Art hitting home: Audi Star Creation Capsule Collections

Without a doubt, this post took me longer than I should have to churn out- but magic never dies nonetheless, especially when it is etched on garments like these. So:

The one thing that never fails to get to me, all the time, is when people's emotions are intertwined with designs- and they are so strong that you find your heart catapulted off a cliff somewhere in Australia.

I can only imagine how much of a challenge it is to churn out a collection filled with so much personal emotions, yet possibly distant in the eyes of the audience. Let's be realistic- the collections would not have been able to say much if we did not know their origins. 

However when the story was out, the collections thrived on their own, growing legs- crawling, walking and slowly running into a world of imagination that only the designers could plant seeds on.

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The Audi Star Creation Capsule Showcase featured 2013's winners- being Vu Ta Linh and Sun Ji Yin. Just like every new collection, it was a breath of fresh air when usual sources inspiration were interpreted through intricately cultivated designs that surprised. 

My favourite pieces came from Vu Ta Linh's collection, inspired by a Vietnamese song, "Indigo" (crowned the name of his collection too), with lyrics that went "“Say what you want to say, do what you want to do”.

There is a kind of uncertainty when you look at his pieces- first you wonder if it is a Robin Hood story he wants to tell with that piece. Then you look again and the mix of techniques do not just paint a single picture. Numbers filled with modern robes, shirts and sudden hints of the traditional ao dai (a vietnamese costume) spoke of an unexplored kind of daring- the result of experimentation gone right.

A mix of textures like wool, organza and cotton played well on the bodies, bringing in the mood for a kind of relaxed disposition. Hidden in between many, structured and tailored compositions were spoken of- one of which, a shirt, laying behind a robe draped over an organza piece in which I presumed was a skirt.

In an interview, the designer mentioned that he wanted to "become his own inspiration"- something that personally struck me as it has been a longtime philosophy of mine too. I fondly appreciated this collection for its daringness that left me in inquisition yet swooning over the successful looks throughout the show.

Before Indigo went on the runway, KSANYUSUN was a beautiful throwback into the familiar horizons of Singapore with an eccentric idea of winter hitting home. Sun Ji Yin did a wonderful job by translating her past experiences (outside Singapore too) into the idea of a wintry Singapore. It is a clash of negative and positive, cold and hot, old-fashioned and modern.

 Shirts and pants suggested our usual work and school dress codes- I interpreted them as the colours of cold and a familiar routine. While the black and white created the mood, there was an outburst of a playful colour palette in orange and green- hitting the direction of a warm summer that we see everyday too. It is a mix of emotions and environment- making us wonder which colour palette belonged to each.

The shoes were very complimentary- slip ons that resembled a formal, covered shoe. It is explanatory, no?

Halfway through the collection, The Neighbourhood's Sweater Weather played a good role in bringing the mood. Wool numbers slouched across shoulders, yet staying structurally sleek. The patterns, however, bloomed on the monochromatic canvas- seeking a kind of positiveness that neutralised the cold, wintry atmosphere. 

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The show was exhilarating and getting to witness it in person was a breath of fresh air. It definitely was a milestone for SuedeFingers and personally, an experience has been motivating me to fight even more for such chances.

I do like the art that fashion portrays, sometimes I cannot contemplate how we can bear to even wear them. But guilty as charged- I'd be running to the stores for them if I actually could.

Lots of love and a wintry Singapore,

Tessa

Pictures from the official Star Creation site

Splitting skirts, splitting costs

(photos taken by +Natasha Von Epichelin)

Thrifted jacket from Hong Kong, Adidas sports bra (or as they'd like to call it, REALLY 'cropped top'), Skirt from Vietnam, Plimsolls were custom made, Topshop transparent bag (a gift from my clique kids!)

