It's Time To Reap The Rewards Of My 'Devotion' Again...

My 'Gift' Is Upon Me Again...

The 'fashion gods' of Club 21 has spoken yet again...

As a loyal devotee who has continuously paid my '$$tribute$$' to the high-fashion retail temple of 'everlasting beauty and vanity', I have yet again been rewarded for my almost weekly 'pilgrimage' to the 'holy' grounds of style.

Last year, a Lanvin Grasshopper Head Jacket Pin was bestowed upon me...this year, what will I have the pleasure of 'receiving'?

Oh Club 21...I am your humble 'shopper'...I love everything you have to 'give'...:-P I await with bated breath for whatever goodies you may have in store for me.(Okay okay...I understand the hunk is excluded from the 'gift' list. Darn!)

I pledge my loyalty to thy royal 'chic-ness' for many more years to come...

My Shopping Conquest #53

Below: Gucci seriously need to spruce up their packaging...learn from LV:-P Their boxes are so luxe!

Below: Bright colours rules!

Gucci Fluorescent Yellow/Pink,/Orange Web Slider Belt

Neon frenzy has hit the stores this season! I see so much bright colours that bedazzle the eyes lately. Is it because the designers want us to see a brighter future despite the worsening economic conditions for the coming months, so we can be optimistic about spending? Well, it does not matter to me...cos, bright colours are the rage and I know I am in love with the brightest hue ever, fluorescent Orange!

In anticipation to match my range of ultra eye catching Louis Vuitton Graffiti accessories...I decided to pick up this Gucci Fluorescent Yellow/Pink,/Orange Web Slider Belt (blog about this before here) so as not to appear like a single brand 'whore'. Perfect for pairing with Graffiti orange or white and sombre colours...just to spice up the look! Bright, glaring and bold, this belt will get eyes staring. I may have to partially cover it under my tee. :-P Shy?!?!?!?!

Got this on Monday evening after I went down to the Gucci store to check out the pink handle GG plus canvas tote. It was not there anymore, so it was not meant to be mine. But I found a good substitute to curb my neon coloured addiction. This slider belt in canvas does the job exceptionally well.

I used my SGD $100 Takashimaya vouchers to offset the purchase and got it at a fantastic price at the Gucci Boutique there. Only limited pieces came in. 2 pieces of size 85cm and 1 piece of size 90cm. Takashimaya only stock one of 85 cm size. Hurry down to the Paragon store if you want to get some colour to match your Louis Vuitton Graffiti:-P

I love colours! And Gucci rocks as well!

Retail price: SGD $300. Where to buy: Gucci Boutique at Takashimaya

My MANy Bags News #46

Below: My Invite for 'Ontfront':-P

Below: Press imagery for the upcoming Ontfront Fall WInter 2009/2010 Menswear Collection. Looks promising! and they use an asian hunky male model!

I Got Invited To Ontfront's Automne/Hiver 2010 Collection Menswear Presentation...In Paris?!?!?!?

I was duly pleased to find an email in my mailbox yesterday from the Ontfront team. It seems they are inviting me to a fashion presentation of their latest automne/hiver 2010 menswear collection called 'Emperialistic' in their showroom at Studio Charlot, Paris (Oh my...I am so tempted to get a ticket and fly there, as an excuse for a holiday!) This collection will be presented to a select group of audience and by appointment only.

Studio Charlot is an initiative by Gaspard Yurkievich. Eight contemporary designer labels will be showing from March 5th to March 10th.

This is fantastic, to have a preview of what's to come, and in a venue which showcases alternative labels, as initiated by Gaspard Yurkievich, whose work I have seen in runway lookbooks and his collections sold exclusively to very select and savvy retailers.

(From the press release)
Onfront is a fast emerging Dutch menswear brand known for its resolutely distinctive design esthetics and displaying expert stylistic vocabulary (Profound description eh?:-P). Designer Tomas Overtoom and Liza Koifman blended the sophistication of 'Saville Row' with a fickle urban irreverence. Hence, the brand's trademark slogan ' Sidewalk Tailoring' is born.

For the AW 2010 collection, references will be inspired from the personal wardrobe of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, a figure most iconic and renowned in the 19th century for his obsessive elegance and his taste for made-to-measure clothing. Long Siberian coats, military inspired styles, cigarette trousers with relaxed fit are some styles that will be featured. Extended V-neck pulls in juxapose with baseball jackets or zipper hooded cardigans creates a preppy relaxed style as well. Attention to details becomes obsessive as each zippered jacket and hooded cardigan is adorned with Ear Plug cords in 'Tompe L'oeil' and plated with 3.5 gram of pure gold (Decadent!)

