savage beauty

The most anticipated exhibition of the year for me is surely this one opening on May 2nd held at the Metropolitan Museum of New York - Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. The annual fashion exhibit at the Met is something every fashion junkie looks forward to, as it is always so well-curated and full of stunning costumes thoughtfully displayed within breath-taking set designs for us mere mortals to appreciate first hand. Not to mention that the Met Gala at the opening night is like the fashion industry's Oscars red carpet - except that it's even more chic and glamorous and even has a iPad app dedicated solely to this occasion. But this year - the anticipation is higher than ever, as the exhibit is dedicated to the work of the great Alexander McQueen, who had left such a great legacy and influence in the fashion world for the past two decades. Coincidentally Kate Middleton wore a McQueen dress designed by Sarah Burton for the Royal Wedding and there's no better way to pre-celebrate this epic fashion event than this.
Sooooo wish I could be in New York to see all of this in person. If these images already show the level of creativity and craftsmanship that the designer embraced, I can't imagine how the actual clothes look like in real life - probably utterly surreal and out of this world.

Long live McQueen.

images courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of New York via luxuryculture.com

color me mine

Prints galore! NYFW presents the biggest trend of the season - prints on prints. Come AW11 you shall be prepared to bid farewell to the blacks and the blues, and welcome a closet full of vivid prints - plaids, florals, stripes, polka dots, abstract patterns... and mix and match them like little girls playing dress up. No more rules to follow, just throw on the gorgeous prints and get ready for a bold winter.

From top: Thakoon, Diane von Furstenburg, Marc Jacobs, Mary Katrantzou, Proenza Schouler, Suno, Erdem


 images via style.com

inspired.

Elle Fanning: Rodarte's Muse on Nowness.com.

A little while ago I watched Sofia Coppola's latest film Somewhere, which was, of no surprise, quintessentially Sofia - the slow rhythm, recurring scenes, minimal dialogue, and of course the artfully thoughtful cinematography. Though it's one of my less favorite of her films, the visuals and the sets were still stunning. There were some scenes where I almost wanted to pause the movie and 'screencap' the scene to turn it into a still image because it would just make great photography. There's something dreamy and hazy and a tad bit surreal about her films that is captivating, but also always with a subtle sense of humor. And Elle Fanning was pretty cool in it, whom, by the way, seems to be getting the It girl spotlight lately. She served as Rodarte's muse in the label's collaborative short film with Todd Cole, in which she was wearing the Spring Summer 2011 collection while wandering around in LA's Baldwin Hills. Watch the video and you'd probably agree with me that the beautiful tiered calf-length skirt probably only looks good on an innocent looking teenager (and matronly on anyone else). Oh the joys of being a youngster again. In another part of sunny West Coast, another one of Sofia's favorite leading ladies Kirsten Dunst and Rodarte fan was modelling for Boy. by Band of Outsiders new collection. Love the crisp white outfits - it's clean and simple and just enough of girliness for me. The combination of Boy. + Kirsten + Barbar the Elephant + Polaroid photography -- need I say more? That's easily my favorite SS11 look book right there.

images via Somewhere, Boy., Nowness.com

and then he created women

Tom Ford SS11 Fashion Show

Tom Ford SS11 women's collection: Sexiness gets a whole new definition.

Love the seductive muses - love the belle epoque decor - love the classic silhouettes - and love Karen Elson's song in the background (one of my recent obsessions).

No better way for a grand re-entrance. 

funny face

Spring should be a time to look ahead, to welcome bright new things... but the transition between winter to spring could be sluggish. Lately I have been feeling like that in-between period... perhaps due to anxiety from my new job, or to suffocation from air pollution, or to fatigue from daily routine. Just totally uninspired. But come April, I hope everything will start off fresh! First and foremost, there's my own birthday party to plan. This year I'm planning a big themed party, since it's been over a decade when I last celebrated my birthday at home. After some thoughtful considerations - I settled with vintage 60's glamour as the dress code of the night. Think Nine, or Mad Men (party scene, as opposed to the office wear), or any of the 1960's oldies in glamorous settings. So this editorial in Numero came just in time for my outfit inspirations - Funny Face or Breakfast at Tiffany's?

images via Fashion Copious

one good cause

What happens when four seemingly unrelated visionaries come together? The result is an eerily beautiful collaboration and a good cause for charity. Here's one of my favorite crossovers in 2010 made possible by:

