Thursday, August 2, 2007

Designer Discovery

It really makes my day when I'm surfing through fashion websites to discover a new designer that i really love. I think I'm extremely picky about what I like. However, when I find a love, I really, really love it. I have just discovered Christian Wijnants, who hits the perfect note in my aesthetics department. I am a great lover of clothes that combine neutral colors with emphasis on their shape. He is a highly talented designer who has won the Festival Hyeres Prize and the Swiss Textile Prize. From looking at his clothing, I can tell that he makes clothes for real women with real bodies. I am dying to get my hands on some CW's......

Pictures are from his spring/summer 07 collection.......

Friday, June 29, 2007

je suis une bargain shopper to the max

I find a delicious satisfaction in bargain shopping. I have never been a brand name obsessed girl, preferring to rummage through the Filene's basement bins, and stalking an article of clothing until it reaches super sale. Therefore, I gave myself a giant pat on the back, when I went to the optical store to purchase new reading glasses. I managed to wheedle three pairs of vintage singlasses that I will be wearing non-stop this summer, simply because everytime I wear them I will 1)think about my amazing haggling skills and 2)look so awesome! =P



I have worn the very top one the most so far because they're comfortable and are more casual. The second pair reminds me of Marni...maybe the colors? The third pair has lace and crystal inset on the side of the frame. I am so ready for the sun this summer!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Oxymoron struggle



This picture summarizes my struggles because fashion and food are oxymorons. I am a deep, deep lover of good food and good fashion. Unfortunately, they are not friendly with each other and at times, you have to choose one over the other. If I decide to eat those last five dark chocolate digestive cookies, then I am foregoing the opportunity to wear my new skinny jeans, unless I decide to sport a fashion faux pas -the spare tire!

If only, I were endowed with the skinny genes for my skinny jeans. (ha! Unfortunately not, so the struggle continues......

Friday, June 22, 2007

faves

To figure out yourself, you really have to know what you like. I've recently discovered that i have an irrational fear of those lists that tell you to list your favorite music, your favorite movie and so on, because when you list something you like, it is an indication of your character, an indication who you are. I have always left those sections blank, whether it was friendster or facebook. I think its because either 1) i am a private person and don't want people to know 2) i don't know what i like, and I have no idea who i am. the second reason scares me a little.

so i have decided to push myself a bit (isn't that the only way to grow?) and start out easy: who are my TOP 5 favorite designers in no particular order?

Alber Albaz for Lanvin


Phillip Lim for Phillip Lim 3.1



Vanessa Bruno for Vanessa Bruno



Stella McCartney for Stella McCartney



Tomas Maier for Bottega Venetta



other mentionable loves are (listing brands only): Derek Lam, Alexander Wang, Vera Wang, Doo.Ri (notice the Asian pride?)Chloe, Miu Miu, Bruno Pieters, Ann Demeulemeester, Bahnaz Sarafpour, Toga, Viktor and Rolf, Dries Van Noten, Jeremy Laing, Rick Owens, Preen, Noir, Comme Des Garcons, Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, Thakoon.

that wasn't too bad. now what does this say about who i am? and my view on aesthetics?

Monday, June 4, 2007

i am back

Exams are finally over and I can try to work on this blog. I am very amazed by bloggers who can blog consistently. I guess at the end of the day it has something to do with character. I know this because a large chunk of my character is based on being LAZY....
However, better late than never to make a change.

I recently learned of a website www.20ltd.com, which sells limited edition luxury goods. From Derek Lam's assymetrical anorak to a Shanghai Tang chinchilla coat, the website sells 20 limited edition items at a time. When the item is sold out, it is then replaced by a new item in the "next 20" section. I personally feel that the concept is ingenious. We human beings are intrigued by terms like "limited edition" and "while stocks last". We buy into the hype of this because everyone wants something special that no one else. It almost sounds sad, but it adds a certain significance to our lives that differentiates us from the rest of the world. Of course, there are people, that just admire good quality and look at purchases such as these as a work of art.

If I had the money....I'd be interested in the Derek Lam coat:



And the Longchamp "Maxi Rival" bag in black or tan:



Oh, to love beautiful things and not have the resources to purchase them.......