The collection sounds promising. If only I am in Paris, but since I am not, I will have to just look at pictures:-P. Hope they will send me pictures of the collection after the presentation dates. Will be nice to see what has been offered.

All in all, it is always nice to have preview of any fashion collections. The knowledge of being the first to know is incredible.

Anyone based in Paris, interested to visit Studio Charlot? Brieuc? :-P

Source: www.onfront.com

The Material Boy #234

Louis Vuitton Socoa Damier Sunglasses

After spotting this pair of Louis Vuitton Socoa Damier Sunglasses in the pre-spring 2009 lookbook online, I can't see to get it out of my mind. I am strangely attracted to the idea of the photochromic lens which darken in bright light to reveal the iconic Damier pattern. Such cool innovative idea! The damier pattern has always been 'handsome' for a guy, and now infused into sunglasses technology, even more suave. James Bond will be proud and lusting for one of these! Definitely a conversational piece when your friends see you shades changing to a checks pattern.

I wonder if the acetate version for women, Louis Vuitton Illusion Glitter Sunglasses (which I have blog about and I feel it works for guys as well!) has the same effect on its photochromic lens.

Nevertheless, I love the Socoa Damier in silver, perhaps when I fulfilled my 'want' list for this season and with budget left, will get a pair of these and start my 'James Bond' impersonation!:-P

Retail price: US $530. Where to buy: www.eluxury.com

The Material Boy #233

Jil Sander Blue Patent Leather Centurion Sandals High Top Sandals

This is a true surprise! I cannot believe this came from the house of ultra minimalist/conceptual fashion..Jil Sander.

Amazing, even a brand that is always doing modern, contemporary styles have also catch on the gladiator sandals trend and did their own interpretation. Apart from the surprise...I think they did an amazing job! High cut sandals are my favourite now. They hide your slim ankles if you have any (I do! Sob sob!). And the strappy styles wraps the feet and gives it a greek warrior mood. Centurion style courtesy of Jil Sander.

In a lovely blue patent leather, the sandals has velcro tabs to ensure a perfect fit. I dig the covered back heel design as well.

Love it.

Source: www.oki-ni.com Retail price: UK 255 pounds. Where to buy: www.oki-ni.com

Hush hush....

Shhhhhh...I Am Having A Little 'Fling' With Gucci Again...

A thing of beauty...an embodiment of brilliance...a creation that illuminate the senses...

Oh Gucci, what have you got me here? Forget Louis Vuitton and Graffiti for a moment...

I am having an affair with you right now...:-P (okay..maybe just this Monday...)

The Material Boy #232

Pierre Hardy Spring Summer 2009 Mens Shoes And Bags

Pierre Hardy is one formidable design force in men's and women's shoes (especially female styles!). I cannot vouch for his bag designing skills, but his shoes are definitely something to drool after.

This season, although he has mainly reworked his classic shoe styles, the use of fresh colours and materials injects a new lease of life to the range. Pale and navy blue suede, silver and white leather trims all make for a spot-on colour tone for summer season.

My favourite out of this lot is the supremely interesting semi-high cut suede sandal/chukka boots. Hybrid shoes are my cup of tea. Nice buckle detail and interesting strappy design upon cut out the relevant portions. Like a cage for the feet. The high cut design is also perfect to hide those slim ankles and yet have some openings to cool off the feet.

Another nice pair that I love is the white leather lace-ups with laces running thru to the back of the shoe with gold eyelet openings. Elegant with nice visual interest, worn with or without socks.

As for the bags, the very limited designs is a recurring style and it has proven to be somewhat impractical (still on 50% sale and available at www.brownsfashion.com) and cumbersome (it's like carry a leather takeaway lunch box, as in McDonald's delivery man), the navy version with white trimming has a very nice nautical feel and looks handsome. But I highly doubt I will get the bag, it's a nice idea but just do not look good on a real person.

Pierre Hardy...I think I will stick to his shoe designs.

Source: www.pierrehardy.com

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #28

Louis Vuitton Pre-Spring 2009 Menswear

Clean, understated...simple and yet nonchalant styles dominate the Louis Vuitton Pre-Spring 2009 Menswear collection. Simple muted soothing colour palettes in the likes of pastel pink, sky blue, soft whites and beiges are juxtapose with steel greys and smart blacks. The overall result is a sophisticated collection that will cater to the modern day stylish male, with a wardrobe selection from day to night, city to beach.

