nina ricci pre-fall 09.1

If I had exquisite long legs, this is what I’d wear.

(i love the idea of pairing a beautiful chiffon minidress with biker gloves)(just to show who’s boss)

31.1.09

Recently I’ve taken a liking to oversized tops that hang like a bag over me. I kind of enjoy using belts and such to add structure and shape to an otherwise formless entity. There’s a bit of an interesting story to this belt, but I’m running late for class so perhaps I’ll update later.

(update:)
At last I’m esconced in front of my laptop in my usual pre-sleeping ritual of internet surfing (which usually delays my sleep for a couple of hours). Actually the story behind the belt I wanted to tell everyone isn’t the most exciting one ever just that it’s something that’ll crop up in my memory everytime I look at that belt.

A couple of months back I went to a flea market at Home Club (Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun) and happened to chance upon an outdoor stall selling a real mish-mash of funky clothes out of a couple of vintage trunks. Spotted this belt which was selling for $8 and after a little haggling managed to get it down to $5 since I agreed to buy the oversized grey top as well as a Zara skirt. Unfortunately as I handed the belt over to her a tiny screw holding the belt loop in place came loose and was engulfed in the mass of clothes spilling out of the trunks on the ground. The vendor was quite nice and attempted to help search for it but there were so many clothes and people rummaging through the trunks that it was pretty impossible to find. The other alternative, she said, was to go to a store she knew of in Simei which would be able to fix up the belt for a low cost but from where I live, it’s pretty much on the opposite end of the island so that was out of the question. By telling her how troublesome it’d be to get it fixed, I managed to get the price down further to $3 (bargaining strategy!) but at that point I was pretty certain I wouldn’t find the screw.

I tried searching for it but with sweat pouring down my neck, the scorching sun beating down on my back, people pressed against me as they navigated their way through the labyrinth of stalls… I had all but lost hope on finding it. Then, as luck would have it, I lifted up a top and there it was right on the base of the trunk, small and shiny, waiting for me to pick it up and take it home. =)

From $8 to $5 to $3 and went home with a perfectly intact nifty belt. Was that luck or what?

heads up: Stockholm Fashion week

With fashion shows, stylish people traipsing the streets, parties lasting long after the 1630 setting sun, who wouldn’t want to be in the Nordic metropolis now?

Sometimes a wicked twist of the hair makes all the difference. And my eyes haven’t returned fully to their sockets yet after seeing these incredible platform pumps paired with plastic waterproof pants from Acne.

This will probably be my style inspiration for the week. A perfect combination of subdued fall colors that go so well with her auburn locks. Am loving the way she wore her scarf with asymmetrical lengths. Legwarmers, boots and skinnies make for a practical warm yet edgy outfit for long winter days.

photo credits: Refinery29

this is why we get fat

Finally the weekend has arrived. I always seem to be saying that but school/weekdays in general do tire me out quite a bit. I hadn’t planned on not posting for so many days but after returning to school from the wonderful Chinese New Year break it came as a rude shock to me how little I knew and how far behind I was in terms of material covered during one of my lessons. So I figured I might as well leave some solid posting to the weekend when the thought of unfinished homework and late days wouldn’t hover over like a foreboding cloud cover.

It’s hard to believe that Chinese New Year celebrations are more or less over for me. It was a great two days of holiday for me — gorging on delicious tidbits and dishes only eaten during the new year, visiting relatives, listening in on a year’s worth of adult gossip… While it gets a little tiring going from house to house, it helps that there’s always food waiting and red packets to be received.

So this is why we all get fat during the Chinese New Year:

I know you’ve seen me in quite a lot of red recently but it’s only for this period of time I promise. ;p I’ve pretty much exhausted all the red clothing in my closet which doesn’t amount to very much. Here’s what I wore on the first day of the new year, without the tights and with a different set of heels though. Most of my relatives are older and a little more conservative so the tights would probably have been too much of a shock to them. I figured I’d try it out though just to see the effect and perhaps for future use when I meet up with friends.

On a side note, I’ve pretty much come clean with my family about this blog which comes as a relief to me. No more sneaking around with my camera to odd locations outside of the house in an attempt to keep things under cover. It’s still a little weird for me when they spot me taking photos of myself though. (How do you guys overcome that problem? I doubt I’d ask my family members to help me take photos because that’d be even more awkward for me) Nonetheless, I’m pretty sure my sister reads this now and then, so here’s a photo just for her:

The best part of the new year for most unmarried youngsters like me:

Technically there’s still 10 more days to go for Chinese New Year, so here’s wishing everyone who celebrates, a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year. =) And for everyone else, good fortune to you too. I’m already looking forward to next year’s celebrations. Perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to wear one of these babies:

photo credits: my mandarin collar

streetsnaps and thoughts

Streetsnaps is a website on livejournal featuring local streetstyle which I’ve just discovered after it was featured in the newspapers last week (but I only got around to reading that section of the papers today! what a major procrastinator I am ;p) and I’m loving it so much! If there are any Singaporean readers, do check this site out if you haven’t already done so! Perhaps I’ll see you featured there one day. =)

There are some really talented photographers roaming the streets in between work/school taking great shots of locals dressed in quirky/eccentric/striking outfits that are pretty impressive in terms of personal style displayed. Of course due to some limitations (mainly the weather and students’ budgets), we’ll probably not see outfits that are as incredible as those featured by the Sartorialist with voluminous coats/elegant blazers/luxurious heels by those attending shows in various fashion capitals of the world, but I love browsing through the photos on this website because it features people just like me, in a place I call home.

