London Fashion Week FW07 Wrapup II

Sorry this post is so late people. I just got back from Barcelona and my first priority was to watch the new episode of Grey's Anatomy (SO touching -Derek was amazing; Cristina too. Who can't wait for next week?). So ya, I haven't really had a chance to look through all the collections, but I did look at Marc by Marc Jacobs, afterall how could I not?

Christopher Kane

His SS07 collection was amazing, esp since it was his debut show, so it was no surprise the buzz around this show was larger than the Marc by Marc Jacobs show. I remember when I first saw the SS07 clothes, I was like err, colourful and pretty, but how is anyone going to wear it in real life? But that collection has slowly grown on me in the past few months and I think it's mega-pretty. Now onto Kane's new FW07 collection: It was good, yes, but frankly, I was a bit disappointed. Maybe because this collection was less colourful (which I have come to associate with Kane), and I just didn't like the combination of some of the fabrics, colours and design. But anyways, here are some that I liked:

The dress on the left is fantastic in a catwalk sense, but that orangey jacket on the right? Seriously?

There were more styles in this collection than the last one.

And more dresses.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

One of the shows I most look out for each season (mainly becaues it's relatively affordable). This collection was typical Marc by Marc Jacobs -cute and youthfully styled, which is why even though it wasn't a directional collection, I still liked it, most of it. Sometimes, I think observing and learning styling techniques in Marc's shows is even more fascinating than the clothes.

Really like that coat (left.) And see that outfit on the right? There's a bit of the ladylike-style as seen in the Marc Jacobs show last week. Ooo, and see the white shoes in the middle, I want them! They're supposed to be ice-skating-inspired shoes.

Hemlines are high again. Girly girly girly.

These feel like a continuation of the FW06 collection in terms of the colour theme. Grey and navy are still prominent. And take note of the long gloves.

I love the artist look on Sasha (left,) and the dress on the right is an adoarable interpretation of the Balenciaga and ballerina style.

Photo sources: elle.com, style.com

Bobbi Brown: Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Today, in an attempt to get my brows plucked (where I come from, BB has an absolutely fabulous eyebrow plucking service), I accidentally landed a make-up consultation at Bobbi Brown. So not only did I get my brows plucked, but I also got make-up done. And that led me to the discovery of the most awesome eyeliner: the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner.

I must admit, as much as we all swear by the MAC pencil eyeliner (which goes on super smoothly), it still smudges and just goes away in a hour or two for me. Plus, its really hard to line the top lids, without it looking too obvious. So I was amazed when the very nice lady at the counter convinced me to this eyeliner. I thought it would be hard since its liquid and everything (and really, my make-up application skills are abysmal), but turns out its super easy.

Using the ultra thin eyeliner brush, we dipped it into the gel (black ink color), dabbed it onto tissue paper and just gently brushed it onto the roots of our lashes-not the fleshy bits as I'd originally thought. First from below the lashes (lifting the lids a bit) and then on the top. Then we blended and smudged the top line with dark eye shadow. And ta-da the eye liner is seamlessly blended and my eyes looked big and defined. This gel eyeliner is just fabulous.

In case you are interested, they also added a dark shade on the contours, pale pink blush (which is now on my list of wants, because since its sheer, it doesn't look too unnaturally pink at all. It looks really nice and pretty), shimmer brick all over (also getting close to be on my list, because the shimmer adds a nice touch. Although I think I'll shop around more for this) and this under eye highlighter thing (which intrigues me, so I'm going to look more into this and compare the effects of this and the Benefit eye highlighter thing). Aw. . .make-up is SO much fun!

London FW07 Fashion Week Wrapup I

To be honest, I haven't been too inspired with the latest FW07 offerings. They all look very dark, grungy and baggy- not quite my thing. But anyway, here's my assessment of this week's show.

Preen
Preen have always been simple and oh so casual chic to me.

But this season, besides these few looks that is cool and chic (albeit a bit boring), everything else looks either. . .
robotic
or like a bag lady.

Aquascutum
Aquascutum on the other hand, was much more to my taste.

They had the more classic ladylike and simple pieces which I like.
And the more adventurous looks that are different but still very feminine and ladylike. Got to love the capes!

Biba
My favourite collection this week was Biba. While we may have seen some of these designs before, I am loving how they are flattering to the figure, feminine and fun.
The simple yet chic shift dress. The silk shirts. The tights. Who can get enough of that?
Perfect for casual, work to a night out!
Love Love Love it! She looks sooo cool and chic in that trench!

Photos credit: elle.com

Dresses For Valentine's Day

Obviously, people who have dates tonight should already have their outfits all planned out. But hey, I'll use any opportunity to ooh and ahh at pretty dresses. Here are a bunch of dresses I love and at least one should suit your different personalities, (unless we have very different taste; you're very quirky, hard to please, or very slutty.)

If you're a very simple girl and your date is during daytime, or you just like being casual, this tie-back dresses by Lux (from Urban Outfitters) is for you.

Since it is winter, long-sleeved dresses would be a good choice. Here are two classic LBDs -I really like the one by Marios Schwab for Top Shop (left), and the one on the right (by Top Shop) is just really nice and simple.

V-neck, empire-ish dresses are def the fun and sexy way to go. Go for a sophisticated one by Laundry by Sheli Segal (left) or go for a shocking pink one by Badgley Mischka (right).

Cute cocktail dresses, both by Mara Hoffman. Personally I like the black dress better -it's simple in a not-too-boring-way, young and can totally be reused in the future. But the red bubble dress is more suitable for semi-formal dinners.

If you want something pretty and delicate-looking, go for something like the Sue Wong dress (left) here. If you want something sleek and contemporary, I love this Graham & Spencer silk jersey dress (right).

