My MANy Bags News #122

Below: Giorgio Armani Ion Orchard, limited edition messenger bag in navy lizard leather and
calf skin for the boys! (3 pieces available only!) Retails for SGD $5399

Below: Giorgio Armani Ion Orchard, limited edition ladies handbag in luxurious
navy lizard leather (2 pieces available only!) Retails for SGD $4999

Giorgio Armani Worldwide Exclusive Limited Edition Bags For NEW Ion Orchard Store

Giorgio Armani fans alert! The recently opened Giorgio Armani flagship duplex store in Ion Orchard will be offering 2 special edition bags to commemorate the store opening:-) One for the lovely ladies and one for the gentlemen. Crafted in luxurious navy lizard leather and hand-stitched, the bags come in a hand tote style with a ruched design for the gals or a messenger bag style with lizard and leather for the boys.

These bags are very limited and exclusive: 2 pieces of the handbag are made for the women and 3 pieces of the messenger for the men.

Available at Giorgio Armani store, Ion Orchard. As of today, both are still available...hurry!

Retail price:
1) Man's messenger bag: SGD $5399
2) Women's handbag: SGD $4999

Where to buy: Giorgio Armani Ion Orchard

Source: Club 21

Balmain's Pricey Chic

If I were given a Rorschach test with a series of inkblots resembling some spectacularly lavish couture gowns, I'd most probably see The House of Balmain. Synonymous with elegance and his fashion peers Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain epitomized opulence with his magnificently constructed evening and party dresses. The Balmain label of today, however, more closely resembles an inkblot of Swarovski meets Rock & Republic.

Thanks to designer Christophe Decarnin, who took over designing duties in 2005, one of Balmain's most popular-selling items is the Biker Jean. Pretty much an otherwise hot pair of jeans with cool "ripped looking" seams, it retails for a staggering $2,270. Yes you read that right. Actress Lindsay Lohan (who should be bankrupt by now) owns a pair, as well as Victoria Beckham who wears head to toe Balmain as if to tell us "My bank account is mahjah." Hundreds of uber-fashionable celebrities are also clamoring over the label's peak-shouldered tux jacket ($5,000), sequin Paillette mini dress ($13,395), and zipped-up booties ($1,479). I get it. The collection, though by no means innovative, is super cool rocker-chic and sharp, and what fashion-crazy coquette wouldn't want to own every single piece. But a blue Sequin-Zip skirt for $7,665.00??? ('cos it's fully lined?)...For goodness sakes people, we're in a recession!!!!




Available on net-a-porter.com






Available on kirnazabete.com

Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss photos courtesy of theSun.co.uk, stylecaster.com,

The Material Boy #320

Below: Love the patchwork details with varying leather textures...

Below: 3 ways to wear the bag...
Style #01: backpack style...

Below: Style #02: shoulder bag style...

Below: Style #03: carry by the chain...

Below: Heavy chain detailing which I love!

Diet Butcher Slim Skin Patchwork Bag

With the onslaught of many designers propagating the rock chic/biker look...finding the right bag is important to complete the style. This Diet Butcher Slim Skin Patchwork Bag has all the ingredients to bring forth that dark, edgy bad boy attitude in you. The distressed patchwork details (of different textures), the heavy metal chain, a slouchy kidney shape all screamed grunge and rock & roll! The bag will definitely go well with leather jackers, distressed jeans, heavy chain belts and biker boots which are all the rage this Fall Winter 2009 season:-)

However, the best feature of all for the bag, 3 ways to carry it! Sling like a backpack, cross body like a shoulder bag or my favourite, use the metal chain for a unique style...one price for 3 styles. Value for money I would say!

Anyone who is interested, it's currently available for purchase online at Blackbird:-P

Source: Blackbird

Retail price: US $825. Where to buy: Blackbird

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #49

H&M Fall Winter 2009 Menswear Ad Campaign

The sexy Andres Sergura is back again fronting another ad campaign for 'fast fashion' brand, H&M after his stint with Zara. This hunk have been busy cashing in big bucks for being the face of so many campaigns. But he deserves it, cos I love Andres! (as does Kylie Minnogue:-P)

The looks for H&M this time sees a surge of yellow as an accent colour on both tops and bottoms. Plaids is in again as the trend for the season and matched with bowties. That yellow and grey knitted cardigan is shouting 'buy me! buy me!'

Click on pics to enlarge for better view

Source: H&M

My MANy Bags Lookbook #12

Sky Captain Winter Edition

Sometimes what you need is a 'statement' fashion piece to inspire a whole look. For this edition of myMANybags lookbook, it was those amazingly indifferent and cool Martin Margiela Mono Lens Sunglasses whose design is radical and unseen off! Crafted with only a huge single piece of lens, these sunglasses seem to come right out of those sci-fi comics or even the futuristic Sky Captain movie starring Jude Law (my favourite actor for a long time!).

So I decided to create an aviator look to honour those flyboys and pilots who always seem to carry off a nonchalant charm. Perhaps their adventure thousands of feet above ground is always filled with exciting stories. To kick start the look, a Zara Fur Trim Collar Leather Jacket ensures a suave outer look. Burberry Prorsum's very interesting Scarf Strap White Tee builds upon the classic fighter pilot look. Balmain's Prince of Whales Checks Biker Trousers for some bad boy attitude. Of course, no pilot can be without his boots. So Rick Owen's Chunky Sole Leather Boots fills in those shoes! Martin Margiela's amour-like Metal Buckle and Leather Belt looks seamless to complete the modern warrior look. Last of all, no man can do with his bag...so Dries Van Noten's military inspired Leather Bag will ensure our Sky Captain will always have his 'excess baggage':-P.

