Rejoice! Celebrate! Welcome 2009!

Say Goodbye to 2008...Ready for 2009

Happy New Year! Happy 2009! Wishing all my readers a wonderful, fantastic super new year...have lots of fun, do lots of shopping (as some of you might already have been doing...Joseph, you make us proud!)...but most of all, to world peace, more bags, health and love, and MANy more bags. Oh yay:-)

And to super cute 'I swoon over your voice' Anderson Cooper from CNN... I adore you!

Greetings From Bangkok!

Operation 'Save The Economy' Thai Edition...

Sawadeekrap! Yes, greetings from the 'not so smiley anymore' land of smiles. Amidst all the turmoil and political unrest plaguing the Thai capital, it has not deter Kevin's 'save the economy' mission that I have 'endeavoured' to do:-P So from Singapore to London, London to Bangkok...my 'good retail deeds' indeed transverse miles and miles away and spread its wings internationally:-P May I get good 'retail karma' back. Had a 'retail mishap' a few days back, but it seems my past merit do hold up for me today.

To be honest, I am a little apprenhensive about the protests happening now in Bangkok. Was not sure if I should visit. My friend in Bangkok told me all is peaceful so I took the 'risk'. Hopefully the protestors will not be foolish enough to block the airport a second time, cos' that will be the 'end' of Bangkok tourism. Already, the crowds in Bangkok have substantially decreased as compared to last year when I was there over New Years. The shops here are giving away huge, huge discounts unheard of before in the thai capital. On Pedder is giving up to 70% and a further 15% for any 2 items purchased. Club 21 mens/womens boutique and Blackjack are following as well with additional 15% discount on top of the 50-60% markdowns from now till January 15. Oh my. The economy is showing its true impact on retail business. Everyone needs to clear their stock even if it means slashing prices way down.

On with my mission today, I shop the malls of Siam Paragon and a few others. My favourite is Siam Paragon as they have amazing stores there such as Paul Smith and a cool Club 21 accessories shop. I found an amazing YSL Y-mail dogtag necklace at 50% off. I am still thinking about it. After a whole afternoon of 'hunting', my shopping expedition today do bear results. I bag a real good deal (70% off) at On Pedder in Gaysorn Plaza. I never expect to find such a great great bargain for something I have been wanting since a few years back. (It was too pricey at its original price and I could not bear buying it):-P So what would I have bought? :-P Clues are sex, Gucci, and even more sex!

Reveals later! Time for a nap.

My MANy Bags Sales Updates #17

Matches Fashion And Browns Fashion Online Sale!

What better time to shop for discounted goods than now....why I say that? It's because the markdowns are huge and the stock still aplenty in many places. Seems people do get more careful about spending. And to get the best deal in the entire world, I'd say, shopping in UK is the wisest! Their exchange rates to Singapore Dollars are at an all-time low and with a hefty VAT exemption and lower prices in pounds, you get a whole lot more for your money.

So get ready your credit card, the top 2 places to shop the UK sale is www.matchesfashion.com and www.brownsfashion.com. Trustworthy and they ship internationally!

Here's my top picks from both sites:-) I have expended my budget for this year so cannot shop but drool over these temptations.:-( But hopefully you guys will get some of these incredibly priced items now.

1) Matches Fashion (Prices are exclusive of UK VAT)

a. YSL Y-Front Leather Tote - was £1023, now £622.61 (Black), £433.04 (Beige)




b. Pierre Hardy Leather Tote - was £690, now £293.92 (Both horizontal and vertical versions)




c. Pierre Hardy Yellow Trim Trainers - was £201, now £102.61



d. Pierre Hardy Gold Trim Trainers - was £181, now £102.61



e. Alexander McQueen Leather Tote - was £722 now £424.35




2) Browns Fashion (Prices are inclusive of UK VAT exclusion, so will be lower for international orders during checkout)

a. Lanvin Leather Square Toe Oxfords - was £510, now £260




b. Dries Van Noten Ostrich Skin Lace-ups - was £390, now £235



c. Dior Homme Silver Trim Trainers - was £280, now £145



d. Balenciaga Black Trainers - was £305, now £155


Both sites ship internationally with a charge of £30.

Do your part to 'save the economy'! :-P

Source: www.matchesfashion.com and www.brownsfashion.com

My MANy Bags Sales Updates #16

www.mulberry.com Sale Preview Till 27th Dec

Happy Boxing Day! Today is the 'traditional day' of sales shopping anywhere in the world. So you can imagine the kind of crowds flooding orchard road today. It was not a wise move to be in town today. But as a modern city and savvy shopper, I am sure my fellow bag fans will find a way to beat the crowd and not lose their cool amidst the chaos. So what better way to avoid the frenzy in person than to shop in cyber space!

