MARNI at H&M

Just as everyone is recovering from the aftermath of Versace for H&M (by that I mean the damage on their purses and all the elbow-shoving from trying to get a piece of Versace heaven), H&M has just announced today that it will tie-up with MARNI for its Spring/Summer 2012 designer collaboration.

I can already hear the applause and shouts of joy from the millions of H&M fans who are probably thrilled with this news. Spring/Summer 2012 is the perfect time to tie-up with MARNI as fans can expect full-fledged tribal prints and Bauhaus graphics which are colourful and playful.

The collection will be launched on 8 March 2012. Mark that date on your calendar folks. I know I'm going to be in line for this one.





MARNI AT H&M: Announcement EPK from Barracuda Film & TV on Vimeo.


♥,
Fal

Style crush: Taylor Tomasi

There's just something about Taylor Tomasi Hill. Maybe its her flame red hair or maybe its her choice of accessories, but I'm currently crazy over Marie Claire US' accessories editor.

For lack of a better word, Taylor Tomasi's style is fierce. Her distinctive choice of clothes and accessories such as chunky necklaces and to-die-for heels has got me stalking her style. I love the way she mixes feminine pieces with boyish items like piling a chunky knit sweater over a pencil skirt, or wearing a boyfriend shirt with skinny jeans and skyscraper heels. The fact that she looks so different but not unidentifiable in every photo also proves that one can experiment and dare to be different with your style without losing sight of who you are. Its no wonder that she's always captured on the lenses of street style blogs like The Sartorialist and Stockholm Street Style since she always looks fresh and different from the last time she was spotted on the streets!

Okay, that's enough of rambling. I'll leave you to enjoy the pictures!

♥,
Fal

Weekend shopping

We were at nana and bird 2 weekends in a row for 2 exciting events.

Last week, a new label, Aijek was launched at Nana and bird. We loved the summery, pretty and feminine designs in bright colours and light and floaty fabrics. The lady behind Aijek is Danelle Woo, a self-taught designer. After quitting her job, she spent a year picking up fashion design before creating her debut collection, All About Love. Here are some of the pieces we're in love with.

If you want to get your hands on some of these pieces, here's some good news for you! Nana and bird is offering 20% discount till 31 December for all of Aijek pieces! Now you can get your Christmas, New Year's and Chinese New Year's outfits all settled!

This Saturday, we visited nana and bird again, to support By Invite Only's first every pop-up shop. Pieces from The Higher Being collection were on sale, and Fir and I couldn't resist these quartz necklaces.

We also nibbled on tarts from The Ugly Tartling and spoke with the baker and businesswoman who runs The Ugly Tartling, Ee Ling. Ee Ling improvises and creates her own tart recipes to make some really delicious and crumbly home-made tarts. We loved the Passionfruit curd tart especially, as it was tangy and refreshing on the palette.





Weekend shopping is always the most therapeutic. Don't you agree?


♥,
Fal

The State of Style

Recently, one of our favorite websites, State of Style channel did a short but really sweet feature on thefword. State of Style channel hails all the way from Sweden, and has the latest fashion videos and coolest behind the scene clips! We're really honored to find ourselves on the website. Thanks so much guys!

Read the feature here.

♥,
Fal

November's Lookbook: Zara

The mishmash of prints, masculine and feminine elements and gorgeous floral printed blouses... I'm in love.

 



♥,
Fal

The buzz about...

Bloodbuzz is an independent local fashion label with designs that marry both elegance and edginess. The label promises to deliver great design, workmanship and service to customers. Find ready-to-wear items that are one-of-a-kind yet easy on the wallet and practical; there’s a piece for every occasion. Read on to find out more about the designer behind this label, Kimberly K Wong.

Graduating with a fashion & marketing degree at the London College of Fashion, Kimberly has dabbled with designing menswear for a while, and showcased at the debut Wardroblings fashion show, the first ever prelude to the annual Wardrobe design show at Zouk jointly organized by FashionTV and The Fashion Fraternity.

With a strong love for designing, that goes beyond fashion design, she is generally fascinated with good, interesting designs - be it product, graphic or typographic design. For her, it's about aesthetics as a whole, the thought process behind the beautification of everyday life and that feeling the designer translates into his or her work, that takes new life in the aesthetic and emotion that the final product evokes.

