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!

Preview: 'Shoes'

Today was one of the most intensive days in terms of shopping (ha ha! More about my adventures next time!). In the end, I spent a lot more than usual and at the same time, I got the book I wanted!

This book is going to be my guide to my personal project for the up coming days (or weeks depends what's my schedule is like!).

Title: 包み紙でつくる靴 (A shoe made of wrapping paper)

Link (Amazon Japan): http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/4277753450/ref=dp_change_lang/249-9964875-7454722?ie=UTF8&language=en%5FJP

Link (In English, about the book): http://8tokyo.com/2008/01/08/shoe-made-of-wrapping-paper/ (credit this infomation to Craftzine and 8tokyo.com)

This is a Japanese book full of shoes made out of wrapping paper. It's gives you the pattern of the shoes which is pretty much self-explainatory although it's written in another language!

Speaking of shoes, while shopping today, my friend Grace purchased one pair of shoes which looked similar to the one featured in the local (Singaporean) version of 'Cleo'.

Picture One (the feature on 'Cleo' May 2008):

Note: In case you can't read the small print, it says 'Ankle Strap Heels, S$1550 from 'Celine''

Picture Two (the shoes Grace bought (thanks for the picture Junia!):

Note: The colours were a lot brighter and a little more neon like, similar to the shoes from 'Celine'. It cost S$147. The shop assistance told us that they got it custom made in Hong Kong. Grace said it's comfortable to wear! She bought these shoes from a concept store called 'Egg3' (link: http://www.eggthree.com (note: click again to view the website as it's operated using flash) near to Ang Siang Road.

Looks the same doesn't it?

...darn! Why did I end up with another pair of shoes!? Well, at least they were on discount from Nine West!

Read more about our shopping adventures on Junia's blog: http://www.whispersweetmemories.blogspot.com/ (read entry dated on: Friday, April 18, 2008)

Observation: Milan 2007

I will continue my topic on 're-fashioning' when I have got my resources together. Meanwhile, here's some of the fashion shows I've seen that are worth mentioning.

Last year, when I was studying in Milan (2007), my school (Domus Academy) gave fashion show tickets to all of my classmates in fashion and accessory design.

Here's a complete excerpt of my entries which dates back to the Autumn/Winter 2007/08 shows

2007 (Original Entry Date: 2nd Feb, 2007)

Well, it's sort of fashion week here...suprisingly, I have been going into a couple of shows. A lot of them are unknown but can be quite fun to see what kind of thing people come up with...but others are plain tacky but then again, the tickets are free!

The show I went to on Saturday was for a label called 'Shirt Pattern. I got a goodie bag...well actually, inside, they only had one chocolate stick lollipop (really good chocolate!) and the other....well, the bag which is made from cloth.... Shirt Pattern show was well...very wearable and very autumn-ish.... Some of the pieces, I would wear, other pieces, I won't bother to look twice....what bugged me were these bubbles that were suppose to resemble snow and it went onto my coat...well, I was seating at the front row anyway!

- Shirt Pattern....nope, not a specialist shirt boutique...theme, lady in New York (as I understood from the Italian description...) but wasn't what I was expecting...

Monday, was another round of shows...it was a show by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada....no....not Prada! Nothing like Prada! Well, I liked the graphic of the invite but the clothes....let's say I only liked TWO sets out of goodness who knows how many garments were on the catwalk....I did not even take pictures and the colours were so damn bright....think orange, pink, white, I think yellow....by the way, is it a good thing when you get weird goosebumps when you see a collection?

Next fashion show...well actually, I didn't get an invite but one of my friend did (we all have shows to see but divded differently!) for Costume National. It was quite good....it was one of the best shows I have seen since this week....Red & Black, still love the combination! Too bad the images I took were so bad but then again....I wasn't at the front but at least I was seating down.....and took the invite people left behind as souvenirs....plus a folder....

- I wanted better pictures but oh well..... At least I got to concentrate more on the clothes...

Tuesday was just one fashion show by Enrico Corveri....the invite they gave out were really nice....unfortunately.....the invitation were taken back but at least I got a free folder...well techinically, from a seat I wasn't suppose to seat...or even, not suppose to sit at all! The garments....well at first, it looked good then later...it got a little tacky.....some in colours, the others in prints! I sort of got out of focus of the collection that I took a picture of a pair of shoes that were from an audience!

- You got your typical flower print (also on the invitation) then all of the sudden, Sushi print! The theme is called Orient Excess but then it wasn't too much of my liking....I liked the sushi graphics though but not on the garment...as for the shoes...well, it isn't part of the collection.....
Yesterday, I got into two more shows but will reveal the names next time....

Well, that sums up the shows I've watched so far....I will be watching one more soon!....

I will give the pros and cons of watching a show in Milan (but I guess it applys to most countries as well!)

Pros:

.: Free Magazines! Vogue Italia, Jane, Glamour (Italia)....loads until your arms will break! Trust me! On Saturday, my arms were full of magazines that my arms ached the next day...as if I worked out at the weights!

