Friday, October 31, 2014

Coco Chanel, The Witch of Fashion

Halloween falls on a busy work day for me this year and I haven't had a great track record this year with holidays so I didn't go all out like I normally do. But I couldn't just do nothing rien. Easiest thing in the world - grab your little black dress and classic witch hat et voila! It was so much fun to go retro and put on this looker; I got this dress at the thrift store and if it isn't the most flattering thing I own. I love the midi-length and that everything is so very covered up but sexy at the same time. And it's so stretchy and comfy. Parfait! Don some drop-pearl earrings, classic vintage make-up and these killer cat-eye sunglasses and I got myself a Chanel-esque witch. (or maybe Audrey-ish?) 
What'd you wear for Halloween this year? 





My fake store front in Chinatown. If you come into the back, I'll show you my bubbling caldron full of Chanel N°5! 



Monday, October 20, 2014

Le Freak C'est Chic

I don't know what my thing is with crop tops. I feel like I'm so obsessed with them; every off day that's my go-to. Maybe it's living in the tropics or being able to throw off the teacher clothes or what but I love 'em. When in doubt, just make it into a crop top. Like knotting my favorite graphic tee. I love wearing a gray tee (which can be problematic in a humid climate) because it casualizes an outfit. Is casualize a word? It is now. 

I found this orange skirt at my local thrift store. The circle is so HUGE, walking down stairs is just ridiculous in this thing. I feel like a big, loud, orange madame with a old-timey train. Which sounds like a bad thing, but trust me - for me, it's an awesome feeling. 

Then I tied the whole thing together with pops of turquoise. Voila! 



Paloma Faith

Lazer cut crop top. 
Matching separates. 
Hot pink high-waisted swim suit. 
Thick maid braids with hot pink. 
Cabbage Flowers. 
Massive gold hoops. 
Hot pink socks with heels. 
Oh, and that voice. 
I am obsessed with this song and video. Mostly because of her outfit. I want it. I wanna wear it. I have no idea WHERE I would wear it but that's not really the point of fashion, now is it? 
Luckily, the song's really catchy, too. 
And like I said, her voice. 
I then went through the maze of youtube videos and her other videos, other songs, and other outfits are just as much to die for. Jackpot! 



Glamorous Reads: Girl Model (Documentary Film)

I've decided to start a new series that I'm really excited about! "Glamorous Reads" will be my reviews and opinions on books about style that fits my fancy. I have a HUGE list I've read (or watched) about fashion that I can't wait to review for you and that I think any fashionista will enjoy snuggling up with. Most are quite light-hearted books but for the first in the series, I'm actually going to start with a film I watched last night. I had such a visceral reaction to it that I couldn't not share. 

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If you want to spend an hour of your life pretty pissed off, this is a good watch for you. And if anyone is remotely interested in fashion, it comes as no surprise that many parts of the fashion world is frustrating at best and diseased at worse. This documentary falls more on the later. 

The filmmakers follow two ladies throughout the movie - Nayda, a 13-year-old Siberian hopeful trying to make it big in Japan and Ashley, the 20-something American ex-model who now scouts for Japanese model agencies. I won't give away too much more about the "plot" of the film but I will say these three things: 

1. One thing I've understood about the art of filming documentaries is that the camera man should never get involved in any of the action with his subjects. But you can tell that the camera man genuinely felt bad for Nayda and helped her where he could. She was a child thrown into Japan with no real resources, assistance or even basic language skills in English or Japanese. 

2. Which leads me to my next point. I remember so vividly the first time I arrived in Korea. I got off the wrong bus stop and with all my luggage I stood under the crowded awning, dodging raindrops and waiting for my school to come pick me up… and waiting… and waiting… finally some kind Korean people helped me call my school and we realized I was in the wrong place. They picked me up 10 minutes later with no harm or foul. I remember the anxiety I felt at being in a new place not having ANY idea of where I was or how to communicate to help myself. But here's the thing: I WAS AN ADULT. I have more abilities and experiences in dealing with these situations than an 8th grader. No one picked her up at the airport and certainly no one helped navigate this young "country mouse" (as she described herself) through the difficult business of modeling. 

