Are You Riding into the New Year in Style?

 

The whole Singapore is looking swanky as we are celebrating the lunar New Year.   I seated myself in front of an elegant flower display in Marina Bay Sands Shoppes (I am wearing a Versace dress, bag by Michael Kors, shoes from a Singapore brand Gripz, and sunglasses by Marc Jacobs) to take – yet another – celebratory photo.  

People say The Year of the Horse is the time when you should do what you were planning to embark on for a long time, but were never courageous enough to start. Horses are lively, even boisterous, and possess a rare ability to become alert to any sign of trouble, rendering them `invincible`.
Here is how stylish Singaporeans decorated the city-state for the occasion:

 

 

 

 

 

Let`s embrace the spirited nature of a `leader` and make it a great year for ourselves.

 

God of Fortune and Erhu Herald a Bountiful Year

My weekend started with somewhat unexpected but welcomed encounter with a god of fortune, who was trawling the streets, or rather the gangways of the Star Vista mall in Singapore, to be precise, wishing everyone a bountiful new year. Touching him is believed to bring prosperity so I did, and eagerly held his Aladdin-esque urn of gold coins while posing for this photo. I am wearing a dress from Marimekko, a bag from Longchamp, my glasses are by Marc Jacobs, and clogs are from Chanel (seen on subsequent photo).

As part of `spring celebrations`, which are associated with the Chinese New Year, we were treated - again - with a fine performance of my favourite girls` band – the Crystal Girls. One of the musicians was playing erhu – a violin-like traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed instrument; its origin dates back to the Tang dynasty – thousands of years ago - and relates to the instrument, called xiqin, which originated from a Mongolian tribe Xi. During Song dynasty, the instrument was introduced to China and earned its prestige by being played at the imperial banquets. She told me it took her five years to master playing it.

The other Crystal Girl was performing on another traditional instrument – called `water drum`. The beautiful tunes brought raw emotions to the surface with the sound of longing and sweetness emitted by erhu, and thunderous beat created by the water drum.

Her energetic performance and beautiful appearance elicited long-lasting applause.

We were also introduced to a water drum dancer, whose graceful gymnastics drew gasps of appreciation and spontaneous ovation.

 

 

 

All the artists are clearly highly qualified and very talented, and I am glad I had a chance to see them in concert again.

IMM - Singapore's Largest Outlet Mall

I discovered IMM mall, which hosts more than 50 outlet stores, including Ralph Lauren, Coach and agnès b, all offering great discounts on a miss-match of styles from past seasons. Of course, you can`t guarantee your size will be available but it is a real fun to be rummaging through the rails in search of a bargain that might, just might turn out to be a gem.

There is a free shuttle bus service connecting Jurong East MRT station and IMM mall; it has a distinctive shape and runs every 5-10 minutes. The journey takes 5 minutes, even in heavy traffic. The pick-up point is located outside Westgate, a glossy shopping centre, adjacent to Jurong East MRT station. There is no signage to the pick-up point, so on arrival to Westgate, I asked a shop assistant where I can find it. She didn`t know but a smartly-dressed woman – a customer at that shop – offered to show me the way. Despite my protestations that I only needed her to point me in the right direction, she took me right there, where an orderly queue was waiting for the next shuttle. I was very grateful to my `guide` but to be honest I can easily recall receiving a similar treatment on many occasions. Unknown to me people have gone above and beyond the call of being polite, to help me out. Once a hem of my dress came undone, and sensing my distress a stranger took out a sawing kit from her bag, and offered it to me so I could repair the damage.….. yes, Singaporeans are extremely helpful and considerate.  

Coach is very popular in Singapore, but not very covetable in the UK, so I didn`t buy any bags there, but admittedly there were some leather ones I was debating on, as they were rather fabulous.

When I visited, Ralph Lauren`s bright-coloured t-shirts were down to $40.00, and jade-hued smart city shorts were selling for less than $60.00.

I did try on this `baby phat` dress but it just didn`t do it for me.

