isabel marant x h&m.

No, it's not the second coming of Christ, it's Isabel Marant x H&M. Everyone hold your horses. 

H&M's newest designer collaboration with a favorite of the French fashion scene, Isabel Marant, hit stores with a bang earlier this month. Queues were the longest that H&M has ever seen, with people live-blogging their overnight camping experiences in front of all major H&M stores in London, published by The Guardian. Like every other collaboration with H&M, the mutually beneficial collection allows H&M all the consumer hype (and cash) that fuels high-end design houses, and it allows the designer collaborating with H&M a fair amount of exposure. According to popular belief, Isabel Marant was the least well-known designer to have collaborated with H&M; names like Maison Martin Margiela, Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Comme des Garcons were much more widely known to begin with. If you'd like an idea of just how much exposure H&M directs to its collaboration designers; the number of Google searches for "Isabel Marant" tripled during the month the collaboration was announced. 

I was actually supposed to go to a private press preview of the collection while I was back in Singapore, but instead I decided to make rice-a-roni and have a sweatpants-and-movie-marathon day with my boyfriend. This wasn't because I was firmly opposed to the collection and wanted to make a statement, but the whole idea of H&M's countless collaborations seem the furthest thing from exciting anymore. Daniel Kulle, president of H&M North America, firmly declared to Fashionista.com that "Isabel will sell out in less than a week." And he was right - the pieces sold like hotcakes, because everyone wants to own something with Isabel Marant's (legitimate) name on it. People will do anything to hop on the fast-fashion bandwagon that instantly becomes old news as soon as you've paid up and got your hands on the bloody things. But after reading this article by Fashionista.com journalist Alyssa Vingan, my eyes were opened to the true nature and adverse effects of these designer collaborations. Imagine saving up your first few paychecks to finally be able to splurge on the bag of your dreams from your favorite designer, only to find that in a few months, a dangerously similar knock-off of your authentic bag will be reproduced in low-cost materials to the masses at a fraction of the price you paid, but nonetheless with that designer's name smacked on it (next to H&M). Don't cheap replicas churned out in thousands only serve to devalue the image of a designer and dilute the magic of authentic, timeless visions and ideals that are synonymous with such revered designers? Marc Beckman, CEO of Designers Management Agency, put it perfectly: "There's nothing wrong with selling for the masses, but the design should be original." Leather pant knock-offs from Marant's Fall 2010 collection, fringed booties from Summer 2010, the list goes on. We know Marant has the artistic capability to create inventive new designs for any collaboration that comes her way; heck, we've seen 9 years worth of her collections already. So why was the easy road of replicating existing designs taken?

In some ways, it's hard to tell if these replicas/knockoffs are a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, the reason people fall in love with Marant is because of what they've seen on the runway, so do they love her existing pieces or her design aesthetic itself? The former calls for the easy job of producing thousands of identical runway pieces using cheap fabrics and low-cost production techniques (without so much input from Marant as signing a document allowing H&M to replicate her existing designs), but the latter calls for just a little more of Marant's authentic magic and undeniable skill in fashion design, in order to produce an exciting NEW collection for those of us who don't have the luxury of enjoying pieces from her own label. It's only when a comparison is made between copying and creating do we realize that perhaps something entirely fresh, new and from the chic depths of Marant's heart would've been a better choice to serve the hundreds of thousands of us who call the high-street price bracket our (only) sartorial home. 

What do you think of Isabel Marant x H&M?

NYFW SS14 | raoul.

Striking the most perfect balance between retro-glam and futuristic flavors, Raoul electrified NYFW with another absolutely flawless Spring Summer collection. Comprised of unusual geometry, glorious architecture and a lightness that makes me miss the warmer months even more, modern silhouettes are redone with even cleaner lines and infused with a coherent palette of vermillion orange, black, white, stony gray and pops of blue. Razor-thin ankle straps, pointy stiletto heels and laser cut oval details add precision and sharpness to the boxy androgynous silhouettes which distort the female form. Transparency is manipulated to great acclaim; be it through perforated fabric, angular mesh inserts or transparent detailing on footwear. Organic monochrome swirls help soften the several bold sartorial statements, yet still attribute structure and form to a collection that appears rigid, but upon closer inspection, reveals itself as a wearable revival of some of fashion's oldest concepts. On a beauty note, the cleanliness and sterility of the ensembles are reinforced with matte complexions, a nude lip, chalky eyeshadow, Twiggy-esque lower lashes and a defined sweep of liquid liner placed above the crease for a look that delicately walks the line between daily makeup wear and theatrical stage makeup. Sophistication fused with streetwear, history minus the ornate fuss, simple yet impactful detailing and absolutely no room for nonsense.

