Rosenrot

Asymétrique COMME des GARÇONS

2012-01-26T18:57:00.004+11:00

Coat - Comme des Garcons; Trousers - Ann Demeulemeester; Boots - MMMargiela; Bag - Celine

I have never been the biggest fan of Comme des Garçons but time and time again she surprises me with pieces that I can relate to which usually happen to be the structured ones. I got lucky with this trench but I have almost no information regarding its provenance, although 1980s would be a good guess. Any help with identifying this piece would be great.

The treasures of Yoox....not!

2012-01-20T21:15:00.001+11:00

I love Yoox, I really do. It's a great place to hunt down off-season items I couldn't get because they were unaffordable previously or were unavailable in online stores, but sometimes the buyers' choices makes me think that there's no form of curation whatsoever, just offloading of unsold goods from stores. They end up clogging the site with silly things that either makes me laugh or give up on browsing altogether. Here's a few I've selected that tops my list.

4. The befuddling one

Comme des Garcons

Comme des Garcons is never an easy label to comprehend. The designer, Rei Kawakubo, loves to turn traditional fashion concepts upside down, disregarding the natural shape of the human body at her finest. On the whole, I am always in awe of her vision because she always bring something new to the table, not to mention that her protege, Junya Watanabe, is a favourite designer of mine. However, certain individual pieces are rather 'interesting', like the blouse above. I thought the cushioning were too strategically-placed that one might think it's an avant-garde form of undergarment to help the ladies create heart-shaped bosoms. If it's your cup of tea, well you're in luck! The blouse is still available for £79, down from £199 here.

3. Worst collaboration ever?

Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld

I don't know how Karl Lagerfeld can find time to produce 64 collections for Chanel yet still have time to do 50 collaborations and projects in a year. I'm never a fan of him because he's more of a licensor than a designer, and judging by the monstrosities of the shoes above, perhaps he didn't even bother to sketch a single prototype before lending his name to the collaboration. But for those who are die-hard fans of Kaiser Karl, you can get the shoes here for a mere £125. I wouldn't recommend them for running though. You might get more blisters than wearing Louboutins.

2. Half a sneaker and half a wedge makes one utter crap

Ruco Line; Vincenza Rossi

So what are they called? Snedges? Could someone please, please, PLEASE explain to me why these hybrid is still produced? They never fail to make my shopping experience an utter nuisance whenever I'm searching under 'wedges'. I don't see how the elevation make ugly sneakers more pleasant to look at nor improve your performance, then again designers seem to like hybrids, like this shoe-cum-mop. The only people I can think of who buys this stuff is middle-aged gaudy Italian/Chinese ladies who wear equally cheesy baby-print-with-real-piercings shirt topped off with larger-than-life coiffure.

1. Ugly T-shirts

Which brings us to the worst offender of all - cheesy t-shirts found on Yoox.

Custoline; Elvis Jesus

Here's how Elvis Jesus (who the hell came up with that name anyway?) introduced their men's shirts on their website: "Rise from the ashes and embrace the subculture of rock & roll with the new range of Elvis Jesus couture apparel".

There's so much lol-worthy aspects in one sentence that I don't even know where to begin (why the hell were people buried in ashes in the first place?). Also I cringe whenver the word 'couture' is thrown around casually. Rock & Roll has always been a popular theme in t-shirt prints, from Guess to long-time 'favourite' Ed Hardy. Seems like there are a large group of people out there who secretly wish to live the rockstar lives. I remembered once when I was interning for this clothing manufacturer, I had to design the graphics on their t-shirts. Anything minimalist and clever was of no interest to them, turns out all I had to do was combine colourful prints to create the loudest possible pictures.

Liu Jo

Another sellable theme in t-shirts are anything with lame French quotes. Je t'aime Dior anyone? Hell these days you don't even need long words. What about 'I Love Chanel', or the latest offering from Céline? I wouldn't mind them that much if they cost enough to cover the production of organic cotton and fair wages, but not at upwards $100. Goes to show how enslaved we can be to brands yes?

As the season grows to a close...

2012-01-19T11:47:00.004+11:00

Let me pay tribute to the best collection of Fall/Winter 2011.

via

May Fall/Winter 2013 be as good, or even better.

Back with a bang

2012-01-17T08:44:00.005+11:00

Coat - Yohji Yamamoto; Cardigan - Rick Owens; Catsuit - Black Milk; Boots - Harley Davidson

Yes dear readers, I'm back and I'm sporting a redonkulous galaxy catsuit in celebration of the new year. Who says spandex should stay in the 80s?

Honestly I wish I can say more than these few words because I quite dislike shallow, useless fit pics but I'll make it up with future rants about nonsensical clothes and singing praises of upcoming designers pretty pretty soon. And lots and lots of shoes, like back in the good ol' days, both male and female included.

A Yohji Holiday

2011-12-30T21:21:00.002+11:00

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Tuxedo coat - Yohji Yamamoto; Knit cardigan - Rick Owens; Shirt - Ann Sofie Back; Boots - Rick Owens

This is my very first piece of Yohji Yamamoto, from his F/W 2006 collection which you can find here. I can honestly say that as someone who loves structured garments, I haven't been able to appreciate Yohji's aesthetics properly, but this particular collection was mind-blowing, partly due to the strong focus on outwerwear. Indeed sometimes I still find many collections from Yohji, Junya Watanabe and CDG mildly amusing, and in more extreme cases, beyond my comprehension. But I'm slowly discovering certain individual pieces that I can incorporate into my wardrobe. Having seen the pieces up close also helped to heighten my appreciation for said Japanese designers, from the craftsmanship and fabric quality to the ideas that fuelled the collections.

I Like Pigeons

2011-12-19T00:03:00.001+11:00

Rick Owens shearling over Cos dress over Rick Owens dress over Rick Owens boots

Autumn was a nice season for squirrel-watching.

Bad News Tuesday

2011-12-13T09:13:00.003+11:00

This piece of news is old, but I believe its relevance is even stronger. Most high-street fashion companies are still not respecting basic human rights because current labour practices are still far worse than what you and I can ever ever imagine.

Sometime last year, Bangaladeshi garment workers went on strike because they were severely underpaid. Child labourers also joined the demonstrators but here's how they ended up on the streets.

As an Asian kid being raised by a Tigress of a mom, caning is not that foreign to me. But noone deserve to be beaten up like an animal. Heck, animals don't deserve that either.

'Many of the rioting workers are employed by plants which make ready-to-wear garments for sale in western high street stores.

"We worked for them," shouted one striking worker. "They are doing business and making money, but not paying us."

An estimated three million workers, mostly women, are employed in the Bangladeshi garments industry. The lower paid workers earn a minimum monthly salary of 1,660 taka, equivalent to less than £18. They have demanded an increase to 5,000 taka. Owners said last week they could pay no more than 3,000 taka a month.'

It's difficult to differentiate the companies who are making an effort from those who are paying lip service, or worse, being serial offenders. This website is a good place to start. I know it's extremely difficult to resist pieces from Topshop, or H&M because they're that cheap. I'm guilty as charged. But we've got to start somewhere so that fashion brands will wake up and change their business strategies to a more sustainable one.

Revisiting Aoi Kotsuhiroi's Masterpieces

2011-12-12T11:52:00.008+11:00

Earlier this year I wrote about Aoi Kotsuhiroi's amazing art pieces (I shan't call them jewelry nor accessories because those words don't do her work any justice). She has since written a new chapter to her storybook - Exotic Regrets, each fragment better than the last. Yes I'm speaking metaphorically because that's how she does things and frankly, looking at her work of art you wouldn't do it in a boring way like, 'Here's the new S/S12 collection which is inspired by the African tribe of Ndebele mixed with Russian Baboushka.' No siree, as soon as you see her urushi-lacquered pieces entwined with horse hair and the sharp talons you'll be imagining an eagle swooping down on an unsupecting rabbit while a wolf howls in the background.

