Avillion revisited

I just came back from Seoul a few days ago and jumped right into working mode afterwards. It might seem that I spend much time traveling but rest assured, this is rather an much delayed entry. Nevertheless I appreciate the rare opportunity for a short getaway (the Seoul post I will obligingly post soon, hopefully).

Introducing: East Dane

Shopping online has been one of my best routes to a me me me weekend, but it has also been my Achilles tendon for over-spending especially come pay-check day. Last time in Russia I used to spend hours scouring the British e-Bay. The adrenaline-filled sensation of victory after winning a particular bid after hours and hours of countdown was rewarding, and kept me happy as a student who just knew about fashion online. But buying from dubious sources also meant two possibilities - I had either reasonable purchases or downright rubbish imitations arriving at my doorstep.

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!

Pale as a ghost

Don't worry, the title does not actually refer to me being pale, but rather the state of washed-outness of my ensemble. But on a more serious note though, speaking about pale the thought of anaemic-looking models is quite disturbing at times. A phenomenon more prevalent amongst European models from my observation, this raises the question of (mal)nutrition and welfare in the modelling industry. From experience I can notice pallidness at a glance on makeup-less persons and rest assured, those lanky girls teetering in high heels and skinny jeans hopping from one show to another cannot be exactly called well-nourished. According to GQ (I know, not the most reliable source for health-related statistics) a staggering twenty percent of anorexics in America consist of men. I haven't seen cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia in Malaysia yet (but it's more likely that the place I'm working at has obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems as the major portions of the illness pie. Then again I don't see enough psychiatry-related patients enough ha ha).  

Prada Menswear AW13 Review

Forgive us for this entry's overtly excited tone but it seems so futile to contain it. And for the risk of sounding shamelessly superficial may we exclaim, "It's PRADA!", after all. At the time of writing we are already in Paris and thanks to an overload of shopping (we had less shows to attend in Paris, boo hoo...) this post has been sitting in 'draft' mode for quite some time. Nevertheless it goes without saying that the experience attending Prada Men’s Autumn Winter 2013 collection has got to be the highlight of the week (honestly every event is a highlight but this one is monumental!).

As we were not that busy towards the end of the day (Prada show was slated to start at 6 p.m), we decided to move out from the hotel earlier just to check out the venue, plus it is a significant label as we know it; so we want to be fully prepared and avoid all those bad contingencies as Milano traffic can be very unforgiving at times.

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

Demystifying Margiela

A fashion outsider like me would never have dreamt about possessing something from an evasive label that is physically unavailable in places like Kuala Lumpur. In a city where 'glamour' and 'excess' is celebrated over conceptual and low-key designs it is quite an obstacle to find fashion innovativeness in KL. True, we have a slew of promising new-generation local designers who are a breath of fresh air to the industry like Silas Liew, Jonathan Liang and Joe Chia (would love to blog about them in the future) but unconventionality is still far from penetrating the minds of the public; and clearly the progress is painstakingly sluggish.

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. 

CAMERAderie: H&M x Margiela Launch in KL

‘CAMERAderie’ (so cheesy but we can’t help it!) is a column on DUNIA FASHYON where we try to encapsulate an event in a concise form of photographs. A collection of photos is compiled together to best sums up the whole occasion that took place, in our own perspective.

Today, ‘CAMERAderie’ covers the H&M x Maison Martin Margiela launch event that took place at H&M Lot 10 store last Thursday. We were at the scene exactly an hour before the whole event started (first shopping session was at 8 am) and spent the whole sunny afternoon there (with heavy rains in between). 

Margiela with H&M Kuala Lumpur: self-restraint and sentiments

We have been tweeting the launch of Maison Martin Margiela with H&M collection launch last Thursday and naturally, the experience is meant to be extended into a full-fledged blog entry. Comparing my past experience with the Marni x H&M launch in Singapore I thought that the event in Kuala Lumpur this time was 'calmer' in general. Perhaps the reason being the label is not as well-known as Versace or Lanvin in this part of the world (both of them also had successful joint venture with H&M), and the fact that the designer himself is relatively an elusive entity even when he was still being the creative head for his eponymous brand, leading to a rather 'insider-only' awareness not only amongst KL-ites, but to the global customers in general as well. This all happened despite classical H&M mass marketing especially online. (Additionally the marketing strategy included two gigantic ad banners hanging off the PERKESO building at Jalan Tun Razak).

Perhaps the mass marketing is marred by the paradoxical fact that they were barely any press whatsoever during the day of the launch itself. In fact, we think we were only among the few camera-touting persons who were around, and not to mention the rudeness of the security guard who shooed us away while we were attempting to photograph the action happening inside H&M's ground floor.

Margiela fever

I suppose you are getting pretty tired to see endless entries regarding THE Margiela, but we could not hide our excitement on their upcoming collaboration with H&M (another three days left, have you eyed on any specific pieces?). True, the designer has left his eponymous brand but the nostalgia definitely lingers. Doing re-editions at a mass scale is a pretty brilliant move to introduce the enigmatic brand to the more 'commercial' world, at least to me, personally...

