April 2012 Memories

It's a little quite this month but this does not mean we don't have quality original materials for the readers.

For our [Un]Discovers section, we have a very talented shoe designer Chi Yuen and also a menswear designer named Kay Kwok.

As for Swide, we are lucky to have Maelle Rajoelisolo and Joshua David McKenney as our featured artists and they are both brilliant illustrators!

Well recently we are addicted to a tumnblr site and we want to use this opportunity to show them to you. Lana Del Rey Dancing is probably one of the most random sites we have ever seen. The title speaks for itself so enjoy some dancing images of Lana Del Rey. If you are having a bad day today, we recommend you to give this  site a try.

Ray of Inspirology: Harry Winston S/S 2012 Campaign

Harry Winston has released the new campaign series recently and it features super model Freja Beha Erichsen. All I can say is Freja is absolutely beautiful and gorgeous here and I cannot think of a better person to be the campaign girl for this brand! What do you think?

Courtesy of Harry Winston (source:designscene)

Art[s]ense: Joshua David McKenney

It's such a wonder to look at Joshau David McKenney's illustration works because they are very whimsical, magical and of course, beautiful. All the girls he has illustrated so far have their own unique characters and they look very mysterious to me. This week, it is my honour to have him on Swide!

Trendology: Alexander McQueen Black & White Punk Shell Clutch

Alexander McQueen is very famous for its clutch and I have to say, this version is probably the best one to date.

The outer shell of the clutch is decorated by shells and plastic rhinestones which injects a punk edge to the design. Also, the punk skull clasp closure is decorated by Swarovski crystals which you will fall in love immediately (it applies to me). This is definitely something unique and it will require a person who has a high self confidence level to carry the clutch. What do you think?

Courtesy of Ssense

Trendology: Maison Martin Margiela Painted Transparent Boots

I always have a thing for Maison Martin Margiela's painted products and of course, this pair of women's boots has completely caught my eyes. It is from the S/S 2012 collection and yes, I am loving the dark brown paint all over it and the rubber plastic heel is really cool (fits this season's trend). If you want to drop $100 on a piece of cool item, please consider this.

Please click here for more information.

Courtesy of Ssense

Trendology: Comme Des Garcon Homme Plus Pink Esther Twill Treated Jacket

Admit it, I am addicted to pink lately and I am in love with this jacket!

It is one of the most colourful pieces from Comme Des Garcon Homme Plus S/S 2012 collection and I like the design a lot. The military influence can be seen on the shoulder area and the ripped design has made the jacket very edgy and cool. Of course, the pink colour is completely throwing a lot of people off guard and if you are dare to take this fashion risk, you should definitely invest it immediately.

Ray of Inspirology: The Installation of Creation

I am completely in love with this editorial. Everything is perfect!

This series is shot by Fan Xin and it is featured in the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar China. Lucia Liu, the stylist, has transformed Xiaomeng Huang into some elegant god-like figures. What impress me the most is the addition of the digital floral element, this makes the editorial to look unique and refreshing. This is such a high class series and I am hoping Fan Xin and Lucia Liu can work on another project in the near future!

Bravo!

Ray of Inspirology: Street Cult

If this were a street style photography series, I would not mind to follow this site for the rest of my life.

This editorial (yeah, is an editorial, sadly) is shot by Oskar Cecere and it is featured in MFL Magazine. The models (Amanda Queiroz, Hannare Blaauboer, Susan Storck, Andrea Bellisario, Cristian Grib, and Stefan Knezevic) are all dressed in some high end fashion pieces but somehow, I feel like they are posing for street style photographers. Don't get me wrong, I am in love with this series and I also hope street style photographers to take this as reference and spice up their images. It has been years and I think it is about time for street style photographers to evolve to something different.

Please click here to see the complete series.

Trendology: Starkers! Corsetry at |FAT| 2012

One of the major highlights in every year's |FAT| is the Starkers! Corsetry runway show. Of course, this year Dianna DiNoble continued to amaze me with her amazing collection!

Aside from the amazing corsets, DiNoble also presented some amazing dresses, which had made a lot of the audience dropped their jaws (in a good way of course). The final number was the most memorable one as I felt that model had the classiest ensemble I had seen in |FAT| this year!

