Showing posts with label womenswear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label womenswear. Show all posts

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Bonjour giveaway: Win S$500 from Zardoze to glam up the new year

As someone who goes by the saying ‘You can NEVER be too dressed up’ - including wearing sequins in the middle of the day – I am certainly not one to shy away from makeovers.

That's especially true of makeovers that are more about dressing up than dressing down and which aim to uncover the best version of yourself rather than turn you into a fashion slave.

I don’t know about the rest of you but I’ve decided that this year instead of following and reporting trends and fads, I’ll be focusing on further developing my own style and having fun with it while also helping my readers develop theirs through posts and styling tips.

But to kick start this initiative in the new year, I’m holding the biggest giveaway so far on Bonjour Singapore, and  it will see one of my readers winning a S$500 worth outfit from Singapore label Zardoze.


Zardoze Singapore
Want to win a S$500 makeover from Zardoze, styled by me? Read on for more...

Friday 4 January 2013

Best of 2012: Bonjour Awards PART 2

Ok, one last 2012 round-up post (I know I'm late) before I launch back into the usual mix of hunting and profiling Singapore and Asia's coolest labels.

This time I'm giving my Bonjour Awards for best second hand store, best collection and best accessories amongst others. But I also have to tip a nod to my favourite international label from the past 12 months. 

Hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave your feedback in the comments section below. Normal service is about to be resumed...


My focus in the last year has been more on Asian labels but when I
come across something as cool and quirky as the printed dress from
London-based Antoni and Alison, I cannot not share it!

Tuesday 1 January 2013

Best of 2012: Bonjour Awards PART 1

2012 is finally over and luckily for us, the world has not ended!

Evaluating a whole year is never an easy task but everyone needs it so they can move forward and put in place those resolutions which we hope to follow in 2013.

When it comes to fashion, 2012 was certainly an exciting year. Not just in general but more so on the Singaporean scene.

As someone who has spent the last year digging out some great hidden gems around town, discovering new local and regional labels and taking part in some awesome fashion events I have to say it’s been my most fashionable year ever and I never cease to be impressed by the talents I stumble upon every week in the little red dot!

So as I apparently a ‘local expert’ (something I find amusing and untrue), I’ve decided to give out the prestigious Bonjour Awards to my favourite labels, events and boutiques I've discovered in 2012. If you didn't see yourself in this list then don't fret, this is a two part post, with the rest of the winners coming later in the week.

Can't top that: Wearing 2 of my favourite Asian labels which launched
 in 2012, LION EARL (dress) and TOTON (collar).

Thursday 20 December 2012

Bonjour Xmas: Seven stylish gift ideas for the woman in your life

With less than a week to Christmas Day, time is definitely too short to go out and aimlessly look for gifts for the special woman in your life. 

So if you’ve left your Christmas shopping to the last minute (as most people do), fret not as I’m on hand to help whether your budget is S$15 or S$500.

The great thing about my guide is that each gift is something I would own and thus comes with the Bonjour Singapore seal of style approval. More importantly, every single present idea in this list helps to support and grow the Singapore and Asian fashion ecosystem.  

And for those of you who are feeling lazy (and who are quick on the draw) you can also order most of these gifts online. So you can be super-stylish and awesome from the comfort of your desk or lying in bed at midnight.

Singapore label Foreword's necklace makes a great Christmas gift
for any fashionista!

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Gnossem: Photoshoot Promoting Asian and independent labels

One of the weirdest things about blogging is this notion that people want to know what you're wearing, what you like and even more strangely they want to see it too.

I've always found it endlessly amusing that people would be interested in taking photos of me but I will rarely turn down such an opportunity if it will help publicise some great Asian labels.

This is precisely the reason I was delighted to accept Singapore e-commerce website Gnossem's invitation for a styled dress-up session. I love the site anyway (being one of the few e-commerce sites which almost exclusively stocks emerging independent labels from Asia and around the world) so the chance to be glammed up and helping some labels along the way was too good to turn down.


H Fredriksson long Stina Dress
I love this photo of me in an H Fredriksson Long Stina Dress

Friday 30 November 2012

Lionelow for MYthology: The start of something big?

One of the most talented young designers in Singapore is undoubtedly Lionel Low, one half of the amazing young label LION EARL.

So it gives me huge pleasure to see him making his debut at the higher end of the fashion scale with his first Lionelow capsule collection for Singapore boutique MYthology.

This is a collaboration steeped in all the things that my blog stands for. Because not only is Lionel a talented Singaporean designer, but the boutique in Club Street loved his work so much that they have backed him financially to help him create this collection.


lionelow for MYthology Boutique in Singapore
One of Lionel Low's creations for MYthology

Thursday 29 November 2012

Of Love and Hidden Charms: My Acting Debut!