.: Yes, they check your invite but then, some can be lenient when you say your are with someone with an invite...but I guess it only applies to big names....institution, etc.....: Yes, the collection may be tacky but there's always something to see....

.: Some of the freebies they distribute outside the venue....today, I got a deck of cards with different designs of the garments.....

Cons:

.: The waiting time! If you think waiting for a show to start in Singapore is bad...say like 20 minutes of delay....try here! For every show I went to, I waited at least one hour for the catwalk show to start!.: The shows aren't located at the most convience places....but so far, for me, it has been located at one place but can be such a hassle to go there....thank goodness for shuttle buses

.: Some of the freebies are in Italian....well at least I can read some of the Italian...I guess!

Today, I wasn't in the best of my moods but after going to Giorgo Armani Exihitbition at the Trienale, I felt so much better...I do not know why....I think it was worth my six euros to see it! You know, I might even go and see it again next time before it ends! You could see the details of the garments....but then, it is a lot to see....well was too much until one of my friend got a little ballistic....when she saw the exit, she just ran out of the door with joy....not that the exihitbition is bad...it is really one of the best I have seen and made me think differently about the label....just have to make sure you take a small break in between a lot of garments.....

- Yup, that's me in front of the Armani Exihitbition!

[End of entry of that date]

---

Due to the tight deadline of my project that month, I could not continue my entries for the fashion shows I went to. After those days, I managed to get into Antonio Marras (no ticket though....had to 'sneak' in after going into a fashion show by the designer 'Mariella Brunani'.

In Mariella Brunani during the Autumn/Winter 2007/08 show, the collection was based on a western cowboy-whild chick theme. Honestly, I wasn't into the western theme. I guess I'm not such a big fan of such themes.

- Overall, the collection wasn't disapointing....it was more of the saloon girls during that period. Not a bad adaptation.

You see, I had planned to leave the venue right after that show. However, a group of my classmates and I decided to see if we could get a sneak peak at Antonio Marras. After the front person had checked the tickets, he was kind to let us into the hall and managed to get a good spot to see the show. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of battery! I was lucky to get a few shots before the whole camera ran out of power completely. In a way, it was a good thing....otherwise I would have missed the extravagant final garment. This final garment was a patterned trapeze dress with a headress which looked like a veil (for a bride). It was worth 'sneaking in'!


- Some of the shots (not all that I took are here) before my camera went out of battery. On the extreme right is the picture of the program (the write up of the theme). Actually, the front is the illustration of the final garment that was shown.

The most extravagant outfit I saw that week was Kei Kagami. Even though it was held in a theater and the number of people who came wasn't as much as the ones I'd seen during the other days, I thought it had some impact. At least the show started off with some pratical garment which I would have considered purchasing if I ever seen his clothes at a boutique. Later, his most extravagant outfits (as he is popular for) was interesting. Although the feathers (part of the embellisment) was annoying, I thought it was fresh....even his least pratical outfit was worth watching. There was one outfit where the model was carrying this mini structures where the strings were connected. After walking to the front and back of the stage, the model pulled the strings at the side and the feathers that were connected were moving.


- The mini stage which featured a series of feathered garments. The shot of stage was taken before the show started. You'll notice closely that some of the feathers were falling down by accident (I think someone pressed the wrong button!). The one of the extreme right is the outfit where the wings are in 'operation'.

Looking back, I'm still glad that I managed to rush into Antonio Marras and Costume National fashion show! There's a sense of great rush doing that! I wished I had gone to Kei Kagami's show the next season but alas, the school didn't give me tickets for that. Still from this day, I hate waiting in line to get into fashion shows (or anything event for the matter of fact!).

Oh yes, also around the same week, I managed to catch the Armani Exhibition. I got the book for memorable purposes.....and really glad that I got to see the outfits upclose! However, the security guard did let me take any pictures (sorry!) which is pretty much normal with many exhitbition I've been to all over the years.

Curiousity...

I love to experiment and discover new things most of the time. I like to explore ideas, convey emotions then translate it into a form. This is why I like designing. My main element is fashion but I like to seek other forms.

Seeking reference to get into your research topic is important. Many of us know that many ideas are getting recycled and we feel that we don't have new ideas to absorb. This is where experimentation comes in... The picture below shows my experimentation on the left and the final garment on the right based on the same design concept.

Judging from the websites and book releases these days, it teaches D-I-Y fanatics (and maybe some non D-I-Y fanatics) to change 'something old into something new'.

However, I will elaborate this topic another time.

First of all, I will just give some recommendation of the website I normally go to which is highly recommended!

Craftzine (http://www.craftzine.com/): The blog's daily updates entrigues me each time I visit the website. Explore the blog section often as you will find some 'freebies' (I got these series of print out wrapping paper. It proved to be useful one day as I ran out of wrapping paper to wrap my present for my former tutor in school!). This is the link where the blog entries are catagorized as 'refashion' (http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/refashion/).

Meanwhile, here's the link to the free wrapping paper patterns I mentioned: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2007/11/blueprints_downloadable_wrappi.html (blog entry - click on the link button at the entry).