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?

#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!

chicstash.

 models at the chic stash launch event dressed in chic stash items

Keen on wearing the big names but only paying for small price tags? Think secondhand designer style is the ultimate eco-chic statement? Have a soft spot for giving back to your favorite international charities while looking fabulous? ChicStash is your ultimate e-commerce destination for uniquely personalized, high end delights to spruce up your wardrobe without breaking the bank (tons of items are massively discounted!), and trust me when I say that this site is definitely worth a visit for everything fashion-forward and wallet-friendly. Everything that is sold goes through rigorous quality checks by the dedicated (and super lovely!) ChicStash team who do a great job making sure you only receive items of the highest quality. This website is literally my newest addiction and I'm so happy to say that I was interviewed and featured in their latest newsletter, which you can sign up for when you create your ChicStash account. It's super easy to make a ChicStash account to start selling your pre-loved "stash," and you can either earn money for yourself from your sales or donate them to a charity of your choice. Looking good and doing good at the same time has never been easier!

ChicStash is fundamentally inspired by the quirky unexpectedness that is found in resale/vintage stores around the world, though mostly prevalent in Europe and the US. With the whole world migrating online to one extent or another, ChicStash decided to embrace that shift and bring high-end resale to Asia through an accessible and fun online portal. Inspired by women who are fashionably responsible and give back to the community while looking good, ChicStash aims to introduce that great habit to all its online users. In an attempt to create a friendly, fun marketplace of buyers and sellers who know each other and are therefore comfortable with buying from each other, being a part of the ChicStash community opens you up to new friends, new fashion and lots of fun (did I mention making those additional bucks yet?).

Furthermore, ChicStash offers a great service called Concierge Closet, which is for the busy fashionista who might not have time to manage their ChicStash account on their own. Leave it to the NYC-trained stylists behind ChicStash to run your account for you and help you snap up some extra cash - according to CEO Denise Palladino, "we know you're not wearing 80% of what's in your closet, so why not make some extra money?"

singapore blogger rana from bonjour singapore checking out the latest steals on sale at the event!

On top of that, raiding the closets of the most fashionable people in Singapore, Asia and beyond has never been easier. Check out the VIP section for an all-access pass to the most coveted wardrobes in the world - without a restraining order! My favorite VIP closets have got to be Julia Blank's and Claudia Krogmeier's. From models and DJs to stylists and businesswomen, shopping VIP  If you think you've got what it takes to be a VIP on ChicStash, apply here. Spaces are limited!

 So there you have it. For those of you who haven't explored Singapore's most up-and-coming secondhand online portal yet - please take five minutes (which will most likely become fifteen minutes, then an hour, then more...) to check it out here and be sure to follow ChicStash on their social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Weibo!

chicstash.com 

This is a sponsored advertorial.

london calling.

It still hasn't hit me that I am now able to spend almost every weekend over the next two years exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the world: London. It's a melting pot of culture and fashion much like New York City, but it has a historic European charm characterized by iconic architecture that the concrete jungle of NYC couldn't even begin to emulate. London has firm cultural roots and a distinct, offbeat vibe, yet everyone can find their own slice of London to feel right at home. As a fashion obsessed student on a budget, I can't wait to better acquaint myself with London's vintage and thrift shopping scene, quirky cafes, bookstores, museums and everything else it has to offer. Oxford Street has its own magic, sure, but there's so much more to be uncovered in this beautiful city and I can't wait to spend the next two years doing just that and becoming a Londoner myself. As a passionate traveler and cultural enthusiast, I'm latching onto my chance to explore a new place independently; that is, without my lovely family in tow. Travelling as a young person on a budget is almost a rite of passage to growing up and becoming an adult, and I can't wait to familiarize myself with London enough so I can confidently bring my friends from Singapore around on a personalized tour, steering clear of gimmicky tourist activities. Umbrella in hand, Oyster card in pocket and wanderlust all over, I'm ready to become best friends with one of the greatest cities in the world.



