CAMERAderie: Jovian Mandagie x Zalora Raya Collection 2015

The guests for the collection launch event is a usual mix of media, celebrities and fashion industries notables. Among familiar guests were Siti Nurhaliza and Sasha Saidin (and her ethereal braids). There are select personal styles that I like (loving to see people go all-out with a bevvy of textures, prints and embellishments - wonder if they are all from Jovian?) I was not physically there but from the looks of it the performance prior to the show was something different (an artistic performance with Luna Maya's appearance) and the setting is a dark undertone as I've mentioned in the previous post. The venue (DPAC) was, needless to say, a perfect place to showcase all the theatrics...

Jovian Mandagie's Art Deco for Zalora

It's a Raya fashion show galore for the past two months and I have been struggling to follow an astounding list of designer collabs with notable e-tailers in Malaysia. But Jovian Mandagie's printastic, design-laden collection for Zalora's Eid 2015 is one of the shows that I managed to pay attention to. Well, who would miss the celebrated Indonesian-born designer's collection launch with all the public relations fanfare that surrounded the event?

CAMERAderie: Zalora Fashion Festival event

The international online retailer collaboration with four Malaysian designers showcased collections for Raya 2015 recently at Pullman Bangsar's Grand Ballroom. The attendees were a healthy mix of prominent names of local fashion industry, the aficionados and of course, the much loved celebs. Looking at the scale of the almost award show-like celebrity attendance list (from Siti Saleha to Sharifah Sakinah to Sasha Saidin to Cristina Suzanne Stockstill and some prominent royal figures), Zalora has definitely put much investment in the marketing and thus, event/brand awareness. My guts tell me it's going to be an exceptionally well-received collection!

Zalora Fashion Festival - Raya Collection

Zalora once again releases their much anticipated Raya collection with four emerging Malaysian designers. It's good to know that collaborations with giant online fashion retailers like Zalora shed much needed light on the creatives - meaning more exposure, a chance to be a household name (like Rizalman and Jovian) and of course, improving revenues. Personally I love doing some research online prior to making a purchase, thus this platform suits demographics like me, who love to ponder and compare before deciding to click that 'buy' button. The launch of the collection was held recently at Pullman Hotel Bangsar, where hundreds of guest (including celebs) were present to witness to collection firsthand.

Scha Alyahya x Fashion Valet collaboration

I'm diverting my travel-laden blogpost with local fashion news. Too much of travel does make me miss a bit of frivolity once in a while. Having no ample time to be glued on TV like I used to before, I'm not overly well-versed with the who's who of local entertainment industry, but it's not so easy easy to ignore when it comes to Malaysia's immensely known celebrity Scha Alyahya. With her innate sense of style, it's natural to see her collaboration with notable online retailer of all South East Asian design Fashion Valet come to fruition. The Scha x FV collection features contemporary voluminous silhouettes coupled with the ever so favorable pastel tones and color blocking - predictably going to be received pretty well by the young and urban demographics of Malaysian fashion-conscious girls.

Coach Men's Boutique KLCC

I was not able to attend the new opening of the first mens-only Coach store in KL, but luckily Filzah and Fahad managed to come as reps. I just passed by the store (post launch) few weeks ago - it is a miniature corner (700sq feet) compared to the roomier womens counterparts, but am pretty sure the space will be extended come Stuart Vevers' debut collection for fall next year. Good to know that KLCC mens’ store is a design concept developed by Vevers in partnership with creative firm studio Sofield.

Looking back at 2014

It seems like this year has been quite a dormant period for me blogging-wise. Of course, predictably I'd shove the blame of blogpost deficiency to the ever time-consuming work and studies. I plead guilty that all blogging effort has been 'replaced' by the quick and convenient nature of Instagram posts.

There was a moment when I was this close to stop blogging altogether. But looking at the blood, sweat and tears (almost) shed, and the experience Dunia Fashyon has brought me, I think it would be a pity to cease operation that easily. I'm grateful for the DF experience for all the enjoyable (and slightly awkward) moments as a blogger at fashion shows/presentations. Having said that, I wouldn't have another access to a different level of appreciation for photography, had I not met the super friendly budding photographer Filzah Athirah.

d'Next Artist Project at DPAC (season two)

I've been meaning to write a lengthy, well-cited post on artistic events like this one show that I've been to (courtesy of Filzah), but you know me too well not to don't you? Damansara Performing Arts Centre held its d'Next Artist Project (DNA) season one a while back, and judging from its rave reception, they prolonged the series into a second one (and the application for third and fourth seasons is already open).

Season two was a compendium of four new works by young Malaysian arts companies, showcasing fresh talents from the nascent world of Malaysian performing arts. New works are central to DNA’s second season on stage: the programmes included a multi-layered and visceral dance theatre experience by Lee Ren Xin's “B.E.D.”; In Three Minds Theatre was out there to question our moral conscience with “Jade”; Glowing Planet Production's “The Little Prince” was experimenting with the integration of live actors and visual projection; and a hip-hop/musical theatre on stage by the Perassath Servai Vedagiri's “Love Knows No Gender”.

Coach fall/winter 2014, Kuala Lumpur

Coach isn't exactly under my usual artistic label focus but I am aware of its commercial success with practical and functional leather-ware. The mammoth brand's reputation has been attributed to its diverse range of handbags that fit casual and office settings (being a household name Coach bags are coveted by my sister, cousins and even my aunts). But what I can say is their previous offerings may be still not necessarily my stylistic cup of tea.

