Pussycat on Facebook

What's Up Pussycat has moved indefinitely to Facebook for more features and functions and a better way to receive updates from me. Hope you like it!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whats-Up-Pussycat/155669787797723

Acne your looks

Scandinavians have a great thing about design. Perhaps it's due to the fact that they are shrouded by darkness and merciless cold for most of the year that they resort to creating extraordinary aesthetics to pass time. Or perhaps it's just their diet that makes them special that way.


In the past, Scandinavia has been known mainly for their furniture design, which is very clean, practical and innovative. This principle seems to have been carried through into their clothing design. Two of my favorite brands is Acne (pronounced Akh-Nay to divert any thoughts of unclean skin) and COS, which are both from Sweden. The latter is the sister brand of fashion giant H&M and its high-end, fashion forward line. Both labels produce designs that are clean, practical, innovative with its silhouette, androgynous (some styles can be easily worn by both genders) and definitely fashion forward.


Here Acne shows us how it's done in its Men Spring 2011 collection. Simple pieces carefully layered in contrasting solid tones. Mens fashion can be somewhat tricky as the majority masses prefer not to be seen as too dandy. Too many embellishment tends to create that unnecessary overt-metrosexualness, which is why Acne does it well with a few simple details.


By layering simple pieces, the effect provide depth to the outfit while adding a subtle illusion of detailing - such offsetting colors, patterns or texture. The trick is to layer thin pieces together instead of sturdy cottons. Unless you want to look like a college jockey or an American. No they are not bad things, just explaining what the other options were. For beginners, layer with white as the color brings out the best in others and lends a note of refined casual.

Colors and silhouette also play an important part in creating a look - something that women have been learning and men have to learn. Play with bolder tones and strong colors by pairing them with muted ones such as white, beige or grey. Grey is that in-betweener of the fail-safe white and black, which gives it a unique authority that makes almost any color chic. Contrast large or loose volumes with slim lines to balance the overall silhouette.

The men's SS11 collection is a reflection of the women's RST10 collection. Which is great - because now girls may expand their wardrobes by getting a just-as-stylish-boyfriends.

Valentino Paradise

When Valentino recently unveiled his museum-like archive of his works, it included 12,000 grand dresses, 10,000 impressive sketches (on the walls and and on iPads!), and a stream of beautiful people in fabulous gowns created by the retired maestro himself.


Not a fan of gossips (or Gossip Girls for that matter), my attention was immediately captivated by the aesthetics of the gowns that were presented that evening. Colors were aplenty and my, in such beautiful palettes! From strong red, to soft colorful neons, to romantic pastels. Like how all gorgeous gowns should be, the fabrics looked most exquisite with intricate details such as melting ruffles and tiny sparkles that added to the subtle elegance. Nothing that screams attention-deficit.


My personal favorites were from Elizabeth Hurley (she still can do no wrong!) and the sweet group of girls call Paltrow, Alba and Danes.

While enjoying myself browsing through the images, I couldn't help but gasped when I saw this images of Lively with the omni-powerful Wintour!

I don't believe I've ever seen anyone put their arms around Wintour (Too cold perhaps? Or just smart enough not to). Tsk tsk, young American girls who don't know their manners and proper social etiquette. Poor Wintour looks so diminished standing next to nearly 6ft tall leggy blonde.

This is summer wear

This is summer wear and how summer wear should look like. It's light without being too bright, it's elegant without being conventional, it's chic yet still practical, and it is appropriately accessorized. It's very nonchalant though one may see that effort has been put into this effortlessly chic look. But most of all, it has got that relaxed smile that summer tends to bring out people.

Most of the time people are either not used to dressing for summer, so they tend to focus more on their spring and winter looks but throw their style matters out of the window come summer. Or some just can't be bothered because it's there all year round. This look is a breath of freshness from the usual suspect of butt-revealing-cut-offs, tubes and summer dresses. We don't wear enough of understated style, everything about summer seems to be who can shout the loudest about their bodies. It's tawdry and tasteless. Summer should still be about style in a different light and a different season.

