Month: October 2012

ICONIC BAG: REINCARNATED

One of the must have for celebrities and fashion elites is reincarnated for Autumn/Winter 2012.

This IT bag is actually a cross between Mulberry’s classic Bayswater and Elkington (their men’s briefcase). Simply known now as Alexa, this bag was conceived in tribute to Alexa Chung, Britain’s broadcaster/model/fashion icon. No, this bag wasn’t designed by Alexa herself, nor it’s a collaboration. Emma Hill, Mulberry’s creative director once said, “Mulberry has this tradition of naming bags after girls. But it wasn’t a collaboration, she didn’t contribute to the design process.” That was after Mulberry creatives saw Alexa carried an Elkington. They thought it looked good on her, and they decided to make a new version of Elkington. Voila! There’s an Alexa bag.

For Autumn Winter 2012, Mulberry added a few bits (read: striking stud embellishments) forming a zig zag pattern to Alexa. Those rivet and tassel made them more tempting. This ZigZag collection was inspired by Aztec prints, and comes in ink blue, black and snow white color. I love the white ones. 

A VIEW FROM THE FRONT ROW

Every year, Indonesian Fashion Designers Association, known as IPMI (in Indonesian language: Ikatan Perancang Mode Indonesia) held a trend show as a reference for the Indonesian fashion. 

Established since 1986, this annual event was held on October 9, 2012 at Soehana Hall, Energy Building, Jakarta, Indonesia. Eight designers showed their existences through each creativities and expressiveness. The theme of the year is “Energie”, which represent their energy to explore and innovate thus create a fashion masterpiece. 

From 8 designers, I watched four of them, Yongki Budisutisna, Adrianto Halim, Tuty Cholid and Barli Asmara. Yongki brought a lot of sexy backs (mostly in black) on the runway, which mostly reminds me of 1950’s vintage style with flared skirts. Tuty and her batik collection graced the runway with mix of crochet. I love how she wrapped batik as a top, paired with crochet flare skirt. Adrianto played with orange color and ruffles a lot, yet it made his collection the brightest color on the runway last night.

The highlight of the show was a performance by Dewi Sandra, famous Indonesian singer, wearing Barli Asmara. She flirted the audience with her group of dancers, singing Lady Marmalade. Just as the Moulin Rouge performance, she looked great with flapper dress style from the 1920’s. I love how she styled her hair, braids with Avatar kind of style. She’s also one of Barli’s muse, so no surprised when she introduced Barli’s collection for the night. Quite an interesting closing of the show when Barli’s models came out with huge silver cape covering their dresses beneath. Barli’s key look: sheer, bling, flower detail and folding fan. Very art deco, the whole Barli’s collection remind me of the movie “Midnight in Paris”. 

All of their ready to wear collection will be exclusively available at Metro Department Store on April 2013.

ICONIC LEGACY

Previously launched in July 2012, I’m not just attracted to the vibrant hues and the styles of this collection. It feels nice if you carry them and you know the history behind them. 

Founded in 1941 as a men’s leather goods company, it was only 21 years later, Coach started the women’s collection. Bonnie Cashin, Creative Director of Coach in the 1960’s revolutionized the industry with bright colors, industrial, hardware, and the look we now recognized as iconic Coach (check out their vintage 1960’s print ad). "She reads and listens and travels, and her horizons are wide,“ said Bonnie about the Coach Woman she designed for (see her sketch above). Hmm…sounds like someone I see everyday in the mirror. 

Coach Legacy Collection is inspired by some of Bonnie’s most iconic designs. Examples: my favorite, Legacy Penny, is a modern version of 1970s Dinky Purse. And inspired by the IT bag back in the 1973, The Duffle Sac, now known as Legacy Duffle.

Speaking of vintage style, even the shades named in purpose. Cobalt aka blue sky, was introduced in 1962, after twenty years of only black and tan color from Coach. Their first ever blue shade is similar to a shade worn by Jackie Kennedy on a visit to India in that same year. Carnelian as in bright red, also has been in Coach color palette since 1962 and it echoed the color of Jackie Kennedy’s signature lipstick and Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s soup can. Emerald is the first green color inspired by nature: olive from the 1950s and green tea-lime from 1963. Colorblock, which was introduced in 1968, was also huge back in the 1960s, thanks to mod fashion icons. The latest color will be Sunflower aka yellow, which was introduced back in 1994 after a long 50 years of finding a perfect tanning process that would combine artisanal leather with a clear, intense shade of yellow. 

Talking about timeless, I personally think that Coach Legacy collection are too hard to be missed. Check out my favorites in every color available above.

NEW KIND OF VANDALISM ON NAILS

The first thing that popped out of my head when I heard the word “Graffiti” is vandalism. Until I saw these.

Looking up to wikipedia, graffiti described as writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place. Well, for this “Graffiti” by Nails Inc London, it sure put a whole new meaning of graffiti, on different surface. Our nails. 

Limited edition polishes with various particle shapes, sizes and texture, will give our nails a fun and edgy look. As they will create graffiti effect only, make sure you put on your basic nail color first, preferably in white, so it’ll pop out more. Available in four different shades: Brick Lane, Camden Lock, Hoxton Street and Portobello Place, better get them soon as they are limited edition.

