SHORTLIST Style: Camel Jackets

S

What can you say when a certain trend is recycled season after season? It means that it's a cult classic coz any recycled trend shows the seasonless and timeless-ness pieces that you should have at least one in your wardrobe. Take the camel jacket for example. It's been featured year after year in the Shortlist magazine - in 2007, 2008, 2009... and now in 2010, it made its appearance one more time. Proven that camel is not only one of the color of Fall/Winter 2010, but also a color of autumn season in general.

IMO, the only difference this time is the new silhouette of the jackets which tend to bring back the glory of the 70s with the peak lapels and figure-skimming, jetsetters playboy look. There's a variance too from one buttons single-breasted to db jackets in many shades of camel, with choices of fabric finishes like micro-cord and wool-cashmere, to corduroy and cotton moleskin. Overall, very sharp tailoring yet a more relaxed 'shoulders' unlike in the previous seasons with more towards the emperor look.

My fav: Gucci and Micheal Bastian, for their lighter shade of camel and more waist-hugging jackets.

[click to enlarge]

[shortlist issue 138]

S

Heal's Supermodels Galore

S

Heal's celebrated their bicentennial anniversary this year and mark their existence on providing a large array of furniture and home decor to the masses for 200 years. Started by the brothers, John Harris and Ambrose Heal back in 1810, Heal's has grown from making their own bedding, mattresses and beds into 'importing' some of the big names of furniture designs into their store.

Now that they've reside at their signature building in Tottenham Court Road, the bicentary has seen many event taking place on their window display since early this year. From the 'living art' installation in collaboration with Slade School of Art to the placing a faux grass outside on the pavement, to having different furniture displays that sometimes provoke people to think of something new for their home decor - Heal's never fail to impress the passersby.

Latest to the window display exhibit is their own 'supermodels' - featuring some of the product that represents the significant milestone in products designs. For instance, the Phillipe Stark lampshade in acrylic, the James bookends in a silhouette of men pushing something, the Missoni bathlinen and my favorite of all time - the Louis Ghost chair which is forever timeless yet modern at the same time. There's also the iconic lounge chair and ottoman by Charles Eames, which has been featured in the previous issue of Shortlist magazine and become the most coveted item in any bachelor pad. These 'supermodels' are not only iconic in themselves, they also possess high investment value for those who own it too. Take the lounge chair for example, it may cozt around £2000 at present, but Shortlist tauted that it may fetch a value of £18,000 in a decade or so!

Anyway, what an great 'art installation' by Heal's. The only question sprung to my mind - where's Arne Jacobsen Egg chair?

Louis Ghost chair... which you can barely see!

The iconic lounge chair and ottoman by Charles Eames.

S

Judith March Gameday in Atlanta Photos!

S

S

............2

S

I think this is the 'laziest' entry that I've ever made. One entry that I dunno why I have to write, but I wanna do it anyway. I just wanna remember this date: 31 August. The date when Malaysia gain Independence back then in 1957. The date when the people's princess - Princess Diana - left us in the tragic accident in Paris back in 1997. The date when two of my good friends getting hitched and now entering their 9th year anniversary. And also the date when I've decided to enter the cyberworld and roam around this blogosphere. Yeah, it's the date. 31 August.

I think I've blog too much. More than 1000 entries for the past 2 years. Some very short, some quite lengthy; but none too mouthful. It supposed to be my own ramblings about what's happening with me while I'm here in London. From parading myself in the countless encounter in the fitting rooms, snooping around what the stores got to offer. Doing my 'review' job on what I've got on my hand, from the clothes that I bought, the shoes that I slipped into, the bags that I carried, the gadget that I used and... oh, the apps that I've stored in my iPod and iPhone. It's all just about my silly ramblings about stuff, just to keep me entertained at times (though now I never read what I've written... which later on would include this one too. ahaks!).

