The King's Speech

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It's time for me to take the stage.

Public speaking has been my thing for quite some time. I never felt nervous whenever I have to speak in front of an audience. Give me a mic, then I'll do my thing. If there's no mic, I still can do my thing - though I have to scream a little bit to let this voice out. My involvement in public speaking is not new since I've been doing it when I was in the primary school. Being a Head Prefect then, it came so natural for me to be able to recite the speech in front of hundreds of students. In fact, I can recalled there's one time I have to reenact a scene in a play for the sake of 'giving the audience a taste' of what's coming for the interschool drama competition that I've involved in.

And then things rolled from there, as I've frequently being in the public eye not just in the secondary school, but also at Uni. From being in the school debate team (both Malay and English!), to being a deejay - talking in front of public is something I yearned for. When it comes to the career world, it's my nature of work to speak in front of the audience coz I teach. Nonetheless, I think lots of people at my uni also known me as the emcee since I've been emceeing in so many high profile events, both internal and externally. One time I remembered I shared a stage with the former PM - Tun Mahathir - in an event attended by not less than 3000 people. It was quite daunting, since only me and him in front of thousands, but I kinda find my calm in handling things down. (you have no idea how my knees shiver!!)

Last week I decided to take the centre stage and give a speech in the event that I'm chairing. Normally, I don't wanna be in the spotlight when it comes to the students' activities, where I just let the Project Director to do his things instead. But given the fact that the event has been rebranded and with many things going on, as well as receiving so many questions by my colleagues on 'why the need to change the name??' thing - I decided that my speech could explain just that. 

It took me a couple of days to think about the concept of my speech, yet when it comes to really pen it down, the text is done within just 10 minutes. I presumed every points that's been swirling in my head has been let out into those paragraphs. The result - a four-pages manuscript for about 10-mins period. Not that bad I guess.

There was about 300 people in the audience including the Vice Chancellor and the Deputy VC + participants and guests (quite a low key ceremony). I think everything went smoothly. But what surprised me when I return to my seat, the DVC reached me out, and shook my hand saying 'that's a good speech! give me one copy!'. I'm quite stunned but delighted nonetheless. Yet, what is even surprise me is when the event is over and we walked out from the hall : lots of people complimented me how great the speech was. I was quite bemused really since I think what I wrote is just simple things.

Btw, I think that's what happen if you give a blogger a chance to recite a speech - he/she will rock it, definitely! :)

Anyway, in case you're wondering what's in the speech, well, here is some of the excerpts. Some part here and there I picked from the four-pages manuscripts I wrote. Pretty simple and easy to understand. Just like this blog too! Since the event is about the design exhibition, having being involved in it myself for more than 7 years (as a judge and 'observer'), plus me myself have won four design awards previously; I think I pretty much know what I'm talking about. =)

".........

YBhg Datuk, Ladies and Gentlemen

To me, the essence of design begins with the basic principle, which is simplicity. As Leonardo da Vinci used to say, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Because at the end of the day, you want is a product that is simple to be used, or simple to operate. However, to achieve that simplicity, is not that easy because one must understand the concept of balance. A designer need to strike a balance in any aspect of his/her design methodology. In fact, science is all about balance. Engineering is also about balance. We talk about the balance of electron in the atomic orbital that calls for its stability. We talk about balance in a chemical reaction equation for it to reach equilibrium. We talk about balance in the First Law of Thermodynamics. We talk about balance when dealing with the conservation of mass, energy, and force. Indeed the concept of balance in Science and Engineering is highly emphasized.

In design, a designer has to balance between the engineering & technical aspects with the aesthetics of the product; its functionality with its ease of use. A balance between its economic contributions with the environmental impact. A balance between its practicalities with its sustainability. It’s really about the balance. In fact, it is in line with ______ Brand Essence itself – Energy Receives, Energy Returns – which indeed emphasizing on the concept of balance.

.....

.....

YBhg Datuk, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am also delighted to share with you that we have reintroduce the category for the primary and secondary schools. In order to extend the innovative culture to the surrounding community, the Organizing Committee which is through our Science Ambassadors, has coordinated a ‘Reach-Out Program’ to the school students within the vicinity of the campus in order to get their involvement in the creative and innovative activities.  This is also aligned with the Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) of the University, and also the Prime Minister’s vision to develop and implement strategies to stimulate and support innovation in Malaysia. It is hoped that through this activity, we will help to support sustainable innovation to both develop and galvanize Malaysian future entrepreneurs and innovators.

.....

.....

I would like to encourage you to visit all booths to really notice how creative and innovative our generations are. I also would like to point that last semester, the booths arrangement is designed like a herringbone structure – a symbolic meaning to the ‘moving forward’ of this event. In ____, the booths are designed like a star shape*, which epitomises that ‘a new star’ is born. It also reflects the star in the Malaysian flag – our homage to the month of August, the month of Malaysia's Independence.