Take a look at the images below and let me know what you think.

Game[On]: Burberry World Live in Taipei

Back in the days, a store's opening party only involved guests, music and of course, wine. Nowadays, however, the gameplan has completely changed and it also involved technology.

On April 26 2012, Christopher Bailey hosted the first Burberry World Live in Taipei 101 (also the first flagship store in Taipei). The event was "staged in a custom cylindrical space, combined an 8 part 360° film, live musical performance and digital weather experience, all directed by Christopher Bailey". If you are familiar with the Asian entertainment business, you will be happy to know Jolin Tsai (who was also the co-host of this event) and Jessica from Girls Generation were some of the celebrities attended the event. Below you can experience the Burberry World Live once again on Youtube. Trust me, it's amazing!

P.S This Burberry World Live will come to London, Hong Kong and Chicago (send me there please) later this year! Keep an eye on this blog as I will give you the latest news!

Christopher Bailey and Jolie Tsai

Christopher Bailey and Angela Ahrendts

Courtesy of Burberry

Fashionist[On The Go]: Born This Way

Let's get to business!

To all your little monsters out there living in Asia, you must be excited to know the Born This Way Ball is going to kick off this Friday (today!) in South Korea. If you are still thinking if you want to see this tour, you can now take a look at the costume sketches illustrated by Giorgio Armani. My verdict is, you should get a ticket and see it, I think it will worth the money. [Read Here]

Not too sure how this instruments outfit will work out in real life, but is cool! (source: the Fashionist)

We all love Sonia Rykiel but we didn't know she is actually suffered from a disease until now. Rykiel has released a new book called N'oubliez pas que je joue (Don't forget it's a game) and in there, she tells the readers that she has Parkinson's Disease for more than 15 years. It's a very sad news to hear but I am glad she is not keeping this secret any longer. [Read Here]

Hope one day there will be a cure for this disease... (source: the Fashionist) 

Trendology: Linda Farrow x Prabal Gurung Sunglasses

I love Linda Farrow and Prabal Gurung so when these 2 brands work together to create a capsule collection, I know everything is going to be flawless.

This collection consists of 1 design with 3 different colourways. I am in love with the abstract butterfly design of the frame and the green and purple versions are my favourites. It's chic and fun and I think it is a very nice investment piece. You can look at the other versions here.

Courtesy of Linda Farrow

[Un]Discovers: Kay Kwok

Kay Kwok, one of the menswear designers I have my eyes on ever since I visited the University of Arts London website. The amazing print that involves shade and light has really pushed the digital print envelope and I cannot stop thinking abut one of the suits. Today is a very lucky day for me as I have the opportunity to feature this amazing talent on this site. Now let's learn more about Kay and his brand!

Hi Kay, thanks for letting me to feature on [Un]Discovers this week. So to start off this interview, let me start with this question: I know you have studied in Hong Kong Polytechnic University before, what made you want to go to University of Arts London to continue your master degree?
It was a wield story, it was my dream to study abroad; however, I didn't think I would do it. One day, a friend of mine told me that the course director from London came to Hong Kong for to interview some Hong Kong fashion design students. At that time, my friend was accepted and she told me that the result would be announced right after the interview. How excited was that! For me to attend the interview was a way to examine my ability and see if I was qualified to be a MA Level fashion design student. Well, in the end, I got the offer and studied menswear design in LCF.

Trendology: Y-3 Oriah

Heelless shoes has become a trend in the past 2 years and this season, another brand has decided to join this trend.

The following pair is from the S/S 2012 collection of Y-3 and it is a very outstanding piece. The skeleton detail on the sock is making the boots fun to wear. The yellow parts that connect the upper and bottom soles have made the piece really stand out. If you needs to find some fun shoes to wear for this season, please consider this.

Courtesy of Y-3

Graphicology: Energy Beings

How cool are these images?

These images are created by Kouji Oshiro Kochi and I am in love with every single piece in this series. The rays, the colours and the patterns give out a very cool futuristic vibe and the best part is, you can still recognize the facial features of the characters. If I could get a self portrait like this in the future, that would be great!

Please click here to see the complete series.

Trendology: Sully Wong SWJ Heavyweight Sneaker

Sneakers by Canadian designers? Why not? It's cool!

