In Full Bloom

Flowers are set to blossom in spring and the runways were adorned with floral prints in all shapes, sizes and hues. My favorite floral prints of the season are the bright, crazy and modern take on florals - tropical flowers picked fresh from Proenza Schouler's S/S 2012 show, Hawaiian blossoms from Altuzzara's runways and Belle Sauvage and Mary Katrantzou's digitally manipulated but ultra modern floral prints in clashing hues and bright colours. I can't wait to get my hands on these floral prints, and I know my wardrobe will thank me as it comes to life again this spring.

Mood board by me.



♥,
Fal

Streetstyle inspiration

I'm currently being inspired by:

Mini skirts with trains

Cape dresses with boots

Oversized sweaters

Vintage tea dresses

♥,
Fal

Living on the Edge

'Edgy' has been thrown around carelessly and used so often to describe any look that is unsafe that no one really knows what edgy really means. It got me thinking and I decided to find out. According to the free online dictionaries (all hail and long live Google), 'edgy' at its root means anxious or irritable. In terms of Art or Fine Art, 'edgy' means excessively defined. The essence of 'edgy' however, lies in the way it excites because it is innovative and to a certain extent, intense. Hence, edgy is neither an unconventional look that is way out there, nor an (ironically) safe combination of tons of black eyeliner, leather, boots and distressed denim. The latter is the Harley/biker-chic that Singaporean girls have been so eager to adopt. Being edgy just means being innovative and showing some creativity in putting outfits together so you don't wind up like all the other cookie-cutter girls out there. You've not only portrayed a bit of yourself in those clothes on your back, you've also captured an essence of that edge.

Fashion, style and such advice are all highly subjective and in a sense, absolutely cruel to those who don't subscribe to conventional notions of the so-called fashion manifested in seasonal or annual trends that people are so keen to follow. Somehow this system works and has worked since time immemorial probably because as social beings, humans need to attain that innate sense of belonging to a community of some sort and if it requires that we follow those set customs and norms to be part of the same 'pack' so to speak, then so be it.

As is the case with all subjective and undefined subject matters on this planet, there is an escape clause or loophole. The escape clause that always works: this is what I consider edgy which may not be what you define as edgy. Sure there are some benchmarks that position 'edgy' somewhere around 'eclectic' but this definition is far from set in stone. Personally, as long as there is some element of creativity in an outfit that makes me go "hey omg, I didn't know you could wear it like that", then that's edgy.

We can't talk edgy without mentioning Alexa Chung. She has definitely nailed that Brit-eclectic-chic.



Then there are models Frida Gustavsson and Abbey Lee. I love their personal styles.



With celebrities like Lady Gaga, no doubt poised on the edge of glory and the brink of madness in her odd-as-hell outfit (or lack thereof) choices, pushing boundaries with way-out concepts of fashion (the meat dress was one disgusting piece of work), one could say that the playground has definitely opened up a lot more today. There is so much more space for creative genius as well as mistakes.





Moreover, with so many high street brands replicating runway looks and creating new trends on their own (Zara, H&M and so on), fast fashion is indeed a fantastic way for anyone to push their personal fashion boundaries. Affordable clothes definitely make experimenting a lot less taxing on our branded wallets, imagine spending more than $100 on one item every time we go shopping. There is no way that will help the fashion industry which is, today, just thriving on the whims and fancies of more and more women who are acheiving a level of disposable income that makes it alright for them to shop till they drop, embedded and embroiled as we are in a consumerist and materialistic culture that encourages capitalism and senseless expenditure with every swipe of a credit card.

Whoever coined shopping as 'retail therapy' certainly was brilliant. I am personally a sucker for retail therapy, as is almost every other person out there. In cities like Singapore, I think it's fair to say that most pastimes require spending some money one way or another, especially if you choose to head out. Spending your heard earned money on yourself becomes therapeutic because you can say "hey, I worked for this and I deserve to treat myself", which in turn fuels that capitalist cycle of making more and more money so you can spend more on yourself every single time. Overspend and you live on the edge of debt; keep saving and you'll live comfortably in retirement.

In any case, that's the way the world works. So? Deal with it (haha). I'm happy spending on myself when I can afford to and there's nothing better than fueling some of that creative energy into buying some edgy gems stocked among the shelves in the shops in town to play around with at home.


