Monday, February 28, 2011
Fashion statement
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
Okay, here’s the deal. Take a close look at this image in my post and tell me what you think of the T-shirts.If you like them then I have news for you.When you spend RM450 and above in a single receipt at specialty stores at The Gardens Mall, you get one of these blue T-shirts for free. If you are an HSBC credit cardholders like me you need to spend a minimum of only RM400 instead.
These aquamarine blue Ts with the cream and pastel green floral motifs are limited editions. They have been specially commissioned for The Gardens Mall Fashion Week 2009 taking place from April 15 to 20. The designs are inspired by nature.
Many of you must have heard or even bought Graffitee’s range of very “individual” and funky T-shirts. The designs revolve around a concept – to be the voice of the wearer.
Allan Chan, CEO and Co-Founder of Graffitee, is one half of the designer for these brilliant T-shirts,
which is actually called Graffi Tee. Graffitee Sdn Bhd is the company that manages the label.
The other half of this business partnership is Tino. Together they are the people behind Salabianca (every Malaysian woman’s dream boutique) started in 1999 and philosophy-Men, which was born in 2001.
So, if you like the Ts then you know where to be on the dates of the The Gardens Mall Fashion Week 2009.
Masterpiece in writing
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
Have any of you wondered why people are willing to pay so much on a writing instrument? It actually stuns me every time I look at the prices of some of the world’s most recognized brands. I mean, some of these designer pieces cost even more than a landed property!Well, I might not be one of those people who will ever own or afford such luxurious items but it’s never a waste to know what’s out there and unattained by some of us.
Somewhere in March I received some releases for Namiki pens. I was intrigued simply because the designs of these pens are just so intricately unique.
Crafting these masterpieces involved a technique called Maki-e. The process uses a lot of layering and the patterns and decorations are made using sap from Urushi, a Japanese lacquer tree.
This technique used by Japan’s master artists is one of the country’s oldest traditional craft, passed down for generations and is mastered by a select few.
Gold and silver dusts are sprinkled on the first few layers. The base is then lacquered before it is given a high gloss. The masters then add even more patterns to complete their works of art.
Namiki is a division of the Pilot Corporation. And the brand name Namiki was taken from the founder of Pilot Pen Ryosuke Namiki.
Pilot Corporation, started in 1918 is the largest and oldest manufacturer of writing instruments based in Japan.
Namiki Maki-e pens come in various styles, their distinctive feature being their 18-carat gold or lacquer finishes.
Namiki’s handpainted Maki-e writing instruments come with a lifetime guarantee.
This year, Nakimi has come out with four designs for its Yukari Collection. Each speaks of the beauty of nature – Autumn Leaves, Bamboo, Turtle and Sakura & Swallows.
And now for the shocker! The Namiki Yukari Collection retails at: Yukari Autumn Leaves and Yukari Bamboo is SGD4,300 (appx RM10,218) and Yukari Turtle and Yukari Sakura & Swallows is SGD6,300 (RM14.964).
Happy salivating!
Fashion and fun at Mumm's
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
It’s the F1 season again and a lot more things are happening in KL.I am back in town for a few weeks and it’s good that this return coincides with the F1 season.
My friends have been pulling me left and right to attend launches and parties in conjunction with the F1. I accepted a few and declined several as I have a tight schedule this time around in KL.
Today’s short “visit” to a newly opened fashion house in Telawi (Bangsar) turned into an even longer outing for me. My friend coaxed me to attend Mumm F1 Celebration Party held at the concourse of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. And I’m glad I went.
It was a well-put-together event at a reasonably big venue and although it is a fairly grand affair with free-flowing champagne throughout the night attended by well-heeled guests, it was not superficial or snobbish.
G.H. Mumm, which is exclusively distributed by Pernod Richard Malaysia, is the official champagne for the 2009 FIA (Federation Internationale de I’Automobile) Formula One World Championship. It has been the official champagne for the Championship since 2000. Winners of the race will pop the Cordon Rouge, the signature cuvee of G.H. Mumm, at the podium celebrating their victory.
