Too Much Bretons!

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Breton stripes are huge this season. And I do mean HUGE with the capital H. You saw it everywhere - on the catwalk during the Spring/Summer 2011 show, in the highstreet stores, and of course... on the streets. It's stripes galore! Whether it's stripes all the way, or the Jean Paul Gaultier sailor lookalike - Breton is definitely a hot trend that never fail to appear whenever summer comes. I think the way it breathes nautical theme is what charmed people.

Me too has been succumbed into the lure of stripes. My victim of the situation? Absolutely at Asos, coz they got a humungous collection of stripey t-shirts. Either short, three-quarter, or long sleeves; Asos has a burst of Breton this time around in many color choices to choose from. With the price tag that's always dear to the wallet, Breton stripes at Asos is one stop to head down to. Period.

For every tee you see below, I have at least two for each pair coz I have a simple principle: if I like it, always buy two. That's why I have too much Bretons now!

(L) Breton tee in navy-white - Asos : Jeans - Uniqlo : Denim bag - He by Mango : Watch - Calvin Klein Sight

(R) Breton tee in green-dark green - Asos : Wool trousers - River Island : Tweed backpack - Zara : Watch - Nixon

(L) Breton tee in light grey-white - Asos : Jeans - Uniqlo : Grey leather tote - Bill Amberg : Watch - Bench

(R) Breton tee in grey-light graphite - Asos : Jeans - Uniqlo : Suede studded tote - Jimmy Choo x H&M
Watch - Calvin Klein Bold

(L) Stripe tee in green-white - Asos : Chambray trousers - Asos Canvas tote with leather trim - Jaspal: Watch - Skagen

(R) Tee in navy-yellow - Asos : Jeans - Uniqlo : Mock croc tote - Topman : Watch - Nixon Shutter tortoiseshell

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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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Nixon Shutter Tortoiseshell Watch

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Sometimes, adding some texture to a plain something can up it's style in an instant. And recently, I'm in the mood of some tortoiseshell... so what better to let it ornament me in a discreet feature that wraps around my wrist. The Nixon Shutter tortoiseshell watch is simple, but awesome in its own way.

They said, third times a charm; and that goes pretty well too with that Nixon. When I first saw it last year, I straightaway bought it from the Nixon website there in the UK. Yet, damn the blunder done by the Royal Mail - the watch lost in the post (and so does my dosh!). And then I saw it again at Asos. Yet, damn again... they send me a wrong one, though it's from the same Shutter range. Nonetheless, I like it coz plain black casing goes pretty well with anything. Finally, upon browsing some site I finally got it from Japan - and it was shipped safe and sound into my possession.

I think it looks cool; and goes with the same theme as my Gucci tortoiseshell shoes. But syyyyyy! The Shutter is actually falls under the Ladies range, but since it looks pretty much unisex to me, I say... who the hell cares, wahahaha! (this one is an acceptable gender bender, nggg...!)

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Crop & Repack

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I read the news the other day which says that being in front of the computer screen all the time is equivalent to being a couch potato, and can lead to obesity. I can't argue with that coz I am somewhat agree with the statement. Very strongly agree actually coz I think I'm starting to become one too: the screen potato. I've been so busy lately, I hardly spend time to lift those dumbells and exercise (which ironically my gym is just on the first floor in my house). I've also being neglecting the basketball court for weeks now, causing the ball (the basketball okay!) to be a bit deflated. I dunno what comes of me, coz lots of time is really spending time in front of the PC. Crunching numbers. Perfecting the research proposals by the students, as well as my own research report. Correcting the letters that are sent by my committee members for the big event I'm chairing. Writing journal papers. And of course, attending this blog. It made me more immobile. Stagnant. Not moving. Even if I move, it's very minimal. My life is literally attached to the screen!

Unlike in my research days during my PhD study, I can say my daily life is like an exercise regime. What not: lifting pails and pails of water to pour into the tank of the research rig. Running up and down two-storeys worth of stairs from the lab to the workshop to the office etc. And walking for almost, I dunno, 10,000 steps per day maybe - commuting from house to the Tube station, to the uni; I think my life before September last year is a true full-day exercise! A total body workout + cardio all in one go. That's why I'm healthy those days. In fact the optician at Boots claimed I am free of any ailment coz when she scanned the back of my eyes during the eye test, I'm perfectly healthy.