Those of you who follow me on Facebook will remember me posting pictures of a smiley Bonjour Singapore with Singapore celebs Rebecca Lim and Nat Ho.

I was actually doing something very very exciting. Making my acting debut in an episode of a new XinMSN web series called Of Love and Hidden Charms (which also stars the lovely Romeo Tan - although sadly he wasn't involved in the bits I was in)

The experience was exhausting - but awesome. I never had any idea quite how many people are involved in the making of a TV series and quite how long it took to do things. I'm not kidding when I say that my scenes - which take up about six minutes of the show, took close to two days to film.

Rebecca Lim and Rana Wehbe-Flinter (Bonjour Singapore)
Me and Rebecca Lim have a laugh at Nat Ho's outfit in Love and Hidden Charms

Thursday 15 November 2012

H&M x Maison Martin Margiela launch in Singapore + What to look for if you’re buying online

So just like I expected, H&M’s collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela (the emcee kept insisting it was re-edition of previous iconic pieces from various seasons) was not as commercially successful as the previous two (Versace and Marni) in Singapore. In fact, after a good few hours, it was nowhere near to sold out and except for the candy clutch (which was gone by 10:30), by 2pm all the styles were still available in most sizes and in big quantities.

The queue started overnight but this time it was not as big and even when I got to H&M at 10:15am, there was just one line of people waiting. So what happened to the Singaporean fashionable crowd?

Maybe it was the rain – although we got given umbrellas when it started raining – which discouraged people from turning up. But I think it more has to do with the fact that the clothes were mostly heavy and not suitable for Singapore’s tropical weather and that MMM is not as mainstream choice for the H&M usual customers.


At around 10am, the queue was significantly less than last H&M Marni collaboration.

Every item has a description plate indication which MMM season
it was a re-edition of.

Wednesday 14 November 2012

TOTON's new looks at Jakarta Fashion Week2012

Jakarta Fashion Week, one of the biggest fashion weeks in Asia took place last week. As much as I wanted to attend, my passport was not ready in time...

One of the main reasons I was so eager to go to Jakarta was to watch the first ever show of the designer I’m so very fond of, Toton Januar (whom I interviewed here before) of TOTON. Upon knowing he was invited to take part in Jakarta Fashion Week’s  Mazda ‘Young and Vibrant Designers’ show, I knew I wanted to be there – as one of his first clients and biggest supporter of course ;-)

Sadly this didn’t happen but nonetheless I wanted to write this small post to show you his latest looks – as part of extension from his first SS13 collection ‘Violent Beauty’ which blew me away earlier this year.

Designer Toton Januar at his Jakarta Fashion Week show last
week! (photos from TOTON's fb page and website)
Loving the new looks Toton has presented in the show! The
fuchsia collar is to die for...

Sunday 11 November 2012

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M: My top 5 items

Truth is, as much as I try to steer away from covering big high street brands and international designer names on his blog there is always one category which still interests me and feel it’s worth covering; that is the H&M Designer collaborations (check out my Versace coverage here and here and Marni coverage here and here).

Reason is, well it looks like it’s only getting better and better and with some (but not all) of the pieces it produced, it is well worth the wait if you are a fan of the collaborating designer but can’t afford the real deal.

This season’s collaboration has to be one of the edgiest so far. As much as I’d love to pretend that Maison Martin Margiela (MMM) is a household name, well it is not. However, it is definitely one which is high on the radar of any fully fledged fashionista (or fashionisto as it proves very popular with men!) for its avant-garde edge and deconstructed cuts which is more likely to work in editorial shoot than on the average everyday pavements.

Personally, I love Maison Martin Margiela! It is fresh, inspirational and creative but I have to admit it would probably be on the list of those coveted labels which I admire in magazines but cannot see myself pulling off.

Surprisingly though, the MMM pieces for H&M do break this rule and I found myself (despite trying to resist it!) coveting some of the items which I would totally see myself in.

My kinda style! Love this look from head to toe...

Love this look but don't think can pull it off so left it off my list...

Thursday 1 November 2012

3 standout labels at Best of British (BOB): SS13 LFW preview

I make no secret of my love for London and the fact I consider it to be the most fashionable city in the world! Lucky me, I’ll be flying off to London in a couple of weeks for a visit and while I’m not looking forward to the cold weather (living in Dubai and Singapore I almost forgot how it feels like!) I’m so excited to be back there to get inspired by this amazing city!

But before I go,  I managed to get a sneak peek on what to expect for the coming SS13 season from some of the coolest London designers – at Best of British's seasonal preview from London Fashion Week (Read about  last season’s trunk show here).

What I love about Glamour Inc, the people behind BOB is that they certainly stray from the boring and ordinary and instead, bring some of the quirkiest labels out there, some of which are starting to make a buzz across the fashion capitals of the world!

