Metallic Keyholes

Went to Marina Bay Sands with my mum the other day to attend this jewellery thing at Mondial. We stayed there for about 15 minutes, had some champagne and my mum turns to me and says, "Tish, we have to get out of here now. Otherwise I'm going to buy everything in here! ... And that's not a good thing" My mum is the ultimate sucker for jewellery.

We headed up to Ku Dé Ta on the 57th floor of the hotel and continued our night there. Kept it casual with the outfit but jazzed it up a bit with some accessories. I was dying to wear a dress I got recently, but it seemed a little too formal, will have to debut it some time! Instead, I debuted my new rose gold Brian Atwood Maniacs! So in love with this pump: the shape, colour and height.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I need to get the guts to eventually start photographing outside and in daylight. Got inspired by Lanvin's Resort 2012 collection in a stairwell and thought it a good place to start. Not too many people take the stairs, so I don't exactly have to face public scrutiny while taking pictures of myself! Kinda like the gritty feeling of cement too.

These Brian Atwood babies were the brainchild of a collaboration between Atwood and Victoria Beckham. She loved the rose gold Rolex watch David Beckham got her so with her obsession for ultra high heels and Atwood's Maniacs, the rose gold colour took form. If I'm not mistaken, they were seen on her runway collection not too long ago.

Maxstudio.com green silk blouse, Zara black leather-panelled leggings, Brian Atwood rose gold Maniac, Hermès Birkin bag, various rose gold accessories.

I don't know if you can really define this as colour blocking but it definitely is colour combining? Took out one of my favourite tops from Maxstudio.com since I haven't worn it in a while. I love the unique details at the top and the back because it's a mixture of chiffon that's "embroidered" (I don't think I can really call it embroidery because it's textured and floaty) and pearl beads covered in the same green chiffon. This is also the first time in about 3 months (with the exception of my time in Europe) that I've worn trousers/leggings. Singapore is so hot! I'm sure anyone anywhere will agree with me on how hot this summer has been.

Hope everyone's having a fantastic week, it's almost the weekend!

You Know I'm No Good: Amy Winehouse

As we all know, Amy Winehouse passed away on the 23 July 2011 at the young age of 27. The singer whose cause of death is still unknown, but is suspected to be due to emphysema, had hits such as "Rehab" and "Valerie". Despite her public battle with drugs and alcohol, there is no doubt that Winehouse made great music; something I sing along to in my shower.

Amy Winehouse for Harper's Bazaar USA, October 2010

Although there are many bad aspects we can tear Amy down for, she not only made music that is distinct, but also had a quirky fashion sense that is immediately recognisable. With her winged eyeliner, beehive and tattoos, Amy represented an updated look of a '60s girl complete with patterned dresses and hot pants.

Her signature look has inspired a Vogue Italia editorial shot in 2007 by Steven Meisel. I think it's one of the most gorgeous and textural editorials I've seen in a while. It features Hanne Gaby Odiele, Kinga Rajzak, Lara Stone, Maryna Linchuk and Meghan Collison. The use of colours and patterns is stunning! Take a look at some of the pictures I've selected:

"Vogue Patterns"

Photographed by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia, December 2007

These pictures are really entrancing. At first, you don't really know where to look because there are so many patterns going on but Steven Meisel did a fantastic job capturing the models and their clothes.

While she may not be someone to aspire to, there is no doubt that her style resonates with many. As a result, beautiful editorials such as this are created. Apologies for the overload of pictures, I was so captivated by the patterns!

R.I.P Amy Winehouse (1983-2011)

Neo-navy Leopard

Just wanted to do a really quick outfit post to show you the bargain of a shirt I got from the Zara sale the other week! I'm very wary of leopard prints just because I feel a lot of them look a bit tacky, especially when worn incorrectly. Also, I'm not that big a fan of leopard prints (unless done correctly like Dolce&Gabbana) to begin with. As a solution, I went and bought a shirt that technically has leopard prints on it but it's in blue! So you can't really tell they're leopard unless you really look for it.

Here's my little weekend outfit while lounging on my balcony deck - of course, sipping some cocktails! Except for the fact that the pictures aren't actually on my balcony... awkward! Anyway, snapped some quick shots after I came home from watching Transformers 3! Singapore has been so hot lately that I can't even fathom to think of wearing anything remotely related to pants.

Tried carrying the bag and it was so awkward, so I just got rid of it and put it on my bed.

So can you tell it's leopard print? I think the white and blue makes it much more subdued to wear rather than traditional leopard print that I find a little daunting to incorporate into my wardrobe.

