Spirit of Summer: June 2013 [Music Playlist]

Art Basel: A photographic abstraction

It's good to feel the buzz from Hong Kong after having hosted several notable art events that has come in all sizes. Art Basel was definitely one of the main highlights to HK's art scene with many international galleries gathering together in one exhibition space (not to mention a celebrity appearance by the one and only Kate Moss).

While it's good to see the explosive growth in numbers from a measly 19 000 in 2008 to a much more respectable 67 000 last year, some are concerned by the big name galleries who have the ability to displace the local ones in terms of quantity and quality. That is not to say however that contemporary Chinese art is any less appealing and on the bright side, it may even increase the standards of local galleries to compete with other notable galleries from the West. It's all friendly competition...

Anyways, enough of my blabbering. Enjoy my pics from Art Basel!

Not art but equally as beautiful...

OOTD: There Is A Light That Never Goes Out [Part II]

As promised, here's part 2 of the photo shoot with Javier Martinez at the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market. Check out part 1 here!

I saw these awesome baggy pants in an ethnic shop in Singapore and I couldn't stop myself from buying them. Never would I have thought of pairing it with the shirt I was wearing though. Of course, these things happen and I tried it with the pants which somehow worked. A refreshing change from being a fashion blogger to a hipster samurai... Comment below and let me know what you think!

OOTD: There Is a Light That Never Goes Out [Part I]

I was fortunate enough to shoot with my photographer friend Javier Martinez from Mexico City yesterday. We went over to Yau Ma Tei to check out the fruit market area for its dark atmosphere and dodgy looking buildings. Javier did an amazing job of getting the perfect lighting with the shots and they definitely have a very cinematic feel to it (a bit of Wong Kar-wai perhaps?). Do check out his blog Courtesy of Otis if you have time!

This is a 2 part series so be sure to stay tuned for my coming posts!

Oh and if you were also wondering, yes, that is a man skirt :)

 

Style Profile: Issa Tcieu [Fashion Designer/Blogger]

While I was away in Singapore, not only did I get the opportunity to see Hussein Chalayan's show, but I also got to sit down and have a chat with the stylish fashion blogger Issa Tcieu from Singapore. Her blog, Issa | Tchieu, features her own style posts plus other cool fashion finds. Scroll below for the full interview!

 Nick: Who is the person behind the lens usually?
Issa: [Laughs] My hubby. It makes more sense because you spend so much time together that you’d know each other’s schedule. Evidently, that also means that whenever I feel like doing a shoot, he’ll be able to come to my rescue.

N: You’re so lucky to have someone that close and easy to reach! Did your hubby do photography before?

I: Well, I had to teach him some tricks first because sometimes, it’s not easy getting someone to know the kind of pictures you want. Sometimes when you put on a great outfit, you don’t want it to go to waste but at the same time, you can’t exactly scream at the photographer because he didn’t shoot it properly. [Laughs] But at the end of the day, it’s the process that makes it all very rewarding.

N: What is the one thing you need in a wardrobe?

I: Shoes, definitely. I normally shop for shoes that make a statement. I don’t usually go for stilettos or simple heels but I always go for the ones with a strong aesthetic to it. It tells a story and I think it speaks a great deal about your personality. For me, I tend to go more minimalist.

N: It definitely tells a lot about the person. But then, I also see you as a bit of a fashion chameleon with the looks you’ve posted…

I: Of course! I like to stay as versatile as I possibly can. It’s very much like the weather where sometimes I feel like going all out in colour and on other days I wear something monochrome. I always see those trend reports in magazines but say for example, when colour blocking was a hit, you can’t possibly wear everything colour blocked right? Besides, there are so many clothes out there that you wouldn’t ever have to just stick with one style.

  

N: So what would you tell someone who doesn’t have much of an idea of how to wear something?

I: Explore, know who you are and just be yourself! The moment you realize that, you’ll be able to style things according to your personality. So, say when something is on trend, what I would do is to style it my way instead of how others would tell me to do. It’s never cool to copy directly because sometimes, you won’t feel confident wearing somebody else’s style. Start from baby steps. Accessorise a little and it’ll go a long way!

N: While we’re still on the topic of shopping, can you tell me where you’d shop in Singapore?

