Time to Update the Wardrobe

If we were to live in a four-seasoned country, everyone we meet would be bundled up in layers of clothes. Right about now would be the start to Autumn where leaves turn into radiant shades of yellow, orange and red. But alas, Singapore's experiencing its monsoon season.

Even through the rainy weather, I suppose that could substitute for the 'cold' season because technically, when it rains, it does get colder right? Well, recently I attended the Maxstudio.com Fashion Show in Paragon and I must say that their Fall/Winter line seems perfectly suitable for weather like ours.

Yes it's a little more covered up, but it's nothing ridiculously out of place. There are some knits and jackets (to get us through the sub-zero temperatures of Singapore malls and movie theatres) and cute dresses to brave the humid weather.

Maxstudio is a brand that's all about fashionable comfort. It's not overly trendy but has pieces that will get you through more than one season. It's something that every recessionista should have in their wardrobe! I do agree that some of their pieces are catered to an older generation but with a mixture of their eponymous Maxstudio line and Studio M, there's something for everyone.

Credit: Maxstudio.com

One critique I must add however, is the styling of the show. Each individual piece presented is fine on its own; yet when combined with the wrong counterpart, one wouldn't look twice at such an outfit. It was a shame to see some stellar combinations and others that fell short to the former.

Nevertheless, with cocktails and canapés provided by Cova; it definitely made the event that much yummier and indulgent.

Maxstudio.com:

Paragon #02-36

Cova:

Paragon #01-20A

BCBG MaxAzria: 20 years of fashion

Before I headed down to Indonesia for a quick getaway, I attended the BCBG MaxAzria fashion show celebrating 20 years of their brand. It promised a night of cocktails, fashion and shopping provided by BCBG and Harper's Bazaar, but alas; promises are always meant to be broken.

I know I've seen BCBG do better. There are a billion more things in their archives that seem to be worth something more to look at than what was presented that night. The night started out well, guests checked in at the front door of their standalone boutique in Paragon and were promptly whisked inside for some drinks and canapés. We were free to browse around and enjoy the light music and the specially discounted items that night.

I thought I saw some pieces that caught my eye, seemed to be a little more worthwhile. There were tailored separates that could take you from day to night, layered dresses, basics and classics alike and their signature gowns lightly touching the floor. So then I thought to myself it wouldn't be all that bad - there are some great pieces here that are worth investing in or worth looking at in a fashion show. I was pretty much deadpan wrong that night.

There were definitely more misses than hits in this collection. BCBG is famed for bodycon dresses, shirts and skirts or then it does the complete opposite and goes for loose, flowy, goddess-like dresses. Never something that was a sort of compromise in the middle. Perhaps it really was quintessentially BCBG but for some reason - there was something missing the pieces shown that night and this time; maybe it was just due to the poor styling on their part.

Here are some of the pieces that I thought were alright. You can't really go wrong with black and these are some of the key elements BCBG uses over and over again in each new collection: an LBD, some bodycon skirt and a bodycon dress à la Hervé Leger.

I just don't get the use of sunglasses indoors... and at night! I know it's a showcase of BCBG fashion but really, must we throw in everything possible?

Then some of the items I didn't really think worthy of any notice - but still popped up anyway. What happened to simple draping? To long, grecian goddess silhouettes? What happened to sleek separates and flirty cocktail dresses?

It seemed just like a mish-mash of bad styling. Who wears a beanie these days? Or since when did BCBG look grungy? Why does a nice, pink and flirty cocktail dress remind me more of drapes than an actual garment? I have a million and one questions pertaining to the styling of that night because when I come to think about it - the whole collection could have been improved 150% if things were just re-ordered and re-thought. In other words, our friend 'coherence' was absent that night.

I just had to post this photo up of a woman (not the one on the foremost left) and her entourage of daughters. There were four of them all dressed in matching hues and cuts of dresses with similar haircuts and small Gucci bags. Family doesn't get any more united than that.

So it was a pretty small and somewhat private affair. There were good canapés (although too few to go around) and a great atmosphere. Everyone seemed to somewhat enjoy themselves and I'm sure BCBG and Harper's Bazaar snagged a few more loyal customers along the way but in my opinion - for a brand such as BCBG; styling is everything.

