Featuring: Someone I recognize!

I've just promised my friend Sibylle that this is her news! I'm just the person projecting it to everyone else. :) While online chatting with her (she's in Beirut, I'm in Singapore), she told me that a former classmate of mine was featured in 'The Sartorialist' section of Vogue.

This is Joo Hyun Ha who was majoring in accessories Domus Academy, Milan (same year but different department from me) and recent participant of ITS#Seven.

Her works from this page: http://www.itsweb.org/jsp/en/collectiondata/collectionID_7_talentID_252_conctype_1.jsp (click on the images for an enlarged view).

Also a tiny preview of her work on this link: http://www.domusacademy.com/master/accessories%20design/project%20gallery/1.

I've seen the bags she submitted and I was so amazed that I told her when she release her own line of bags, I'll be her first customer! Well I guess I will have to stand in queue when that time comes!

Alright, I'll give you a little teaser of what one of her designs look like...

(Picture from www.itsweb.org)

Here's the link with photos of other people at the Emporio Armani show: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/sartorialist/2008/09/at-emporio-armani-3/

A huge thanks to Sibylle for telling me this! :)

Preview: Making the handbag (Hermes)

How's the Hermes handbag made?



...so that's why it cost so much!

Eyeing on and loving it (Samsonite Handbag)...

Indeed it has been a long time since I updated my blog. It was hard to capture street style photos in Shanghai since the people there walk really fast and also, my camera is really kind of old...but it doesn't mean I will not post it. Give me time to sort out my photographs!

Meanwhile, I just wanted to say I LOVE (with huge emphasis) with this messenger bag from Samsonite...

'Half moon handbag' from the collection 'Concertine' (Samsonite Black Label)

I love this bag is it is collapsible and I can use it anywhere in the world. However, it's a little out of my budget since I don't have any proper income...

More about it on this blog: http://mafrangine.blogspot.com/2008/08/luxury-traveler.html or http://www.samsoniteblacklabel.com/collections/concertine/half-moon-handbag/prodconcertinehalfmoon.html

What were they thinking?: SATC Hat Box

I understand there are product placements in television and movies. In fact, I like trying to recognize the brand and product featured on the screen…even if it’s shown for a few seconds.

One in particular, Sex and the City (SATC), is one of the many great example…I like seeing the clothes and trying to recognize the labels of the outfit worn. It can be fun (which is why it’s great to watch this over and over again)…

One particular 'accessory' from the movie caught my attention:

When I read Marie Claire UK (July 2008 and their website (shown above), it states that it’s one of the ‘in’ thing to carry these days. They even set up a sweepstake so that one could win this particular hat box by Lock & Co (http://www.lockhatters.co.uk/); ‘The Carrie’ and one of their hats. I don’t mind so much on the sweepstake. I’m just a little concern that they actually sell the box for £450. However, since it’s bounded with leather around the box, I guess it should be understandable. Plus the box and logo looks nice…

Infomation on 'The Carrie' from Lock & Co. website (above).

I prefer to think of other solutions… I’m sure many of us would think of making their own… Go to any craft stores and grab a round box, decorate it, add the handles (string, ribbons, etc) then use it as a bag.

Of course there should be more to just these items... You got to decorate it somehow (whatever way you want). You can get boxes in different shapes and sizes (anywhere (first instinct would be IKEA), whether it's covered in fabric, leather or paper...) but I say something round or with a round edge feels more elegant.

I admit, it does look really nice. If I ever get round doing that, I'll make sure I post it here!

Design Your Own Bag!?

Either...

...we are becoming more picky with the things we want.

...we are not afraid to create our own individual style

...the marketing departments of a brand thinks 'interaction with the product' is the key to selling a product

...the designer isn't bothered to design something spectucular...

These points are based on the obsevation I've come across for a while...

In recent reports, Fendi has come up with a bag where we can doodle on it with the 'Pantone' coloured pens provided. Basically, you spend US$1,300 on a blank white Fendi bag and then stroke it with a marker! Honestly, I can't imagine paying that much to doodle on a luxury brand bag! I kind of like the bag just white.

Product description from Neiman Marcus:

"Create a masterpiece—this bag comes with ten colorful markers to make it your own.White canvas. Front flap; extending tab with with interlocking "F" magnetic closure. Includes ten permanent Pantone markers. Arrives in colorful logo box. 5 1/2"H x 10"W x 1.5"D. Made in Italy. Please note: Once personalized, item cannot be returned."

Here in 8Days (a weekly magazine publication from Singapore (issue from cover for reference is inset at the picture below (the one with Patrick Dempsey), it states that the celebrities has taken the knack in designing 'their own Fendi'. Click on the image to read the article. I'd have to say not bad but I'm still not buying those bags...or even the blank Fendi bag...

More on the Fendi 'white canvas' elaborated on NOTCOT (great blog!): http://www.notcot.com/archives/2008/03/fendi_paintyour.php (and the author who wrote this entry has a great opinion on this which I can agree with!)

I'm not dissing the idea of buying or selling a 'DIY fashion package' (stuff that comes with markers and other things). In fact, it's fun but it should not go at such a budget. I like to alter, remake or create some new items since I was young. Say if one is into the craze of making your own unique bag but can't afford it, what I can suggest is to buy a plain coloured bag from the from your neighbourhood fashion boutique or a great quality bag which is on sale.

I will confess that I was a little silly purchasing a blank clutch from a crafting shop in Singapore called 'Made with Love' http://www.madewithlove.com.sg/It's a great craft store where it sells great range of paper and other materials for making scrap books and other craft items. Also, there's a mini cafe inside such a small stall where their cupcakes are so iresistable! Sometimes, I find that the items are a little pricy but the quality of the products are great!

I don't have the original picture of the clutch but this picture above gives an idea on what the store sells. The clutch is just made out of cardboard (but it's great quality) and still haven't come up with anything. Well, it wasn't as expensive (around S$24 for the solid white clutch) as the Fendi bag. Meanwhile, I'm keeping it stored until something clicks in my mind.

The reason why I sort of feel silly about purchasing the clutch is because I've encountered a bag template for free! The 'Craftzine' website; entered a blog entry about Hermes providing the 'Kelly' bag template (on their website: http://lesailes.hermes.com/us/en/). The template is designed to be made out of paper but with a little bit of thinking, I guess it can be made out of something other than paper.

Did I mention it's free for download? Click on the icon which looks like this...

...and start creating!