And of course we have the lovely wrapdresses, which Lorelai wears all the time in Gilmore Girls. The dress on the left is by Diane von Furstenburg. For something less, err, wrapped up, this Catherine Malandrino bustier dress (right) is sexy without being trashy.

And finally, onto the expensive dresses. I absolutely love this version of the LBD by Marc Jacobs. It's fashionable, chic and flattering on the body, plus think of all those occasions you can wear it to. And that Vera Wang Lavender dress (right) is just divine. We can dream, can't we?

And yes, it is more than ok not to wear a dress to your date. Afterall, we are in the 21st century. Happy Valentine's Day people!

Photo sources: Shopbop, Urban Outfitters, Net-a-Porter, Nordstrom

Grammy Award 2007 Fashion

Not traditionally the most fashionable awards of the year, there were still a few pieces that were worth taking a note of.

Like Beyonce's Armani Prive dress here, which I thought looked really interesting and refreshing.

She also got to wear two more dresses that night, which I thought was pretty nice. Although the brown one is not quite to my taste. But aw. . . . these dresses reminds me of her outfits on Dream Girls!

One of our favourites that night was Carrie Underwood in Badgley Mischka. That silver dress is just STUNNING on the red carpet and the black one is fun and cute.

Then there was Christina, who also had two dresses (the white one by Ungaro). I rather like her hair and make-up done in this hollywood glamor way, very elegant and sophisticated. Much better then some of her trashy looks. I was actually watching one of her old MV's the other day, Come on over(?), and she looked really pretty there too. Don't know what made her go for that trashy look. . .

Another gorgeous red dress on Shakira by Carolina Herrera . Except I really didn't think that this was the best hairstyle for this dress. The hair is much more suited for her gold performing costume.Short shiny dresses on Fergie and Hilary Duff. Although not to my taste, I think the sparkly Badgley Mischka custom made dress suits Fergie. As for Hilary. . . I don't know what she was thinking with that Dolce & Gabanna. The Grammy's is supposed to be splashy and fun, but this one is just not. I nearly didn't recognize her. Maybe its the hair again, I really don't like this kind of hair style and I sincerely hope I won't be seeing anymore of it anytime soon.

Much more elegantly, we have Scarlett in a simple black dress by Monique Lhullier and Petra Nemcova in a metallic mini dress. If you must wear a metallic dress, I think this is the way to wear it *coughhilarycough*.

Classically elegant, we have Mary J Blige and LeAnn Rimes in simple plunging V necked dresses from Michael Kors and Monique Lhuillier. I must say I don't notice her a lot usually, I wouldn't have attributed this style to Mary J Blige- a pleasant surprise.

Then I just wanted to comment on the lucky, My Grammy's Moment, winner Robyn Troup. Her dress was somewhat trashy looking with the hemline and all, but then again, this is her first performance. Ultimately, she's a gorgeous girl and that dress really shows off her legs, which I couldn't help my admire while she was performing. Oh and we are also super jealous that she gets to be in such close contact with Justin!

Then there were the costumes on Imogen Heap and Nelly Furtado that just makes me speechless (notice I use the word costume).

Only at the Grammy's. . . . .

Ashley Wears the Turban (sort of)

I don’t usually say this, but I knew it! So practically every style magazine has had an editorial or two featuring this season’s supposedly hit item, the turbans courtesy of Prada, or at least turban-inspired headbands. It’s also understood among everyone that the turbans are artistic to look at in photos, but not really THE item we will be wearing this summer. I had guessed that if there was anyone who was actually going to wear the turban, it would be one of the Olsen twins. I actually thought Mary Kate would be the first to wear the trend, but Ashley was just spotted wearing a turban-inspired headband last week. Huh, turns out Ashley is a bit more adventurous than I thought.

I absolutely hate this turban trend. But to give Ashley credit, the turban-inspired headband looks decent enough on her, although it sort of ruins that whole rock chick feel from her clothes. Perhaps a short (but not flash-your-butt-short) dress would have complimented the headband more? Just my opinion. Anyways, as unique and trendy as MKA are, let’s just hope they won’t feel the need to wear a complete turban.

The Chicago Auto Show 2007

The other day, I went to the Chicago Auto Show and it was a LOT of fun! Surprising that it would even come out of my mouth, since I know next to nothing about cars, right? My friends thought so too, but it turns out, an auto show is more than just cars. . .

First there was a GM 2007 Imagine kick off, which was very interesting because this is where fashion students from International Academy of Design Technology, get a sneak peek at the GM vehicles this year from which they will draw inspiration to design a garment from for the 2007 Imagine Fashion Show in May. I'm intrigued to find out how one goes about designing garment based on a car. Incidentally there were lots of cool cars. For this sexy red Chevy, they even have a photographer there to take a free picture of you inside it. I am checking mine out online, right now!

There were also many other hot cars to take pictures with. Porsche's, Mercedes, BMW's, Lexus (above) and huge trucks that makes me look TINY in comparison. It was quite cool.
Then there were just really cool carsto look at, like this Lambourghini (left)(did I spell this right?) and this fully functional car called the Bullet (right)that was supposedly in some movie. Doesn't it look like a space ship?

At the autushow, you can also do an advertisement for Toyota. You get to stand in front of a green screen and read off a prompter. Afterwards they burn it onto a DVD for you to take home. I highly recommend this. Then at the Army booth, you can rock climb, take pictures with tanks and get your own personalised dogtag! Other cool things we saw on tv but missed out (shame!) is a driving course, where you can drive a jeep up model mountains and rough terrains, moving car video games. . . . . . all the fun stuff.

So if you're in the area this week, definitely stop by the autushow!