10qq with fiona fussi.

Referred to as "confident," "leggy," "fresh-faced" and "stunning" by the number of publications she's graced, Fiona Fussi isn't one you can miss. Whether you recognize her from magazine covers like HerWorld/Nylon Singapore, you happened to be taking a stroll through Ion a couple months ago only to see Fiona posing in a Kikki.K paper dress, or - get this, you happen to have spotted her face on Singapore's public buses, Fiona has achieved leaps and bounds after her 2011 victory of Elite Model Look Singapore. After a life-changing experience at the Elite Model Look World Finals in Shanghai, Fussi returned to Singapore and, quite simply, took the modelling scene by storm. With thousands of loyal followers on each of her social media platforms and a career that has made her a local household name, dubbing her "Singapore's Sweetheart" suddenly sounds like a vast understatement. Read on and find out more about what it's like to live in Fiona Fussi's shoes!

Photo credits to Fiona Fussi/fussi.com

1) What was your first modelling experience?

My first experience was at the Elite Model Look Singapore 2011 competition, I had never done any modelling before that. 

2) What made you apply for the Elite Model Look competition in Singapore?

I had always been interested in the entertainment industry, being in front of the camera, communicating with people; whether it was modelling, singing, acting or hosting. I first saw a Facebook page about the competition which intrigued me, and because there was an application process where I could apply on the website in the comfort and convenience of my own home, I decided to apply online. 

3) Tell me about your time in Shanghai during the World Finals:

It was such an amazing experience, the best way to describe it would be a hundred times better than camp. To have 60 girls from different countries come together for a common ambition and to be the first person to represent Singapore in Elite Model Look was pretty incredible! What surprised me the most was how open and kind many of the girls were, especially the girls in my chaperone group. We were sorted depending on the continents we came from - the ‘Asian’ group ended up becoming a family!

The Finals was at the Mercedes-Benz stadium with 1,500 people watching, so I learnt some tricks and tips about making sure heels that were too big for us didn’t slip off! My linguistic skills also came in handy when speaking to make-up artists and hair stylists from  from different places and cultural groups. The toughest part was probably leaving Shanghai and saying goodbye to my friends. Even though I made friends from different parts of the world that I still keep in touch with, it was definitely the hardest to leave my ‘Asian’ group. We all became sisters, and when we left the hotel one by one there were tears and hugs, it was very bittersweet.

4) How did you get involved with the Audi Fashion Festival?

The Managing Director of Audi was interested in having me as the face of the Festival; he thought I was fresh and well suited for the role and he believed in my potential. It was a great experience and an honour to be able to walk in all of the Future Fashion Now shows because it was my first professional show and I got to work with amazing designers and models. 

5) You were on the cover of NYLON Singapore and HerWorld Magazine (twice!) - What was that like?

I really enjoy doing cover shoots because I love to see the final product in stores, and I actually get to see where all my hard work has gone. Even though they are pretty short-term since they’re only up for a month, I think it’s a great privilege to be the cover or face of a magazine.  

6) Juggling high school with a full-on modelling career must be difficult. What do you do to relax? What's the hardest part of balancing your two separate worlds?

To relax I like to hang out and have sleepovers with my best friends, watch TV shows, sing or go for a run or swim. The hardest part of balancing my modelling and high school life is definitely having the energy to do both. In the beginning I thought the biggest issue would be having enough time, but after that, I’ve realised it’s also physically having enough energy to wake up at 6am, go to school for 7 hours and then have a 5 hour shoot, and then do homework afterwards! I managed to walk in the Audi Fashion Festival during my IGCSE exams, but I can already predict that managing my IB diploma with modelling will be even more challenging. 

7) Who do you have to thank for helping you come this far?

I would thank the Elite Model Management Singapore team for believing in me and presenting me with so many opportunities, especially my booker, Bonita, who has been incredibly kind and understanding towards my schedule. Also, my mum and dad who allowed me enter the Elite Model Look Singapore competition in the first place - without their support I wouldn’t have made it this far. I also would like to thank my friends at school for being so encouraging and positive towards all the new assignments I’ve been doing and everything I’ve been going through.

8) If you could change anything you've done in your modelling career so far, what would you change?

I am very happy with the course my modelling career has taken, but if I could change something, I would somehow find a way to have made it to Paris Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2012, because I was given the opportunity to, but had to reluctantly turn it down because it was during a school week. 

9) What would you christen as your proudest moment in your modelling career so far? 
It would have to be my first magazine cover, which was my Her World March cover, or being chosen as the face of Audi Fashion Festival 2012. 

10) Any advice for aspiring models?

I would say that if you’re doing it for the right reasons, and you know that it’s not as glamorous as it seems, you should believe in yourself and keep trying because anything is possible.

+ Check out Fiona's agency Basic Models here, and like their Facebook page here too!
+ [sponsored link] Lusting for some quality/affordable apparels? Check out Melrose Medley!

#AFF2012 part 3: roland mouret.

