Australian design retailer Cult opens in Singapore

Lovers of interior design now have a new destination with Australian designer furniture retailer Cult opening its first store in Singapore today.

The store at 48 Club Street, Singapore represents Cult’s first foray into a ‘bricks and mortar’ retail environment in Asia, following on from six years of B2B activity in Asia.

Founded in Sydney by Richard Munao in 1997 as Corporate Culture, the Singapore Cult store located in the heart of the busy Chinatown district will stock familiar Australian brands such as Nau, Tait and Coco Flip, as well as Danish design houses including HAY, Gubi, Vipp and &Tradition.

Cult has been active in Singapore since 2017, with the team completing projects across Asia in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Thailand, among others.

Much like the evolution from a trade-only business in Australia to a popular retail environment with stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, Mr Munao said the opening of the store in Chinatown is in response to repeated demand from clients to be able to experience and access the products for themselves.

“Our first six years in Singapore were dedicated to relationship building with key clients and increasing the Cult brand awareness within the regional design community,” he said.

“During the pandemic the rising demand for well-designed furniture for the home also led to a sharp increase in retail enquiries, sales and repeated requests from retail clients for us to have a physical store to visit.”

Business development manager for Cult Singapore, Ravi Shankar, said now was the right time to launch the business to the wider public with an eye for design.

“Affluent Singaporeans are willing to spend more to furnish their homes and businesses now than 10 years ago, when only the wealthiest individuals and corporations would consider ‘designer’ furniture,” he said. “Singapore also remains a gateway to South East Asia, with some of the best design work for the region being undertaken by firms in Singapore.

“This is likely to continue with the steady influx of talent and organisations from areas such as Hong Kong and Shanghai.”

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.

Australian design retailer Cult opens in Singapore

The designer furniture retailer opens its first ‘bricks and mortar’ store in the busy Chinatown district today

Italian wines are emerging as a serious contender for Australian collectors, offering depth, rarity and value as French benchmarks continue to climb.