The Closet Lover, a popular Singapore fashion label, will close on June 15, 2025, after 17 years in business, due to co-founder Brianna Wong’s health. Find out what’s next for the brand and its founders.
The Closet Lover to Shut Its Doors in June 2025
Homegrown fashion label The Closet Lover (TCL) will officially cease operations on June 15, 2025, marking the end of a 17-year journey in Singapore’s retail and e-commerce scene. The announcement came as a heartfelt decision by founders Brianna and Bertilla Wong, due to Brianna’s worsening health condition.
TCL started in 2007 as a modest blogshop, evolving into one of Singapore’s most recognizable fashion brands with both online and physical retail presence.
Health Comes First: A Difficult But Necessary Decision
In a candid interview, Ms Bertilla Wong revealed that her older sister and co-founder, Ms Brianna Wong, faced severe health complications during a trip to South Korea in February. Diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), Brianna experienced dangerously high blood pressure, swelling, and breathing difficulties, eventually leading to hospitalisation.
Doctors later found inflammation in her kidneys and heart, prompting a firm recommendation to reduce stress and prioritize recovery. Bertilla, also diagnosed with lupus in the past, has been managing the business solo in recent months as her sister rests.
“I persuaded her to end the business first to recuperate because I want her to live,” said Bertilla.
TCL’s Journey: From Blogshop to Iconic Label
Launched from their bedroom, The Closet Lover built a loyal following over the years by offering versatile fashion pieces suited for everyday wear and special occasions. The brand’s presence expanded to:
- 3 physical outlets (Orchard, Bugis, Tampines)
- Over 137,000 Instagram followers
- Popular weekly TikTok live streams
At its peak, TCL also had outlets in Malaysia and Cambodia, though these closed in 2021 and 2024 respectively.
Despite adapting to post-COVID shifts with regular social media engagement and livestreaming, Bertilla shared that the intense demands—especially during festive seasons—took a toll on everyone involved.
“Even if the business was doing super well, we wouldn’t have been able to keep it going if we were to run it at the expense of our health.”
Final Collection Launches May 25
Fans of the brand can still look forward to one final collection, dropping on May 25 as a farewell gesture. While details are under wraps, it’s hinted to be a collaboration with an international brand.
Key closure dates include:
- May 19: End of cashback and rewards accumulation
- June 1: No more returns or exchanges accepted
- June 15: Final day of operations
What’s Next for the Wong Sisters?
While TCL’s chapter is coming to a close, Ms Bertilla Wong will continue her presence on TikTok and social media by promoting health and wellness products for a local brand. She also hints that Ms Brianna Wong may return to fashion one day, on a smaller and more manageable scale.
“She’s still very passionate about fashion. When she gets better, she might launch something more personal that won’t compromise her health.”
The sisters expressed deep appreciation to their customers, employees, and collaborators for their unwavering support through the years.
A Fond Farewell, Not a Goodbye
The closure of The Closet Lover is a reminder that even successful brands are powered by people—and their health and wellbeing must always come first.
