My MANy Bags News #282

Below: Marni Store Opening Cocktail Party this Friday, 29 Oct 2010, with limited edition bags
to commemorate the occasion...

Below: Consuelo graced the event personally...and beautiful Mediacorp actresses all dressed to impress were also present to lend their star appeal!:-P Love those graphic Marni dresses!

Below: Nice belts and brooches...anyone did retail therapy that night?

Below: Happy guests shopping and sipping champagne...:-)

Below: Consuelo looking relaxed and happy, same for the guests who brought home a goodie bag too!

Below: Glamour is the word for all Gucci parties, especially new store opening at Marina Bay Sands!

Below: Spanking new store with bright and glistening interiors lined with many Gucci merchandise... The crocodile Bamboo bag is a head turner! Gorgeous!

Below: Store exclusive chain strap sling bags in eye catching colours... A wall with a whole range of Gucci Bamboo Bags... it's time to shop!

Below: 29 October also marks the opening of the 'Bamboo Retrospective' exhibition which lets you have an insight into this iconic handbag in fashion history...

Below: Highlights of the evening... meeting beautiful and friendly Jeanette Aw and the gorgeous Brazilian model whom I raved about at Dior MBS Opening... Meet Christopher (right) who spots sexy facial hair now...:-) (Thank you Bagaholicboy for taking the pic!)

29 October: It's An Auspicious Store Opening Day!

Yes, not only is last Friday my birthday...but it seemed to be an auspicious day for brands to celebrate their store openings as well:-) Gucci and Marni both had their new store openings at Marina Bay Sands and Paragon Shopping Mall respectively on this very special day.

I was privileged to be invited for both glamourous events, however, due to the conflicting schedule, we arrived late for Marni. Nonetheless, we still had a blast frolicking the many quirky pieces of talented Marni creative director Consuelo Castiglioni while sipping champagne:-)

Here's pictures of what has transcended before our arrival.... a well attended event with Consuelo gracing the occasion personally and our 3 beautiful Mediacorp celebrities adding that extra sparkle with their star appeal! Guests were also happy with their goodie bag (I wonder what is inside!:-P) and being able to savour in person the many delectable fashion goodies in the new Marni store. (Check out those brooches! I like!)
As for Gucci, the Marina Bay Sands store was all decked out in full glamour to await the many impeccably dressed guests that attended the event. Champagnes and canapes flowed thru the evening while we happily fondled the 'STAR' bag of the evening, the Gucci Bamboo Bag, a reinterpretation of the classic design by Frida Giannini, now made even more glamourous and contemporary for the modern women.

The night also marked the opening of the travelling 'Bamboo Retrospective Exhibition' which traces the history of this iconic bag. The exhibition will take you on a journey to view vintage products from Gucci's own archives, together with archive photography of personalities, including Ingrid Bergman and Vanessa Redgrave, carrying the Bamboo throughout the years.

This unique exhibition lets you learn about the story of this iconic bag, its place in fashion history, while at the same time, being able to enjoy the "New Bamboo", a 21st century version of this classic handbag made relevant by Gucci's Creative Director, Frida Giannini.

2 highlights of the evening, of course, number 1, has to be meeting local mediacorp actress Jeanette Aw who in person and on screen is equally beautiful, with a friendly personality to match. She gladly obliged to picture taking sessions with our whole 'blogging entourage'!:-P So gracious and approachable:)

I also caught up once again with the cute male model from Dior Homme (now spotting facial hair! So man!)....and ever so cute. Now I know he is from Brazil and named Christopher:-P Even got a picture with him. Hello Christopher!

Thank you to Gucci and Club 21 for the gracious invites. May both stores enjoy huge success and make Singapore the fashion and shopping destination that will see our luxury retail future a super bright one!

Source: myMANybags, Club21 Global

My Shopping Conquest #112

Below: Birthday present No.2! Something from Fendi...

Below: It's the Fendi Goldmine And Calfskin Bracelet... Love the 'stud' shiny gold buckle and the double wrap design!

Below: Me modelling the bracelet! Love how it looked on the wrist:-) Another successful birthday treat!

