Hong Kong filler

As you could probably see from my Instagram account I'm in Hong Kong for a vacation with my family. Hong Kong is a very packed island and to be honest I've never been to such a crowded place before! Nevertheless it's still a lovely experience, though we didn't manage to explore and discover some things that we were looking forward to (i.e. outlet shopping!). The first two days have been drizzly and our trip was slightly hampered by the rain and misty view, that basically obscures the sight of Victoria peak (boo...in addition we were ripped off by the travel agent who overcharged us for that particular Victoria peak experience!). We're heading back to Malaysia today and I'm planning to post about the trip in detail. But for now I hope an outfit filler will suffice...

All cropped up

It feels refreshing when there's a feeling of getting hooked to a different kind of pants length and fit. I think I have outgrown my skinny jeans phase, but I still keep them in case skintight and ball-hugging bottoms subconsciously manage to influence me to re-wear them. My latest addition to my cropped, roomy trousers family (next to the Peter Jensen jodhpurs) are in the form of this tailored CK Calvin Klein goodness. Please don't worry guys as I did not overspend on this item - they were acquired part of my Johor Premium Outlet CK purchase besides a reversible jacket and a black dress(!). The frugal finds were totally unexpected as we just noticed the bargain rail right before we left the store. So we had to turn back and re-examined the whole length of that particular section. I left JPO a happy camper. Truly a bargain hunter bliss!

Cut me out

My affection towards unconventional shoes has been going on since the old Dunia Fashyon days, and you know I'm always on the look for unique, wearable shoes. But unfortunately the nature of my work only allows me to wear such footwear outside of working hours - hence the onslaught of conservative/classic-looking shoes on Dunia Fashyon Instagram as they are snapped during the odd few minutes of break in-between patient appointment.

Two is as good

I'm having too much of festive food the past week and I suppose all the face stuffing is making me bloated a bit too much. And there goes the calories burnt during my jogging sessions (to be honest it's much easier to stack up on calories rather than shedding them, which I unfortunately learned to empathically understand recently). This weekend will be another round of 'open houses'  (a Malay/Malaysian tradition during the month of Syawal where friends and relatives come over for a visit, chat, and more importantly, an eating session) and my mum decided to host on this coming Saturday. Anyhow I had to churn out these not-so-new outfit photos from previous family/friend gatherings, which I find pointless to post given the fact that they're not that extraordinary. But somehow I think not publishing them will mean a waste of lugging the heavy DSLR all over to snap the images in the first place. Happy face stuffing!...

Adventure in tailoring: Uniqlo and Burberry Prosum blazers

You probably have known that I always lament the fact that living in a tropical country limits the possibility for layering clothes (unless one continuously stay in air-conditioned buildings), and to make things worse my profession is a unapologetically cruel one when it comes to dressing up. Wait, there's no such thing as dressing up being in healthcare. I'm forever in my white coat and sometimes I do wear some fashion-y things as a little pick-me-up and I'd Instagram the images (finally, I have Instagram as I bought an Iphone recently!).

What is luxury?

The fashion world has been always too comfortable with the definition of luxury and the connotation it brings. Soft silk and cashmere, supple lambskin or ostrich, exotic alligator, 24-carat gold or ideal-cut diamond jewelry: these items are luxury in their own terms. It's undeniable that fashion is a business-based sphere and to steer away from overt use, or sometimes, misuse of the L word is somehow too farfetched an expectation - luxury is the pinnacle of fashion and it's understandable why consumers easily fall into the perceived luxury, all thanks to many brands' marketing strategy that succeed in creating that illusion of exclusivity.

Luxury stores of Milan and Paris

We have been scouring the streets of Milan and Paris for the créme de la créme of luxury industry - both renowned designers and obscured, unearthed gems. Window shopping and admiring the interior decorations and the conceptually dressed mannequins (and not just the goods on display) is part of the best indulgent activities whenever we are here. Here is our best selection, complete with the store addresses, in case you were inspired by this post and need to travel soon. But this by no means an exhaustive list of what these two fashion-centric cities have to offer - it is always good to be lost in the streets and discover the path less trodden...

What are you wearing?

We have been extensively scouring for affordable bargains whilst in Paris and that includes WALKING from one department store to another, going to certain multilabel stores (not just Colette) and the high street is not spared either. But what would this blog be without a good old outfit post?