Rarely do I wear things that match my hair, which always gets me questioning if it's time to cut. But nuh uh, I'm guessing today's jacket was here to change my mind. I got this beauty (2sgd only) hidden along the streets of Hong Kong, from a thrift shop 'Me & George' (address below) that every fashion blogger had to talk about with bags full of cheap thrills. ALAS, I FELL VICTIM TOO. An hour later, I was 40SGD poorer, yet 10 pieces richer. Pretty crazy for thrift shop terms in Asia, especially when huge superstitions create fusses about keeping old clothes- let alone sell them. But from time to time, Asia will always reveal its own one-of-a-kind hidden gems. Forget about travelling west just to thrift if you're already living in the middle of so much concealed beauty ;) it's rare, but very precious.

Spent some good time with Natalie and Natasha (my two favourite Nats!) over lunch at Concetto. Like every chef-trusting customer who'd say "GIVE US YO BEST", we picked every recommended dish on the menu. Our eyes were full from lots of artistic dishing but don't place your bets on a 'hearty italian' meal on this one. Not very hearty, but scores high on beauty!

Have a good week ahead, and hug tightly onto your last week of holidays, poly kids. I know I'll be grasping onto mine with lots of sleep till the very last second D:

Lots of love and $2-clothing lovin',

Tessa

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Me & George

64 Tung Choi Street, Mongkok; 

9 Li Yuen Street West, Central

*don't expect huge quality pieces- but give it a chance and an hour to find someone's trash becoming your treasure!

The different languages of comfort

Pictures taken by Shereen Soon! (@ShereenSoony)

H&M top, Zara skirt, Bershka bomber jacket, Mphosis heels, Cotton On cap, Primark necklace, Aldo arm brace (or warrior stuff)

I gladly submitted to Shereen's proposal to take this Sunday's (yes, we're making it a weekly habit) outfit shots at Raffles Place.

Like a Singaporean Wall Street, Raffles Place is the heart of our business district that never stops beating- its bloodstream running wild with vibrant characters: dreamers, workaholics and people striving to find comfort in their own capabilities. I've been an avid onlooker of this vibrant city, since 5 years old when mom made it a point to meet Dad after he knocked off and today for my boxing classes. Till this day, it amazes me to see the real world packed into buildings- exchanging cheek-to-cheek greetings and ready to start a meeting, while secretly craving for a good meal to comfort themselves from all this stress.

The magic of being an onlooker is watching the district breathe on such hectic activity, like a body that sustains itself on sugar- sometimes bad, yet terribly addictive. It is for moments like these when we start to realise the silence in the weekend- when the working ones find comfort at home and forget the salad-bar-meals along Cecil Street. And of course, when people like me start to explore (AND THAT CYCLIST) (AND THOSE ISLAND HOPPER BUSES).

Here's to the ones who've been fighting good battles week in and out for the comfort love that's waiting for them at home. Here's to you dad- if you're reading this, press on and we'll always be waiting for you at home for a non-salad meal all day EVERYDAAAAAY (except mondays to wednesdays. It's cleanse period)

Lots of Love

Tessa

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Personal favourites: 

Mango - Something Borrowed - Steve Madden

ZALORA Singapore Google+

Fashion Week Edit: A/W13

Fashion Week, ah. The time of the year when us girls feed on low-carb popcorn with less sugar and survive on diet coke, while spending time in front of our heated up laptops, waiting for Cara to walk down the runway and for our turn to tweet "GO CARA GO CARA GO CARA." (because honestly speaking, that's the only model we can seem to recognize under all that heavy makeup)

Across four of the world's largest fashion cities, shows were walked to translate this autumn/winter's biggest trends into numbers. This season's shows were jet-packed with most-gossip-worthy news, from Galliano being a part of Oscar de la Renta to Alexander Wang heading Balenciaga for the first time. AND BOYYYYY the most exciting thing, of course, is to find out what's next for our wardrobes in a few months' time! WE. WE. WE SO EXCITED.

Following the same format that I did for the SS13 post,

THIS MONTH, FASHION WEEK A/W13 WANTS TO TELL YOU: 

 

1. It's the ultimate battle of the sexes

 Left to right: Band of Outsiders, Carolina Herrera, Band of Outsiders, Balmain, Burberry

Ah, the battle of the sexes. Nobody does it better than designers. It's the time of the year when girls get bored over skirts and dresses and start turning to the men's section instead (guilty as charged) and start the battle in WHO WEARS IT BETTER? magazine columns. Gladly, I'm welcoming this trend with open arms because:

*eats popcorn*

Kristen's Advice of the Day: to counter-attack (used to be) ex-boyfriend, wear similar suit but wear it better.
(though Robert still wins, in my opinion)

Other than a revenge tool, menswear is a pretty fresh and interesting take on our wardrobes. Create bold looks with broad, masculine shoulders and you'll be singing "Who runs the world" better than Beyoncé anytime.

