Feature by Test Shoot Gallery: Made-To-Feet

Here's a quick entry as I have to run some errands for my projects. Remember I did a project called 'Resuscitation' and the photo shoot for an online magazine? Well, it's not entirely related.

Test Shoot Gallery (http://testshootgallery.wordpress.com/) has done great shots incorporating the designer's customised Doc Marten's and the garments. Check it out at this link: http://testshootgallery.wordpress.com/2009/11/05/made-to-feet/. Meanwhile, here's a shot of my design.

Also, check out this blog, Thursday Evenings (http://thursdayevenings.tumblr.com/) which will launch an online magazine soon.


Credits (as stated on Test Shoot Gallery):
Test Shoot Gallery
Photography / May Lin le Goff
Fashion Direction / Ashburn Eng
Model / Budavári Liza (Ave Management)
Make-up / Dennis Ee
Hair / Chris Ruth
Fashion Co-ordinator / Shanna Matthew

Grabbing Attention of Colours: DKNY

This advertisement caught my eye as I was flipping through (digitally) US Elle magazine.


Why did this catch my eyes? It's not the fact that you can wear it in different ways (as much as I like that idea...it has been done a lot of times!). It's simple. I love the colours of the cardigan and the way it was arranged...it has sort of enticed me to get a cardigan from DKNY right now! There goes my money... I'm sure it's just a simple cardigan...perhaps I can just use my existing black or purple one from my tiny little wardrobe...

Colours, colours, colours...somehow on some grey days, I seem to be attracted to colours...

You all deserve an update... Shoes!

Wow, it has been more than a month since I last went on this blog. Most of you know that I'm doing a course in footwear design at London College of Fashion (which merged with Cordwainer's). Assignments are coming up in a huge stack but thought of posting some of the places I have visited, items I have collected and prototypes I've made the last few weeks.

Here are some of the exhibits made from the graduates from Royal College of the Arts. These works are still under display at Victoria and Albert Museum under the name of the exhibition, 'Future Fashion Now'. Shoes, garments and sketchbooks...




Before we go further, I'll just mention a little about food...

With another group of people, I went to eat french crepes at a cafe called 'The Kensington Crêperiè' (http://www.kensingtoncreperie.com) located at South Kensington and it was the best I've tasted...no other crepes I've tried...well here anyway compare to this! Of course I had share these crepes with a friend...and I didn't get to try the first crepe on the left. If I had one crepe for myself, I would not be able to try both the savory and sweet crepes! You could smell the crepes from far!


For a few days of last month, there was 'guerrilla' ice cream store constructed at London's Selfridges. Here are the interior... Good ice cream it was..in a decent size...three flavours as pictured...I can't remember the name of the flavours though... However, the store has been pulled down as well, it is 'guerrilla'!


Alright, now to the 'fashion' side of things... This is one side of the pair of boots I obtained while I was at Notting Hill earlier last month. They cost £30. The store owner got these pair of boots from a theatre that was closing down. The pair of boots belonged to 'Rebecca Parker'. She got the shoes repaired, replacing the soles. I admit, it was difficult to walk in these shoes but I guess I need to stretch it a bit. It's the only pair of shoes I have that fit my calves. I'm wondering...should I keep the laces red or change them to purple?


This is one side of mules I constructed (with loads of help from the tutor...in case you are wondering...yes I made a pair!)...when I attended a weekend course at another school called Prescott and Mackay (http://www.prescottandmackay.co.uk/). I thought it was a great weekend course to take if you don't have the time to do a full-time course. Most of the classmates I met had a real high interest in shoe making and the class was fun. I though this class was beneficial for my research. I'm learning a different technique at LCF and it's good to learn different ways. Also, at LCF, I'm learning other aspects of shoe making like pattern cutting which was not covered in the two day course at Prescott and MacKay.