Above are some pictures of my recent trips to London and what I've done so far:

1. Patara Restaurant on Maddox Street.
With four branches dotted across the most enviable of London locations, Patara Restaurant is the pinnacle of authentic Thai food on this side of the world. With excellent service, quality Thai ingredients and ornate interior decor that makes me miss Thailand that much more, this restaurant has earned its place in my heart for those weekends when I'm feeling those Asian food cravings (and when I have a little more money in my pocket than usual!). I have to mention this again because I can't get over how carefully and beautifully decorated the restaurant is; if you have a penchant for oriental interior design, this restaurant is worth a visit - for the food, delightful decorations and luxurious atmosphere. 

2. One of my London-adventuring outfits.
Featuring the newest addition to my Dr. Martens family: the 1461 Classic, a flowy ribbed cardigan c/o ClubCouture, A&F jeans, an Urban Outfitters top and my latest obsession: my new Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Karlie bag in black, this outfit couldn't have been more appropriate for a Sunday trot around sunny London streets. Comfortable shoes are absolutely essential in big cities, and the AirWair soles of these trendy, simple shoes make the hours of walking that London demands a complete breeze. While we're bidding a gradual adieu to the gloriously hot weather in Europe as Fall drives the thermostats down, simple, light layers made it easy to enjoy the sun, yet wrap up when the winds whipped up. I absolutely ADORE my new MBMJ crossbody bag; it's a little small for someone who constantly carries around oversized bags, but it made my day of trekking in the city a lot lighter. It's designed to carry just the bare necessities; in my case, an Oyster Card, my ID, some cash, lipbalm, phone, gum, etc (speaking of "what's in my bag," I might do a post on that in the future! Thoughts?).

3. A little moment of magic.
I'm not quite sure what this is for or what it even is, but it made me smile to walk past this poster filled with different colors arranged in grid form on the street corner of a small backalley. Big cities are full of the most poignant moments of magic; if one walks around observantly with their eyes open, the most artistic moments can capture you, stop you in your tracks, make you grin and make you walk ahead with a spring in your step. If there's one thing I don't miss about Singapore, it's the uniformity and monotony of the slightly sterile, commercial city. To me, a good city should be efficient and clean, but also rich in imperfections which ultimately create character and soul. 

4. London's stunning architecture.
I don't quite remember where this was taken (other than the fact that it was conveniently near a Jack Wills store!), but I love the fact that there is so much unique historical splendor still prevalent in places with the most commercial, globalized stores in the world. 

5. #LFW flags on Oxford Street.
A picture taken standing outside the legendary Topshop on Oxford Street (yes, I did get lost in there). Bustling with tourists and locals alike, I was able to snap this picture of the London Fashion Week banners waving proudly above the street. More on that to come!

6. A lazy day in the sun.
Summer berries, a classic novel (complete with SAT vocabulary highlights - woo!), my favorite navy loafers, my Moleskine journal and a new fountain pen - oh, and a sunny patch of grass. London has big red buses and towering buildings, but is also full of picturesque park benches and gorgeous parks for those who favor slices of nature amidst a bustling urban jungle. I certainly do!

If you have any recommendations at all about London, feel free to email me at veena@seveninchstilettos.com or leave a comment below!

nicole miller SS14 | versailles rebel.

From dainty to daring and flapper to fantabulous, elegant and exuberant and sultry to shimmering, I'm tempted to write a 5th grade style acrostic poem as an attempt to list all the relevant adjectives that sum up one of the best, most wearable collections I have seen in a long time. Nicole Miller mightn't be a household name, but I know I'm not the only one completely enchanted by her cohesive collection of some of Spring's most timeless themes. While Miranda Priestley is (in)famous for sarcastically commenting on the groundbreaking nature of florals for spring, I'm far too taken with Miller's futuristic interpretations of fashion's most beloved "S/S" motifs to care about recycling trends that I actually really love. So what if designers do stripes and florals every Spring Summer season? There's a reason for such fond favorites to continuously reoccur - because we love them very very much. After all, the best way to reinvent your style for SS14 is to do it the Nicole Miller way: wear stripes, florals and tons of summery color all in one explosive, seamless ensemble. Here's to revisiting and reinventing favorites!