I: I would say the Mandarin Gallery because other than the usual slew of international designers, they also have some local designers who take their designs to another level. The price tag is a little high but they definitely have the strong aesthetic that I always look for in clothes. And I always think that such pieces can also be investment pieces because it’s definitely something you can wear over and over again.

N: So are there any designers that you particularly admire?

I: Maison Martin Margiela hands down! Every time I go to the store I go speechless.

N: Is there anything you’d like to see improve in Singapore [in terms of fashion]?

I: Well, it would be great to see some local designers with more of an individual voice. It’s quite disheartening sometimes to see designers having to succumb to the market but at the same time, I do understand that they require the support of a parent company. I have to say it takes a lot of boldness as well because, being in a commercial industry, the trends are the things that sell.

N: Okay! So now for a random question – Prints or plain?

I: I’d go for plain.

N: Heels or flats?

I: High heel stilettos! I’m not 180cm so I need the heels. [Laughs]

N: Blogger or Wordpress?

I: Blogspot.

N: Woot! But blogger is quite frustrating sometimes… Have you ever deleted something in a post and then it saved automatically?

I: OMG yes! I cannot tell you how many times that has happened. Thankfully, my hubby is an IT guy as well so he usually helps me with any technical issues…

N: [Laughs] So I guess you have the whole package then?

I: Definitely!

N: So after blogging for several years, what are you most proud of?

I: It would probably have to be a spread in a magazine a couple months back. This stylist contacted me through email and asked if I was interested to be in a feature for the world’s most stylish bloggers/fashionistas. It was a huge deal to me and it was definitely an honour to be featured in print.

N: Last question, what is your favourite blog to read?

I: Check out Love Aesthetics. It’s a great minimalist blog and the blogger Ivania does a really good job of sticking to her aesthetic.

Thanks again Issa for meeting up with me in Singapore!

Just Cavalli Resort 2014 | Bringing sporty back

This cannot be?! At first glance, one wouldn't have guessed that Roberto Cavalli was the master behind such a clean and sporty collection. Of course, the big giveaway would have to be Cavalli's infamous leopard print that is as recognisable as the skulls at McQueen. However, the furry feline was modernised with the help of a shiny metallic fabric in an electric blue biker jacket and pants ensemble. 

Asian influences were aplenty with Hokusai-esque waves appearing in one the sweaters and floral prints that were given a Japanese makeover. The fold over skort that has made the rounds on Lookbook can also be seen here but in a more maximalist style as opposed to the white one seen from Zara.

The french cuffs and soft bows added a touch of Parisian elegance to Cavalli's collection - a smart move that heightened the glamour to his normally sexually charged clothes. Given the "Just" to Just Cavalli, the collection featured many easy-to-wear pieces that will definitely be a hit among the young crowd.

The Business Card

Yup, there it is. My official business card for Cut & Copy and Style on Pottinger. I made this into a separate post because it's just that awesome.

Well not really...

Check out my other collaborative streetstyle blog with Jin Wong at Style on Pottinger :)

Christian Dior Resort 2014

Raf Simmons latest offering at Dior rekindled my love for Dior's youthfulness, something I've been waiting to see in a long time. That's not to say that he hasn't already been doing so especially with the Couture collection he showed in January. But this time around, the clothes look rejuvenated with Simmons playing around with graphic prints in layered transparencies and varying proportions à la Balenciaga.

Not dissimilar to Chalayan's uncompromising design values, Simmons pushed his designs to the limit without sacrificing his own aesthetic. Lace, unheard of in any of his shows, was layered on top of metallics and other fabrics which gave the garments a modern edge. Staying true to the Dior DNA, Simmons incorporated florals by way of print - a subtle but nonetheless effective nod to the master's love of flowers.

Of course, those who miss Dior's fun and flirtatious dresses need not worry. The navy blue maxi and green slip dress count as some of my favourites as he reinterprets Dior's famous silhouettes for the 21st century. Flowy asymmetrical dresses with aerodynamic lines down the front showed less restraint and Simmons newfound freedom now that he's at the top of his game. Like the glamorous sports cars that drive up and down the coast of Monaco...

"Raf Simons is about to take Dior on a long and glorious ride."
-Tim Blanks-