Sometimes I post things that I like from the pix that i found somewhere, which I think poses the massive danger to me. Yeah, danger... coz it somehow became my 'want' lists - which eventually end up became mine too. I dunno how it happens, yet I truly believe in that saying 'dreams do come true'. Just wish for it and voila... it becomes mine. Nope, I don't have a genie in a bottle - just a 'big genie' in my bank account. Lol!

Anyway. I want to keep on blogging coz I love doing it. I still remember my friend Sherene said to me a couple of while ago when I decided to delete this blog: do what you love doing. Or my mate Rash who said your blog is your thing, isn't it? Why delete?. Or the pleas that some people gave me don't delete, please! Those are the things that keep my spirit up to keep on going. Though most of my entries are silly things - but hey.. I'm silly myself and that's what I am! Isn't that my je ne sais quoi? =)

So. Tomorrow's gonna be a new month. September. I am so excited coz there're many things gonna happen next month, which include:

- Apple's new iPod Touch gonna be revealed on 2nd September. For gadget freak and fashionistas, this is the MP3 player that you should have coz rumor has it it's gonna take up the form of iPhone 4 with a camera (3.2 MP only btw) and the FaceTime features in that sexy body.

- On the same date, Zara is gonna launched their e-shopping website. How's it gonna be? Let's wait two more days for us all to experience it!

- Vogue's Fashion's Night Out extravaganza gonna hit London again on the September 8. Expect excitement to be thrown all over the capital's West End and Knightsbridge with massive IT event for all shopaholics/fashionistas. Am i gonna be involved like last year? Just wait and see...

- Eid celebrations for those who's been fasting for almost a month! (that include me!)

- H&M e-shopping site is gonna make its debut into the Britisk Isle on the mid-month. Would it be the same experience as what Topman and River Island have been offering? Can't wait to check it out. And oh, there'll be H&M Home in it too...

- London's Open House weekend gonna be held on 18-19 September seeing many London architectural landmarks being opened to the public again. So, it's time to scale the height of The Gherkin or viewing the superb panoramic 360 degree view of London on top of the City Hall!

- London Fashion Week is hitting the capital starting 17 to 25 September. How's the next season's clothing gonna be? Who's who gonna be on the front rows? Which designer gonna make a huge statement this time? Just wait for the 3rd quarter of the month to arrive!

So peeps... September 'issue' is indeed a month full of excitement!

Btw. Happy 2nd Anniversary blogging to me! =)

S

Greatings

S

Regards,

Soon I will be doing an internship and thesis. I'm so excited ...!
And i am sorry if the distance to add the latest post-issue an existing issue.

I would never die for the post..

Thank you for stopping loyalty to my blog.
hopefully can add to the knowledge and inspiration for you guys...

XOXO
K :)

S

Coming Soon!

S

311D-15 Navy Daisy Bow

S

Louis On The Street

S

Why there aren't many men carrying Louis Vuitton on the streets of London as many as the women did? Especially the LV monogram that is the true signature of the fashion maison. If you stroll around Knightbridge, Regent Street or even Oxford Street, chances that you gonna stumbled upon ladies carrying either LV Speedy or Neverfull are very high. There're loads of them. But men? Maybe because we're not as much conspicuous as the ladies who need their style to be validated by the onlookers. Instead we are much more discreet - the luxury that we carry doesn't have to show too obviously. But does it?

When a bloke are caught carrying a Louis, to me it shows the symbolisation of high taste. A high status. And even stamped to their forehead they really have appreciable amount of disposable funds in their account. Why, coz LV bags are not cheap. They're the ultimate luxury items that anyone could ever wanted. Could ever dream of. Could ever have. Own it - then words can't describe how it made you feel good inside. As if you've accomplished something big, like buying a car or so (since some of them can even make a car deposit btw!). While at the same time you feel the high risk and the need to protect them like no other. Just like my LV Damier Graphite Tadao. I don't think I'm gonna flag it around coz chances someone gonna nick it is too damn high! At least not in the Tube, no. Erkkss...

Whatever it is, it's great to see some risk-taker guys carry their Louis Vuitton. Monogram, Macassar, Ebene... Keepall, portfolio, messenger or even totes; they all look fantastic!

