10qq with kriss&jules.

It's become increasingly hard to find elegant, simple pieces of wrist-candy in a modern accessories market that is totally obsessed with versatility, layering and excess. When I see Aimee Song's Instagram pictures, I can't help but wonder how uncomfortable she must be wearing at least a ring on each finger, not to mention the stacks of expensive gold bling that weigh down each of her wrists. They look beautiful in photographs and make her look a million bucks (although she always does, regardless of what she's wearing), but is wearing thousands of dollars of clinky-clanky bangles and jingly things realistic? Hardly. Cue Kriss&Jules, the most perfect option for those days when you're dressed to impress, but can't bring yourself to decorate yourself like a Christmas tree to complete your look. These down-to-earth bracelets have such simple charm, and serve neither to drastically enhance nor to outshine your look. They remind me so much of friendship bracelets; while they might not be the perfect match for an outfit, the timelessness and sentimentality of precious stones and streamlined design make for a great, understated addition to any low-key ensemble. Practical, simple and oh-so-beautiful, what more could you ask for? Read on to find out a bit about Christian and Julien, the brothers behind the label.

1) Best part of your job:
Julien: I love that I can work with my brother and mother. 
Christian: Other than what Julien mentioned, the fact that we meet very interesting and talented people from all over the world.

2) One thing you always have with you:
J: My iPod.
C: My peace bracelet.

3) Your newest celebrity crush:
J: Easy, Scarlett Johansson.
C: Izabel Goulart is my personal favorite, I hope she reads this!

4) One of your favorite weekend pastimes:
J: I spend most of my time drawing.
C: Discovering new restaurants in town! Recommendations welcome.

5) Favorite sport:
J: Definitely football, it's a huge passion of mine.
C: I'm a huge fan of skiing, sadly Singapore isn't perfect for that but I love spending time on the slopes when I'm back in Europe.

6) Favorite gemstone to use in your designs and why:
J: Onyx, it symbolises strength and is really interesting to work with!
C: Jade is my favorite, not only because green is my favorite color but the power and strength behind the stone is astonishing.

7) Goals for the future of the Kriss&Jules label:
J: I would love for Kriss&Jules to broaden its horizons and become the brand it's meant to be.
C: To be able to embellish new beautiful wrists throughout Asia!

8) Childhood career aspiration:
J: I always wanted to become a painter!
C: I wanted to explore space by becoming an astronaut.

9) One thing not many people know about you:
J: My hands-down favorite movie is The Notebook.
C: I love classical music when I'm under pressure, it's so relaxing!

10) Something you can always go to for inspiration:
J: Music!
C: The beach or the mountains.

What do you think of Kriss&Jules' gorgeous designs?

Check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Website.

10qq with katja tamara.

I have a seriously incurable obsession with statement clutches; for a student on a sartorial budget, statement clutches are the perfect way to spice up a classic, re-wearable outfit - namely a light colored chiffon blouse and denim jeans. They can add a splash of color, texture or pattern to any simple ensemble, and in the case of Katja Tamara's python clutches, they add all three. Possibly my favorite thing about these gorgeous accessories (although seriously, what ISN'T to like about those beauties) is the fact that they exemplify the perfect marriage of color, print and texture through the distinct python-skin print they all boast. If there's such thing as the perfect, all-encompassing statement bag, these clutches might be just that. With a medley of color schemes on offer as well as variations such as python-skin tote bags and carryalls, Katja Tamara's fantabulous designs are definitely a staple for any fashion-forward woman (or man!). Drawing inspiration from Bali where all her designs are exclusively manufactured, Katja has expanded her label to include beautiful tasseled necklaces each with unique bead patterns and Buddha pendants. I'm so over the cheap fad of gothic Christian-cross designs, so I welcomed one of these gorgeous Buddha necklaces (in black) into my accessories collection with open arms a few weeks ago at the ilovedesigner.com event! 

Check out Katja's 10 Quick Questions below:

1) Favorite thing to do on a Saturday night: Dinner with friends, listening to music, dancing and late-night lounging, or having Apple TV movie nights (and popcorn!) with my husband and kids. 

2) Your current beauty must-have: An 8 hour night of sleep and Tom Ford’s Eye Color Quad in Titanium Smoke, which is suitable for day or night.

3) Your favorite vacation destination: Does it have to be narrowed down to 1 place? I love to travel! My favorites are Bali during Spring, Hawaii in the Summer, New York City in the Fall and Zermatt during Winter. 

4) Something not a lot of people know about you: Both of my parents are European, but I grew up in California. They wanted to give me a name that could be pronounced in Norwegian, German and English easily, but unknowingly they gave me a name that was quite unique in the USA. When I was younger I was tortured with nicknames! Now I can embrace my name and I love it. 

5) Something that inspires your designs: As cliché as this is, I genuinely have Wanderlust. Whenever I travel, I take snapshots in my mind of the natural beauty of animals. 

6) An artist you've currently been listening to: Coldplay; although they have been around for a while, I always come back to them. 

7) A pet peeve: People who brag. 

8) The best part of the design process: Sourcing different textures, patterns and colors, as this inspires my creations. 

9) A language you wish you could speak: German, my father is from Germany. I used to have to go to German Saturday School in California, but I rebelled and refused to speak it! Now I wish I was more fluent. 

10) Future dreams and goals for the Katja Tamara label: My obsession is for people to own versatile pieces in their wardrobe and not to take themselves too seriously. I think a lot of the rules of fashion have been broken and it's not about recreating the wheel but reinterpreting it. I would love for my label to be carried by influential people on a world stage and by moms out on a Saturday night.  

~

What do you think of Katja Tamara's gorgeous clutches? Shop her designs on ilovedesigner.com!

i love designer.

Boasting a hugely varied selection of talented upcoming designers in a medley of specialized fields, ilovedesigner.com is fashion's favorite new e-commerce site. Their Singapore launch was an afternoon of delectable style and certainly one to remember - I felt like a little child in a candy store, drooling in awe at all the accessories on display! Held at the beautifully picturesque Novus Restaurant at the National Museum of Singapore amid Fort Canning's lush greenery, there was delicious finger food served (chocolate covered strawberries on little trees yay!) which really made me want to go back to that restaurant and taste a whole proper meal, but nothing was quite as delicious as the gorgeous accessories which we got to try on. From delicate string bracelets to statement earrings encrusted in a rainbow of precious stones, python clutches in vibrant hues to beautifully printed bathing suits, the array of fashion merchandise on display was perfectly varied. Favorites of mine had to be Outhouse's crazily intricate and often oversized jewelry creations, Katja Tamara's sleek and sexy python bags and clutches and Kriss & Jules' delicate selection of string-pull bracelets with petite charms -  perfect for layering! 

Check out their website here and let me know what you think!