(UN)FASHION: Vintage leather shoes and bags

I’ve been shopping for shoes for about a year now.  Shoe shopping is a serious affair.  A pair of decent shoes can last you many many years and they should look better the more you wear them.  It’s a real pity some people see shoes as seasonal items these days.

On my Bangkok shopping list was a vintage leather shop, (UN) FASHION vintage collection.  It is located at Ekkamai 10, within a trendy neighbourhood populated by the young and hip in Bangkok.  The area is also filled with Japanese restaurants because of the Japanese expatriates living there.  Needless to say, some of the boutiques have adopted the Japanese look and feel for their shop ambience and it was definitely a refreshing and unexpected experience for me.  I enjoyed the area thoroughly.  In the evening, the place transformed into a vibrant night scene with cool pubs and bars, no different from Lan Kwai Fong area in Hong Kong.

A selection of vintage Ladies shoes

A selection of vintage Mens shoes

Vintage belts

The shop also carries a nice range of handbags, wallets and other small leather goods but I suspect you have to be a regular for them to bring out the good stuff.  Nonetheless, it’s definitely a place worth visiting in Bangkok.

x Sybil

(Images from (UN) FASHION vintage collection)

Start the New Year with spring colours!

We are nearing the end of the year 2010. There is no better way to start the New Year than with spring colours and I have been won over by Giambattista Valli‘s  Spring 2011 collection.

Casual yet extremely funky, Valli’s style is young and fun with a hint of sophistication brought over from his Ungaro days. Former art director for Emanuel Ungaro’s ready-to-wear lines, Valli introduced minidresses over leggings, cigarette pants and many other style elements that capture that rebellious spirit in all of us. Think rocker chick meets princess but done with maximum sophistication and grace.

 

Using rich colours, the collection remains modern with its clean lines and shapes.

Masculine and  feminine elements are evident throughout the collection and in Valli’s style and I love it!

Not exactly a vivid colour but white is a classic spring summer essential. Almost minimalistic, the use of different textures add dimension to the look.

This sculpture-like dress is a sure statement piece. Brilliant colour and great form!

I’m very excited about 2011 and ridiculously optimistic for the fashion scene in the coming year.
Like every year, it’s a time to reflect, rediscover and reinvent.

Happy New Year in advance!

X Sybil

(Images from Style)

James-Paul from The Fashion Show

I was catching up on re-runs of Bravo TV’s The Fashion Show and noticed James-Paul’s very consistent style.

Inspired by the 1920′s Bauhaus movement, James-Paul applies geometric shapes in his designs. He is currently working at Vivienne Westwood studios. His unique approach and perspective can be attributed to his foundation and background. After earning his associates degree at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, James-Paul attended London South Bank University and American Intercontinental University, London, for his Bachelor Degree in Women’s Wear.

“Inspired by where I came from, a poor immigrant from a post-colonialist country; coming to America who had colonized it and moving to England, believing I was American. The clothes I create are centred within how ethnicities are shaped within the Western and Westernized societies,” said James-Paul.

James-Paul’s style throughout the entire show demonstrated a consistent vision. His signature imagery and artistic concept was strong and coherent, leading up to his finale collection. Although he came in third, his collection stood out from the rest simply because it is not mainstream. With still a long way ahead of him, I’ll be interested to see how his vision evolve and grow. Hope to hear about him soon.

X Sybil

(Images from Project RunGay)

His fashion Laing-uage

I guess this is a pretty crappy title, but I hope it triggers some interest as to who ‘he’ is.

Jeremy Laing, a designer based in Toronto, Canada, uses creative pattern making, construction and textiles to create designs that have an added dimension (personal thoughts) and form. His resume includes an apprenticeship with Alexander McQueen after a study exchange programme at Westminster University (London).

 Here are some images from his Fall Winter 2010 Collection:

Look at the interesting mix of texture. I can totally see myself running my hands over the different textures, curious as to how they feels.

Here is a really loose and relaxed shape that is really easy to wear. Again, I am intrigued by the texture of the fabric, all the little bumps!