But now, I despised that. Being less mobile making me a bit slumpy. Lots of family members realised that I slightly piled on weight. In fact my love handles are getting more 'love' these days which worries me. The almost-six pack then, is now becoming a bit full pack due to me being less active. I can blame on the sugary stuff I'm munching coz you know, Malaysia is absolutely a food haven. Yet alone Ipoh, coz there're so many halal things to eat! From the mamak cafe, to the hawkers stall to even the fast-food chain; it's heaven!   (You should get the EATPOH book to know more about Ipoh food 'culture').

Yet, suddenly I got the 'aha!' moment to lose this guts since having belly is not good in fashion. It's awful! My slimfit clothes doesn't look cool with that buldging midsection. I have to get rid of it. To deflate it. To let it go. And that's why I'm starting to revisit my gym, and lift those dumbells again coz I learned that to get a six-pack it's effective if you weight-lift instead of just doing crunches. How? Coz you're actually attacking the core when you do those bench press, flys, squat etc... without you knowing it. Brilliant, right?

And I think I need to hit the court again, dunking on those hoops. I'm not that a good player, just okay la, since me and my mates used to play basketball a lot during our highschool days. Basketball is fun than football coz you're using both the upper and lower body. Now I think it's the right time too coz I can rock in that cropped jogger that I just bought from Standout. Looks good, and much freedom compared to typical sweatpants. What not to love? Cropped jogger is the new harem!

Anyway. I hope I can lose this guts and regain the six-pack. Period.

[alamak.kulit jadi makin gelap daaa bila balik m'sia...yikes!]

grey cropped jogger - voi jeans @ standout.net

blue vest, layered on white tank top - both by H&M

sneakers - Adidas Nizza Hi Plus Denim [read it here]

watch - Breo

dark grey cropped jogger - voi jeans @ standout.net

black tank top - Asos

leather/technofabric multistrap sneakers - GF by Gianfranco Ferre [read it here]

wool fingerless glove - Marc by Marc Jacobs

bluetooth headphone - Sportsband by JayBird

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ESPRIT Watch New Collection

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ESPRIT kembali menghadirkan koleksi jam terbaru bernuansa musim panas dengan ciri khas casual-nya. Bertempat di Pacific Place Jakarta pada tanggal 12 Mei 2011 lalu, ESPRIT menampilkan trunk show dari berbagai macam tipe jam yang dipresentasikan. Di peruntukkan kepada young jet-setters, acara ini sukses dihadiri tamu undangan dan pengunjung.

Photo by MRR

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Rosendahl Red Mirror Watch II

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Nothing to say. Just plain beautiful. A definite conversation piece, even without you have to utter a single word. The Mirror rectangular digital watch in the Watch II range from Rosendahl. Isn't it time for you to flag the red alert signal?

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Mag Snaps : The Shoes, The Bags, The Shirt and The Watch...

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Something I like from the fashion mags this month.

First up, is the beige chukka boots from Kenzo. Love the color white-beige combo that is very easy breezy summery feel. Think you wanna upgrade your typical boat shoes into something different but equally delish, this should be the one.

I love bags, I love black and white, and I live for anything statement. And this statement backpack from LeSportsac x Joyrich fits the bill... doesn't it remind you of Chanel No. 5 label?

Something for a good cause. The limited edition Beautiful Earth eco-bag from Parkson as part of the Estee Lauder Companies (ELC) collaboration with Parkson Corporation for the Beautiful Earth 2011 campaign. It is made from 100% environmental-friendly materials, and you'll be receiving it free when you donated RM25 to any ELC freestanding stores nationwide. Your donation will then be used solely for purchase of a mangrove sapling, which will be planted in the ELC mangrove swamplands through the Malaysian Nature's Society in its effort to grow more trees for the environment.

Another one from Kenzo. The shirt with highlands artwork. This season, it seems that lots of designers used the nature-inspired landscape as prints on the shirts and tees. This one is no exception, and its beautiful.

Tired of wires? Who doesn't, huh? Probably this JayBird bluetooh headphones could solve the problem. No more messing up with the tangling cords. Freedom!

