Archive for September 2009

Black, Chains & Braided. That's Gucci!

Love the new Gucci bags for Fall/Winter '09. Very black, very urban, very rock-n-roll. As seen during the Gucci Fall/Winter '09 show in Milan, they're really scream the idea of Frida who's really into music. Well, what do I love about them? The fact that they're all leather is a big plus. And studded, with braided leather chains making it look uber hot.

There are three versions - the tote/messanger bag with side snap pockets, to the backpack with buckle closure and large duffel "pony" hair leather with black leather trim. Too delicious to be carried around, yet too pity to be left alone in the room too. Ensuring that you do carry a Gucci, there're all have the trademark 'Gucci' on the front. Price? From £1500 - £2000. Eeek...!

It's fall/winter. It's time to get back to black!

Tote/messenger bag
[Size: 48 x 29 x 50 cm]

Backpack
[Size: 54 x 23 x 51 cm]

The 'pony' hair duffel bag
[Size: 72 x 22 x 44 cm]

The pony hair duffel bag that I saw at Gucci in Paris

[pix from gucci.com and mensstyle.com]

zaBigFatBreak: Shopping in Paris - the Little Gems..

Much of the overhyped designer shops at Rue St Honore, not many people really know that Paris also got some little gems for the shopping desire. Well, to me at least, coz I also search for something special about a city. Something really has 'Paris' screams all over it. Almost, at least.

Some of my find along the journey...

Maison Franco Orientale @ Rue Daubenton [Metro: Denfert Rochereau]. It sells something out of Morocco, which is known for their tanneries. So you can expect everything leather here like the leather slippers, bags and very oriental purses. Once I entered the shop, I can't help but being hit by the pungent odor (or aroma?) of the very musky incense mixed with the leather/suede smell. Oh, they also sell the very ornate Moroccan lamp shades and glasses. And oh, btw... the owner don't like me taking the photos.. ngg...

The Moulin Rouge Gift Shop @ Rue Lepic [Metro: Blanche]. If you like can-can dancers, then you must visit Moulin Rouge. Their gift shop though is located at the other street just on the side of the building. As the name says - the shop is in 'rouge'. It's a tiny little shop, but you can find things everything with Moulin Rouge - red/black umbrella, bags, keyrings, fridge magnet; and also the fragrances and the infamous headliners gears for you to buy too.

Point WC @ Carrousel du Lourve. Well, it's not just a shop, but it's actually a toilet. I stumbled upon this toilet-slash-shop when I was about to go for nature's call after making my way out from the Lourve. It's not your typical toilet though - it's very chic one. Just look at the pix! To enter I paid 1 Euro, but what can I say...it's emergency. Lol. Btw, the shop on the way out sells the..err.. toilet papers. A very 'couture' one. From the sudoku, to the 'hearts' all over it to something plain but colorful. Sometimes I think they're too good to be used to..ehem.. you knwo what I mean. :)

Hard Rock Cafe @ Boulevard Poissonneire [Metro: Grands Boulevards, Richelieu Drout]. Well, ok. This one might not be the little gem but at least it has 'Paris' name stamp on it. I love Hard Rock Cafe, and a big collector of their city's keyrings and fridge magnet too. So, this one will not be out of my sight. The gift shop is, however, very small compared to London's. (London rocks!!)

While making my way out to the Champs Elysses, I can't help but being lure to Zara there. Especially when I saw this jacket at the window display. I want it! But, I'll wait when Zara in London stock it coz in paris, it's way much pricier! yikes...

Jil Sander for Uniqlo: The Countdown and My First Encounter

The countdown now has almost ended. +J - the anticipated Uniqlo collaboration with Jil Sander will hit the stores and online starting 10.00 am tomorrow. Their stores at Oxford Street even did the countdown too by having their window display do the "3..2..1" thingy. And boy, while everyone is still waiting for tomorrow, I already had my hands on some of the collection - coz they're already on the mannequins. Touch and feel, but not haven't tried them on yet.

My verdict? Hmmm...I don't know what to say. It's probably has the 'b' word - bland. When I feel the fabric, it's not what I am expecting. The fabric felt like same other highstreet pieces like H&M or River Island. The pants look similar to what Uniqlo used to have, which I loathe. Yet I only 'feel' some of them, so I might be wrong here. Tomorrow would definitely be the 'judgement' day.

Would I buy the clothes? I dunno. Maybe just the shirts. But, one question remains: would I be the first to queue for the collection. I doubt it. I'd rather be queueing at the Freshers' Fayre for those freebies and goodie bags instead.

zaBigFatBreak: Shopping in Paris - the Crown Jewels

I remember watching Chanel's Spring/Summer '09 show in my iPod, with the track by Ladyhawke 'Paris Is Burning' on the background. The images really lured me to come to Paris, especially when I saw the backdrop of the runway - the House of Chanel at 31, Rue Cambon - with Coco Rocha, Natasha Poly and Lily Donaldson strutting their stuff on the catwalk. I say 'Paris...here I come!!'.

Then, there I am last weekend at this fashion capital. It felt just surreal. Especially when I made my journey all the way at Rue Saint-Honore - the eqivalent of New Bond St in London - where the big names in fashion is located. From Valentino to YSL, Dolce & Gabbana to Prada. And of course, the much talkabout - Hermes store, just at the corner of Rue Boissy d'Anglas.