TUCK & SUCK WITH STYLE

Just as what they said about “Beauty comes from the inside”, I do believe that style starts from within. Flabby waist hanging around our J Brand jeans? Bridget Jones’ gigantic granny panties underneath our Moschino dress? No way!  

But I also believe that style shouldn’t sacrifice comfort. It’s 2012 ladies, no place for those hideous corsets fully strings from the chest to waist anymore. Lucky us, now we do have more choices for comfortable shape wear and good looking undies. Beginning October 2012, celebrity stylist turned designer, Rachel Zoe curated her choices for Jockey under the label “Preferred by Rachel Zoe”. 

With a tag line “Amazing style starts with what’s underneath”, I couldn’t be more tempted to get one myself. Unlike other shape wear brands that costly, this collection starts at US$10. That includes tanks, shorts, slips and briefs made from soft cotton spandex, that aim to be comfortable and slimming. 

Preferred by Rachel Zoe is now available on Jockey.com and later at Macy’s.

KENI, KIDI, KICI (Kardashian’s language for they came, they saw, they conquered)

At this point, I have to admit that these sisterhood is really taking the world by storm. I can’t keep up with them anymore. This time around, their fashion label, Kardashian Kollection, is set to launch on November 8 in the UK. Precisely, in the famous high street label, Dorothy Perkins.

Currently still sold at Sears in the US, they’re excited to unleash their kollection to UK’s fans. As reported by WWD, Sir Phillip Green who owns Dorothy Perkins said “Having reviewed the product, I felt that there was an excellent fit for Dorothy Perkins. I believe our customers will love the fashion looks, they passionately follow celebrity lifestyle, and the Kardashian sisters rank top when it comes to whom they relate to in the fashion stakes.”

What can we expect from the range? Figure hugging denim, stylish handbags, synthetic fur jackets and of course, leopard prints. Be prepared for their future steps, these three gals will also launch the Kollection in 12 other countries across the world, such as Turkey, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and ….. Indonesia. Really, Indonesia? 

KISS THE RAIN

How to still look pretty and fashionable during this upcoming rainy season.

– Stay away from the boring black for a stylish dry feet in the wettest weather. Opt for black with chain like the rain boots from Love Moschino. 

– Pick the fall IT color such as oxblood from Prada or dark green from Kors by Michael Kors.

– Pretty in lace (print) will be sweet than wet. I love Valentino rain boots.

– Cutey dotty with touch of bow from Kate Spade will add an instant chic to your whole rain attire. 

Don’t you just love it when it’s raining?

CAMERA MAKEOVER

Limited to 1500 pieces worldwide, Leica Camera unveiled a special edition of X2 Camera, designed by fashion designer Paul Smith.

British designer with signature bright stripes, is now bringing his brightness to the world of boring black cameras. Dazzling bright orange, popping brilliant yellow for the baseplate, and the green leather finish for the body. Check out the details with an engraved light bulb doodle. How cute is that?

And since it is Leica, it’s not just fun to look at. The technical specifications are as good as it looks (16.5 megapixels). Complete the whole thing with an exclusive strap and a camera protector made from premium calfskin. Reportedly to be sold in Hong Kong for HK$25.200.

WEAR PINK PROUD

 

As we all know, the whole month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is the perfect month to show our ‘pink’ side.

The international symbol of breast cancer awareness, aka the pink ribbon made their debut in 1991 when the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in New York City race for breast cancer survivors.

In its latest report, the American Cancer Society says that 95% of new cases and 97% of breast cancer deaths occurred in women 40 years of age and older. It’s the fifth cause of death among women in the US. As we love to take care of ourselves, here’s something easy if you want to show some support to others and be a part of this exclusive month. Each October, many products especially beauty products are showing their extra love to fund research so more people will survive breast cancer. Here are some products which emblazoned with the famous pink ribbon.

 

A MAN TO BECOME THE FACE OF LADIES FRAGRANCE

And reportedly that very man, paid US$7 million to become the first male ever to sell a woman’s fragrance for this ultra famous fashion house. Correction: it’s not just a fragrance, it’s Chanel No 5.

First introduced in 1921, Coco Chanel herself pronounced Chanel No 5 as “a woman’s perfume, with the scent of a woman”. Thanks to Marilyn Monroe who admitted to only wore a few drops of Chanel No 5 to bed, it became an iconic fragrance of glamour Hollywood superstars. Nevertheless, Marilyn was never become an official representative for the brand back in 1960’s.

Looking back at the Chanel No 5 advertisements, the glamorous women had graced the ads. From Coco Chanel herself in 1930’s , Catherine Deneuve in 1975, to Nicole Kidman in 2004 and Audrey Tautou in 2009. In 2012, for the first time in history of this iconic perfume, a man has been named to represent the scent in their ad campaign. Brad Pitt.

Until now, I’m still asking myself why. My lucky guess, looking back to the 1960’s ad which said “Every woman alive loves Chanel No 5”, maybe because every woman alive loves Brad Pitt? President of Chanel Fragrance & Beauty, Andrea d’Avack said, “We believe this dynamic, modern campaign will make people think in a completely different way about No 5.” Well, we’ll see. The commercial is reported to make its debut on October 15th.