Singing the Blues

After a binge on minimalism and modernistic-cool, the fashion world decided to take a break by swinging to the other end of the pendulum and celebrate what the real world has to offer us – colors!

Strong, electrical colors made a bold splash across runways this season painting several collections in colorful prints and in strong singular colors the borderlines screaming neon. Colors as we all know have very interesting effect on people – both the wearer and the admirers. Therefore, it can be rather tricky to pull off a “heavy” and sometimes “depressing” color like, say blue.

But when Blue gets electrical it’s an entirely different world – think Super heroes, think Mischa at the Cannes festival, think retro-cool-tight-fit-electrical-blue-dress!

What you get here is nothing close to the blues but exciting, funky notes of electric blues!

This simple blue dress is chic, sexy, and complementary even for curvy ladies. The cut and the lines in the front makes a slim streamline while the long sleeves can be pushed up the arm slightly to create a casual crunch.

Since it’s almost like a bare, albeit colored, canvas, one can top it with chunky accessories or an iconic clutch. Don’t forget about shoes – it cannot be said enough that shoes complete the look! Play around with your options – go chunky for retro funk, stilettos to ooze sex and sophistication, or just flats for elegant chic.

Though adventurous, a dose of prudence can do one good when it comes to strong colors. Alas one should end up with the 'parrot-syndrome'.

Max it

Summer dresses do not always have to be short and skimpy to allow the most exposure especially if you’re starting out in a shade close to “pasty”. Though far from pasty, Angelina Jolie recently stepped out in a series of romantic, flowing long dresses leading a trail of inspirations and the opportunity for a maxi dress comeback.

Since the sixties, long dresses have had an uphill battle to lose its hippie stigma. Anyone seen with a long dress is either immediately stamped with a hippie mark or pushed into the bohemian- wannabe category. Nothing stylish or glamorous there.

But this summer, long dresses will make a comeback thanks to the star factor that Angie has bestowed upon them. Long dresses are popping up everywhere in major giant retails like ZARA, H&M, and more. Here’s one of the many examples from H&M’s tribute to Marimekko and a darling picture of Irina Lazareanu taken by the Sartorialist himself.

So bring out those long dresses that you’ve been hiding, throw on some sunnies, let loose your hair – and you’re ready to go with this summer’s look!

Why an iPhone is not for the fashionista - The iPhone review for the fashionables

Amidst all the craze and obsession surrounding the over-hyped iPhone, it has to be made clear right here, right now that the iPhone is not an accessory for fashionistas. Here are 3 reasons why you don’t need an iPhone.

Look & Feel
It’s a known fact that the iPhone manufacturers, Apple, is widely recognized for its sleek and forward designs. The iPhone is not an exception. BUT it’s not designed for a fashionista or a stylish woman. The size and shape itself speaks volume – literally. It’s probably going to fit a large tote but not your party clutch. One may argue that the Dolce & Gabbana Motorola RAZR is nearly the same size. The iPhone however is not as stylish or “blessed” by any fashion gurus.

Functions & Features
It’s funny how there is so much hype around the so-call brilliant, first-of-its-kind functions and features that iPhone offers. When you drill down to the hard core basics, iPhone offers just about everything else that any current cell phones offers. In fact, some Nokia’s are even better than iPhone. Alright, say you want to catch the latest Vogue Fashion on Demand podcast – you don’t need an Apple to do that. Wanna take a picture of you in your new Roberto Cavalli dress? Too bad the iPhone’s 2 megapixels won’t capture the finer details of the fabric and how nicely it falls on you.

It’s a statement icon – for Techies
Fashion is all about statement, which is why style is about choosing the RIGHT statement. So when it comes to phone, the statement for the fashionables is to support our friends like Miucca Prada or Dolce and Gabbana for their efforts in co-producing a sleek touch screen or a loud golden phone. It’s not about trying to jump on a bandwagon of mostly guys who happen to love their free company t-shirts and have an obsessive impulse to flick, swipe, and stare at their iPhones.

If you are looking for a new cell phone with great functions and goes well with your wardrobe, try looking at some of Motorola’s or LG’s. Not necessarily pointing to their D&G and PRADA phones, but also other models that they offer such as Motorola Z9 or LG Glimmer, giving you both great features and display and most importantly – a complete look that is both glamorous and stylish!

If you have to splurge, you don't have to read this and just look one way - Vertu.

White Shirts

I have an obsession with white shirts.