Image: The Satorialist

Fashion: A Life Philosophy

Fashion has always been a huge part of my life. It influences my every day thought and way of life. It’s like what Buddhism is to me, a life philosophy. In fact, one of my best career philosophy or “motto” is from one of my favorite fashion film (the ultimate combination of my two greatest passions) The Devil Wears Prada.

Since reading the summary (very seldom I complete books due to my short attention span and impatience which leads me to flip to the last pages to read just the ending) of the book when it first hit shelves, I was enthralled by the goddess Queen that was/is Anna Wintour and what it would be like to be in near proximity of her highness. So when they finally made the book into a film with no less the goddess of screen Meryl Streep playing Wintour, I wasted no time and bought my ticket to the experience. Sure it wasn’t the real thing, but it was close enough (sad huh?).

The film came out right about the time when I was just beginning my professional career. Being a young, budding and ambitious person, I could definitely relate to Andy, played by the gorgeous Anne Hathaway. Sure, Andy’s work place was a dramatize work-place-from-hell but as we all know it, it wasn’t far from the truth. The challenges that she faced and the feeling of hopelessness were definitely something that many young professionals face everyday at work. But Andy marched through with the masochistic help of her associate Emily, played by the oh-so-talented Emily Blunt, and succeeded in rising above at the end of it all.

This really struck a chord in me and I still remember the THREE magic words that were uttered in the film: DEAL WITH IT.

We all know (yes, you’ve seen the film too and there’s nothing to be shy about) that Andy was constantly confronted with seemingly impossible tasks but she somehow always makes it through. Because Emily told her to DEAL WITH IT.

This has been the best advice that I have received so far in my professional career. Many times especially when we just start a new job, there are many things that we need to learn and discover. It is tough but that is how we learn and improve. Instead of sitting in my chair and feeling sorry for my predicaments, I told myself: if Andy can DEAL WITH IT in style, I can too. So I started pushing all my limits, using all my resources and whatever that I could find to get things done – and done with style.

And perhaps it’s not just our career that could use this philosophy but also in our lives. Living in an advanced and civilized world today (some may argue otherwise but hey, all things are relative), people are face with new hardship and problems of the mind. We get depressed from being under-stimulated (despite all the opportunities there is out there), we complain about how things don’t go our way, we give up almost too easily as soon as we feel (not necessarily even seeing it) a wall is ahead of us. Life is too good that we forget to strive a little harder.

So I say, it’s tough at work, life isn’t fair and fashion is always going to change. DEAL WITH IT. Do your best and push yourself further.

Addicted to Looklet.com

Dear folks, my apologies again for the long silence. This time it's because I found a new fashion addiction in the name of Looklet.com.

Deriving from the very few facts around the website, the establishment is definitely Scandinavian and most likely Swedish. Yet another innovative and super-cool fashion product from Sweden (haven't they got enough yet with H&M, Acne, Cheap Monday, Tiger of Sweden and those models?!!).

It's like playing virtual barbie but better. I'm still "playing" around the website trying to find something that I could use here. Potentially, it could be great tool for me to better illustrate my thoughts on fashion and style.

Here are a few samples of what have been keeping me busy. ;-)

Off Duty Look

Playing with larger shapes. Ground silhouette with small, funky streamline accessories. Bold pink detail to give the dark look a pop of colour.

COLOUR ME HAPPY

Why wear black when colours can make you happy in any weather, any season, any day? :-)

DON'T MESS WITH THE EDITOR

How to run a magazine - look sharp and fierce.

AT LARGE AND LOOSE

Working large and shapeless silhouette to give that laid back chic look.

HOTSHOT

Playing with plaid and all things laid-back. Chill...

Trend Forecast 2010

The index of U.S. leading economic indicators rose in September for a sixth straight month, showing the economy is likely to expand into early 2010. The Conference Board’s gauge of the economic outlook for the next three to six months climbed a greater-than-forecast 1 percent, contributing to the biggest six-month gain in 26 years, the New York-based private research group said today. And that was the economy forecast from Bloomberg.

And here's our fashion forecast for 2010!!!

