Month: September 2012

SPARKLE OF JOY

Known globally for his signature pleats, the designer Issey Miyake created a unique label in 1993, Pleats Please. Represents a breath of freedom, the pleasure of unrestricted expression and unimpeded movement, his iconic look now delivered in a fragrance.

I attended the launch event for Indonesia’s media at Forme, a very nice furniture showroom in Jakarta. With fellow medias and bloggers, we were taken for a virtual walk to the development of Pleats Please, design of the bottle and the dynamic ad film which created by Nick Knight, one of the biggest names in contemporary photography. 

Clemence Negre, Asia Pacific Trainer for Beaute Prestige International, principal of Issey Miyake Fragrance, delivered the presentation and when I had a time to chat with her, she precisely told me about the whole fragrance in one word. “It’s all about JOY,” said Clemence who wore a Pleats Please by Issey Miyake dress from Fall/Winter Collection 2012.

To capture the joyous feeling and pays homage to a seminal fashion creation, the perfumer Aurelian Guichard composed a bright and cheerful bouquet. A hybrid fruit called Nashi which opens the sparkling top note, resemblance the aroma of fruity pear and apple. Floral notes from peony and sweet pea add the femininity yet delicate composition at the middle note. And at the very base, we can feel the mild sensation from the mixture of cedar, patchouli, vanilla and white musks. 

Check out the bottle! The sophisticated pleating interpreted to embody the 2D image of the pleat, becomes a 3D glass bottle. The cap takes the form of a floral calyx, carefully pleated which symbolized the white flower and the Pleats Please Fabric. 

After the presentation, we were given the first hand sniff of the fragrance through a pleats bracelet which was spritz with Pleats Please. Comes in Eau De Toilette, the first thing that slipped to my mind was: it’s different from the previous Issey Miyake’s fragrances such as L’Eau d’Issey. If they blind cover me, I won’t even guess if this unique scent is one of Issey Miyake’s fragrances. It’ll be perfect for day fragrance, as it has the cheerful scents and lightness in it.

And like the Pleats Please fashion collection that embraced by women all over the world because of its comfortable fabrics, easy wear and care, this fragrance counterpart will be loved as well, for its breath of freedom and happiness. 

The product range and their retail prices are as follow:
– EDT 30ml, Rp 575.000
– EDT 50ml, Rp 810.000
– EDT 100ml, Rp 1.110.000
– Moisturising Body Lotion 150ml, Rp 505.000
– Deodorant Spray 100ml, Rp 450.000
Pleats Please by Issey Miyake will be available at major department store in Jakarta, Indonesia by October 2012. 

IF YOU DO HAVE EXTRA CASH ….

You’re most welcome to indulge in a very high end way. Have a tea party courtesy of Prada tea bags, work out in style with Chanel hand weights, or simply playing cards with your girlfriends using Lanvin playing cards. Life is that good, yes?

Things they did to make us more addictive to their brands. But, really, do we need them? If you can afford them, why the heck not? 

AIN’T LOVE GRAND?

Kool Kouple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Love them or hate them, they do have this hyped kind of partnership instead of just boyfriend and girlfriend thingy. 

Kim seems to support his partner’s designing career by wearing Kanye’s shoes, designed with Guiseppe Zanotti back in Spring 2012. The pearl-studded sandals that cost US$6000 apparently became Kim’s fave since she was spotted again and again with that same thing. 

And being a clever public relations for himself, just in time for launching his new album “Cruel Summer”, Kanye launched a new shoe style, called… “Cruel Summer”. Same in color, but different in style. They’re more Grecian to match his new cover album art as well. Will this all white strappy heels cost as cruel as the previous collaboration with Zanotti? Until I post this blog, no price have been out yet.

DREW BARRYMORE: PREGNANT AND PHOTOGRAPHER?

Daughter of Jane Birkin photographed by Drew Barrymore (while Drew’s heavily pregnant) for Tommy Hilfiger’s latest campaign? Gotta see this.

It’s all for good deeds, Tommy Hilfiger continued his support of Breast Health International for the sixth consecutive years by launching a new limited-edition handbag, which will be in selected Tommy’s stores around the world, starting October 1, 2012. And Drew Barrymore jumped into photographer’s seat to capture French singer/actress, Charlotte Gainsbourg for its’ campaign. 

WHAT’S WITH THE WEDGES?