Okay, I am kinda late in sharing this. While browsing thru purseforum.com, I found out there is a www.mulberry.com online sale preview with an additional 10% discount that started on X'mas day and ends on 27th Dec. Lots of bags on sale from current season and some which were classics, like the Bayswater, both regular and large versions. The best deals are the classic bags in classic colours. So I highly recommend the Large Bayswater Bag! It's a smaller more handy version of Piccadilly bag which is perfect on guys. Ladies might find it too big for their daily use, but guys will find this to be one lean gym bag that is iconic in design, it's a classic! Right now, the black colour is sold out, but the oak and chocolate colour is still available...Hurry, they shipped worldwide.

Other bag candy includes the toby tote and morgan messenger which I have featured on my blog before! With the UK pound at an all time low, today's exchange rate is around 1 pound to SGD 2.155, it's the best time to buy from UK websites.

IMPORTANT: Use only this link from purseforum to get the sale preview menu to pop up on the website. Going direct to mulberry's website will not work. The time difference between SG and UK means you are still in time to preview the sale.

Examples of discount prices of the bags are

1) Large Bayswater (only 20% discount at the Mulberry Singapore store but approx. 35% off online)

- UK 437.40 pounds (Original price: UK 680.20 pounds)

2) Morgan Messenger

- UK 267.30 pounds (Original price: UK 582.33 pounds)

3) Toby Leather Tote

- UK 437.40 pounds (Original price: UK 680.20 pounds)

International shipping charges are around UK 28 pounds for normal bags, and UK 35 pounds for luggages. Smaller items will be less.

Happy Shopping!

My Shopping Conquest #43

Balenciaga Bianco/Gris Suede And Leather Giant Coin Purse (SOLD)
(Reveal from 'Balenciaga Fever Strikes This Festive Holiday!')

I am on a Balenciaga craze ever since I came back from London. After missing out on the chance to buy the Argent Weekender, I have been kicking myself over it. Why did I let the opportunity slip thru my hands like that...I had it in my palms, trying it in front of the mirror and secretly liking it more and more. I did not know the love grew to this proportion that it actually outgrew my love for my YSL Men's Besace bag. Yikes. Fate.

So to make it up till I find my next 'weekender lov'e...I ended up in Balenciaga's Hilton Hotel Boutique and found this cute Balenciaga Bianco/Gris Suede And Leather Giant Coin Purse which was, ahem...in grey. I am in this grey phrase now. So anything grey catches my eye. Balenciaga classic designs seldom goes on sale. So with a fantastic discount in tow, I knew I wanted it. I did not get it the first time I saw it last Friday. But I returned the following Sunday and bagged this. This would match up perfectly with my upcoming Balenciaga Weekender purchase...I knew it is going to have to be soon. I am lusting for that bag for a few months now! It's time to welcome the weekender to my 'little bag family'!

This roomy coin purse, too big for just coins, can be used to hold my spare cards, digital camera or mobile phone. There is even a small zip exterior pockets to hold spare change or something. Lots of uses to keep me organised. I also love the signature pewter coloured studs and hardware. I am aware such a light coloured suede gets dirty easily. There is a brown version which was equally nice, but since I am on a grey 'frenzy', I stuck to my original love, grey. My first purchase at an actual Balenciaga boutique:-P

(To be honest, I wish I can also get the brown one. I am tempted.)

Je t'aime Balenciaga!

Retail price: SGD $569. Where to buy: Balenciaga Boutique at Hilton Hotel

The Material Boy #204

www.luisaviaroma.com Spring Summer 2009 Shopping Lusts!

www.luisaviaroma.com has started putting up images of their Spring Summer 2009 offerings. Gorgeous! I see 'baked beans' and myself becoming best pals now! So many nice things, so little money. Santa, please send me piles of cash...I dun want the LV Zippy Organiser anymore. Hehehe.

Here's my top picks for now, Happy online shopping! Merry X'mas!

1) DSquared2 Car Logo Tee - Euro $143


2) DSquared2 Cassette Logo Tee - Euro $143


3) DSquared2 Subway Map Logo Tee - Euro $117


4) D&G Checkered Woven Shirt - Euro $179


5) D&G Checkered Bermudas - Euro $161


6) Dior Homme Goldrush Stretched Jeans - Euro $473


7) Dior Homme Fuschia Pointed Buckle Leather Belt - Euro $205


8) Lanvin Grosgrain Suede Sandals - Euro $351

It's Time Of The Year Again...

