Stealing the limelight

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

What I love most about the Tongue in Chic party was the set-up and how a lot of thought had been given to the decor.

Four areas were specifically designed for the party and each of these areas carried a special theme.

These spaces were used to showcase the works of local creative talents Cris Yong, a clothes stylist and fashion stylists Daniel Henry and Calvin Cheong. Kudos to the organizer for their efforts.

Most interesting at the party however were the adorable 200 handmade dolls (they used to be called rag dolls really) dressed in various outfits.

What happened was the dolls were given out to people in the creative industry such as music and advertising. And these people in turn dressed up these dolls in any and every fashionable way they could think of. The result was an attractive and most artistic display of trendy wears specially designed for the occasion by some of our very own local talents.

Now the sad news is I didn't get to pinch even one of those dolls! But that is not bad news because you weren't supposed to remove them from any of the three boards they were displayed on. Note that I said "weren't", which means some people did..., lucky devils!

So, since I didn't get those adorable lifeless creatures I bring you the real thing instead. Check out the last three trendsetters who came for Tongue and Chic's party.

Process Engineer Su-Yen had on this simple off-shoulder Boho dress matched with black handbag and suede pumps. I love the fact that she had her mum's necklace for that vintage look, which makes everything else falls neatly in place.

Su-Yen so sweet.

In-house Counsel Ho Phei Phei was all out for a fun night in her Sevendays top, Tea & Sympathy skirt, Topshop shoe and Miu Miu handbag.

Ho Phei Phei isn't your shy girl-next-door, seen here in her black and white ensemble.

My last favorite "doll" is April Kuan; Junk's Managing Editor who has a thing for simple but sexy blouses. Three things I like on April are her pendant, her shoes and her oh-so-red belt. Whip it girl.

April Kuan sticks to her fashion guideline - keep it simple but sexy.

A flair for flavour

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

Who would you expect as guests to a fashion and beauty website launch? The creative types of course and there were many at the official launch of web magazine Tongue in Chic.

Tongue in Chic is under the umbrella of Free Form, which also owns Junk and Klue. The site has been up for over a month under its celebrity blogger editor Joyce Wong.

This is one party that saw many "fun" people who came dressed to please - not only for themselves but the fashion scene as well.

There were all kinds of "looks" but I coaxed the more classy dressers to pose for the camera so I could share their fashion sense with readers here.

My favorite was Jacinta Cheng's outfit. Jacinta, who is in interior design, carried off her look effortlessly. Her fashion sense is modern and upbeat and very "individual".

Her vest, pants and shoes are from Bundle, her belt a Uniqlo and her YSL bag.

Jacinta Chen stands out among the rest with her spot-on fashion sense.

Fashion Stylist Daniel Henry won me over with his suede patchwork boots, which a friend picked up from a flea mart store Toko Teratai and gave it to him for free. Daniel complemented the boots with a Dior Homme jacket, Mc Queen's belt, Cheap Monday's jeans and his interesting Vivienne Westwood bag.

Daniel Henry dares to be different with his unique boots.

Calvin Cheong of Fabrique, a fashion styling company, go for what he calls electro funk fashion. He stood out among the crowd with his red tartan pants and silver shoes.

Red and silver - that's Calvin Cheong for you.

I have three more of my favourite dressers (well five actually but one got lost in the "post" so I can't use the fifth) on the night so check out who they are in my next post and pick up some pointers from them.

Hot chicks on a cold day

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

Bangsar was wet from the heavy rain last Wednesday night but my friends and I were in good mood as we headed for Valentine Willie to catch the evening's function. One of them had invited me to the event, which he described as a very chic do, which I should add to my blog.

The event was the launch of Bombay Sapphire/Valentine Willie's Art Projects 2008 (BSAP08), which kick-start next month. The BSAP2008 is a mini art festival that encourages and supports the works and ideas of artists from Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Bombay Sapphire, under Bacardi-Martini Malaysia, has for several years now been actively promoting arty-lifestyle related events, catching the attention of the trendy and creative groups. Designers like Karim Rashim, Marcel Wanders and Yves Behr are just some of the designers who have been featured in Bombay Sapphire's projects and campaigns in the past.

