Throw on some shoes

Okay, hello, how are you? It's been ages since I posted something in here.

I just got myself a pair of these bone-coloured canvas Converse low-tops. I have been looking for this exact colour for ages, and today I found them at an outlet shop. Quite chuffed about it, actually♥

I can imagine myself wearing them to bits with everything and everywhere. I've entered that age where I buy things in neutral colours and consider them investment pieces because of the amount of times I get to wear them.

On another note, I just thought I'd post this picture of the wonderful Maggie Gyllenhaal in one of my favourite casual outfits of hers. I just find the teal-green knit throw looks so exquisite with her brown shoes and her checked shirt.

(Image courtesy of maggie-gyllenhaal.net)

Time machine, when will you exist?

And the journey to the 1960s continues...

What's inspiring right now: 1960s fashion, checks under trench coat, Leith Clark, little girls' dresses, shoes from my sister for my birthday.

(Images courtesy of imagebam.com and film_stills)

It is on!

As some of you may know, I'm obsessed with Alexa's sartorial choices (and the girl too, of course), and her wardrobe on her show It's On With Alexa Chung has so far been pretty good. Not all of them blow me away, but then again, the girl carries herself in such a way that you just can't help but love her. And her fierce Chanel pumps.

Yep, that collage I made shows just how obsessed I am, but whatever, I've been having no life whatsoever...

(Images courtesy of mtv.com)

Spread the A.P.C. love

I probably would consider A.P.C. as the French answer to Topshop, and as any respectful fashionistas would not argue against France's chic tag, I am stoked to know A.P.C. is opening its first Australian store in Melbourne. And to make it even better, it's supposed to open this month!

The location is still under wraps; but I promise you, once it opens, I'm probably there on the first day or at least, on the second. This is - to me - almost as fantastic as a trip to France itself. This is probably the most over-the-top statement I'll ever make in my whole life, but it is just so, so, so exciting to add another European flavour to this wonderful city that is Melbourne (I really am smiling when I'm writing this).

(Images courtesy of apc.fr)

LMFF Runway 4: Presented by InStyle + Runway 5: Presented by Yen

So I went to the fashion shows two days ago. They were quite awesome, both for different reasons.

Runway 4
This show was presented by InStyle magazine, featuring Arabella Ramsay, Kate Sylvester, Manning Cartell, Thurley, Ginger & Smart, Lisa Ho, Nevenka and Obüs. While Arabella Ramsay's collection was a bit disappointing for me with the Western-influenced offering of fringe boots and lots of checks, Lisa Ho's collection was just divine. According to her, blue is going to grace our closet for seasons to come, with its wide range of the hue including cobalt, teal and navy.

Nevenka led the pack with the trend I so look forward to: patchwork. They teamed it with rich berry, and though it's not my favourite selection, I applaud them for their feminine take on sheer blousons and ladylike pussy-bow tops. Playing up on that femininity is Manning Cartell with its generous usage of sequins and sparkly, flirty pieces.

My favourite collection would have to be Obüs for its sublime collection of rich colours, particularly peacock-blue. Winter dressing is made effortlessly elegant with a mix of mustard, teal and lime-green.

One trend that I definitely see across all collection for that show is clashing textures. Whether it'd be lace with embroidered lining, ruffles, fin-like dresses and the arty layering of knitwear, they had it all. I'm so looking forward to winter thanks to this show...

Runway 5
This second show was the one shown later in the night and it was definitely something quite special. Though I don't like everything in it, but I still like the way a few pieces were real stand-outs.

The highlight of the show, for me, was definitely Antipodium's collection. Lots of gorgeous power-dressing pieces such as structured cigarette pants, blouses and sharp knitwear make for something rather different yet still accessible. Not to mention all the models were wearing ankle socks with skyscraper heels. So Alexa.

The second stunner was Friedrich Gray, and it was simply because of the piece that they showed midway through: that luscious black maxi-dress with white and blue asymmetrical, ruffled neckline. I wish I could provide a picture to prove how beautiful it is, but for the time being, let's just believe me when I say it's simply stunning.

Basically it was a great night, and I actually like what I wore to the shows. Any fashion enthusiast should know that makes a good night into a great night. And I'm now counting the days till the next fashion event: Melbourne Spring Fashion Week!