Something luxe. Very, very luxe. The Chanel J12 diver watch in metallic. Previously it was made of ceramic, one material that is strong in its construction. Perhaps with this stainless steel body and strap, it'll bring you into another style factor. Beware for Magneto, btw...

[scanned from august man and men's uno june 2011]

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Trendspotting : Ultraslim Watches

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Everything tend to go ultraslim and skinny nowadays. Skinny jeans, skinny suits, ultraslim television, extra slim camera, etc... etc. And latest to join the bandwagon is Rado, that has just released their new Rado True Thinline watches - tauted to be the thinnest ceramic watch ever created. Really, the effort has to be applauded coz to come up with that ulthin design, plus it's a ceramic material which by itself is not an easy to work with compared to the typical malleable steel - all aspect of watchmaking need to be taken care of. 

To allow this new ultra thin structure, in their press release Rado mentioned that all of the components have been intensively reworked to ensure they are fully integrated, including the quartz movement that is exclusive to the watchmaker. Demanding and challenging in its manufacture, the Rado True Thinline will offer all the key properties of high-tech ceramics, such as luxurious comfort and strength, as well as adding a new dimension of being lightweight to the extreme.

The Rado True Thinline collection features clear gold coloured indexes, replaced by diamonds on the Jubilé version, accentuated by the fully integrated domed sapphire crystal. The case and buckle, both in high-tech ceramics, fit perfectly into the integrated rubber bracelet. Price? Expect to pay thousands for the uber style...

[pix from rado and professional watches]

If you think the ultraslim design is to die for but don't have the fund to pay for Rado, you might want to consider going for something quite similar from Skagen. Just like what I got last year, which I think the best ultraskinny watches out there in the market. It doesn't look too tacky unlike Swatch Skin. Well, of course they're not ceramic but the stainless steel mesh strap and casing is really worth buying!

The casing itself is almost 5-mm thin, coupled with its strap with merely 1-mm thick. So slim that it looks flushed into your wrist. I got two Skagen watches last year: one in black round casing which is more for sporty/casual wear, and the silver stainless steel  rectangular watch for formal attire. What I love about 'em is its lightweight which make it feel barely there when I wore 'em. Fantastic.

There're many designs to choose from - both for the ladies and gents. And I'm still reeling to get another one with leather strap. Skinny, chic and the most important - very flushed look!

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Mag Snaps : The Monk, The Chrono and The Shirt

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I once been thrown out from WHSmith in London cos I was caught snapping the picture of the bags in one of the fashion magazine. Esquire, if I'm not mistaken - and those are awesome bags, what not to like?! The security guy saw me flipping the mag and snap, snap, snap using my iPhone... at last he asked me to leave the bookstore coz I'm not allowed to do what I'm doing. Infringement of intellectual properties, I guess. Yet he said, if I bought the magazine instead, that's okay coz it's mine. Not if I pick it free on the shelves, no. Well, I think I've learn a good lesson there... no plagiarism!

Anyway, now that I bought the mags then I'm allowed to scan it and publish it in here. These are some of my picks on the nice things featured in those glossy pages in the recent issues...

[pix from esquire malaysia]

RM792 for a pair of grey suede monk strap loafers? Well, Mr. Editor... I think that's quite cheap considering I've bought a £260 Gucci boots at Harrods in Winter 2010 sale before! (go figure the conversion). And RM792 - c'mon, don't you think it's a reasonable price to pay for a beautiful craftsmanship of the shoes?

[pix from men's uno]

Calvin Klein's ck Basic chrono watch. I search there in the web, none has ever featured this one. Typing ck Basic, all I can find is the ck underwear... which I got plenty! But Basic chrono - this one looks good. Ok, into my wish list now!

[pix from esquire malaysia]

What is so special about this Hugo Boss shirt? The contrast panelling, with pleated placket. Classy dressy without going overboard.

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A New Sight : Should I Stop Wishing?

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Seriously, I must stop making a 'to lust for' wish; because in the end it keeps on becoming a reality. In the previous post I put this ck Sight into my list of Calvin Klein watches for SS11 and FW11 that I love. Yeah, love... right? And who knows that I secretly wanting to get some of it as well.