Whilst Arman has brought about six winter-appropriate jackets/coats or so I've been limiting myself with three outerwear (well, four including a reversible H&M x Margiela piece). It's always a bit of a conundrum when it comes to selecting proper winter clothing (the sizing and pricing issues, of course). But luckily those women's Undercover x Uniqlo quirky stuff came to the rescue. Anyhow I still did not manage to maximise the clothing part and I'm blaming this entirely to my not-so-spacious American Tourister suitcase which basically tilts to the side when packed full. I guess that is the peril of travelling on budget...

Arman is wearing something appropriate for the Burberry Prorsum show - he's wearing trench coat by Burberry Prorsum (obvs), Prada bag (in front of Prada Galleria Vittoria Emmanuele II, how appropriate x2), Raf Simons jeans, Carven boots

Jil Sander and Americana at Coffee Société

Lately we have been hanging out at Publika quite frequently, spending lazy Sunday afternoons having brunch at Coffee Société, a café gradually gaining larger audience with its delicious and affordable menus, delightful ambience and tempting promos (free flow coffee for RM10 anyone?). We could easily spend three hours there having stimulating conversation, whilst enjoying their delectable Eggs Benedict and a cup of latté or two. 

Red pants and Repetto shoes

Have you ever got the feeling of wearing something striking but acceptably conservative?

I did, with these chili red jeans from Guess. I initially have a deep-seated aversion to bright red, plus, I rarely wear striking bottoms these days. But to me it serves as a good option to escape from my uniform of khaki, grey and navy blue trousers that I wear to work on a daily basis. Sometimes a pop of bold color is all we need to spruce the outfit up, isn't it? 

The Sandwich Bag: WANT or SHAN'T?

It was love at first sight. 

Since being introduced on the runway last January I can’t stop thinking about the clutch. My ‘accountant–self' has been battling hard with my ‘fashion-slave' other half as I'm trying to justify the rationale behind acquiring what could be the “most expensive paper bag in the world” (The  Telegraph/ British Vogue).

Jil Sander Fall Winter 2012 fashion show.
image source: nowfashion.com

A Carven Virgin

Recently I've been reading the blogs about the French label Carven, that is recently revived to its former glory. Reading its history timeline is quite fascinating and, being reminded of the Russian History lectures during my former student days, these are the points that I'm highlighting:

images via Carven website

image via vintagefashionguild.org

 In May 1945 Carven (the name derived from the creator Carmen and her aunt Boyriven) opened their first shop selling Haute Couture at Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées. Having reached the international audience in the 1960's, the brand expanded into creating uniforms for airline crews, most notably for Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, dabbled in a successful ready-to-wear line and they even created signature perfumes.

Adventure in tailoring: paisley print fabrics

I've been involving myself with an experimentation on various kinds of prints lately, thanks to the Ben Thanh market fabric haul a couple of months ago.

Soft cotton black-and-white pattern shirt worn with Mexx cardigan, Zara velvet pants, H&M faux suede creepers, eBay sunglasses, Mom's doctor bag  

Stripes and spots for the weekend

As the title suggests I have been wearing striped tees and spots quite often lately, evident in my previous outfit posts. Well, often is an understatement actually. More like on a daily basis. An abundance of Uniqlo stripes, that is. This time around I'm inclined to pair it with a loosely nautical-inspired hat from Uniqlo as well. I'm thinking whether I should post my looks at Uniqlooks because thus far the content of my wardrobe is gradually being replaced by more and more basics from the Japanese giant clothing label...

 

Uniqlo hat and top, Dockers pants, Miu Miu espadrilles, Ermenegildo Zegna reversible belt

Ann Demeulemeester goodness

I cannot help but, from time to time, to put on this hooded tunic from soft diaphanous cotton fabric. Without question the cult Belgian designer always knows how to produce a fine quality piece yet at the same time befitting the contemporary wearer. Personally I can wear this tunic with the loose linen Thai fisherman pants to echo the drapery effect of the top, or, pair it with a corduroy vest, also from Ann D. Talking about value for money, I have been wearing this tunic for quite a while now, tracking back my entry regarding my trip to Antwerp more than two years ago...

 

  

  

Here I am wearing the drapey + drapey combo, composed of Ann Demeulemeester tunic shirt, linen Thai fisherman pants from eBay, accessorised with Celine Bi-cabas lambskin bag and Comme des Garcons x Generic Man pebble leather brogues with Vibram soles.

Looking back at 2011...

Nothing particularly significant has occurred in my life in 2011, except for few key moments - completing internship without much obstacles, a trip to Paris and having the opportunity to attend comme des Garcons FW 2011 presentation, and that's about it.