Now that she is back in Singapore, Kimberly K Wong is ready to take on the Singapore design scene with her very own fashion label Bloodbuzz. I recently had an opportunity speak with this passionate designer as she opened up about her inspirations and dreams for her label.

What made you want to start your own brand?

I think even as a kid, I knew I wanted to do something creative with my life. I was never big on dressing Barbie dolls, so that's one cliché I can deny. But I was always looking for something to draw or make or create.

I like to think I was also inspired by my time in London. Each different area is represented by such unique street styles. I would spend my weekends in London's East End - an area with street art, design markets, (affordably) independent labels and food from all sorts of faraway places. An amalgamation of people, cultures and styles would manifest itself. When I came home, one idea led to another, and Bloodbuzz, which we like to think of as a lifestyle label, was born.

Tell us more about the brand philosophy.

Bloodbuzz was approached with the belief that fashion is less about trends and more about style, the concept that independent fashion doesn't have to be an expensive luxury and the fact that "designer" doesn't always have to be avant garde - it can be practical and wearable, it just needs to dare. To dare to be different. Personal style and individualism are key concepts in the Bloodbuzz label.

The design philosophy for Bloodbuzz was simple: to create effortless wardrobe staples with an understated contemporary feel. The difference lies in the impeccable proportions and intricate details - both in the design process and the garment aesthetics.

What would you say is your design signature having had to design pieces in the course of your time in London, and then for your label, Bloodbuzz?

If I had to define a design signature, I'd say what ties the collections together is the marriage of elegance & edginess. Combining classic silhouettes with a modern edge, quality fabrics are twisted and turned; ruching techniques are meticulously executed to create complex knots, draping sleeves, quirky pockets and unique hemlines. I like experimenting with clothes; I enjoy playing with juxtaposition - contrasting colours, elements, details, fabrics and silhouettes.

How would you describe the Bloodbuzz clientele?

I imagine my client to be a confident woman who is passionate about life, is unafraid to be different. She has a curiosity for the finer things in life - I imagine she enjoys music, art, good food and wine, is happy to spend Friday night embraced with a good book and some hot chocolate. I imagine she would like to wander the world.

(I should clarify that personally, I think the "finer things in life" I mentioned doesn't always necessarily have to be expensive - I do believe it's the intangible value that matter most when speaking of art & life)

The line is created for beautiful, whimsical dreamers who appreciate understated luxury, who understand personal style.

How do you feel about the design scene in Singapore? Do you feel that Singaporeans are very supportive of local designers?

I'm 100% supportive of all things Singaporean - from our local hawker fare to quirky start-ups, and of course local designers.

I feel like Singaporeans are more exposed to high street fast fashion brands, as well as branded luxury, and sometimes the little independent designers tend to get drowned in between. But I do think that's slowly starting to change, with an increasing emphasis that Singaporeans' are now placing on lifestyle and, consequently, design. When it comes down to it, I think it's not being easy being a "local designer" any where in the world. Wherever you are, every designer still has to fight for the opportunity to succeed, still has to work for their dream. It's definitely difficult, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

With so many local designers sprouting up, how will you differentiate Bloodbuzz from these other offerings?

Competition is definitely fierce, now more than ever. We're choosing to focus on Bloodbuzz instead of trying to compete or compare, because every designer is different, every label is different. We believe in working hard, having fun and staying true to our own brand vision and design philosophy.

It's funny, because so much of our thinking are influenced by our parents - who often tell us to follow our passions and let life take it's course  - "love what you do, do what makes you happy and worry about everything else later". I always say we're lucky to have such supportive parents.

Who are your design heroes, and why?

I don't think I have one specific design hero. Every season, I find myself blown away my different designers and the different things they do.

Tell us more about your sources of inspiration.

The truth is I'm inspired by a myriad of things, tangible and intangible, that manifest themselves in different details - it’s all about the details." I do think much of my inspiration comes from the life I live - little words in the books I read, a still from the films I watch, a specific emotion that is evoked by the music I listen to. Conversations with the different people in my life. I think a big part of me is also inspired by my travels - experiencing a different way of life, understanding the people and their cultures, there's no feeling quite like the feeling of getting lost in a new city.

