LVMH buys Charles and Keith

You probably wouldn't have guessed what's the latest investment made by LVMH's private equity arm, L Capital Asia. For more than $30 million, LVMH is now the proud 20% owner of home-grown shoe label, Charles & Keith. After a resounding success of it's 2009 bought over of Sincere Watch for $113 Million, the regional investment firm look to help the Wong brothers in their expansion plans into US, Western Europe, and Asia.

Charles & Keith Spring Summer 2011: Via charleskeith.com

On a fashion note, I am absolutely no fan of copied, poor-quality shoes that bites into your feet after first wear and ready for the trash after the 20th parade. However, on a business stand-point, I've got to give it to the brothers for their unhidden success and finding the niche for their mass-produced business strategy.

United Nude flagship store

Remember their very well-received moulded shoes and high-end carbon fiber heels? United Nude, owned by Rem D. Koolhaas and galahad JD Clark, has finally opened their very own flagship store in Amsterdam.

The store is a 'dark-shop' concept where the store is completely dark other than areas where the products are showcased. The most prominent element of the store design is the wall of light™, a computer-controlled LED wall which displays the united nude products in geometric frames.

And if you are already salivating at the unqiuely crafted shoes, you can actually find a decent array of UN shoes in Takashimaya, don't say we never told you!

Jimmy Choo's Gladiator heels

Since we are at the topic of Jimmy Choo's, I still love these:

Jimmy Choo anthracite glitter leather 'Verity' sandals, USD 876.00

Merry Christmas, to myself.

Via: Bluefly

Alexander Mcqueen White Brogues for Men

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010 off-white Brogues is really a "consistent stream of dopeness" ~ selectism

Nike Singapore - Air Yeezy 3rd Colorway Release Event

Last weekend Nike dropped the 3rd and final colorway of Nike and Kanye West collaboration of Air Yeezy sneakers. A total of 220+ fans and sneaker fanatics gathered together at the Nike Flagship Store at Wisma Atria on June 6th to ballot for one of the 42 pairs of Air Yeezy sneakers.

Via: Freshnessmag

Chaussures Architecturales

John Galliano


Proenza Schouler


Loewe


Balenciaga

Gianfranco Ferre

Via French Vogue

Adidas Originals by Originals Jeremy Scott Snow Boots

The release slated for October will carry a $250 USD price tag.

Caricature seen inside the tongue

Via: HypeBeast

Zaha Hadid X Lacoste

Our Favourite Architect is back!

This time with Lacoste.

After collaborating with Chanel and Melissa, Zaha Hadid is back to put a futuristic spin on the label's famous croc logo. Available in July, she has designed ankle boots for men and calf boots for the ladies.

Architectural structure of the Chanel Pavillion by Zaha

Not that difficult to guess who's the brainchild behind these, huh?

These limited 850 pairs (at $525 each) will be available at Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London and 10 Corso Como in Milan.

Image source: highsnobette, zaha, stylefrizz

Dr.Martens for Raf Simons SS09 Deconstructed 9 Eye Boot

The key silhouettes from the Dr. Martens for Raf Simons collection include the iconic Dr. Martens 3- eye plain toe shoe, which Raf has refined through the application of a tapered last shape.

Via: Oki-Ni

Barefoot sneakers by Okat

Okat

Via: 18htn

How To Get On Jay-Meister's A-List by JayWalk

How To Get On Jay-Meister's A-List
by JayWalk

(05 Aug 2008) - You don't have to be a supermodel or Ms Universe in order to be beautiful. All it takes is a little bit of effort and you could be the most gorgeous-looking girl in the room.

As the old Chinese saying goes, "There are no ugly women. Just lazy ones."

So if you would like to get into JayMeister's A-List, read on.

1. Shoes - There is Attitude when there is Altitude. I am referring to dressing occasions here. So sporting occasions (sneakers, trainer, running shoes) or wet marketing occasions (flip flops, sandals, crocs(!) and birkies) are not relevant in this particular discussion.
   
   I don't like flats on a lady regardless of how tall you are. Even if you are 1.85m, a little bit of heel say 1" to 1.5", would make you look more poised and elegant. Flats just make the lady look frumpy.
   