[pix from gq style]

S

BigFatSnoop: Gap

S

I haven't been snooping at Gap for quite a long time. Probably because they got nothing that catch my eyes unlike the other highstreet stores like Uniqlo and Topman. Gap's are pretty basic that I think most of their stuff is very Americana with the fit that tend to be on the 'loose' side. (except for the slimfit jeans which is cool). And that's why I guess it's not worth visiting the store as frequent as the others.

Anyway, on my way back from H&M I stopped by at Gap just to check what's new since I saw some mannequins being donned with new stuff. And my pick are some of the tee which I didn't see 'em before in my last visit. It's the new Gap London in varsity logo. Last time if I can remember, the Gap London tend to use the print version - so this one is worth buying since the stitching of the words is very nice. The fit is ok and quite acceptable to my standard.

Another piece that's new to the addition is the 'London landmark' t-shirts in white and grey marl. You can see that the monochrome stencils on the front lists out some signature trademarks of London like the Big Ben, the phone booth, Tower Bridge, St. Paul Cathederals as well as the modern buildings like the Swiss Re aka the Gherkin and London Eye. Oh, there're the pigeons too if you looks closer!

Some pieces that I've tried among others include this hooded cardigan that I mentioned in the previous post. My verdict? Yikes... that's all. I don't like the fit which seem to be quite oversized and the marl color that seem pretty cheap. The price is on the hefty side that is not good. :(

S

Trendspotting: Satchels Galore

S

I have to say that satchels are definitely the IT bag of the season. Dang... Alexa Chung really has done her job very well when she designed the signature bag for Mulberry this year which made a huge fad on the women's accessories department. When I was flipping around some mag and visited some stores to find bags for my sisters, I can't help but noticed that at least in each store there'll be a satchel on display.

In the September issue of Elle and the latest spread of the ES Magazine, satchels have made an important trend to look out for. From the designer label like Mulberry Alexa and Proenza Schouler, to the highstreet players like from River Island and Debenhams - there's always some for you ladies to choose depending on how you stretch your wallet. I have to say I like the Mulberry Alexa coz it rocks both for casual or to bring it to the office. And with the choices of various colors and finishes, it certainly can make a great investment piece. But if the look that you wanna go for, the one by River Island looks awesome. I happened to check it out recently and have to say the size and finishes is quite good given the price is so much affordable.

Yet, as far as getting one for my sisters - unfortunately they don't fall for anything with fliptop. Probably because they're not living in London where style always changes seasons after seasons. Sadly to say my sisters are much more to the classic look. Or bland. Yikes! (sorry.. :D)

[pix from ES Magazine]

[pix from Elle Spetember 2010]

[pix from Elle Spetember 2010]

Mulberry Alexa in black leather

River Island black distressed synthetic leather

River Island beige distressed synthetic leather

River Island suede mock croc in beige

Betty Jackson at Debenhams black leather satchel

Black synthetic leather satchel at Dorothy Perkins

S

Converse Hi Slimmed Down

S

I love that Converse has finally embraced the need to slim down without compromising on the classic look of their famous Chuck Taylor series. When I visited some shoe stores back a couple of months ago I am quite drawn into the new Converse hi slim sneakers that was on display. I can say I love the new look so much coz it won't add bulk and chunkiness down under unlike the traditional Chucks. It's much lighter and looks more like plimsols that made a huge trend on the London highstreet.

To me this new slim Chuck Taylor is the neo-classic by Converse yet to be huge on the streets. So much so, I even bagged one in black canvas which I think the ultimate Converse 'standard'. And if you ask whether the feet is protected or comfy due to the slimming down of the soles: well, all I can say this is Converse, dude. Comfy is not a compromise coz the soles are really no difference than the 'non-slim' version. It's still thick that I can't even feel the gravel on the pavement unlike some cheap plimsols I found at highstreet stores.

I think I may get another one in ox too. Or a hi leather like in the pix below. Just to have some variations in my shoe closet. :)

Slim Chuck Taylor on yours truly...

S