On Scandinavian Style

Mention stylish European capitals and the places that come to mind are Paris, Italy and London. While Scandinavian cities are often overlooked and overshadowed by these fashion giants, my 6 month stay in Denmark has changed my perspective about Scandinavia, and I have been thouroughly inspired (and influenced) by their sense of style.

The Scandinavian style is perhaps similar to their laidback lifestyle and love for simplicity. Minimalistic, understated, effortlessly cool and sleek but also functional - reflective of the clean and simple lines you often see in their designer products; be it furniture or stationery.

Now when I'm back in my motherland, I continue to be inspired by them through these blogs.

Occasionally, I read Hel Looks a street style blog originating from Helsinki, Finland.

For a daily dose of street style and outfit ideas, I turn to Carolines Mode more often referred to as Stockholm Street Style.

Style by Kling, run by Elin Kling, is Scandinavia's largest fashion blog and has won several awards. I often read it to get an insider's peek into the fashionista's life - she is working as Fashion Director at her own fashion magazine STYLEBY and she is also the first fashion-blogger in the world to be launching her own collection for H&M. 

Another personal favorite is The Locals a street style blog featuring photographer Søren Jepsen from the now defunct Copenhagen Street Style blog. As its name suggests, it features locals on the streets of Copenhagen. 

København 2010. Meget kærlighed.

♥,

Fal

More for Fall

A short trend report for Fall/Winter 2011. The new lengths, new textures, bold colours, cuts and slits, menswear inspired pieces mean that putting outfits together will be a more interesting affair. Much as I do love summer and all the goodness that the sun brings (like pretty sun dresses and sexy swimwear), I also love knits, jackets, blazers and trenches. Hardly any opportunity to wear those in this sweltering heat but I guess that is why offices have such ridiculously cold central air conditioning. We all have a chance to indulge in some of those tailored beauties whilst complaining, like a true blue Singaporean, about it being too cold indoors and hot as hell outdoors.

1. Blues


2. Bold and bright pants



3. The Tux



4. Thigh baring slits



5. Leather



6. How about a poncho?



7. Stripes



8. The midi (finally)



Trend reports are great for giving us some sense of what's the next big thing the following season but it doesn't mean blindly following the trend just for the sake of it. Personally, if I don't like it, I wouldn't wear it even if it might be the most fashionable thing at the moment. So have fun mixing it up!


♥,
Fir
Photos courtesy of Refinery 29

Black, white and the shades in between

Love my new dress from ASOS. The asymmetrical hem adds some interest to the otherwise simple piece, and I love the versatility of this dress. I'm pretty certain that this is going to be a wardrobe staple!

Decided to pair it with a necklace that I bought during my recent trip to Korea.

♥,

Fal

Looking forward to Fall with Sandro

I chanced upon the young French fashion label, Sandro, today and I was blown away by their tres tres chic Fall 2011 lookbook. The label combines minimalism with a touch of androgeny, mod, edge and colour. Subtle pops of red, navy, camel and mustard stand out against the clean lines created by the sleek tailored pieces which include well-cut blazers, fitted trousers and ankle-grazers. For days when you want to dress down but still ooze a Parisian polish, Sandro is the way to go.

♥,

Fir

Georges Hobeika Autumn/Winter 2011-12 Couture

A personal favourite at Paris' couture showcase this year is Georges Hobeika's whimsical collection. I love the corset bodices, cascading skirts and gorgeous details. These dresses are so beautiful that they'll probably bring me to tears if I ever find myself in one of them.

♥,
Fal

Just can't get enough

It's been a month since Fal and I have returned and I miss being in Korea and Hong Kong. Here are some photos for me to relive happy times and for everyone else to hopefully enjoy.

Jeongbang waterfall. Gorgeous. 

Along Gwangalli Beach. The night life here is awesome. 

Fal getting in touch with nature. Literally. It was hilarious hiking over the huge rocks just to get closer to the falls. Excuse the sloppy dressing please, we were on holiday and going to a WATERFALL. 

Adorable! This shoe is being worn by a teddy bear, at the Teddy Bear Museum, which had a ridiculous entrance fee, which we paid anyway to enter.  

If only the whole of Korea had more of such English signs. Ordering food in Korea was always an amusing game of charades or pictionary that we played with the staff. 

Not a yellow brick road to Oz. This is the wood lined pavement to Hallasan. (Halla mountain, and yes it is a mountain not the Bukit-Timah-hill sort of mountain) 

This kid is definitely into the summer poncho. Taken at Haeundae Beach. So cute. 

I have yet to find out what this translates into. Does anyone know? 

I was impressed by the workmanship and the colours. Taken at the Beomeosa Temple. 

A restaurant. Fried chicken and beer, yummy. 

The other view from Victoria Peak (HK). Just turn your back on all the tourists furiously snapping thousands of pictures of the SAME HK night scene, walk straight to the other side of the balcony and look down. Voila. 

I have to credit Fal and Clarissa for this photo. They successfully distracted the saleslady so I could snap this. The maze that is Dongdaemun is really a shopping heaven.   

Macau. At sunset, as we made our way to the remains of the church at the end of the road. Oh how I love and miss the food in Hong Kong and Macau. The egg tarts, luncheon meat, char siew bao, dimsum and the desserts. My stash of almond biscuits and lao po bing is almost depleted.  

♥,

Fir