Here is a mini-mock up I did with the tissue-thin paper (the type you use to wrap presents) with my foot last. This is one of the mock-up I'm doing for my current project. I hope it works out. I normally use paper to drape and experiment with designs. I wonder if this sort of effect works with leather? Only one way to find out...experiment!


Just end this entry with this 'street art' I found while walking along Hoxton, spotted by my friend, Grace. This is a piece of work done by 'Johnathan Darby' (I have a feeling I spelt the name wrongly...if it doesn't look right, let me know!). Do you think this is inspiring?

Everyone's talking about 'The September Issue'

After watching the movie, 'The September Issue', I realised that I might have a copy of the magazine back in my house in Singapore. The copy of the magazine was printed back in 2007. I remember on my way back to Milan (I was studying there for around a year) from Singapore, I took out the magazine from my backpack while waiting for the plane to take off. While reading, I remember the lady next to me gasping 'Oh my! What a huge magazine! I've never seen anything like that!'. I never thought how much work and how huge that September of Vogue was until I watched the movie.

Part from the movie (from the DVD I bought)

I really liked the movie as it was not overly exaggerated like 'Devil Wears Prada'. Sure, it looks tough but it seems pretty real and made me see another side of Anna Wintour. Grace Coddington who we now can see is one of the great brains behind the whole magazine. I had thought that there would be a huge concentration of bitching in the movie...seeing 'Devil Wears Prada' but in fact, I was glad that I was wrong about this!

The actual September Issue that went to press in 2007 and it was super heavy to carry around!

Watch the movie (I've read from FashionNation that the movie is showing at two cinemas in Singapore) or buy the DVD (I bought mine from HMV in London but all of you can get the DVD from Amazon.com). It's not only for fashionistas, it's for everyone to understand what goes on behind the scene and the human emotions that goes into the magazine.

Guess what I saw in London?

This was what I found while walking near Carnaby Street:


Anyone who has watched 'Friends' would know this coffee place.

After taking this picture, I overheard a group of people being enthusiastic about the place only to find...it's not open yet ["Yeah, we came all the way just to have coffee only to find ourselves standing around the place..."]

Is this the coffee house we think it is? Anyway, there are other places like this around other parts of the world...just google it!

A Mini Update: London's Calling!

Alright, so then, I did not mention this before on this blog but now, I am in London. I will be in London for a while doing a course in footwear. Honestly, it sounds exciting but honestly, I am super nervous to start.

I arrived in London on Friday, after waiting so long at the 'First time students and dependent' queue. The queue was unbelievably jammed packed and some people kept being sent to health control...however, I didn't need to be sent there...as I had my documentations ready but I had to wait at least an hour and a half until it was my turn.

Well then, I'm here, not much has happened apart from seeing a relative and for my parent's excitiement, going to a newer mall (Westfield Mall) to shop. Yup, I had to carry my dad's item which was from Alessi and heavy...and 'broken' according to him...

by Zaha Hahid

...at least I managed to get a pair of shoes I've been wanting to get for months from United Nude! It would have cost me SGD$ 400 but I got it for I think GBP 79! My dad thought I bought some hinge to fix the window.

Finally, I've got a pair of these!

It may seem old to most people but honestly, I like the design and it is one of the most comfortable pair of heels at it supports the foot in the middle rather than on the heel. The last it made of the same kind of metal used on BMW cars. Sturdy!

Later on in the night, at the food court, I had a pie from 'Square Pie' with their monthly special, Beef rendang and yes, it tasted like the Indonesian dish itself though it was weird eating it with mashed peas (on the side).

Beef Rendang pie!

Now that I am here, I hope to go and see more exhibitions, markets, shops and other cities and countries for inspiration!

Photo shoot for an upcoming online project...