Anyway enough chatter, more photos.

These are all one-off artisanal pieces, so you'll never have to worry about bumping into another blogger in your Fashion Week cameo wearing the same shoes or cuffs. My personal favourite is the bag below. Its name is Silent Wolf (its other name is Darkness of Day but I prefer a wolf) and I would love to bring him home with me. Unfortunately he costs a dear £1700. Alas my wallet is never big enough for such an expensive pet. He'd have been my perfect company everywhere I go.

More can be found on aoikotsuhiroi.com and Not Just A Label.

Slow down and think

2011-12-10T07:16:00.006+11:00

Shirt - bespoke; Dress - Rick Owens; Boots - vintage

Picture this: Blogger A visited blog B, saw some pair of Jeffrey Campbell and concluded that she needs the same pair or she'll 'just die', then proceeded to buy the shoes. One week later, Blogger A posted 1001 photos of the shoes, on top of the usual 1001 photos of herself, with captions such as 'they're my favourite shoes of all time, etc'. Two weeks later the same thing is repeated but with a different pair.

The above scenario is just one of several trends I've noticed in fashion blogs. It really irks me that people are putting so little values to phrases like NEED THESE IN MY LIFE. And those shoes that were proclaimed as favourite of all times would probably never see daylight again. Why am I being such a judgmental prick? Well it's habit like this that adds up to the mountain of rubbish we're already dumping in some third world country, not to mention all the other problems associated with excessive consumption. I don't think bloggers (and consumers in general) are ignorant. What I don't get is why they continue practising these destructive habits.

2011-12-07T14:11:00.002+11:00

BRB, writing 4 essays due on Friday.

Bit of Fun in The Sun

2011-11-29T03:51:00.003+11:00

Shirt - Ann Sofie Back; Everything else - vintage

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who visits this site, and especially those who have left comments and feedbacks. I really like knowing who you are, and best of all, starting a dialogue about trivial and serious matters. I know I'm not the most responsive person in the world, mostly due to the fact that words don't form easily in my head, and I prefer to leave sincere and thoughtful replies rather than a snippet of 'I love your boots wheeeeee'. Trust me when I say I've had guilty pangs for not being so communicative. For those who are lurking, you're more than welcome to do so, but I really would prefer to know you a little better if possible.

Back to what I was wearing. I'm a secret admirer of bold colours and prints. Yes I may be a die hard RO and Pugh fan, but my wardrobe consists of a little more than them. Very little Pugh in fact, because I can't afford most of his stuff unless I forgo everything else. The common recurring theme in my curated wardrobe is nothing more than quality material, craftsmanship and uniqueness. So here's me, having fun in a pseudo-Gaultier sweater made by Dale of Norway and a pleated, tiered skirt which could have been passed off as Issey Miyake, both bought for under £80. 'Twas a crisp, sunny day in Brighton, which is sorely missed now that winter is almost here.

Let the shopping frenzy begin!

2011-11-25T09:47:00.004+11:00

On Ebay right now:

And for the boys:

Find them here. If you're nice I'm willing to negotiate my prices.

Channelling Wednesday Adams

2011-11-21T02:42:00.001+11:00

Dress - Cos; Shirt - Men's vintage

Cos - a minimalist mecca that mixes the aesthetics of Jil Sander and Balenciaga, has the same price point as Zara, but with a more focused vision. If only my school uniform was this well-made, I would be excited to go to school everyday.

Vibram-ed Nail Boots

2011-11-10T04:19:00.001+11:00

I got lucky on Ebay

I have 43 slaves working for me

2011-11-07T23:36:00.001+11:00

Rick Owens shearling coat and turbo boots; the rest - various high street stores

Recently I took this quiz that determines how many slaves work for me (here). I live in a student flat, do not use the heater, nor own a car. My weekly groceries list is not lavish, mostly fruits and vegetables, lots of rice and some meat. I'm not a technophile, my Ipod and phone are more than three years old. Yet the quiz said that 43 slaves work for me. That's right, fourty-three people whose labour goes unpaid.

I'm making the assumption here that most of my 'slaves' are producing clothes and leather goods. I admit I own a fairly large amount of them, especially the latter, considering that I have an obsession with leather, be it shoes, bags or clothing. Every freaking season I pine and whine for Rick Owens's latest leather jackets.

While I'm aware that my consumption level is not exactly desirable for said slaves, what's scary is that I'm most likely just another average consumer. Most people are probably consuming at the same rate or much more, albeit on different items, yet they are blissfully unaware of the forced labour that goes into making the latest electronic gadgets or sequinned tops. Case in point, a classmate of mine in an ethics class thinks that people in third world countries have a choice not to work under harsh labour conditions. Okay so he's a 'special' case, but irresponsible capitalism has successfully hidden the truth and what consumers can't see, they are mostly not going to give a damn about it. How many of us have bought more food than we can consume, only to discard it without so much as a second glance two weeks later because we 'forgot' about it? Even basic food items such as wheat and fish may have been produced under forced labour.

Changing my shopping habit has been a slow progress. Fashion is after all an industry that depends on obsolescence ("That is so last year"), so every season brings forth another wave of temptation. And then there's the problem of coveting the proverbial neighbour's possessions. I spot something that looks amazing on a blogger, and a few seconds later I find myself on ebay/polyvore searching for something similar.

It's difficult to be ethical because as consumers we have been mollycoddled by sellers who provide convenience at the expense of our conscience. More often than not, being ethical is costly in terms of resources and time since we have to do our own digging, from the supply chain all the way to the racks. I don't have a solution to chase the elephant out of the room, but I think consuming less would be a good start.

Something I wrote for an online mag you might like

2011-11-03T03:19:00.000+11:00

"I was surrounded by my favourite runway pieces from cutting edge fashion darlings such as Rick Owens, Maison Martin Margiela, and most recently, Gareth Pugh. Purveyors of elusive pieces of yesteryear might be delighted to find their secret stash of deadstock Margielas while fans of independent designers would not be disappointed with the myriad of jewellery selection."

Click here for more.

Pyjamas Couture

2011-11-01T10:39:00.001+11:00

Sorry for the awful layout, it's almost midnight but I had a sudden urge to bring this out in the open. Pretty sure I'm not the first one to notice it, but what is with the pyjama trend running wild on fashion week? I have to admit Susie channeled that grandma paisley look pretty well since loud prints have always been her forte, and I do like the Dries print trousers, but I can't for the life of me figure out what's so chic about looking like you just crawled out of bed, or worse, admitted into the hospital ward.

If this catches on to mainstream fashion pretty soon the 'fashionistas' would be running to M&S to grab a piece of this iggle piggle jammies. Better stock up now eh, what say you?

Junya Wannabeya

2011-10-28T06:11:00.004+11:00

London had a sudden heat wave in the middle of autumn, and so I decided to wear something experimental to Brick Lane. I took the inspiration from Belgian drapery and Japanese 'Garcons' look.

What I used:
1. Open waterfall cardigan, worn back to front
2. A-line maxi skirt, tucked into my trousers
3. Tailored trousers, the one I'm wearing is Neil Barrett
4. Brogues
5. Leather waist belt

As you can see, the whole outfit is rather haphazardly put together. Loose ends were tucked in or tied. The belt works as a contrast while keeping everything in place, especially the sleeve of the cardigan that goes over my shoulder.

My Own Summer

2011-10-25T21:53:00.002+11:00

Heading out in the cold, wet weather.

Nothing more than a wishlist

2011-10-24T10:15:00.001+11:00

One of the best seasons ever. So many things to covet, so little to be had.