Also unveiled on the night was the quartz size (750ml) G.H. Mumm Limited Edition Tin-Box Casing, available exclusively at G.H. Mumm’s F1 Lounge at the Couture Area on Level Three of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. The casing has been specially designed for the Cordon Rouge champagne. A tasting session is conducted between 5pm and 7pm at the Lounge on weekdays.
Mumm F1 Celebration Party is spread over five days, featuring a series of private cocktail receptions in the evening at the same venue. The event also involves Malaysia’s leader in luxury goods retailing, the Valiram Group.
Four of Valiram’s prestigious fashion label – Chloe, Coach, Giuseppe Zanotti and Shanghai Tang – showcased their Spring/Summer 2009 Collection during the event.
One showcase stood out prominently that evening – the exquisitely designed footwear by Giuseppe Zanotti. I like the fact that the shoes were “served” for all to see on trays, carried along on the runway by four male models.
The Giuseppe Zanotti Spring Summer 2009 Collection is all about freshness translated through the bright colours used in most of the designs that feature simple flats to cut-out wedges, platform shoes and stilettos.
A complete stranger who was standing to my right turned to me at the end of the showcase and said in the most satisfied voice: “So beautiful!” And I know she really meant it because the shoes were more than just beautiful. They are almost artistically crafted.
The three other labels had their very own individual strengths. Strong shades of blues and reds used in dresses and shorts brought the unmistakable fun element to the designs. Tops were matched with electric blue and shocking pink leggings. And earth colours still dominate, with the occasional greens, reds and yellows added to jazz things up.
It was a promising evening that opened the senses to the tasteful world of fashion and living.
Classy Dutti
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Simply stylish, that’s how I would describe Massimo Dutti’s Spring Summer 2009 collection.The launch of this new arrival held at its outlet at The Gardens, MidValley Mall was also a fun event. There was no uncomfortable, stuck up feel to the launch although it was no doubt stylish and classy.
There were lots of red and white wines, polite wait staffs who genuinely smile as they greet guests and invite us to the petite cocktail snacks.
Simple designs and colours that appeal.
A famed, upscale Spanish fashion label, Massimo Dutti overflows with incredible fashion sense as well as friendly personnel.
The sales team was friendly and unobtrusive while the CEO of RSH Malaysia (which is the advertising agency for the label), OP Gupta even stood outside the main entrance to personally welcome guests.
I seriously fell in love with the leather jackets for both men and women that come in tan leather. And that was when Sandy Lim, Brand Manager for Massimo Dutti Malaysia came over and explained a little bit about the label’s latest collection.
Sandy looked stunning in this simple, low-waist baggy casual pants, teamed with a little vest and the most comfortable looking cream-coloured T-shirt. A long scarf in matching colours was draped around her neck.
“All these are from Massimo Dutti,” she said.
Stylish and sophisticated - something for the guys.
This ensemble has so much chic appeal that I doubt any woman would feel the pinch in her purse if she was to get a pair for herself.
There was also a fashion showcase and which better emcee should highlight the evening if not Bernie Chan herself. Bernie was dressed in a Massimo Dutti shift dress in floral print. This particular design comes in three colours, which the models wore on the runway on the evening. But, if truth be told, it never looked as good as it did on Bernie.
While Bernie took the liberty to sing praises for the label, saying she likes the label’s prints as they are “pretty, easy to wear and versatile”, her words didn’t come across as sounding cliché because looking at the collection, Bernie’s words ring true.
Bernie (R) looks so right in the Massimo Dutti shift dress.
Massimo Dutti’s Spring Summer 2009 collection was all about “floral prints, embroidery, cotton elegance and cashmere” in soft pastel tones that spell “romanticism”. Massimo Dutti is all about common fashion sense, comfort to skin, and most of all, it is not snobbish.
There are four Massimo Dutti’s boutiques in the Klang Valley – Bangsar Village II, The Gardens MidValley City, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and One Utama Shopping Centre.
Take your pick and have a blast, even if you are just browsing through. In your next visit, you are bound to bring home a piece or two. My partner did.
