Model Talk #05

Below: Sebastian Lund, my new favourite model, starring in D&G Fall Winter 2009
Menswear Show...love his boyish masculine looks...

Below: Another of him in Dolce & Gabbana's Fall Winter 2009 Menswear Show...


Below: or his most hot defined body...no wonder he got cast in D&G's Spring Summer 2010 Menswear Show wearing only a tank or a pair of shorts...drools...

Below: I love him in this silver suit at Dolce Gabbana's Spring Summer 2010 Menswear Show...as much as minimal clothing...:-P

Below: Sebastian Lund, with his other gorgeous shots from his other assignments...

Below: He is a D&G favourite...starring in Spring Summer 2009 campaign...

Below: Even pink trousers look good on him...

Below: Arresting eyes...

Below: Beyond, the hunky looks, he can also pull off more edgy sultry expressions...

Below: CK Calvin Klein uses him and his brother, Jesper in their Spring Summer 2008 campaign...good genes for the family!...WOW...

Sebastian Lund - Scoop Models

My current favourite male model...Sebastian Lund. He's danish, and younger brother of model, Jesper Lund. Good genes do run in the family. The parents must be very proud:-P

I cannot help but be blown away by his cute boyish looks and of course almost perfect slim and lean muscled body. He looks great in many different styles too, from sexy D&G looks to edgy, 'nerdy' CK Calvin Klein or simply looking mesmerising with those piercing eyes:-)

Looking forward to see where this guy's career will sky rocket to! Keep up the great work, Sebastian!

Source: Scoop Models, Dolce & Gabbana

The Runway Sniper #27

CK Calvin Klein Spring Summer 2009

With the opening of a new CK Calvin Klein flagship store at Forum, The Shopping Mall, fans of the brand can now find the full range of menswear, womenswear and accessories at the new store. I am not sure if this claim is true as quoted from the Club 21 website, but I do hope they keep this promise. There are definitely some drool worthy pieces shown on the runway looks for Spring Summer 2009 season.

Clean lines, structural cuts, vibrant splashes of orange, yellows and electric blue, mixed with soft greys and blacks all sum up the vision of CK Calvin Klein this summer. I love the lightness of the collection, in terms of the materials used and the cheery colour palette. Somehow the clothes seem to float on the models and is perfect for warm summery days.

My favourite pieces from the looks shown above include the multi 'spotted' coloured shorts and the silver sandals. These adds an edge to the pure clean lines of the other pieces and zest up the ensemble. I really hope they carry those pieces for guys. The ladies have equally amazing pieces such as the coloured spot short dress, the edgy thin strap sandal heels are to die for. I even like the all white ensemble which is smart and light.

I cannot vouch for top notch 'quality' of the clothes (well, the line is less pricey than top luxury labels, hence you cannot expect the same level of workmanship and materials) , but the design sure gets me excited!

Source: www.club21global.com

Shop, shop, shop...

What?!>!!?!? Shopping again...

Before I was headed my way for my Hua Hin holiday...I did 'sinned' again in the name of retail therapy.

Contrary to believe, amidst this bad economic climate, I do 'freaked out' as much as the rest of my 'baked beans boys' gang, to be spending and spending away as if we are still in good economic times. But since I have committed my 'sin', I might as well enjoy it rather than sulk over it:-P

LV was one of the 2 luxury brands (Hermès is the other) that made profits last year. I guess I have made my teeny tiny contribution to their 2009 bonuses. I should be 'proud' eh?:-P The 'woes' and 'pride' of a 'baked beans boys club' honorary lifetime member:-P

Happy Friday and Valentines tommorrow! Reveals over weekends!

Ad Campaigns & Catalogues #12

CK Calvin Klein Fall Winter 2008/2009

Time and again, CK Calvin Klein is improving on their clothing and accessories designs. Following their beautiful Spring Summer 2008 collection, this new fall sees even more great pieces being put up on offer in the stores here. The bags are most commendable as they have taken tremendous effort to design bags that are unique and yet affordable and timeless. All these steps to creating a better brand is translated into their ad campaigns as well. I blog about how I love their Spring Summer 2008 Ads and now I am even more in love with their new Fall Winter 2008/2009 ads. Shot by Mert and Marcus and featuring male model Lenz from VNY Model Management, the campaign successfully conveyed the mood of fall with the sleek and sharp silhouettes of the clothing. And in one of the pic, you can see the very beautiful tote bag in black with simple pleating on the sides. Nothing frivolous to complicate the design. I love it! You will not believe the low prices for these beauties!

However, one problem with second line clothing is the broader market it hopes to capture. In Singapore alone, there are already more than 5 CK Calvin Klein stores and outlets in one Orchard Road. Not to mention the rest of the island. It probably comes close to 8 or 9 places to sell this brand. Although the designs and prices are great, it is somewhat not very exclusive. I foresee you can buy a CK Calvin Klein bag or clothing and you can spot many people wearing or carrying the same thing as you easily. Not that I am being snobbish, CK Calvin Klein may be affordable, it ain't Gap or Zara prices. It's still considered 'pricey enough'. So the question is will you pay that kind of money and get the same level of exposure as street labels? And one theory I have that always stop me from buying CK Calvin Klein items is that since there are so many outlets in Singapore, it means the stocks are plenty. I have noticed every sale season, you can still find the items you want during the first week of sales. As I always get preview sale shopping, it's not a problem to get anything at sale price from this brand. The question is whether if you have patience.

