Filed under: - Sarah, Off the Runway | Tags: Spring Summer 2011, Trends
After looking through the multitude of images from Style.com, I realize there are a lot of conflicting trends… But to avoid too much confusion, keep colours simple, go back to basics and, instead, play it up with fabrics and textures to add some snazz with our SS2011 Trending #5 – Sheer.
Valentino
Personally, I think I like a bit of peek-a-boo colour popping out from the sheer… Like layering white lace with a black top to see the contrast. But the layering of sheer fabrics creates an interesting effect.
Chloe
And for next year, prepare to swish, swash and turn heads with the next trend that made it’s presence known in a big way was Trend #6 – Ruffles
John Galliano
I probably won’t take it to these extremes. And personally, I’ve not been big on ruffles to begin with. Then again, it may be the perfect opportunity to give it a shot (:
Alexander McQueen
And to wrap off, I end the post with things that don’t fall into any particular trend but I simply LOVE!
<3
ADAM
Fendi
Filed under: - Sarah, Off the Runway | Tags: Floral, Prints, Spring Summer 2011
It’s no surprise that Spring/Summer trends is filled with floral inspirations. The mere words conjure up imagery of lush rolling meadows and flora in full bloom. Perhaps, a more pertinent point is how florals are incorporated next Spring…
Chanel
Chanel and Alexander McQueen show us how with their over-sized and repetitive prints appears to be the way to go with this trend next year. (Although I think Alexander McQueen used butterflies as the print. but you get my drift eh?)
Alexander McQueen
Filed under: - Sarah, Off the Runway | Tags: RTW, Spring Summer 2011, Trends
After a short blogging break, we’re back with Trend #3. Next Spring, be sure to hit the books and prep up with The Collar and let designers like Stella McCartney, Chanel, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Fendi and Viktor & Rolf show you how…
Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney
The casual, collared looks sent down Stella McCartney’s runway were somewhat of a happy surprise. With over-sized sleeves and exaggerated button-down fronts, I kept kicking myself and thinking ‘Why didn’t I think of that?!’ With my multitude of polo tees lying neglected in my closet, perhaps it has some new-found potential next Spring.
3.1 Phillip Lim
This Phillip Lim mini-dress is my favourite collared look of the bunch. There is a simplicity and cleanness of this look that I really adore. I can’t figure out if it’s one dress or a dress+collar design but with the two-tone getup, it beckons a DIY. I wonder which of my polo tees will be sacrificed in the name of experimentation. (:
Chanel
Chanel also sent out a bunch of collared looks which is not much of a surprise for this fashion house.
Chanel
But I thought this matchy big me, little me duo was so adorable. (:
Chanel
And pairing with hot shorts was also an unexpected styling choice.
Fendi
And in sharp contrast to the exposed, the collared cover-up by Fendi is another look to anticipate for Spring/Summer 2011 although I think the length feels neither here nor there.
Viktor & Rolf
Viktor & Rolf’s SS2011 collection was based on the shirt, with different interpretations of it. From the basic black and white to more colourful options…
Viktor & Rolf
And, most importantly, to the extreme and unexpected, Viktor & Rolf style. Who could expect anything less?
Viktor & Rolf
Filed under: - Sarah, Off the Runway | Tags: RTW, Spring 2011, Trends
Part 2 of our SS2011 RTW Trendings report (perhaps) favours the tall and lanky and the wannabes. Yeah, so we ladies gotz ‘em curves, but on I-feel-fat days, “flaunting it” just ain’t a consideration.
Trend #2 – Column
ADAM
ADAM does a beautiful interpretation of this. Can I just say, I.LOVE.THIS.LOOK. The metallic (somewhat) bloaty sleeveless blouse tucked neatly into wide-leg make-your-legs-look-longer pants <3!
*swoons*
I hope to see more wide-leg pant options on a rack near you (soon)!
A Detacher
Not wanting to be too literal with this trend, I’ve picked out a few belted options that don’t cinch your waist till you find yourself out of breath (on behalf of the model or otherwise!)
A Detacher’s belted loose-fit, long-sleeved jumpsuit oozes effortlessness and maximum comfort paired very nicely with sandals. The rolled up sleeves are simply darling (:! Especially since it’s the only sleeved option I put in this group.
Chloe
This pleated, pseudo-sheer belted number from Chloe conjures imagery of Grecian goddesses, angels and other symbols of beauty, elegance and grace. The softness of the fabric, the way it falls and (the way I imagine it) wisps as the model walks makes me smile.