Some of the most stellar pieces in the collection made use of a simple black and white palette, spotlighting the intricate detail and workmanship of the pieces by toning down color. Geometry reigns supreme with a modern, glamorously fitted top and a pencil skirt with inverted color placement (centre left) - perfect for creating a sleek silhouette on any shape or size. A black leather crop is balanced out neatly with a flowy white knee-length skirt; another universally sensuous match made in monochrome heaven. Speaking of contrast, few things are more strikingly delicate than the white sheath skirt in the centre right image - statement making with a graceful, feminine touch has never been easier.

Deeper than turquoise, bluer than aqua yet still oddly green… I have no idea what that captivating color is but it's delicious and seems rather fit for the season. It's fresh but not adolescent, sophisticated minus the stiffness. It's an organic cross between stained-glass and the interior of a kaleidoscope, and the flecks of magenta and sky blue make this print utterly magnificent and easily translated onto a number of ensembles. I'm loving the shapely punctuation offered by the thick black panel stitching in the two dresses on the right; I wouldn't mind a strapless minidress in that print! While I'm not as much of a fan of the seemingly magnified print as seen on the top on the far left and skirt on the centre left, I'm so head over heels with that deep, luscious color that it hardly bothers me at all.

And now onto the outerwear, possibly the hardest aspect of a collection for designers to strike a balance between artistic, statement-making and wearable. Nicole Miller seems to have no issues with making her designs down-to-earth enough to be worn by actual human women (let's hope her price tags echo that strength!), and these jackets are testament to her "wearability is key" philosophy (she didn't actually say that quote, I just decided three seconds ago that her brand's philosophy should be wearability yep). A bit punk, a lot embellished, but slightly verging on too topshoppy, these are very cute. Very cute indeed.

True glamour always contains a concealed edge, and in Miller's world, this takes the form of beautiful stained-glass shards positioned in an angular, geometric explosion on various tops, skirts and dresses. Pristinely defined, perfectly contemporary and another universally flattering success, these ensembles help jagged color and classic silhouettes balance out beautifully. I'm totally in favor of the sporty, cut-in necklines (far right) and casual, cropped lengths which show a hint of midriff. If these pieces can't be worn to the office, out at night, to fashion week or anything in between, then what can?

 Fashionista.com describes this collection as being inspired by "the aftermath of a gang of rebel girls storming the castle," and it couldn't have been better put. This gloriously colorful, decadent juxtaposition of grunge-chic rebels and elegant femininity culminate dramatically in the seven looks above. By infusing bold monochrome stripes with watercolor florals, throwing a raw white leather vest over a fitted power dress and punctuating a striped pencil skirt with bursts of blooms, the result is no less than pinstripe perfection with a springtime-appropriate dose of bright florals. Top marks for reinvention, wearability and sex appeal.

 Towards the end of the show, a shift in focus to a less "teenage rebel" and more "refined princess" look can be noted through the evolution of colorful florals to gold baroque embellishments and modern white base hues to sheer pearl ones. Black becomes increasingly dominant as necklines reach a sexy, all time low in deep Vs decorated with ornate gold detailing. Tasseled jewelry becomes a permanent fixture, adding an ornate finish to pared-down, floor sweeping gowns with a sexy, linear finish. Nicole Miller's astounding ability to manipulate simple lines of color and fabric to construct the aesthetic framework of her pieces continues to boast success throughout the collection, adding dimension and shape to her expertly crafted pieces. Sequined floral motifs epically clash with baby pink twirly skirts, decadent glimmering accents glint with movement and bold, cloudy prints add lustrous mystique. Perfection.

So, what do you think of Nicole Miller's gorgeous Spring/Summer 2014 collection?

formal!

 Dresses of every color and fabric grazing the ground, man-to-man bow tie readjustments, last minute lippy touch-ups by teary-eyed mothers, clinking champagne glasses, plenty of giggles, a confused medley of perfumes and colognes intertwining in the air and a luxuriously limitless line of (parent) photographers armed with DSLRs, each keen to capture their children bearing smiles that outshine the whirlwind of lightning-like camera flashes. I can now proudly speak from past experience when I say that those clicking cameras and mile-wide smiles simply do not cease until the wee hours of the long and lovely evening that is prom - or, as our school calls it, Grade 10 Formal! Here is the product of what was an incredible night filled with good food, excellent company, crazy dancing, and of course, beautiful dresses: A relatively comprehensive photo-diary, which took me ages to narrow down from a crazy excess of photographs!