My 2010 Birthday Treat No.2:
Fendi Goldmine And Calfskin Bracelet

Ever since I tried on this bracelet at the Fendi Marina Sands boutique, I cannot get it off my mind. This Fendi Goldmine and Calfskin Bracelet is simply gorgeous and a great alternative to Hermès CDC bracelets if you tire from orange overdose once in a while:-P The gold stud and shiny plate buckle makes for a tough luxe appeal, while the different colour options of the double wrap leather strap allows you to mix and match as per your preference.

Best part of all, these bracelets are really affordable (although they look more expensive than they seem). At SGD$340, you cannot fault the pricing. That could explain the reason why these bracelets sell fast in Fendi stores all over Singapore, leaving only medium size and the taupe and pink colour left (at the time I first tried them on).

However, medium size was too loose for my slim wrist (even though there were 2 fastening length, the last hole was odd to use) and the colours left not to my liking. I wanted black and gold combination which will be the most versatile and appealing of options. Hence, I had to turn my hunt for the bracelet online...

Thanks to www.luisaviaroma.com, I tracked down the black/gold version in S size, and way much less than what the local boutiques are charging (at € 138.95 or approx. SGD$250). I knew I had to get it as a birthday present!(I first bought the single wrap, broader version, but thought it was too narrow in width for guys. Hence I exchanged it for the double wrap version which is perfect!)

Another birthday treat for another new year ahead. Hope this bracelet brings me luck! Just debut it yesterday at the Gucci Marina Bay Sands store opening... loving every minute of wearing it:-)

Source: myMANybags

Retail price: € 138.95 (or SGD$340 at Singapore Fendi Boutiques). Where to buy: Luisaviaroma or Fendi Boutiques

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #172

Below: Canvas bags from Dior Homme anyone... this backpack is one cool looking design... mixing modernity and utilitarian...

Below: Modern shopping totes that give Céline's leather cabas a run for their money...

Below: More contemporary designs to covet... from messengers to duffels to totes...

Dior Homme Spring Summer 2011 Bags

Are you lusting for any Dior Homme bags lately? Well, be sure to continue coveting for the brand's minimal and contemporary designs as Spring Summer 2011 sees another fantastic collection waiting to satisfying all fans. I am already marking a couple on my shopping list!

Spring Summer 2011 season will see a range of canvas bags that add more utilitarian feel to the usual polished and urban designs. Looking more tough but interpreted in the streamlined Dior Homme aesthetics that is perfect for any urban fashionite. I love the backpack, one of the best I have seen, having been a non-believer in such bag configurations. I just love this Dior Homme version!

Further to the canvas bags, I am also eyeing a leather shopper the likes of Céline's leather cabas but in a more tapered shape. The versatile design will be a good companion for any dress up or dress down occassions.

The new collection offers plenty of options, from messenger bags, totes to duffels, that I am sure many modern dandy will gladly adopt. Some in a embossed print leather while others in smooth calf leather, Dior Homme seem to have every ground covered. Spring Summer 2011 season is looking promising for 'bag adoption'!

Source: Dior Homme

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #135

Below: Military green is simply a gorgeous colour that exudes masculinity and strength. I love this combination where pure white (trousers) is matches with a colour commonly associated with the rough outdoors and adventure! I will adopt this look when I go to Tokyo... I need a pair of hiking style boots!

Below: Military green in the most unusual interpretations of fashion... in a mens' suit! But so contemporary and interesting...

Below: How about accessorising with a touch of military green. Love the grey and browns that compliments the green hue...

Below: Even a 'nerdy' look gets a lift from this masculine hue... Declan Chan from Lane Crawford...

Military Green

This is my favourite colour of all time. A hue that evokes masculinity and strength, neutral as black, but yet more interesting. Military green as mostly seen in uniforms and adventure gear makes a huge comeback to fashion since last Spring Summer 2010. I believe this colour has always transcended time and have been recurred again and again. It just happened that these past 2 seasons saw the colour take a step to the forefront of trends. Everyone has been captivated and wearing this versatile colour.

Military green matches especially well with hues from the brown and red family. Goes perfect with black or navy, and even have a unique 'rough vs. clean' effect when worn with whites. How can you not love the colour! I have so many olive green pieces in my wardrobe:-)

Here's some pictures to inspire, all accented with a touch of military green...be it from jackets, bags, trousers or even suits!

