10qq with love bonito | JF x LB.

I didn't think I'd ever live to see the day when an international Haute Couture designer collaborated with an immensely successful online retailer, but it happened this Fashion Season and I'm sure as hell happy it did. Love, Bonito is the mother of all fashion e-retailers in Singapore and in Asia; the site which dresses thousands of women and has inspired hundreds to begin their own online fashion retail ventures. Easily Singapore's most established "blogshop," (I don't even think the term "blogshop" fits it anymore) Love, Bonito has an impressive reputation of happy customers, helpful customer service, quality apparels and more. Julien Fournie, on the other hand, worked in several of fashion's greatest design houses (Celine, Givenchy and Dior, anyone?) before opening his eponymous Haute Couture label in the summer of 2009. A FIDé favorite, Fournie has sent a total of three collections down Singapore runways, including his latest collaborative venture with Love, Bonito. So, what happens when young, fast-fashion savvy business trio Viola, Rachel and Velda join forces with a French Haute Couture designer? Nothing less than a match made in heaven. We chat with Viola and Rachel about music, previous career dreams and Love, Bonito's smashing latest collaboration.

1. Where is the first place you look for design inspiration?

Viola: My source of inspiration comes from my travels.

Rachel: I gain inspiration from fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle UK.

2. What motivates you to continue maintaining Love, Bonito as one of the country's most successful online stores? 

It is definitely the affirmation from our customers and seeing them wear our pieces on the streets. That is our constant motivation to work hard to deliver exceptional apparels and excellent customer service.

 

3. What are your favorite trends as of late?

Viola: I am a big fan of Mary Katrantzou’s prints. I also think red lips is timeless and classic, it instantly brightens the face and can make any woman feel more confident.

Rachel: Cropped tops, landscape prints and skirts with slits.

4. What were your career aspirations when you were a teenager?

Viola: I have always wanted to be a lawyer or a novel writer.

Rachel: A teacher or a tour guide because I love interacting with people!

5. If you had to wear one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Viola: Without a doubt, confidence. 

Rachel: A printed mini skirt. It is so versatile, you can glam it up with high heels for a girls’ night out or pair it with sneakers for a casual look.  

6. Tell us a little more about your collaboration with Julien Fournie.

We attended Julien’s show last year at FIDe Fashion Weeks and we were intrigued and astonished by his work and style. We casually spoke to Dr Frank Cintamani, Chairman of FIDe Fashion Weeks, about the idea of Love, Bonito collaborating with a haute couturier, specifically Julien Fournié. He believed in our brand, heard our wishes and linked us up with Julien. The magic of haute couture meets fast fashion happened. We owe it to Dr Frank for making this beautiful partnership happen. 

7. What's the best thing about your job? 

Viola: Affirmation from our customers and meeting like-minded people who believe in us and are supportive of what we do, they give us the strength to do even better.

Rachel: I get to decide the designs Love, Bonito will launch; down to the colours, fabrics, textures and embellishments!

8. What three foods can't you stand? 

Viola: Parsley, garlic and onions

Rachel: Kimchi, clams and ginger

 

9. Current favorite singer/music artist:

Viola: Coldplay

Rachel: Coldplay and Justin Timberlake

10. Plans for the future of Love, Bonito:

We are very honoured to be the first online retailer in Asia to showcase a marriage of haute couture and fast fashion. Our doors are now open for future collaborations like this to come. With this partnership, Love, Bonito will work towards penetrating into the international fashion market online.

Check out this awesome video for a further peek into the foundations of this collaboration!

What do you think of the Julien Fournie for Love, Bonito collaboration?

#WILDFORJUICY

On the 24th October during my short trip home to Singapore, I was fortunate enough to attend Juicy Couture's newest store opening in Singapore in none other than the prestigious "Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands" on the Canal Level of the glitzy shoppe-ing mall. Occupying a luxurious 1,800 square feet of decadence, femininity and Los-Angeles cool, all media representatives and fashion enthusiasts at the event enjoyed delicious refreshments, catchy tunes by the one and only Linda Hao (owner of YESAH, half of DJ TWOFACE) and a preview of the sparkling store space. The interiors are characterized by a much more directional aesthetic, including highlights such as crystal chandeliers, herringbone floors and stunning decorative moldings which add a high-end touch of refined elegance to an otherwise youthful, spontaneous brand. Another focus of the event was Juicy Couture's latest fragrance, Viva La Juicy Noir. A more sensual, smoky and dark expression of the original sweet notes of Viva La Juicy, this fragrance is a definite must-have for those who express their iconic personal style loudly and proudly - it certainly ain't for the faint-hearted!
 

