My Shopping Conquest #97 + Pre-X'mas Shopping Saturday

Below: Opening of a new Balenciaga Boutique makes for a good excuse to enjoy some Balenciaga indulgence!


Below: My first 'foray' into Balenciaga Denim (made for women, guys can work it too:P)! A pair of Anthracite colour denim jeans with interesting elastic ribbed piping on the sides...like a tuxedo pants:-P

Below: An interesting mix of materials...sporty elastic ribbed fabric with denim...
Balenciaga brilliance:-P

Below: The button on the front has intricate engravings and marked with the
Balenciaga 'B' symbol...

Below: Even the tiny rivets all over the jeans are marked with 'Balenciaga' and given
an antique wash...

Below: Ribbed elastic panelling runs down both sides of the pants...sporty chic and edgy!

Below: Huge B on the leather label...

Below: Zipper ends on the legs...zipper pulls are also given an antique wash... so much detailing and effort being put into the jeans...

Below: It fits! Front of the jeans... notice the huge Balenciaga Dressing Room...gold walls, fuchsia seats and purple carpets...

Below: Side of the jeans with the piping details... me like!

Below: Just opened today (19 Dec 2009), the bigger and better Balenciaga boutique at Hilton Hotel, Singapore. Must drop by! They had some canapes and champagne today for the customers...:-P Welcome alcohol!

Below: Remember...B is for Balenciaga...you cannot miss it with a B this huge
on the glass exterior...

Below: Clothing displayed on roomy racks with lights lined along them for illumination...

Below: My outfit for the day ( Neil Barrett Checkered Shirt with 'Suspenders' Details, Helmut Lang Black Tailored Shorts with Patch Back Pockets, Marni Cut-out Shoes, HE By Mango Faux Python Skin Leather Belt.)

Below: This shirt garnered quite a few starring eyes because of the interesting 'suspenders' details... Love it!

Below: As seen on Neil Barrett Fall Winter 2009 Runway, the same shirt in white:-) I still prefer my checkered version...

Below: Trying out a pair of skinny 'paint blotched' jeans at Dior Homme, Ion Orchard...

New Balenciaga Store, New Shopping Find! (Balenciaga Anthracite Denim Pants With Ribbed Side Detailing)

What a busy weekend of pre-x'mas retail frenzy in Orchard Road today! I was 'brave' enough to venture out on this last weekend before X'mas despite the huge crowds, heavy rain and massive traffic jams. As the saying goes, no pain no gain. So my adventure today in Orchard Road did pay off big time:-P

Besides getting a brilliant haircut, it's also an easy day of exploring the further reduction sales, cruise season new arrivals and the best highlight of the day, a visit to the new Balenciaga Boutique at Hilton Hotel, Singapore! The holy temple of Nicolas Ghesquière's brilliant creativity has now gain not only a massive upgrade in size but also new swanky interiors that leave me in awe and breatheless. Italian marble, hexagon themed display stands, a croc skin weekender in white and gold and hordes of new Balenciaga bags are just amongst the noteworthy visual treats:-)

I had originally not intended to purchase anything, except to check out the store interiors. But the flashing imagery on a huge LCD panel showcasing the new Spring Summer 2010 Women's collection got me excited. I spotted pants from the collection that look so aandrogynous that I stand a good chance of bagging myself a pair. Guys wearing Balenciaga womenswear is not something new, but it is almost 'Cinderella luck' to find pieces that can fit a guy. So I enquire with my favourite Balenciaga SA, Noreen who was exceptionally helpful in answering my queries. The runway pieces has yet to reach the stores so I will have to wait a couple of months to see the pants in real. But she suggested I should try another pair of Balenciaga jeans which has interesting detailing and skinny enough to fit my requirements. Of course, I gladly obliged, having found the perfect excuse to check out the dressing rooms. It did not disappoint, the rooms were spacious with lavish gold walls, purple carpets and fuchsia upholstered seats, all reflected in the generous size mirrors that seem to make everything look beautiful:-P. Besides being mesmerised by the dressing room decor, I also happily tried on the Balenciaga Jeans which is in an Anthracite colour, with interesting ribbed panelling that run down the sides (reminiscent of those sporty elastic bands). The visual effect is somewhat a cross between tuxedo pants but with a sporty edge. Very avant garde and cool! To be honest, at first sight, I was skeptical about me being able to squeeze into these skinny jeans. But no harm trying in the name of fashion.

Cinderella luck seems to be with me, the jeans fit perfect! Not as tight as I imagine, but just enough to not look ridiculous for a guy. The colour and detail is unique to men's jeans design which is an aspect I am most pleased about. Hence, I obligingly handed my credit card to bring this gorgeous Balenciaga piece home. Best part is, I got it at a hefty 50% discount:-) So you can imagine what a double bliss shopping Saturday! Who need Santa when you have 50% sales and the magic Visa cards:-P

(Afterwards, I went to Dior Homme to check out the Spring Summer Arrivals upon being informed by one of the Dior Homme SAs who was there to check out Balenciaga Weekender bags. At Dior Homme, I tried on a pair of 'paint splattered' jeans which I like too, but need some consideration since the colour is very close to an exisiting pair I own.)

In my mind, I was already very contented with my Balenciaga version, which is more unique and outstanding. I am in love with Balenciaga now. Do drop by the new Balenciaga store at Hilton Hotel. An interior masterpiece in its own.

Retail price: SGD $1219. Where to buy: Balenciaga Boutique at Hilton Hotel