Almost vintage Rick Owens

2011-10-19T03:28:00.004+11:00

Coat & boots - Rick Owens

When Rick Owens is at his best, he creates beautiful garments that are futuristic. Despite being made in 2008-2009, they don't look outdated because they were never 'in trend' in the first place. He tends to defy the conservative form of beauty in women which might explain why his market is so niched, but wherever the tiny stone falls, it falls really, REALLY hard.

A slight disturbance on a fine day

2011-10-17T04:07:00.004+11:00

So I was walking along the streets of Bath one fine day, marvelling at the beautiful architecture and parks, when some chavs in an old convertible across the road pointed at me and shouted, 'There's a nun on the street!'

Definitely living up to the stereotype ey chaps?

1 Fashion year = 10 dog years

2011-10-08T20:30:00.005+11:00

Photos by Cynthia

Fashion weeks have come and gone barely a week ago, yet it felt like forever since Marc Jacobs wowed the crowd with Kate Moss and gang on a life-sized carousel. This immediate access to catwalk shows makes me feel strangely bored now. Don't get me wrong, I still love beautiful clothes and shoes, but one can't help but to be jaded when every show comes and goes in a matter of minutes. As an outsider of the industry, I fully appreciate the democratisation of fashion. However, maybe fashion should slow down again, maybe. Just so we can go back to fully appreciating the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into making those beautiful clothes.

As much as I love RIck Owens...

2011-09-30T09:06:00.001+10:00

..for once there's an outfit that might look better on the average female figure.

Rick Owens Spring Summer 2012 Boots

2011-09-30T04:04:00.002+10:00

Click to enlarge

With regards to the runway pieces, I'm not too overly excited as there is little leathers and it's mostly a rehash of older silhouettes. On the other hand though: the boots. THE BOOOOOTS!!! I know the black version is available in stores now but these new colours are simply divine.

Celine Phantom - A want that should never be a need

2011-09-26T22:36:00.004+10:00

TPF

My search for the perfect bag for school and future career calls for something practical, which does not include this Celine Phantom. But how can one not be drawn by this magnificent beauty? Times like this I wish my visceral drives would just slow down and let pragmatism take over.

Rick by Boring Brick

2011-09-26T07:32:00.003+10:00

Vintage cardigan worn as dress; Rick Owens coat; Damir Doma belt; Rick Owens boots

No fashion enthusiasts within ten mile radius of London can afford to miss out on Brick Lane. Most people know it as vintage clothing mecca, but I found one of the best store to stock Rick Owens, MMM, and most recently Gareth Pugh. There's no shop name to signal its presence, but merely call itself 127bricklane (google it, website just went live a couple of days ago). For a small store, it has very substantial Rick and Margiela buys, not to mention the superb personal service from Nina whom I could see adore her job her much

After trying on a pair of Rick Owens's fall/winter boots, and Margiela's tabis, I did a round of vintage stores, all of them so alike that I got bored by the fifth shop. I then proceeded to make my way home when I came across The Vintage Emporium, a vintage store that doubled as a quaint tea room, filled with the most amazing furniture reminiscent of the old England. It was such an enchanting place that I broke my goal of not spending a single penny, egged on by the lush Victorian chair which resulted in me forking out no less than one pound thirty for a large cup of tea. The elegant but cosy ambience was definitely worth more than what I paid for.

All in all, it was an excellent day, and if money was never an issue, I'd definitely choose to buy my wares at 127.

Shopping with Rosenrot - some crazy deals on etsy

2011-09-25T07:10:00.003+10:00

Snakeskin leather boots size US11, $35, here

Lucite Lion carved heels US10.5, $98, here

Mens John Fluevog croc swordfish UK8, $155, here

Ladies John Fluevog classic swordfish brogues, size UK4 here

Untitled

2011-09-23T05:01:00.002+10:00

Taking them out for a walk.

Simone Rocha's Perspex Brogues

2011-09-11T03:24:00.012+10:00

And so the madness that is Fashion Week has begun. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of New York's shows, I'd like to do retrospective on Simone Rocha's A/W 11 presentation, partly as a refuge from the bombardment of floral prints, but mostly to let y'all see the cool stuff that was shown on the runway.

A simple Google search will tell you of Simone's background - daughter of the renowned John Rocha (quite like the Lourencos) - and also provides a rather satisfactory supply of runway images. The collection was, if I can put it simply, a feminine, deconstructed tailoring, evoking a Margiela-esque vibe but with a little more cheerfulness stemming from the gingham and sheer soft fabrics.

dazedandconfused

However, what I was most drawn to were the shoes. Transparent lucite heels, some tinted, propped up what would otherwise be ordinary brogues. It is a brilliant use of negative space that go hand in hand with the deconstructed garments in a very quizzical, ironic sense.

via; via; via; via; via; via

This is a non-fashion related post

2011-09-03T01:19:00.001+10:00

Rick Owens scarab jacket; Gareth Pugh coat; Black Milk galaxy leggings; Balenciaga boots

At this point in time, I am currently spending two weeks in Singapore, en route to the UK. This afternoon, an old gentleman started a conversation with me on the bus. While this may seem no more unusual than finding a penny in cities such as Melbourne, most locals here DO NOT talk to strangers unless necessary. Heck they will even avert their gaze automatically if you throw a smile at them. The general practice here is to mind your own business, everyone going their own way in order to not over-complicate their lives, resulting in a rather cold and sterile society.

So back to the gentleman on the bus. He spoke of his relatives scattered all over the world, recalled fondly of his 45 years of adventures onboard a Swedish ship as the only Chinese among the Scandinavians, and how he had had two lenses sewn onto his eyeballs. He was so fluent in Swedish, Danish and English that his Chinese is probably almost forgotten, along with it the typical attitude of his less well-travelled Chinese counterparts. With every word he bellowed (he's 80 so perhaps a wee bit deaf), I could sense the bewildered stares of other commuters burning on my neck. A girl my age and a rather ancient character exchanging life's anecdotes, it was indeed an unusual sight.

While most kids are finding satisfaction in being the first few people through the crap that is H&M tonight, I much prefer the experience of a warm, earnest conversation with a stranger.

Prada Guipure Dress v.2

2011-08-25T09:10:00.003+10:00

You know how lots of bloggers do that 'Look what I just bought' posts, and you think it's downright show off-ish? Yeah I'm trying not to do that here, but let's face it, when you've just bought your own 'holy grail' of an item, you'd want to share the joy and excitement of finally having that elusive piece in your hands. And no, I'm not talking about some sold-out H&M copy of designer ware that had been snagged by 854238 Rumi lookalikes, but THE unattainables that you've been lusting for seasons after seasons, knowing that it'll never be produced again. In my case, it's the guipure dresses from Prada's Fall 2008 collection.

via

Fall 2008 was an incredible season. Unfortunately, I had a rather premature taste in fashion then, therefore unable to fully appreciate, or even had an awareness of the collections I have come to admire years later. Rick Owens showed his turbo boots for the first time, Balenciaga came up with the rubberised crystal boots (another holy grail I'm constantly searching for), and who could forget Ann Dem's infamous triple lace boots?

Then there was Prada. "People keep talking about the return of minimalism” said Miuccia, “but it has to have a twist now. I hope it works — we had the whole of Switzerland working night and day to produce enough lace". And daaaaymn did the Swiss artisans delivered.

via; via; via; via

With the texture of the lace being the focal point of the collection, Miuccia Prada was able to present a stellar show despite the simple silhouettes of the garments.

via; via

Here is me channeling the nun chic look:

My photographs aren't doing this guipure dress any justice to be honest, but feel free to enlarge the photo to see the intricate details of the lace. I can't stress how floored I am each time I examine it up close. In fact, the tag indicates a percentage of the dress is made of metal. I'm not sure if it's referring to metal, literally, or metallic threads. Either way, I'm not wearing it to the airport.