And because of these intangible translations, even within a single collection, each piece is different from the next - which as a designer, I have to admit, is somewhat unorthodox.

In 5 years' time, you will be...

I'd like to be running a very successful Bloodbuzz, working on an indie magazine, travelling the world taking beautiful pictures, meeting beautiful people, and still head over heels in love. I guess if there's one thing life's taught me, it's that nothing ever turns out the way you expect it to. I just know I'd still like to be pushing my creative boundaries, exploring the world and filling my life with lots of love, family, good food and better friends.

To shop Bloodbuzz, visit Kimberly’s online store at www.bloodbuzz.com.sg

♥,
Fal

By Invite Only 2 Day Pop-Up Shop

Are you racking your head on what to get your loved ones this Christmas? Why not start your Christmas shopping a little earlier this year by visiting By Invite Only's inaugural pop-up shop at Nana and Bird?

The pop-up shop will feature all of By Invite Only's well-loved pieces that sums up 2011. In addition, you'll get first dips on their newest pieces that are exclusive only to the pop-up shop. To sweeten the deal, By Invite Only is throwing in a 20% discount on selected items and 10% off your total purchase when you spend above $200. Expect reasonable prices starting from $25. I know I'm going to be there, because I still want my jewelry from their latest collection, The Higher Being.

Here's a sneak peek on some of the items that will be up for grabs at By Invite Only's pop-up shop!

For more information on the event, feel free to contact Trixie from By Invite Only at trixie@byinviteonly.info

♥,
Fal

Geared up for Versace for H&M

Here are 2 exclusive behind the scene videos of how the Versace for H&M TVC was made! Just a little something to whet your appetite because I know that everyone must be eagerly anticipating 17 November, the date that Versace for H&M is going to hit the stores!

Videos courtesy of Barracuda TV

♥,
Fal

In the prime of life

I attended the launch of Time Taken to Make a Dress' inaugural pop-up store at a Curious Teepee which also coincided with the launch of their latest 11 piece collection, Life Cycle.

If the designers at TTMD could chart their label's life cycle, then TTMD would probably in its prime right now.

Life Cycle shows a more mature and mellowed side of the designers. Opting for a muted palette of black and cream, the detailing and silhouettes of the pieces become more pronounced. The cream pieces sport an interesting web-like pattern made out of string. As the collection progresses, the web-like patterns morph into full-on floor sweeping fringe.

With the aid of asymmetrical hems and plunging backs, light and floaty fabrics helped to make the pieces in this collection feel a little more fluid, a little less structured as compared to their previous collection, Cheongsam.

The other change, was the venue of their exhibition. With Life Cycle, TTMD opted for a pop-up store outside of their usual workspace at Niven Road. Letitia, who is one half of the design duo, says that this is all for good cause since customers are likely to feel less intimidated and more inclined to browse through what they have to offer. 

Once again, Jade and Letitia have done a great job with their latest collection, and TTMD has definitely grown and blossomed with every collection shown.

The Life Cycle Collection will be on exhibition till 3 Dec 2011 at a Curious Teepee.

♥,
Fal

The worker, the businessman and the designer

The Singapore Fashion Film Festival concluded its two week run last Sunday, and left me wanting more. I would have braved that climb up to Sinema @ Old School every weekend if only to catch the films that were shown.


Films, especially documentaries are such a great way of getting a glimpse into another world, and for fashion fanatics like myself, its almost like getting a backstage pass to Chanel's Haute Couture show or Versace's RTW show. Besides seeing what happens backstage, such documentaries offer one the perspective of people whose lives reside within the world of fashion. It is almost nearly like delving into the depths of their mind and soul, and seeing things from their point of view. The 3 films that I was fortunate enough to catch helped me to understand the perspectives of 3 different groups of people within the industry, and has thoroughly inspired me.


The Worker
Signé Chanel is not about Karl Lagerfeld but really about the people behind the scenes. The documentary takes one through the work that leads up to a Haute Couture show, and the staff that work laboriously to complete the collection in time. What most people see is 15 minutes of glory on the runway, but not the effort or time that goes into making a dress. 

