IF your fashion brand is about craftsmanship and art, then one way to demonstrate your commitment to artistic vision is to dedicate spaces for artists to create - without any ties to the brand or fashion.

French lifestyle marque Hermes created a foundation in 2008, the Fondation d'entreprise Hermès, to initiate and further develop what they consider to be "patronage activities" around the world. Singapore is one of the five dedicated Hermes art spaces, along with Saint-Louis in France, La Verriere in Brussels, Le Forum in Tokyo and Atelier Hermes in Seoul.

When the boutique at Liat Towers re-opened after renovation, the original "Third Floor - Hermes" that has been dedicated to art since 2006 moved up to the fourth floor and was renamed "Aloft". Third Floor was a non-commercial art space that championed contemporary young artists by commissioning, producing and presenting works within its space.