So what's the purpose of this post, you ask? Well I just wanted to show you that Prada didn't create atrocities all the time. Once in a while, they do get it right.

Balenciaga & Rick Owens for sale

2011-08-14T13:05:00.003+10:00

Balenciaga Fall 2008

Rick Owens classic wedges

Brand new in box. Starting at $99. Here

Can't afford Haider Ackermann? Here's a solution

2011-08-11T21:06:00.005+10:00

I love Haider Ackermann, way before I fell in love with Rick Owens. But every single piece of his clothing is so darned expensive, and rather difficult to pull off on an individual basis that I have a hard time shelling out my money for anything he made, not to mention the fact that I'm very reluctant to spend on silks and wools.

Having examined Haider's collections more closely, I've come to realise that he has a rather basic formula he follows religiously (thank goodness!). Some common features include a wide belt that defines the waist, lots of drapery and an exposed part of the body, be it back, shoulder or thighs (avoid cleavage unless your chest is sufficiently flat for planes to take off from).

Now what I did here is simply wear my ratty cardigan back to front, add a wide belt to hold the drapes in place and voila, you can show off your summer tan in autumn while channeling a (cheap) Haider Ackermann. Obviously you can make it more complicated than this so have fun!

Cardigan - Forever 21; Belt - Damir Doma; Skirt - Gmarket; Boots - Nicholas Kirkwood pour Rodarte

Christopher Kane, anyone?

2011-08-06T19:50:00.001+10:00

Christopher Kane Stam Dress
Starting at AU$99 here

Balenciaga's Harness Hooves

2011-08-03T11:48:00.005+10:00

These shoes aren't pretty. In fact I think they're hideous; absolutely vulgar, outrageous yet fabulous. That is exactly what I love about Balenciaga shoes. People see you wearing them and they tell you that you are utterly out of your mind.

Released in 2006, these boots pre-date any of Lady Gaga's monstrosities, and set the platform trend which everyone seemed to hate initially with fiery passion. Find any blog posts in early 2006 and you can see the negative responses to Balenciaga's mighty hooves, mostly from the Louboutin/Blahnik camp, I presume. Two years later, platforms became the norm, and every other style blogger wants the Sam Edelman's almost-knock-offs.

Photos by Kar Kien

Channelling Alexander Wang with less than ten bucks

2011-07-27T22:17:00.002+10:00

This idea was taken from Fashionsphere (she's a genius, one can't help but be inspired by her creativity). I bought a long waterfall cardigan at an op shop for seven dollars and wrapped it around to create a draped dress. It's the solution for people who are not willing to fork out over a hundred dollars for jerseys from Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang, or even RO Lillies.

How to make one self (appear) taller

2011-07-23T18:16:00.005+10:00

This is not a new trick, but it is often not executed properly because the devil is in the details, which are often overlooked. It's especially useful on lazy days when you can't think of what to wear. Note that I am not suggesting a trick that creates a slimmer silhouette, but somewhere along the way it may help.

So here goes:

1. I tend to choose black for its convenience and slimming effect, but not everyone can carry off an all-black outfit without looking like a funeral attendee or worse, washed out, so pick out a colour that's flattering for yourself.

2. The basic outfit can consist of either a shirt and a maxi skirt of the same colour, or a maxi dress, and in my case it is the former. It's important to choose a shirt with the right neckline for your neck/face shape but in all cases, cover as much skin as possible. My personal favourite is the high neck/mock turtle neck.

3. Now the bottom: it has to be a fishtail skirt, not flared nor column, the kind that clings to your bum and flares out at the knees. Not only does it accentuate your behind, it also allows you to walk freely. How far should it go? In terms of length, the skirt has to touch the floor regardless of whether you're wearing high heels or flats. A skirt that trails would work even better but it's not practical for outdoor activities.

When your skirt is hiding four inch stilettos, it creates the illusion that you have mile long legs. The success of pulling the trick is to create a continuous, streamlined vision from neck to floor.

4. Material: Choose slinky fabrics that clings like a second skin, such as cotton jersey or viscose. The thicker the fabric, the more stumpy you might seem.

5. Posture: As with any outfits, stand straight, tall and proud.

6. Part of the reason why I always turn to this basic formula is that it can easily be paired with a kickass outerwear, so don't hesitate to experiment. Remember that the length of the outerwear can reduce the torso lengthening illusion, so pick something that ends around the waist.

Cheap clothes

2011-07-22T12:26:00.003+10:00

If you exclude the belt and shoes, the outfit costs fifteen bucks. The sweater was an odd find but I thought that the seams had a sort of Margiela-esque ironic touch to it.

Le Scarabée

2011-07-17T15:28:00.004+10:00

Rick Owens Scarab jacket, dress and boots; Damir Doma belt; vintage purse

Rick Owens rarely does colour, so this metallic green comes as a pleasant surprise. The beetle green hue rocks so hard that I can't help falling in love despite not being a fan of his classic biker jackets. Another favourite addition to my wardrobe is this Damir Doma belt that goes with almost everything. I've been wearing it non-stop with my op-shop finds (none of which go over ten bucks), which I'll feature pretty soon.

Human Nature

2011-07-15T14:59:00.003+10:00

Jacket, bag and boots by Rick Owens, random dress bought for $7

To say that these boots are eye-catching would be an understatement. I was expecting a bit of stares but the reaction I received on the streets was a tad overwhelming, ranging from approval to bewilderment. One particular encounter was with a Chinese mom who wouldn't stop staring and pointing at my legs while conversing animatedly with her daughter. Ahh Asian moms, if mine has seen the boots she'd probably go WTF at them too.

Good riddance to sloppy dressing

2011-07-10T13:01:00.009+10:00

I'm not one to rave on and on about jeans, mostly because I hate wearing them, but tailored trousers are a different story altogether. Contrary to popular beliefs, tailored trousers are not boring, conservative pieces solely meant for the boardroom. Finding a pair that fits you perfectly can make you look like a million bucks, and professional. If you don't believe me just take a look at the fashion packs found on Stockholm-streetstyle.com.

My main inspiration though, comes from Helmut Lang:

After searching for months, I finally decided on this pair of Neil Barrett which was on sale at Antonioli. It's partly made of wool, very comfortable for all weathers and the cut is, for lack of better words, perfect.

Vintage rabbit coat - After Six tuxedo - random blouse - Sussan waistcoat - Damir Doma belt - Neil Barrett trousers - Rick Owens boots - Celine Luggage tote

Repent, all ye sinners

2011-07-07T21:37:00.003+10:00

There's something I've noticed about the Rick Owens pack (is there a specific name for them - the people who hangs out at Style Zeitgeist/SuperFuture?), which is that they seem to be afraid of bright colours. Not afraid per se, but one gets the impression that by mixing striking colours in an otherwise monochromatic palette, it tarnishes the purity of the ensemble and thus you are no longer worthy of a membership in the holy clan. Sure Gareth Pugh and Damir Doma are slowly mixing blues and yellows but they are mostly chunks of colours juxtaposed against blacks.

See I am guilty of doing the very thing despite the fact that I love Mcqueen's loud prints and anything else that has photos/vibrant images printed on them. It could be due to my lack of creativity as I find it rather difficult to merge the different streams of fashion (rather like mixing dubstep with Vivaldi). Thank goodness for an epiphany one day and here's the outcome.