I discovered this obsession when one day I open my wardrobe and noticed that the white section (yes, I’m one of those that arrange my wardrobe according to colors, you’ll find it easier to see what you have) seems to dominate the rest of the colors hanging around it. I have white shirts and white blouses with different types of nuances, various style and length, some with stains more than others… regardless of that discovery, I still find white shirts/blouses very attractive and am constantly compelled to buy more. Maybe it represents some kind of pureness that comes with beauty and elegance. No wonder that it’s a classic and basic of all wardrobe must-haves.

Designers with their creative take on the Gap white shirts as shown on the cover of Vogue US May 2007 worn by "anonymous supers"

This notion is evidently shared by fashion retailers and designers alike this spring/summer season. White shirts of all kinds are blooming up everywhere – blooming because they more often than not come with puffy sleeves.

More Gap shirts

It has been surprisingly difficult to find images of these beautiful white shirts online simply because white shirt is such a common piece of clothing that all kinds of “common” conventional search results surface.

Fortunately retail giant H&M was able to offer up great samples of each style that I find fashion invest-able for this trend. The styles that I’ve chosen cover the basic designs that one can find easily anywhere. Oh and I’m absolutely crazy about white with denims.

Short sleeves

I chose this style because of the details on the shirt that makes it a little bit more special. Combine that with the length of the shirt makes a sweet top that can be paired with denims of any length.

¾ Sleeves

¾ sleeves tops are usually my favorite because of the complementary length. It’s enough to cover unsightly flabs on the upper arm while ending just above/below the elbows which gives a very slender shape to the lower arm.

Shirt Dress

The shirt dress is probably my favorite for this season and style plainly because wearing a shirt as a dress is simply sexy! From these two variations here, one has a conventional flat collar while the other has a standing collar which gives it an extra chic.

Otherwise, classic white shirts with wide lapels are also very sexy when cinched at the waist as illustrated by Jessica Alba and Victoria Beckham. The opening around the neck with the stiff collar just seems so -inviting!

Lane Crawford TrANSITIONs

Whether they’re trying to ride the Beijing Olympic wave to attract western consumers or for some other reasons, I am regardless impressed and adore the Transition SS08 campaign by Lane Crawford.

A handful (literally – 5 of them) of illustrious Chinese artistes were handpicked to consummate the variety of moods Lane Crawford represents in their collection of designers.

The fact that they chose ballerina Tan Yuan Yuan to be part of the team automatically won a vote from me.

Film producer, Fu Jia.

Model, Du Juan

Another vote from me for a tastefully (and sexy, and raw) done picture actor, Lie Ye. Liu Ye's pictures can probably pull off a new trend of desirable Chinese men.





But of course, we must have Maggie Cheung to complete the perfect ad campaign.






Delectable, simply enjoyable.


ps. I suspect there's a "touch your face" theme going on here. Only Du Juan didn't quite make it -- probably too stoned to find her face.

Ah-hah!

Glow when you're winning

8 words -- Marion Cotillard is the actress of the year.

I predicted in May 2007 that she will win the Oscars. She has nailed the Golden Globes now can someone please pass her the golden man already...

Razzle-dazzle, Fading-frazzle

Last Christmas we saw a sudden profileration of girls with a deck of glittery necklines appearing on their dresses and tops alike. Apparently, all that glitter went well with the party season.

And it should stay that way.

Like anything glittery; it distracted and swayed the buying power of many women. So much so that it became overrated.

No buy, or don’t wear because:

like any overrated pop culture, it’s not worth it

there’re probably another 2 girls who has a similar dress/top as you in the bar

too many stones comes off cheap plastics after looking at it for 5mins


Don’t get me wrong. It’s a beautiful item, but enough is enough.

Casual Chic

Now this is what I call casual wear that is well tailored, fitting yet comfortable, and feminine.

Tod’s ad campaign.

A good example of the perfect jeans length and cut, and smarting it up with a well fitted leather jacket. This is good casual wear.

Coming up -- Best Behaviour

Midnight anxiety -- What to wear?!

Most of the time -- I would say 80% of the time -- I would be able to put together an outfit within 5-10mins. If I prepare overnight for something significant, I would normally take 10-20mins, trying on various combination just to get the exact style and emotions I want to communicate.

But tonight, I'm practically anxious and I can't figure out what to wear to probably the turning point of my (non-existing) fashion career -- the fashion show tomorrow.

I can decide if I want to make a statement or not. Evidently, I should, this is after all my first impression for the industry. BUT, I'm also going as a fashion editor/writer, along with my giant camera (besides being able to take some "real" pictures, I've also promised to return the favor by snapping pictures of people using sponsored wares). I cannot possibly look smashing while holding a giant camera...especially since I know I won't look like Steven Meisel or Ellen von Unwerth working the lenses.