Let's hope this time I have better luck in getting into more shows rather than just two...

Recent purchases

So I'm thinking to wear one of them to the LMFF shows tomorrow night. Although I don't have appropriate shoes for either of them. I do, but at the same time, I don't.

Let's just wait what happens tomorrow night, shall we?

The countdown to Fashion Week

Okay, so the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival is coming up. And I've been nothing but crazy and frantic, searching for clothes to wear to two shows happening on one night.

Anyway, I had the epiphany to wear clothes by the designers who will be showing that night. My choice fell on an Arabella Ramsay dress (first show) worn with some necklace from Alpha60 (second show). My plan fell short because the Arabella Ramsay dress didn't quite fit and I looked like a 21st-century milkmaid who isn't fat enough to fill out the dress, then drowned in a bowl of tragic purple dye.

So I went to a friend's shop and asked her if she stocked any Arabella Ramsay. She said no. I gave up and decided to look for things from other brands instead. Luckily I found a few good pieces so I quickly made up the outfit plan in my head. All I need is a good pair of shoes to go with it. I'm thinking to buy a new pair just for the sake of looking fierce at the shows.

Now you've all heard of the term 'bridezilla'. But I have a feeling I'm turning into this maniac that sounds more like what people will soon call 'fashion-tragedyzilla'.

I shall keep this blog updated with the progress or - dare I say! - downspiral.

A European tale

Thinking of the long winter in Europe...

Add a little bit of the swinging 60s with its exaggerated shapes found in the return of the bell bottoms and big hair ala Anne Bancroft in The Graduate. Mix in dark, monochrome colours of black and grey just like the Parisian chic modelled by the ethereal Charlotte Gainsborough, but not without the much-needed dash of colours like bright turquoise and raspberry beret (kudos to Pixie). Don't forget to master the art of layers - take many, many hints from Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart from The Kills and clash textures and patterns like you don't care about fashion. Finish with trusty old leather jacket and last winter's shoe booties, because these hard times call for the new-found habit of recycling.

(Images courtesy of thefashionspot.com, mirrors.co.uk and belstaff.com)

Star style: Nicole Richie

So now, on to the Hollywood rich bitch.

I've been secretly admiring Nicole Richie's style for quite some time now. Although in the beginning, I didn't really wanna admit that I like her sartorial choices. But now I really don't care and just like seeing what she wears whenever she's featured in tabloids. She's gone to become really mature in her fashion sense and it's clear that she now likes classic, statement pieces with still that touch of boho. Casual glamour is still her forte but now she does it with more flair. Love it.

(Images courtesy of nicolerichie.nu)

Star style: Julia Restoin-Roitfeld

So I've decided to do a bunch of star style files, since I've got so many pictures saved on my computer.

The first batch is of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld.

There's something about how this girl puts her outfits together. The vibe I get from her is sometimes drab, sometimes stylish, but altogether makes her a very real character and not at all styled by some Rachel Zoe (don't get me wrong, I think Rachel is grool and I love her show The Rachel Zoe Project but authenticity is my point at this moment).

To me, Julia is lady-like, French-chic and still manages to maintain her cool as a young executive in her 20s.

(Images courtesy of thefashionspot.com)

More MK

Loving these looks of MK from the past year. I guess I won't ever wear things like these, but these outfits just come off so well on camera.




(Images courtesy of olsen-files.com)

Photoshoot!

I attended my first fashion photoshoot today. It's not like I had to do anything - apart from holding up the flash for the camera - but it was actually a lot of fun.

I can't even begin to imagine if the clothes were designer's. I'd probably be drooling all over the camera or something.

Ew. Erase that image.

Miss Selfridge

I remember when I first stepped into a Miss Selfridge shop 12 years ago in The Netherlands. It was bright, loud and since I was only 9 back then, I thought it was too mature.

Fast forward to now, I find myself defending my love for chainstore stuff because I'm very impressed with Miss Selfridge's current collection. It's a mix pallette of quirky-preppy (think nautical details, ruffles and colours) and structured glamour (visible in the fabulous selection of 2-in-1 dresses, modernised work shirts and textured accessories).


One of the dresses (top left) is even named 'Alexa'! I'd like to think that it was named after the Alexa Chung, but then again, the details are cute enough for me to love it.