Roland Mouret's Fall/Winter collection was packed to the brim with all things wonderful: cool sorbet hues, sophisticated peplum separates, and some of the most ingenious tailoring I have ever seen. I particularly enjoyed the mash-up of menswear-inspired, tailored outerwearand feminine, pastel shift dresses.Seeing this collection right before my eyes (from the third row!) during the Audi Fashion Festival might have left me a little biased, but this collection will forever resonate in my mind as proof that an array of simple pieces can really make an impact.

For an under-ten-minute long show, the collection ticked a LOT of boxes. From effortlessly simple shift dresses to fur-topped pastel hued outfits, every ensemble that was sent down the runway possessed something from the greater scope of things; at least one recurring element drawn from Mouret’s initial inspiration. In other words, there were no “filler” pieces just to pass the time; each ensemble was brutally conciseand adhered firmly to a set of motifs, fabrics, colors and tailoring styles to create a solid collection with a strong aesthetic identity. I’ve picked out a few of my favourite trends within this collection and collaged them below:

I love the interesting architectural quality of the crossover-neck. 

Think of it as a scarf, I guess. With a bolder “twist.” (pun intended!)

Voluminous fur, meet sorbet hues and pastel peplum. Probably one of the most unexpected combinations in this collection, but definitely a favorite of mine. There’s actually nothing cuter than a peek of peplum or a flap-pocket underneath a huge ball of fur (that somehow manages to still look chic). Roland, I don’t know how you do it.

Another fabulous highlight of the collection – a succulent abundance of masculine tailoring in various forms: fitted, slouchy, or tweaked to look girly. The angularshoulders and no-fuss colors made ‘borrowing from the boys’ something we ladies should contemplate doing more often.

This is the part where the girls bring out their scissors, needle-and-thread and pastel colored dye; menswear is about to get a whole new look. Whoever thought muted, manly office-wear could be so intimately related with such gloriously girly confections? Along with his fantabulous team of seamstresses, Mouret has managed to whip up a plethora of different neckline designs for each ensemble. While the peplum dress on the extreme right boasts pleated puffy shoulders, the electric-white pantsuit next to it (center right) has a lovely loose fit but a wide, creased shoulder to raise the bar. The blue ensemble (centre left) possesses a delicately folded bust and shoulder, reminiscent of the elegant Japanese paper-folding art form: origami.

Another super-great thing (gosh, I could go on forever gushing about my love for this collection) about Mouret’s AW2012 line is that it sticks to an exclusive color palette, which is echoed and recreated through the whole collection in ways that really did make my jaw drop. Take that shapeless lemony frock paired with knee-high boots, for instance. Gorgeous color, light fabric, and the ruched shoulders and crinkled neckline are super feminine. Now, on the far right we have another ensemble featuring the stunning fluorescent hue. A restructured, slouchy take on the modern blazer, this unusually long piece of outerwear is equipped with lethally tailored broad shoulders, and a sharp pair of pants to match. And there you have it, a floaty, DVF-esque dressand a sleeveless, slouchy blazer-type-thing-which-still-qualifies-as-super-cool, both coated in the same, delicious color. Roland Mouret is definitely one to conjure up ingenious juxtapositions of his own designs (and present them within the same collection), which give every collection of his an authentic feel. 

Sorry that this post was months late (AFF was ages ago), I totally forgot about it but I still really wanted to share it. Hope you enjoyed!

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xx v.

#AFF2012 part 2 - zac posen.

"Asia as a whole is so important to my design, to my business, to my personal aesthetic and culture."

Elaborate floor-grazing gowns of every delicious hue accompanied by office-chic power suits for the modern contemporary woman, Zac Posen delivered a lip-smacking, saliva-inducing double collection (Pre-Fall and Fall/Winter 2012!) on the penultimate night of Singapore's Audi Fashion Festival 2012. His runway preview, as well as the pre-show excitement buzzing in the Tent@Orchard, was nothing short of a wondrous affair, with socialites, editors, style enthusiasts and local celebrities dotted around on the red carpet, clutching glistening flutes of champagne and mingling with the stars... And, of course, maintaining perfect composure under the merciless flash-photography attacks of the paparazzi.

 (I'm proud to say that I, too, was subjected to the utter "torture" of having my picture taken by the paps. Sigh, life's tough.)

I hate to start my review with a piece of criticism, but I do think this is worth sharing: Although the individual pieces were absolutely stunning, I do think that a little more time, effort and resources could be put into expanding the existing collection(s) even further by exploring a wider range of stylistic techniques and fabrics, and drawing inspiration from a larger scope of sources. I purposely decided to include the 4 pictures above in a collage together because I think they collectively represent the essence of Posen's collections (I probably should've thrown in a fiery hued dress for oriental measure, too...): Evening dresses, power suits and the occasional textured separate. I know that sounds harsh and abrupt, but throughout the whole show, I felt like I was waiting for something that would really strike a chord and bring the audience to their feet. The power suits brought a smile to my face, as did the genius idea of layering a luxury fur pullover on top of a voluptuous tailed skirt, so I can't help but wish I saw more ingenuity and uniqueness. I felt that Posen played it safe by playing up his signature strengths (in the form of evening gowns), even though he had the potential to impress his audience equally as much by taking bolder risks.

