Weekend Want: Olympic-inspired dress by Singaporean label ‘Two of Us’

I think I speak for almost everyone when I say that we have started getting excited for the upcoming London2012 Olympics.

The perfect balance: Cool and comfy Two of Us dress

It is no surprise then to see that big fashion designers have been inspired by ‘sportswear’ this season. Who would have thought that the likes of Vera Wang and Victoria Beckham, who are known for creating mostly very feminine and ultra-sophisticated frocks, would include in their New York runway shows some sports-inspired features especially athletic necklines, fabrics and cuts.

It was indeed a perfect combination for a high fashion elegant/sporty look, a relatively new concept in fashion.

Some looks from Vera Wang Summer 2012 collection featuring some
sports inspiration in neckline and fabric

At New York Fashion week even designers who favor elegant looks like Victoria
Beckham have adopted some athletic necklines for Summer 2012 collection

But while designers showing at New York Fashion Week kept the Olympic inspiration to subtle details, the local Singaporean label ‘Two of Us’ has taken the trend to another level, mainly using the dry-fit fabric common in sportswear to create ultra-light and stylish frocks.

These dresses, which I spotted at a cool boutique, called Hide and Seek , walking down Tayok Ayer street are definitely attention-grabbing and for all the right reasons.

I especially love this yellow sleeveless short dress, which clings in the right places and looks oh-so-comfy and stylish at the same time. It reminds me of the Vera Wang maxi version which turned heads at the New York Fashion Week last September.

This might just be the perfect answer to Singapore’s all-year-round humid weather. It is definitely a piece I would invest in and maybe hotpants-clad ladies should try. With this, they won’t have any more excuses to sacrifice style over comfort.

More dry-fit dresses from 'Two of Us' Olympic Goddess collection.

The mixture of bright colour (acid yellow is one of this season’s hottest shades) and an interesting yet comfortable cut make this number suitable to wear all day especially when spending time outdoors.

No more sweating in the sun eh? :-)

‘Two of Us’ is stocked at Hide andSeek boutique on 176 Telok Ayer street, tel +65 62222825.

Dulcetfig on Haji Lane: Accessorize your life

Vintage, Avant-garde, quirky, kitsch, modern… you name it, despite their different styles, everything at Dulcetfig looks unique and original!

Lovie Wong (and Jack) at her colorful boutique

This small shop on Haji lane stocks local labels as well as some funky accessories from places like Australia, Greece and the U.S., as long as its owner sees that it fits the theme of her cool boutique best.

Lovie Wong who opened this boutique 5 years ago makes sure her shop doesn’t become just another outlet for mass-produced merchandise by stocking very limited number of items from each label and mostly one piece from each style.

What I love about this place is its eclectic feel and that every corner you look, something pops out and sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on one thing only! You definitely need at least an hour to look at everything properly.

The clothes at Dulcetfig are mostly vintage or local labels like Noel Caleb and the quality and tailoring is better than the average standard you see in these kinds of shops. This is reflected in the price as well where a satin blazer (Noel Caleb) retails for SG$189.

A satin blazer from local label Noel Caleb (SG$189)

As for accessories, I think this is what the shop does best. From local labels like Amado Gudek raisin-made rings and necklaces (starting from SG$29 for a ring) and L’ile Aux Ashby geometric designs, to English label Lucie Ellen’s kitschy necklaces (SG$22-25) and my favourite pairs of colourful earrings by Dancing Dangles (SG$60 average), every item looks individual and original.

L'ile Aux Ashby funky necklaces and brooches

Amado Gudek raisin-made accessories (starts at SG$29 for a ring)

Fun and kitschy: Lucie Ellen accessories

Who said both earrings should look the same? Dancing Dangles gives me a reason to disagree
(starting at SG$58 for a pair)

I especially love the traditional/modern mix in some of the labels, namely the Hong Kong-based Singaporean Cherie Wong’s buttery leather clutches with their use of the traditional jade bangles (SG$149) and US-based Tree and Kimball handmade dyed lace earrings (SG$49) and necklaces (SG$59).

Cherie Wong's clutches with traditional jade bangles (SG$149)

Beautiful lace accessories (SG$49-59)

Dolcetfig also stocks one of my favourite shoes labels, Melissa, whose rubber-made, environmentally-friendly pairs are perfectly fitted (and stylish) for a rainy place like Singapore.

It’s hard to pick what I like most in this shop but I definitely agree with Lovie that the vintage clutches and bags are probably her best treasure. Ranging from SG$50 to SG$190, these bags are sourced from Australia and the U.S. and carefully picked by the owner herself. My pick would be the gorgeous mesh evening bags which come in various colours and look absolutely stunning!

Melissa's rain-friendly shoes (SG$90-190)

I love the wooden bucket bag (SG$150)

Vintage evening mesh clutches

More stunning vintage bags: SG$149 and SG$189

My verdict: If you like everything colourful, interesting and unique (and of course vintage bags) then Dulcetfig is a must-stop for you because regardless of your budget, you’ll definitely find something that you love to take home!