Yes there is a black hole where my nether ye ya is supposed to be

Gareth Pugh coat, Damir Doma belt, Black Milk 'Cathedral' leggings, Rick Owens boots

Out and about

2011-07-03T22:14:00.005+10:00

Rick Owens - Topshop - Rick Owens

Life is going to be so different in 2012. Goodbye spoilt kid. Hello to being a responsible adult who can't afford anymore Rick Owens

The tale of a miserable hoarder

2011-06-27T20:06:00.004+10:00

I'm leaving this country for good, and packing is a huge pain for me because I have to part with more than half of my beloved clothes, and then spend another few hundred dollars sending back the rest. Is there anyone out there who's a bigger hoarder than I am? I can't even bear to get rid of clothes which have not seen the light of day in the past six months. I have like, five biker jackets, and each time I told myself I should sell most of them, another voice in my head tells me that I need that piece because it's shorter, or longer, or distressed, or looks like a vintage version of the Celine jacket. After which the other voice in my head says something like, 'Gracia, there are hobos out there who don't even have a decent jacket,' to make myself be grateful for having just one and be guilty of excessive consumerism. Sometimes I replace the hobo scenario with that of Somali children, or a penniless bird lady, yet despite all that the jackets are still hanging in my wardrobe.

Alas, this matter is something I can no longer avoid. So you see that biker jacket up there? I'm taking reasonable offers over the hundred dollar mark. The boots are also on sale in my Ebay store, along with heaps more stuff (link on the right). Hit me up with an email. Pretty please?

Some stuff that I'm selling/getting rid of

2011-06-26T17:51:00.003+10:00

Something old, something new, and heaps more here. The cape is a vintage Burberry, and I'm starting the auction at $49.

I sold Alaia boots once to a Romanian celebrity

2011-06-21T23:48:00.003+10:00

...and so a few days later I decided to recycle my outfit with a slight tweak.

Also can someone recommend me any brand that sells good quality, drapey basics like RO Lilies with a lower price tag? I may spend bucketloads on leathers but I'm cheap when it comes to jerseys. Thanks in advance.

Contemplating one's change

2011-06-19T10:39:00.004+10:00

Rick Owens Crust A/W 2009

I wouldn't blame you if you think this is an odd silhouette, nay ugly in fact. It's definitely not one that serves to glorify the female curves, but I am beginning to comprehend Rick Owens's (Owens'?) divergence away from the typical body conscious silhouette. I am most certainly looking forward to seeing his A/W 2011 leather jackets in person when I'm schooling in London.

My 18 year old self would have laughed at my present self but that's evolution for you yes? I remembered how I used to like Herve Leger type of bandage dress paired with ankle boots (ala a certain Kim and Khloe), or worse, kitten heels (zomg!!!). It's weird how one can change so drastically within a few years. With that said, I think this may be the peak of my so called avant-garde (for lack of better words) experimentation as I doubt I'll wear even weirder stuff like Hussein Chalayan's table skirt. The world doesn't need more than one Lady Gaga.

Winged Shearling

2011-06-15T15:39:00.003+10:00

The newest member of my (small) Rick Owens family. Also I'll be back next week. Ciao

Rick Owens cotton trench

2011-05-29T21:46:00.001+10:00

I must say, the coat is very much what I see certain goths are wearing. Starts at $0.99 here. You're welcome!

Monochrome

2011-05-07T18:02:00.005+10:00

Jacket & Boots - Rick Owens | Skirt - Gmarket

Squeak!

2011-05-05T17:36:00.003+10:00

Just a little filler before my next update. Three assignments due in one week leaves no time for anything else. FYI penguins are my favourite animals.

The 80s called, they want me back

2011-04-27T22:33:00.010+10:00

Despite being a huge fan of Rick Owens and the likes, part of me still loves vintage clothing, particularly from the decade of the opulent 80s.

Mawr

2011-04-25T00:45:00.002+10:00

"These are a few of my favourite things."

On the search for internship positions that will get me as close to Rick Owens as possible....

Fall-Winter 2011 shoes - The good, the bad and the hairy

2011-04-24T13:49:00.004+10:00

Every friggin' season, I wait with bated breath for style.com's accessory report, and for each and every one of them I waste almost two hours scouring through hordes after hordes of boring shoes/bags/whathaveyous. But every now again, I get a glimpse of hope, of a potential, and I don't mean just the very best, because the worst-looking shoes are the best ones to talk about.

For example, take a good, long look at this:

Jimmy Choo

On one hand, I can't dismiss it as a poorly-made shoe. The shape of the stiletto and the woven texture requires a good amount of craftsmanship, but I think the designer behind this particular Jimmy Choo didn't quite know what to do with the excess leather. So while swivelling around in his/her comfy office chair, lo and behold he/she spotted a mop left by the janitor in the corner just in case someone spills Starbucks. And so a $800 pair of mop-shoes is born. Not only does it elongate your legs, it doubles as a duster too. Dual functionality is indeed a good way to stretch your dollar in this shaky financial climate.

Christian Louboutin

Mr Louboutin knows he's the stiletto superstar, sitting atop the mountain of gold given by his die-hard fans in return for his red-soled, back-breaking shoes. But a man can get bored creating the same classy shoes over and over, so what does one do when that happens? Why create sasquatch shoes of course. Meanwhile, the shoe on the right looks like a very expensive pair of Vegas dancer/streetwalker shoes. It should come with a warning that says: "To be used only from your door to the car, and from the car to the restaurant", or Mr. Louboutin risks being sued of causing broken ankles. I'm not sure whether he's trying to test how loyal (ie. blinded) his fans are, or if he's just having a bit of fun. I have a strong feeling one of them Kardashians will be sporting it soon.

Left: Fendi | Right: Diego Dolcini

Alexander Wang

I'm not sure why there is so much fixation on fur-trimmed heels the past few seasons. It makes me wonder if there really are that many women who are sustaining the demand for this particular trend. Russian and Chinese heiresses certainly came to mind. While Alexander Wang's versions are inspired by vintage mules, albeit impractical for freezing weather, the Fendi and Diego Dolcini resemble dead chinchillas glued on the feet.

Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope within this downward spiral in the form of a new trend:

Superhero Skyscrapers

Alejandro Ingelmo

Left: Alexander Wang | Right: Gio Diev

Aperlai

Left: Diego Dolcini | Right: Raphael Young

As you can see, the common characteristics of those shoes are geometric, architectural lines and colour-blocking. It felt like what Pierre Hardy used to do, and needless to say Balenciaga, and these shoes are filling the void left after the former adopts a more feminine direction. Wonder Woman would have approved of them.

New Silhouette

Thakoon

Left: Miu Miu | Right: Gianvito Rossi

Jean-Michael Cazabat

A number of designers seem to be moving away from heavy platforms, opting for a more refined, feminine toe-shape. I'm certainly loving the curved heels, and the laced pattern on Thakoon's is rather lovely.

Jen Kao

Left: Nicholas Kirkwood | Right: Marni

On the other end of the spectrum, many designers haven't really received the memo yet, in fact they seem to be trying to outdo each other, so we can expect to see more of bloggers' favourite super chunky platforms. Speaking of super chunky platforms, am I the only one who's sick of seeing Jeffrey Campbell's Lita boots on every other blog?

My Favourites

Jerome Rousseau

I love leopard/cheetah/tiger print calfhair, despite the fact that I've been told they're rather WAG-wannabe. Meow!

Jil Sander

My favourite out of the whole lot of 2098 shoes on style.com would be the robotic Jil Sander wedge, alongside the accordion boots from Rick Owens. It's minimalism gone badass, nuff' said.

In which I attempted the Juergen Teller style without much success

2011-04-10T14:57:00.005+10:00

I have lost count of the number of times I profess my love for Rick Owens's works (heck the man himself is pretty sexy if you like that sorta buffed guy in drop crotch trousers look). Some time last year, I got hold of this coat from Ebay which unfortunately was lost forever in the postal system. It took a year before another one turned up on Ebay and I knew I couldn't let it out of my sight even though I was on the verge of having a negative balance in my account.