Soar high this winter!

Source: Browns Fashion, Luisaviaroma, Antonioli, Oki-ni

Red

I'm absolutely smitten with the color Red. Contrary to mistaken popular belief, red is one of the best colors that ever happened to redheads. Bold, strong, passionate, and attention-grabbing, this life-brightening color makes me see the world with a cherry on top.















Photos courtesy of elle.com, katespade.com, marieclaire.com, ifferslittlenest.blogspot.com, dailymail.co.uk, Alexander McQueen harpersbazaar.com, Sonia Rykiel fashionrules.com, Christian Dior style.com, patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com, rosannainc.com, fashioninmotion.wordpress.com, katespade.com

My MANy Bags News #121

Men.style.com - In The Closet: Fall Essentials 2009 (Happy Stimulating The Economy Edition)

Tyler and Josh is back! My favourite duo is back from a long hiatus...these 2 cute Men.style: In the Closet boys loves poking fun at each other while doing their part to impart style tips and drinking hard liquor at the same time. Sounds like a tall task...or a dream job? One thing is certain, they are absolutely entertaining to watch:-)

Have a good laugh and learn something about what to buy this Fall Winter 2009 season. Happy Stimulating The Economy! (Quoting from the video...and do remind me next time, guys do not say Happy Shopping:-P)

Source: www.men.style

Hong Kong Cuisine + Balenciaga + Dries Van Noten Saturday!

Below: Me with my Balenciaga SGH Envelope Clutch in Automne! Wearing my Topman jacket, Martin Margiela Twisted Nail Necklace, Zara Portrait Print V-neck Tee, HE By Mango 'Snakeskin' Belt, D&G Audacious Fit Grey Jeans and Prada Sneaker Sandals...

Below: Shots taken with my new Nokia E71 which has the 'record' number of times
the software has hung within just a week of buying. Grrrrr....

Ion 'From Hong Kong, Italy to Paris' Saturday...

Today I met my friends in Ion Orchard for an afternoon of gourmet indulgence. First a sumptuous Saturday late lunch with the most tasty Roast Pork, Char Siew, Dim Sum and Wonton Noodles. I usually have a 'aversion' to anything pork (I find the meat has a strong meaty smell and it reminds me of lots of fats) ...but those roast pork (Hong Kong style!) I tasted today was so heavenly, I ate most of it. Oh my. The Char Siew had a smooth layer of fat which literally melts in your mouth and do not feel too greasy. The crispy roast pork had the most crunchy and tasty skin. I love it. Will definitely go back again. Restaurant is Canton I, Unit #03-14.

Beyond that I went scouting to Club 21 mens at Four Seasons hotel, almost buying the Dries Van Noten tie belt...but in the end passed up on it. It was more expensive that I had thought. I made a mistake about the price. It was SGD $469! I think I need to think this one thru more. And the belt was not in white colour which was what I really wanted.

Before leaving for home, we head to Gusttimo for some yummy Italian gelato...I had melon, coconut and green tea with red beans. Divine!

Happy stomach means happy day...even without shopping:-P

(BTW, I took my Balenciaga Automne SGH Envelope Clutch for it's 'initiation' outing today. It looked fab. Love it! What sucks is my Prada Sneaker Sandals which is 'painful' to wear. Ouch!)

My Shopping Conquest #85

Below: Junya Watanabe makes the best jackets! I love this one!

Below: The leather elbow patches is what made this jacket distinctive, as does the gorgeous tan colour!

Below: Reminiscent of hunting jackets in the old days...

Below: You cannot help but fall in love with the 'sweet' fuchsia gingham check lining...

Below: It appears even on the underside of the collar:-P

Below: Runway look of the jacket with matching vests and pants...
Panama hat rounds up the cool look!

Junya Watanabe Tan Coloured Sports Jacket With Leather Elbow Patch

Another of my Club 21 End of Season sale shopping loot...long over-delayed! Junya Watanabe has climb up my favourites chart since last season. And I am definitely looking forward to his Spring Summer 2010 collection which features even more amazing designs especially on his jackets and plaid patterns. Meanwhile, I am jolly about this Junya Watanabe Tan Coloured Sports Jacket With Leather Elbow Patch which I got during Club 21's sale in July. The leather elbow patches was a distinctive feature for the piece, resembling hunting jackets for men in the good old days. However, Junya takes classic references and reinvent them, making them contemporary for the modern dandy. The cut is slim fitted and cropped which makes it modern and smart. The fuchsia gingham checks lining, on the insides and under the collar adds some fun and colour which I absolutely adore too:-P There is always a certain charm to men wearing some pink!

A bit pricey for a cotton jacket, but I guess the leather detailing is the reason...but definitely worth investing especially when bought during the sale! It sold out fast, which goes to show I was not alone in loving this jacket:-) Versatile with jeans and even have a matching vest and pants (But I passed on those as I can never pull off a full suit). Great for some Panama adventure, wear with brogues or shorts!

Source: Model pics from Frillr

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #48

Zara Fall Winter 2009 Menswear Lookbook

More Zara Fall Winter 2009 mens looks. Love the denim shirt, boots and bowtie look. I even like the slouchy drop crotch sweat pants. It feels so comfortable, as if you just woke up of bed. Lots of references to Burberry Prorsum's Fall Winter 2009 collection, from knitted cummerbunds, portrait print T-shirts to snood to drop crotch pants. Even D&G is not spared... Napoleon style military jackets looking cool as well.

One merit is that at least Zara does a good 'inspired-copied' version and at affordable pricing.

Your choice...real deal or 'inspired versions' by Zara?

Source: www.zara.com