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Time to grow up....

I admit it. I have not been updating this thing because 1) I have been hella busy with work and school 2) I have been saddened by the lack of comments. However, I'm turning over a new leaf. Who gives about comments or no comments! This is purely for my own interest and merriment. And so I will try to be a frequent blogger again. I know there are people that just peruse without leaving a message. Please do so, because unfortunately I'm a little narcissistic (sp?) like that. Haha.....
Talking about narcissism....I am sometimes very disappointed that I am a teacher because of one vain reason: the ugly uniforms we are required to wear.
At the moment......because its "spring" I trudge to school wearing this....



Yes, I look like those techies in Best Buy. I think I'm going to have to do a redesign. Next week is my sketch of my version of the new school uniform.....

Monday, April 9, 2007

be what you want to be...right?


"Honey and Clover" made me want to be an artist. It made wonder why I'm doing some of the things I'm doing. Its really strange how I am slightly attracted to the way Hagu (the girl in the tie dye dress over jeans) is dressed, because she has a "je ne sais quoi" attitude to the way she clashes and layers her outfits. Also, I'm always attracted to styles that I can never pull off.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

China Fashion Week 2007



We all know that China is a booming economy. This includes its new appreciation for its art and fashion. Viewing China Fashion Week 2007 photos, the designers are definitely at the beginning stages of developing their own identity. Nevertheless, I love seeing creativity being promoted in a country that has been supressed for so long.

Don't the two outfits feel like a part of Jay's collection from Project Runway Season One?





Where's Waldo?



Birthday cake. Reminds me of Hussein Chalayan's stuff....



I see hope and the beginnings of some great work. I can't wait for China to become more famous for its unique designs than for its ability to counterfeit fake Gucci handbags.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

A little whimsy lifts the spirit

I think I should make this a fashion and art blog, because they're interrelated, aren't they? This thought came to me, because I was looking through our homegrown artist, Carrie Chau's works.




I love how there is a whimsical story hidden behind each picture, and you can leave it all to your imagination. For some reason, her works remind me of Tsumori Chisato's fantastical clothing.







Maybe I should get out of my somber colors phase and return to highschool, when I used to match/clash my rainbow closet into crazy outfits.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Preggars!!!!

Yes, unfortunately, this is the THIRD time, yes you've read it, THIRD time someone has pointed out to me that I'm pregnant, when I am merely fat. C'mon, as women, we have a right to have a leeway of 10 pounds, RIGHT? I am human after all, and I am a foodie. I must have been in starvation mode for six months when I was away from home, because boy, is the food good back in this great city. I am in awe of women who are obsessed with calorie counting and making sure they can fit in their -000 sized clothing, because I guess I'd rather have a little back fat than miss out on life's abundant cuisine. It got me thinking though. What would I wear if I was pregnant, or at least when I'm pretending to be pregnant (because I'm seriously thinking about telling everyone I am so I can avoid a "shiiit....i'm sorry")?

I'd probably look like this, because I love stripes.....!!



No matter how pregnant I become I would never look this this....



Or this....



Man, they make me worry about their babies......

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Hail to us minorities!

Finally, fashion is recognizing a field completely opposite of its own----education. Yes, recently, I think designers are starting to appreciate us lowly-paid kindy teachers. I show you the lego/bionicle shoe.....


(Balenciaga courtesy of style.com)

and the blocks bag......


(Fendi courtesy of style.com)

I tell you, if I put these two spring asessories on my activities table tomorrow morning, my kids would build a robot or a house out of them....Wouldn't Nicholas Ghesquiere and Karl Lagerfeld be proud?

Saturday, March 3, 2007

When is art still art?

Just because you've designed for H&M doesn't mean you can do ANYTHING....My response to Viktor and Rolf's show......"PUaHAHahhHAHHAAAA!!!!"



OK, I'm gonna be nice...there were a few good pieces like the one below.



But seriously, WTF?? C'mon designers, design for REAL women....

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Reality Bites.....

I went to a certain function looking something like this.....


(coutesy of Gap.com)

when in fact I was expected to look something like this.....