Prominently featured in the lookbook are the Sac Sport duffel bags in blue Siwa leather and beige suede. Lovely bag with such a wide array of styles that it can match. I was duly surprised at its versatility.

Another item that left me drooling are the perfect summer shades, Socoa Damier (UK 295 pounds) in silver with a unique photochronic lens which darkens in bright light to reveal a damier checks pattern! How cool. There are also very lovely sandals, Movie Thong Sandals in calf leather which as the name suggests is definitely befitting the Hollywood superstar in you. The long trench paired with soft pink knitwear is also a winning look!

All in all, wearable pieces in timeless styles. Somehow Louis Vuitton has done a brilliant job this season.

Source: www.louisvuitton.com

My MANy Bags News #45

NEW Bags For Sale @ mymanybagsforsale.blogspot.com

Have put up some new bags on my bag sale blog:-) Check it out. From Mulberry, YSL, CK Calvin Klein and Bally:-) More to come. Start shopping!:-P

I am clearing some storage space for incoming new bags:-P I have been 'bad' and baked beans is staring at me big time! Yikes.

Leave a message on the blog or contact me at my email address (find it on my blog profile) if you are interested. Cheers.

Happy weekends.

My Shopping Conquest #52

Below: Smart packaging! LV is the best!

Below: Something bright peeking thru!

Below: It's no other that the super cute Graffit Zippy Coin Purse in Orange!

Below:I 'read' Paris on the back of the coin purse! My favourite city of love and 'hate':-P

Below: Get mesmerised and 'blinded' by the cool neon coloured lining!

Below: A final look, Graffit Zippy Coin Purse with Box and Booklet:-) LVoe it!

Louis Vuitton Graffiti Zippy Coin Purse In Orange
Reveal from 'Have You Graffitied Yet?'

The Graffiti fever finally hits Singapore. After months of anticipation, countless disappointing delays, the majority of the Graffiti series (except Neverfull) were released to the eager LV fans in Singapore on 16 Feb 2009. I had thought being a non LV regular, chances of getting this range will be slim. There were news of how limited the range will be (the truth or just hype? More like the latter) So I was not in a hurry, and decided all I can do was to leave it to destiny. If I am to own any pieces of this limited quantity special items, I will do so no matter when I visit the store. True to my words, I did not take leave on 16 Feb, nor rush over to Louis Vuitton boutiques during lunchtime, I only managed to get to the LV store in Ngee Ann City after work, and only around 8pm (had to work a bit late that day). I was picturing scenarios of a long queue and countless frenzy of earnest fans all competing to grab what they can from the range. Monday will never be quiet again amidst all this graffiti 'frenzy'!

To my utter surprise...it was exactly the opposite scenario I see on 16 Feb, Monday. No queues at the store entrance, no huge crowds filling the store. It was really really quiet. The SAs served only an average of one customer each, unlike the busy scenarios on normal weekends. I gathered a conclusion...Graffiti isn't what all the hype pitched it to be! Darn, we have been fooled!

I was not expecting to buy anything...as my heart is set for the Graffiti Neverfull. But I wanted to check out the Zippy Coin Purse to satisfy my curiosity. I wonder how the neon coloured lining will look after many people have said it looked stunning. As I entered the store, I saw a lady comparing the green and orange purses. Not a lot of people are asking for the Graffiti items.

I looked for my SA and found her serving another customer. Upon finishing with them, I greeted her and she gave a very warm smile back to me, welcoming me and even addressing me by my surname! She remembered me!:-) How nice:-P (Well, I did buy something from her just the Friday before.)

Delighted, I asked to see the Louis Vuitton Graffiti Zippy Coin Purse In Orange. I did not ask for other colours (which I probably should have, as I found out later, the green colour has been made at a lesser quantity than the orange and fuchsia and hence more limited). But in my mind, I am very set on orange colour. It's really the most timeless colour of the three and since I want the Neverfull in orange, I should stick to orange to get a matching set:-) I played with the orange zippy a bit, deeply amused by the very bright neon orange lining. So pretty. So captivating. What choice have I got...that is how I got 'GRAFFITIED'! (reads...GRA_FI-TID!) :-)

The infamous 3 words again slip out of my mouth...'I'll take it!'. The SA happily packed the zippy coin purse away and prepared my invoice. Jokingly, she suggested I should get the keepall. I said nooooo....I am set for Neverfull. So I ask her to inform me once Neverfull is in stock. She takes note of my request and as promised...she called me a couple of days later to inform me I can placed a deposit over weekends to get a confirmed purchase:-)