  And with that short complaint over - I'm pleased to begin the next phase of this lengthy post, which will be flowing with nothing short of the highest praise for Posen's glittering creations. Promise.

~

 In an interview with BBC, Zac Posen spoke of the increasing influence that Asia possesses over his designs and his aesthetic. He certainly isn't just full of talk; the evidence of Asian inspiration was profoundly significant, and pulsated through the entire collection. As intense Adele violin instrumentals blared, the show kicked off with understated LBD's (Long Black Dresses, that is), and graduated into the first dose of saturated red gowns, reminiscent of Chinese prints and oriental motifs. Both the atmosphere and the music both cooled down a few notches as a series of tailored ensembles in sub-zero hues unfolded onto the runway. Taffeta silk tails blazed the trail the entire night, with unique silhouettes and inventive collar-cuts following close behind. Icy chandelier earrings embellished each and every million-dollar look by adding a few more zeroes to their price tags, as well as leaving remnants of tiny, sparkling reveries for the audience to devour. Although the venue remained understated and simple, the high-octane glamour was enough to leave the entire room tent ablaze with explosions of fluorescent fabric and dazzling diamonds.

 

 Posen's authentic showcase was the first proper "Fashion Week" show that I have ever attended, and judging by the hyperventilating, giggly state I returned home in, it certainly wasn't going to be the last. I am proud to say that I returned to that very same tent with even more juvenile enthusiasm the following night for the grand finale that bid farewell to AFF2012 - Roland Mouret. A post on that is coming soon!

photo credits to audi fashion festival singapore

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#AFF2012 part 1 - street style.

If I could give the organisers and sponsors and audience members and designers and models and everyone involved in the Audi Fashion Festival 2012 a hugely gigantic hug for being so awesome, I bloody would. Attending two shows at this years Fashion Festival was an honor I'd gladly relive, and after witnessing such breathtaking collections before my eyesAfter a weekend filled with flawless fashion shows and star-studded excitement, it's hard not to ramble on and on about everything that the Audi Fashion Festival had to offer. Instead, I'm going to try and pace myself by splitting my #AFF2012 experience into 3 posts:

• One with some street style pictures of Fashion-Festival-Goers and an introduction to AFF (this post)
• One on the Zac Posen Pre-Fall and A/W 2012 collections 
• One on the Roland Mouret A/W 2012 Closing show

Situated in a massive, temporary "Tent@Orchard" outside Ngee Ann City (one of Singapore's most timeless shopping destinations), the Audi Fashion Festival ran for 4 days. AFF wasn't exactly fashion "week," (3 days short, to be exact!) but it's definitely something that's bound to grow bigger in the future. Our little island is slowly but surely headed for the stars, as fashion is now a fast growing phenomenon in Singapore. Although AFF spanned a mere 4 days, those 4 days were certainly packed to the brim with high-octane glamour and round-the-clock entertainment (after parties by Belvedere Vodka? yes please!). Each day, Tent@Orchard hosted a wealth of up to 5 shows; from international labels to local sensations (alldressedup and RAOUL being the favourites). An exclusive press conference was also held, as was CLEO Magazine's Runway Search Finale.

Each and every glittering component that made up the fabulous Audi Fashion Festival was well endowed with the finest Singaporean celebrities and personalities; from MTV VJs to Radio DJs, local bloggers and designers, socialites and hard-core fashion fans - you couldn't miss the high fashion that Orchard Road was drenched in during that short week. And for those like myself who drool over gorgeous street style, you would've been in for a real treat. While I was busy with a Limonata in one hand and a metallic clutch in the other, frolicking around in the Belvedere Vodka Lounge with fellow bloggers from Moments with Meera and Poisepolish, my lovely mother, who's recently adopted an interest in photography, decided to come out and use her newly acquired photography skills (and lens!) to take street style photographs and portraits of AFF-goers. Here are some of her best shots:

All in all, my first time at the Audi Fashion Festival was nothing short of fabulous, and I'm literally counting down the days until AFF2013! Stay tuned for more posts on the Audi Fashion Festival coming up in the next few weeks!

Some stuff that I don't have pictures for but are still worth mentioning:

+ I met Denise Keller before the Roland Mouret show! I got a picture with her and chatted to her, she's super lovely and so stunning!

+ I saw Tallulah Harlech at both the Zac Posen and the Roland Mouret show, perched in the front row of course! 

+ I was lucky enough to have a few people approach me with either "were you in Seventeen magazine?" and/or "do you write Seven Inch Stilettos?" I was so utterly flattered that people recognized me and asked to take a picture with me, that was one of the highlights of AFF2012 for me, so thank you to all who came to say hi :)

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