Filed under: - Sarah, Art, Design & Photography, OMGWTFBBQ | Tags: Competition, Costume, Miss Singapore Universe 2009, RDI
A year ago, the 2008 Miss Singapore Universe contingent received flak for Merlion-inspired costume.
(Source)
You can read more about this story here and here.
Fast forward to 2009…
(I suspect) In attempts to counter the less-than-friendly responses, the organizers gave the public control over the selection of 2009′s costume.
The result was an online voting competition open to National Service (NS) men, which was recently mentioned in the papers.
Students from Raffles Design Institute submitted their sketches and concept writeup for voting.
The intentions were good.
In fact, rather brilliant, if the objective was the get a greater buy-in from the population and fuller support for the final costume chosen.
Some designs are quite impressive.
And for the students participating, its good exposure for them.
(Who wouldn’t want to say that they’ve designed the costume worn by Miss Singapore at an International competition, viewed by millions?!)
The presentation of idea, sketch and concept had a significant impact on my opinion.
Take for example, winning design by Chiang XiaoJun. The sketch, I like… the colours and visual concept looks pleasant. But with spelling mistakes like ‘Singaporian’ and grammar mistakes… ‘that is what most proud about of my country’?!
Not a very proud “Singaporian” moment.
Filed under: - Sarah, Exhibit WC:, Inspirables | Tags: Event, HortPark, Places to Visit, Wedding
HortPark is a recent addition to Singapore’s ‘Garden City’ scene. This 23-hectare horticultural hub acts as a park connector as well as a hub for exhibiting gardening designs, products and services.
Last weekend was my first time visiting HortPark
On Sarah
Dress: pre-loved from X-wen
Shoes: C&K
Bag: Salvation Army
Hair tie: Baylene belt
On Sister
Dress: from Indonesia
Belt: random shop in Toa Payoh
Shoes: C&K
And if you are wondering why we are dressed up so nicely.
Good question!
We were there to attend a wedding lunch. (:
Where the bride insisted on having a bouquet toss!
Not something very commonly seen at weddings (at least not the ones that I attend) but was a cute touch (:
And although a train isn’t really my cup of tea, I really love this photo!
Filed under: - Jo, - Sarah, Art, Design & Photography, DIY | Tags: Design, drawing, Introducing, Namecard
Even though Jo has already shared her design of our new (and finally existent!) namecard, I just wanted to share it again with everyone! 
taken from an actual card…
*Thank you Jo for the taking the time to get this done! (:
Filed under: - Sarah, Art, Design & Photography, Desirables, DIY, Inspirables, OMGWTFBBQ, People-watching | Tags: Bobby Pins, Bun Hair, Hair, Hairspray
A classmate of mine once said, “Messy is sexy”.
And she was referring to the state of our ponytails as we were fussing over them after a usual un-glam P.E. session.
Since then, it kinda stuck as a catchphrase for our messy hair.
Our own little excuse.
Then, at a recent event, I came across this lady with her hair tied as such…
I am so amazed by how neat it is.
I bet that all the hairspray and bobby pins in the world could not make my hair remotely that neat.
*kowtows!!!
Neat, ain’t that bad too eh?
Filed under: - Jo, - Sarah, Art, Design & Photography, Desirables, OMGWTFBBQ | Tags: budget, Entertainment, food, Mall, Opening, Party, Tampines 1
Jo and I attended the Official Opening of Tampines 1 on 17 July 2009.
Held on the Tampines 1 Mall Rooftop, the area was transformed with pretty tentages (the weather has been very erratic) and multitudes of industrial-standard coolers and mist machines to keep guests cool and happy.
And that is not forgetting the elaborate decorations…
Everywhere you turned, there was something interesting and eye-catching to oogle at.
And lets not forget the food!!!
Smart move to have mall tenants provide food for the event. I’m not much of a foodie, but without a doubt, two thumbs up (!!!) it was really good. (:
There were macaroons, J.Co mini donuts and Bakerzin desserts…
drooling yet?
There were also three sushi chefs stationed there for the entire evening, frantically folding, rolling, pressing, cutting, arranging sushi for guests to eat. (Thank you sushi chefs, you are appreciated!)