When it arrived, the smell of leather still lingered and boy was I estatic. The jacket felt amazing in my hands, it is neither flimsy nor heavy, perfection a la Rick Owens.

Monitor shopping with Rosenrot

2011-04-06T22:16:00.003+10:00

Alexander Wang's Robyn Hobo, available for pre-order at ModaOperandi.com for $985.

Rad Hourani - 6 Pieces, 22 Looks

2011-04-06T17:44:00.006+10:00

radhourani.com

This just in: a coat that can double as a neck brace and allows you to look like an alien race at the same time, what better way to spend two grand than to buy a piece of Rad Hourani's masterful creations?

Jokes aside, this collection pushes the boundaries of wearable avant-garde fashion. I'm seriously questioning myself whether I'd wear the coat in that Queen Amidala way.

For more looks, please visit Rad Hourani's website.

Who cares about spring when Fall/Winter clothes are this awesome!

2011-04-01T22:49:00.007+11:00

Rick Owens; Hermes falcon; Ann Demeulemeester belt; Haider Ackermann jacket; Haider Ackermann gloves; Gareth Pugh boots

Pictures from style.com and vogue.com

Just some of the things I would seriously love to have in my wardrobe, 'cept for the falcon. If I can transform into an animal, I'd choose to be it.

Try as I might to like the non-dark, non-minimalist goth direction favoured by other designers, if it isn't Celine, I'm not really too keen on them. Sure I love the cats on Givenchy, (Balenciaga is a big miss for me, especially the shoes) and perhaps I might discover other details I've missed out which I may fall in love with. But for now, I think I'll revert back to my ol' dark tastes.

Musing on the purpose of this blog

2011-03-30T18:06:00.005+11:00

Have you ever wondered why people create blogs? Is it to gain fame and sit at the top of the hierarchy? To get freebies (which tend to come when you are at the upper echeleon)? Or is it to find validation from your fellow fashion enthusiasts? Indeed being given praises can be rather addictive, I must confess. However, certain things do bother me when I come across a person's site for the first time. Not sure if you know what I'm talking about but the ones who post photos of their deadpan face like a dead fish in 35 different angles make my eyes twitch. And then there are the ones who flit across blogs, leave you messages like 'Hey I like you, please follow me. kthanxbye' and disappear forever.

My reason for keeping this blog alive is to serve as my curriculum vitae in fashion. It is way of keeping records of how far I've progressed throughout the years, my diary of fashion evolution.
Fashion is no doubt an industry I aim to return to once I leave school (which is reaaaaally soon, sooner than I am ready for) as shallow and crazy as it can be. I would love, and I mean really really love to work for Rick Owens or Gareth Pugh on the business side of things. However, if money is never an issue in my life, I'd choose to be an apprentice under Hermes or Guidi just so I could learn to sew leather pieces together.

Prada Creepy (I mean, Creeper) Brogues

2011-03-26T19:14:00.003+11:00

I know some of you out there are searching frantically for these:

So for those of y'all blessed with size 37 feet, here you go.

You're welcome.

She's Turning Blue, Such A Lovely Colour for You

2011-03-20T23:29:00.003+11:00

When I get lazy I just throw on a biker jacket.

Pimp My Style

2011-03-17T20:55:00.001+11:00

At the risk of sounding hipster-ish, let me get this out in the open: I don't really fancy the spring trends that have been shoved down my throat by stores and glossies, nor most of the offerings available in stores *coughPradacough*.

But upon seeing this rich cobalt blue polyster shirt in the Camberwell market for just $5, I know I could put it into proper use and get on the choo-choo-trend without looking all pastle-y girly. It's also given me a chance to channel my love for deep, striking colours (no, I don't just have black in my closet).

So here I am pimpin' the 70s rockstar vibe.

Monitor-shopping with Rosenrot

2011-03-15T23:51:00.005+11:00

A marvelous green, unusual for Rick Owens. Buy it here

...In which I try to look like futuristic Cleopatra

2011-03-08T17:42:00.004+11:00

Not quite sure what look I was after - Goth Ninja or Space Cleopatra, or both.

Three years ago I would probably never think of wearing such an outfit, but today, I'm a sucker for futurism. If it looks like clothes that are made for an alien race, I'm game.

How to Dress Like A Futuristic Space Goth

2011-03-06T20:15:00.003+11:00

I'm not an articulate person, to be honest, that's why most of my posts are image-heavy and light in text. Whatever paragraphs that actually manifested in my posts, they took a good many hours to develop. Upon seeing the Gareth Pugh collection though, my inability to write got worse, because the beautiful coats and colours rendered me speechless. The only way to describe what I felt was a spine-tingling sensation down to the hair on my toes and very very briefly, tears forming at the corners of my eyes.

You see, Mr. Pugh has finally gone back to what I love most about him. The collection is chokeful of obnoxious, structural leathers that get in the way whenever you try to eat in them, and the new touch of cobalt blue, goodness gracious me, is simply electrifying. In this collection he found the balance between real-life and science fiction.

I can only hope that stores worldwide would stock up on these the coats below.

Elle.com/Models.com

And with that I shall leave you with the only catwalk video that I can find, courtesy of Antonioli.

Gareth Pugh Paris Women Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011-12 from ANTONIOLI on Vimeo.

...In which I compared Dsquared boots to Bugatti Veyron

2011-03-04T19:09:00.003+11:00

Thanks to Jamie of Wardrobestories I mananged to hunt down these boots.

I love shoes, I really really do, and my obsession is akin to Pooh Bear's with honey. But sometimes I wonder why this obsession continues, because buying a pair of outrageous shoes is rather like buying a Bugatti Veyron, incredible creation but utterly impractical for daily life. The fact that I lead a boring undergraduate lifestyle, not to mention not being able to drive, nor have champagne brunches every weekend, and visit the clubs once in a very blue moon (not my cup of tea, you see), limit the number of crazy shoes-legit occasions. Don't get me wrong, I make every effort to bring down cost-per-use of each pair, but try as I might, some of my shoes sit in the cupboard like a hidden museum archive.

Perhaps one day my sensibility will grow, and I would be wearing Rick Owens's comfortable wedges constantly. When that day comes, I'm guessing I will be offloading half of my collection. Who knows? If you're a size 38, keep a lookout.

Anouck Beatle Boots

2011-02-22T23:17:00.004+11:00

You know where they came from. If you happen to miss them out, now's your chance. Available in size 38 & 39. Brand new in its original packaging and stuffing.

Sorry about the prolonged absence. I have just moved back to Melbourne after months of travelling. In the meantime, please check out my interview with Luis, the talented man behind Atrumludus.

Rust

2011-02-09T20:18:00.003+11:00

Some close-up details, made possible with the help of the beau.

Feuer Frei!

2011-02-08T08:01:00.004+11:00

No, I did not wear the shoes out, although I wish I could. Ended up wearing a pair of boring boots instead.

I came back from the UK a few days ago, flew straight to Perth to catch my favourite bands Deftones, Rammstein and Tool, and flew home a few hours ago. Best showmanship went to Rammstein with all their pyrotechnics. I had to wait for 5 hours just to be at the front row but it was worth feeling the fire burning right in front of me, although I hated the extra uncivilised rowdy crowd who was rudely interrupting and booing off Iggy Pop. Tool was epic although not perfect, the latter title going to Deftones for their adrenaline-inducing stage presence and energy and especially not having your torso squished by the crowd who thought that the persons in front had no mass whatsoever.

2011 is off to a good start.

