Month: September 2012

KEEP THE SPIRIT OF ELEGANCE ALIVE

Even though he passed away in 1957, the spirit of Christian Dior will be constantly alive.

In 1946, Christian Dior founded his fashion house and ever since being the ultimate symbol of elegance, excellence and luxury. Now simply called Dior, the spirit of a visionary designer will be honored by the National Museum of China in Beijing from November 13, 2012 onwards. The major exhibition called “The Esprit Dior” and we can see more of a hundred dresses that epitomize Christian Dior’s revolutionary work which photographed by none other than Patrick Demarchelier and also works by some of the major contemporary Chinese artists. It’s interesting how each of them will give their own vision of the Dior spirit. 

DINE IN VOGUE

Literally…dine in Vogue, Vogue Cafe it is. 

Apparently, fashionable people who love to eat and drink will have a perfect place to be seen chewing and swallowing. Of all those fashionable cities in the whole world, Vogue Cafe firstly opened in Moscow, Russia at 2004. The Moscow outlet is decorated with style (of course), featuring shoots and cuttings from one of the most read Conde Nast publishing. Doing very well, the famous publishing house in the world finally decided to launch their restaurant division in 2010. 

Good news for Vogue’s style loving fans that are too far away from Russia (like myself). They will expand the Vogue Cafe project to one of the cosmopolitan city-state in the Persian Gulf, Dubai. It expected to be open by the end of this year in Dubai Mall, at the foot of the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa. It will be housed inside the world’s largest shoe store called Level Shoe District which stock more than 250 shoe brands (my kind of paradise). Well, after Dubai, they are considering to open in other Mideast cities closer to Dubai such as Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.

SWEET TEETH OF MINE

Love desserts, love it more when I tried it in a very very nice places around London. 

Number one weakness: cupcakes. When I shopped around at Selfridge’s at Oxford Street, I made the time to have a bite of cupcakes at Lola’s. 

Another favorite place to snack after a long day of shopping: Laduree inside Harrods Knightsbridge. Too bad they don’t carry their cupcakes, I do miss their strawberry rhubarb. Across the road, in Mandarin Oriental Hotel, one of the must try: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. The Taffety Tart might sound quirky, but delicious to the last crumb. 

High tea is a must thing to do for the ladies in London. I did mine in Hilton Park Lane. No wonder they do have super late dinner, high tea really made my tummy full. 

Another hotel to go to for dessert: Renaissance St Pancras. Gorgeous building established since 1873, it’s a delightful experience just to be there. 

FASHION GODDESSES

Known for their works/attitudes/personal style. 

Herewith I captured 5 of my favorites…in illustration. I love how Joana Avillez (the illustrator) and Refinery29 collaborate to publish these in Refinery29 sites. Read the small notes as well, short, straight to the point, yet informative. 

MISS MATCH VS MISMATCHED

The wonderful wonder of styling which display new alternatives approach to the world of fashion.

It really depends on how you see yourself. You want to play safe? Or you prefer a bit random and fun look for your outfits? For sure, these two looks seem to dominate Milan Fashion Week for Spring Summer 2013. So it’s a shame if you don’t try both looks for your every day’s style. I hope you get inspired.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING MANICURED

Nothing surprised me much when watching E! Red Carpet for the 64th Emmy Awards yesterday. The usual “what are you wearing” question that answered perfectly by all the stars (like they tried to memorize it on the way to Staples Center), and all that boring pose. 

But, being one of the innovator of red carpet coverage, this time around, E! came up with the mani-cam. Clever, since the stars can show off their lovely manicured fingers with a ring (also borrowed) on it. That also showed us the importance of being manicured. 

Recently, I tried one of the Germany Collection from OPI’s Fall Winter 2012 range. The color called “Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!”. From the way I see it, it’s a dark grey and dark green combination with creme texture. Perfect if you love dark shades for your nails, because it won’t look as dull like if you put only dark grey. And as most of the OPI nail polishes, the color look exactly the same like we see it in the bottle. Here, I use two coats with the top coat from Jessica which add more gloss and help them dried faster. Taken with flash, I hope it translate well to my picture. 

ROLL WITH IT

Never leave your style when it comes to traveling. Airport style has never been cooler than these trunk and trolleys.

Got my eyes hooked on Louis Vuitton Pegase45. Dots looking cheerful and ultra chic, luckily this US$4000 trolley is cabin sized, so one does not have to worry about the expensive luggage being smacked rudely.

Looking like a rib cage is Samsonite by Alexander McQueen. It was designed to protect your belongings like the human rib cage protects our vital organs when we move about in the world. How thoughtful.

The only trunk in this post is also from Samsonite. It’s from their Black Label Collection, back in 2008. This extraordinary piece is full encrusted with Crystallized Swarovski elements and reportedly is sold to the luckiest (and richest I supposed) 30 people in Europe (they were limited edition, folks). 

And the funkiest and baroquest of them all, not to mention the latest, is Anna Dello Russo collaboration’s with H&M. The bright turquoise cabin sized luggage, adorned with golden baroque motifs ala Anna. Love it.

REST MY CASE

The beauty of cosmetics packaging. The beauty brands are working very hard to boost their sales and one of the factor to achieve that goal is to have a beautiful packaging which will attract many customers, including me.

How many times have you bought something because of its’ packaging? Maybe, you haven’t even read about the reviews yet, but you just fell in love with it you have to buy it asap? The feelings are very mutual here. It happened to me all the time. It’s even crazier if they are limited edition. I am sold. Here are my beautiful packaging collection.

ART AT YOUR HANDS

Gorgeous clutches and handbag from different type of materials. It will add the fun in your everyday style and made you stand out from the usual boring crowd *yawn.

A sculptural feel of pleats material in Tangerine color by none other than Issey Miyake.
Acrylic clutch with Union Jack from Jimmy Choo.
Wood clutch from Lanvin.
A dictionary look alike for the geek in you from Kate Spade.