Before going over to Alexis (Upstairs) to attend the launch we stopped by the gallery where we had the pleasure of viewing artist Nadia Bamadhaj's Surveillance exhibition, which highlights her charcoal-drawing-based work that ends this month.

The launch saw an interesting mix of company. Chilling out at Alexis (Upstairs) was Badriya Yasmeen Dowe who works as an Assistant Curator at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. Badriya came dressed in a beautiful Vietnamese national costume, the Ao dai while the rest of the guests played safe and was at their most casual - simple tops matched with pants or skirts.

Nothing ordinary will please Badriya.

When it comes to fashion, Badriya avoids wearing "current trends".

"Dressing up is not about 'matchey-matchey' stuff," she said. "It's about being eclectic and different."

Badriya had her outfit made-to-order from a silk shop in Thailand while there on visit.The Ao dai is similar to the Chinese Qipao. It consists of a long blouse with side slits worn over baggy pants.

Another guest who caught my attention was Nina Moha, CEO of the National Association for Fitness Instructor who came in a spunky outfit that was almost an eye-popper. She had on a one-piece white Guess short shorts matched with a tiny knitted vest in brown. With her black beaded purse in one hand, Nina was all ready to strut in her black Nine West heels.

Nina Moha could easily stop traffic with her short shorts.

Perhaps it was Valentine Willie's manager, Snow Ng who capped the night with her simple outfit in different shades of blue. She highlights her pants, top and long vest with a long bead necklace and choker in earth colors.

Looking cool in blue is none other than Snow Ng.

The BSAP08 fest kicks off on Sept 20 and ends on Dec 6. To read more, visit www.vwfa.net.

Fashion on wheels

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

Last Wednesday night saw four functions back to back, stretching from Damansara Perdana right up to Alexis in Bangsar and Apartment and Zouk in the city centre itself.

While none had anything to with fashion and beauty product launches, all were a feast for the eyes because the trendiest of people had gathered at the different spots.

Singapore-based The Bike Boutique made its introduction to cyclists in Kuala Lumpur with its first outlet in Malaysia, located in Damansara Perdana. Together with its impressive collection of high-end track and mountain bicycles the boutique brought along with it Singapore's "healthy lifestyle through sports" concept.

What has bicycles got to do with my blog? A lot. Keeping fit is a big part of looking good and what better way then cycling?

In Singapore, which is my second home, cycling isn't a trend; it's a way of life. Look out for this space and watch how cyclists set their own fashion trend.

Keep fit and look good at the same timewith cycling gear from The Bike Boutique.

Cycle safe and be seen in this pink cycling gear also from The Bike Boutique.

Home for Big Feet

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

How many times have you gone into a shoe store only to walk out again looking like thunder because the sales assistant keeps telling you "no size" for every pair you liked?

I have, in-fact, one time too many. And the worst thing is it always happens during the sales.

I'm a size 8, that's 25cm in all. And depending on the design of the shoe, the size could even increase by half to one inch. Even that does not guarantee a good fit because the width of the shoe is another factor to consider.

When I was a teenager, I preferred boy's shoes because they were comfortable for my big feet. But when I wore them I got teased by friends who asked if I had always wanted to be a clown. I can't blame them because my feet looked enormous in those shoes and they stuck out like a clown's feet.

So if you are like me, my niece and my sister (they are a size 9), and my brothers and nephews (they wear sizes 12 and above), shopping for shoes must be heck of a problem. Shopping for big-sized shoes in Malaysia is like a joke. Most ladies' shoes, the most beautiful at times, only occasionally come in a size 8 or 9, if we are lucky.

At the end of the day when we are worn out from shopping, any shoe will do so we opt for the less flattering designs or wait until we fly abroad as the international markets are kinder to people like us.

However, while browsing the Internet one day, I might have solved our problem, well at least for the women in my family. Shoe site www.DesignerShoes.com caters for women who "leave a larger footprint", as they naughtily put it.