And as if someone had just waved the magic wand upon me, voila! It arrives into the mailbox. Coincidence?No. But confidence instead. Confidence to zrass that credit card online. ahaks!

So, can I have five more wishes please...? =)

Calvin Klein CK Sight watch

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Calvin Klein Watches to Lust For...

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I have a craze which is collecting watches. It's not a new craze, as it stemmed out a couple of years back when I bought cheap watches from the pasar malam. It's kinda fun to wrap the wrist with a different watches every day, despite the price, coz it made me feel good and quite trendy too. As years pass by, the cheap watches has tranformed into chic watches instead as I like to collect timewear that looks simple but classic. And of course, chic.

One brand that I truly adore is Calvin Klein. The designs are simple but somehow discreetly stand out. I love where there's no numbers and the face has only the bars to indicate the time. Or even none, which made it quite edgy though requires an effort to really tells the hours and minutes. I dunno why I hate watches with numbers especially the one with Roman digits, coz somehow made it appears too 'old' from my point of view. That's why most of my watches are all sans numbers, except for one chrono watch and the ultraskinny Skagen with its narrow numerics.

For Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2011, these are some of new Calvin Klein watches that definitely made into my list. Very simple. Yet modern, urbane and timeless.

[pix from calvin klein]

illustration using photomess ipad app. download here for free

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AFX Blogger Contest

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So, here's the deal. There will be a big fashion event happening next month in Singapore. It's the Asia Fashion Exchange or known as AFX, which seeks to develop the long-term sustainability of Singapore’s fashion industry by building capability and profiling Asian talent on an international platform and to position Singapore as Asia’s Fashion Capital.

And to celebrate the event in a BigFat way... MSN is organizing a contest called 'The AFX Top Fashion Bloggers 2011' by which the winners will be selected to participate in the 11-days event held in the Lion City. Well, not really the whole 11 days, just 5-nights accommodation as what one of the main prizes stated. And the selected blogger from each 4 countries - Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia - will be invited to all the fashion shows during the AFX, and of course if you're lucky to the behind the scenes as well, coz that's that the most exciting part of any shows. I think this event is fantastic coz this is the time to project out all the talents in this region into the global eye. Not just in ASEAN, but to the whole Asia Pacific and streams all over other 6 continents. And perhaps, having readers from the States, the South America countries like Brazil and Argentina, the European countries such as France, Poland, Switzerland, Italy and so many more - by covering the event you could also see how exciting Asian fashion really is as well.

Ok. That's not the exciting part of this blogpost anyway. The exciting part is that, the contest asks why I  should be selected to attend AFX ? Hmmm... that's not an easy one, huh? Time to get into the bakul and angkat sendiri... (BEWARE: it's vanity overloaded!):

1. Because, why not? If you read the whole more than 1400 posts in this blog; isn't it all about fashion and style? From the clothes that I modeled, to the one done by the top models; from the ensemble top to toe, to the accessories that make the man. From the shoes that hold things together, to the bags that tied the looks handsomely. This blog is all about fashion and style! (Okay, 99% of them... coz the other 1% is about me being silly mentioning things about myself!).

2. Because I've been to Fashion Weeks. London Fashion Week, to be exact. If I my count is correct, I've been to 9 seasons altogether. (not much, but appreciable than none isn't it?). That doesn't include the Fashion Rocks! event held back in 2007, which I met Valentino, Christopher Bailey, Mr. Armani, Claudia Schiffer and lots more celebs like Lily Allen, Alicia Keys, Nicole Scherzinger etc... etc. And oh, I should mention I've been to all Vogue's Fashion Night Out in two years in a row? (here, here and here). Red carpet events? That's even countless... Leicester Square in London is basically my playground when I got my spare time. Meeting Anna Wintour and Victoria Beckham in real life? Check! (During the Burberry Prorsum show in previous year, in drenching rain!)

3. Coz I live and breath fashion maybe? I'm kidding, right? Look at one of my wardrobe (here and here). Or my shoes. Or my bag collection. Or all my shopping quest and conquest in previous years... then you'll be nodding in agreement. And oh, I'm not just wearing a Jimmy Choo, but I met him too. So, if I got to see new talents in AFX, who knows their pieces would make it into my wardrobe.

