t.r.e.n.d: The Maxi

We are starting to love skirts and we're adding them into our wardrobe in a steady stream! However, nothing bothers my mind most other than finding the perfect maxi skirt. After seeing models sashying around with the swishy skirts on and even off the runway, I feel that the maxi skirt is a perfect staple, even in sunny Singapore.

On the runway: Loud!

VS.

Sheer on Jourdan Dunn

My faves are classic styles including

Basic drapey ones:

From Urban Outfitters

Loud printed ones:

From Zara!

Pop colours a la Jil Sander:
From Zara too

Which is the best? I think most importantly I'm finding one that is not stiff, and of the ideal length for my height, not too short as it will then fall to an awkward length!

Images: Zara, UO, Street Archive, Style.com

this year

Hi all!

We've had a really really long break again..so much has happened last December and during the first 3 months of new year. To update this blog about the past 4 months, here's what we've been doing.

1. work!!!

It's a fresh new start this year as we have so much free time after we graduated from junior college. So we went to search for jobs and I'm glad we both found enjoyable work!

My sis had an internship with DP Architects just ended last week (she's going to do architecture in uni!), while I'm spending a few more months at SPRING.

2. driving lessons

It's really fun to drive. Last time we only rode bikes and drove bumper cars, but nothing comes close to driving on the real road. It makes me feel grown up now! However, we are still rather far from getting our license.

3. travel

The two of us just went travelling together! It was really very exciting as I had never travelled so up north before and the furthest I've been to was Paris. We spent some time in Norway as well..and crossed the artic circle! We went on a reindeer sledge, and slept in a Sami tent. The huskies were beautiful too!

4. shop!

Our love for shopping just keeps growing. Two of us share one wardrobe, and it is bursting soon! Because of work, we've been spending some $$ on formal wear for work. Here are some fall trends that we love and will never neglect even if they are out of trend:

[Military]

Toy soldier style shirts and blazers are to die for as shown on the runway. I fell in love with military inspired wear when I saw the classy Zara's shirts in store. For a cheaper alternative, we got a chiffon button down from KISSJANE at Citylink mall.

[black ballerina]

We bought a poofy ballerina inspired skirt from New Look. Tulle netting is definitely my favourite material around. It looks so whimsical and light..and a la Black Swan! I wear the skirt to work quite often even when my mum says it looks like a feather duster..

sources: Hermes, teen Vogue, Image Amplified

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

Links a la m.o.d.e

Ethics and Morality in Fashion City

Edited by Ashe Mischief
This week’s Links á la Mode covers the gambit in regards to the ethical and moral questions surrounding fashion right now…. we have Confessions of a Fashion Editor’s take on fashion blogging & paid posts, and Oranges and Apples reports on a German magazine’s ban of professional models. threadbared talks about Lara Stone, French Vogue, and the controversial use of blackface in recent issue, while Hong Kong Fashion Geek revisits the argument about fashion, price discrimination, and designer knock-offs as Alexander McQueen sues Steve Madden.
As usual, there was a spectacular round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of checking out!

Links à la Mode : October 15th

• Confessions of a Fashion Editor – Morality, the law, and fashion blogging
• Denimaniac: – Best Denim Shops Q&A with LA’s Mister Freedom
• dramatis personae – Costumes from Holidays Past…
• ferOHHHsh: – Champagne from a shoe?? J’Taime Le Rituel!
• From Betsy With Love – Bringing some Lynchian Style to the Web!
• Grit and Glamour – Manscaping 101: Guys should groom, not preen. A little chest hair never hurt (but a shaved chest does).
• Hong Kong Fashion Geek – What’s the harm in Steve Madden doing an Alexander McQueen knockoff? Is it really sue-worthy?
• idiosyncratic style: – Idiosyncratic Style: Dare to put your legs center stage this season.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Poll : How do you feel about Sponsored Posts?
• Large Black Diary: – Austie has a beautiful collection of hair accessories
• Oranges and Apples: – German magazines bans professional models – an in-depth disussion
• Prom Mafia – Betsey Johnson does DC.
• Rags to Reverie: – Five tips for shopping at an American Apparel Flea Market
• Retro Chick – Lusious Lingerie: Vintage Style from Fred & Ginger
• sweetarchivia: – Review of Man Shops Globe event held at the San Francisco Anthropologie store
• The Art of Accessories: – The Art of Accessories shows you how to accessorize your winter wardrobe with tights.
• THE COVETED – SPUN Around: Integrating organic basics in your wardrobe.
• The Curvy Fashionista – The Business of Plus Size Fashion: Blogger turned boutique owner Marie Denee discusses the growth of plus size fashion.
• The Working Wardrobe – Virtual Dress Code: How Professionalism is Working its Way into the Avatar Wardrobe
• the3st: – The First EVER Philadelphia Fashion Week is this week. Interview with the directors of the week:
• threadbared: – We react to the recent Lara Stone editorial in French Vogue in “Blackface, and the Violence of Revulsion.”
• mode.ulation: – Mode-ulation is back from hiatus..we bring you a quick glance through Paris fashion week with the cutest trend – the updated toga.