Here's a 4-inch heel pumps made of pony hair and patent leather. This is one shoe it says you can dance in.

Shoes are available in sizes 6 to 15. A size 15 measures about 31cm in length. But the great news is, not only does this company stock bigger-sized shoes it also has shoes of different widths and there are altogether more than 60 sizes and widths (narrow, medium, wide and extra wide).

Shoes are categorized by Size, Width (Wide and Extra Wide) as well as Heels, Colors and Brands. The company will not even consider stocking on styles that do not have at least a size 12.

If you are a "boots" person, like I'm slowly turning into one, you need to have a look at the site's boots collection. It is seriously impressive and you can have a choice of fashion boots to functional weather-beaters, knee-high and mid-calf, zippered, stretch, lace-up and Velcro in colors besides browns and blacks.

Red and ready! Check out this Dress Bootie, Quanta from Moda Dress.

Shoes are divided into Collections (there are about nine) and Styles, which lists about 13. Although I don't wear clogs, those found on this site are pretty trendy, with designs you might not find in your local mall.

Casual Mule Cityscape from Cape Clogs is not only unique in design it is a sure head-turner.

Under its Trunk Show category, buyers are given a preview of the next season's styles. They can even place orders to have the shoes made for them in the preferred size and color. Best of all, buyers are not billed until the shoes are shipped to them. How great is that?

The site is currently having a clearance sale, offering attractive discounts on many designs. Brands carried include Hush Puppies, Elle, UGG, Moda and Maxine among others. The site assist buyers in deciding their shoe size by providing guidelines on how to measure your feet as well as giving a chart on international shoe sizes.

So if you are a "Big Feet" like me, here's your chance to satiate your shoe hunger.

If you've experienced a similar situation as mine, drop me a line. I would love to share your stories.

Smooth sailing

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

Fashion label Nautica surprised its guests with its recent Fall/Winter 2008 Collection showcase held on Wednesday, Aug 13 night at the poolside of Carcosa Seri Negara’s Mansion.

A group of media friends invited me to the event, which requested a dress code of blue and white. My friends and I came in the theme colors but a majority of guests there, especially the guys, came in the standard black and white ensemble, which was pretty boring. Luckily the fashion showcase was the complete opposite.

The party was an intimate affair with just a hundred guests or so. There were a few celebrities - model/actor/host Shamser Sidhu who was emcee for the night and celebrity model/actor Alan Yun who took part in the catwalk itself.

Alan Yun looking al bright and breezy despite the shawl and skull cap.

Nautica has been in the market for 25 years and the event was also in conjunction with its 25th anniversary. Much has changed in Nautica’s collection although it isn’t a total breakaway from its traditional designs and styles. It is however more inspiring.

The accurate choice of models to showcase the clothes was a plus point as they succeeded in sending the message across - that Nautica is ready to win the hearts of fashion buffs with its trendy, more "today" designs.

The new collection is not only casual but also pleasantly trendy.

Fresh green, citrus orange and poppy red were among the season’s colors with splashes of the all-time favorites, blue, white, grey, black and brown. Added to these are the colors plum, gold and cranapple the three among the five in Nautica’s Vintage edition. There are five editions altogether.

New in Nautica’s collection is the New Cotton Twill Pant program, which includes khaki pants, pique and jersey-striped knits as well as poplin plaids. The sweaters, the first from the season, are made in fine gauge cotton, silk and cashmere blends. And to beat the heat, the new silk twill trousers might just do the trick.

Clean colors, sporty look - the ideal combination to looking classy.

Bold, fun yet functional, that is how Nautica labels its latest collection and that is just spot-on!

* Nautica boutiques are at Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur, 1 Utama (New Wing), Petaling Jaya and Gurney Plaza, Penang.

Happy feet

Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger

Hi...I'm the new kid (hic!) on the block for this site and I'm kicking off my first post with one of the most popular items in our wardrobe - shoes!

How many pairs of footwear do you have? I used to have a collection of more than 100 pairs and for someone who doesn't enjoy a fat paycheck, that is bad news.