I didn’t manage to check out all the archives but these are a couple of looks that I liked. Some for the details such as belts, shoes, hats; some for the funky vibes and devil may care smiles. Fashion in Singapore has always been chided by many as non-existent or at best, full of clones that attempt feebly to imitate trends from more fashion forward counterparts such as HongKong, Japan and Taiwan.

In a number of respects I do think the above statements hold some modicum of truth but they’re fast becoming outdated stereotypes. There are quite a number of people who aren’t bothered very much by what they dress themselves in, perhaps because of a lack of time, money or simply a lack of interest. But the fashion scene seems to be a lot more dynamic these days, driven largely by youths who are more exposed to global influences, better connected through the Internet and more privileged (compared to the older generation) with the time and money to spend on their consumerist pleasures. I’m still trying to explore a lot more of the local scene and it’s exciting everytime I come across fashion/culture magazines such as Juice and blogs by other guys/gals who are also navigating this rapidly evolving culture. There are now a lot more people who dress with a great sense of style and aesthetics borne out of exposure to the happenings in other communities in the world (god knows the internet has played a tremendous role in this) and their own creativity. Even though I’m just a passive observer, isn’t it sometimes said that even by observing a culture you ineluctably change it?

In this sense, it’s exciting times for youths like me and I’m glad to be a part of it – observing, experiencing, changing a culture that belongs to me.

photo credits: Streetsnaps

more red

Ok so I cheated a little and it’s not quite red (a little more on the pinkish-burgundy side) but it comes pretty close. Time moved slowly today; just the way I like it. Woke up in the late morning, switched on my laptop and that pretty much took up all the time until lunch. Tried reading a new book I’d gotten over the holidays but try lying down in bed reading with the air-conditioning on and a tummy replete with lunch. Not quite possible to remain awake for long. My eyesight is going to start deteriorating really soon. I spent hours checking out new blogs, editorials, photographs, boutiques online today that I’m surprised my eyes don’t feel more tired or dry. Ebay is fast becoming my bosom friend. There was work to be done but it was that or a swim in the pool and of course we know which one I chose. Days like these are hard to come by. Days like molasses – you feel yourself struggling in one direction for awhile… but it’s difficult moving anywhere and the easiest thing is to let go and give in to the tide.

ungaro pre-fall 09

The thought of having 4 days off from school to celebrate the Lunar New Year just makes me lazy. I’d planned on catching up with schoolwork because god knows there’s a ton of reading to be done, but when time, like an elusive pixie, dances within reach, I feel safe in the thought that there’s still tomorrow to engage in more productive work.

Chanced upon Emmanuel Ungaro’s Pre-Fall 09 collection and while on whole I’d say it was a pretty safe collection, there were a couple of misses in my opinion, largely because of the strange colors adopted in certain outfits along with the futuristic star trek shapes added to some of the blazers. But these below are some of my favorites.

I absolutely love the asymmetrical curves in the coats featured in this collection, especially the first navy blue one. While there’s a certain laid back almost grungy air portrayed, the specific tailoring of those coats and blazers adds quite a sharpness to the look (and of course those wicked heels help too). I’ve gained some inspiration putting together an outfit based on a few simple yet key items — fitted blazer/stylish coat, flowy top, sleek pants/tights, power heels.

Am starting to think a beanie would be a really nice finish to a number of outfits. That last loose-fit flowing dress is going to be on my mind for quite a while.

vogue china

And so this begins my love obsession with Vogue China.


Each photo oozes creative styling and experimental design. The play on shapes, attention to details, use of makeup and the intense contrast among the photos simply takes my breath away. The Dolce & Gabana structured top and skirt as well as the black Emporio Armani jumpsuit screams avant-garde. Time to start moving away from the tried and tested UK/U.S Vogue to unchartered grounds.

23.01.09

Am attempting to incorporate some red into my outfits over the next couple of days simply because – 1. it’s Chinese New Year 2. it only comes once a year 3. there’s no such thing as too much good fortune.

22.01.09

Chinatown - 2100 h

Who can resist the madness of walking around in Chinatown 4 days before Chinese New Year? The crowds were insane. But that’s the fun of it.

Couldn’t resist taking a photo of a lace cheongsam on display in one of the many nameless streetstores. Wonder what other treasures I left unearthed.