But most of all, this is one of thoes events where what you wear is truly important. It's the business. You cannot go to an IT fair and not know what SOA, MIIS, SQL, and which Oracle t-shirt is the coolest (geekiest).

So anyway, let's hope and pray that I will put on something smart, versatile, and interesting.

Copenhagen Fashion Week AW08

I will be attending my first ever fashion show at the Copenhagen Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 08'.

Maybe it's a sign that my calling has finally come -- now I just need to pin point it, somewhere, somehow during the short and chaotic weekend of CFW. The event stretches from Feb 6-10, 2008.

For that, I will reward you with one (if the collection is noteworthy, you will definitely hear more) if not more, exciting, on-the-scene account of the collection, the people, the atmosphere, but most of all -- some style picks for the second half of the year!

Stay tune to this space...

Power Dressing

With the US presidential election running high this year and their first ever woman candidate driving a relatively strong lead, power dressing will be a focus this year.

This means pencil skirts, belts, and clean lines will continue to triumph. The best accessory to finish the look -- patent heels, pointed-toe for the clean sophisticated finish; or open-toe for a playful tease.

Power dressing doesn’t mean you need to have shoulder pads and look like a man. It means you can still be feminine, demure, sexy, yet still strong in your stand.

Do not slouch or apologize for your great looks when you power dress. Walk straight and smile kindly to your admirers.

Never apologize for your sensuality and power; acknowledge them as your talents and tools – and use them wisely for the greater good.

Bye-bye Kate Moss. Hello Kate Bosworth.

There’s a new fashion icon in town and her name is Kate. Kate Bosworth. Albeit yet another skinny Kate, this Kate has put on more delightful wares than Ms. Moss for the past 12 months.

Kate B. is the lady to watch this year. Either she’s really good, or her stylist is good.

Sorry, but Kate M. has outlived her expiry date. Always retire on a high – or is that too late now?

Ms. Kate i seen here modelling several key pieces from a selected few of Vogue's "Super Seven", which will potentially drive the style notes for 2008.

With Thakoon -- Abstract Prints and Colors

Being blown away by Phillip Lim.

With the magnificient duo - Proenza Schouler.

Defying all odds with Doo-Ri.

Yes to Romantics, No to Tiers

Unsurprisingly, soft flowing fabrics are back with spring. All things romantic and goddess-like are good. Think organza and tulle and anything that goes with the wind.

It’s all about being a girl again, and feeling fresh and light, throwing off the weight and any remnants that winter depression tends to offer.

Roberto Cavalli delivers several beautiful and inspiring pieces.

The flowy take was adopted gracefully by notable actresses at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, such as Angelina Jolie who's expecting her second biological child and fith to the Jolie Pitt brood.

Meanwhile, despite the fact that tiers seem to be trying to squeeze in a come back as well, I would not recommend it for the same reasons why it never did any good before.

Tiers makes you look fat full stop. OK, maybe like a tiered cake too. Either way, it's no good. Do not get fooled by its tendency to look romantic, it is not. The following exhibits illustrates.

Funny enough though, frills work. Fashion and trends are simple, they just appear confusing.

Burberry breakthrough -- literally

Burberry ushers in the new year with a completely new look. Anything but stiff and boring. It’s still quite British though with a snazzy twist of color and punk and loudness.

Burberry wants to tell us that it’s fun, young, and hip. I say, try harder -- and try atleast, to make something new.

The long and short of hair

Since the rage of Victoria Beckham look alikes which sent ladies running off to chop of their locks, the short bob has evolved slightly and ironically, it was Posh’s best friend, Katie Holmes that helmed the new short hair look – snip it with a bang.

Not just any bangs, but soft feminine bangs that bring out the soft features of a woman’s face. So it comes off as young and fresh, but not too edgy and strong. Which is very important, because we don’t any Bai Ling’s look alikes sprawled all over now, do we?

Colors, Abstract Prints, and Prada Collars

Strong colors are going to continue painting the fashion scene this year. It will be yet again a happy colorful year, though this time colors are more experimental and adventurous, compared to the initial one toned strong colors.

Prints are also prevalent in many collections, but no flower prints nor retro prints. It’s all about embracing arts now. Abstract prints are with strong colors are making the statements on dresses, tops, pants, and skirts alike. Clothes are taking an expressive turn.



Prada’s ad campaign made a clear message as well – collars are back. Though yet to be seen on many other collections, it’s safe to say that collars will be picked up soon, and before you know it, a widespread endemic. Hopefully, it will not be overrated and killed off too soon. Collars have been neglected for too long, it’s their turn for the limelight.