2. Pink is the new black

 

Left to right: Cédric Charlier, Band of Outsiders, Balmain, Carven 

Don't worry, you're not alone- I'm having an omg-its-a-pink-panther-invasion moment too. This season's shows had models marching down in pink hues that almost resembled a sea of Percy Pigs.  Perk up the cold, wintry blues (or rainy in our Singaporean case. boo.) with shades of pink- or even just head down to Marks and Spencers for a packet of those gummy pigs to get a taste of what autumn's gonna be like ;)

3. Your old school uniforms are your new #OOTDS

 

Left to right: Celine, Ashish, Gucci, Comme des Garçons

OKAY DON'T FREAK OUT, TAKE A DEEP BREATH: Don't worry, that's not you in your school uniform on the runway (and definitely not in the Comme des Garçons). Un-fold those skirts and pull up plaid trousers, show school spirit in a school pullover too (WHOOOOH, TP SPIRIT)- do it the Ashish (above) way. Whoever said school was boring probably hasn't seen what's about to happen this coming semester.

4. You'll be needing bottoms of the pyjama category

Left to right: Carolina Herrera, Christopher Kane, Chloe

Walk your way this autumn/winter in nostalgic slumber pieces we used wear to our best friend's slumber party (that is, before FBTs started to reign the sleeping/eating/shopping/running/everything dresscode). Whether in Carolina Herrera's take on a patterned number or a statement-making colour like Christopher Kane, you can't go wrong with this one. In fact, why not start now- your pyjama wardrobe's all ready!

5. Calling all bakers: here's your chance to shine

 From left to right: Balmain, Ashish, Central Saint Martins

It was only a few months ago when designers got hooked onto metallic pieces aluminium foil and created inspiration for even the biggest labels like Burberry: 

Above: Mad for Metal in the 18th Sep post last year

True enough, the obsession over our mom's baking essential brought it to the hall of fame across all kinds of magazine spreads too,

This coming autumn/winter leaves no exception (YAY) and leaves no foil behind. Metallics are definitely here to stay, and there's no bigger message that it's the ultimate investment that'll last you through this year! 

6. Trending 'copy and paste' of the season: our flooring

Left to right: Carven, Balenciaga, Band of Outsiders

For the love of really random patterns, it seems like fashion week has a crush on it too. Alexander Wang's debut at Balenciaga brought upon numbers resembling our um, marble floors. Crazy, but it is rather love-worthy, no? After all, anything that looks like a good ol' slice of marble cake deserves such attention.

The likelihood of marbled flooring being entirely Sold out? 0% ("but in this world, nothing is definite" fine ok fine) Corrections, 0.1%. The likelihood of clothes that look like marbled flooring being entirely sold out? 100%, soon >:)

 

7. PUT THAT CHOCOLATE BROWNIE DOWWWWN

 

Left to Right: Dior, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, Chloé

Forget the thought of winter's sad layers of coats (that make us the equivalent of fishballs), because the hourglasses are making their way back into the spotlight! Think major waist-belt investments and skin-hugging dresses, and you're on your way to an interesting season. Sounds like the perfect time to give up that plate of foie gras and bring the lemonade diet back into plan, non?

8. Nobody said rubbing shoulders couldn't be done fashionably

 Left to right: Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci 

This A/W, Broad shoulders play the complementing appetisers to the Masculine trend (see: battle of the sexes). On that note, cue in the bold cuts at the top and a beautiful silhouette all the way down- whether in the minimal black or playful colours like Bottega Veneta. Ah, sounds like the perfect time to carry out Operation rubshoulderswithahotguy WHEEEEEE.