 

I like `outlet` shopping because it would be highly unlikely any of my friends would be able to buy the same item I bought, simply because the designs are from past seasons and therefore not available in mainstream boutiques any longer. Also, it proves I am not a fashion victim, even though I am a shopaholic, but I don`t get carried away every time a new collection hits the runways…..I am after quality, not necessarily the latest fads.  

bYSI – Commercial Luxury at its Best

On my way to Chinatown (in a dress from Zara, sunglasses from Bvlgari, handbag from Longchamp, and rabbit fur shoes bought locally) I was pleased to discover that Singaporean brand bYSI managed – yet again - to successfully translate the latest designer trends into affordable commercial luxury.

I had Oscar de la Renta`s turquoise coloured shift, with rose needlepoint in mind when I stumbled across this beauty from the new bYSI collection, priced at SGD 69.00.

And this is how well they have interpreted Gucci`s `lily` lurex-silk jacquard halter dress; bYSI`s piece costs just SGD 79.00.

bYSI provides the latest styles, which are currently gracing the pages of fashion magazines (check out American Vogue for the above-mentioned Gucci and Oscar`s dresses), but they don`t copy them. They cleverly deconstruct the idea behind the design, and assemble it in an innovative, wearable way, which means new twists on top-designer classics.

bYSI`s latest collection is a perfect mix of youthful spontaneity, like this lovely mini-skirt (priced at SGD 59.00)……

……….and a more sophisticated sensibility. This midi ( SGD 79.00) would look great on a 20-year old, as well as on her mother….or on her stylish granny.

It is by birth a Singaporean brand, and started 10 years ago with a single store in Tiong Bahru Plaza. Right now the brand is trading in 12 different countries, spreading its ideology of aiming to dress every woman in the latest fashions from the runways. Smartly re-imagined, the designs are covetable in their own way.

 

New Face of 2014?

This is a dramatic makeover for me – courtesy of a hairdressing salon in Holland Village, Singapore. I am wearing a t-shirt from Simple, and a skirt, which I bought locally.

I am sure that from time to time, most of us entertain a thought about changing our image. We may be intrigued to see how we would look like if we adopted a totally different, and perhaps a bolder `look`. Especially when the New Year rings in, and the catwalks become a hot-bed of new trends, and styles, some of us want to experience `the improved us`. Sometimes however, the transformation is not as successful as we would have wished. I don`t think I look chic as a brunette. I don`t think it suits me.  Thankfully in my case, it is just a wig, and not a permanent alteration!

Awaiting the Year of the Horse in Singapore

I am back in Singapore - photo taken on the 32^nd floor of the Westin Singapore, a five star hotel overlooking Marina Bay, in the heart of the financial district. I am wearing a dress from Zara; snake-skin shoes which I bought locally; and a Longchamp handbag.

The city-state is getting into the festive mood, while awaiting the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Horse. The horse is regarded as an intelligent, elegant, energetic and reliable animal, and supposedly should help us achieve great success when we leap forward and gallop into the New Year.

On Saturday, I was enchanted by traditional Chinese performances, while I visited the Star Vista shopping mall.

Crystal Girls Band`s music captivated the audience. We were engrossed in the incredibly smooth and - on occasions - dramatic and spirited tunes, expertly delivered by a trio of these talented performers. Bravo Crystal Girls!

We were then treated to an energetic Wushu moves by a team of sportsmen who showcased martial art patterns and manoeuvres that took our breaths away. Their movements - stances, kicks, balances, jumps – are based on aggregate categories of traditional Chinese martial art styles.

 

 

 

 

What a treat!

Five Fashion Trends for 2014

Raising the glass to 2014 in a traditional English pub in London, with my friend Alice; I am wearing a Michael Kors dress, and a Michael Kors zip-through jacket. Alice wears James Lakeland.