Seamstresses at Chanel work tirelessly for every collection, or what they call 'Pure Couture' or should I say torture, as they go through countless of fittings. They spend days (and nights) on a single dress, only to have it taken off the collection within 15 minutes of meeting with Lagerfeld. Their skills are at the highest level - at the beginning of the documentary, one seamstress redid the embroidery (beading, mind you) of the entire hem of a dress within 30 minutes. 

More characters come into the documentary. The model, Amanda, who comes in for countless of fittings, only to get pricked every single time by the seamstress who fits her. Then there's the shoemaker, Massaro, who scurries to and fro from him shop to Chanel's building at least 5 - 6 times a day to meet with Mr. Lagerfeld, who makes at least 10 different changes to the same shoe before he is satisfied. Lesage, the embroiderer does the embroidery on Chanel's fabrics and has at least 5 helpers working on the same yard of fabric for a few months. I saved my most favorite artisan for the last. Madame Pouzieux, a 75 year old woman, living on the farm. Using Chanel's tweed, she slowly unravels the fabric, carefully measures the thread count, and uses a loom (that she invented) to manually braid the thread into the famous Chanel braid, and mind you, she does this over the course of 2 weeks  getting an average of 2 hours of sleep a day. It is a dying trait, and so far no one else can recreate her braid.

The shoemaker, Massaro

Such effort that goes into a dress. We are often privy to such things that go on behind the scenes, the workers that turn the wheel, and who play a pivotal role in making high fashion, high fashion.

The businessman
The fashion industry is not all about beautiful designs and great craftsmanship. Fashion houses have begun to understand that it goes beyond these 2 qualities and it is essentially about business. 


Paul Smith is a businessman. He confesses in the documentary, Paul Smith: Gentleman Designer, that he was not schooled in fashion nor had any kind of formal training. Then you wonder how Paul Smith has managed to achieve its status today. Well, Paul is shrewd businessman. From the beginning, he conceived a brand that differentiated itself from others, and it came at a time when young British men wanted something different, something beyond stuffy suits. Paul Smith offered just that. A unique button, a colourful lining, the way stripes were juxtaposed on a shirt, Paul Smith took the traditional tailored suit, and gave it a twist resulting in something ingenious that left his customers wanting more. His brand truly reflects everything he is - fun, playful, humorous, vivacious and quirky. 

Everything, from the store decor (you'll always be greeted by humorous signs and amusing paintings), to the prints ads have been clearly thought through by Paul Smith. He is there in every aspect of his business - he doesn't design, but he sets the theme for every collection, does the photography and conceptualization for Paul Smith's campaigns and represents the brand as its spokesperson, flying around the world to meet his 'fans' (people go crazy over him in Japan). Paul Smith's brand is truly the essence of the man himself, and everything is done in his signature light-hearted and humorous manner.

The designer
The most acclaimed of all 3, and one that needs no introduction, is the designer. In L'amour Fou, Yves Saint Laurent's life long partner, Pierre Berge, narrates the better half of Yves' life story through the art pieces in their home which are going on auction after Yves' death. 

Yves' collection of art is truly remarkable. It also clearly shows his love for art. It is no surprise then, that art was a huge source of Yves' inspiration for many of his collections. One of the more notable pieces from his collection was the dress that was inspired by Mondrain's contemporary paintings. 

The Mondrain inspired dress

Yves truly is a designer who creates works of wearable art. He takes fashion to another level, and transforms clothes into an art form. Another thing that inspired Yves were his travels. His abode in Morocco and the colourful North African influence definitely resonated in some of his collections. A designer thus, must be an artist and must have the ability to incorporate all that he sees and does in his everyday life into his works. Yves himself was a genius, with an ability to conjure up more than 100 designs for his collections. 

It is a frenzied and crazy life a designer has to deal with. Diverging away from norms and immersing oneself fully in designing while constantly having to search for inspiration and new ideas for every new collection. As Pierre Berge, puts it, designers must be blessed by some higher being as they somehow always manage to meet their deadlines. Yves himself was a victim of this hectic and stressful life, suffering from depression and turning to alcohol and drugs. 


Behind all that glamour and air-kissing, is a cut-throat industry that moves so fast that a designer truly needs to dig deep to survive. But designers that do make it, like Yves Saint Laurent, well, they are remembered for generations.

♥,
Fal