Enough with the heels and on with the sneakers. But wait, these sneakers are not your ordinary high top sneakers. They have secret hidden wedges at the back of the heels. Clever? Tell me about it!

Still want to look like you have long legs but stilettos are starting to kill your feet and back? The feeling is mutual.

Luckily, Isabel Marant, a native Parisian and uber famous designer that launched her label back in 1994, came up with such a cool chic idea. She told Fashionista about the inspiration behind her ‘loved by all celebs’ wedge sneakers, called Bekett, Bazil and Willow, “It’s something I did since I was a teenager. I would cut up cork and put pieces of cork into my sneakers because I wanted to look taller. And I always thought about this, what I was doing when I was young, and I thought I should really achieve something around this idea. Sneakers are so comfortable but at the same time it’s not very elegant. To have a little heel in it makes a difference, it gives you legs-I mean, I know women, I am a woman, so I know what we are searching for!" 

Well ladies, good luck of finding these sneakers, because they become such a best seller and continued to sell out despite its almost US$600 price tag.

LOVE THIS!

I love this fashion ‘journal’ from one of my favorite store, The Papilion. Featuring their latest collection from Autumn Winter 2012, like Dries Van Noten, Stella McCartney, Carven, Tsumori Chisato and Comme des Garcons, with the essentials like bags and shoes, I’m so excited to see all the new season goodies in their two stores. Oh, and now, they have M by Missoni! Love them even more.

The Papilion: Jl. Kemang Raya 45AA, Jakarta, Indonesia
The Papilion Duo : Ground Floor Pacific Place, Jl. Jend Sudirman Kav 52-53, Jakarta, Indonesia. 

FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY

The classic Hollywood glamour style will never be out of style. Style icon aka pin up girl of the decade, Dita Von Teese launches an exclusive make up range within Art Deco’s Art Couture Collection. 

Known for her porcelain complexion, striking black lash line and seductive red lips, Dita Von Teese release 13 products for her latest make up collections. She collaborated with Art Deco, a German cosmetics brand to launch a complete range which is very affordable to achieve Dita’s signature cat eyeliner and sexy red pouts. 

Dita once said “Glamour is about creation, and any woman who desires it can learn to create it for herself as I have. I believe that make up has the power to transform an ordinary woman into an extraordinary one.” I couldn’t agree more.

ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE

Have you ever found something that become one your favorite beauty items accidentally? What I meant here, you never read the review about that products, nor anybody in your circles ever used them. You just bought that item because at that moment, you needed it badly and you can only find that product. 

I did. Lots of times actually. But recently on my trip to Bangkok, Thailand, I found this remarkable if I may say, nail polish remover. I didn’t buy it because of the cute packaging, obviously. I bought this Boots Nail Polish Remover with Rosemary Oil because at that time, right before boarding back home to Jakarta, Indonesia where I live, I realized I have 10 chipped nail polish on my fingers that looked so ugly. Searching around for drugstores inside the airport, I found Boots. I have soft heart for every drugstores around the world, and of course Boots is one of them. And the only nail polish remover available there at that time is this. So without any further hesitation, I bought it. 

Surprisingly enough, it did remove my dark nail polish in one swipe. It was a fast action with this remover, and I think it’s the extract of rosemary oil that didn’t leave my skin taut. And unlike other harsh cheap nail polish remover out there, it didn’t make my nails looked dull afterwards. It didn’t leave any acetone smell afterwards either. So I can say that I’m more than happy with this product, but the only problem is: I only bought one, I’m almost running out of it. 

THESE PUMPS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’

From Carrie Bradshaw to Bella Swan, Manolo Blahnik’s shoes portfolios have gone beyond any expectations for 40 years. 

To celebrate 40 years of glamour, Manolo Blahnik will make a unique exhibition during Paris Fashion Week in the famous Printemps Haussman. The exhibition which will take place on September 20th until October 20th, gathered together the brand’s most historic models as well as Manolo’s own favorites, with different themes such as Spain, nature, modernism and Russia.

Exclusively for Printemps Haussman, Manolo is re-releasing one of his most iconic models, called “Ossie”. First known as “Ivy”, the original model was designed in 1971, for famous English designer, Ossie Clark. The renew version featured the sign “Manolo Blahnik for Printemps” and with its 10 centimeter heels, they will definitely rock our feet.