Happy Holidays!

To all my readers out there, thanks for all the support for my blog:-) and here's me wishing all of you a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful new year ahead!

To more bags, shoes, clothes and happiness! Viva La Shopping!

Best Wishes,

Kevin@myMANybags

Balenciaga Fever Strikes This Festive Holiday!

Balenciaga...Balenciaga...Balenciaga...

Got something from Balenciaga last Sunday. I think I have been bitten by the Balenciaga festive bug. My first purchase at the Balenciaga store at Hilton Hotel since it opened.

:-P

My MANy Bags Sales Updates #15

Hugo Boss Sale Starts 26 December 2008

I am not really a huge fan of Hugo Boss or all its subsidiary lines. But lots of men swear by the label. They love their suits and shirts. So for all Boss fans out there, mark this date in your diary.

26th December is the day, where the sale starts.

Raid the store! It's boxing day.

Source: Pics from www.hugoboss.com

Ad Campaigns & Catalogues #24

Givenchy Menswear Spring Summer 2009

Ricardo Tisci's first menswear collection for Givenchy has won the hearts of major fashion magazines. Even way before Spring Summer 2009 season arrives, his collections have already appeared in magazines like Vman and Arena Homme Plus. I applaud him for his very directional masculine collection. Unexpected mix of materials and colours, such as translucent lace and bright fushia made a big impression. The unusual shorts over leggings look was prominent in the collection. Good to gawk at, but will I wear it? That's another question.

Here's a preview of his ad campaign for the men's collections. Look out for the shoes, they are TDF!

Source: www.frillr.com

The Sartorialist And His Sleepwear 'Fashion'...

Sleepwear fashion?

I was browsing thru The Sartorialist's blog (my daily read) and I stumbled upon his post about his sleepwear. I mean, I can understand that when you are immersed in fashion all day long as a job, you tend to be a bit more sensitive to clothes, but to the extent of sleepwear? Hahaha. It made me laugh. He is so cute and funny. He was contemplating whether to alter the length of his pyjamas:-)

One cute thing he does when he is in hotels, he uses a wash cloth as pocket square on his terry cloth bathrobe...how weird and funny! Silly antics but so adorable.

So to quote him on his question (answer from ladies only or okay guys as well...it's my blog, I state the rules! hehe)

"What do you want to see your man wearing to bed at night? (don't say a naughty grin, that wouldn't be fair)"

Read the full post at his blog.

Source: www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com

My Shopping Conquest #42

D&G Slim Fit Pink Stripe Woven Shirt
(Reveal from 'Christmas Shopping Bags')

Like I mentioned and reiterated so many times here before, D&G cuts the best shirts for me...and all those slim long body types around! Their cuts are tapered at the right places giving me a broad shoulder look and long enough to ensure all the tuck in portions stay where they are. I absolutely enjoy wearing D&G shirts. Not even Dolce & Gabbana's shirts fit me as well. I feel great in D&G's creation.

As I do not need to wear shirts at work (creative industry such as advertising are spared all the tie and shirts at work.) so sale time is the best time to buy them. I love to wear them on occasions when I need to smarten myself up. And I am particular about cuts, cos I dun have a killer body to look good in anything. Hahaha. When sale starts at D&G a few weeks ago, I already got myself a brilliant Grey Stripe Shirt with contrasting white collar, but I feel the urge to stock up on more when the sale reaches 50%! So when the further markdown started Friday, I checked out D&G again. There were only 2 things left in the store that I wanted to try. One was a pair of audacious fit distressed jeans and the other is this beautiful D&G Slim Fit Pink Stripe Woven Shirt. I did not get the shirt nor the jeans last weekend. The jeans had a weird wash and odd rip on the legs so I decided against buying them although it fits like a glove. The shirt suddenly lost its appeal to me after my failure to like the jeans. At the back of my mind, the shirt somehow lingered. I was contemplating to go back to D&G to buy the shirt last Sunday, but was too lazy to get out of the house.

So this Friday, while on my half day leave, I made a visit to the store again. As I always believed, if the item is meant to be mine, it will be there for me no matter when I drop by the store. So as fates have decreed, the pink stripe shirt is still hanging nicely on the racks. I obliged fate's will, it was meant to be, especially after i put it on and it look brilliant. A simple stripe shirt looks amazing when it fits. I bought the shirt and was a wonderful half day off before heading to watch the movie Twilight. ( I like it!)