Sully Wong is a Canadian sneaker brand  created by George Sully and Henry Wong. SW J Heavyweight is the latest limited edition collection from the brand and it is inspired by champion boxer, Jack Johnson. The special element about this pair of sneakers is it is made of vegan leather so it is eco-friendly. The sneaker comes in 8 different colourways: Bad Man Blue, Rampage Red, Welter White, Cassius Cream, Glory Grey, Downtown Brown, Champ Black and my favourite Mean Tangerine.

This collection are selling at GotStyle, Community 54, Proper Reserve, Bait Shop and UB. Now, please consider to make size 7 in the future so I can own a pair, pretty please?

Time[less]: Antoine Martin Quantieme Perpetual au Grand Blancier

The watch may look simple, but the technology behind it is way more complicated than you could imagine.

This watch is designed by Antoine Martin and it is equipped with perpetual calender. What that means is the calendar will automatically jump to the first of next month for February, April, June, September and November once the watch hits 12:00am. The other cool feature of this watch is there is a specific dial telling you whether it is am or pm at the moment. I think this is a very neat factor. You can click here for more information.

Courtesy of Antoine Martin 

Ray of Inspirology: Forbidden Love

What a breathtaking editorial!

This series is shot by An Le and featured in Dep Magazine. I love how the images are very intense and dark. Huyen Trang, Sean Thompson and Stan Jouk look amazing in here and I really like the story behind these images. What do you think? Are you a fan?

Trendology: Puma Alexander McQueen Low Canvas Street Cllmb

While I am still waiting for the Puma x Alexander McQueen F/W 2012 sneakers collection (they are pretty amazing and I cannot stop thinking about the Union Jack style), I do have my eyes on this design from the S/S collection when I was at Browns the other day.

The things that have caught my attentions include the bold colour on the tongue, the woven texture on the sides and also the teeth-like shapes on the front. Seriously, when you know this is a collaboration with Alexander McQueen, we all should know the design should be edgy.

If you like high top sneakers, you should also take a look here as there are a few good ones from this collection as well.

My final advice for you about this collection is: Do not wait because this collection is selling like hot cakes.

Courtesy of Puma 

Artology: Hermès ‘Petit H’ Creative Lab

What will you do when you have leftover Hermès goods? Well, you create art with them!

Since 2009, Hermès has started a project called Hermès ‘Petit H’ Creative Lab which the team turns leftovers into some practical arts. Some of the cool items include a Kelly Bag clock, a cabinet made out of scarves and the cool leather bear sculpture.

What will you do if you have leftover goodies from Hermès? (besides selling them)

Courtesy of Hermès (source:highsnobiety)

Ray of Inspirology: Burberry April Campaign Part 4

The end is here and today I present you the last April campaign from Burberry for the eyewear collection.

This week The Daydream Club is the featured band picked by Christopher Bailey for this campaign. Just like the previous 3 campaign images, this one is also done in black and white and I really like it. It's classy and timeless. Of course, the band also has a music video for this campaign and the song is called Neon Love Song (Part II).

I hope you enjoy this April campaign as much as I do!

Courtesy of Burberry

Ray of Inspirology: Lady Dior S/S 2012 Campaign

Marion Cotillard continues to be the face of Lady Dior and I love this campaign series shot by Peter Lindbergh. The black and white one has a flawless composition and I especially like the curve shape of the roof. The colour one has a very nice spiral effect, which helps our eyes to stay on Marion and the bag.

What do you think?

Courtesy of Christian Dior

Trendology: Dsquared2 Leather Sleeve Hells Angels Hoodie

If not because of the price tag, I probably would have bought it in a heart beat.

From the latest collection of Dsquared2, I completely fall in love with the design of this jacket. It combines denim vest, leather jacket and hoodie to create one fusion outerwear. The cutting looks great and I think it is extremely edgy. Well, what do you think?

Courtesy of Ssense

Ray of Inspirology: Cool/Classic

It's always exciting to see Todd Anthony Tyler's works on Fantasticsmag and today I have to show you this. I really like the lighting of this series as the red and blue colours have created a very bold and electrifying vibes of the images. The composition is great, especially the portraits ones. What do you think? You can click here to see the complete editorial.

Courtesy of Todd Anthony Tayler (source: Fantasticsmag)