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...

Being nationalistic?

August is filled with nationalistic pride in the air as Malaysians (and Singaporeans) both celebrate their Independence Day during this month. My childhood celebration of Hari Merdeka (as they call it here in Malaysia) consisted of the ritual gathering in front of the television and anticipating for the Merdeka parade. And I could still remember the odd year when my father decided to brave the impossible human traffic at and around Merdeka square and brought the whole family to see the action live. This allowed me to witness firsthand the colourful uniforms and blasting but pleasing sound of the many marching bands  - which I presume one of the reasons of me opting to join the school brass band during Form Two. As I am one of the biggest band geeks in the world I felt bummed not being able to attend activities which involve bands parading down the historic Merdeka Square anymore especially this year, since life and daily job has taken rein over me.

 There's also the possibility that I missed some exciting, and at times, wacky carnival floats by big-budgeted companies to entertain the crowd, that also means a lost photo op. (But from the looks of it there's nothing really new or innovative about the complexity of float-making though). Sadly to say there is nothing much I could do today as well, as the overly clichéd annual Malaysia Day gigantic gathering is being held across the South China Sea in Sarawak this morning, which means another lost of potentially golden moment in photography...

But rest assured, a bit of nationalistic mood is infused in this outfit post as I  unconsciously stood in front of a Malaysian flag, near Bangsar Village II recently. So, there you go: my sad attempt to proof pride for the country with incorporating a flag at the background in soft focus, juxtaposed with the clashing colours of my outfit...

Team spirit

I'm sure you guys are among the one billion people worldwide who watched the recent Olympics 2012 Opening Ceremony in London. And having a fashion-centric mind I could not help but to fuss about the uniforms of various contingents...

Too bad that a lot of the European contingents opted to stick to their usual nine-to-five business casual look, which I think is very sad. I mean, bring your nations' identity for the world to see, people! But of course a sporty look that is both smart and can represent your country, colour-wise. Case in point: the American team. Never mind the furor over the "made in China" controversy and the French-inspired berets, I think Ralph Lauren did a good job designing the teams outfits. "American preppy look" is what I was reminded of instantly.

 The American team Olympics Opening Ceremony uniform, designed by Ralph Lauren

Despite the classic sportswear look I do love team Netherlands' clever use of colour-blocking. Orange and navy blue looks pretty good in this case. VERY Jil Sander SS2011.

 Team Japan's striking red-and-white, on the other hand, can be mistaken for Chinese/ Canadian/ Singaporean teams' outfits.

Team Russia looks cool in this ensemble. Are those linen jackets? I'm dying to see a close-up of their uniform - look at the dark purplish pattern on the guy's shirt! And The Romanian team's choice of colour also caught my eyes - the mustard-grey combo is visually fetching.

The Swedish, on the other hand, can be way too practical sometimes. I like IKEA but rugby shirts and sneakers with colours that match the flag and grey cotton trousers? Come on, I think you guys are more creative than that. But on a lighter note, this is what I used to wear to the mall during my high school years. Ha! 

Harping on about creativity, the Germans evidently has proven be the creative lot with their reversible sports jacket. ( I know, the "pink for girls and blue for boys" idea is a bit off). But it the versatility of the jacket (which has a more formal inside layer) that is important.

Czech Republic is among, if not the most unique teams that night. This team was absolutely ready for the grey and rainy London with their umbrellas and wellies. 

Talking about national identity, there are a few teams which really went all out in portraying what their country is generally all about. My firm favorites are Mexico, Gambia and the Philippines. And a couple of images of female Muslim athletes modestly covered in hijab - simply beautiful.

The Philippines team in the Barong Tagalog-esque uniform.

Interesting latex-like fabric on Gambian athletes.

 Iranian athletes in modest hijabs.

 Leave it to the Mexicans when it comes to colour and personality. I absolutely adore all the combinations of hues, patterns and embroideries on the ponchos. Liking the fact that they look as if there was no uniform at all - just a colourful parade of mariachi band.

How about Malaysia, the country that always tries hard to expose their nation's identity, I hear you say? Obviously everything is too literal in this contingent - that all-too-familiar tiger stripes; yellow-orange and the red, which unmistakably represents courage and speed? And is that even Malaysian batik? Or just a cheap generic print on cheap polyester fabric? I refuse to comment further. Well, at least I do see some traditional garb here (tengkolok aka the headpiece and the sampin/ sarong).

Anyhow, feel free to laugh at my measly attempt on re-interpreting the casual/sporty sports event opening ceremony look:

Thrifted Tesco blazer, Cheap Monday jeans, Jil Sander shoes, Uniqlo hat, eBay sunglasses, U2 t-shirt, fourskin belt

*Images of Olympics contingents courtesy of adkinsrin.blogspot.com, yahoo.com, google.com

Seeing stripes: Breton stripe tops

For the time being my style fixation is veering towards Breton tops, especially the ones with classic navy blue lines. There's something so indescribably simple yet streamlined with this kind of style - perhaps a living proof of how the French dominate the world with all things chic and timeless. You might yawn at my sentiment but that's how my brain works - seasons after seasons of exposure as a trend and it finally dawns on me that Breton stripes are best teamed with bold colours, such as the dark red denim and yellow boat shoes I wear below. So, go sailor!