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Coffee with Veena + Zack!

I'm so happy to announce that my second (and hopefully not last!) YouTube video in collaboration with my best friend Zack (you might know him as "zachwithak" on his social media channels and "zackhourihane" on YouTube) is live: "QUESTION AND ANSWER! Coffee with Veena + Zack" !!! It's always so much fun collaborating with my lovely and talented bestie, who is the Entertainment Editor of famous local news portal "Popspoken," as well as an achieved YouTube singer/songwriter. We filmed this fun video at a quirky concept space on McCallum Street called "SPRMRKT" (that's "supermarket" minus the vowels), which houses a delectable selection of home-cooked food and nibbles, assorted cooking utensils and keepsakes sourced from all over the world, and some insanely beautiful art pieces by emerging local visual artists. It's a cosy little hub of all things alternative and inspiring and is sure to redefine your dining/shopping experience by mixing them together at one perfect location! Oh, and my gorgeous black top was sponsored by Threepurs, who you might have read about in my previous advertorial post here! There isn't much else to say that isn't already said in the video, so if you're interested to hear everything from our career aspirations to what's on our iPhone lock screens and way more in-between, check out our video now! Leave your thoughts in the comments, give us a thumbs up if you enjoyed the video and share the link to share the love! We'll love you lots (even more than we already do!) for that :)

sogurt café + sogurtbash!

 A couple weeks ago I had the honor of hosting Sogurt's 3rd Anniversary Party at Zouk Singapore: #SOGURTBASH! I had a lot of fun with my co-host Luke Lee (yes - the one from ABTM!), blogger Georgina Poh and everyone else who came along to join in the fun. Thanks for coming you guys - you made the evening absolutely brilliant and I'm sure you had as great a time as I did! My hair was sponsored by Liese, makeup sponsored by Maybelline, stunning floral crown sponsored by Plume Insignia (an Etsy store started by two of my good friends!), and pretty ice-cream heels sponsored by Melissa (many thanks to Chrissa for helping to coordinate the shoe sponsorship!). My skirt is from webstore Lace and Ebony, my dress (worn as a top) is from Zara and my accessories are from Lovisa! The theme of the event was "Garden of Eden," so I decided to stick to the theme by wearing a floral top and crown. However, I also wanted to mix those florals with something edgier, and this electric blue skirt with peplum laser-cut details was begging to make its debut, so I opted for the skirt and a pair of delicious, sparkly ice-cream heels. The jelly heels were super easy to walk in and very comfortable/light, and while the ice-cream design didn't exactly comply to the dresscode, I thought it added a colorful, fun accent.

 Last but not least, I have Auum to thank for sponsoring my beautiful bio-sculpture nail extensions and manicure for the night. I love the electric-blue glittery tips they pampered me with! This great new "honest nail spa" at PasarBella @ the Grandstand specializes in happy, healthy nail treatments using products that are 3-free and 5-free; that is, without nasty additives and chemicals. As well as using products of the safest calibre, Auum maintains the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene as well: they sanitize their tools using UV light and use disposable tools where possible. I highly recommend their friendly and healthy services!

 Okay, now onto the main part of the blogpost: the newly opened Sogurt Café at Bukit Timah! You've probably driven past it loads of times on Bukit Timah thanks to its convenient location, but I'm telling you: You need to go inside and try their food! While Sogurt has many branches dotted across the island, this is the first Sogurt Café, and I certainly hope it isn't the last. With light sweet treats and savory, healthy lunches, this delightful extension of our favorite froyo destination is equally delicious! The boyfriend and I were treated to a three course meal at the café, and our overall experience received nothing less than a massive two thumbs up.