We soaked up the atmosphere and ate the our food to a live 4-piece ensemble who serenaded through the night.
Drinks, alcoholic or otherwise, were freely flowing through the night. (wah! big budget can?!‘)
And the white wine they were serving was the shiz!!! I could have downed an entire bottle because it was that yummy. *slurps (:
In addition to the decor, food and drinks, Mr. Brad Blaze, speed painter based in Sydney, Australia, was wandering around the rooftop, doing caricature drawings of guests upon request.
Seriously, Tampines 1, where do you get all your money from!!! I’d like some too!
And if you think a rooftop party with tentage and fans, freely flowing alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and donuts, macaroons, shotglass desserts, cakes and sushi, (did I also mention that the 15+ waiters kept asking us if we wanted hors d’oeuvres through the night!), live music, Aussie artist and photographers taking guests photographs…
We each went home with a party favour – a bottle of wine!
EACH!!!
(Source)
Thank you for inviting us Tampines 1! (:
Filed under: - Jo, Art, Design & Photography, Off the Racks, OMGWTFBBQ | Tags: Business card, drawing, Fashion, Hard disk failure, Macbook, name card, Prada Fall 2009, Random
Just in case you were thinking that I’m gone, here’s some narcissistic photographic evidence of my lurking around:
Here am I at The Lawn in Wheelock Place with a super cute tank-cum-backpack that I felt was not worthy of its price tag during pre-procurement. But when I decided that I liked it enough, not only was the tankpack gone, the entire store was gone!!!!!!!111
While I haven’t got anything substantial to say, like how I loved that Prada departed from their scarily-styled collection of stern wool things (yes, things), rough-cut rubber soled velvet pumps and obscene fishing waders for Fall (though it’s in stores now… but that doesn’t bother me because I never step into Prada anway). I know how some of you lurvveddd it but er, yes that’s all I have to say
On hindsight, is that even something substantial? Hmm.
Sarah and I have been inordinately busy with work and school, even though we’re supposed to be having summer holidays, with a week or two left till the new school term starts. And following a long, busy day is always a bout of acute laziness.
My Macbook has been temporarily decommissioned because the harddisk drive decided to go into coma on a whim one day while I was just loading my thirteenth tab on Firefox. I have yet to get it fixed. Went to Sapura to get it checked but they weren’t able to retrieve any data so I decided not to change the harddisk yet.
So that kinda leaves me with 159 unread mails in my personal email account, probably another 100 in my school email account, 597 unread posts in my Google reader, and a very unexciting, unhappening Facebook profile.
(O btw, any reccommendations for cheap and good data recovery? Cheap and good shouldn’t be such a ready collocation.)
This is the most exciting thing that I’ve done for wottoncool so far – what I think is a pretty cool but difficult-to-decipher drawing for our name card!
It reads: 100% WOTTONCOOL
BUT MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF
ART, DESIGN, FASHION,
MUSIC, STUFF, ETC.
And with all the usual name card jazz at the back.
Probably a little difficult to read, especially if you’re over 50 or am short or long sighted (I tested it on various individuals, lol), if not you’re probably like me, haha!
Do you like idzzzzz? I haven’t drawn anything in so so long.
Okay see you next month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kidding.
Last Wednesday,
whilst hopping between Mambo and Phuture with some friends from school,
I noticed…
Flea & Easy – the Beauty and Feast Edition
2 August 2009, Sunday
2pm to 8pm
Zouk, Phuture and Wine Bar
In my very sleep-deprived state, I could do with some pampering and retail therapy!
(a.k.a. Another reason to shop and indulge! )
Filed under: - Sarah, Desirables, Off the Racks, OMGWTFBBQ | Tags: Discount, Nicholoas, Sale
I’ll probably be trouping down this Thursday to see what goodies I can get!
See you there!!!
Filed under: - Jo, - Sarah, Art, Design & Photography, Off the Runway | Tags: Singapore Designers, Wardrobe, Wardroblings, Zouk
Wardrobe is an annual fashion show organized by Zouk featuring new and upcoming talents in the realm of fashion design.
Wardroblings is a sister to big brother event Wardrobe.