One of the simpler looks shown in his collection, meaning less layers and mix of textured fabrics but no less eye-catching. I love the galactical print and colours used.

I love how this looks so simple in the front.

And when the model turns, there’s this element of surprise that goes ‘so it’s more like a vest than a shawl.’

I’ll keep a lookout on his next collection! Sure seems interesting.

X Alex

(All images from http://www.jeremylaing.com/)

Edgy, sexy and all covered up

Based in New York, Proenza Schouler was started by designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough. Since its launch in 2002, Proenza Schouler has received several awards, including the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Womenswear Designer of the Year award and the 2009 CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year Award. The label has evolved beautifully and its new collection says it all.

Unlike the Spring 2011 collection which is more polished, the Resort collection is more fun, young and edgy. There is something extremely sexy about button up shirts and Proenza Schouler does it very well.

The Resort collection was inspired by a vacation the duo took to India, hence the prints and textures.

 

I love print-on-print and the visual impact of this look is stunning.

The vibrancy of the colours used is typically African and tribal. I like the strong colours, very edgy.

A monochrome look but the pants are fantastic and to die for. The importance of accessorising is emphasised here. I love the peep-toe, lace-up, laser-cut leather sandals!

In case you are curious, there were other models featured but Kate Kosushkina was prefect for most of the pieces. Fierce and edgy, that’s the way the collection should be worn.

Again, covered with a black long sleeved top, the dress is given an almost rock and roll feel.

There are times to look polished and elegant and there are times to look edgy and chic. For as long as I can, I hope to embrace the latter. The former can wait till I’m about 50.

X Sybil

(All images from Style.com)

Go festive with colours!

The festive season is upon us! How do we remain chic with festive fashion disasters all around us?

My suggestion: stay away from the obvious colours, green and red. Instead, go for bright colours, it is big this season, it is cheerful and it makes you look fresh even if you have been party hopping.

Jonathan Saunders’ latest collection is elegant and chic. The use of fresh and bright colours creates an effortless look. You don’t look like you are trying too hard. Subtle sophistication is the way to go!

Described as “pretty dresses with just enough edge to stay this side of saccharine”, Tim Blanks attributes this to Saunders’ skill as a colourist. Saunders is best known for his work with prints and it is no surprise that within two days of his graduation show at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Saunders was commissioned to design prints for Alexander McQueen. He produced the vibrant bird-of-paradise print for McQueen’s 2003 collection.

Here are some looks from his own Spring 2011 collection.

A beautiful top with a soft pastel colour is contrasted with a bright and bold orange band across the skirt. Simple and yet mesmerizing.

Something I will definitely wear, I love the fluoro orange and sky blue combination.

Black and white? Why not! Simple yet daring, the short skirt and plunging neckline says it all.

 

A gorgeous day dress, the print gives it an almost vintage look. However, the cut is so modern, the end result is perfect blend of modern and contemporary.

 

The dress almost looks like a canvas of paint splashes. Stunning.

Time to put on some colours!

X Sybil

(Images from NY magazine)

Wedges with an edge

Shoes always cheer me up.

It seems the trend this season is five inches and above. As they say, ‘There is no way to go but up.’

This entry might seem a little overdue but young designer Alain Quilici is really making his mark in the fashion world this year. Inspired by design, cinema and art, the architectural element is evident in Alain Quilici’s third shoe collection.

Described as being able to translate everything he sees into an artistic interpretation, the designer’s Spring 2010 collection is all about lines and rhythmic flow in the lines. The colours chosen are neutral, giving the collection an intense look.

Very strong lines. The flow of the lines is smooth and soft but the overall look is dark and intense. Almost gothic in a very chic way.

I like the platform at the bottom, it looks like a stand or a pedestal for an artwork. Again, a very poetic arrangement of lines, like a beautiful ribbon on a gift; one that you cannot bear to open.

Very often, I look at the negative spaces. It highlights the relationship of the object with its surroundings. Instead of one inserting itself into an environment, one should exist naturally with its surroundings, as if it is only right it belongs there. Imagine a woman walking down the streets of Milan in these heels. Yes, that is right where she belongs.

