Expert Tips

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In a recent foreign newspaper article, international fashion's big-wigs offered tips for those who are still in the dark:


Ralph Lauren: "Breaking rules is what makes clothes interesting. I love mixing fabrics and shapes in unexpected ways - classic with modern, rugged with elegant."

John Galliano: "Glamour today is confidence, independence, not giving a damn, going for it and indulging your desires - in fashion, life and living."

Donatella Versace: "The most valuable item in your wardrobe is not a piece of clothing; it is an accessory. With a quick switch of a handbag or a pair of shoes, you can instantly change your look and mood."

Heidi Klum: "Wear something you feel gorgeous in and don't try too hard; it's much sexier when it appears effortless. Clothes that don't fit, or don't fit the wearer's personality, don't help."

Giorgio Armani: "Elegance is the result of a natural equilibrium between simplicity, looking after oneself and intelligence. All this generates the attitude we call elegance. It is a quality which, contrary to popular belief, does not require deep pockets."

Elle Macpherson: "Find a personal style by not following trends. I have worn jeans, a white T-shirt, a cashmere jumper and knee-high, cowboy or motorcycle boots, or ballet flats for 25 years. The shape of the jeans changes and that's about it. There is something disquieting about clothing schizophrenia."

Zac Posen: "Dress to make an entrance the same way you dress to make an exit: with aplomb, shoulders back and a withheld secret."

Hmmm, interesting don't you think? Naturally, my fave is the last one - always with a secret!

Window Dressing

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Does the window of a shop, by any chance, have an effect on your decision to enter its premises?

Does a well-dressed window entice you to stop and stare, and subtly beguile?  Or do you simply walk past and never even notice what is in there?

Colour me cool!

I must say this window at Prada, Suria KLCC, is stark and very simple, yet it epitomises the season’s trends for the brand – high-tech material in cosy cocoons.

I want! I want! I want!

And in this, the trends of the season come alive in their shoes and bags.


Needless to say, I was in the store in a jiffy!

Challenge your hairdresser

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I was at my hairdresser’s last Sunday, when this amazing girl walks in. Tall, slim and dressed very trendily, she saunters in with a head full of cascading blonde hair. She could have been Chinese, Japanese or Malaysian, definitely an Oriental, but one with loads of chutzpah.

Later, I ask my hair stylist about her other client. Apparently, the blonde Barbie had been in the salon the day before, but returned the following day, because her hair didn't look blonde enough for her. She proceeded to sit through hours of highlighting, until her tresses were lit up in just the perfect shade of blonde.

Milcah Gee (Qube Salon, Plaza Damas), my gem of a stylist adores clients like these. Why?

“Because they are blonde, and they want to go blonder. I love clients who challenge my skills and me. I find it fun. Even hair texture like yours,” she adds,” Is another challenge: with all those it treatments I love it when I can keep it looking healthy and shiny.”

But, she dislikes iffy customers who can’t really decide on what they want. Quotes Milcah: “I want to change my hair, but I want to keep the length as it is. I don’t want layers or perms either.” Or, they’ll want a weird look, but refuse to cut their hair short, she moans.

And the clients she absolutely adores are the ones who take care of their hair and its texture very well. “I love working on a healthy head of hair.”

Not sure if I should reveal her number, as she's a steal!

Dr. Perricone’s Advice

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There’s a new advisor in town -  Dr. Perricone M.D at the Pavilion.

He believes that wrinkles are a disease (my kind of a man!)  and his decades of scientific research has shown that the inflammation-aging connection is the single greatest impetus to aging and age-related diseases.

This inflammation, invisible to the eye,  takes place on a cellular level and does the damage by triggering free radicals, which accelerate aging by attaching to and damaging cells.

He advises:

1) An anti-inflammatory diet (high quality lean protein, anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables, essential fatty acids, glasses of pure spring water and doses of green tea throughout the day)

2) Add suitable nutritional supplements

3) The diligently researched and tested ingredients in his beauty products

In fact this author's books tout the many ways in which to stay younger, live longer and be healthier.

His products are sold at Tangs’ beauty hall and offer freedom from the debilitating signs of the ravages of time. Targeting critical areas in the face and body, he promises it’ll be a new you that you’ll be looking at in the mirror in just a matter of weeks!

Neuropeptide Facial Conformer

You don’t need another excuse after that, do you?  

Best bootie!

