100 S'pore shoppers go semi-naked for free clothes

SINGAPORE - Under the slogan "Come in swimwear, we got you covered", more than 100 people in Singapore participated in Spanish retailer Desigual's semi-naked sales on Thursday morning.

The first 100 shoppers to arrive "semi-naked" in their swimwear got to take home a brand new outfit each.

Ms Sharene Ong, 39, and her husband were the first in the queue at the label's Orchard Central store, waiting in line since 11pm the night before.

However, for modesty's sake - and to the relief of the more conservative bargain-hunters, those in line were issued bathrobes. But they had to take them off the moment they entered the store.

Gawkers were also left out in the cold as the store's floor-to-ceiling glass windows were covered by a black curtain.

Singapore is only the second Asian country after Japan to roll out Desigual's semi-naked campaign, which has seen more than 100,000 shoppers across cities like London, New York, Madrid and Prague taking part.

The event was launched to spice up customers' shopping experience and to mark the start of the winter sales period, said a spokesperson for the brand. 

candicec@sph.com.sg