The Comyns Jazz Collection at Royal Selangor

I have never seen pewter / silverware in person so I was pretty excited to get invited by Royal Selangor, the world's leading pewter giant to their flagship store recently. It was for the showcase of their sterling silver brand Comyns, a previously British brand with a heritage spanning nearly 400 years!

57 Years of...

The entries on DF seemingly turn into a government website these days isn't it? But don't get me wrong, it's so heart-warming feeling reading/listening to anecdotes on Malaysian unity. And watching Digi Merdeka ad does the same thing (clever play of multi-ethnic terms on 'brother' pulls the right nationalistic string in me). And I've been trying to feel a little bit more Malaysian by spending the Malaysian Day with a 5km fun run yesterday and had a short-but-sweet outing with Jaspreet a few days back. That included eating paneer thosai (my virginal experience), and discovering Tommy le Baker (didn't have any room in the tummy for more bread though). Looking forward to doing a 'heritage' trail of my own to discover the off-the-beaten tracks of Kuala Lumpur next time...

60 Years of Made in Italy

Looking back at Dunia Fashyon posts it's quite easy to see that I've been quite obsessed with the label 'Made in Italy' - to me it conjures the image of fine craftsmanship especially in leather-ware and even clothing items. Even though I know that it's quite a rarity these days to find anything genuinely 'Italian' - the book Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas sheds a light on the scandal of putting a premium price on all things purportedly made in Italy, when some parts of an item are actually Chinese-made and the finishing touches and labels are only then finally done in Italy. Can't help but to feel naïve and cheated somehow...

Merdeka Day like no other (part 2)

We had to say goodbye to Malchik who had to catch his flight to Kuala Terengganu. Not sure where to go next, I randomly suggested that we have a look at Coliseum Café (and hotel, though I'm not really sure where the hotel exactly is, as the second floor looks suspiciously uninhabited). So right to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman we went. It was our first time there and we didn't know what to expect. But I do know that this place has been there since the British colonial years, and it is one of the few buildings along Jalan TAR strip that did not bow down to the pressure of surrounding modernisation.

Merdeka Day like no other

When it comes to annual Merdeka (Independence) Day celebration I think I've seen it all - from the childhood/adolescent memory of attending the annual parade at Merdeka Square, watching Yasmin Ahmad's heart-wrenching Petronas merdeka adverts, to just lazing on the sofa listening to repetitive, pseudo-patriotic commentaries by TV presenters on TV1. But this time around there was something else in the book. I wasn't in Merdeka rut anymore, if you will.

Monkeying around: Kipling Fall Winter 2013

Kipling is a bag brand that is synonymous with practicality and casualness in its design. Although primarily a woman's brand I did have my personal experience with Kipling bags - The Peter Pilotto collaboration piece that I have rings as a testament of its utilitarian prowess: I used the strapped pouch to travel and it was very handy indeed - it can fit a wallet, boarding pass, passport and some cash in its compartments; its heavy-duty nylon is a relief for a person like me who needs easiness and reassurance whilst travelling. Plus the attractive diamond print did not hurt the eyes either. Therefore from my observations it's safe to say that utilitarian and casual design is embedded in the brand's DNA. Recently my sister (who represented Dunia Fashyon as I could not make it) took the opportunity to attend the press preview of Kipling's fall/winter 2013 offerings...

CAMERAderie: Aidilfitri in Taiping

It seems like a post on the festivity of Aidilfitri (Eid Mubarak) is in order! I celebrated at both mum's and dad's hometown in Taiping, Perak and Melaka respectively. Surely I had fun, but to be honest growing older means that the joy and enthusiasm to celebrate wanes down quicker every year. I do miss my childhood experience celebrating Hari Raya with my cousins (who are mostly already married nowadays and consequently celebrate Raya at their spouses' places). Anyhow I put on my amateur photographer cap and happily snapped the images, taken on the eve of Syawal around the rustic town of Taiping and on the big day itself...

CAMERAderie: Oroton Pavilion KL Store Opening

‘CAMERAderie’ 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 sum up the whole occasion that took place, in our own perspective.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the store opening of Oroton flagship store in Pavilion Bukit Bintang. It was a star-studded event but catching the most attention on that night is none other than the ethereal beauty and sensational singer, the one and only Ziana Zain.

CAMERAderie: Urbanscapes 2012

‘CAMERAderie’ 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 sum up the whole occasion that took place, in our own perspective.

Today, CAMERAderie covers the Urbanscapes festival 2012 that took place last weekend. A rainy day meant a muddy ground, with people using all kinds of footwear (and the lack thereof) to facilitate them moving through the field. There are also images of fashion enthusiasts picking the latest trendy bargains, music lovers  congregating to view Yuna, food hawkers selling their munchies, the Kaki Seni girls trying their hardest promoting art participation and simply fest-goers chilling out on the creatively piled up wooden pallets...

The Urbanscapes 2012

Believe it or not last Saturday  was our virginal experience at the Urbanscapes (day one) at Padang Astaka, Petaling Jaya! I have been meaning to attend this two-day long annual arts and music festival since two years ago, alas the odd working hours deterred me to do so. The two years of waiting proved worthwhile, with a respectable list of performers and vendors in the event line-up.

Historically the event celebrated its tenth installment this year, and The Star had an informative coverage last September about the company Freeform Sdn Bhd which organises the Scapes and their hardships to realise this occasion as the only cultural festival in Malaysia (this includes treading on the edges of bankruptcy).

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.