   If you are taller than your man, it's really not your problem. It's his. He is the short fart. I have dated taller girls before and I never had any problems having them towering over me. Not that I am short, but there will always be that someone taller. Besides, it's always fun to be the couple that everybody stares at. The guy will be the envy of all his peers simply because he had you.
   
   Then there is the question of open toe vs covered shoes.
   
   Personally, I prefer covered shoes and partly due to the fact that many ladies don't pay enough attention to their pedicure which can be quite horrendous in a pair of open toed shoe. Then again, covered shoes may encourage the ladies to continue to be tardy with their pedicure as out of sight, out of mind. So I guess there are pros and cons in a covered shoe. Still, I prefer the prior because they look better on the lady. Personal preference, of course.
   
   Perhaps almost due to our Singaporean culture where we leave our shoes at the front door then walking inside the house in slippers or bare feet, the wardrobe is, as a result, separated from the shoes, where the prior is in the bedroom or next to it. In other words, the ladies would pick the shoes after they have picked the dress.
   
   Try this for a change, do the opposite and pick a dress to match the shoes. Go out to the shoe cabinet (if you don't own a walk-in wardrobe like Carrie Bradshaw), pick out the shoes you would wear for the day, then come back in to pick out a matching outfit to go with. You'd be surprised how different the whole experience would be.
   
   
2. Bags - That's my daughter's second word after "papa". There is no need to starve yourself silly in order to get that Hermes. Get something nice within your means, if the prior is too rich for your blood.
   
   Seriously, what is the point of living on bread and water for 2 months just to get that Louis Vuitton? If it is deemed out of your league, people are going to assume that you are carrying a fake anyway.
   
   Then there is the issue of "fad". It's has an expiry date that it will go out of style at some point in time. So after you have painstakingly plonked $$$$$ on that latest "IT" bag, what do you do with it when it is no longer in fashion?
   
   Rather than selling a kidney to get that one mega-expensive Prada, why not buy 3 nice classic Coach or Kate Spade?
   
   
   
   

   Kate Spade - Classic Noel Tracy Bucket

   
   

   D&G Dolce & Gabbana - Small Tote With Strap

   
   Anyway, a nice tote is a must-have as ladies have been known to carry shitloads of rubbish with them. That's all fine and dandy for the working weekday but come the weekend, a nice shoulder sling or handbag would be better.
   
   Now come the evening where dressing takes a bit more than just the usual, a quaint little clutch is a Yes, especially if you are wearing something strapless. The word strapless means no strap from the dress and neither from the bag. Think about it, strapless because you want to flaunt that beautiful curvy shoulders of yours. So wouldn't you agree that it is really dumb to put the strap back on with the bag?
   
   If you are worried about the tiny little clutch not being able to hold in everything, there is this other thing that would resolve that problem.
   
   It's called the man's pocket. Just hand it to the guy to hold it for you.
   
   
3. Outfits. It's the 80-20 rule. You wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time. Perhaps it's time to take stock of your wardrobe and you'd be surprised to discover how many new outfits you actually have to choose from inside. Add a little mix and match, the number is even bigger.
   
   Now, new outfits do not necessarily translate to good ones. There will be those what-was-I-thinking-when-I-bought-that types. I say, clear them out. Sell it, donate it. Just don't hoard it. Make space for new outfits to come in.
   
   As for accessories, it is better to keep it simple. There's a thin line separating crass and class. Don't over-bling yourself. Especially the ears, don't overload it with ear chandeliers that are so heavy that they threatened to rip the flesh off your earlobes.
   
   Guys prefer to kiss the naked nape of the neck, nibble the back of the shoulder and flick the lobes of the ears, without having endure a mouthful of jewelry.
   
   Oh yes, throw in a nice scent while we are at it. Thanks in advance!
   
   
4. Underwear. Granny panties are for grannies. Period. Wear something that you would enjoy looking yourself in the mirror. Doesn't matter if the average guy on the street will never get to see it. It's your own little secret.
   
   There is nothing sexier than being in power.
   
   So what's is so special about underwear? If you think about it, it represents the last line of defense to finally reach the land of milk and honey. Men are weakest at this point in time. Call it the thunderous calm before the storm, the blinding darkness before the dawn, the shattering tension before the orgasm.
   