I'm sooo excited to have acquired a few Margiela-related pieces previously (some are vintage from Labels Inc, and some are from their MM6 x Opening Ceremony line that I scored during the Musa sales). Regretfully I rarely wear them out. This might sound pathetic but the reason being I truly cherish the pieces and I fear ruining them from over-wearing!

Hopefully the impending H&M collaboration will provide me another Margiela piece (albeit not truly authentic I'm satisfied enough; to those MMM elitist/purist fans, go away to your regular MMM boutique, thanks). In fact the launch which is barely a few days left pushed me to style up and wear my personal pieces, that serve as a memento, just in case I could not get hold of the high street pieces come November 15th. The date will surely be anticipated with excessive palpitations...

MM6 x Opening Ceremony palazzo pants, worn with Zara blazer, Uniqlo striped tee, eBay belt

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M: Menswear (Kuala Lumpur Preview)

Supposed you have read our review on the Women’s wear collection.

Next stop is the Men’s Wear section. (Yeay!)

Beautifully hanged next to the glass wall overlooking the panoramic view of Bukit Bintang were a rail full of amazing pieces of outerwear made of shearling, faux fur, wool and leather - of the most iconic ‘belt jacket’ from the 2006 Artisanal collection.

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M: Womenswear (Kuala Lumpur Preview)

We can never get enough of Maison Martin Margiela at Dunia Fashyon. As a matter of fact, if you have been following us back in Hafidzudin’s days in Russia, the label omnipresence in this blog is apparent. Back in those days when he first visited Antwerp to that trip we both made in Paris where I brought him to tag along to the brand iconic headquarter during one of my buying trip - our love and addiction for the label is boundless. The only drawback perhaps, is simply for the lack of monetary advantage to fill our wardrobe with these amazing creations.

As you know, La Maison has announced a collaborative work to be produced together with H&M. Not to sound like a neophobic, but this kind of direction for the house is definitely unexpected, if not shocking. Many self-acclaimed loyalists have issued their dismalness over the decision to the extent of calling it atrocious, cheapening and calling the step as a sign of excessive commercialism. To each their own.

I for one, celebrate this occasion with an open heart. In fact we do think we took it a little bit too extreme by stalking every corner of fashion blogs, websites & magazines just to get a glimpse of information relating to the launch of the celebrated collection.

So it was with great excitement that we received an invite to visit the H&M Press Office last Thursday to preview (and try!!) some of the 104 pieces that will be made available this November 15^th. A friend of mine flew to New York and attended the launch party on the previous day so I was already salivating over the nasty photos he put up on Instagram (all items were already made available for purchase during the event!) So it seemed like the only sensible thing to do was to take a day off of work and visit the showroom for a ‘glimpse and touch’ session, which turned out to be more than what the showroom staff could handle. LOL

First stop, WOMENSWEAR.

Black and Yohji Yamamoto

Those who have been following Dunia Fashyon are well aware that I prefer colour and pattern over dreary hues in my outfits. But sometimes I just feel like wearing predominantly black clothes. This stands at the opposite spectrum of my philosophy - on the contrary, black is actually an absence of colour. But undeniably black has the ability to give this weird feeling of empowerment - all of the sudden you look slimmer, slicker, more elegant.

A relaxedly tailored linen blazer, the unconventional trousers silhouette, the white sneakers - things that seem fresh in my outfit principles. I've been reading a book about Yohji Yamamoto which contains tonnes of pictures of his earlier creations (can't wait to share the images!). His convictions of using less color perhaps make his work of art stand out more. Somehow wearing this drop-crotch pants remind me of his peculiar cuts. Or perhaps Rei Kawakubo's? - at some point Yohji did have a professional relationship with Rei, so it;s difficult to say who influenced who in this case...

Margiela for H&M: look book images

The time bomb is ticking and November 15 seems to be just around the corner. It looks like more and more images of the Maison Martin Margiela for H&M have surfaced, including the much-awaited look book shots which contains menswear pieces and accessories as well.

The items that will be in the production are essentially based on the label's cult pieces from previous runway collections, spanning more than a decade. Included in this collaboration, among others, are the nude leotard from S/S 2007, a wool pea coat from A/W 2000, wedges from S/S 2007, clutch from S/S 2010, cotton mix sock sweater from A/W 1991 and cotton jeans from A/W 2000:

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M campaign

The images of the much-awaited Maison Martin Margiela for H&M collaboration have leaked and I have been palpitating for the proper lookbook and price listings.

British artist Sam Taylor-Johnson took the reins for the photo shoot and a series of short films (which are slated to release November 8) for the campaign. Shot in Paris, the ads feature both men and women in candid settings. The models look believably 'serene' despite the chaotic urban setting, which is what Taylor-Johnson intended for this campaign.

What's interesting that I notice is the strong essence of Margiela throughout the images, besides the clothes themselves. Case in point: the trompe l'oeil effect on the walls and the anonymity of the cars, covered in a sheath of white cloth. Somehow our previous trip to Margiela HQ crept up in my mind (where these techniques are fairly evident all across its headquarters, and also served to be the inspiration for Margiela home products).

MMM Bag!