I am waiting for Quilici’s fourth collection and I am almost sure he will not disappoint!

X Sybil

(Images from public image)

Man, he’s good!

I love it when I stumble across designers or brands that I have never heard of or seen before. (Of course, it may not necessary be due to their unknown branding, but more often due to my lack of exposure.) So I must share my excitement about ‘finding’ Michael Kampe’s works today!

Michael Kampe impressed me with his 3 dimensional way of treating fabrics and interesting print designs. His design inspirations come from different sources; with the silhouettes inspired by architects and artists, and prints created from inspirational pictures. (See his interview with Dazed Digital here.)

The overall result is fresh, structural with a very chic modern vibe. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Beautiful, isn’t it. Love how the fragments look like they’re exploding outwards.

Such wonderful showpiece, grabs your attention immediately and makes you wonder if it will transform into something else!

What fresh colours for the prints! Love how he combined it with his architectural drafting.

I would guess this is where his architectural inspiration comes in place. Such inspiring design!

X Alex

(All images from Vogue Italy, catch-fire.com, chiconomics )

The world is flat: Maison Martin Margiela SS 2011

When I was a child, I never doubt that the world was round. That is, until someone mentioned the possibility of it being a square. I imagined river flowing downwards, cars dropping off the surface of earth, civilisations being condensed to one qaurter of what I had known the size to be.

The label Maison Martin Margiela’s designs often lure the child in me. The sweet reminder of a world so innocent, magical and enchanting always comes to mind when I watch MMM runway shows. Some people may feel that my description and interpretation is a bit off but MMM has always been that comfort zone for me. When the world of colours starts to bore me, I turn to a section of my wardrobe that never fails to restore my confidence in art and fashion; minimalism.

There have been several negative reviews on the MMM SS2011 collection but for me, the trend of returning to basics and traditions has also been an obvious one. Painting was one of the first few medium in visual arts. Today, we have installations, interactive objects, new media art but there are artists who continue to explore painting as a medium and this is the same for fashion. We study the silhouette, the cut, the colours, the materials, etc. yet despite having so many more options and designs today, we fall back on the masters of minimalism over and over again. I see the rationality in returning to 2D from 3D.

Quite a classic MMM silhouette. Perhaps the team should have done more of this rather than the ‘cardboards’ that were rather ill-received.

Very wearable and structural. The texture shows how ‘hard’ the outfit is but the soft and neutral colour is a great combination.

The movement of the clothing is captured beautifully now that the clothing is seemingly detached from the body but at the same time performing its basic function of covering our skin.

This checkered translucent material is so interesting and the shadows and outline looks like a skull!

For the rocker in all of us, big square shoulders and a nude body suit!

X Sybil

(All images from style.com)

Like Marc but not quite

At first glance, the collection almost reminds me of Marc Jacobs’ look. Very geeky and retro.

Raphaelle Hlimi’s experience is quite extensive for a 30 year old. Having interned at Christian Dior, Yvan Mispeleare, Martin Grant and Sharon Wauchob,  she graduated from Institut Francais de la Mode, which led her to Italy, an internship at Emilio Pucci and a one and a half year stint as junior designer in the accessories team. Based in Paris now, her 2010 collection has been staged in Brussels.

With multi-layered dresses, funky eyewear and thick-knitted coats, this collection is quirky and quite peculiar. The colours used are both fun and cheery but also subtle and muted.

I like the big shoulders and how the cut-outs of the coat mirror the cut-outs in the shoes.

The colours are quite soft and neutral, which allows for patterns. The irregular print is also a nice touch.

Love the skirt! The fusion of edgy cut-outs on a seemingly feminine floral print is very contemporary.

It’s a nice treatment for knit wear and the skirt is very functional and versatile.

Last but not least, an illustration by the designer. Very edgy and funky!

The collection is almost young but not quite with its use of materials and techniques. It is interesting to see a young designer evolve and I can’t wait to see Raphaelle’s next collection.

X Sybil

(All images from www.raphaellehlimi.com)