My Bag Collection #41 (SOLD)

Bally Baltic Canvas Tote Bag With Beige And Blue Contrast Stripes (SOLD)
(Reveal from 'Sale Shopping Time... How Could I Miss It?')

Finally after more than 2 weeks of buying this, I am ready to show my new addition to my bag family. It does take a lot of time to take pics and edit them. 'Sigh'...I need an assistant:-)

Okay, back to the post. I was not planning to get any bags, especially from this season, since most offerings were not appealing to me at all. I was already shopping Spring Summer 2009 so all the the dark coloured and heavy looking winter bags are out of the shopping radar. But when I pop by Bally store as their sale commences, I just have to flash out my credit card. Reason? It's this beautiful nautical inspired Bally Baltic Canvas Tote Bag! I love the colour ways. The ivory white canvas with deep blue and beige signature Bally contrast stripes just shouts 'Yachting' and 'By-The-Sea vacation'! Preppy, nonchalant and lightweight, it's the perfect companion to head aboard a private yacht and sail the Baltic seas! I also adore the chunky shiny silver hardware on the bag. Bally branding is subtle as a small button on the front pockets on each side.

Perfect for the 'resort vacation' looks I am aiming for next season. This will go well with white shorts, bright coloured tops and white leather loafers. Wonderful. With Takashimaya offering a SGD$10 voucher for every $100 spent, I get 10% discount as vouchers which I can use for my next purchase. That is on top of the 6% rebate as vouchers when I use my Takashimaya Amex card to pay. Already at a 30% discount for the Bally sale plus all the rebate in vouchers, the deal just gets sweeter!

In the end, I paid SGD $694.40 for the bag which I top up to SGD $719.40 to get 7 vouchers instead of 6, in addition to the 6% rebate for Takashimaya Amex Card. Got a $25 'Aqua Stop' spray from Bally to hinder moisture and dirt on the light coloured canvas. Works for other bags and materials as well:-) Perfect.

I am waiting for next season to take this bag out to compliment my nautical, sea-faring holiday looks!

Retail price: SGD $992. Where to buy: Bally Boutique at Takashimaya

The Material Boy #181

Balenciaga Weekender Bag In Argent

I am seriously regretting not buying this Balenciaga Women's Weekender in Argent while I was in London. Darn...I am still not getting over this bag in this colour. My days without a Balenciaga Weekender Bag is nearing an end...I am feeling the strong beckoning to own this bag now. And I want this beautiful soft grey colour! Sob sob. I made the decision to buy the YSL Mens Besace bag, but I think I should have gotten this Balenciaga bag. Grrr... I am fickle minded. hahaha. I love both bags. I guess if I got this Balenciaga Weekender, I will probably be writing about the YSL Mens Besace Bag now.

Need to source online...or anyone friends dropping by London:-)

Or maybe me going back to London? WOW..the bag will be costly. :-P

Retail price: UK 940 pounds. Where to buy: Balenciaga Boutique at Mount Street, London

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #09

Nice And Easy With Cardigan, Shirt and Shorts

Hey I have that pair of Zara checkered shorts! I blogged about the white and blue version here before. So cool, I have not seen any pics of the shorts being worn before. When mixed with navy blue cardigan and a light blue shirt, the red checkered shorts adds a gorgeous splash of colour! All 3 items make a great combination! Easy to pull off and perfect for Singapore's erratic rainy and hot weather these past few days.

Exploit the shorts look as much as you can before the summer trend is over. Anyways, Singapore is all year round summer. So this look stays relevant throughout the year here. I love shorts!

This cute guy from NYC, named Ian wears:
1) Cardigan - J. Crew
2) Shorts - Zara
3) Shirt - H & M

Goes to show, you dun have to always wear designer pieces to be chic!
BTW, I wish I had thighs like his!:-P What do you guys think of this ensemble?

Source: www.altamiranyc.blogspot.com

My Shopping Conquest #19

D&G Saint Stefano Vintage Wash V-neck T-shirt

I have been eyeing on this tee ever since I saw it online at www.saks.com. I even blog about it here. It's not only catchy with a silly slogan but I also love the vintage wash effect applied onto the tee itself. As stated on the label attached, it says each tee is handcrafted so there will be differences for each piece which makes it unique. And to me, D&G tees have one of the most amazing fits for me. So I decided this is one tee I need to get. Being a t-shirt guy (hot Singapore weather and all), I have been running out of 'new' tees to wear lately. So tired of wearing all the old DSquared2 T-shirts I acquired a few seasons ago. Some are terribly worn now...after so many washes. Yikes.

So this season, D&G tees came at the right time for me to get some 'fresh' replacements. As with my D&G 'Paradise Wanted' Tee, I got the sleeves altered so it fits better. I love tight arm holes.