Gird your loins, as Style.com dishes the top ten upcoming trends for spring 2010! Let’s take a look shall we…

Standing at number one of the list is, whoa – digital prints! Never heard that one before, didn’t see it coming, never knew what hit me! OK seriously, just hold onto to those bright, colorful graphic prints you bought two seasons ago. Update them with some accessories, nudes, whatever. If you must invest and spend, look for prints that are “more” creative and original. Cue: something you haven’t already seen.

Next come something sporty. Now before you start running to grab those stinky tennis shoes that have been buried beneath your closet, something sporty in the fashion context translates to sophisticated, clean, relaxed lines. Think white and resort. Yeah…

No surprises that the omnipresent military style is here to stay. Ever since making its appearance in Balmain AW09, the powerful buttons and shoulders have proven their staying power and style impact. This is one good buy that will see you through seasons, literally. Let’s just hope all those buttons stays on.

Leather comes in nicely on the list too. After all the craze that is going around for biker chicks and BDSM worthy studs and spikes, leather continues its appeal into the lighter season in – lighter tones. Think nudes, light brown, butterscotch and soft as a baby texture. This is one style I’m in for100%, because leather is a luxury fabric that will make every penny worth its investment. Or maybe I’ve just reached the age when leather makes me look good and not old.

I’ve always loved lace and boudoir, which by the way, has such a lovely, throaty note to it that when exclaimed, resonates on all the sensual strings in our body. Come this spring, air out those racy lingerie of yours – by wearing them openly! At least according to Style.com. I recommend peek-a-boos or just lingerie inspired detailing, like lace, nets, sheer, chiffon, silk, satin…

Spring has and always will be a season for soft pastels and dreamy palettes. At the first sign of sun and spring, drop all things black and go pink. Pastels are generally a fail-safe option, except for the rare exception of looking “washed out”. So pucker up to bold red lips when going pasty…sorry, I meant pastel.

Um, wild prints are still in since they appeared in the 80s.

So are unforgiving body con dresses. Designers want us to wear super tight dresses right after we come out of winter hibernation with all our naturally stored up fats. Yes, the fashion industry is a hypocrite (just like life at most); they say “no-more” to skinny models but “more-more” to skinny dresses.

Denims stand at number nine on the list. If your distressed, acid washed, faded, tortured jeans are still in existence, they will serve you well again in the coming spring. Otherwise, denim shirts, denim jacket, denim skirts, denim watches will do just as well.

And the finale on the list are –horrors of horror – CLOGS! Gladiators and platforms were brilliant, but evolving them into clogs is simply – what’s the opposite of evolving? Sure, Karl Lagerfeld used it in his theatrical Chanel SS10 show, but it was for theatrics and it was a show! Clogs are officially the new crocs. We hate them as much as we wonder how in the world did they ever became popular?

Images: Style.com

McQueen of my heart

Alexander McQueen’s RTW SS10 was definitely not what you have in mind when you think about the term ready-to-wear. McQueen’s resort 2010 collection on the other hand, had me going “ooh” and “aah” with every piece. The patterns, cuts and lines were all about precision while the colours intensify the designs. It was one of those rare collections that are so strong that you either want to own everything or get greatly inspired by it.

This look reminds me of the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. Could be the colours and lines, like in the maze. Not to be deterred by the bold patterns and colours, the jacket in this look can easily be worn with anything and everything for the touch of zaniness and fun.

Though fashion gurus always advise against matching patterns and lines, this looks seems to throw all those logic out the window. The space-age cool dress has such a strong persona of its own that you wouldn’t need to do much about accessorizing it, making it an easy dress to wear.

This cosmic cool metallic suit will update any boring, conventional office wear.

I love t-shirt dresses for those lazy days. Having a large blue splash motif on the front makes it all the better.

If you have the guts and talent, get creative and splash some paints on your old clothes to give them an artistic touch.

The zipper suit dress seems to be making quite the appearance in several collections now. Their body friendly cut and edgy detail makes it good fashion investment that will last through seasons.

This dress made my favourite list for several reasons: it’s in a bright colour, it’s yellow, it has lace, the lace has a special insect motif, it has a waistline and it has that very elegant 40’s style to it. Even Drew and Naomi approves of it.

Insect motif lace leggings – ingenious.

Images: Style.com