AF Vandervorst
AF Vandervorst earns a spot here because of how the sandals and slit leggings+pant=peggings kinda merge into each other, making the wearer (in this case, an already glamazionian-esquely tall model) look longer.
3.1 Phillip Lim
And lastly, 3.1 Phillip Lim. The mash-up of sequins on the tank and shimmery polka-dots for the pant pulls the look together in it’s own quirky way. It’s a different approach to achieve this illusion of length while using vastly different coloured separates and retaining commonalities in the fabrics/prints/patterns.
I would not have thought of that. But I’m glad someone else did.
(:
Filed under: - Sarah, Off the Runway | Tags: RTW, Spring 2011, Trends
As Spring/Summer 2011 RTW shows come to a close, we’ve (willingly) ploughed through Style.com to bring to you our ‘Off the Runway’ Trending observations for your viewing pleasure! (:
Trending #1 – White
Chloe
From Chloe’s clean lines to Andrew Gn’s (Singapore REPRESENT yo!) feminine frills, it seems like designers were all in cahoots to roll out looks of alabaster, ivory, chalk, pearl, snow, milk and the like.
Andrew Gn
For Alexander Wang, it was intentional. In his search for optimism and ‘something pure’, his colour palette steered clear of the dark or dreary. And kept, instead, to fresh and loose looks.
Alexander Wang
Emanuel Ungaro
Stella McCartney, on the other hand, opted for more structure and shape. The suited high-waisted pencil pant look paired with sandals felt very current and comfortable. Albeit, perhaps not that much so in our climate.
Stella McCartney
And a minimalist take on the trend came in the form of Acne – this look, I would TOTALLY wear.
Acne
Now, if only I could afford it! Oh well.
Stay tuned! More Trends to come!!!
Filed under: - Sarah, Off the Racks, Off the Runway | Tags: Carpark, ION Orchard, Runway, Shopping, Topshop
Topshop threw out all the stops with this one. Treating not just the select media posse, but also treating all the VIPs (i.e. Topshop/Topman top spenders) to an exclusive preview of the Fall/Winter collection. The stage was set at ION Orchard’s Level 8 Carpark with a whole section cordoned off for guests to roam free and soak in the atmosphere. 
Silly me left school late, was held up by rush-hour traffic and arrived fashionably late. Therefore, MISSING the men’s showcase almost in it’s entirety. ):
In addition, from what I gather… I also missed out on free alcohol/beer/coke/frozen yogurt/mini burgers and trail Minx nails being dished out to everyone there. (By the end of the evening, you could almost make out the words ‘FEED.ME!’ across my face. heh!)
Upon arriving, I then had to fight through throngs of crowds and angle past random heads in order to get decent shots of the models as they strut down the runway. Thank goodness my natural and ALDO-assisted height advantage got me a relatively good spot to bring you these snaps>
There were some simpler outfits such as this one, which is a lot more of my style (I suppose)
This model’s leather harness/strap thing looked really nice paired with this dress. Didn’t see it at the store though.
Anyway, consistently throughout the show, there were the usual fierce shoes that Topshop never fails to deliver. 
In addition, there was a lot of lace and interpretations of lace on fabrics that felt luxurious without being stuffy.
Fur was another fun textural element recurring throughout the show… hats, coats, headbands and purses all had some fuzz, reminding me of Chanel’s 2010 Fall RTW Russian teddy-bear collection.
After the show, we were guided down to Basement 2 by the models, whom I am 99.9% convinced come from another planet altogether! Humans don’t come this tall do they?!
Here I am, 1.7 metres (which, I would say is above average already) AND in 3-inch ALDO wedges that evening. AND this model is still a good half-a-head taller than me!!! She comes from the planet of Glamazonia, where women are all beautiful, six-feet and stick-thin (in the healthy, proportionate sorta way)
Anyway, with my $50 complimentary voucher, I bought a buncha stuff from Topman for a friend. Didn’t get anything for myself. But accompanied Laila and Gigi to brave the MASSIVE queue to pay for their purchases. In total, I think it was at least a half-hour wait to make payment. /:
But everyone walked away unharmed and new purchases in tow…
while I got 7 blisters from being in my ALDOs all day.
While waiting, I tried on their thigh-high boots. Which required some wrestling and wriggling in order to squeeze my sasquatch-feet that are almost too big for their size 39s. Pretty as the shoes are, they are 20-second shoes… I could feel a blister forming as I strolled back and forth in them. /:
Topshop… do ya’ll make it in size 40? 