A spectacular event is never complete without an equally star-studded guest list, and leave it to Bless Inc Asia to bring along Singapore's biggest fashion icons such as Daniel Boey, Sheila Sim and Asia's Next Top Model runner-up Sofia Wakabayashi to the event. Hosted by an equally fabulous pair of MTV Asia VJs Alan Wong and Hanli Hoefer, there couldn't have been more excitement and charisma overflowing in any event - plus, they were all dressed to kill. My two girlfriends and accompaniments for the event were a little (or a lot!) smitten for Alan, and I hit it off really well with Hanli, who is just as sweet as she is beautiful. We went to the same school (each for ten years) so we had plenty to talk about! She also gave me some enlightening, professional advice about my modelling career, which I thoroughly appreciated and was honored to receive.

"Famous for ascending the pink tracksuit to its status as a casual luxury icon, Juicy Couture has grown today into a global hit, with an assortment of fashion apparel for women, girls and babies, including handbags, shoes, intimates, swimwear, fragrance, accessories, jewelry, sunglasses, and small leather goods. The brand continues to evolve, bringing the same confident and feminine attitude to everything it creates." - Bless Inc Asia

As well as mingling with all the famous names in fashion, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with some dear friends I hold close to my heart, namely Sara-Ann K, Katherine of Bubbamama, Kara Bensley of WYLD Agencies, blogger Yovani Turner and more. I wore a geometric printed blazer courtesy of wholesale7.net, a white blouse courtesy of Threepurs, wedges from Primark, lucite clutch courtesy of style.in.kind and a blue skirt from Lace and Ebony.

The fun didn't stop at fashion celebrities, a directional new store and the clothes themselves - there were also a series of super fun games, activities and lucky draws for guests to enjoy! Whether you wanted your initials in rhinestones on a hot pink Juicy Couture badge, or you fancied taking a guess at the missing scent (sandalwood or cinnamon) from Viva la Juicy Noir in order to stand a chance to win a bottle of the delicious perfume, there was so much to do and we had so much fun doing all of it. My favorite aspect of the event was the insta-printer, which provided memorable little printouts of any Instagram pictures hashtagged #jcsingapore and #wildforjuicy. There was an Instagram competition run as well, and the lucky winners would each receive a Juicy Couture watch! I couldn't believe my luck when I found out that I was one of the lucky winners! 

What do you think of Juicy Couture? If you're in Singapore, make sure you stop by and check out the gorgeous new store at the Canal Level of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands!

fabfad.

 Last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting Fabfad's latest self-manufactured product: the "Wrap it Sassy" top, available in four gorgeous colors; off-white, plum, black and jade. This supersoft, flattering top boasts a 3/4 sleeve and a sexy, low-cut back which promises to amp up any outfit. I particularly loved styling the jade top with a white skirt for a squeaky-clean, Sunday brunch look. We shot at two of Singapore's most picturesque locations to showcase the versatility of the wrap top - Somerset Skate park and all of its graffitied glory, as well as the blue tones lacing the CBD skyline as viewed from Marina Bay Sands. Make sure you check out the "Wrap it Sassy" top when it launches tonight on Fabfad; it's a comfortable, wearable piece in four awesome colors! I had so much fun at the shoot with store owner Rebecca, fellow model Si Hui and photographer Fiona (and the two cute little skaterboys who joined in the shoot for a while!). All photography credits are due to Fiona of Smitten Pixels!

 The tongue-twister brand name was derived from the combination of two words, "Fabulous" and "Fashion." The webstore is lovingly brought to you by Rebecca & S, and aims to bring in high quality, comfortable and cheery clothes for ladies aged 16 to 30 at the most affordable price points. On top of the clothes they bring in from external manufacturers, Fabfad has their own manufactured items under the label "Regalia." 

One more thing - make sure you join in with Fabfad's Facebook Promotion if you'd like to win a $12 e-Voucher for Fabfad! They're generously giving these vouchers away to 5 lucky people, so follow the three simple steps below to try your luck!

1) LIKE "Fabfad" on Facebook here.

2) LIKE and SHARE the Fabfad album "Collection ‪#‎Eighty‬ - Six | Sassy Summer"

3) COMMENT on the album with "I want the $12 eVoucher!" 

The contest ends on the 12th of July (that's tomorrow!) at 12 noon. Winners will be randomly picked (by a program) and will be announced on Facebook on the 12th, before midnight. 