♥,
Fir

Made well for Alexa

I chanced upon Alexa Chung's second collection for Madewell whilst paving a digital path through the myriad of open tabs and windows on my desktop. This American brand (owned by the J.Crew company) has been surprisingly low-key; I've heard of Madewell but never felt compelled to explore their online store. A quick browse and I was pleasantly surprised as the clothes are simple and practical yet chic and stylish. Much like British It girl, Alexa Chung's own understated chic that has made her the style icon that she is today.

Alexa stars in the Madewell Fall 2011 ad campaign which featured the Fall collaboration in a Southwest backdrop for a road trip feel. The collection is slated to arrive in stores and on madewell.com on September 22. I found some images of the ad campaign that features Alexa herself.





Here's a preview of some of the items in Alexa Chung for Madewell which I snapped from madewell.com.










I have to say that the collection from this preview, just screams Alexa. My personal favourites are 02, 04 and 05 for their laidback feel. Alexa's inspiration for the collection was girls in bands who "lived their looks". I am assuming then, that the collection is grungy yet girly with a hint of attitude. The thing is, Alexa Chung is such a unique and stylish individual that whatever she has on her oh-so-petite frame contains that perfect mix of attitude, grunge and girly, that I am quite certain not everyone else can pull off.

That being said, is it made well for Alexa? Or Alexa for Madewell? I am not entirely convinced that the collection is one that girls of all shapes and sizes can experience and enjoy although I am certain that everyone will love it. Take the last item, for example, the velvet dress with the white peter pan collar. Discounting the fact that this dress is not made for our (ridiculous and hellish) local weather conditions, how many people can actually wear this dress without looking like they just stepped out of Sunday school at the neighbourhood cathedral?

As always, fashion isn't just about wearing what's trendy and cool or wearing what a favourite style icon is wearing. (Case in point: Alexa Chung's velvet dress.) Instead, fashion is about making yourself look good, so as Fal would also very much agree, wear what suits you and we guarantee, you'll always look awesome.


♥,
Fir

New TV Show for Alexa

Alexa Chung has been inspiring me with her effortlessly cool sense of style for as long as I can remember. To get my fill of her fashion choices, I would keep up with two of her TV shows, ‘It’s on with Alexa’ and ‘Vanity Lair’.

Unfortunately, MTV axed the talk show, ‘It’s on with Alexa’, only after 2 seasons. ‘Vanity Lair’, a reality show hosted by Alexa, where contestants were being judged based on their attractiveness did not fare too well either, with its second season being cancelled.

But I’m not despairing any longer because Alexa has a new TV series due to air next summer -’ Thrift America’. And the best thing is that she’s finally doing something she’s good at. The show follows Alexa and Maya Singer (the series creator and Style.com’s editor of special projects) as they comb ‘consignment shops, garage sales and flea markets for potential treasures to use in various creative endeavors’. As Singer describes it, the idea is to show viewers firsthand, just what Alexa Chung can pull out of the crab bin at the yard sale.

Can’t wait!

Photo courtesy of MTV.com

♥,
Fal

British Fashion Awards 2010

A quick round up of the winners at this year's British Fashion Awards, indeed a huge affair in the fashion world that took place 2 days ago at the The Savoy Hotel and Theatre in London.

BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion: Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design in recognition of his legendary work. McQueen has worked in the UK, Milan and spent 5 years as Chief Designer at the French Haute Couture House Givenchy till March 2001. He committed suicide in February this year and will always be remembered as one the most influential and creative designers of this generation.

Spring/Summer 1998

Spring/Summer 2001

Autumn/Winter 2009

Model of the Year: Lara stone

Lara Stone came out tops amongst the pretty faces. I really love her teeth.

Digital Innovation Award: Burberry

Burberry’s innovative digital marketing initiatives have definitely paid off. The brand has launched its A/W 2010 collection as an interactive, motion-responsive experience. Motion responsive images allow viewers to zoom in on a jacket or bag they've got their eye on or see the how the clothes move in virtual motion.

British Style Award: Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung has emerged as the style icon and international fashion ambassador of the UK, voted for by the British public. Rightfully awarded, if I should say so myself. Alexa Chung really embodies the essence of London and has exported that style by establishing herself as an international style icon.

Designer of the Year: Phoebe Philo for Celine

Phoebe Philo takes the coveted prize this year.

Designer Brand of the Year: Mulberry

Mulberry edged out fellow nominee, Posh spice a.k.a. Victoria Beckham, to earn recognition as a British fashion label that has impacted the international fashion scene in the past year.

Find out about the other award winners here.

♥,
Fir