3. I think one of the most creepiest aspects of the movie was the model scout, Ashley. She seemed so emotionally detached from the whole experience even as she was talking about the width of the girls' hips, her own experiences modeling in Japan, and how the owner of the model agency likes young girls. When she talked about how "she brought the girls" you knew she was technically talking about models. But I couldn't help but make the jump that when she said sentences like that, it could sound much more sinister than only modeling. Even when she talked about how other "scouts" find girls to be involved with more illicit activities, she ended up always lamely finishing statements with "I don't know… I just don't know…" 

While this wasn't the most fun fashion film, it definitely was eye-opening. The fashion world being considered "agist" isn't a new thing but watching a first hand account of just some of the affects on these girls is certainly unsettling and reminds me that as consumers and participants, we need to continue to ask critical questions about the entire process. 

Please leave any comments below about what you think, if you've watched the movie, what you think about the new Belted Pear series or if you want me to review anything in particular. Thanks for reading! 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

My Favorite New Thing and I Don't Know What To Call It

This jacket, duster, long vest, thing is amazing. When I pulled it off the rack in the thrift store I was pleading, please let this fit me and my anglican arms… (Asians are typically so petite!) I've found other extraordinary pieces in Singapore thrift stores but many of them do not fit. It's particularly exciting thrift store shopping in Singapore because you might find a traditional piece from India, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan… 

The fabric alone caught my eye; it's a beautiful raw silk where you can see different color threads interwoven together to  create beautiful texture and dimension. And then the silhouette! It's like nothing I've ever seen. If someone know what it is, please tell me! It reminds me of a cross between an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese outfit) or a cheongsam/qipao (traditional Chinese dress) but I've never seen either of those quite like this. It's such a unique piece and I've been wearing it nonstop so many different ways. I can't wait to show you the other styles! 













Friday, October 10, 2014

Black and White Busy

If a zigzap-print kimono and aztec-print pajama trousers in front of a horizontal-lined grate isn't an assault on the eyes, I don't know what is. I also don't exactly know what I was thinking when I thought this background would be okay. I think I got spoiled starting my blog in Korea. In my little quiet neighborhood, there were so many beautiful and different walls at each turn. I love where I live in Singapore now - it's so green and lush - but sometimes ya just want a dang white wall within walking distance! 

This is my lazy work day outfit. I go back and forth on the whole pajamas as pants thing but they technically are actual PANTS, I swear! And it goes without saying, they are immensely comfortable. Nothing beats wearing an outfit entirely made out of cotton in incredible humidity. 

One thing I am not doubt is the kimono trend. I'm still playing with outfits that will fit my own personal style but I love 'em. Keep the kimonos coming! I honestly kinda wanna incorporate my actual bathrobe (it's a beautiful turquoise silk) into an every day outfit. I can totally see it with a basic tee and jeans but… we'll see! What do you think? 
Trousery-pajamaey-pants:  nay or yay?
Kimonos: love 'em or hate 'em? 



Thursday, October 9, 2014

Still Hot on the Equator

I got this dress recently for $10 at H&M. I've been dying for one of these smock-style dresses that has the empire waist worn short and loose - something to easily throw on on a hot day. Which it is - always - on the equator! Everyone else is doing fall posts and I'm still sweating my booty off! I'm going home for Christmas this year (I CANNOT WAIT to spend the holidays with my family and friends!) I also can't wait to take advantage of the cooler weather and wear tights, boots, leather jackets and MAKE-UP THAT WON'T MELT OFF! 

I wore this dress today on a day-date with the bf. We went to check out a famous hawker center to eat cheap and delicious food! If there is one thing you should know about Singaporeans, it's that they LOVE their food (which means I love them!) And why wouldn't they be foodies when anywhere they go they can get their fill of Chinese, Taiwanese, Malaysian, Indonesia, Indian (which also has many subgroups - vegan Indian, Muslim-Indian, Southern Indian…), Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, not to mention fusion food and Western food. And this isn't even mentioning the desserts, fruit stalls, and fresh juices (you haven't lived until you've drank an avocado smoothie - trust me!) 

After chowing down, we went to go see Gone Girl. I had read the book when it first came out so I knew the twists that were to come but, holy moly! Whatta movie. Have y'all seen it yet?




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