Graffiti hype may be exaggerated...but the range is still gorgeous. Hence I am supporting this range from Louis Vuitton. Maybe I am a sucker for all things bright.:-P

(As of today, Graffiti Green Zippy Coin Purse and Speedy are sold out due to smaller quantities stocked and produced. But both items in Orange and fuchsia are still in stock. The fuchsia is actually very pretty. More fuchsia than girly pink! I am tempted:-P But I dun need another coin purse. Come to think of it, Orange will withstand being outdated better. I can also matched it with future Hermès orange items!) (*Hint Hint!*)

Retail price: SGD $665. Where to buy: Louis Vuitton Boutique at Ngee Ann City

My MANy Bags News #44

Better Service Amidst Bad Economy?

Apparently so:-) A reporter from The New York Times set out on Madison Avenue and start to test the service standards of some big name stores clad in the most shabby and basic attire. Snooty sales personnel? Beware! Good service should be consistent, in good or bad times. So buck up, especially Gucci who has failed miserably by being aloof. Sad...sad....

A few years ago, a local news reported did the same. Prada scored top marks. Wonder who did the worst?

First read it on Sean's blog, but read the full article here.

Source: Sean-Inc, New York Times

My Shopping Conquest #51

D&G Nautical Crest Emblem Contrast White Shirt

Nautical themed, daydreaming of sailing the high seas, strutting down the cobbled streets of chic St. Tropez are some key visions I had for dressing this season. I have been blabbering about achieving this look constantly for the past few months...so I am confident I know what I want to look out for and buy this season. All the niffy things that convey a mood of nonchalance of a holiday by the sea is going to 'thin out' my credit cards.

To get the look, whites are an important colour, navy is a great companion hue...motifs of anchors, flags, sailboats, beaches, mermaids, fishes, seagulls are great design elements that completes the look.

So when I stumbled upon something that embodies a good amount of these elements...I knew I would have to get it:-)

Last weekend, upon collecting my alteration for a D&G short sleeve shirt (which I was supposed to do a quick entry and exit in order to avoid further temptations), I asked to try on this cute D&G Nautical Crest Emblem Contrast White Shirt. I did not examine it closely the first time I saw it while buying the bother D&G shirt (reveals later). But upon seeing it the second time, my 'weak will' in the face of retail seduction stood no chance at all. I have been thinking about the shirt and the look I can do with it after my first encounter 3 weekends ago, before my Hua Hin trip. However, 'conscience stricken' me put off the idea to buy it after I had gotten another S&G shirt and sent it for alteration. The shirt left a deep impression and I cannot seem to forget it. So it was no surprise, some mysterious force prompt me to ask to try on the shirt during this second visit.

The contrast navy stripe collar and cuffs, with the nautical inspired flag emblem reminds me of a yachting club and perfectly fits my most wanted nautical look. When I put on the shirt, D&G's impeccable cut leaves me feeling fabulous. I actually found myself complimenting myself...narcissistic syndrome?!?!...oh my. Shameless now!

Posing in front of the dressing room mirror for a good 15 minutes, I was struggling to justify spending money again. Too much shopping lately. However, with the sweet talk of the SA and my own vanity mostly, the higher shopping powers decreed that I must part my lips to let out the words, "I'll take it!". 3 words that means another hit on my bank account. Do I need another shirt? Probably not. Do I like it? Oh yeah, 1000000000000.0000%!

I got the last piece of size 46...size 44 was sold out (anyway, it may be too tight for me and I will look too slim). The 'limited pieces factor' also contribute to wanting to get the shirt.

Was it worth the decision? Definitely, albeit somewhat guilty. One thing is for sure, I know once I start to wear it...I will feel it's money well spent (I paid SGD $399 after a 15% Club 21 discount, which is not too bad at all):-P

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

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #21

Scarf And That Gorgeous Purple Metallic Lace-ups

It's New York Fashion Week! Time for people watching. Here's 2 looks that I love!

Look 1: Love the way the scarf (it's not wool, but most likely silk, I would love to do that with one from Hermès:-) is wrapped around the neck. Isn't it great to be able to do layering in colder weather? We need layering here in SG!

Look 2: Next up, matchy matchy, from jacket trimming to the purple metallic coloured lace-ups...Lanvin?

Nice:-) Preppy cool.

Source: www.style.com, www. altamiranyc.blogspot.com