balmain ivoire fragrance launch!

"Ivoire is the name I gave to a dream. The name of a woman of sovereign beauty, draped in ultra-pale silk. We crossed paths for a moment on the staircase at the Opéra, before she disappeared into the night." 

- Pierre Balmain

 Last Thursday, a small cluster of fashion enthusiasts gathered at the Art Trove, a dazzingly crisp white location tucked in the outskirts of Orchard Road, to sample Balmain's gorgeous fragrance, Ivoire. Since Oliver Rousteing was named one of Balmain's designers in 2011, he has succeeded in reinventing the original Ivoire fragrance which debuted in 1979 by accomplishing a modern take on this wildly-famous eighties fragrance. This virginal scent is pure, powdery, and surprisingly long-wearing considering it's featherlight complexion. It's not simply a generic floral cocktail though; infused with slightly peculiar essences such as earthy Vetiver and musky Galbanum, the scent is full-bodied whilst maintaining a breezy, mild nature. 
 

Honestly speaking, this was one of the best events I've attended in a long time. It wasn't a huge publicity stunt with an overwhelming guest list, it was an intimate gathering of people in a simple setting (complete with a mini fragrance gallery containing artwork of the various ingredients found in "Ivoire"). It was nice to be able to have meaningful conversations with new faces too; it's not everyday you can say you went to an event and spoke to almost everyone there! We listened to a great speaker share her love for Balmain, as well as information on how the brand has evolved through its lengthy existence before enjoying some delicious canapes. There were also a few mannequins set up for guests to enjoy some of Balmain's most exquisite pieces up close and personal! Last but certainly not least, guests were each sent off with warm wishes in the form of their very own bottle of Ivoire - how generous!

"Ivoire is a tribute to beauty and women. A solemn and uncontrollable fragrance as the purest of ivories. I offer this perfume to all the women in the world who love Ivoire, as I do." - Pierre Balmain

digital fashion week 2012.

blouse - forever 21 // belt - c/o greenpoppies // skirt - c/o ohmysmoothies // clutch - thailand // flats - steve madden

Runway shows from emerging designers all over the world in the comfort of your sweatpants and your bed. Live interviews with designers straight after they've taken their final bow - hosted by a panel of regional bloggers. Exclusive backstage footage of, wait, Sophie Sumner and Andrej Pejic getting ready to walk? Yep, this is 21st century fashion for everyone to enjoy. Livestreamed on Youtube, Google+ and digitalfashionweek.com, with a host of live tweets and Instagram snaps from the beautiful Tent@Millenia Ritz Carlton Singapore, never before has fashion week been so exposed and so available to absolutely anyone who has internet connection and a passion for fashion.

dress - vintage // shoes - thrifted // clutch - coach

Digital Fashion Week Singapore was the first official Digital Fashion Week (ever), and being a part of it was an incredible honor. Not only was I able to witness both Tze Goh and Eugene Lin's SS13 runway presentations with my lovely sidekick Zack, but I was also on the panel of bloggers who co-hosted the Google+ Hangout interviews with the designers and personalities of DFW2012. It was incredibly exciting to be a part of such a groundbreaking new progression in the digital age, and my huge expectations for the fashion shows were fulfilled to immense excess. 

Before Eugene Lin's show - a brilliant dance duo named *Asterisk performed an electric dance set filled with thrilling movements combined with the mind-blowing use of virtual geometric shapes projected onto the runway backdrop, which the dancers skilfully manipulated, dodged and played with. As a dancer, I was thoroughly impressed by the technique and priceless precision shown by *Asterisk - I've never seen a better fusion of technology and dance before!

Predominantly toying with mannish trenchcoats, galactic fiery prints and every shade of pink under the sun - Eugene Lin gets a solid 10 out of 10 from me. His collection was extensive, versatile, and extraordinarily wearable; it's not too often a 15-year-old girl like me thinks of extravagant, other-worldly runway pieces as possible candidates for her own closet, but Eugene struck the perfect balance between wearable and ornate; practical and superfluous. Using seemingly simple, functional fabrics throughout the collection, Lin's focus was clearly on perfecting prints, silhouettes, and the tricky translation of imagination into wearable art. From floral powersuits to sophisticated shift dresses, it's hard to picture Lin's creative mind as anything less than a total powerhouse. The collection was everything one could hope to see in a Spring/Summer presentation; it was brave, and it daringly updated some classic pieces while placing heavy emphasis on practicality and wearability. It was brave, it was modern, and it was almost a physical representation of Eugene's stance on the controversial topic of Singapore's fashion scene (read it here): that designers of his calibre should be stirring up the tranquil waters of Singapore's sleepy, stagnant fashion scene with their bold talent. It was brave, and he absolutely WOWed the audience, who all stood up and cheered eagerly. Quite frankly, this designer certainly isn't one who's content with remaining submerged and silenced - Eugene Lin is here to make some waves.

A few of the remarkable people I met at the Ritz Carlton during DFW Day 2: America's Next Top Model Cycle 18 Winner Sophie Sumner, Acclaimed Singaporean London-based designer Eugene Lin, and Emmy-Award winning costume designer/stylist for Sex and the City, Ugly Betty, The Devil Wears Prada (the list goes on forever!) - Patricia Field.

On top of attending two incredible shows, I was part of the blogger panel for the Google+ hangout interviews with Sophie Sumner, OwnMuse, PAULINE.NING and Patricia Field.

Speaking to these industry experts and talented individuals was surreal, and having the opportunity to learn so much about such people and what they do opened my eyes to so much of the fashion industry that I hadn't taken the time to recognize yet. Click on each of their names to watch the Google+ Interview hangouts on Youtube! 

Until next time; I'm psyched for #DFW2013!