Dulcetfig is located on 41 Haji Lane, Singapore. Tel: +65 63965648.

Standing out for not being different

With rows of boutiques in the painfully trendy Haji Lane fighting for attention, one store stands out oddly enough for trying to blend in with the crowd.

Bellezza Couture stands out with its rather sombre choice of display

Shockingly there isn’t a pair of fitted chinos on display, but that is precisely the USP (unique selling point) of the new store Bellezza Couture.

Its owner Amanda Chiang has fulfilled her childhood dream by opening the tiny boutique just 2 months ago.

Sisters Amanda and Anjelica Chiang at their boutique

And while its staple of light separates - ideal for work, lunch or those who don’t want to plump their feathers in public – shouldn’t appeal to Haji Lane’s immaculately-coiffured crowd, it is obviously doing something right.

Because while Belleza Couture is currently what real estate agents might creatively call ‘cosy’, the store is currently working on expansion plans to take over the floor above.

While I admire the drive (and am jealous of the ambition), I don’t quite get the logic behind what must be an expensive location.

Despite the pretty pieces in the shop, the adherence to the Singapore monotone office code (except for few blazers and a Cristopher Kane-inspired galaxy print top) makes it look rather bland in comparison to other shops on the same street that made a reputation by being unique and individual.

Christopher Kane's 2011 Resort Collection, and a top with the
similar galaxy print (SG$39) at Bellezza  Couture

A rather interesting mix: chiffon and faux leather shirt (SG$49)

Finally some color!!! Bright blazers to light up any dull work wardrobe (SG$69)

The clothes and shoes in Bellezza Couture are local or Korean-sourced and the prices range from SG$29 to SG$79 which seems quite reasonable especially if you compare it with same quality but more mass-produced pieces from the likes of Forever21 and New Look. So at least it’s good value.

I did like a few items in the shop but very little stood out in terms of originality and uniqueness.

The one exception – and it is a big exception – was a pair of spiked loafers which I will go back for once I’ve figured out what to wear them with (or convinced myself that I’m not gonna hurt anyone with!)

Clearly my favorites: Spiked Loafers in grey or black (SG$59)  

Leopard-print oxfords (SG$39)

Honestly, I donno who would wear these but kudos to them if
they manage to pull them off! (SG$49)

My verdict: Bellezza Couture caters for the average everyday girl on a budget, who is looking for clothes which are understated, stylish but not a style statement; and shoes which are not made for the faint hearted. I don’t see the logic in that but well they might just make the right balance!

Belleza Couture is located on 29 Haji Lane, Singapore. Tel: +65 6299 4298 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +65 6299 4298      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Saba7 El Kher Singapura! (Good morning Singapore!)

Bonjour Singapore!

Ok just to clarify, no I’m not French. But, I am Lebanese. So if you don’t already know, in our dialect we also use ‘Bonjour’ to greet each other in the morning (We are Frenchies at heart). And don’t ask why! But to be fair we have also added our own twist to it and owned it, so for example we say ‘Bonjourik’ or ‘Bonjourak’, which literally means ‘your Good Morning’ addresing a female in the first and a male subject in the second. Or if someone greets us with ‘Bonjour’ our answer would be ‘Bonjouren’ meaning ‘TWO Bonjours’. Talk about Lebanese generosity!

Anyways I promise you this is not going to be a blog about linguistics or anything of that sort. Bonjour Singapore is my first (and very belated) attempt to blog about things I’m passionate about like fashion and shopping, focusing mainly on Singapore and Asian-based labels, designers, boutiques and anything I discover along the way.

Having just settled in the city few weeks ago, still looking for a job, this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to start my blog for sharing tips, learning more and discovering things about my new home city Singapore.

Just as a disclaimer before we start, I am in no way trying to reinvent the wheel here so don’t expect Anna Wintour attitude from me :-) It will be more on the lighter side even cynical sometimes as I cannot help myself.

But don’t get me wrong, even though I don’t take fashion (or myself) too seriously, I can get obsessive sometimes over an irresistible pair of pumps or err… a certain Prada banana monkey print dress. Regarding the later, since seeing it on the runway last year, I literally kept googling ‘banana-monkey-Prada-dress’ almost on weekly basis until one sample came up on ebay from a trusted seller, so I snatched it right away and now I have the dress I went bananas for right here in my closet waiting for the right occasion to make its debut.

I simply enjoy fashion and all beautiful (and bold!) things regardless of the label or price tag. It is like art to me but I get to wear it as well. I also love bargain hunting and online shopping and I am quite good at it. The proof: I snatched my gorgeous vintage Valentino wedding dress for less than quarter its original price last year, and I own a closet full of designer clothes and shoes mostly bought for less than half their original price! And NO I never buy fakes!!!

I’m looking forward to this e-journey to discover the best of Singapore fashion and shopping and share my best tips and discoveries with you.  And I do hope you get to enjoy this as much as I will and share your opinions and tips with me and I get to share mine.

Singapore here I come!!!