At the last moment last week, I got to participate in a photo shoot. In the photo shoot, organised by Sunny, Yun Ting, Mae and Brendan (the photographer), I had the chance to get one set of my garment from one of the recent project ('Resuscitation') to be part of the shoot. Here are some 'behind the scenes' pictures and video (I apologise for the quality of the video as it was taken from my phone and my video editing skills is nowhere near beginner's level!). This photo shoot is part of an upcoming project mainly set up by Sunny, Yun Ting and other collaborators involved, as well as to promote the gallery Osage Gallery (at Old School, Singapore). Also in this post are some close up of the Dr. Martens shoes that were customised by us for the last project (which hardly got any publicity (for the shoes).

More about the project in the upcoming months.


The video


Designed and customised (the boots) by Lee Yun-Ting


Designed and customised (the boots) by me


Designed and customised (the boots) by Sunny Lim

Designed and customised (the boots) by Mae Pang

Designed by Charlotte Wang (the customised boots were not available for shooting)

...and it was a great photo shoot!

My favourite music artiste, Imogen Heap

Imogen Heap, from London may not be well known where I come from. However, she has been one of my favourite music artiste since high school. I heard her music from one of the movies I watched many years ago (forgot the title!) and totally got engross with her music ever since.

Her fashion sense on the other hand...I admire the fact that she has the guts to wear what she wears... see what I mean from this image...

Grammy's 2007 (source: wakapop.net)

However, I like this look on her...

Even though it is slightly similar (exaggerated hairstyle!) like the picture above, it is something which one could walk down the street in (with confidence of course!)

This was the first song I heard from her that got me into her music ever since!


Song: Come Here Boy


Song: Headlock (From the album, 'I-Megaphone')


Song: Let Go (written when she collaborated with Guy Sigsworth under the band name 'Frou Frou'. This video is the live version as there is no official music video. You might recognise the song from the movie, 'Garden State')


Song: First Train Home (The latest single from her new album, 'Ellipse')

Check out her biography on Wikipedia! She has composed quite a number of songs and music for other artiste as well. Her other well known songs are 'Breathe In' (with the band 'Frou Frou'), 'Goodnight and Go', 'Hallelujah' (as featured on The O.C.) and more...

You can also catch me on...

Believe it or not, after all these while, I've decided to use twitter as well. I'm trying out to see if I like it. I guess it'll help me post updates while I'm on the go but no worries, I'll still update my blog!

Twitter link: http://twitter.com/lisateng (the picture above is my avatar used, a pair of Doc Martens I customised for an exhibition this year)

It's not much but hopefully, the post will grow soon!

Also, I should have added these links months ago but here are the links to my photos from my trip in Europe from April-May 2009, Milan, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Paris and London (again!). These pictures are from my Facebook account and these photos can be viewed even though one does not have any Facebook account. Those who have added me on Facebook would have seen these pictures already.

Milan: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=268049&id=816810509&l=252e69d265

Turin & Bologna: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=268049&id=816810509&l=252e69d265

Florence: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=268215&id=816810509&l=cbb6c767cf

Rome: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=268215&id=816810509&l=cbb6c767cf

Paris: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=268225&id=816810509&l=15dea11d44

London: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=268233&id=816810509&l=24270b603f

Also, check out a newer blog done by my friend, Ella (friend from my college days). The blog would have updates on some of the things she does to a few of her creations she did out of her old t-shirts. Her blog: http://ellaisweird.wordpress.com/

The New Portable Stove...

We all have heard of paraffin stoves or other portable stoves we bring for camping. How about something smaller and lighter?

Stuart Breidenstein of 'Go Robot' creates such an item. Also, on another level, it can be worn as a necklace.

This handmade actual working stove necklace made from brass and copper. There is a brass fuel tank and copper burner are connected with copper fuel line. When using the stove, it is enough to warm up a cup of cocoa. The amount of fuel in the necklace lasts three minutes. Also, the fuel is refillable. However, as mentioned on the website, it should NOT be used while wearing the necklace!



Stunning right?

You can get more information and purchase the necklace from Smashing Darling:

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/stove

Pictures are taken from the website as mentioned above.