 Check out Fabfad's website, Facebook page, and Twitter!

And stay tuned for their launch tonight at 8pm!
 

This is a sponsored advertorial.

fide #2 - gustavo lins & alexis mabille.

Gustavo Lins

From elbow length gloves to metallic outerwear; black on black (on black on black on black) to awkward puffy blue fur (sorry Gustavo), this collection was certainly a thought-provoking one with both strong and weak aspects. While I most certainly enjoyed the fabric choices, I felt that there was a lack of "wow-factor," despite significant technical proficiency on the designer's part. The color scheme was a little confusing (lime green to gold to black, and then every color in between?), but it was clean-cut and well put-together nonetheless. Favorites have to be the assymmetrical neckline dresses pictured with gloves, as well as all the black ensembles - call me a sucker for black, but seriously, those pieces were SO well done.

Black is one of the most challenging colors to work with, simply because it leaves such a huge margin for criticism. It's a color that can be outstandingly effective when utilized in appropriate doses, but when a couturier starts OD'ing on it, critics go wild with insults. I have something of a sympathy when it comes to black though; I think it's an elegant understatement which can be emphasized or amplified with the use of things like metallic accents and tailoring, both of which Gustavo has fulfilled to great excess. There's nothing more chic than a LBD with a gold cuff, so the statement necklaces which punctuate an otherwise "flat" ensemble bring up the "chic" factor by a couple notches. The swishy dress with a daring neckline (second from right) was another simplistic beauty, and the general mash-up of fabrics was executed brilliantly.

To be perfectly honest, the infusion of bright blue fur/terrycloth accents (as pictured above) into an otherwise refined collection was a huge disappointment and deterrent to the success of the runway presentation. I loved everything else Gustavo showed, but this just didn't make the cut. It was far too avant-garde for a subdued, chic collection, and the texture screamed "blanket" more than "haute couture" to me.

I couldn't help myself - I simply had to group these pieces together to achieve a somewhat Christmassy color scheme! Although I don't particularly agree on the erratic black splotches (second to the left), the leather lining (left) looked SO classy, as did the "cut and paste" nature of the dress furthest to the right. I've always been skeptical about dresses made entirely of leather (the only person I know who can always pull off leather is Rumi Neely), but the daring slit and v-neck (second from right) made the dress a no-brainer of a winner. On a side note, how beautiful is the model on the extreme left?! She's such a stunner. 

Probably one of the strongest points of the collection, the seamless intertwining of - yes, male models into the presentation. There's nothing more refreshing than seeing a slick-haired beau march down the catwalk after dozens of gaunt females have strutted their stuff (after a while they all begin to look the same, not gonna lie). Gustavo kept the menswear to a tight-lipped minimum, with lusciously dark hues and masculine proportions. While the shredded leather look (furthest to the right) doesn't quite hit the spot, the slouchy cape look (second to the right) definitely does.

Alexis Mabille

Ornate, embellished and absolutely breathtaking - I don't really know how else to translate the beauty of Mabille's collection into words without sounding like I'm having an affair with one of his dresses. But seriously, this man is an artistic, conceptual genius. There is something so pure about his work, something so cohesive and secure about the way he put this collection together. There's an undoubted sense of flow, yet each magnificent ensemble retains a glittering uniqueness unlike any other piece in the collection. Decorated generously with jewels - be it on headpieces or trimmings, the sheer radiance of the designs set the runway alight with the flame of fantasy as Mabille shared with us his escapades into the realm of the surreal.

Perhaps one of the greatest things about this collection is Mabille's fluency at honing all aspects of the female form. Androgyny has taken the world by storm in the last few years, and it's so rare to see a collection so abundantly filled with girly silhouettes and delicate structural choices. Mabille didn't do anything to dilute his authentic flavor with a dose of masculinity - he chose v-necks over boxy shoulders, and pieces that emphasized the bust and waist in true female fashion. Masculinity has been terribly overused and abused in the female fashion sector, that it came almost as a shock to see clothing that wholeheartedly embraces a woman's form. From sweeping lace to dramatic tails, simply looking at these stunning ensembles makes me feel so in touch with my feminine side. These clothes aren't provocative, edgy or attempting to make some sort of revolutionary statement, yet they still retain a fierce quality worthy of a double-take.

+ All photo-credits to Fide Fashion Weeks.

+ Check out my first Fide Fashion Week post here!

+ [sponsored link] Melrose Medley, your one-stop destination for trendy, stylish apparel! Check out their Facebook, Twitter and Website.