AFF Perspective no. 2

As I interned at SPRING Singapore, I had the privilege of attending STAR CREATION, the show in search of new Asian designers. Walking around the Belvedere VIP lounge tasting macarons and drinking vitamin water was a totally different experience from ushering and stuffing mags & bottles in goodie bags. It was realy exciting to be invited to a show!

Next, I realized how insignificant volunteers were in the eyes of the invited guests - yep that's a hard fact. While as an usher I may think that I did contribute a little part to the flow of the entire event, yet all the audience want is a good show with no hiccups. I guess that's the case in all kinds of shows - theatre, dance and even fashion. On a side note, Star Creation was a little disappointing. There were really great outfits from the finalists (and crazily unwearable ones), but the commercialized creations from last year's winners was a let down. It seemed as though the past 3 winners have lost their creativity to commercialism.

Apart from the Lasalle graduate show, the other show I thoroughly enjoyed was Raoul one. It was oversubscribed with several cases of double seatings, and guests standing along the ailes together with us ushers. Ok back to the show, the entire collection was amazing. It was a monochrome fall collection with bursts of tangerine and violet. Raoul did just as what the brand was famous for -- amazing tailoring of workwear. The pieces were so well made and flowy, that I'm sure they will be coveted by every working woman their among the audience!

A formal twist of stripes and bows that wil turn heads in the office:

Preppy chic even for working girls:

The hairstyle was young and fresh too, the side part pinned to the side was a unique take of asymetric hair dos.
images: zimbio, fashforward

Runway Rave: Techno tribal

The Haute Couture spring collections are in full swing in Paris, and Jean Paul Gaultier's collection has been mindblowing. Just one scroll down the pictures, I could see mixed ethnic and bohemian influence striding down the runway. Apart from paying homage to the sci-fi blockbuster Avatar, this collection appears lmore ike a tribute to globalisation - an amalgamation of Mexican, Asian and Tribal. Each look was a feast for the eyes with the detailing and fanciful accessories, coupled with the models' giant sombreros.

A hint of the Amazonic indigenous tribes in this tulle gown decorated with geometric leaf cutouts, and a moss-adorned headgear.

Asians will definitely identify this look with chinese porcelain or 青花瓷, in a less delicate and more structured form.Techno tribal is all the rage, and will be here to stayeven after Alexander McQueen's spring showing, as shown in this corset-like minidress with a truly Gaultier style.

Weaving and macromaid details were seen on the dresses, and even in the models' hair and hats. The 'enfant terrible’ of Parisian couture is back to make waves again with this collection that goes beyond pretty and redefines bold.

source: style, modelcouture

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Its also mode.ulation's first anniversary! During the school holidays this space is surprisingly dead as we were really occupied...so now its a belated HAPPPPPY NEW YEAR to everyone out there =).

A new year's for a fresh new page of fashion and style! But before all of that, we need to straighten up some things in our hectic schedule.

I. Spring Clean

School reopens next week and I really need to clear up my study corner at home.

II. Freshen up

I need to catch up on sleep after staying up for long hours during the holidays. My skin is suffering from this...

III. Relive a passion for studying

A levels are up this year so we twins better study hard and play hard and blog hard together! =)

IV. Dance!

Dance to keep fit! For someone who's not that sporty, I can say dancing is the best to shed those pounds and shed the stress.

source: voguegirl kr, teen vogue

t.r.e.n.d: Tulle

Billows and billows of luscious tulle floated down the Spring 2010 runway. One of my favourite luxe fabric, I believe tulle is really difficult to handle. Nevertheless, designers, armed with their couturesque craftsmenship, created several gorgeous tulle pieces effortlessly.

Viktor & Rolf is definitely one of my faves this season. Each and every looks spells artistry. Quoting one of the duo at Viktor & Rolf, "With the credit crunch and everybody cutting back, we decided to cut tulle ball gowns." What a great concept conceived with great execution.