 First Course: Turkey Ham, Brie Cheese and Cranberry Panini (served with a side of potato chips and salad) - SGD$10.50

We loved this! The toasted sandwich bread was deliciously healthy and the cranberry + cheese combination was an unlikely success. The portion of salad was served with a yummy light dressing and the potato chips were a fantastic way to top off this varied, healthy dish.

 Second Course: Waffles with Froyo and a Strawberry - SGD$6.50

If there's one thing that beats froyo by itself, it's definitely froyo served with a sweet, fluffy waffle drenched in chocolate sauce! I've always loved waffles and ice-cream, but honestly speaking, waffles with froyo was ten times better. It's a small portion that's big enough to satisfy a sugary craving or a light snack, but small enough to leave a little room in your tummy and prevent a food coma/food baby.

 Third Course: Toasties with Strawberries and Chocolate Sauce (served with fresh fruit) - SGD$7.50

Sliced strawberries and chocolate sauce sandwiched between warm toast and covered in even more chocolate sauce; yes please! This is the ultimate sugar fix for those of you guilty of possessing a sweet tooth (me included!) and is a great way to finish up a meal. The only thing that could make this delicious dish better? If it was served with froyo! Oh well, it's not that hard to grab a cup and swirl your own froyo to have alongside your chocolatey toasties (my mouth is seriously watering right now). Toasties are also available with nutella and bananas instead!

 Before we knew it, all our food was gone!

We had a wonderful experience taste-testing the new surprises at Sogurt Café Bukit Timah, and it definitely deserves all the rave reviews it gets. Make sure you head on down to Sogurt Café for a healthy quick fix of either sweet or savory (or both!) and let me know what you think!

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valentino fall/winter '13.

 

 With the artistic flair and sophisticated vision that is expected of designers of the highest calibre in the industry, designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli drew inspiration from the connections between traditional Flemish art and our contemporary society to formulate Valentino's highly successful Fall/Winter 2013 collection. I was invited by Access Communications to preview the collection with fellow bloggers and media representatives at the Valentino store at Ion Orchard, and I thoroughly enjoyed being up close to such an impeccable collection, as well as reconnecting with many familiar faces I hadn't seen in a while. The following photographs comprise of both media-kit images of the pieces on the runway, as well as my own pictures from the event. Read on for an in-depth review of Valentino's Fall/Winter presentation!

 Honestly speaking, it's very hard to fault a collection of such rich inspiration and inarguable depth and character. The ensembles maintained a muted, somber feeling, customary to Fall/Winter collections, yet in no way lacked charisma. Channeling exciting contrasts and unexpected details of commendable authenticity while maintaining a polished, sharp façade caused almost no gaps to be left in the completion of a perfect collection. The bags exuded sophistication and a sense of desirable expensiveness; achieving modernity and versatility without abandoning the essence of classic European styles. More "extreme" fabrics such as the speckled white fur were utilized in measured doses so as to avoid an overwhelming outcome, and were cleverly constructed into more modern silhouettes for the sake of reinventing a classic, old-fashioned fabric. In my mind, fur coats carry an awful connotation of Cruella de Vil's heinous white mink coat; a shapeless, overly extravagant, bathrobe-esque blanket of unflattering proportions, but Valentino has successfully convinced me that fur can be tailored, nonchalant and sexy - and can keep you as warm as a blanket without looking like one.

One of my favorite aspects of the collection were the linear and scalloped mesh cut-outs, which added a youthful wearability to otherwise serious and "grown-up" dresses. As well as allowing a peek of skin, the mesh texture added an eclectic twist which also served to modernize the collection. The horizontal linear cut-out at the collarbone also created an amusing illusion of the bottom half of the dress magically floating to stay up, seemingly disconnected from the collar and the top half of the dress. Contrasting colors in faded hues made for a handful of sorbet-sweet frocks, punctuated with scalloped mesh sleeves for a very refreshing silhouette.

Bloggers Genie, Andrea and Jemma all busy Instagramming!