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

Spotlight on spain: PULLANDBEAR

Take flight with Pull & Bear this season.

Inspired by aviation, together with the follies of youth, the fall collection is a harmonious balance between the classical country and the hip. The campaign reveals a story of a journey through aviation and a dream to take flighy in the rustic European countryside.

Studded tanks, slouchy plaid shirts, denim shirt and jackets may sound all too familiar to the high street fashionista, yet Pull & Bear's creation make shoppers more mad about plaid and gaga over studs. Do visit their stores to see it to believe it. ( ION orchard has a new branch that isn't too crowded even on Sat evenings)

Here are my top picks from this collection:

Plaid is huge this season, with designer and high street labels jumping on this trend.

Plaid shirt, S$59.90.

A wordy and totally worth-it tote bag priced at S$39.90

All over studs tank, S$39.90

This tee is plain cuteness. Rabbit tee, S$17.90

This will be my favourite denim jacket this season, lightly bleached to perfection.

Cropped denim jacket, S$74.90

source: www.pullbear.com

t.r.e.n.d: Of studs and such

Magazine: i-D (Issue #300)

Editorial: Suvi in Studs

Photographer: David Vasiljevic

Moi Lolita

So let us embrace studs and grommet with open arms. Embedded in bodycon dresses, vests, strappy heels and belts (just to name a few), we can't deny that these metal accents make an outfit look edgier, sexier and tougher.

The i.t. list:

[clockwise from top left] Tops & Tuniks white vest, Gio Lorenzi studded leather shoes, Topshop tutu stud dress*, BE & D studded garbo bag, Cecilia de Bucourt studded scarf, Stella McCartney patented grommet clutch*, Jeffrey Campbell gladiator sandal, Dorothy Perkins black suded stud belt, F21 engraved metal belt, No Jones stud skirt*

*absolute fave!

source: thefashionspot

t.r.e.n.d: Rockabilly Baby

Rockabilly is back! Think tough leather, leopard prints, biker jackets blinged up with sequins and metallics. Every rock fashionista would crave for a piece of DSquared2 - printed tees, loud prints and leather skinny pants, paired with oversized sunglasses and a regular starbucks coffee creates a casual-meets-rock image. Charles Anastase punks up his sheer cropped organza pants with a glossy biker jacket and oversized white tee. This fall Blumarine turned to neons, leopard prints and bling to present a Balmain-inspired collection. The jacket-and-flashy-jeans combo may seem OTT, but it still oozes an ideal dose of rockabilly attitude.





From top: DSquared2, Charles Anastase, Blumarine

The 5os vibe is present in beauty editorials such as April's Vogue China. Du Juan and Sara Blomqvist show us what rock is with uber doses of rock attitude and uber loads of hair. Hair was toussled and teased to the maximum, like a huge beehive. Black winged eyeliner and strong brows also topped off the look.

Image source: thefashionspot, style.com

t.r.e.n.d: dark sheen

fall 09/10: Balmain, Karl Lagerfeld, Preen, Costume National, Giorgio Armani

This season what's black and shiny strut down the runway together, like a lock and key. Designers embraced the darker side without forsaking shine.

Futurism was present at the house of Balmain and Karl Lagerfeld, wherein the former, a metallic and geometric bodice added a futuristic feel to a ruffled mini dress, while the latter showcased a classic LBD embellished with a crisp shimmery neckline. At Preen, a figure hugging number was brought to life with swirls of violet sheen that reminds me of molten lava. An asymmetrical dress at Costume National was well balanced with two minimalist black and crinkled golden halves. Giorgio Armani's show was nothing short of classic with a prettily draped silver and black sweetheart dress, paired with a lush velvet coat.

source: thefashionspot

Runway Rave: Graphing at Christopher Kane

Photo source: Style.com

Christopher Kane is one of my most anticipated shows. His previous seasons showed remarkable use of geometry, which included mostly circles, juxtaposed with animal prints. Having explored circles, he has moved on to lines and curves, and has brought the futuristic trend to a higher level by playing with layers to achieve various metallic sheens and shades. He proved that the futuristic look can be feminine too, as seen in the pleated dresses with ruffle-edge outlines in contrast with the rigid strokes on the sleeves and bustiers. Kane has shown once again that there will never be an exhaustion of ideas inspired by lines and shapes!

t.r.e.n.d: Tribal tights

New York fashion week has kicked off to a good start and it is time to go trendspotting. After browsing the newest collections online, I realised this fall is starting to be heavy on prints, taking roots from the savannah in Africa, with many looks camouflaged with the leopard tights.

Image source: style.com

Betsey Johnson fall 09/Diane von Fosternburg fall 09/ Miss Sixty fall 09

The Betsey Johnson girl has added animal-print tights to her hoodie and prom frock ensemble. DvF has hopped on the full-fledged safari trend with an army green parka, animal-print top and cheetah spotted legwear. The models look like they catwalked straight out of the safari. Miss Sixty stayed true to her rockability vibe, with muted blue tights paired with knee-length boots. This outfit is sure to look chic on the streets this fall.

I am looking forward to see more animal-printed tights...it is amazing how such a simple legwear can come in a myriad of creative patterns.