Last but not least, to the participants, I’m wishing you all the best. May this event be your first stepping stone in sustaining the innovative culture in your life. While you are having a good time showcasing your researches and innovations, please do not forget to protect your ideas. Your intellectual property is indeed worth more than you could think of!"

See, how simple the speech was. I dunno how it touches the audience hearts? Hmmm...

I'm wearing River Island slimfit suit in graphite + taupe Asos shirt + stripe knitted tie from Uniqlo + Jimmy Choo boots.

* fyi, when the event is held last April, the real reason why I chose the herringbone structure is to reflect the tweed fabric since April is the end of Winter, and tweed is always a fabric of choice for that season. For the recent one in August, lots of designers do 'star', eg. Dolce & Gabbana. Don't believe me, then look at what Beyonce wear in InStyle and Freja Beha in Vogue's covers for September issues!

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A Little List of Things to Love...

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[pix from river island and mr. porter]

Clockwise, from the top:

• Chunky knit buttonless cardigan in ecru - River Island.
• Asymmetric sweatshirt jacket in grey - River Island.
• Denim backpack - River Island.
• Orange-faced watch in gunmetal - River Island.
• Ted leather satchel in tan - Mulberry.

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How to Wear Camel

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I always talk about 'nude' in this blog. No, it's nothing to do with nakedness, but rather the flesh tone which is one color in the color wheel that I think is quite endearing. There's something about this neutral palette that makes it versatile; kinda similar way of how black and white are when it comes to being able to be paired with almost any color of your clothes.

One of the 'nude' hues that is famously featured in any editorials - or in correct term, the neutral tone actually (since nude is part of the neutral) - is camel. It spreads everywhere, from the cardigan to the jacket, overcoat to the trousers, slim suit to even ties and scarves; making it such a headliner in any fashion extravaganza. In fact, I can recalled back in Fall/Winter 2009 camel is one favorite color not only on the high-end designer labels, but also at highstreet too coz plenty camels are seen on the clothing line. From Celine, Chloe and Gucci, to Victor & Rolf and Ralph Lauren - that particular season is when the camel boom really has been reignited, which has now extended to become one of the staples in later seasons following it.

But how to wear camels so that your ensemble look chic? Our friends at Mr. Porter outlined some ideas on how to don a great pair. Whether your camel is the overcoat, or a top as a cardigan and sweater, or just a discreet element like a tie; there are ways to make 'em look very well put-together...

[pix from mr porter]

So, what's in my wardrobe? Some camel cardigan and sweater from H&M which I love the lighter hues of it. My favorite way to pair a camel is:

• with a grey for the urban feel.
• with the similar tone for a fun streamlined look.
• with white or cream for a sense of chic.
• with black for a subtle color blocking.
• with blue for a trendy color blocking.
• with red for a slight contrast without too overpowering. 

cardigan & vest - H&M : wool trousers - River Island

sweater & mac - H&M : lightweight denim - Uniqlo

iPad cover - YSL : watch - Skagen

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They're Feeling The Blues...

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Am I 'qualified' to be having the Monday blues today? I think I am, after looking to what had happened during the weekend, I can really stamped on my forehead that I am having the blues on this dire Monday.

I was planning to go to the capital in the weekend, to shop at Pavillion KL since now is the Malaysia's Mega Sale Carnival (which will end till 31st August) - so, I'm guessing there must be lots of items that're being slashed their prices during this period. Around that area, there's also Uniqlo which I haven't visited yet ever since they open their door in this country. Or maybe, if I don't wanna brave the traffic along Bukit Bintang that much I've just hit OneUtama at Damansara instead coz what's in the megamall is not to be messed with (it's now becoming ever humungous size than ever). Or the least I could go to Ikea coz their Sale has just started last week, and I always love finding bargains in the store.

But I can't, since there's a stupid rally in town which made the whole city kinda locked down. As much as I've been locked down in my room the night before which is truly a nightmare (that itself is a contributing factor to this Monday blues too!). Traffic become very crazy and there're lots of roadblock at many stops to crackdown people from going into the city. So, what to do? I just stayed home, and shopped in the malls nearby. Ipoh is not that bad you know, in fact I found lots of interesting stuff which I'll tell later.

Anyway, Monday blues...  As cliche as the title could be, I wish I could wear 'blue' also, to make things even more cliche. Perhaps, a blue blazer instead of the typical shirt or trousers in the same color. So far what I've seen the blue jacket or blazer that people tend to wear is only its darker shade in navy - not other hues of blue. Probably it's the safest thing to go (not to mention boring!) and could give an alternative to the normal black. Anyway those at Mr. Porter gave some styles on how to wear blue blazer, which ranges from single- to double-breasted, lighter or darker shade of blue, and even to rock in casual or formal.