The lacy, angelic collars, reminiscent of doilies and afternoon tea parties, were enough to make any girly girl smile. While I don't necessarily agree with combining white crochet/lace with red and navy blue, I did enjoy the juxtaposition against black. The details were extraordinarily visible on the runway and proved to be more of a white-hot statement than a sideline embellishment, but I'm not complaining! While I love the contemporary schoolgirl vibe from the picture on the far right, the awkward attempt at lacy "peplum" in the picture second from the left stood out as quite a disappointing design decision.

And now for the bulk of the collection (and the best part, in my opinion): the floor-grazing, ornate gowns in every shade of blue, from azure to stony to teal and every mouthwatering shade in between. One would usually pass off such a single-hued emphasis as one-dimensional and limited, but this is blue at its best; blue like I've never seen it done before. From sweeping gowns nipped in at the waist to shorter, art-deco A-line shifts, blue has never looked so good in so many ways, all on one runway. The short dresses tend to carry the bolder colors and prints, reminiscent of blue and white china teacups in ornate, digital floral prints. The sheer, chiffon gowns with linear ruched detailing and brocade accents were just as stunning as the lacy overlays on flesh-toned fabric, and the astounding elegance of the pieces were only emphasized by their dramatic length and dynamic movement. Predominantly matte but sparkling and shimmering in all the right places, I have yet to find a better purveyor of understated glamour and unrivaled elegance than Valentino. 

Here are a few more snippets of what I deem to be a highly successful collection. The solid colored dresses in navy blue and black enjoy seemingly slashed necklines which reveal a sensual display of shoulder and collarbone skin, while the gorgeous shoes (which, in my opinion, beat Valentino's studded heels and flats by miles) have wide tongues and chunky heels, serving to simultaneously reveal and conceal. How very sneakily sexy, Valentino!

What do you think of this collection?

melrose medley.

There are now so many blogshops out in Singapore's blogshop scene, from independent livejournal sites to stand-alone mass retailers. Melrose Medley falls between those two extremes in a sort of happy medium - big enough to make a statement, but small enough to stay unique. I'm so excited to be featuring them on Seven Inch Stilettos - they house the greatest selection of exclusively handpicked apparels from all over Asia, featuring designs that are modern, stylish and effortless ("reflecting the personality of our shoppers!" owner Cynthia says). Melrose Medley's product line includes dresses, various tops and bottoms, and also accessories such as statement necklaces and earrings to complete your look. Suitable for work and play, these quality pieces boast a universal appeal with their vibrant prints and versatile designs. New items are launched bi-weekly on their site, www.melrosemedley.com, and the team are currently working on their own manufactured label featuring one-of-a-kind designs, so look out for that coming soon! Melrose Medley ships worldwide and offers free local non-registered mailing all year round - as if you needed another good reason to shop there!

dress: c/o melrose medley

heels: mango

blazer (on arm): mae pang

crossbody bag: c/o kristine's collection

earrings + bracelet: lovisa

Here are a couple snaps of me wearing Melrose Medley's First Crush Chiffon Dress (which is unfortunately sold out!) at work the other day. It's comfortable, light and flattering on most body types, and I love details on the back of the dress as well! It's one of those key pieces that every girl needs to have in her wardrobe; its conservative neckline and length makes it as suitable for family gatherings as it is for a weekend brunch with the girls, and of course, as its name suggests: a day out with the first crush! I paired it with heels for both elevated height and sophistication, but this dress can be easily worn with flats and combined with a flowy printed kaftan for a more beachy, resort feel and a pop of color. It also has a versatile Grecian-goddess appeal thanks to the creamy color and the style of the neckline - what's not to love? And these were hardly "posed" phone shots; I was actually sending an email. Photos by John the streetpeeker!

And before I forget, for those of you who prefer to shop in brick-and-mortar stores to get a physical feel of what you're buying, Melrose Medley has just opened a rack space at Creme De La Creme, located at Changi City Point (#01-49). This rack will feature an amazing selection of unreleased items, so be sure to check it out!



What do you think of Melrose Medley? Visit their website, Facebook and Instagram for more updates and sneak peeks!

This is a sponsored advertorial.

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.