Big game plan for F1
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A lot has been happening since early March to promote Puma’s upcoming Furio Live Party scheduled for April 3 at Frangipani. The event, besides being in conjunction with Puma’s 10 years involvement in the F1 is also a celebration of Puma’s full Ferrari collection.All eyes should be focused on the Puma Ferrari-Furio shoe, selected as the brand’s lead product.
There was also a media party where Puma presented its latest Furio F1 campaign as well as the Puma Ferrari apparel and accessories collection.
Daryl B who is also one of Malaysia’s most talented and popular club deejays, emceed the event. Puma (Malaysia)’s General Manager Peter Xavier conducted the presentation.
It was a very casual event, which was also attended by Puma’s Motorsports ambassadors Belinda Chee, club deejay Daryl B, singer Fauziah Latiff, racer Leona Chin, TV/radio personalities Ben Loh, Hafiz Hatim and Kumaresan.
Promotions for the party included appearances by NTV 7 Patrol on Saturdays at various locations where party invites were given out on a first-come-first-serve basis. The last appearance by the Patrol will be on this Saturday, March 28 at the Puma Concept Store, Sunway Pyramid.
If you are lucky, the invites may just be available still. Get to the location and find out what you have to do to get an invite.
Deejays Daryl B and Phabes will be there to help the consoles and provide music to spice up the day.
If you can’t be at Sunway Pyramid this Saturday then make sure you are at RSH's Studio R at MidValley Megamall on Sunday, March 29 instead. Those intending to shop can enjoy a 10% discount for all Puma F1 merchandise for both Saturday and Sunday.
At the party, guests will be participating in lucky draws to win exclusive Puma Ferrari merchandise - Puma Ferrari-Furio shoes, Puma F1 bags and Puma Ferrari Team-wear tops.
Ten Corporate Suite tickets for the F1 race on April 5 in Sepang will also be up for grabs. If you win any one of these tickets, you will enjoy nothing but the best at the Puma Grandstand air-conditioned room where sumptuous food and beverages will be served to you.
But if luck also give you a miss and you do not have this special ticket in the palm of your hand then you can buy one during the Puma Furio party. How’s that for compensation?
Pull 'em in
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Check this out. I quite like the look of Pull and Bear Spring Summer 2009 collection, which was launched recently at the Pull and Bear Pavilion KL outlet.This season’s look is again very much in line with the label’s concept that leans towards clothes that are wearable – casual and laidback.
I’m not too sure if that is what the targeted younger market looks for in their clothes but Pull and Bear is definitely about catering to this particular segment.
The Pull and Bear latest collection at its Pavilion KL outlet.
Started in 1991, Pull and Bear today can be found in 27 countries with several hundred stores throughout.
The entire concept behind the label is focused on catering to what it described as “basic fashion style”. All its designs are built around three main factors: fashion, price and quality.
It takes “fashion to the public”, youngsters being its main inspiration.
The Spring Summer collection is all about that country feel, a little bit of rock, skater boys and girls and even the hippies of the 60s.
Fancy these Ts and accessories for the girls?
There are a lot of earth tones and washed out colours as well as bright and breezy shirts and Ts that even come in flowery prints.
Part of the season’s inspiration also comes from Venice Beach. You will see a lot of nylon jackets worn over baggy jeans and trainers, bleached trousers with tears and stitching and mini shorts for the girls.
And where does the hippie look come in? Well, there’s the Bedouin trousers, skinny pants, ragged Ts and T-shirts with torn necks as well as headscarves.
Take your pick girls. These are all for you.
Perhaps Pull and Bear’s T-shirt collection using prints of record covers of bands from the era in which The Doors and Jim Morrison were born might be a big interest to trendy youngsters.
For the next three months, you can catch Malaysia’s younger generation rock group, One Buck Short (OBS) as the brand personalities for Pull and Bear in Malaysia.