Organized by The Fashion Fraternity, Wardroblings focuses on showcasing the works of oozing-with-potential fresh graduates from the Fashion Design schools in Singapore.
Models stomped down the runway with oversize animal heads and carrying signs of protest.
It took me awhile to pull my attention away from the props to focus on the clothes.
I have to admit, though, there are definite challenges in attempting to achieve seamless flow and effortless cohesiveness to the collections of seven talented emerging designers with their varying influences and philosophies.
—————————————————-
Kite Fight by Indy Mantik
With a bright palate and playful juxtaposition of the geometric and the fluid, Indy Mantik’s collection sought inspiration from Indian fighting kites – their colour, shapes and movement.
—————————————————-
Stage Beauty by Daisy Fabrina
Daisy’s romantic interpretation of ‘Swan Lake’ ballet shows clearly in the muted colour palette and soft fabrics (which must have been a pain to sew!!!).
The details of the pant (see first picture of Daisy) and the sequin top caught my eye.
—————————————————-
Natalie Cheah
Bitten by the fashion bug after catching an episode of Project Runway, the lustre of a normal desk job simply lost its appeal to designer, Natalie Cheah.
I liked how the collection was made up of separates. And some of the shapes, proportions and textural combinations were definitely intriguing. Wasn’t completely won over by the styling or colour palate though.
—————————————————-
Ugly.Beautiful by Foo Jia Wen
Ugly.Beautiful draws inspiration from unconventional forms of beauty, from everyday objects that we often overlook.
The collection is raw and rugged. The colours, textures and fabric experimentations reflect that.
Images of nomads are conjured in my mind, and I’d become a nomad to wear awesome clothes like these!
The combination of knits, chained accessories, draping and shredded fabric looked effortlessly cohesive.
Jia Wen originals will soon be stocked at Black Market (if I’m not mistaken) in limited quantities with prices starting from about $100 for a dress. I can’t wait!
Can you tell I’m a fan!?!
—————————————————-
Turning Point by Elvin Ooi
Inspired by Santiago Calatrava’s Turning Torso (below),
(Source)
The inspiration was most obvious in the single-spiral-seam leggings on the models.
PVC was also used throughout the collection. And according to the model, the jacket was quite comfortable. (:
Pushing boundaries with new silhouettes, shapes and unorthodox materials without being over-the-top. I was definitely impressed.
Especially impressive was the workmanship of the pieces. Anyone who can sew panels like that deserves special mention!
And if he made a girl version of this jumpsuit, I’d wear it!
—————————————————-
Erika Szczepkowski Shralai
Highly influenced by her Asian background, Erika sought inspiration from her life in Thailand, its culture and religion – Buddhism.
From the textures and styling, the references are obvious and seemingly too literal. BUT! I love the fact that its a whole bunch of separates layered one on top of another. I think as separates, each piece is a real statement of its own.
Doubt I could layer and toss this many colours and fabrics together and make it look any cooler or more cohesive.
—————————————————-
Jennifer Choi
Set in Alice in Wonderland’s garden tea party, Jennifer’s collection exudes romanticism and whimsy.
The tulle was a nice touch.
Although I can’t quite say I was falling head over heels..
—————————————————-
So there you go. The seven rising designers to note in the near future. I’ve got my favourites… do you?
(hope you enjoyed the photo-filled post)
<3!
Filed under: - Jo, - Sarah | Tags: Event, Mall Opening, Swop Party, Tampines 1 Mall
Tampines 1 opens it’s doors officially on 18 July and are doing so with a SWOP Party!
Clear your closet! Weed your wardrobe! Detox your drawers!
Give some unwanted clothes a new, loving home <3!
Details are as follows:
18 July 2009, Saturday
4.30pm to 6.30pm
Tampines 1, Roof Garden
Entry is granted upon a non-refundable $5 deposit and at least 5 fashion items in tow.
Proceeds will go to Operation Hope Foundation and any items that can’t find good homes will be donated to the Salvation Army.
Preview some of the SWOP items here. And RSVP here.
AND, if I’m not mistaken, I hear that there will be ice-cream freely flowing (!!!) That, is reason enough to go! hahas. (:
