Introducing: Chiyo

KL Fashion Week 2014 organised a pop-up store at Parkamaya, Fahrenheit 88 and as I was perusing the clothing on display and genuinely admired the über-cute and quirky designs, that look like something that come from a Japanese/Thai/South Korean designer for an untrained eye, when a girl appeared. It was a serendipitous occurrence as I wasn't expecting anyone so kind to walk me through the collection. Turned out that I was speaking to Chiyo designer herself, Isabel Lam. The label Chiyo is her brainchild (the name came from Isabel's Chinese name 'Chi Yoi', and as she's heavily influenced by Japanese fashion, she decided to make it Chiyo which means 'thousands of generations/ everlasting' in Japanese).

Ever Rêve and batik paintings

Bombarding the blog with my own outfit posts and less on designer highlights has made Dunia Fashyon a bit of all-about-me outlet but rest assured, that is not the case after I received an e-mail from a London-based Swedish designer Michelle Urvall Nyren introducing her clothing label Ever Rêve. I was intrigued upon seeing the snippets of her collection images in the email and somehow was keen to delve deeper into understanding the brand.

Givenchy pre-fall 2013

Did we mention that we also visited Givenchy's showroom during our previous Parisian trip? But unfortunately the PR girl was quite strict about me photographing the men's collection, making sure that I was hush-hush about next season's pieces. I waited anxiously until she revealed the women's ready to wear collection for pre-fall. Finally I managed to muster the much needed confidence (well, after seeing people around me taking pictures with their smart phones, that is) and started snapping the photos of that beautiful collection. Turned out that photography was actually allowed, but I was firmly warned not to release the images prematurely. Now that summer is coming to an end, I think it is appropriate to publish the images. Plus other major websites have the images up and running, so I hope I did not commit any copyright infringement of some sort...

Run, Fall, Raf Simons

Green, dark blue and wine. Just the perfect hues for the autumn. In this video Raf Simons presents their AW2012-2013 offerings in a beautiful presentation - superimposed images of model Yannick Abrath swathed in a woolly coat, fluffy beanies and warm-looking knitwear. Maybe I should consider migrating to a four-seasoned continent, preferably Central Europe. So I can wear all the deeply rich collection (after tailoring them to my size, of course...)

Photography: Pierre Debusschere

Styling: Marieke Van Dongen

Model: Yannick Abrath

image credit: nowfashion.com

Jun Takahashi and Undercover

The Jun Takahashi Undercover for Uniqlo striped tee that I was wearing from the previous entry has made me ponder about the Japanese designer. Although I barely know his collections I do see his name being touted here and there from time to time. I wonder what makes his collaboration with Uniqlo launched last month sell quite well (in Kuala Lumpur at least, judging by the only one piece of this grey cotton blazer left on the rails about last three weeks). After a brief research I think that I might have found the answer...

One of the campaign shots for the Undercover Uniqlo collection. 

Jun Takahashi has been garnering attention in his native country for quite some time, but he has only showed in Paris relatively recently, and subsequently, exposed his collections to the global fashion scene. Rei Kawakubo from Comme des Garcons was one of the persons who is responsible in catapulting Takahashi into one of the few recognisable cult labels we see today.

His first Parisian runway collection in 2002 took a new view on deconstruction - t-shirts and jackets were slashed, patched, layered and emblazoned with graphics. This all lead to a strong following for antiestablishment image amongst the young.

His way of styling the pieces together looks coherently cool. Looking at his AW2012 collection reminds me quite of Marni at H&M, roughly at least - layering, colour-blocking, patterns and a mixture of fabrics all prevail in both collections...

But both collections are so different, of course, and after seeing this visual feast of creative layering, tasteful colour combinations and fabric manipulation I might safely say that I am officially hooked to Takahashi's collections. I am very keen to see much more from this designer. Another Japanese designer to keep an eye on, if you haven't already.

Marni for H&M launch!

 

Aren't you excited to hear that Marni, the pattern-frenzy and color-blocking label from Italy will be launching their collaboration with Swedish fashion giant H&M this eighth of March? Naturally for those whose appetite for artsy designer labels can never be whetted (that screams me!), this is the perfect chance to grab a similarly-looking runway collection at a fraction of the price.

Undoubtedly this is a bargain hunter's wet dream - for the guys the slightly odd patterned shirts (but artfully beautiful, of course) start from 34.99 GBP, and  outerwear like the strategically color-blocked jacket range around 100GBP. And of course in addition there are also accessories ranging from bags, sandals an silk scarves that are well-designed and perfectly understated. Will be surrendering my credit card in exchange of the colorblocked shirt, the drawstring bag thingy and the sandals...

 

And the select separates that have my eyes ogling just a bit more...

 

Clockwise from top: mishmash print, Lanvin-esque doodle t-shirt, cashmere jumper and cotton Bermuda pants

 

Clockwise from top: the beautiful night blue coat with contrasting sleeves, slightly kooky polka-dot print on the shirt and silk shorts, silk scarf 

 

The man bags are quite interesting - I'm drawn towards the drawstring detail on the right one. Would inspect the accessories in person to judge the quality and construction, of course. 

 

And a solo image of the sandals, just for your eyes only. Fully leather???

Many of you will say that high/low collabs are massively produced and hence there will be a significant reduction in cost and subsequently in the quality as well. But to me purchasing the 'real deal' from the mainline runway pieces is still far away from my financial grip, so I think this collection will suffice for the time being. Never mind the possible synthetic fabric attack that will dominate the pieces...

Versace for H&M cruise collection 2012

And so, this year's biggest high/low collaboration has been extended to a cruise collection! Looking at the latest images makes me like their previous autumn/winter assemble less and less (except for that wonderfully gaudy Hawaiian print shirt which is the only piece that I wanted to acquire from the collection, BUT are unquestionably sold out).

On the other hand, next season Versace x HM partnership entices the guys with a less showy, and perhaps a more built-together wardrobe, with monochromatic colors like blue, white and black dominating the entire collection. These are the items that I like from the preview images...

Denim shirt with Versace's ubiquitous meander pattern (also known as Greek key pattern) - suitably apt for a casual/semi-formal mix on a lazy Sunday afternoon, reading a book on history of Greek art, perhaps.

Is it aquamarine?

I always like COS (a more high-end, H&M sister brand) lookbook images. The clothes look simple, clean and finely-tailored. And the rather mannequin-like pose of the models serve a good view of the clothes on a person.

Not to mention the occasional pop of colours in every collection that makes me crave for the pieces even more. In this case, COS has released its Spring Summer 2012 lookbook and there's a particular shade of green that instantaneously caught my attention... a shade that my limited vocabulary cannot describe.

Is it sea green? Is it aquamarine? Well, perhaps a research for colour codes is warranted. Or perhaps simply coding the hue as COS SS12 is much reliable to remember?

Looking out for Stephan Schneider

I must say that it was really exhausting to work more than 12 hours daily for the past one week, just because I'm new at this Surgical posting. However that should not deter me from continuing to blog. Talking about work aside, I'm sure that people across the globe is getting ready for the looming Autumn season, and perhaps some are already concocting ideas of layering for their wardrobe. That is making me green with envy!

This season could not be any better without Stephan Schneider's Fall 2010 collection titled  "Furever". The German born designer graduated from Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 1994. The designer uses its own production facilities in Belgian factories, where he spends half of his time designing fabrics and invest with the finest finishing ."When your textile is strong, you don't have to invent trousers with three legs", he says.

 

For me his latest collection boasts a heavy mix of layering but interestingly seamless color coding that European designers are very well known of. Muted color tones predominate - a well-known fact for fall/winter color scheme usage. I also appreciate the subtle Jedi-like qualities in the silhouette and details such as the hooded jacket and wrap collars. Sporstwear influence is also prevalent in the  collection, evident by the rib-cuffed pants and elastic waists.

 I might be annoyingly jealous with citizen of four-season countries for the endless opportunities of layering the clothing but ogling at collection somehow comforts me a little bit, just a bit!

images via thefashionisto.com

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...

Jimmy Choo choose his shoes

I love whenever there is an opportunity to insert a bit of pun/tongue-twister  to my entry titles. And of course nothing could be better than a line of  relatively affordable designer gears for everyday people. As you could probably tell already this entry is dedicated to Mr Choo's upcoming collaboration with H&M, which will be set to release in 14th of November worldwide.

Frankly I was a little disappointed after seeing the very basic clothing items that they have to offer, which comprise mainly of well, basics - grey jersey (I gather) tees and sweaters, and bien sur the staple pieces for autumn/winter e.g. a calfskin biker jacket, dark denim and a black suit... Price-wise I think that the collection is still in the steep section of price tags (I'm frantically halving all these Swedish Kroner into Malaysian Ringgit)... take for example the suit which cost approx RM1000, and the very BASIC tee at RM100. I'm not sure if the price reflects quality but judging from past experiences of purchasing from this gargantuan retailer I doubt it will be so (but who knows the limited number of pieces will actually allow some budget for sturdy fabrics that don't pile after second wear).

Fortunately there is a brighter hope in  the footwear section of the line. It seems that Mr Choo really utilises his shoe-making expertise to produce some decent shoes and boots- my favorites are the faux reptile lace-ups complete with studs as embellishments, and of course if Malaysia was a four-season country I won't hesitate to purchase the Gareth Pugh-esque buckled boots to trawl in the cold /muddy streets. Alas at 1300 kroner (RM700) a pop I might contemplate spending my cash on the reptile shoes, plus there is always the threat of PIGSKIN LINING that hinder my purchase of beautiful, 'affordable' footwear (re:ZARA!).

Image credit: Paolosavi via King

Oh, not to forget, HAPPY EID MUBARAK AND HAVE A NICE WEEKEND :)

Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair

I admit Scandinavian labels especially the ones from Sweden make me go ga-ga over their minimalistic aesthetics (and those chiseled models, of course HAHA). This obsession was primarily fueled by my first gawk at The Sartorialist over a year ago, when Mr. Schuman was in Stockholm.

My summer trip to Scandinavia perpetuates my love for Swedish fashion. I feel deep in my heart someday I'll be back there again!

During my visit I had the chance hunting for local labels (Cheap Monday anyone?). Now being bombarded with a spew of information from all over the web I found yet another Swedish label with impeccable tailoring that makes my knees week.

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair S/S 2009 (yes,the first thought which came into my mind was "Does this label sell shoes at all?". I was completely wrong after learning from their website that they sell precisely cut clothing...)

the scallop detail on the collar is unexpected

I wonder if I could personally pull this off

Attention to detail - the structures: hot hot hot!

Are you drooling over the quirky details already?

The fact that this label is available at The Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur makes my heart leap with joy, despite the predictable sky high price (pour moi, at least) I'll definitely frequent this shop come summer when I'm back home!