Biggest women's boutique
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“55 years of ideas and desires turned into reality”, that’s the story of the MaxMara empire, which started in 1951 by a law graduate who made dressmaking his full-time career.Founding designer Achille Maramotti was simply following his great grandmother, Mirana Rinaldi’s footsteps.
Is that huge or what? MaxMara's latest gift to Malaysian women.
At the end of the 19th Century, when dressmaking was regarded only as a “handicraft activity”, Rinaldi was already running a high class atelier in the heart of Reggio Emilia.
This is a brilliant success story of an Italian designer who everyone wants to love. Even the young ladies crave for his designs. So by the end of the 60s
Maramotti came up with his Sportmax collection, targeted at young women who want a style to call their own.
Such a feast for the eyes at the boutique.
Maramotti designs all share three common features - style, quality and respect for personality.Individuality is Key in all of MaxMara’s designs. Its recently opened boutique at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur houses all seven brand lines – Max Mara, Studio, Sporstmax, Sportmax Code, ‘S MM, Weekend and MM
Elegante. Each has its own identity and “feel”. There is a little something in each line.
Shoes, shoes and even more shoes.
Among these seven lines, MM Elegante is by far the most expensive. Only the best material is used in producing the pieces from this collection – silk, fur and duchess satin come complete with intricate finishing and embroidery work.
A little bit more relaxed and casual would be the selections from the Sportmax Code and Weekend, which have a more sporty and casual air about them.
Maramotti thrived on the philosophy “to create clothing that is understated, easy to wear in luxury fabrics with an emphasis on quality, cut and production”. If you are a woman “with a flair for fashion and an eye for luxury” then MaxMara loves you.
What's in for Spring
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MaxMara Spring 2009 collection revolves around four themes, one of which is inspired by the movie To Catch A Thief.All these four themes share one common trait – the characters of a woman and for MaxMara Grace Kelly is the icon for its collection.
The spring collection salutes women on the go, women who lead a jet set life, enjoying the company of the cream of society. I see images of slim bodies and long legs lounging by the pool in the evenings sipping champagne.
Okay, get real. These are just some of the images I get from reading the press releases. If truth be told I think a majority of women frequently seen at high-end boutiques are actually rich dames whose husbands have a bottomless paycheck. I’m not one of them but yes, I love dressing good.
These chic collection would be more up my alley.
And, MaxMara has some cool designs from its newest arrival.
Its colours for spring include some earth tones, greens and blues, some reds and the more vibrant and daring like fuschia, yellow, orange, purple and pink.
Those who attended the grand opening launch of MaxMara’s boutique in KL (read yesterday’s posting) were treated to a special fashion show highlighting designs that were exclusively flown in from Italy for the event.
Been there, done that. No more genie looks for me in 2009.
The genie pants made famous by M.C. Hammer seemed to dominate the runway. I don’t really care for these pants especially not in 2009. I’ve worn all that I could in the old days and nothing beats the designs and colour choice that M.C. Hammer brought to life. If anyone wants to bring back the genie pants, they better have some life injected to them.
The special selection for the runway.
Anyway. Let’s have a look at what was featured on the runway – the pieces that got my head nodding and the ones that made me say: No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my style (oops, sorry, can’t resist that).
Grand entrance
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
Here’s a toast to all we beautiful women living in Malaysia. Why am I toasting? MaxMara just gave us the biggest women’s wear boutique in Malaysia!Whether or not you are a MaxMara fan, or that you can or cannot afford any of MaxMara’s collection, this salute is a show of appreciation that we women are appreciated. What better gift for a woman.
March 12 is a significant day especially to MaxMara. It celebrated the opening of the boutique with a cocktail party done in grand style of course. The boutique located on the Couture Level of the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is also its largest in South East Asia. How’s that for a double score?
The occasion was graced by many a famous face. Also present were Gian Maria Fornero who is the MD of International Fashion Trading under the MaxMara Group and the Ambassador of Italy, Alessandro Busacca.
Before I bring you MaxMara’s Spring 2009 collection, let’s take a peak at some of my favourite looks on the evening.
Stunning lady versus stunning dress!
Evening stars.
My! What huge handbags you ladies have.