The title would falsely read as Hanson's MMMbop! (What ever happened to the boys? I remember the lead singer with that vaguely husky voice of his).

But really, the leather bag is another haul from, yes, I'm going to drag you to the dreadful phrase: MUSA sales. The shoulder bag bag first caught my eyes during my visit to Maison Martin Margiela showroom in Paris last year - an experience so good, it basically proves clothes look so much better in person. Screw internet fashion bloggers like me who steal other reputable fashion insiders' images and comment as if I was the one who dissected every fashion piece in-person. Magazine editors, stylists, buyers - you guys know I'm so green with jealousy right now...

I hope I'm not exaggerating when I say this bag is a design genius - say goodbye to misplaced clutches and coin wallets. Everything's attached to the main body, and they will become detachable as you wish.

Wearing MM6 Maison Martin Margiela x Opening Ceremony bag, Uniqlo cardigan, Christopher Kane t-shirt, et vous pleated trousers, Sanders shoes

written by Hafidzudin
twitter: @naboonies

MUSA FOREVER

Musa Kuala Lumpur is embarking on a new project, and as a consequence they are having a warehouse sale - an effort to clear up their space. It's located at their office in Danau Kota. I'm not exaggerating when I say most of the items are discounted up to 90percent! Hence even the pricier labels like Gareth Pugh, Christopher and Margiela seemed much affordable now.

I should just shut up and let the pictures do the talking...

Shoeaholic: Missoni - Converse collab, Margiela mesh boots

From time to time, instead of 'serious' topics like the unrest in Syria, child labor or the wildfire spread of HIV and tuberculosis, my mind lingers on shoes. Yes, those seemingly unimportant things your wear on your feet. Call me whatever you wish, but that's how my thought works. And recently I have been thinking about these shoes that might not matter much compared to the issues I mentioned above, but might just make somebody like me a wee bit happier owning them.

You know how high/low collaboration makes me feel. I say yes to fashion democracy. Make people dream of the beautiful things they can't afford, but please rightfully make a mass-produced collection that even someone like me can purchase on a whim. Please give an applause to Missoni's latest collaboration with Converse. God I can't even afford their diffusion line M Missoni. Well, the ones sold in Starhill Gallery at least *cough* mark up*cough*. So this zigzag-laden Chuck Taylor sneakers might be just the answer. I don't know about you, but with a price point of USD200 a pop I might think twice, because to me it's still quite pricey for a pair of canvas sneakers. Anyhow, my favorite is the blue version. They're available on Converse website now.

 

images via fashionologie

The second shoes do not typically fit my kind of footwear, because I'm not quite sure if I can work these Margiela mesh booties complete with perspex heels. But looking at the shoes in person during my paparazzi-style coverage at Runway in Saigon made me fall in love with them instantly. Just for the sake of their beauty, that is. Not to mention how they can be an excellent instant height-increasing device!

 

images via net-a-porter

Runway at Vincom Centre

You probably have guessed from my previous post that I was in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. True, I had a short family trip few days ago (after the Cameron Highland trip you must have noticed how I still join family trips where siblings bicker against parents over petty things which is a norm during this kind of travelling).

Apart from the touristy spots I managed to visit Vincom Center, a luxury mall in the heart of Saigon. It is quite apparent that the Vietnamese purchasing power is burgeoning ever more so after the country's policy starts to become more open to foreign investments. And this consequently leads to an economic boom which is evident in the mushrooming of luxury labels nesting amongst the high street shops in Vincom Centre.

Passing by the Runway boutique intrigued me, so much so that I decided to enter the premise. Apparently it is a multilabel store that stocks luxury labels that I deem are highly in demand - I saw Jil Sander bags, a Stella McCartney top-to-toe runway look and Lanvin bags perched on the racks of its window display. I entered the premise and politely introduced myself and explained about Dunia Fashyon, and also my intent to take photography inside the boutique. Unfortunately my request was denied by the fact that I had to contact the marketing team beforehand.


Therefore, for Dunia Fashyon, I decided to sneakily take pictures of the boutique. Forgive me if your eyes are pained by the skewed images. They WERE indeed taken in paparazzi style...

A brief research reveals that Runway Saigon is a part of the Runway company (with another smaller Runway branch in Hanoi and RRR which focuses on diffusion lines that Runway would carry). The concept store is led by the young entrepreneur Tranh Thi Hoai Anh, with interior design by Milanese CLS architects. Besides the clothing items they have in-store I'm quite fond of the boutique's ice cove
interior.

This concept store also stocks ceramics from Fornasetti and Gaetano Pesce sofas.

It is quite unfortunate when I learned that their menswear collection is somehow rather limited with classic shirts by the likes of Brioni, and also few Sergio Rossi and Margiela shoes, and rows and rows of mundane T-shirts from various high-end labels. I also found army green and beige Celine bi-cabas totes lying around the mens' section. However there's this Italian brand called Kiton that I'm eager to find out about more in the future. Price-wise I could generally conclude that it is still more expensive compared to the usual European stores (e.g a pair of Margiela leather Oxfords still cost about 300 British pounds even after a half-price discount)...