Couture Fall 2009: Valentino

Valentino has become a name synonymous with the signature 'Valentino Red', flowing gowns, feminine silhouettes and Oscar Red Carpet worthy looks. When Valentino Garavani, the label's original designer stepped down from the pedestal in January 2008; it has since had to regain its footing to maintain the splendour that Valentino left with his name.

Taking the helms this time round are Valentino's former accessory designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli after Alessandra Fachinetti's unsuccessful run as Valentino's successor. Drawing from Valentino's plentiful archives, Chiuri and Piccioli managed to depict something that remotely resembled something Valentino would design: feminine, detailed, pretty and lacy. Although it might seem like they are rooted in the past following Valentino's shadow; they have also managed to break away from slight conventions by injecting a certain youthfulness in the collection.
I'm really a sucker for anything pretty and wonderfully, frivolously lacy; hence there's always been a natural affinity to Valentino's designs. I remember the time where I used to see my darling old grandmother break into her gorgeous red Valentino gown and how that would make me gush at the impeccable workmanship.

This season is however, not without its faults. The main focus from the two designers being a demure yet youthful combination of black, ruffly lace over nude. Lucid Couture determines some of the best and worst of Valentino's Fall Couture collection.

Left to right by row:

1. An intricately nude ruffled blouse is paired with a springy black lace skirt over the same nude material trimmed with more ruffles! I like how it shows the right amount of skin and how ruffles can remain chic without looking like a court jester.

2. Black lace dress over nude. What's different about this dress is its silhouette as it reminds me a little bit of an oversized t-shirt (borrowed from the boyfriend of course). Love their use of lace masks for a little trompe l'oeil effect too.

3. One of the only shorts to be showcased in this collection. Black lacy shorts paired with a black ruffled blouse and a black jacket embossed with silver flowers. It's all subtle in its own way (specially the flowers on the jacket) but combined together just makes for a darling combination.

4. The little black ruffly dress. Love the simplicity of the black dress with the minor (or not so minor) detailing of that ruffled flap on the side. Some hate it, but I think it's what makes it stand out. Imagine going to a cocktail party with this number on!

5. More of an embroidered lace cutout dress, I really like the fact that it looks like you've stuck on little lace pieces to the base of your neck when really; it's connected by a nude mesh material.

6. Of course, no Valentino collection would be complete without its fair share of gowns. One of the only gowns I thought was decent despite its atrocious wedding cake layered ruffles. I just like the asymmetry of the bodice.

Left to right by row:

1. The little dress has way too much going on. Prints here and there! Combine that with lace! Maybe some tulle and ruffles! Looks like Valentino puked on it and voilà, this contraption was created. Not really a pretty sight.

2. How are we supposed to take a good look at a dress when one can only fixate on the coat? It looks like a hybrid of a turkey tail and a squid. What would Anna Wintour say?

3. Sometimes ideas are best left to the head. The combination of the skirt and the nude blouse could POTENTIALLY be something marvelous. However, in this case it just didn't work. The front of the skirt with ruffles-a-plenty reminds me of those coral in the sea. Then there's that weird, prettified Darth Vader neck cape thing going on...

4. Little black dresses are musts. But not when it looks like you've stuck a turkey on to your back. Why the unnecessary ruffles?

5. And we are back to gowns. This one looks like a dismally overwrapped Christmas present. With bows and ruffles aplenty. Or one of those crackers you pull to get those little treats inside?

6. I don't know what to say to the last gown. Shapeless with weirdly shaped 'ruffles' to boot. Looks like an overactive transmission of radiowaves or something. I know, what must I be thinking? Years of chemistry has seeped into my mind but I just don't like what I see.

Another bizarre thing which permeated throughout the collection was the weird ruffly shoes. There comes a point when ruffles just become a little overdone and with lace, ruffles, organza and tulle aplenty I think it's due time Piccioli and Chiuri done a little once over with an editing eye. They should've stuck to the nude shoes present in most of 'The Hits' pictures.

Nevertheless, I think Valentino has gained some steady ground and we do owe it to these two designers but it'll be another couple of seasons before they finally find their niche and deliver a solid collection.

But, where did the Valentino red go to?