IN CONCLUSION, 

+ fashion week was inspired by our house (see: flooring)
+ cake of the day is marble cake
+ aaaaand no, don't do it the Kristen Stewart way. Because for all you know, you'll be getting back together with him. (CONGRATS)
+ To mothers with kids who love to DIY but practically lose interest after 6.5 minutes: HIDE YOUR ALUMINIUM FOIL

On a more serious note, I really hope you enjoyed reading the post! Trends and writing get me really excited so Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer fashion weeks always give me the best opportunity to practice! Would love to read your comments/criticism/take on marbled cake toooo!

HAVE A GREAT DAY, #TGIF!

xoxoxoox

photo credits: Style.com and google

PARA-PARA-PARADISE

 NOTE TO READERS (AND SELF): ALL PICTURES WERE TAKEN WITH AN IPHONE DUE TO ONE'S LAZINESS AND ONE'S INABILITY TO FIGURE OUT THAT IPHONE ACTUALLY DOES NOT PRODUCE SUCH GOOD PHOTOS OTHER THAN FOR INSTAGRAM OR FOR ONE'S NARCISSISTIC PLEASURE WITH THE USE OF TWO FINGERS OVER A POUTED LIP.

HENCE I APOLOGISE FOR ALL BAD QUALITY PICTURES AND WOULD LIKE TO REMIND SELF (IF I DECIDE TO READ THIS BLOG POST 15 YEARS LATER), NO- THESE PICTURES WERE NOT BAD BECAUSE MY CAMERA SUCKED.

About a month ago, Shereen and I decided to embark on a ridiculously long plane flight- which included lots of dramatic scenes when my stomach decided to churn up barf with my breakfast and gastric juices. Not fun, but entirely worth it! After 14 hours of having my unfinished beef ragout thrown away (much love to motion sickness oxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo) and family guy and bob's burgers (bomb diggity/BOB DIGGITY), we finally set foot on London ground (not soil anymore because yeah, it's 2013 not 1913 hah) and inhaled London air (which i, by the way, will be selling bottles of on eBay at $15.99 per 500g ;] ). As much as we quietly wished in our hearts that Singapore Airlines would pity these two 16 year olds travelling alone that we deserved to be upgraded to business class, it did not happen :( however, lots of love to the crew who flew with us, for taking great care of us (recall: "hello little girls, everything alrigggght? anyone bully you? If anyone does, must tell me yeah? I'm the captain here, I call the shots" OK THANKS BUT ITS OK I GUESS WE'LL JUST TAKE THE WARM TOWEL FROM YOU AND YOU CAN MOVE ON THANKS BYE) 

Above: first activity in London
Shereen playing on a piano that said "PLAY ME!" before going to the arrivals

The biggest reason that took away all reluctance from our parents to fly us to London was because my uncle and his family stayed in London! And yes, that meant being very very very well fed ;) 

Christmas dinner on boxing day after landing, freshly cooked by my aunty! Yes eyes, you're looking correctly- that's beef and yorkshire pudding and pigs wrapped in a blanket!

Our filled and satisfied stomachs didn't hesitate to send "SAY GOODNIGHT TO EVERYONE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO SLEEP" signals to our brains which immediately followed (gosh brains, when will you ever get a mind of your own?). I must say though, after 2 weeks of having 'slumber parties' with Shereen, I've learnt one important thing- ALWAYS wake up before she does, or you'll be finding these in your phone:

The next few days were filled with lots of first-times and omg-we-need-to-go-back-again moments! The big ben was an amazing sight and just hearing it actually go BONG BONG BONG in real life while @big_ben_clock went BONG BONG BONG along with it was truly an experience of a lifetime! 

We also met Winston Churchill's ACTUAL BABY HAIR IN HIS MUSEUM (Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British politician, best known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century, he served as Prime Minister twice (1940–45 and 1951–55). A noted statesman and orator, Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, a historian, a writer, and an artist. He is the only British prime minister to have received the Nobel Prize in Literature and was the first person to be made an Honorary Citizen of the United States.) (THANK YOU WIKIPEDIA, YOU ROCK) 

It got me really excited because he's been 'that man' that so many of us taking history were studying about! AND HIS HAIR. 15 CM AWAY FROM ME. OH MY GOSH. Yeah, that kind of feeling you know? 