What do you guys think? Design rules over exclusivity? Exclusivity rules over design? Let's have a poll!:-P (Base on paying full price and not during sale time)



Source: Pics from www.models.com and www.thefashionisto.com

The Material Boy #48

CK Calvin Klein Menswear Spring Summer 2008

A break from my Gucci craze and finally found the pics of the new CK Calvin Klein campaign. I was originally planning to buy the warm grey nylon jacket with pull tabs on the waist area, but apparently, the sizing is too big for me. I need some serious alteration to be able to fit perfectly into that TDF jacket:-( so sad. But for guys who have a bigger build, I strongly recommend that. And I also wanted the strap sandals from this season, just too expensive to buy at full price now.

I love the campaign pictures this season. Very clean and uncluttered photography, with just spots of red lighting to create a visual interest. I find it very beautifully done, classy and sophisticated, depicting the essence of the clothes.

Looking forward for more news of the fashion show during Singapore Fashion Festival. The creative director Kevin Carrigan will be in town for the event.

My MANy Bags News #02

CK Calvin Klein Fashion Show - 6 Apr 2008, Ngee Ann City

It's Singapore Fashion Festival time! All fashionistas and fashionistos, get ready your designer gear, it's time to see and be seen:-) All the models and celebrities spotting takes place in April:-)

For people who wants a piece of the runway action for the festival, Club 21 is having a CK Calvin Klein runway show on 6 April, at the Tent@Orchard, Ngee Ann City. The marquee presentation will be the finale of the Singapore Fashion Festival 2008.

10 pairs of tickets to the ck Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2008 Fashion Show on 6 April are up for grabs. To have a chance to win the tickets, download your entry by clicking on GET A COUPON (select Events and find CK Calvin Klein show), then present your completed entry upon making a purchase of any amount at a ck Calvin Klein store in Singapore. Contest ends 27 March 2008.

I wonder if I will get an invite, since last year I got the Marc by Marc Jacobs invitation. Wish me luck! And good luck to you guys who are interested:-)

My Bag Collection #21

CK Calvin Klein Embossed Crocodile Leather Tote (SOLD)

Okay, suddenly I am in a CK Calvin Klein craze. So this will be another post about this label. :-P Here you go, my bag collection of a CK Calvin Klein embossed croc leather tote!

When I first lay eyes on this tote, I cannot believe CK Calvin Klein produces bags of this kinda of aesthetics. Exotic skin does not seem to be in their brand DNA even if it is just embossed textured leather. I was pleasantly surprised when I see this bag. And immediately, I was drawn to the bag and tried it on. The size was perfect, roomy and with several internal pockets so you dun have to go thru a 'bottomless pit' to find your things. There is a zipper pocket that can provide extra security for wallet or valuables. I also like the buckle design which is not the usual square or D-ring.

Initially I was skeptical with the embossed leather and the brand. I seem to have this strong impression that ck Calvin Klein was a cheap brother of Calvin Klein. The impression has gradually changed over the years with a significant design improvement. But at that point in time when I came to see this bag, I was unsure. I fear the embossed leather is looking too fake and cheap. I went back home to ponder the decision. Ultimately, I gave in to my inner urges to own the bag and went back the second day to buy it. And at a 20% discount as well as there was a promotion going on, which came as an added bonus!

The first time I tote this bag out for a 'test drive', it garnered a lot of attention, pleasant ones which made me love this bag more. People who saw it only had compliments for it. The embossed textured looked real enough to get people asking me if that was actual croc skin:-) All in all, the response was that the bag is very well designed and luxurious with the crocodile skin texture:-) I was happy I trusted my instincts back then and I made the right decision to purchase it a few years ago:-)

Now, when I use the bag, I customised it by hooking a DG waist chain to give it an added rock star chic!

Retail price: SGD $499. Where to buy: CK Calvin Klein Boutique at Ngee Ann City

My Shopping Conquest #01

CK Calvin Klein Menswear

This will be another new section that I will be adding to this blog to highlight my shopping gains every now and then:-) Not to mix with shoes and bags, this section features all the other stuffs(clothes, accessories) I deem worthy of mentioning and sharing on this blog.

First on the list, ck Calvin Klein clothes I have recently acquired. ck Calvin Klein designs have improved tremendously over the past few seasons. Their designs and cuts are getting more exciting and the fabrication more varied. They have slowly emerged from the shadows of their first line counterparts and coming into their own as a label with their own aesthetics. I love the collection for both men and women's Spring Summer 2008. You can view the runway video at www.club21global.com (choose 'Singapore', then 'trends'). Some very interesting looks are presented. Hence, the reason I went ahead to buy a few pieces of the menswear.

I got a pair of black nylon shorts and a grey v-neck tee. The black nylon shorts is made from nylon fabric from Japan and you can use them as bermudas and match it with sandals for a sophisticated casual summer look. As for the grey v-neck tee, I simply adore it! Reason being the fabric used is so special. It has a shimmery effect and glistens under the light. Perfect for an evening night out at the clubs or dinner, especially trendy when topped with a slim fitted jacket!

So do keep a lookout for ck Calvin Klein. They are now not only gorgeous but affordable as well.

Retail price:
1) Black Nylon Shorts - SGD $199
2) Grey V-neck Shimmer Tee - SGD $169
Where to buy: ck Calvin Klein Boutique at Forum, The Shopping Mall

My Bag Collection #04

CK Calvin Klein Leather Bag (SOLD)

A sleek looking leather bag which I got at such a great price especially, for a full leather bag. It comes with branded hardware, buckles and a nice whistle bag charm, in a beautiful masculine steel grey colour. I was smiling all the way when I bag this baby. Someone even mistook this for Jil Sander which makes it all the more flattering to lug this around town.

Retail price: SGD $899. Where to buy: CK Calvin Klein Wisma Atria