Shopping surprisingly is not the one thing that really gave an impact to me - previously I am very much enthusiastic in things that I bought but, recently, the situation has changed. Too many shoes and too little tailored items maybe? Or perhaps I have reached that level of satiety the only cure is maybe by controlling my expenditure. I think less quantity but more on quality, which might be the appropriate motto to live by in 2012.

Cause it's D-A-M-A-G-E-D

Whether I like it or not I have to wear my roach aftermath tee shirt anyway, because no amount of repair can give the shirt justice (unless, of course, if I had someone like the late François Lesage at my disposal, covering the holes with ethereal embroidery).

Instead I chose to don it out, whilst perusing furniture at IKEA of all places. Don't we all love a bit of generic 'designer' and most importantly VERY affordable furniture from Sweden... well, designed in Sweden at least?

I have (brilliantly) decided to hide those atrocious holes underneath a new mustard Uniqlo cardigan, deliciously knit in fine merino wool, and the best part is, it was on sale. An autumnal color combo I've decided to style it in - paired together with this marronish/purplish cotton trousers, also from Uniqlo, which I bought in Singapore almost a year ago.

Crisp white shirt is the answer

Sometimes I switch from my rather 'busy' outfit to having a simple one whilst window shopping. I think this helps a lot, especially in our tropical climate which does not really allow for multiple layering and such.

It is also rather convenient to have basic clothing on so to facilitate a trip to the dressing room...

 

Mexx mandarin-collared white shirt, Topman khaki trousers, Lacoste plimsolls, Celine Bi-cabas bag

On another unrelated note I thank Syazwan Rosman for diligently taking my outfit photos, and have that bit of patience with a rather fussy me. Loving that Peter Jensen SS2010 Watermelon Bag on you!

Brothel ceepers virgin

My annual jaunt to the Lion City is for the purpose of unwinding and a little bit of retail therapy. A much superior shopping destination than the capitals of Malaysia combined, Singapore's Orchard Road never ceases to entice my already submissive consciousness to spend a wee bit more. 

It's even enticing when luxury retail big guns like Club 21 bring all the good labels - we all know they are the only ones who stock Jil Sander and Dries Van Noten in the region, and their Comme des Garcons outlet is up and running since January this year (more on that later)...

On a much affordable side the Swedish retail giant H&M is already in its full force at Orchard Road since September. The vast white facade was silently persuading us to enter the premise, even though from afar the place is packed up to the brim... But in we went nonetheless.

As I have expected I couldn't find anything great fitting for me. I almost walked away from the counter when I saw a guy getting ready to pay for his items. He was holding these brothel creepers, which apparently were taken from the girls' department, and, ironically, made a last minute decision to let go of them. I knew that that was my calling and we exchanged looks (mine was a drooling / amazed / greedy kind). He generously offered me these shoes, and the inner shoe fetishist in me was more than happy to accept them. Well, don't get me wrong, I have to pay them myself of course...

Too purple to be true

Whenever I travel I always try to bring clothes that I rarely wear during 'normal' days (did you know I wear bland shirts and reworked old trousers to work?). The reason being I feel rather uneasy to attract unnecessary attention at my workplace, you know, like that bad impression kind of attention. I do not intend to take the risk and possibly further tarnish my somehow feeble reputation at the hospital.

 I believe that even a big city like Kuala Lumpur has its reservations towards 'unconventional' clothing, so much so that in order to be 'fashionable' you have to wear something very conformist, safe and ultimately unimaginative. Once I pull out that non-conservative rabbit from the hat and walk around the city's biggest malls, almost immediately I'd get that stare, or sometimes even a whistle or two (the reason being, er, I dress too flamboyantly I suppose?), which somehow demotivates me to further experiment with clothes. 

 So I have decided to live in my own fantasy world of ridiculous and so-called tacky clothing whenever the time and location permit, for example during the trip to Singapore, of course!

I visited the Universal Studios in an almost top-to-toe purple outfit. Even the fake Marilyn Monroe in that thick American accent gawked in disbelief at my too colourful getup. But ironically the phony Joker from Batman complimented my bright-hued trousers. I personally prefer a darker wash than the current purple, so, I'm thinking to maybe dye them in an indigo blue to make them, well, more blue...

I'm almost blending in with the background, no?

I am wearing cowl-collared shirt from Topman, Miu Miu sleeveless tank, vintage trousers (my father's), Celine Bi-cabas bag, Jil Sander shoes, socks from Happy Socks.