Anyway, I wore a metallic Nicholas top, pleated Abyzz pants, H&M necklace (gift from Jo), wood watch from T1 and, in this photo, Topshop boots.
Thanks Laila for the photos… I look so slim and long here. Happy!
Video of the final walks coming soon!
[Edited: 5 October 2010] Videos have been uploaded! You can watch Topman and Topshop final walks now!
Filed under: - Sarah, Desirables, Off the Runway | Tags: Chanel, Couture, Space, Spring Summer 2010
Dear Blogging Gods,
I wish and hope with all my heart that one day, when I’ve paid my dues, slogged my butt off and earned the stripes, to be physically present at a Chanel show, even if I’m I wallflower in the room, without a seat, beside the door, partially blocked by curtains, bright lights and hoity-toity’s beehive dos.
May the gods grant me 7 pairs of eyeballs (!) to take in all the details that Mr Karl Lagerfeld has prepared for us!
Not forgetting, may the gods also grant me the neuro capacity to comprehend some degree of understanding of the workmanship involved, only so I can appreciate the other-worldly creations sent down the runway even more!
Digging the detailing of the rosette dress, glittered leggings and pearl details on the shoes
But this pastel blue suit is my favourite <3!
Its like a fitted and updated version of the over-sized, extra-long, shoulder-padded hand-me-down from my mom. Love the metallic belt cinching the waist to create the hourglass silhouette.
Whats more?! It’s paired with shorts!
Didn’t realize till I uploaded the image. Hehes Love it MORE now!
And besides all the details put into each couture piece in this Spring/Summer 2010 collection, the hair is a very distinctive part of the look. 
Somehow I imagine that by mixing Minnie Mouse, Cruella De Vil, Tavi Gevinson, Amy Winehouse and Princess Leia in some funky yet subdued endothermic reaction, one would be able to produce such a result. Hahas.
Don’t you agree?
Looking at the photos and I’m already on the verge of tearing cos there is soo much to see from every angle, I might just die if I was at a show. Please Blogging God, grant my wish. Not the dying part. The Chanel show part. Just to be clear.
And some backstage candid/beauty/sitting around shots for your oogling pleasure (:
Filed under: - Jo, - Sarah, Exhibit WC:, Off the Racks, Off the Runway | Tags: fashion show, Jil Sander, Off the Racks, Store Preview, Uniqlo
Bloggers were out in full force at Uniqlo’s From Tokyo to Singapore Fashion show at the Ritz Carlton and Somerset 313 store preview.
(Sorry readers, don’t have time to write an extensively long or elaborate post. I have to be in school by 8am tmr and I don’t know how I’m going to achieve that)
In the meantime, here are some photos! (:
Filed under: - Sarah, Off the Runway | Tags: 2010, Hair, Shunji Matsuo
Warning: Photo-heavy post.
(And by the way, I am in dire need of a new camera. 3.2megapixels and a battery that doesn’t even hold up for an afternoon event after charging it fully the night before is getting very annoying)
Anyway, the Shunji Matsuo unveiled his 2010 Collection at an intimate show for no more than 25 guests at Goodwood Park Hotel’s Presidential Marie Suite.
The suite setting added a lot of grandeur to the affair, with corinthian pillars, high-ceiling arches and large crystal chandeliers. In addition, the Shunji Matsuo team got two very talented young pianists to provide show music.
Models showed off his latest creations from Casual, to Colourful to Avant Garde Series.
It was a day before my International Economics paper, but I have no regrets attending (: I felt geeky though, cos I brought my Economics mindmaps to read while waiting for the event to start… Plus I did have some time to kill because I was slightly early for the event.
But smart me, arrives early and chooses the only seat that was blocked by the photographer. But I still managed to get some nice photos so I wasn’t too bothered by him. If you see his sleeve/arm blocking part of the photo.. oops! hahas. (:
Models were all wearing G2000 to complement the hairstyles.
And it wasn’t like the usual hair show (or at least my impression of one, since this is the first I’ve attended) whereby there are live demonstrations after demonstrations of model’s hair being cut in outlandish/this-will-be-the-look-that-everyone-will-supposedly-have-next-year styles.
Mr. Shunji Matsuo did do two short demonstrations to show how the hairstyles could be re-styled to create different looks.
Later on, I got a chance to meet his assistant, Comb. (I kid you not, he introduced himself as Comb) Who very proudly claimed credit for his DIY feathered headpiece to sit atop his fedora.