   Oh yes, one more thing, please get rid of the Hello Kitty, Dear Daniel, Winnie The Pooh, Ultraman, Cars, The Incredibles, Toy Story, Barbie Doll, My Little Pony, Care Bear, Spongebob Squarepants, Dora The Explorer, Snow White, Mulan, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Pochahontas, Powerpuff Girls, and Kim Possible matching underwear set if you have past your 6th birthday.
   
   
5. You. Last but not least, you, yourself and you. The above points (1) to (4) are nothing if you can't get Point (5) right. The above points are sitting on the basic foundation of You. If you don't feel good about yourself, none of the above will do anything for you. You may wear the nicest outfit, shoes and carry the most fabulous bag, it would still amount to nothing if you look and feel like a train wreck. Just the basic proper eating, proper rest, and proper water intake will see you in good stead.
   
   Oh yes and GET OFF that lazy butt and get some exercise! Get the muscles toned and your heart rate up. Put that glow back on your cheeks and I don't mean the rouge kind.
   
   
6. Smile. 'nuff said.

Shop Vintage @ Style Guni!

Vintage never fails to awe - full of character, form, and personality, which is why vintage can be phenomenal with its naturally imbued class and elegance.

Vintage is about nostalgia, and being one of its kind, each garment is essentially a capsule of the past, allowing us to relive it as we don them.


Style Damsel has scoured vintage dresses and bags from the UK and USA and proudly presents to you:

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Beautifully printed one-piece poly-blend dress, SGD 119.00

One-Piece Peplum Dress

Uniquely worn peplum silhouette with button detailings, SGD 129.00


Pleated Rainbow

Gorgeous heat-set pleats with contrasting colors, SGD 149.00


Gold Bauble Bag

Stylish, functional and durable 2-way leather hand carrier, SGD 40.00


Grab our Vintage Dresses and our Vintage Bags over at Style Guni now!





From left to right: Buckle my red pumps, Turquoise Debutante,
Carmine peep toes & ankle straps

Also check out some stylish yet affordable brand new shoes at Style Guni today!

Vivienne Westwood collaborates with Melissa shoes

Remember those oh-so cute and yummy jelly shoes from Melissa?

Ultra girl, Campana heel,Campana Zig-Zag, Campana heel, Scarfun gumboot

In recent years, the Brazilian brand has been collaborating with well-known designers like Zaha Hadid (architect), Campana Brothers (materials guru), and Judy Blame (fashion/jewellery).

Melissa 2008 Anglomania Collection

The new 2008 collection from Melissa boast of an impressive Anglomania-inspired collaboration with punk legend, Vivienne Westwood. In this collection, Westwood's classic leather Mary Jane from her winter 2000 collection 'Summertime' has been reborn into Melissa's signature use of plastic.

Ultra girl and Mary Jane

Melissa's ultra girl mary janes under the Anglomania Collection comes in floc (with a tartan inner) or gloss (with a floral inner)

Ultra girl - Anglomania style

So update your shoe closet and shop from your own Melissa's here today!




Image source from www.melissaaustralia.com.au

Fashion Is Plastic

I'm in love with Phu Chu Kang.
Well, not exactly the moley contractor guy, but those bright hot yellow boots.

travelpenang.com

Though, it's not so ubiquitous here in sunny Singapore - since our government loves to pamper us with leveled roads and proper tilings - but I still got my wellingtons from London.

Surprising, they are comfortable to be in. Soft, flexible, and best of it all...CUTE!

My very own

They cost me about GBP30, that converts to about SGD87. The shop owner told me they were used for gardening, but that's just as far as it goes. I always believe personal style is yours to interpret.


Online shop Bootkidz sells really cute wellies, ranging from sizes 4-9, depending on the designs.

http://www.bootkidz.co.uk/pink-wellie-boots/


If online shopping ain't your cuppa, try dropping by 33 Erskine Road. Located at the ground floor, Eggthree, is a trendy lifestyle concept store founded by three partners. They were the only local people who brought in stylish wellingtons back when they were only fit for wrinkled-face gardeners.
Learn more about them at www.eggthree.com

Eggthree.com

Alternatively, you can visit the newly refurbished Raffles City Shopping Centre, that houses a novo fashion retail store which bring in independent labels like J.Lo, Betsey Johnsen, Francesca Biasa, etc.
(I spotted some high-end Wellingtons when I was there last week)
They have more sophisticated prints like animal-skin motifs; leopards and zebras.

Be sure to be bold & stylish!