Happy to feature and be featured.

I'm happy to feature a website. Recently, one of my friends, Sourabh (http://www.showstudio.com/viewers/9965) recommended this website to all of my former classmates when we were studying in Domus. The website shows a series of illustrations and garments done by Aitor Throup (http://www.aitorthroup.com/). Although my main target is women's wear, I like to observe some details and design on men's wear. Here's a little preview...Title Page

Example of his works

Also, I'm happy to say that one of my outfit is featured on my former school's (Domus Academy) website. My outfit is under the project name 're-DEFINE'.

Part of the page where my work is located

Upclose picture of my work (sorry, could not get a bigger picture)

Click on http://www.domusacademy.com/master/fashion%20design/project%20gallery/6 for a closer look.

Also, check out the Masters in Accessories page (http://www.domusacademy.com/master/accessories%20design/1).

What do you think?

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!

Vintage Shopping: Shoes

From time to time, I have the urge and sometimes the tendency to shop for vintage or second hand items. Most of the times, they are accessories!

Reading one entry from 'Fashionation' made me have that kind of urge again. This linked to a second hand shoe shop called 'Calypso' from Berlin, Germany. I was amazed to see (from the photographs the amount of shoes placed in the store.

Link (for the entry): http://fashionation.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/berlin-calypso/
Link to the shop website (mostly in German but easy to navigate): http://www.calypsoshoes.com/

It also made me remember some pairs of shoes I managed to get the last few years.....to be honest, the last two years!

From Liverpool, England
£10 (around S$28 or S$30)




From Florence, Italy
Versace
€140 for two pairs (around S$280 - not sure of the exact exchange rate)


I bargained my way through. The lady at the stall charged me €100 for each pair of shoes. It was either I paid €160 with credit card or €140 in cash.

I got these Versace shoes by chance when I was around Florence last year and it was a temporary space selling vintage goods.

Usually, I would get vintage items when I'm outside of Singapore. Normally, there's no particular place I would get the items. However, I've got one recommendation.

Go to 'Beyond Retro' (http://www.beyondretro.com/) when you are in London! Two lovely local girls told me about the place after purchasing one of their clothing designs at a local market. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to explore the vintage store as I got a little lost and got to the store half an hour near closing time! At least I managed to snag a blue dress!

The blue dress (part of it....). The collar is the main reason why I got the dress and it was an impluse purchase! £14 (as I recall...)

In Singapore, I seldom get vintage items as most of the items are imported from Australia or England! However, people seem to know this website called 'Dust Bunny Vintage' (http://dustbunnyvintage.com/db/) and 'Granny's Day Out' (http://www.grannysdayout.com/) which the online shopping hasn't been lauched on the website...yet.

I've only been to 'House of Japan' which is along Haji Lane (http://www.theurbanwire.com/stories/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=372&Itemid=79 - an old blog entry but still true to what is there!). Most of the stuff are quite good (great range of kimonos!), however, I've got a little problem with dust and heat around the air (my nose starts to itch (which I doubt will happen to everyone!). Now, House of Japan would be the only reason why I would go back to Haji Lane (as I think the orginality of its vibe (mysterious and underground) is lacking these days and becoming another ordinary shopping district!)

If anyone knows a great vintage place in Singapore, please let me know (and I'm not talking about those charity shops, which I think are great actually!).

It's just all about luck, getting your hands dirty (at some cases) and how open your mind is!

...and the stuff I've shown on this entry....it's not all I have from vintage clothing shopping and shopping for it will never stop!