We also met lots of adorable squirrels (shereen's team) and birds (my fellow citizens) who paid absolutely no respect to our fingers while in the middle of fighting for our walnuts and 60 cents bread (which we were nibbling on while on the way to the park heheh). NEVER SEEN PIGEONS FLY UP TO STEAL YOUR FOOD BUT THAT HAPPENED ALRIGHT. Told myself never to eat in the park until those fellow citizens of mine are trained to at least bark or meow for food. (okay who am I kidding)

(Both pictures taken off Shereen's instagram)

Buckingham palace was nearby, which we rushed for on one morning. Having missed half of the changing-of-guards ceremony (where the guard chants a whole paragraph of words that the horses seem to understand better than I do) , we only managed to see them march back into the palace with the horses while the trumpets blasted Bieber's Baby (WHY NO JOBROS)

The three biggest highlights on our trip was shopping, stuffing ourselves fat (no regrets) and spending time great quality time with special people!

 Eating kitkat in the train because we can!

 Jun Ming stuffing us with the spiciest fish dish ever! (yes, that's a whole lot of chilli padi in that bowl right there) 3 cans of drinks and two pots of tea drunk during that dinner!

Rabbit meat fettuccine at Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant

 Uhuh, the Nando's there has mashed potatoes (and really good ones)

GBK/Gourmet Burger Kitchen's signature juicy beef burger with huge portobello mushrooms on New Year's eve! 

 Happy Shereen finishing 7 spicy chicken wings... right after a whole Nando's meal

Delish leek and asparagus soup at Borough Market! 

Amazing paella by this Spanish guy who guessed correctly that we were Singaporeans (do we really sound that Singaporean-ish?!)

Ben & Jerry's big tubs of ice cream going on sale (5 SGD) in the middle of winter

 Huge shish kebab that couldn't be located because vegetables are more important 

  Daily ritual: Donuts and Fairy cakes with hot chocolate every morning or night! (explain to me again, why on earth did we put on weight?) The supermarket bakeries in UK regard their cakes and pastries the same way as we regard roti prata! So yes, cheap and good!

Hot salt beef bagels on Brick Lane's 'Beigel Bake', a 24 hour shop that sells them like hotcakes/hot salt beef sandwiches (HA HA HA GET IT GET IT) 

Shopping around London during the winter sales was belond crazy! One will never experience a real sale until one shops in London

Welcome to the world's largest Topshop/Topman- 5 floors, a cafe, a dip-dye salon, a nail spa, maybe just paradise? 

 TOPSHOP FLEW US TO THE MOON AND LET US PLAY AMONGST THE STARS, LET US SEE WHAT SPRING WAS LIKE IN JUPITER AND MARSSS. IN OTHER WORDDSSS, Topshop's Galaxy paper bags!

a fraction of a whole floor dedicated to basketball equipment in NikeTown (was taken to motivate QW to save up for London!)

I THINK I HAVE A CRUSH ON SOMETHING OH SO GORGE

 Met a friend (whose heart is filled with gold) (i think) outside Harrods!

Jun Ming after a whole day of shopping!

Happy kids!

 awwww such nice people

Welcoming 2013!

Regardless the amount of shopping and eating, the best moments for the both of us had to be the ones with our favourite people! Lots of love to Uncle Victor, Aunty Kitty, Vicki and Jon for being the bestestestest hosts and for making our trip such a blessed and amazing one! To Junming, for bringing us around and spending time with us (that we really enjoyed!). To daddy and momsies (HIIIII) for blessing me with such an opportunity!

Most of all, to my favourite MUG whose company made the whole trip amazingggg. Having lived through real-life-omg-its-happening 'TAKEN' movie scenes (and then screaming our way out and running away), getting lost 1896347634 times on so many occasions, finding fun out of everything, and waking up to pillow fights like EVERYDAAAAY- I'm glad that God blessed me with someone like you :)

It's really true that no matter how far you go or how beautiful the place is, the experience will never be the best unless you share it with the people you love :)

AND YES, "when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life"

Have a great week!