Lanvin's signature volumes now reworked in orange tulle.

source: modelcouture

t.r.e.n.d: Toga 2.0

We are finally back - somehow I do not like the fact that exams come during fashion week. I treated myself to the latest Paris runway happenings and found that my favourite trend - the one shoulder toga is here to stay!

A la Greek goddesses:
At Elie Saab, the toga flesh-toned gowns were so flowy that they look like drapery on Greek sculptures in the Louvre.

All ruffled up, a little like Giambatista at Stella McCartney:

Chanel delivers a classic toga with a cheeky peek-a-boo effect:

source: modelcouture

Let the Ad out of the Bag: Fall 09/10

There is no time to lose in fashion. Before I knew it, the Spring 2010 Fashion week has commenced when I was just about to blog about the array of fall 09 ad campaigns that greeted me in my latest magazine purchases!

My favourite is definitely MIU MIU.As compared to the previous seasons, this fall 09 ad has definitely toned down in colour, but definitely not in terms of impact. To me, this is the quintessence of timelessness -- a quality which merchandisers should seek to exude in their ads in the gloomy times of recession.

I really love how simplicity is luxury in here.On the other hand, Prada, evidently aiming to simplify and employ the same tactic, pales in comparison for me. I really loved the collection and expected an austere, perhaps medieval and silently impactful ad campaign. However, I do not quite relate to the water and models' expressions. Stronger, more uniform expressions would have definitely helped.

Sadly, I prefer Prada's previous campaign where many outfits are displayed in a single ad. This season's would have been more impactful if the colours were tweaked in the direction of Miu Miu's monochromatic palette.

And Fendi's monochromatic palette of stonegreys spells sublime! Rich furs and lush bags toted by stunning Stam and cold stone walls, this Fendi campaign is, no doubt, leaving smoke in my eyes.

Seems like I'm feeling biased towards reduced colours this season, but no, I really do love the burst of colours in the ad campaigns of Louis Vuitton, Kenzo and Marc Jacobs!
Marc Jacobs is intriguing and I'm really drawn into its ads and having the confidence that its campaigns would only get better in the seasons to come.

On the flip side of the coin, a few ad campaigns were definitely a letdown.One of them would be YSL. I applaud its courage to encapture the inspiration of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian MAn. Surely, this drawing is revolutionary but it needn't be so explicit in the ad campaign. The naked man makes the ad look cheap. Perhaps the rationale behind the use of the Vitrutian Man idea is to boast the exquisite proportions and workmanship of Yves Saint Laurent's craft, but the representation is simply not apt.

Gucci was also quite a letdown. The juxtaposition of models with awfully hip poses made it look tacky. It does no justice to the clothes. I wish more energy was put into the ad, with a portrayal of motions frozen in time instead of still cliched poses that kill the energy of the clothes. The fall 08 campaign of models prancing in the fields was much better.

How about you, which are your favourite ads?

source: www.thefashionspot.com

Runway Rave: Barbie Show

The iconic doll celebrated 50 years with a runway show featuring looks created by 50 American designers, including Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Anna Sui and Diane von Furstenberg. The world's top 51 models brought the doll to life in three themed wardrobe sets. The first looks were a tribute to the retro dolls of the '50s and '60s, some models were sent down the runway with cool wayfarer shades and clad shiny monochromatic prints and flowing ethereal pouf gowns.
This was followed by a Malibu Barbie-inspired crop with big teased hair and sweet pink makeup, and the finale featured edgier looks with clear plastic toppers that gave the audience a peek into Barbie's bright future. It was intriguing to view the various interpretations of the iconic barbie doll, all with the aim of honouring the 50-year-old doll, this time in a life-size version.

The show was not short of poofy dresses like Marchesa's fairytale-like creation and Monique L'huillier's girlish floral gown.

Therefore, what stood out for me were more cutting-edge designs that added vibe to the classic feminine and girly barbie image, such as this beauty pageant Reem Acra strapless red gown, and Catherine Malandrino's stars and stripes.

While Barbie went on a vacation at DVF, designers like Koi Suwannagate and Threeasfour chose to send cocktail dresses embellished with pop-up petals that are pretty in pink down the runway!