Source: Sartorialist, Style Sightings

My MANy Bags News #281

Below: Mark Ruffalo and Julianne Moore looking gorgeous in Neil Barrett and Lanvin respecitively for the premiere of the movie "The Kids are all right" in London...

Below: Love this wrinkled suit from Neil Barrett Fall Winter 2010...

Below: Applause to Lanvin for another gorgeous dress from their Spring Summer 2011 collection...

Mark Ruffalo In Neil Barrett Fall Winter 2010 with Julianne Moore In Lanvin Spring Summer 2011

I love the Neil Barrett wrinkled suit as soon as I saw it on the runway for the Fall Winter 2010 mens collection. Now actor Mark Ruffalo has been spotted wearing the cool wrinkly suit attending the premiere of "The Kids are all right" on Monday, at at the Vue West End
in Leicester Square (part of the London Film Festival). The suit was meant to look rough and tough, but Mark wore it with in a relaxed way. I still prefer the runway styling nonetheless. It's younger and more edgy. Look out for Mark Ruffalo wearing Neil Barrett in the movie:-P

As for Julianne Moore, she is simply stunning and sophisticated with Lanvin's latest Spring Summer 2011 dress. Don't you envy celebrities...they get to wear the new season styles way before it even hit the stores! The draping on half of the dress is fluid and feminine.

Source: Neil Barrett, Lanvin

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #134

Below: Céline's luggage envelope tote is hitting a fever with many fashion forward women... so gorgeous and simple, it's a must have for any urban girl!

Below: PS1 bag is still all the rage with the fashion IT girls and have kickstart a 'school bag' trend from other brands...

Bag Fever: Céline And Proenza Schouler

Céline and Proenza Schouler have both hit a jackpot with iconic bags that is both endearing and epitomises urban chic. The Luggage Envelope Tote (starts from SGD 2590) and Extra large PS1 Bag (SGD 3750) is a must have for the fashion forward ladies!

I just cannot get enough of pics of real people adopting these gorgeous arm candies with their amazing styles. It seemed the bags just looked fabulous on anyone! Coincidentally, both ladies are wearing leopard print shoes...

Have you got yours already?:-P

Source: Céline and Proenza Schouler

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #171

Loewe Spring Summer 2011 Menswear

What can we expect from the Spanish luxury label, Loewe come next Spring Summer 2011? All I can say is... this is one impressive collection that will appeal to the most tasteful of dressers, especially those who do not shy away from colour and love sartorial styles.

I am in love with the savvy styling that seem to be inspired from handsome, young Ivy League smarts and Wall Street power broker types. The smart casual looks include playful shorts matched with thick jumpers (think college chic) and accented with dashes of pinks, reds and purples (love men who wears colour)! I adore the feel of the combination, smart dressing but never too uptight.

The suited options are as appealing, especially when 'summer friendly' light coloured suits are paired with eye poping accessories the likes of a purple briefcase and matching slim tie (I want!). Lastly, I cannot even begin to mention those wonderful lace-ups in navy and whites... I just love everything!

Source: Loewe

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #133

Below: Tom boys invade Spring Summer 2011 Womens' collections.
As seen at Balenciaga, street inspired versions...

Below: Tom boys as seen on DSquared2...power looks as straight out of the boardroom.

Below: Tom boys in a sporty way as seen on Isabel Marant... Girls want to play on 'boy's league':-P

Below: Since girls are 'stealing' men's style...boys have to 'fight' back:-P... How about some 'skirt-like' parka at Raf Simons... (This model seriously have me guessing his gender at first glance.)

Below: More skirts, anyone?

Below: White lace shirts at Givenchy...fit for a 'bride'...

Below: Skirts again...

Below: Sexy sheer underwear at Jean Paul Gaultier... male lingerie?

Below: Male or female?!?!? (Jean Paul Gaultier)

Spring Summer 2011: Gender Confused?

The 'Tomboys' are marching in full force! Girls ransacked the boy's closet while guys start looking like a 'girl'. Some are wearing lace shirts, some braved skirts and others get on some sheer underwear...

What on earth has happened in Fashion come Spring Summer 2011? Gender confused it may be but this is what makes fashion so fascinating:-P

Source: Style