Here are my 3 favourites – featuing the three important food groups - shoes, clothes and accessories – which grabbed my attention at the preview and are now firmly on my fashion radar and MUST-have list for the next summer!

Mojito shoes anyone? Yes please!!!! Julian Hakes designs displayed at BOB showroom
in Singapore.

An array of beautiful printed scarves...

Thursday 18 October 2012

Bonjour Singapore is one year old today! Thank you for your support!

Bonjour Singapore is one year old today, and what a journey it’s been.

I could never have thought when I posted a polite introduction as a relative newbie to Singapore on October 18, 2011, that I would be where I am now.

What started as a way of keeping in touch with my friends, killing time while I job hunted (still unemployed BTW) and sharing my new found passion for the talented local designers in Singapore has snowballed into something of a crusade.

I always wonder if many of the designers I approached or blogged about initially thought “who is this crazy curly haired foreigner?” but they smiled sweetly and helped me out anyway. 

Now one year on I have met so many talented people, made some amazing friends and been adopted by the Singapore fashion community as one of their own. It makes me realize that Singapore is a place with so much heart and soul.


Rana Wehbe-Flinter in Pauline.Ning
One of my favourite photos of myself (wearing Mae Pang). It's my
anniversary so I'm allowed to post a pic or two of myself :-) Thanks for
John Tan of Streetpeek for the photo!!

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Digital Fashion Week: Guo Pei Q&A on her exquisite designs coveted by Lady Gaga

It I were to describe Guo Pei’s creations, couture or haute couture wouldn't begin to describe it. There probably aren't enough words in the dictionary to suitably describe her outrageous creations. 

Anyone who says fashion can't be art has clearly never laid eyes on anything from China's top designer whose pieces all look like they stepped out of the most over the top gallery and museum in history.

Taking Chinese history and its rich culture as her inspiration, Guo Pei makes no compromise when it comes to creating and crafting exquisite gowns which sometimes take years to complete. 

It is feast to the eyes, inspiring as nothing I’ve ever seen before and way more avant-garde than anything Lady Gaga has managed to wear - Perhaps that is why the mother monster herself is so keen on getting her hands on one of her creations!

The Chinese designer is coming to Singapore for Digital Fashion Week (DFW) and her show is going to be the highlight and closing show of the event is not to miss for sure. There aren't many times you get a chance to see something so spectacular and exquisite especially after the late Alexander McQueen passed away and John Galliano stopped designing.


Chinese designer Guo Pei
Want to daydream about fashion? Guo Pei makes some of the most
exquisite gowns I've seen...

Guo Pei is showing at Singapore Digital Fashion Week

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Digital Fashion Week: Singapore's Tze Goh talks minimalism

OK i'll be honest here! when I first got back the answers from my Q&A from Singaporean designer Tze Goh, I was a bit surprised. 

Before sending him my questions, I had done my research and seen a couple of interviews which he'd given, all of which were honest and straight-forward. So I knew I was dealing with a non-conformist designer.

I guess I was expecting a bit more volume, but he was probably short of time and preparing for his Digital Fashion Week show on October 21. His short, yet interesting and to the point answers actually reveal a lot more than at first glance.


I'm not complaining, but I'm just hoping when I interview this Central Saint Martin’s graduate LIVE on Google+ Hangout on the day of the show, he'll be in the mood to talk a little more, or it could be a challenge ;-)

For those who are asking 'who is Tze Goh?', let me tell you this Singaporean-born, London-based designer is as striking and minimal in his designs as his words. Geometric clean cuts and beautiful 3D silhouettes, you can instantly detect the influence of architecture in his work and the subtle details which are essential to form the construction of the garment rather than add embellishment as an afterthought. In architectural terms I see it more like Le Corbusier's Villa Savoy of the future, rather than Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia.

Singapore's Tze Goh
Perfect minimalisn, Tze Goh's collection is breathtaking in its innovative cuts and clean lines

Monday 15 October 2012

Digital Fashion Week: EXCLUSIVE Eugene Lin interview

When you take interesting and original prints and mix them with well thought of details and top it off with immaculate tailoring, you get a recipe for some serious fashion to look out for!

Eugene Lin does just that. Impeccably-cut clothes which look modern, chic with an edgy twist and would fit into any style-conscious woman’s wardrobe.

The Singaporean-born, London-based Central Saint Martins graduate has already started making waves in the fashion world and it’s no surprise when his work set very high standards for emerging designers. And perhaps what’s even more interesting is his honesty and outspoken attitude in a world where diplomatic and politically-correct statements are the general rule.

I am very excited to be meeting and interviewing Eugene after his first ever show in Singapore during Digital Fashion Week (DFW), especially after this explosive and honest Q&A with a man not afraid to speak his mind. 