Source: Shine yahoo/ Coutorture

I must say this is an eye-opening show..the combination of teased hair and barbie makeup and pink bejewel-rimmed sunglasses sure transformed many of my favourite models into life-sized barbies! And it's really interesting to see how different designers interpret this iconic barbie doll...long live Barbie!

Marchesa/ Monique Lhuillier/ Reem Acra/ Catherine Malandrino/ DVF/ Koi Suwannagate/ Threeasfour

Spotlight: BNX Korea

BNX is an established Korean street fashion label I recently found out about while "window shopping" on the net. The designer Kay Lee is touted as the "Marc Jacobs of Korea".

BNX is an extraordinarily hip, yet elegant collection of feminine and chic casual items from South Korea. The “BN” stands for “Be Natural,” meaning that every design strives for artistic expressions of style and originality. The BNX woman is feminine yet romantic, and desires wearable but not OTT pieces in her wardrobe. Lee has successfully kept true to her aesthetic believes in her fall 08/09 collection.

BNX drew inspiration from the urban streetstyle of new yorkers in town, a poetic potpourri of the boho and retro, and sportism expressed in a rich colour spectrum. The collection consists of many unique styles, including vintage tweed jackets with romantic fur collars and rustic plaid skirts and shift dresses.

The designs boost rich and sophisticated details, pulling off a idyllic and casual style.

source: http://www.bnx.co.kr/

2008 in a post

Finally a new year has begun, we believe its high time to review the whole year in fashion, and more importantly, have fun crediting those who have worked so hard in various aspects of the fashion world....

Don't judge a book mag by its cover... yet we do

Vogue UK December 2008

Ph: Nick Knight

Model: Kate Moss

Source: The Fashion Spot

It's not just because Ms. Moss is on the cover -- the nude colour scheme, the bright lighting, the outstretched arm and tilted head which smooths out into a curve and the finishing touch of a quirky, playful font makes this a balanced cover in its entirety, bringing out the theme of fantasy perfectly!

The glossiest spread

Harper's Bazaar China September 2008

不可抗力下的荣耀 Olympic Glory

Ph: Chen Zun

Models: Du Juan, Pei Bei, Zhang Xue, misc. male models

Source: Asianmodelsblog

This was the editorial that took our breathes away-- it captured the vibe and energy of the Olympics in a completely surreal setting while staying culturally relevant by showcasing the creations of Chinese designers and starring three stunning chinese models. The styling of couture gowns and neon sportswear served as a strong contrast to the dark background that signals an imminent storm. This editorial having captured such intense energy on a 2-dimensional canvas definitely deserves a standing ovation!

Style hot off the runway

Chanel Iman

We think she looks fab not only because of her stick-thin legs but also how she dresses up. From rocker vibe to boho chic, her style shows it all. She's definitely one who rocks both the street and the runway!

Loudest trend

In a painterly fashion

Source: style.com

The arty trend ,where fashion fuses with abstract art, was especially outstanding on the runways this year. Designers took their inspiration from artists and illustrators, employing a range of techniques from abstract expressionism to ink and watercolour, and from thick impasto to bold brushstrokes. In spring 08, Prada collaborated with James Jean to design an ethereal collection of faery-printed it bags and clothes, while pop artist Richard Prince added a dose of bright colour to the LV monogram bags. Furthermore, the vibrant hand-painted smears inspired by abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock gave the gorgeous tulle Dolce & Gabbana gowns an arty glamour.

Primp that Pretty Face

Marni Spring 08

(Left) Marni S/S 09; (Right) Bottega Veneta F/W 08

Source: style.com

The winged eyeliner is strong on its own, and plays an indispensable role in the shows of Marni (S/S 09) and Bottega Veneta (F/W 08). While the icy cool gradient of blue and white tones down the loud colours at Marni, the thick dash of indigo on the models' eyelids adds a streak of bold colour to the muted fall tones of the clothes at Bottega Veneta.