(courtesy of victoriassecret.com)

Ignore hair and body...i am talking about the suit, obviously.

How did this happen?

a) I am a kindergarten teacher and have no idea how to dress in the adult world
b) I got confused about the nature of the event
c) I am stupid and inexperienced
d) all of the above.

Needless to say, the whole time I tried to camouflage my jeans behind a magazine and pretended to not notice the smirks from the rest of the corporate drones. Really, I'm not bitter.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Alas, to be a modern woman.....

The Hong Kong Arts Festival has begun and it has started off with a bang. I love the arts, in any form, whether it is a canvas on a stark wall, or in yesterday's case, in the form of Kun Qu, the oldest form of Chinese opera. It was my first ever experience with Chinese opera and I was wholly hooked. I was fortunate enough to see one of the most famous operas, The Peach Blossom Fan, which was written in 1699 by a descendant of Confucius. How is this related to fashion, you ask? Very simply, the costumes were stunning. Sitting in the fifth row of the auditorium, I could see the amazing quality of the embroidery on each costume. Apparently, 1000 embroiderers from Suzhou were hired to work on the costumes. The costumes were art forms of their own. For a moment, I wondered what it would be like to be a woman in the Qing dynasty.



It is not very visible in the picture, but the attention to detail was astounding. Sitting in the fifth row of the auditorium, I noticed that the white sleeves of each garment were embroidered with white flowers.



This was the wedding scene between the two main characters the poet, Hou Fang Yu and the courtesan, Li Xiang Jun.



This is my favorite scene and costumes. The color contrasts in the scene is modern and sophisticated. Notice the amazing cranes on Li Xiang Jun's cape.

During the intermission (it was a 3-and-a-half hours opera), I got to see the costumes up close and personal. Of course, out came the camera.





Its comforting to know that this type of handiwork still exists in the world.......

If there is an interest in what the opera was like, some wonderful person filmed it and put it on youtube.com. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0MM1zzAMuE&mode=related&search=
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGAz8Df3jgM&mode=related&search=

Monday, February 19, 2007

Confused?!

Sometimes I wonder if I even have a right to have this fashion blog, because obviously fashion is a matter of taste. The problem is of course, every one thinks they have taste. I sometimes wonder if I am in a delusional bubble, if in fact, I actually have horrendous taste and everybody has been too kind to tell me. All these thoughts came to me when I went through Gareth Pugh's show. Maybe I'm just a complete bore, but I have no idea why people are so hyped up about his work. I know this is his most wearable collection so far, but I am going to be completely blunt: Gareth, you make some pretty ugly clothes! I have taken the liberty of already posting some of his more "wearable" items....



I'm really scatching my head, while trying to find some inner beauty here, but I guess I'm too stupid, because I just don't see it......

The only thing I thought I would wear in the whole collection was this....



And it almost looks like something Ralph Lauren would make....Pugh and all his fans probably want to hunt me down right now. Haha!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

All Tied Up.....

Some fashionistas are probably going to tell me that I'm SOOOO behind, but sometimes trends don't appeal to me until a certain amout of milling takes place in my head. My personal taste is not too eccentric because I enjoy simple, well-cut items. I have a lot of what people would call "staples" in my wardrobe and tend to layer and work around them. However, one "eccentric" trend that is strangely appealing to me is the oxford shoe. I don't know why but there is something strangely sexy-ugly about them that I think would add a funkified punch to my usual looks. Designers are really busting out variations of these types of shoes on the runway.



BCBG MaxAzria is doing them flat and pointy with contrasting colors.



Derek Lam is making them peep-toe and chunky.



Jonathan Saunders are almost like ivory jazz shoes. I love how they casualize that awesome dress.



Louise Goldin from Fashion East made them pointy, heeled and with a lot of detail on the laces.



Phillip Lim's variation involves moving up the laces to the ankles and making them almost look like they are pumps with an ankle wrap.

I've got to say among all of them, Lim's is the one I would wear. Maybe I am slightly biased towards them because I used to wear black and white oxfords with my elementary school uniform. Talk about childhood psychology. And to think I used to cringe when I wore them in the morning. Its really quite sick how I would love a pair exactly like them right now. Please.