In by far and away the most controversial interview of the DFW series, the London based Lin lets rip on exactly what is wrong with the Singapore fashion scene, celebrity designers and the problems with Singapore's attempts to support local labels.

Singapore designer Eugene Lin
Eugene Lin will show his latest SS12 collection 'The Judgement of Paris' at DFW!
Certainly not to miss!!!

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Bonjour Bangkok: Lynn Around keep it quirky and mainstream

Perhaps a great thing about Thai labels is that not only the small and independent ones that pride themselves on being funky and quirky.
  
Maybe it's something to do with the Thai attitude to dressing up, but it’s really refreshing to see the eccentricity not being designed out by committee when a brand becomes more mainstream. They're still waving goodbye to dull and pushing the boundaries with risky style statements.

One label which despite its size (It has around 10 outlets in Bangkok) is doing just that: Lynn Around.

I first saw their outlet at the never disappointing Thai fashion cathedral Terminal 21, where the vibrant colours and eye-catching looks pulled me in to inquire about the label (and ahem… shop).

Dalmation pattern shoes from Lynn Around
Even in a somehow more 'mainstream' Thai label like Lynn Around, you can still find
some quirky stuff like these adorable pony hair loafers. Bangkok rocks!

Lynn Around at Terminal21 Bangkok
The colours and variety of styles at their Terminal21 branch is so inviting.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Patricia Field, Andrej Pejic and Guo Pei headline Digital Fashion Week in Singapore

Those of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter will already know this (if you don’t follow me then why not!!), but I am extremely excited to have been asked to be a co-host on the world’s first Digital Fashion Week (DFW).

DFW is an amazing new Singapore-based project that is ashoppable live streaming fashion week”.

It’s basically an entire fashion week streamed online in partnership with YouTube, with no front row, none of the nonsense and posturing that comes with fashion shows AND the ability to be able to buy the clothes as you watch.

I will be doing live one-on-one interviews on Google+ after every show, so you will probably get sick of the sight of me soon :-). But WAY more exciting than that is the superstar line-up that will be in town later in three weeks time.

It’s been a big secret and it’s been so so tough keeping it under wraps but I can finally tell you that the stars of DFW will be none other than supermodel Andrej Pejic , Legendary Fashion Icon Patricia Field and China’s top designer Guo Pei in addition to America’s Next Top Model latest winner Sophie Sumner.

Andrej Pejic will be walking for DFW designers in Singapore! So exciting!!!

The queen of styling herself Patricia Field will be in town as well! Let the
SATC fever begin ;-)

Monday 1 October 2012

Event of the week: Hansel's 85 per cent off sale

I'll keep this short and to the point. Hansel - one of Singapore's finest and best known labels - is having a sale of samples and seconds and are offering discounts of up to 85 per cent.

If you are in any way interested in shopping then you should be there. The sale takes place at Isetan Scotts from October 5 to 11. 

People who read my blog know I don't write about every sale that's going on in Singapore, in fact I rarely write about one off sales. So for me to talk about it I must be really excited. 

Hansel sale
A S$279 Hansel dress for S$79...where do I sign up?

Thursday 27 September 2012

MYthology: THE hot new player on the Singapore fashion scene

When I first moved to Singapore, one of my dreams was to open a boutique in a cool shophouse, somewhere trendy and chic where people can shop unique for pieces and also get to discover some designers they never knew before.

I’m not that good at business so I stuck to day-dreaming and blogging about all the amazing finds I chance upon. Thankfully though, someone with the same passion but better business sense also had the same vision.

Step forward Apsara Oswal, the founder of the newly-opened Club Street boutique MYthology.

Apart from an instantly recognizable mop of curly hair, it seems we both have a lot in common. Both of us are passionate about promoting Asian talent, we’re both stylists, we both veer away from the monochrome Singapore look and we both want to play our part in jazzing up the dress sense of the little red dot.

To get to know MYthology better, you have to learn a bit about Apsara as the boutique is a mere reflection of her love for everything unique and chic.

MYthology boutique in Club St, Singapore
MYthology is setting the bar high in terms of stunning decor and equally beautiful fashion!


The gorgeous Apsara Oswal, MYthology's founder, whose vision has finally
come to life today.

Tuesday 25 September 2012

ZAOZAO: The crowdfunded future of fashion in Asia?

When I was contacted a while back by the people behind a crowdfunding site for Asian designers, ZAOZAO, I was very excited and happy to hear about it.

Having seen the difficulty (especially financial) emerging designers have in getting their collections produced – let alone marketed and sold - the whole idea of crowdfunding seemed like a perfect solution to test the market and get them started.

Co-founder Ling Cai, who resides between Singapore and Hong Kong, decided to start ZAOZAO alongside friend Vicky Wu to help budding designers but also introduce people around the world to something they are clearly passionate about: unique and interesting fashion.