Butter Factory co-founders' Super Freak Boutique to shut in end-July

Super Freak Boutique at Stamford Court, which trades in wacky attire and accessories, is set to shutter on July 24.

- Carmen Sin

Opened in 2020 by Mr Bobby Luo and Mr Ritz Lim - co-founders of defunct nightclub The Butter Factory - the 187 sq ft retail and event space is better known among adroit young dressers for its edgy art markets. It also houses Mr Lim's hair salon.

The venue has hosted local and regional designers, musicians, artists and even a poet - the sort of restless creatives who, like Mr Luo, do not restrain themselves to one medium.

A DJ once started his set with a sewing machine, sampling the jerky rhythms of needle stitching cloth into a thumping beat.

An arty designer turned archival local streetwear into quixotic items such as a tube top conjoined with a puffy bib and hood, and a jacket sewn into jeans.

Super Freak Boutique held its final market in May. For now, it will stay online and Mr Lim is eyeing freelance hairdressing.

Mr Luo, 54, speaking to The Straits Times without his media-shy 63-year-old partner, says: "I guess I'm burnt out."

The nightlife impresario, who in the 1990s designed sets at Zouk, still co-runs a stable of events, like queer hip-hop romp Baby Boy and baile funk bash Contessa.

He says the boutique is not something that can be done on the side.

It is not for lack of trying. Super Freak Boutique is his third and most conservative go at retail since 2008.