[pix from mr porter]

As Mr. Porter did mentioned that every man should own at least one blue blazer, thankfully I'm on the same wavelength. In fact I wore my blue hi-sheen linen blazer during my emceeing rehearsal last year which I think quite fit the bill. When I said 'fit the bill', it's not just about the color blue, but also the 'fit' - slim fit! [previous entry here]

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The Grey Matter

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Last week I read an article about "How to Avoid 7 Common On-the-Job Mistakes". Quite enlightening article which give some tips on things that we tend to ignore while we're working. It doesn't really matter where you work or what you do, the thing is if you did follow to not doing the mistakes, I think everyone will stick to their job whenever they could. And lead to a better promotion, I guess?

One of the mistake is: "Failing to dress to impress", that says...

Some of the best job advice I've heard is to to always dress at least one step above your current position. It helps others picture you working above your current position and makes you look extremely professional. You're not just an intern/entry-level professional, you have the potential to be so much more--so act like it.

So, last week I tried on the tips which I think is no harm since the way I dress is typically corporate office attire anyway. With blazer that has become my staple office wardrobe ever since I'm back into the job. Yet, I went to have more fun by wearing a three-piece instead : with the matching waistcoat in merino wool that I bought long time ago at H&M. Lately it's very cold in the office coz the air-cond is cranked up and the whole floor feel like Autumn 2011!

And since the mood of that day is grey slimfit suit, what better than to pair the whole attire with pink shirt and matching crochet tie. To complete the look are the leather bag by SEED and my Jimmy Choo suede boots; all in grey.

And the results? As it is, which I think at least impresses the onlookers when I go for breakfast. My colleague, R, says... wah, you looks smart la! But one thing that they didn't know - the pants is too tight! And it's the department meeting that day, suddenly I have to be so bersopan when I sat!

slimfit suit - River Island : merino wool waistcoat - H&M

shirt - Zara : crochet tie - Uniqlo

leather bag - SEED : watch - Skagen

suede boots - Jimmy Choo x H&M : iPad case - YSL

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BigFat 'Cool Holiday' Collection?

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It's been very warm down here in the valley. So warm that even the fully-powered fan couldn't do its job very well. Coupled with the humid weather, the ambience felt a bit stuffy and sweaty (steamy? ha!). One way to avoid all those condition is to take myself up, up and away. No not to the sky, but almost there. On the highlands, hundreds of meters above the sea level. It's much cooler over there since the temperature is normally 6-7 degrees less than in the valley.

As I mentioned in the previous post, Cameron Highlands is quite close to my house - about 40 mins journey - where the Louis Vuitton menswear ad campaign for SS11 is shot. Going up there, one way to avoid the cool weather being too harsh to the body is to wear long sleeves. Since I can still feel a bit of heat warming up (though not as scorching as down here), the fabric of choice would definitely cotton or linen-based. It can absorb sweats better, while the long sleeves could also protect the chill at the same time.

Opening up my wardrobe, there are a selected few which I can consider to be taken together with me. Most are cardi, some are sweater and there's also long-sleeve tee. I also like the three-quarter sleeve merino cardi which by pairing up with the tee inside would be okay to avoid the chill.

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Turquoise or Midnite Blue?

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There's an anonymous asking me in the previous blogpost, where he/she could find a decent turquoise shirt to be worn to the prom. (see, I put he OR she coz I didn't know the gender) To be honest, I don't really know where to find one. If anonymous is a guy, maybe you should try at zappos.com, or you could always find one if you search through shopstyle.com. Previously in London, I normally find color shirt at either Topman, River Island or H&M since they used to do a good slimfit turquoise shirt in cotton mix fabric, and quite reasonable price.

Anyway, don't you think that when you go to the prom you should wear a suit? Mentioning turquoise, Calvin Klein did a slimfit suit in aqua color which looks quite summery and chic. It may be dear to your wallet coz ... you know, it's Calvin Klein! But if you wanna go for something quite similar, yet doesn't burn a big hole in your pocket, the one by Lambretta at Asos could also be a good choice. What I like in both suits is the one-button thing, which to me is always what I tend to go for.  

On the other hand, turquoise is not really a color I would choose for a suit coz it somehow screams too weddingy, or too Miami Vice. Worse, it may look like a 70's pimp daddy! Yikes! In other words, it's tacky. For a safe bet I'd rather pick an outfit in a darker shades of blue, such as the midnight blue like the one worn by Zac Efron in the previous cover of GQ. It made you look much classier and better like a grown-up. Since it's summer, you should wear a linen fabric - much better for the heat out there, plus it can give better sheen against the lighting. Like the one I got previously from River Island.