Bird Lady

2011-02-05T04:26:00.001+11:00

My hauls from Topshop's sales rack

Aoi Kotsuhiroi's Fashion Sculpture

2011-02-02T23:14:00.003+11:00

I have recently found this designer, nay, a sculptor is more befitting a title, by the name of Aoi Kotsuhiroi. If you've been gushing over Pamela Love and her talon rings, well Aoi's works are waaaaay beyond those commercial, heavily copied designs. Her jewellery from NOWHERE collection are quite like poems about death which have been interpreted into objects. Forget about your typical silver or brass, Aoi creates art pieces most intricate from different exotic materials such as Urushi lacquered horn, human hair and (my favourite part) ancient gold nuggets from more than one millenium ago! Best of all, most of them are one-offs, so noone's going to own the same piece, EVER.

Under The Skin

Kote

Top: Wet Butterfly
Bottom: Fog's Skin

Double Solitude available here

Wait I forgot to mention she does shoes as well (no, not really). They are custom made so they will be rarer (more rare?) than the Nina Ricci heelless boots. Get yours here now!

Dawn Ritual

All photos from Aoi Kotsuhiroi -clickity click for more crazy arm/finger/feet weapons. The ones featured here don't even cover half the goodness she made.

Simplicity at its best

2011-02-02T02:18:00.005+11:00

An amazing dress from RO Lillies that can be worn in different ways. All it needs now is an extra wide Alaia belt to cinch it.

Maybe one day.....

2011-02-01T09:22:00.005+11:00

ebay.com

via

....I can get my hands on one of these delectable Burberry aviators.

Spring/Summer 2011 Accessories

2011-01-31T20:58:00.003+11:00

Alexander Mcqueen

Trussardi 1911

VBH

style.com

If there is anything to cheer for this upcoming Spring seasons, it'd be those few shoes and bags.

My thoughts on Prada

2011-01-28T21:26:00.014+11:00

I've been meaning to talk about the Spring/Summer 2011 collection but never got round to it, partly because I'm not impressed with the efforts rolled out on the runway. In the footwear department, with a few notable exceptions here and there, most designers rolled out classic silhouettes such as espadrilles and more espadrilles which you can easily get in High Street shops, but none bothered me as much as Prada's cheap-looking candy-cane mary-janes and especially the espadrille/foam platform brogues. You know what I'm talking about:

Vogue.com

The moment I saw them I thought of the horror which is:

I thought we've buried this in the 90s

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate flat shoes, and I own several pair of brogues which I've worn to death. However, adding jute and foam seems to have cheapened the shoes. Then again it doesn't really matter in the inner circle of the high fashion community just because it's PRADA, as evidenced by the numerous number of people sporting the brogues in Men's Fashion Week.

Tommy Ton for GQ and Style.com

And with that, the foam brogues have become this season's It shoes. Sure it can be whimsical and fun, but it's not worth the money when I can DIY it myself.

well.... almost

Prada has also spearheaded the latest trend which has been aptly named FLATFORMS, together with Michael Kors and Derek Lam. I foresee a bleak future ahead, or at least til the Fall/Winter shows begin in a few weeks.

style.com

I secretly blame Phoebe Philo for this new wave of minimalism. As much as I love her clothes and bags, in fact I would love to own more of them (namely the Luggage), I was never agreeable with the Celine clogs, and now the trend has officially swept over the rest of the design houses. Let's hope it'll never come to this:

via

See Ya Later, Alligator

2011-01-26T21:52:00.004+11:00

I haven't grown into an accessories person yet but I know what I want when I see it. Dominic Jones's gator cuffs are jaw-droppingly (pun so totally intended,), insanely beautiful. I wonder how much they cost.

My First Balenciaga

2011-01-25T01:48:00.008+11:00

When it comes to special occasion shoes, most girls (and some of you boys out there) would name Christian Louboutin, or Mcqueen as the designer to go to. It's that pair that you hardly wear for fear of ruining them, but you will take them out of the closet once in a while just to gaze longingly while stroking the beautiful texture of the leather, or studs, or metal plates or any other embelishments adorning your shoes. So a few days ago I found mine in Selfridges.

They are undoubtably the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I've ever owned. I know I won't be able to wear them out for more than an hour, but they will be waiting for me when the occasion calls for it, somewhere in the distant future. And I will pass the shoes down to my daughter whom I hope will appreciate them as much as I do. With this, and my other large purchase, I'm banned from shopping for the next six months. Heck, if I can pay the rent and have three square meals a day while still being able to keep them, I can count myself lucky.

On an unrelated note, as I'm writing this post I received the news of suicide bombing in Moscow airport. My heart goes out to all the persons affected by the terrible incident.

Feel good hit of the summer

2011-01-23T22:59:00.004+11:00

As soon as I laid my eyes on this biker jacket in a vintage store I didn't let go of it from my clutches. It's so worn in and creased, so much story to tell in a single piece of clothing.

Forever Young

2011-01-21T20:59:00.004+11:00

Refinery29

interviewmagazine.com

Remember these architectural, minimalistic beauties? Well they are available here. It's priced reasonably for non-mass produced shoes and best of all Frank Tell himself will write a note thanking you for your purchase. How awesome is that?

The Highlands

2011-01-20T22:01:00.009+11:00

So here it is - my Scotland trip summed up in a few pictures, and some words, rather like a half-assed photo essay, with quality that will not impress my lecturers back in design school. But for all you who has never been to Scotland, or are planning to, I say you musn't hesitate any longer. Edinburgh is like the birthplace of medieval history, and Glasgow is its younger, hip brother who loves to dress up and play.

I'll start with Glasgow. This is the main shopping district. The pedestrian area is flanked by buildings that house all your favourite high street shops, much like Oxford Street.

Urban Outfitters got hold of this building, with Subway and American Apparel next to it:

I don't know about you but I adore the bagpipes. These men in kilts were performing what seems to be some kind of Scottish folk music, which has become one of my favourites. I wanted to buy their CD and I had no loose change with me. By the time we got back with some cash they were gone :(

This seemed to be Glasgow's posh West End residential area. It's right behind an artsy street that houses most of the vintage stores.

Getting street-styled while lugging our op-shop hauls

Glasgow in the evening, at 5pm

We made a day trip to Edinburgh, which turned out to be inadequate because there's just so much to see! Plus most of the shops were shut by five.

This picture sums up what I think of Edinburgh. It is a melting pot of history and modern civilisation. I find much inspiration in history itself so Edinburgh is like a playground to me, with every corner hiding another beautiful architecture that is waiting to be discovered. It is truly a remarkable city. And if you like vintage shopping, you can find a shop called Armstrong's that is filled with the most precious treasure.

Edinburgh's commercial district, and my favourite picture too.

The castle gleaming like a jewel in the night sky

Running up That Hill

2011-01-17T23:36:00.005+11:00

I love military wear and am always on the lookout for original dress coats. This one was found in a surplus store in Manchester, brand new and unissued.

I just came back from Scotland and I must admit I'm in love with Edinburgh, what with all the history and mystery jampacked in every nooks and crannies. And the castle! I wouldn't blame the English for coveting the Highlands. Then there's Glasgow, with its bountiful vintage stores and op-shops in the West End. I've never parted with so much money outside London. Not only that, I get to be surrounded by the wonderful Scottish accent, of which I've been mildly obsessed with since Groundskeeper Willie appeared on tv, as well as the beautiful sound of the bagpipe. Haggis is not my cup of tea though.

Well I shouldn't be yakking away without pictures. They'll be up soon.

Andreia Chavez - the next Nicholas Kirkwood?