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If you don’t have your pair yet, take this as inspiration.

Naomi Watts steps out, rather elegantly with a touch of rock, in one of the must-have shoe trends of this season - Reba ankle boots from the latest Jimmy Choo. This gorgeous bright pair features a combination of black and vamp patent leather.

Choo cool - www.wireimage.com

 


 

Runway - The Great Wall of China

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This is what true inspiration is made of – the first fashion show on the Great Wall of China. A spectacular feast for the senses, as Fendi took to the wall like no other brand.

At sunset sometime last week, the walls were illuminated by a flood of crystal lights as the mountainous backdrop reverberated to the beat of Euro Trance music.  Eighty-eight models draped in Karl Lagerfeld’s  creations  sashayed down the catwalk created on this historical monument to the unbelievable awe of 500 guests.
 
Showing a combination of the Fendi Spring 2008 collection and a new collection designed for this momentous occasion, the last look of the show was modelled by Chinese supermodel Du Juan, who paid homage to China, as imagined by Lagerfeld.

Thandie Newton, Kate Bosworth and her beau James Rousseau, Nigo, Zhang Ziyi and American and Hong Kong socialites were part of the awestruck audience.

Just google this Fendi fashion show, and you'll can't help gape at the pictures. It was a show unlike any other!

A fashion wonder.

 

Foundation First!

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It was when I first realised that my foundation was not doing it’s job of covering up my imperfections, that I knew my imperfections have once again moved on, before I did.

The foundation that worked for me a year ago was not very effective anymore in covering up my face’s flaws. My skin tone seems to have lightened slightly and my face looked quite patchy in parts.

As I’ve always liked Bobbi Brown - her percepts of beauty and products - I hurried along to its new, spacious counter at the Pavillion to check out their latest offerings.

Metallic shades for this season-Bobbi Brown

Simone, one of the make-artists there was simply great. She sat me on a high chair and proceeded to make over my face, after listening to all my concerns. “My dark circles under my eyes make me look like a panda. I still get pimples that leave marks behind. Though I want to cover up, I don’t want my face to look cakey. Most important of all, I must look younger and prettier.”

She smiled, and was patient and very pleasant. She recommended a correction concealer suited to my skin tone, a moisturising foundation to even out my combination skin type and matching natural-hued face and compact powders.

The result? Perfect…just what my face required and to top it off, she painted on their new Cocoa Berry lipstick, capped with a touch of gloss. At 11am, I must say I looked quite amazing, if not stunning in the glowing make-up.

So, I bought the whole lot, except for the lipstick as they were out of stock. I must go back to get it though, as it was in a divine shade that's perfect for this season.

Models, Celebrities, Fashion Shows or Magazine Moments?

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So what is it about fashion that most inspires you?

Is it the slew of ground-breaking models, scandalous celebrities albeit well-dressed, fabulous fashion shows both locally as well as internationally or the pages of the numerous magazines you pour over?

Just last week it was announced that Kate Moss (celebrity model), Natalie Massenet (Net-a-porter founder), Suzy Menkes (IHT fashion editor), Christopher Bailey (Burberry's design director) and Stuart Rose (Marks & Spencer's CEO) are the five most influential people working in fashion in London. This prestigious poll of the 1,000 most influential people in the city was drawn up by a panel of specialist contributors.

It makes you wonder, if we were to draw up a list in Malaysia who would be on it?

Beauty Halls - The Best?

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With the recent spate of new shopping malls throwing open their doors last month, I have very sadly, yet to visit any one of three fabulous new cosmetic floors.

It's just that I've been a little busy: usually I'll need at least a couple of hours to browse to my heart's content and I did not want to have to run in and out quickly.

But with the holidays coming up and a guaranteed empty city, I shall be at least visiting two before this long weekend is over.

So, any hints on where to start and why? The luxe Parkson at the Pavillion or the brand-new Robinson's at The Gardens? And is there a certain beauty counter that should be my first stop?

To Die For

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Here's a pair of shoes, I could so die for.

Demi Moore strides out in the latest 'Lexy',  from Jimmy Choo's up-coming  Cruise Collection. These new block-heeled platforms features an unique heel in the shape of Perspex spliced with vertical strips of wood.

It's almost too hot to heel. - www.wireimage.com

It's in, it's modern with a touch of nature, and it's almost perfect in one of fall's hottest colours of the season - purple.

Time to trawl the mall...