 

Undercover Uniqlo by Jun Takahashi striped top, Guess jeans, eBay belt. Lacoste shoes

 

Uniqlo striped tops, Cheap Monday pants from MUSA, Zara blazer, eBay belt, Pro-Keds boat shoes from Buntil Bundle, Topman messenger bag 

Topshop NewGen T-shirts

After the calmed craze of Marni at H&M I headed to Topshop in Suria KLCC to have a look at Topshops' NEWGEN  t-shirts. As we know Topshop has been sponsoring British Fashion Council's NEWGEN scheme for already ten years. It seems that a celebration of a decade of sponsorship is due, hence the collection, which is designed by its most celebrated alumni.

Christopher Kane, Richard Nicoll, Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Ashish, Meadham Kirchoff, Jonathan Saunders, Gareth Pugh, Mary Katrantzou, House of Jazz, Roksanda Ilincic, Marios Shwab, Louise Gray, Nasir Mazhar, JW Anderson, Emma Cook, Peter Jensen, Holly Fulton, Craig Lawrence and Michael van der Ham have all created T-shirts for the initiative...

Christopher Kane for Topshop

 

Ashish for Topshop

 

JW Anderson for Topshop

  

I tried a few t-shirts on but could not justify the price (about RM160 per piece), considering the fact that I have splurged during the riotous rampage at Marni at H&M.

At the same time Mary Katrantzou's collaboration with Topshop also was in-store when I was casually browsing. Surprisingly the silk lamp shade-shaped dress was almost sold out, and there were only a few pieces left including this cropped t-shirt. Who would have known that KL-ites have the guts (and the height, hopefully) to possibly pull off Katrantzou pieces...

The cropped Mary Katrantzou t-shirt - too ambitious an attempt for that androgyny look

Marni metallic sandals and oriental feel

I initially had qualms about things too shiny and metallic, especially when it comes to clothing items. The mentality embedded in my mind, it seems, is that it is either too flashy for day wear, or too tacky for evening wear (for guys, at least). But somehow I have changed my perception over the years, thanks to a barrage of runway images and look books styled to incorporate such glistening material.

In effect, I have mustered some bravery to style the metallic silver sandals acquired at the recent Marni at H&M shopping frenzy, and somehow felt rather experimental donning the ever so oriental-infused T-shirt from Christopher Kane. But in this case, the powerful print need not be clashing against the gleam of the footwear, hence the sweater cover-up...

 

Uniqlo sweater, Christopher Kane SS12 T-shirt, H&M jeans, Peter Pilotto for Kipling bag, Marni at H&M sandals

 

A plethora of Zalora

To say that I have seen no credible Malaysian online shops around is an overstatement but the truth is, apart from the mushrooming blogshops, there is still a lack of efficient and fuss-free local e-tailers. Yes, you may speedily contort - what about the likes of Fashion Valet, Chic Yamada or even Leftblock. I do agree these online boutiques are quite on par with big overseas counterparts, but to my defense these sites' focus is mainly on womenswear, hence leaving guys with relativer fewer options. 


My brethren do not have to worry as the gentlemen's plea is heard by the emergence of Zalora, a British online company (in the UK the site is named Zalando). This website caters to both ladies and men, in equal manner. The brands that they offer are a delightful mix of both international, commercial labels and and our own up-and-coming designers, namely Bernard Chandran's Area 27, Gallo by Thian, Pestle and Mortar....Needless to say the list is quite exhaustive. Nevertheless I think they might need more labels in the future to cater to fashion-hungry Malaysians.


Price-wise most of the items on sale are in the middle range category, and comparatively not exorbitantly priced, depending on which labels you are looking for, of course. A T-shirt from say, Pestle and Mortar ranges from RM30 to RM50 (i.e. their standard pricing) and shoes from Zang Toi fall in the RM100 - RM 300 range, which is quite reasonable to me. On the other hand an asymmetrical dress by Area 27 will set you back at RM1440.


When I mentioned fuss-free, I feel that this website can be a benchmark for other e-tailers out there in a sense that they offer a range of efficient-sounding services namely three-hour delivery, cash on delivery, 30 days return an free shipping nationwide - a feature very vital for today's burgeoning on-line shopping culture.


My favorite items from the site are Area 27's Durian printed t-shirt, Gallo by Thian's Neon Star in Sheer Smart Blouse with Star Print and the Kampung grey singlet by Pestle and Mortar...

Dear Dunia Fashyon readers,to help you make a decision at a much reduced price, I'm pleased to offer you guys this limited-time unique voucher code: ZLFOZ_HFZ1iL


The voucher code comes with following conditions:
- It is valid only from 1st to 31st March 2012.
- It offers RM30 off with a minimum purchase of RM100
- Please remember to key in your voucher code at the checkout page for it to count.

Happy shopping! 

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...