1) Joyce - Hong Kong's leading multi-brand boutique, always one step ahead in their buying selection; the only place to find such up and coming brands like Mary Katrantzou.
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2) Rodarte - CFDA award winner and my undying love for the brand can be seen here, here and here.
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3) Maggie Cheung - the always-so-chic, super star of HK movie stars, and as Susie Bubble so aptly puts it "everyone of Chinese origina universally hearts Maggie Cheung and she has 'national treasure' written all over".
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4) Wing Shya - renowned photographer and art director, recently co-directed his first romantic comedy Hot Summer Days.
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A charity programme for UNICEF.

For every click on the short film from now until March 31st, Joyce will donate HKD$1 to UNICEF.

So what you waiting for? Click here now to do some good.

doctor's choice

Reinventing the doctor bag - Wei Wei Chang, designer and RCA graduate, was inspired by cojoined twins and created these cool, architectural bags that are as unique as they are functional.

I want one now!

images via weiwei-chang.com

print my world

If I were Alice, my wonderland would be like this - surrounded by liberty prints. Just in time to celebrate the launch of Liberty of London for Target.

images via So-En Feb 2010 issue

some like it (red) hot

Fiery red lips at Givenchy FW 10 runway (plus a dash of red shoes and red gloves) = dangerously sexy.


images via style.com

o Rapunzel

miu miu SS10

Alexander Wang SS10

One of the hardest things for me to get used to since being back home is the weather over here, especially the humidity. It's only the beginning of March and the relative humidity on an average day can get as high as 95%. It's so humid and damp that AC is dripping and walls are perspiring (yea, I'm not kidding) and my back is sweating from a mere 10 min walk even under the shades. The worst part though, is my hair. No matter how much anti-frizz serum I use or straightening/ conditioning balm I slather onto my hair, it still manages to frizz out the split ends like Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter's wig by the end of the day. So it's almost impossible for me to let my hair down just as it is anymore. To avoid looking like some wacky version of Grace Coddington, I tend to tie my hair up more often these days, usually in a bun or straight up pony tail and sometimes with a headscarf or hairband when I feel like it. But lately I've been testing out the side braid - a popular hair trend this spring as seen on the runways of Miu Miu and Alexander Wang, and I'm kinda digging it. Braids usually seem pretty girly and Rapunzel like, but the side braids seen this season are little bit messier, a little bit more casual, and cool enough to go with most outfits. I'm still perfecting my braiding skills while letting my hair grow out, but looks like it's a hair trend I'll be sporting quite often this spring.

*wearing vintage blazer from Amarcord Vintage, vintage blouse from Horizons Vintage, belt and shorts by Staerk, vintage pumps from Cobblestones, vintage purse from my mother, and cuff by Giles and Brother

images via style.com

tres tres chic

Vanessa Bruno's SS10 video presentation starring Lou Doillon.
Why do the French always get it right so effortlessly...?! (and I want those sandals!)

real women have curves

The skinny model issue has been a huge debacle in the fashion industry over the years. With the arise of anorexia and the possible adverse image influence brought about by sheet-thin models, countries like Spain are banning the use of models whose BMI (body mass index) is lower than 18; organizations like CFDA are educating about eating disorders and healthy dietary; and designers like Mark Fast are embracing the curves of plus-sized models on his runway. There's no real definition for beauty anymore (since either way people will judge anyway), but a dose of healthy and natural became desirable. And with the Mad Men frenzy still hovering in the air, women aren't afraid to show off their assets anymore (in an appropriate manner that is), just like how corsets and crinolines and pointy bras used to do for women in the 50's and 60's.
Prada, of all people, decided to celebrate the natural curve of women, this season. There were ruffled tops and nipped-in waists to emphasize the upper body, and what's more, instead of the skinny underage models often seen in her shows, curvaceous models favored by Victoria's Secret (see Ms. Miranda Kerr) were trotting down the runway in some of the most feminine, yet classic pieces by Prada. It is a quiet revolution led by Ms. Miccuia Prada, not so much about the body weight of the models, but about showcasing her signature cuts and familiar prints in a new perspective.
In any case, seems like the Joan Holloway effect is unstoppable still.


images via style.com, amc tv, yahoo.com