My mother will not (for the life of me) get me a Hermès collier de chien bracelet! While seeing how cool it really is to "wear" one, I got myself a little Hermès-inspired CDC in the hopes of convincing her how good it looks haha! Tactics, dear friends, tactics! Yet, she allows me to get their watch (wearing it) and their bag (above)!

I know some girls really love their heels and I don't blame them because it makes your gams look like they belong to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (look at my Transformers reference!) but, heels aren't healthy for your feet if you wear it for too long and too often.

In cases like this, I definitely turn to my trusty flats. I got these while I was travelling in Europe for such a bargain! Aside from Tory Burch and Lanvin, I don't often find ballet flats that look good on my flat feet so these Gucci ones were a must-have the minute I tried them on :)
A major plus point is that they're not those super tacky Gucci flats that you can see from a mile away with their brown logos... it's silver (easy to match) and understated (big advantage!).

Zara shirt, Mango shorts, Gucci flats, Hermès bag

I've promised myself to shoot some outfit posts in the coming days in broad daylight! So stay tuned and have a great weekend. 

I definitely am (or at least bittersweet) because I'm going to see Harry Potter Pt 2 today and my childhood is officially going to be over!

Shoe-o-graphy

I think any girl can understand why we have shoe fetishes. With the amount of heels, booties, lace-ups, stilettos, wedges, espadrilles, platforms... and you name it out there; it really leaves no room for anyone not to like something.

As a result of my trolling around different websites for shoes I fantasise about... these are some gorgeous shoes to add to my collection when I have stacks of money the size of the Empire State Building. And by then these shoes will be so outdated! Most of the shoes are from F/W '11 collections of the respective brands - feel free to ask me more in the comments!

Left to right

Top row: Fendi, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia

Bottom row: Yves Saint Laurent, Reed Krakoff, Christian Louboutin

Clockwise from top left: Christian Louboutin, Marni, Alexander McQueen, Giuseppe Zannoti, Christian Louboutin, Azzedine Alaïa, Lanvin, Miu Miu

Left to Right: Giuseppe Zanotti, Reed Krakoff, Nicholas Kirkwood, Lanvin

I could imagine wearing these heels a million different ways and in a million different ways, it could spruce up an outfit. They're all so beautifully crafted (as we all know) but they're so unique, such stunners in their own way. But of course, if I were to hoard all of these in one season; I think I'd really have to pawn my life to some mindless job just so I can wear these sublime beauties to work.

So what shoes are on your mind? What items are you lusting after?

Colour Me Mine

I've been so sick these past two weeks that I've been house bound whilst coughing and sneezing and feeling downright lousy. So I've managed to hoard a bunch of images that have given me a little inspiration while I wait to recover.

I used to think I was a colourful girl with a wardrobe that exhibited colours of the rainbow, but now that I actually try and curate my clothes... that is sadly not the case. In retrospect, it's slightly strange because as an arts student I was always about the colour - I never painted a work that was purely black and white. Yet, my wardrobe is so neutral! Blacks, beiges, looots of white and my supposed subconscious colour of choice, green.

So here's to hoping these colourful images will strike some dormant technicoloured nerve and really go out there and get myself more varied clothes! In my defence, as the colour blocking-neon trend has been everywhere, I've gladly added oranges, fuschias, blues and purples to my growing collection ;)

This is Janice Dickinson (left) feature in a March 1979 edition of Vogue. Reminds me of Gucci if it were one of those vintage 1950s sock-hop girls

How Phillip Lim is this suit? Celia Hammond in August 1996 Vogue

Credits: Tommy Ton for style.com, Vogue

Nevertheless, how could anyone resist these neutral beauties? You can't go wrong with something as sublime as this!

Credits: fgr
So what kind of girl are you? One of colour or one who's neutral?

Peek, If You Dare

So here goes my first outfit post in a LONG time! I just had the idea of shooting it after getting back from a farewell dinner and drinks at Senso and Ku De Ta with my relatives so excuse the bad lighting and background. It really means I need to either a) get a WILLING photographer, or b) get one of those remote controlled timer things and c) get the balls to photograph myself in broad daylight in front of people!

So here's a new blouse I got from the recent Topshop sale! Caught my eye right away because it's flowy and it's got an awesome open back. I love anything that has an unexpected touch to something quite conservative looking - and I'm a sucker for drop backs, open backs, keyhole backs, you name it. Don't you think showing your back is more sophisticated than flaunting decolletage?

It's too bad you can't see the detail on my skirt because it's black crocheted fabric that gives a slightly peekaboo effect. Blame it on the bad lighting and those unsightly cables! So shameful...