New Year celebrations might be a distant memory, but the Lunar New Year (according to Chinese astrology) is just around the corner, and it made me wonder what these `new beginnings` may bring to the fashion scene. What would we go wild for this year? Who would we celebrate? What would influence us? Who would guide us? What would be our ultimate `it` accessory? Which designer would we lust for?

I came up with 5 Fashion Trends for 2014:

1.       The strength of your character, your individuality should shine through. This year is not about following sheepishly any designated fashion inclination. The trend is to be individual!

2.       Maximalism will be our maxim: did you see Miuccia Prada`s heavily embellished, traditional coats? Or her `bra tops`? Or Phoebe Philo`s homage to abstract act? Or Saint Laurent`s silver embroidered boleros? Raise you glass to the year of pop-up colour and glittery abandon

3.       History lessons will guide and entertain us, as new looks will bring inspirations from historical figures. Just check out Christian Dior`s spring cosmetics collection, all inspired by no other than Marie Antoinette

4.       Reptiles will still be our friends, and so called `exotic skin` accessories such as alligator, crocodile, lizard, python etc, will be still sought after. Not only the real thing though; fabrics printed in exotic skin pattern will be also turning our heads – look no further then Stella McCartney`s faux-snake dresses – simply stunning

5.       By the middle of the year we will form close alliance with so called `date dresses` - not overly sexy, not too pretty, slightly demure but fabulously feminine. Dolce & Gabbana will show us the way to seduce with sophistication!

Sergio Rossi`s Serpents

As I am making my New Year resolutions, I am also preparing to say my goodbyes to the Year of the Snake. According to Chinese astrology, it will end on 31 January. I have made a few python purchases in the last 12 months, in tribute to `the year of the prosperity`. Here are a few of my favourites:

I just adore these Sergio Rossi serpents, which I paired up with an unlabelled coat with racoon fur; a Gucci handbag; Missoni scarf; and a Michael Kors belt, on my visit to London in December. I intend to wear these boots even in warmer weather. They will look fab combined with bare legs, and stunning dresses.   

This python handbag brought a ray of sunshine to an overcast Chester just before Christmas. I wore it with a Michael Kors dress. Victoria wore Ralph Lauren and Burberry. What I like about the snake? Its lightness; the charm of the rare; the choppiness of the texture and rarefied sophistication.

I also collect garments with snake-skin motive. This La Perla snake-patterned dress was a perfect dancing companion on my trip to West Africa. With this rich pattern, even the simplest shape is elevated to something far more sublime.

Isabella Blow Exhibition at Somerset House

2014 become instantly à la mode for me, when I visited `Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!` at London`s Somerset House. The exhibition charts a thirty year career of this very British fashion visionary, who as fashion stylist, journalist and fashion director of Sunday Times Style, Tatler and Vogue, discovered several design geniuses and models. Alexander McQueen; Philip Treacy; Hussein Chalayan; Julien Macdonald; Stella Tennant and Sophie Dahl become her protégés and she skilfully nurtured their careers from the unknown talent to international stardom.

There are flamboyant dresses and accessories on display – over a hundred pieces - which were owned by Isabella, and are now – mostly – in the private collection of Daphne Guinness. My favourite is this lilac jacket by Alexander McQueen from the late 90s, adorned with black lace and embroidery.

Throughout her colourful life, Isabella Blow accumulated a collection of very important late 20^th century and early 21^st century British fashion designs. She knew how to put the rock into baroque, had a unique ability to spot the most incandescent talent and seemed to revel in what life had to offer. She was rightly regarded as an influential patron of fashion and art, and one can understand why, by becoming immersed in her eccentricity (she knew how to push the boundaries of convention), and vision (she once said she treated fashion as her personal armour against everyday life).

Vast majority of the exhibits are displayed without any protective glass so one can come really close and see every stitch and every feather from 360 degrees. Do not bring any large-ish handbags because you would need to store them in the cloakroom, as I was asked to do, when I turned up with this Michael Kors number.  I fully understood the reason once I realised how even unintended but clumsy move can inflict a serious damage to these fragile, but `oh so fabulous` exhibits.