I got this tee last friday during the D&G pre-fall collection launch event. Was not a very spectacular event as there was not fashion show, just cocktails and canapes with a few latin/ballroom dancing performances inbetween. Originally, I thought I will get a 20% discount when I buy during the event, as foretold by one of the SA, but in the end, I think the store decided to do away with the discount. So I only get my regular 15% off new merchandise. Oh well. It did not make too much difference anyway.

I got the tee back yesterday from the shop, sleeves tighten and a happy man.

Retail price: SGD $399. Where to buy: D&G Boutique at Forum, The Shopping Mall

My Shopping Conquest #16

D&G 'Paradise Wanted' Round Neck Tee

I think this t-shirt symbolises my present state of mind:-P I need to find my own ' Paradise':-) My ideal paradise will consist of my gorgeous beloved, a huge vacation sea front house, a gigantic walk in closet and of course, my very own luxury mega brand mall right next to that:-P

Wishful thinking? Well, at least I can own a small piece of that 'dream' with my new D&G 'Paradise Wanted' Tee. I got this tee last weekend and took it out for a spin this evening to a fren's place for dinner. A new tee, tight and fitted and an amazing quiet evening of great and cute company, maybe my little piece of 'paradise' can be had afterall:-) Small simple joys is equally uplifting as big ones.

I got this tee altered at the sleeves to make them tighter and hence make my slim(but toned! I lift weights, okay!) arms bigger:-P Dressing right is all about getting the right silhouettes:-) Anyways, the alteration is free for full priced merchandise, even with my 15% 'regulars' discount. So why not take advantage of it?

I love D&G. This t-shirt features stitched wool felt letters over printed ones, so it's not just a flat printed design. The only branding you see is from the small embroided emblem, college varsity style, on the right arm. D&G is finally getting more class with regards to branding. Gone are the days where the huge logo is plastered everywhere on their merchandise.

Waiting to get more tees soon.

Retail price: SGD $269. Where to buy: D&G Boutique at Forum, The Shopping Mall

Ad Campaigns & Catalogues #06

Dolce & Gabbana Prefall 2008 Menswear

Dolce & Gabbana's website is up and running for pics of the fall winter collection. So while browsing the online catalogue, I found these images of (I think) prefall menswear. The look and feel is very summer.

I actually like the few pieces featured a lot. The tie dye effects on the shirts and shorts (reminds me of the Balenciaga tie die bag I blogged about) and the bright colours on the t-shirts are all very appealing!:-P The patch work bag and jacket is also stunning! I love the colours on the bag, seems like they took a cue from the women's spring summer range:-P

Will update more once I see the actual pieces in store soon.:-P

(Source: www.dolcegabbana.com)

The Material Boy #92

D&G Menswear Collection Pre Fall 2008

In fashion, everything moves twice as fast to stay ahead of the trends. Even before the summer season is officially over, pre fall collections are slowly filtering into retailers. Saks in U.S. is always one of the first few to start featuring fall season clothes. They have already started taking pre-orders for D&G's pre fall 2008 collection! Although the items featured are limited, I am liking what I see so far. A harmonious tones of browns, olives and mustards, the pieces are amazingly wearable and I love the masculine colour scheme and designs.

I love the long jacket with fur trim lapels and the plaid shirt that reminds me of lumberjack style (Remember, plaids is the key trend this coming fall winter!). Even the wool sweater with subtle stripey undulating brown tones and pull strings is beautiful! I also adore the 'I love Stefano' v neck tee in sponge washed vintage effect. Seems like this fall I will have a long shopping list for D&G.

Start planning your looks now!

Ad Campaigns & Catalogues #02

D&G Pre Fall 2008 Collection Ad Campaign

It seems Fall Winter season 2008/2009 is slowly showing signs of its debut. Starting way before the rest of the luxury brands, Dolce Gabbana has uploaded their pre fall campaign 2008 on their website. What is featured here is from the D&G brand. Thru these gorgeous advertisements, you get a feel and glimpse of what is to come in the next few months. And it also gives a taste of what fall winter collections will be like as well. I love those plaid and checks shirt. Especially the one on the male model for the D&G time ad. Lovely colours!

The overall feel of the campaign is similar to the spring summer advertisements. Featuring a group of models interacting with the camera and environment in their own way. Lots of details to be noted. Different expressions and poses. It is not an easy shot to achieved. So I am very impressed, as usual. I wonder if this is shot by Steven Klein or Mario Testino. These pre fall ads has more sombre colours and features lots of knit and woolen wear. But most importantly, the signature trend of next season, the plaid pattern comes off really strong in the shots. Remember those checks by heart, it is the defining key trend of Fall Winter 2008/2009!

On a last note, I love those grey patchwork sweaters:-P Wow!

It seems winter holiday beckons!