But not anymore. Today, I have about 30 pairs of footwear left after I got rid of them through various means :) And I have been on best behavior - the most recent addition to my collection are the two leather boots I bought early last year.

Many of us are "mad" about shoes, aren't we? And don't believe it if someone says it's a "woman thing". Men suffer from "shoe craze" too. I know because my partner can't walk past a shoe store without being tempted to cart a few pairs home.

While out in town one weekend, I noticed that most people regardless of age prefer casual shoes that are kind to the feet when they go shopping. Singaporean students Christopher Wang, Belle Wu and Lee Zhi Wei prefer casual sports shoes in trendy designs and colors.

The kind of shoes that Christopher (left), Belle and Zhi Wei love.

A lot more guys than girls were seen in designer sports shoes such as this hip-looking Puma in a nice mix of red, white and black colors, which looks cool when matched with a nice black jeans.

Add spunk to your outfit with this black-red-white sports shoes from Puma.

A quick chat with some of these trend-setters revealed that they spend an average of RM200, and sometimes more, for a snazzy pair.

Looking good sure has a price.

Fashion Legend

Posted by: fashion fiend Post(s) by this blogger

With the passing of French fashion legend Yves St. Laurent, the era of inventive fashion that married class and insouciance so elegantly comes to a definitve end.  The Algerian-born fashion icon was truly an innovator who created designs culled from street sensitivities and tapped into the innermost desires of women.

In the 1970s at the height of his career; wearing a safari jacket.

Every time you slip into a pair of well cut, sharp trousers remember that he put women in them.  A woman wearing a sleek tuxedo at a red carpet event, he created the first infamous Le Smoking ensemble. Tantalising curves beneath a sheer top, he invented the first see-through blouse. Democratic ready-to-wear fashion, away from couture, he did that too. As well as, the safari jacket, jumpsuit, Trapeze A-line shifts - all him.

In the mark of a true genius, though he ceases to exist, his aesthetic will long after inspiring the next generation of designers to come.

The true icon of French fashion.

Yves St. Laurent changed the way women wore their clothes. He gave them freedom of movement and confidence of thought. He was truly a woman’s man – may he rest in peace.

Black Rule

Posted by: fashion fiend Post(s) by this blogger

While checking out the recent Red Carpet photos on Clove Two, I found it strange that many women at Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World gala in New York City were wearing black.

Designer Georgina Chapman and husband, Weistein.

Black in the midst of a rather floaty and colourful spring summer season? While the stores around the world are awash in all of summer’s glorious colours, in one of the most fashionable cities in the world even young celebrities are wearing black. 

Zhang Zi Yi.

Is it because black is always in? Or that Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World gala requires a more sober dress code?

For certain black adds elegance and class. It also definitely makes a woman look thinner no matter what her size. And black I always believe, requires a certain pizzazz and creativity to carry it off well. Though the colour is one, the texture, fabric and silhouette are something else, all parts that make the outfit whole.

Tina Fey.

I’m all for black. But could this mean that the summer season is over and this is the rule for next season (which I suspect). Or could it be that black will rule the day (and night) forever!

In which case, I’d say yeah!

Fantasy Fashion

Posted by: fashion fiend Post(s) by this blogger

At the recent 2008 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, the dress code was Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy. It was an evening of the glitziest, most fantastic gowns on parade.

Column inches - print and online -  spared no detail on the fashion’s hits and misses that night. But more than a few of the stars, dropped the fantasy on their dresses and turned up in sleek glamorous long dresses to show off their impeccable figures. Leaving only subtle details to pay tribute to the fantasy of superheroes.

Donatella Versace hosted a table as well as dressed several of the ‘hot’ set for the evening.

Janet Jackson selected a Versace fall winter 08 white halter neck silk jersey gown with minute silver embroidery on the halter and the reverse, paired with platform silver Versace fall winter 08 shoes anda matching silver clutch, as well jewellery from the Versace fine jewellery collection.

Janet Jackson and Donatella Versace with her daughter Allegra.

Molly Sims wore a spring summer 08 yellow jersey gown to show off her flawless back, matched with Versace blush platform heels.

Molly Sims.