4. Coz I'm the epitome of style and so as this blog, probably? (Oooh...that statement is ultra vain, lol?). Coz I know how to mix high-end pieces with the highstreet fashion. That's what true essence of style is all about - be brilliant in putting things together. It doesn't matter what size of your wallet is - the most important is you look good in it! (in the clothes, not in the wallet, silly...). 

5. Mentioning style, isn't that I've rocked every style in each seasons of the year during the time I live in London? Spring, summer, autumn, winter... check!

Ok. Enough just five reasons. If people ask me.... 

The answer is plain and simple: It's about being who you are, knowing who you are and knowing what works and what doesn't on you. It's about looking good despite the labels - either highstreet or designers... as long as the price is right, the style is spot on and the look is devilicious!! And of course, fashion is not just about the look in general - it's an art, it's how you appreciate the design and construction of the clothes, the material it's used and the work that goes behind it.

And to further answer 'what is fashion?'; this quote from Michael Kors seems to sum it all:

So, why I should be there in AFX? Coz you need someone from a different perspective, not just from people from the fashion industry! =)

I'm wearing (from left to right)

Red 'What Is Fashion?' tee - Zara

Slim fit, indigo raw denim - Uniqlo

Leather fingerless glove - H&M

Watch - Calvin Klein

White 'What Is Fashion?' tee - Zara

Slim fit black cropped jeans - H&M

Ultra-thin stainless steel mesh watch - Skagen

Black 'What Is Fashion?' tee - Zara

'Fleck' skinny trousers - River Island
Studded leather fingerless glove - Zara

Watch - Nixon

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Bottega Veneta BVX Watch

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Italian stealth-wealth label adds first timepiece to its portfolio.

Bottega Veneta, founded in Vicenza in 1966, is considered the pinnacle of certain elite brands’ commitment to discreet style and understated magnificence.

The company motto, ‘When your own initials are enough’, points a disapproving finger at brands who wear their monogram on their sleeve. This winter sees Bottega collaborate with the Sowind Group, owners of the renowned Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux, to create its first timepiece, the BVX.

This unisex wristwatch, available from December, took two years to develop and will have a first-run of only 100 pieces globally, just 10 of which will come to the UK, at BV’s flagship central London boutique.

The automatic watch is classic Bottega Veneta; understated, original, refined and functional with a sensibility belying the precision, luxury and detail of its design. In true Bottega ‘anonymous’ style, there is no logo on the face. In fact, you will have to look closely to see a tiny logo engraved on the beautifully exposed mechanism in the back (inset). A genuine mark of class.

BVX wristwatch £9,800 by BOTTEGA VENETA; bottegaveneta.com.

[pix and words from Shortlist Issue 151]

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The Art of Smizing...

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Let the eyes do the talking.

Simon Nessman for D&G Time Autumn 2010.
Deep piercing gaze that tells the whole story.
You're instantly drawn to the model's face instead of the watch that's on display.
Full of mystery. Intrigue. Seduction. Solemn.

This is a perfect example on mastering the art of smizing.
Smiling without the real smile.
But smiling through the eyes.
Let the eyes do the talking.
This is smizing at its best.

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Around The World in One Bag

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"...I Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something..."- Sweer Dreams (Are Made of These): Eurythmics

So, if you're looking for accessories that says 'world' to you... or map, to be exact, then these lots that I found at Forzieri might hit the right notes. The material of the tote bags and the watch strap are leather, given the vintage map prints all over it. Pretty cool which add some quirky but interesting feature to it. I love the color, though - in neutral - that made it like the map which you've just unearthed from a hidden treasure box from an ancient city!

Btw, mentioning map there's an exhibition at British Library recently called the 'Magnificent Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art'. It showcases various map prints in a large format (wall map) which I think from many parts of the world. Some dated as early as the 16th century that is very rare to be seen, and some look quite modern as in the 20th century collection. It is truly a 'visual extravaganza' especially for those of you who like 'atlas'. Sadly to say, the exhibition has already ended (last September, sorry!), but who knows it'll make another round in other part of the world later.

Anyway, you can get your own antique atlas with these accessories...

[pix from forzieri]

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