I love these shoes! Scored them at a great Bally sale some time ago - it's so 1920's art deco. Plus, they're really comfortable that I could wear them all day without getting tired.

A couple of silly pictures before I round off the post. I was probably singing to Maroon 5 there, as usual, jamming it out in my room alone! Also, wanted to show you guys the rings my mum got made for me - first two pieces of real jewellery (actually sort of my matches my earrings too, another piece my mum got).

Topshop blouse, Karen Millen skirt, Chanel bag, Bally shoes, Hermes watch

On a side note, finally got the Chanel bag I've been dreaming of! I know so many people have it but my mum was so adamant that I couldn't get one unless I deserved it. So I welcome the classic Jumbo Caviar into my bag collection - love!

No Photoshop!

I wanted to do an outfit post today but I don't have photoshop! The one I installed doesn't work (just my luck) as it says that there's an error with missing/invalid information. BIG BOO HOO!

So with non-edited pictures - I shan't post an outfit up today. Someone tell me what to do! I badly need photoshop now! The photoshop I had (and that worked) was lost along with my stolen macbook. So there goes a whole lotta work.

In the meanwhile here's one of my favourite Vogue US editorials featuring the sublime Natalia Vodianova. I'm in love with Alice in Wonderland so there's no doubt that this shoot just calls my name - plus, it features some awesome designers as the other characters of Alice in Wonderland. See if you can name them!

Source: Vogue US, December 2003

Azzedine Alaïa Couture: Fall 2011

I'm slightly late in reviewing the Couture collection for Fall 2011 but Alaïa has got to be one of my favourite shows of the season! Welcoming the designer back to the couture runways after an eight-year hiatus seemed like an instant hit with all those attending the show.

I really love the proportions and silhouette Alaïa has opted for: curvy, voluminous yet so sleek. Not too sure why I'm so drawn to bell-shaped silhouettes but perhaps it's due to my lack of curves! Cinched waists look good on pretty much anyone, I think. So here are some pieces that really should have a place in our wardrobes.

Loving the mixture of textures - a tough croc-stamped leather paired with the softness of fur. Imagine that top with a tuxedo blazer!

The skirts never fail to get me, it's got the perfect amount of volume and flounce. Would look amazing during the winter paired with opaque tights. The juxtaposition of a structure jacket is great too.

Alaïa's signature laser cutting is feature on his velvet dresses. This is such transitional dressing, I feel like you could wear this during the summer (albeit the black colour) with a bright heel and bag. The peter pan collar is a nice whimsical touch to an otherwise mature cocktail dress.

Credits: style.com & Azzedine Alaïa

Not only is the silhouette great but Alaïa has a really well edited collection of his signature looks that amounts to a strong show. He knows what works well and the craftsmanship is just excellent (he's worked with the same mill for 30 years!). For a fall collection that is usually more sombre and covered up, this collection really has the right amount of exposure that would make these pieces really versatile in anyone's wardrobe.

Let's hope he continues to show in the next seasons to come!

Summer Lovin'

I'm such a non-committal person but something always brings me back to this blog. My interest and love for fashion will probably never dissipate - and that, I can assure you.

So it's the middle of summer and the weather's hot, the sun swelters long into the day as we lounge on chairs (and hopefully drink some cocktails) to pass the time. I've been having a fabulous time travelling to Europe and deciding that this blog needs a more coherent (slightly revamped) direction.

In the meantime, enjoy some of these lovely pictures shot by none other than Mr. Tommy Ton of Jak&Jil fame. I am not a big fan of taking pictures of my outfits (no matter how "FAB" my outfits are since I'm no model and the summer makes me feel like a rotund hippopotamus!), but I may just put some up if and when I feel like it... and if you readers want some!

Next pant cuffs on my list! Such a whimsical little detail that is so easy to do on your own too.

Anna Dello Russo (in white) with Aurora (left) and Viviana (right) - love them! Maybe being ADR's assistants has its perks...

Still lusting after the Céline Luggage tote in fantasmagoric colours. Love this - it's so delicious for summer.

Viviana's Stella McCartney dress. Just makes me want to drink some pink lemonade!

And lastly, as much as I am trying to get colour into my unusually neutral wardrobe consisting of beiges, whites and blacks... I do still love a good summery, breezy and oh-so-light look for the summer. It looks like you could never sweat in such an ensemble. I'm really loving the silhouette too - need to get myself a properly A-line skirt.

Will be back soon for more updates! Continue reading :) and have a great summer, folks!

All pictures from Tommy Ton's shoot in style.com