Batik-ed

I have been slightly crazy over prints (this is not a new occurrence at Dunia Fashyon - I just dabbled in paisley prints recently), and, following my subsequent jaunt to the Jonker's Walk, I have acquired this batik print backpack from a store called Next KK.

It has never crossed my mind that this seemingly souvenir-laden shop which aims at the flocks of tourists offers something that I myself would really buy... the memories of backpacking days in the Europe crept in: I had history of falling into such tourist traps where buying overpriced Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts, town-specific fridge magnets, key chains and postcards was the objective proof that you have been in, say, Paris or Berlin.

 

Peachy perfect

And it is that time of the year again where families gather and have a celebratory moment over the end of a months' period of fasting! As it has been going for years and years, after the prayers we went to visit the graveyard and then went back straight home.

We as usual seek forgiveness from each other of any wrongdoings for the past year. Then we had joy stuffing our faces with an abundance of food around and typically there was the almost ritual-like family photography moments.

First day of Aidilfitri (Eid Mubarak) I was decked in the old peach Baju Melayu suit and my old 'kain sampin'. I don't buy new Baju Melayu for a few years already!

from top to toe: songkok (a tradisional Malay hat with cheap velvet fabric);  Baju Melayu suit, buttoned up with faux diamante buttons;  kain sampin - a songket fabric loomed with golden threads, wrapped around like a sarong, which has an almost a kilt-like feel; Rubi cut-out sandals

Happy Eid Mubarak every one!

Orange blazer + drop crotch + tribal jewelry = ?

Going to the Comme des Garcons presentation just made my day. But figuring out what to wear to my first 'real' fashion show was a headache. I did imagine that the attendees would show up in their best CdG getup, and most probably in an authentic one as well.

the naughtical J.W Anderson

I might be stoned for wasting your time with some stale SS09 news, but after a random blog hopping my attention caught on this British menswear designer, J.W Anderson  with his  SS09 Collection that particularly attracts my attention. It's a rather biased statement I'm afraid because I love everything nautical (even though there's a slightest hint of it). Jonathan William Anderson debuted his collection in 2007 right after graduating from London College of Fashion, at which point he already established his label.

Anyway dear readers, just ignore my substandard commentary and feast your eyes on his collection.

 There's a recurrent theme of bandage-esque socks on this collection. I wonder if it's just for the runway or more importantly are they on sale as well. Either way it ignites the DIY switch in me- I could borrow/ steal rolls of crepe bandage lying around the hospital and dye them with Dylon black!

Rolled cuffs , a tiny neckerchief paired with billowy pants - just my fantasy ideal of what I'd wear if I was onboard some fancy cruiser.

The shirt-dress looks fine, but it's an obvious reminiscent of the ubiquitous past season (or still lingering like a pest) trend seen on ladies on the streets of Stockholm..

Swimsuits with a cardigan? Spot on!

And the rest of what looks like nautically inspired (with the intriguing mythical / religious connotations evident on the accessories)

The lion + chain mail + ethnic print on the prints makes me knees weak (not in a meniscal tear/ osteoarthritic way, though)

There's a lot more to talk about with his rather successful previous collections, especially his seemingly dark and twisted Russian Tsardom/ Rasputin-inspired collection and his upcoming SS 2010 preview (okay I'm not very eloquent in terms of giving adjectives, as you already know my vocabulary revolves around the words 'cool' or 'nice' or 'great' )....please please I don't want you to aim your M-16 at me lest I comment on this..

Oh, and btw, have a Merry Xmas everyone! HOHOHO...

'Tis the season of Barongs and the Devil Studs

Like almost every Malaysian Muslim I've been away at my grandparents' homes this holy and festive week to celebrate the Eid Mubarak. The house was sooo not empty and quiet with our aunties and uncles, cousins and their children running around like there's no tomorrow and peeling of flakes of paint off the wall! It was tons of fun teasing each other, taking pictures together, eating cookies and festive dishes until our tummies almost burst of overeating :) And without question I took the occasion as an opportunity to dress up in a traditional costume (one of the things that I rarely do), but with a twist.

You may recall that I've posted an entry about Barong Tagalog some time ago and how I stated that I wanted it very much if it's available within my reach. A few days before Raya I did a quick last minute shopping at Wisma Yakin and Jalan TAR, and fortunately Lady Luck was on my side when I saw this white, almost sheer cotton shirt with tab collar which immediately reminds me of the Barong.

The icing on the cake was the floral embroidery  which makes the shirt stand out from the rest of the Barong-ish shirts at the store.. I was instantly sold and with a price of RM55 (reduced from RM65) I went home a happy camper with that shirt in tow and a smirk on my face... By the way in case you're somewhere around Wisma Yakin at Jalan Masjid India you can drop by Keris, where I got this Barong. They sell some reasonably priced traditional Baju Melayu, Songkok and other accessories as well.

Another very very last minute purchase (2 days before Raya if I remember correctly) is these studded flats from Topshop. It's amazing how quick this giant retailer can foresee a good design and immediately make a blatant copy of it  and rake an unimaginable amount of profits from such popular/trendy design alone. (I'm saying that because perhaps by this time almost everybody in the blogosphere are fully aware about the wonderful Christian Louboutin "Rollerball" studded shoes at Tommy Ton's blog Jak and Jil).

 Of course you can blame me and even burn me on the stake if you want for I have jumped into the trend bandwagon as well (without warning may I say, as I was wandering around KLCC whilst waiting for a friend).

 Although I notice some minor imperfections on the shoes, like most of other high street items suffer - some iffy misplacement of a stud, and even though they are very snug on my wide stubby ogre feet (err.. I feel like Cinderella's evil step sister trying to fit in to the glass sandals...), I pretty much lost my judgment thinking how versatile the shoes can be, with them being black and studded and shiny and everything (what I had in my mind is to add some moderate height heels beneath them). Like a sailor mesmerized by the sound of the siren I reached for some cash from my wallet and immediately paid for the shoes. Like Tommy says it seems like I have sold my soul to the ripoff devil indeed...

 White embroidery cotton shirt - Keris at Wisma Yakin, Dad's samping, Celio wool trousers, Topshop studded flats, H&M socks, Songkok- KL tradisional