This shirt is not just a simple plain stripe shirt. There are certain details which I find interesting. First is the displaced stripes on the placket of the shirt. The lines go diagonally instead of vertical like the rest of the shirt. Second, there are dual layer detailing on the collars and shirt cuffs which I thought was subtle and yet fun. Third, pink stripes are very cute. But the best part is the discounted price tag of SGD $235, which is a bargain for D&G shirts.

Summing it up, I am just pleased that another good shirt ends up in my closet. Can't wait to wear it soon!

Retail price: SGD $469. Where to buy: D&G Boutique at Forum, The Shopping Mall

The Material Boy #203

Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Zippy Organiser

Dear Santa,

It is that time of the year again that your 'graciousness' will be distributing fabulous gifts to all good hearted people around the world. So I am writing to you to let you know what I would fancy when you drop by this X'mas eve. Please do not bring the usual X'mas candles, aroma therapy kit or even a barbecue set. A modern fashion savvy guy like me do not appreciate such things.

As a good citizen of my home country contributing to the economy for the past year, I am sure you will spare no expense in bringing me a surprise this festive holiday. I am not greedy. All I am asking from you is just a tiny little gift, something really 'small'. It's not even a bag. (U know I love bags!) All I want for Christmas is this...Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Zippy Organiser. I dun even want the coveted Graffiti Keepall this X'mas as that will be too much expense for you and I would feel bad. (Okay okay, the Keepall will not be released in time for X'mas. So you might not even be able to find it if you had want to bring me one.)

Back to my wishlist. Yes, the very functional Zippy Organiser will serve me well in sorting out all my travel documents. As you know, I am an avid contributor to reviving economies, even those outside of my home country of Singapore. I have made my $presence$ felt in Thailand, Indonesia, London this year, not to mention the countless international luxury brands I support all throughout the year. So having this organiser will find me being able to flash Louis Vuitton during check-in and maybe get bump up to Business class next time I fly. It will also prevent me from having to dig thru my bag like a mad man for my travel documents and passports. You see... Mr Santa, how useful this gift will be to me. Please, please bring me this and make one of my 'very small' X'mas wish come true. I prefer the Ivory and Cannelle colour, Black is okay. I had initially wanted to get a CK Calvin Klein version for 50% off (SGD $135 now) but it is not as glamourous as Louis Vuitton. I feel luxury brands suits me better:-)

Thank you.

Looking forward to your 'gracious' gift

PS. BTW, the Organiser retails for UK 395 pounds and can be bought at www.louisvuitton.com.

(See...how thoughtful I am to find out all the details for you:-P Pics are attached as well from the website. If you are really not free to send it personally, I recommend FedEx. They are very reliable if you have seen their advertisements, more reliable than the faithful dogs. Oh lastly, I am sure you read blogs in this cyber age. So it will be no excuse that you do not receive this letter.)

Sincerely,
Kevin (www.mymanybags.blogspot.com)

The Material Boy #202

Marc By Marc Jacobs Sky Blue Lambswool Cardigan

Dandy on a dime. Belt tightening..yes? But compromise on style....NOOOOO!

Who doesn't want to recreate luxurious runway styles from top labels but do it at a fraction of the price? Inspired by these tough economic times, I have decided to add a new sub-category call 'Dandy On A Dime' tagged on posts which I have 'hunt' for cheaper alternatives to the pricier ones as spotted on runway of top labels.

First up, Gucci's runway looks for Spring Summer 2009. All those multi-coloured wool cardigans are adding dandyism and colours to the ensemble. I love those blues and turquoise hues. Refreshing colour palette for the eyes and captures the essence of a sun drenched holiday in the tropics. However, knowing Gucci, those TDF cardigans will probably be made from luxurious materials like cashmere or silk which jacks up the prices up to at least SGD $1000 a pop. So I am going to pass on that amidst these belt tightening times.

To recreate the look and capture the colours and styling of these Gucci looks without robbing a bank, I found a gorgeous alternative from Marc By Marc Jacobs yesterday. Check out this lambswool cardigan from Mr Marc Jacobs. It's sky blue (I tweak the colour from a pic off www.saks.com) and in the same family of bright hues, you can pull off Gucci at a fraction of the price!

This cheery and soft Marc By Marc Jacobs Sky Blue Lambswool Cardigan costs only SGD $469, which should not burn too big a hole in your pockets. Wear it with pants with summer flower prints or white trousers and you got the Gucci look! How's that for 'saving money'?:-P

Source: Model shots from www.frillr.com and www.saks.com

Retail price: SGD $469. Where to buy: Marc By Marc Jacobs Boutique at Takashimaya