(Images courtesy of missselfridge.com)

A magazine to get

Golly, it's been a while since I posted something in here.

My favourite girl Alexa Chung is on the cover of Elle UK's October issue.

I'm getting this issue as soon as I see it in store.

(Images courtesy of thefashionspot.com)

Lanvin love

I've just recently been converted to Lanvin, and here are my favourite looks from recent collections.





The silhouette and details are just pure genius. I just can't believe a person could actually be so smart and have that kind of attention to detail.

(Images courtesy of style.com)

The clash affair

I really suck at making those collages that say 'I'm such a natural-born fashionista because I only make creative fashion inspiration boards'. Instead, I whacked on all those music notes for background.

Anyhow, I'm in love with putting together different textures and prints, though I still try to match the colours up a little bit. It's obvious I still don't wanna let go of the comfort zone that black provides (hence the fabulous Mulberry 'Bayswater' bag and the Cavalli buffalo-horn necklace), but I thought I'll mix up the blues with the red and the yellow.

And I've sworn by white T-shirt with black prints. They give an outfit the instant lift and go with absolutely anything because of its monochromatic style. Then there's the Jonathan Kelsey for Luella boots that remind me of Lego, so hopefully this look doesn't look too mature?

Star style: Rachel Bilson

Recently I've noticed Rachel Bilson has been featured in many fashion magazines and celebrity gossip tabloids, and they're all basically raving on about how she's turning up to events looking severely stylish.

And maybe not every single thing she's wearing I dig, but I give her credit for looking good without being too overdone (former co-star who takes too much style credit, take note!) and most importantly, Ms Bilson isn't afraid of mixing colours! Gotta love her for that.

Loving the maroon-red pumps to brighten up the all-black ensemble. And her hair has that 'I'm-not-too-fussed-about-this-because-I-let-my-clothes-do-all-the-talking' vibe.


















She does the monochrome trend to perfection. I especially love the peep-toe pumps.


















Somehow this look reminds me of Snow White a little bit, but double points for matching the belt with the shoes. Who knew? She did.


















She rocked the zipper and one-shoulder dress trends way early - this was at a function in 2006. I personally think she looks really good in this outfit.


















Love how she's teaming the preppy shirt with a statement skirt.


















And now on to everyone's favourite, the paparazzi pictures. This outfit might look too busy at a glance, but I like the stripes teamed with the busy prints of the scarf. And the cropped jacket wins extra point too.


















Denim jacket looks good with anything. She is rocking the denim trend with statement bag and good-old fashioned boots.


















Loving the yellow scarf adding oomph to the biker jacket. The pumps don't look too bad either.


















I love the colour of her bag, and though I wouldn't do it myself, I somehow like the way it looks combined with the colour of her jumper.


















A sweet and simple look for autumn. The jacket/cardigan has a kind of tough-masculine neckline but it's toned down with the feminine dress. Lovely combination.


















This is probably the simplest of her looks in the batch. But I just have to put this outfit in for the sake of the navy blazer jacket. And it looks good teamed with the tan pumps.


















Loving the rock-band tee and blazer jacket combo. The yellow Dior tote gives the outfit a much-needed dash of colour.


















I personally think this doesn't look much like her usual style, but I like the tough-meets-sweet vibe of this outfit. And the brogues are also really cute.


















This is a really cool, casual look. There are a lot of colours involved, but she pulls it off effortlessly. I think a black-on-white T-shirt is perfect to add that extra boost to almost any outfit.


















This is probably one of my favourite casual looks of hers. The bag's colour is just awesome, and she's highlighted it with the Converse in the similar shade. The scarf dresses up the outfit a little without trying too hard.


















I like the simple-but-effective approach to this outfit. The boots will take her anywhere and the striped jumper is preppy-cool.


















She pulls off oversized jumper effortlessly. And the pewter boots somehow work with the yellow bag. Her scarf is great too.


















This is probably another one of my favourite looks. The scarf is just gorgeous and it gives her whole outfit a lift.


















Summer would be proud of this ensemble. She wears this dress with such ease, accessorising only to bring out the best of it.


















Loving the striped jumper with the denim shorts. Pretty dressing for the changing weather.


















(Images courtesy of rachel-b.org)