Or if you really a fashion forward and have a thick wallet - choose Roberto Cavalli, like the one featured in the August Man magazine - though the color is more towards the early dawn blue instead of midnite one. :)

[pix from style.com, asos, gq, and august man]

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A Mood for Crochet

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Today I decided to go a bit understated for my office attire. Just wearing something simple, and try to blend in into the scene. Since this week is the start of another new semester in the tri-semester system and the fact that I've been given a time off for not teaching, might as well I just wear something not too overwhelming (I know my students would definitely welcomed for me to be wearing suits to the class!).

So I decided to wear those crochet tie with cream/black horizontal stripes that I bought from Uniqlo a couple of years back. Pair it with a neutral-colored slim shirt from Asos and black trousers from River Island, I think it is as under-dressed as I could go for.

Simple. :)

Oh my, I think if I'm walking around in the street of London right now, I might've been snapped by Tommy Ton for GQ Style. Doesn't the tie look similar to mine?

[pix from gq style]

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Style to Steal: Of Kors It's Do-able!

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Somehow it gave me a sense of déjà vu. Not Deja Voodoo Spells, or Deja Moss (both are music people btw), but a real déjà vu.

When I saw Simon Nessman out on the catwalk with Karmen in the previous Michael Kors FW11 show, I really love what I'm seeing. Not just about Simon's straightened hair, but the outfit. The color, the urban mood, the clean silhouette and the cut which I think is an understated cool. I'm a big fan of grey, coz I always associate that with the city and modern feel. To see that color again for fall/winter in fresher hues and texture ... that's just a great welcoming feel of a new season.

And then came the other model. Bam!! Something just hit my mind. And then out AJ in the oversized quilted jacket reminisces my Ikea 365+ duvet. Bam!! again. Did I just see the recurring theme here? Looking down, down and down... did I see what I see? Does it somehow give me some kind of déjà vu? Where have I seen the grey pants and grey suede boots combination before?

Wait a minute, hey, I have that in my wardrobe?!

[pix from style.com]

I opened up my wardrobe and took out the pieces which I think resembles Michael Kors'. My River Island wool trousers which I bought in Winter 2009 paired with the Jimmy Choo x H&M grey suede boots. Isn't that appear similar to MK's look? At least thru my eyes, I think so. And I think I've just stolen the style. (Or is it vice versa? Ha!).

So, Michael Kors FW11 - it's just do-able... without even have to spend any more dosh!

Mentioning that Jimmy Choo, it seems that words had spread like a bushfire across the office that I wear Choo shoes. I know, I know... and I know you know that too that it's not really a Jimmy Choo Jimmy Choo, rather a highstreet Jimmy Choo (the H&M collaboration, remember?), but the brand really elevate my image a bit, nonetheless. 

There's a friend of mine the other weeks, approaches me while I was having my tea during a  break after a meeting. He asked me one question which I never expected would ever come from his mouth, "I heard that you wear a different shoes every day, is it?"

I just giggle coz it sounds quite funny. "Yes, I do", I answered since it's the real truth anyway. Something which is not a secret to anybody who knows me.

And he added, "I heard you wear Jimmy Choo, is it true?"

This, I just burst into laughter. I dunno what cracks me up, coz if you see that friend you would do the same. I wouldn't expect in million years that question would be asked by him, and it's just a funny thing to hear.

He even had a gut to tell my other friend sitting in front of me, "Eh, you know Jimmy Choo shoes is very expensive one!! Only celebrities wear ooo..." Oh, my... he knows that too? Lol.

But I just politely replied "Yes, I am". I do wear Jimmy Choo shoes, as much as I wear my Armani, Prada, Fendi and Gucci. Though it's only a Jimmy Choo for H&M, the name really carries the brand. And fortunately, it helps to boost my own branding as well! Sekian terima kasih. :)

kena really bersykur dpt pakai kasut2 macam ni...

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'Fleck' Patterned Suits @ Bottega Veneta

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Sick of wearing the typical black or plain navy to rock in your daily wear? The incoming trend for next fall/winter is the 'fleck' inspired suit seen at Bottega Veneta in the previous FW2011 runway show. Instead of using the typical fleck from tweed, the suits are given the spotted or scratchy checks pattern which is quite similar but without the hefty weight of the original fabric. Looks equally cool especially when the color is restricted to the sombre mood of greys. Very urbane chic.

Is this the first time I've seen the pattern? Nope, coz I got quite a similar one which I bought last SS10 from River Island. I think you've heard about it so many times when I refer to it as my 'fleck' suit. It's very superslim which has raised lots of eyebrows when I wear it to the office. Not to mention into the class, when I caught the students videotaping me the whole hours wearing it! Or the time I wear it into the exam hall while invigilating, which caused the students attention fixated to the stage where I'm standing, instead of to their question booklet (hope there's no failures becoz of that!). Wicked...

p/s: I think I should wear it again when I become the Chief Invigilator tomorrow afternoon... (cue evil laugh) >:)

[pix from style.com]

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