Check out more photos from the event!
And if you notice that some of the models look strangely familiar but are sporting completely different hair, that’s because they are!
It was only as the show started that we were all told that this Shunji Matsuo collection would feature Wigs (!), a new addition to the range of services already available by the Shunjo Matsuo team.
Prices of the wigs range from $500 to $1,500 depending on the length. I got to try one of them (I’ll post about that later!) And although my initial reaction is that its not very practical and applicable to us, Singaporeans (we always seem to have a ‘practical’ excuse to not be adventurous eh?!), the wig didn’t feel weird or eery to the touch (since it is made of natural hair) and when wearing it, felt very secure, tight even. And could possibly be fun for cool parties or nights out with friends when you want something a bit different or when you are having bad hair days! hahas.
The stylists were also giving advice and answering our questions about maintenance and all. According to them, wigs are very easy to wash and maintain. And are very light and travel-friendly. Furthermore, you can always bring your wig back to restyle if you get sick of the look, granted longer styles would have more options than shorter do.
As part of the gift pack, I’ve a got two-week free ‘trial’. I’m still contemplating if I should use it during the holidays. Hahas. Any suggestions on what look I should/could sport?!
Filed under: - Jo, Art, Design & Photography, DIY, Exhibit WC:, Inspirables, Off the Runway, OMGWTFBBQ | Tags: DIY, Fashion, Fashion Design, fashion show, Runway show, Sewing, Style, union week
Yes, I have a perfect reason for my irresponsible absence in these few months, and this is it!
Er yea, two dresses… Project Runway participants can churn out almost-couture in a day or two, but yes I needed a few months to draw, plan, decide and (attempt to) sew a raglan sweater dress with ginormous sleeves and a maxi dress with a corset belt thing. Very simple shapes cos as it is, I cannot sew. I didn’t know how to operate a sewing machine. And when I got to learning, it was on one of those huge table-like vintage ones with pedals, which is probably older than I am.
So how did all this come about? The student union decided that in order to promote their active, wholesome, holistic, all-rounded student body, a fashion show would do the trick, heh.
They posted an annoucement looking for student fashion designers who would design two outfits. The theme was “bright colours” and my first thought was, uh-oh. But my friend and I decided to join anyway!
I don’t have much to say about the runway show itself, but I’m glad I joined because I completed two dresses, which I wouldn’t have done so otherwise because nothing can get my lazy self movin’.
Pictures from the rehearsal.
I tried to copy Ungaro’s SS08 two-tone lips on my models. I think I lurve it. They were making lipstick prints on Kleenex with their lip colours cos it looked so kewl.
Boizzzz, would you kiss a girl with lips coloured like that?
Unlike many people (like etsy sellers) who proclaim that their clothes are professionally serged with love, I can only assure you of the most noob or sewing in my dresses. (Except for the long dark grey one because my aunt did it for me )
Zuper tall and leggy Lynette with Sharmaine.
Basically, I did not have any grand idea whatsoever. I only knew that I had a bright colours theme and I wanted to use neon.
Then there came bits of Susie Bubble‘s heather grey+neon confections, recalling my horrors of seeing neon yarn, cross stitch string and netting in my childhood, and a bad attempt at embroidery for a cheesy something for my boyfriend 
I actually told the hosts that ooohhh I was inspired by sportswear and all that jazz, but seriously, it’s as random as random gets.
I quite like the texture that I got from weaving the yarn and netting. Haven’t got a chance to get a proper close up.
The hat was from Accessorize and I paid no more than $12 for it. It was on a 70% discount. I say the above in past tense not only because the deed was already done, but because IT IS MISSING!!!!!!!
I couldn’t find it the night before the show and I was totally phreaking out (doesn’t freaky sound more emphatic with ‘ph’ instead? lol).
Anyway I did without it.
(Please ignore the tumourous/intestinal-looking thing around Kelly’s waist. It was a belt work-in-progress.)
You know what, looking at Michelle’s dresses makes me feel colour-impaired. I lurve the colours she used in her dresses! Yes we all know the thing about complimentary colours, but I wouldn’t have come up with something like that.
Btw, she designs very lovely jewellry too
Pictures from the actual day.
Makeup on the actual day done by one of my best friends, Praveena
Sorry their faces look kinda skewed. That’s what wide angle lenses do to you.
Happy faces after the show. This is actually the least tired-looking ones out of the lot!
More to come!