2011-01-14T07:34:00.005+11:00

Vogue Italia

Andreia Chavez made the headline with her Invisible shoes earlier this year. Well good news to all shoe fanatics out there, for it has been decreed that the shoes would be available to all who want them. And you don't have to wait for the big stores to stock them, because you can order the shoes directly from the designer herself (info@andreiachavez.com)! Just make sure that you can shell out €1800 for the Naked shoes (first one), or €3000 if you'd like the mirrored Invisible shoes.

Alas money as we know it will never grow from trees so I'll just have to toil my butt off to get the mirrored art work. Ms Chavez, if you're reading this, please wait for meeeeeeee.....

The Invisible shoes will complement this dress perfectly:

Gareth Pugh via style.com

(I'm a walking disco ball in a goth club, oooh yeaaaa. Can't get any more man-repelling than that.)

PS. I'm writing for an online mag for a store which will feature my interview with Ms Chavez. Keep a look out!

Freedom is being able to go on The Simpsons marathon

2011-01-10T04:57:00.004+11:00

Today I'm channeling the Japanese princess look although it wasn't intended. Weather was excellent, sun was unusually bright. Oh yes I'm in the UK at the moment.

Merry Christmas everyone (or Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza, etc)

2010-12-26T03:10:00.003+11:00

click to see it super-sized

Like any other fashion crazy girl I have my own Christmas wishlist too. And I plan to scrape up the F/W remnants next year knowing that I usually loathe spring/summer stuff.

Also big thanks to everyone who has been hanging around this space. Love you all.

Guidi

2010-12-25T19:01:00.002+11:00

Layers

Antonioli

Φ

2010-12-23T19:29:00.007+11:00

When Phi decided to close its business more than a year ago I was quite disappointed because it's one of those few design houses that almost encapsulates my aesthetics. They were like the modern biker meets rocker chick swathed in high quality architectural junk, not just any ol' thrifter rampant in certain parts of England. Not saying the latter is bad (hey that's how I get half of my stuff), but Phi gave girls an avenue to express their attitude without looking like some washed out heroin chick who hasn't showered in days.

Here's a recap of my favourite season from Phi - F/W 09

Blacklist/Dripping Lazers

iwantigot

Distressed

2010-12-20T02:04:00.003+11:00

Sometimes I get bored of high fashion and revert back to my darker roots. Got this amazing jacket during my trip in Thailand. Biker jackets are one of those things I will never tire of. In fact any well-made leather jackets can get my pulse racing, be it refined/raw/shearling/blistered as long as they are out of the ordinary.

G.P.

2010-12-18T11:29:00.006+11:00

I can't decide between the two.
Left: shearling;
Right: Neoprene leather.

Help?

Jil Sander

2010-12-18T00:47:00.002+11:00

here

How many times am I allowed to say I love RO?

2010-12-17T00:52:00.004+11:00

Yes! I'm back! Woo hoooo!

This Christmas I'm treating myself to something really special. Starts with a G. Ends with a Pugh. *cross fingers*

Rick Owens Archive

2010-11-14T22:12:00.005+11:00

Sometimes being patient pays off. And thank goodness for The Outnet. I have been looking for these Rick Owens boots for the past year after the season was over, to the point that I check for them on Ebay religiously everyday. So one fine day when they popped up on the Outnet, I scrambled to buy them immediately (if fingers could trip over keyboard that was how it felt like). In return I have to let go of other shoes of mine to fund them :(

Untitled outfit post

2010-11-13T20:51:00.003+11:00

I opted for a simple tailored look this time, partly for simplicity, but mostly to let me new fiery red leather trousers shine amongst all that black. No they aren't Balmain, or I'd be a complete brand whore to spend that much, but they were custom made by store I found on Ebay. Check them out here. You can request for any kind of design in any colours you like, and best of all in your own size, for unbeatable price. Seriously I paid just over a hundred bucks for these awesome lambskin trousers.

Pedro Lourenco: Fashion's Prodigy

2010-10-26T15:41:00.006+11:00

Too often the typical offerings from veteran designers bring out the inevitable big yawns from me, and that graph tends to peak in the Spring/Summer shows, which is why whenever I find a young fresh blood that boils with creativity down to its very last haemoglobin it makes me sit up straight in a very excited, fidgety manner that spurs me to annouce the fashion world is saved once again.

Ladies and gentleman, meet Pedro Lourenco. He's a 20 year old fashion prodigy who's had his second show in Paris this year. His aesthetics combine the gothic structural leathers of Gareth Pugh, the calming neutrality of Pheobe Philo, and the futurism of Nicholas Ghesquiere. I suppose that having two leading fashion designers as parents can contribute to his success to a certain extent, but his clothes are definitely worth perusing. Needless to say I am in love with the venetian blind jackets from the Fall Winter 2010 collection. The downside is that I have no way of finding out where to get it at this moment.

style.com

Big Close Up:

patternity.com

fashiongonerogue

His Spring/Summer 2011 collection further accentuates his futuristic vision and relies heavily on trompe l'oeil.

That dress on the left is my favourite out of the entire collection. Mr Lourenco, if you ever come across this post, please let me know how I can buy your pieces. PLEASE

Spaceship Broken - Parts Needed

2010-09-12T17:18:00.005+10:00

Note: As usual you can skip the text and scroll to the pictures. I promise I won't hold it against you.

I've been watching a lot of South Park lately. And I came across an episode that touches briefly on consummerism. It made me realise that well, I'm a huge victim of it. I think many of us are since the age of free competition began but I'm not gonna start judging others today. I've asked myself several times why on earth do I want more clothes and shoes (ooh those Ann Ds, ahh them YSLs) when I could use the money to get a driving license and a decent car just for the basic purpose of getting around. With the same amount I spent on shoes and bags, I could have bought a vintage creaky BMW (no kidding, them Rodartes didn't come cheap and I worked my ass off for weeks as I'm no seaofshoes kinda wealthy material mind you).

And yet, I feel happy owning those shoes, even though it means I have to take the public transport. There is a sense of confidence a kickass vintage military cape or Rick Owens jacket can give that no car can when I walk around the campus or anywhere else for that matter. So does it mean I rely on material wealth to boost my self-esteem then? Perhaps. But there is just something about being different, or trying to be anyway, and making a statement with my clothes that gets me so addicted to my favourite brands. It's like as if these shoulder pads are giving me the power to face the toughest problems in my life right now, ie. Economics.

Anyway I bet psychology and human behaviour experts can look deeper into this and come up with a million theories but I'm too lazy to dig up that sort of thing I've learnt in school. Gotta get back to my assignment. Toodles!

Dark, twisted and beautiful

2010-09-11T22:31:00.006+10:00

Fall season is officially here. While everyone on the Northern hemisphere is celebrating Fashion's Night Out, I'm stuck here in a remote continent waiting for spring to emerge. So what do I do? I spend hours fantasizing of fall clothes that I can magically afford if I were to win the lottery.

Rad Hourani

radhourani.com

Damir Doma

coutequecoute.blogspot.com

And my favourite - Haider Ackermann

theyenvy.us

That last outfit would be perfect for a LOTR-themed wedding.

Holy Camoley Givenchy

2010-09-04T20:31:00.000+10:00

Ilan Rubin for Bergdorf Goodman

Three Libras

2010-08-27T19:35:00.014+10:00

I was planning to type out a whole lot of smart stuff here but after deleting the entire paragraph four times I've come to realise that my brain juice has been depleted on schoolwork. Maybe I'll try again soon.

In the meantime I'll leave you with this.

Not your everyday boots

2010-08-24T23:03:00.001+10:00

Here

And today is pie chart day

2010-08-21T19:41:00.003+10:00

This is what I would like my wardrobe to consist of:

But right now I'll just make do with what I have.

Have a good weekend and don't forget to check out my vintage stash. There's a junk for everyone (or at least I hope so). Link's right at the side.