 outlets spanning Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Dubai and Bahrain.

The brand last week announced a franchise agreement to expand into the Philippines. The five-year agreement means Philippine-based Rustan Group will open four Raoul stores in Manila by 2011.

Mr Tharman also tipped his hat to alldressedup, which he said is 'seeing (its) creations in stores and magazine covers around the world'.

The label, an in-house one developed by a home-grown fashion and retail group, is the brainchild of Mrs Tina Tan-Leo.

Mrs Tan-Leo, the founder and president of The Link Group, launched alldressedup in 2005.

In just four years, the label, designed by Singaporean Sven Tan, has appeared at New York and Paris fashion weeks.

It is now sold in 70 stores in 21 countries, including big cities such as Dubai, Tokyo and New York, as well as online at net-a-porter.com

Sales of alldressedup formed just 10 per cent of The Link's turnover when it was launched in 2005. In 2006, its contribution rose to 30 per cent.

Now, the brand makes up half of the group's total business turnover, said The Link yesterday.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on January 23, 2009.