And of course, one can never leave Paris if not for Chanel. As much as I'm infatuated with Rue Cambon backdrop of the catwalk show, I finally stepped my feet on the real one. The House of Chanel at 31, Rue Cambon, where Mademoiselle Coco Chanel herself lived. Very stylish, very chic, very black and white - very Chanel. I remember Karl Lagerfeld said - Paris is about black and white - and he is not wrong there. Well, to the one at Rue Cambon at least.

At the cul-de-sac of Rue Saint-Honore, I made my beeline to Parc de Marche to find my favorite designer store - Marc Jacobs! Voila... this one is divided into two - pour femme and pour homme. Both are cool. And this time I even invade their fitting rooms, where I came across with bundles of Marc Jacobs's tees and polos. :)

And bla, bla, bla... there's another Chanel at Rue Royale, so as Dior and Gucci (drool...). And taking a metro back to the north, I went to the another overhyped store - Galeries Lafayette. Hmm.. do i like it? Not really. Apart that they sell Commes des Garcon in store and their superb glass ceiling, I think Selfridge's in London is million miles much better than this one. Sorry, Paris... I think London is just the one in my heart! :)

Chanel @ 31, Rue Cambon

Chanel @ Rue Royale

I love the cases outside Goyard

John Galliano @ Rue Saint-Honore

Gucci 'Galaxy' python bag

Miss Gianini, I want this one for my birthday, please...

Hermes...

I can 'feel' the buttery soft leather...even from the other side of the window :)

Ostrich Birkin, anyone?

Marc @ the Parc.
Marc by Marc Jacobs @ Parc du Marche St-Honore

Love the summery feel @ MJ store

Models strutting their stuff for CK Free outside Galeries Lafayette

Matalou@home

No doubt, Matalou's bags and accessories make a statement. They are always top of my list and it was great to have the chance to see her new desings at Tell a Story #5. Sharing:

Matalou herself is such a positive, seriously creative person that's so into "happy" irony. Here posing for my lense wearing a mask she made for fun. The whole flu issue is not funny, but all the frenzy around it can be quite ridiculous. Being cautious is one thing but if you are to walk around in a mask, let it be a cool one!

Busted! Matalou is a walking explosion of creativity. Had to take a picture of what she did to her jeans. If you are to recreate, plz credit:) (Matalou, not me!)

And whilst we are at it, here are some shots from her stand at the previous Tell a Story. Never got a chance to show them before and they are good examples of her style and spirit. No Sir, you "don't f*ck with Bruce Lee"! Notice the variety of colours and materials she uses. Also note that she gets personally involved in the production process. Each Matalou@home item you fall in love with, the creator has personally put all her love and attention on first. Thumbs up.

zaBigFatBreak: Eiffel Tower and The Lourve

How can you claim you've been to Paris if you didn't visit their creme de la creme - the Eiffel Tower and the Lourve, right? So, there I am... finally making my journey to the west, down the River Seine taking the RER to Champs de Mars station to see the night view of Eiffel Tower. Oh, RER is pronounced as 'ehr-oh-ehr' - more like a uh-uh-uh to me, lol!

Btw, splendid backdrop, splendid view. The glittering light made it very magical! It look as if it is made of gold. There loads of people though it was almost late in the night.

The morning after, my real adventure begins. Took the journey up the tower to see the most splendid view of Paris in 360 degree. Unfortunately it can only took to the 2nd Level, coz the 3rd Level (that is the top most) is closed due to overcrowding. Hmm... but, 2nd Level is 2nd Level. It's good enough, coz I still view the whole Paris from south to north, east to west. The fare? 8 euro. Not too bad, but you can still pay another 5 Euro (I think) at 2nd Level to get to the top, provided if they open it.

Oh, my advice: if you wanna visit Eiffel Tower for great view, go at noon coz the sky is gonna be superb (if it's sunny, of course). In the morning it appears to be slightly foggy.

View from Pont du Alexander

Up close and personal with Tour de Eiffel

View from Pont Grenelle

You can even see Sacre Coure from the 2nd Level!

You can go down to 1st Level from here too

One of the gift shop.
Go this year to buy the Limited Edition 120th Anniversary of Eiffel Tower

View at dusk from Pont du Alexander

My next stop: the Lourve! I've been wanting to visit this museum since forever. Why, coz it's where you can find the portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci being kept.

So, I made my way down from the pyramid to the underground level where the ticket hall is. Mind you, most museums in Paris you've gotta pay to get in. Isn't it silly, coz in London almost all are free! Btw, after paying 9 Euro, I made my ever winding journey to the 'maze' of Lourve finding the treasure being kept. From the headless winged statue on the splendid stairs, to the statue of Venus de Milo, to the golden crown worn by the French royalty of yesteryears.

And voila... there she is, hanging on the wall beneath the oversized glass enclosure... seing by hundreds of people - the Mona Lisa. I'm totally awed coz finally I can see the most overrated painting in the entire world. It's just magical. Though it is located quite far from me, I can see the intensity of the painting. The gaze of the eyes which is mesmerizing, the composure and the strokes of the brush is just fantastic (ahaks, am I a painting curator now?). It is utterly splendid. Does my 9 Euro entry ticket really worth it? Absolutely... (but hello, next time make it free okay!).

But one question remain - is it really the real one? Or this one is just a copy, and they kept the treasure somewhere in the vault? Well, that my friend... remains a mystery too. :) Whetever it is, my word - if you wanna visit the Louvre go early in the morning to avoid the long, long, long queue!