Getting ready for Formal was stressful but definitely enjoyable. I got my mani-pedi done the evening before to avoid last-minute rushing and freaking out - a lovely pale pink on my fingernails to match my dress and nude on my toes (I was contemplating not painting my toenails because no one would see them anyway!). I ended up rushing like mad the night before formal though; getting shoes, earrings, rings and bracelets 24 hours in advance is not advisable. I bought a lovely gold bracelet from Lovisa which I especially liked - it was a thin, elastic bracelet adorned with abstract floral and organic motifs such as delicate gold leaves and dusty pink petals. I was far too sleepy at 10pm on a Wednesday night to be fussed with finding the perfect pair of shoes that no one would even see under my long dress anyway, so I picked up a comfortable nude pair from Mango which I will definitely get future use out of. 

 

The morning before Formal was a blur of facemasks and makeup (I did my makeup myself and was very proud of how natural it looked!) before heading off to Visage Salon at Delfi Orchard to get my hair done. Because I have naturally thin, limp and very straight/boring hair, I knew I couldn't leave it down and expect even the tightest of curls to stay put for the whole night. Ask any stage-mom or hair stylist that has dealt with my hair: no matter how much hairspray is used, curls do NOT stay in my hair. Before deciding on the exact hairstyle I wanted for this special night, I formed the following set of criteria: I wanted something mature, fuss-free, at least half-down (to avoid the bald egg-head look in photos taken from the front), something a little bit curly/more voluptuous than normal, and well suited to my dress. After speaking to my hairstylist Dominic, we agreed on a side braid pumped up with plenty of volume. To achieve that, all my hair was curled into tight ringlets and covered in hairspray to create volume and those curls were then braided loosely into a plait that fell over my shoulder, with plenty of curly tufts here and there. It was perfect and completely fuss-free!

 And now, the most important constituent of any girl's prom night: her dress! I was super late on the dress-hunt; many girls began posting pictures of their dresses in our girls-only Facebook group (created to ensure no dress clashes!) months ago, and my dress only arrived in the mail less than two weeks before the big day. Nevertheless, it was perfect and I loved it. It was BCBG Maxazria's Avi Pleated Gown in Talc, and the moment I saw it I fell in love with it. It was everything I wanted my formal dress to be: geometric, flattering, comfortable, and just the right balance of "girly" and "statement." I knew from the start I didn't want a dress that was all one tone/texture/color - I wanted some form of diversity WITHIN my dress, but I wasn't quite sure how that diversity should be achieved for such an event (I was skeptical about overdosing on too many colors, too). This dress fulfilled that criterion perfectly through the marriage of different fabrics and textures in a geometric explosion that comprises the body of the dress. With interlocking lace (both with and without underlayers), pleats and fabric segments, distinguished in subtle variations of the same "talc" color, an understated pattern is created on the upper half of the dress to accentuate the torso, nip in the waistline and fall elegantly and loosely on your hips. It wasn't overly girly and it wasn't a neon geometric statement free of femininity either - the muted hue served to soften the definition that such an architectural dress boasted. I love the fact that it wasn't strapless as well; while I initially thought going strapless would add a sexy, feminine edge to my outfit, my dress allowed me to dance the night away without once readjusting/pulling anything up, so I'm glad I didn't let a strapless dress create constant problems on what was a very special night. 

 

 

And the last aspect of my outfit - my bag! This gorgeous blush-toned scalloped portfolio clutch courtesy of Dorothy Perkins was the perfect match; it accentuated the pink tones in my dress and added a more glamorous splash of gold to my otherwise matte outfit. The scallops served to soften the straight lines and edges of the details of my dress while retaining the geometric flavor of my outfit. It was a tad on the larger side, but that worked to my advantage by making more of a statement and fitting all my essentials for the evening!

It's tradition to have Pre-Drinks (known as Pres) at someone's house with a bunch of friends before the event itself, where parents are also invited to sip champagne and take as many pictures of their kids as they want. My best friend Camilla invited a handful of us over to her place for Pres where most of the picture-taking took place. It was so nice to gather with some of the most wonderful people before one of the biggest nights of high school - I couldn't be more grateful for these guys. Note the parent-paparazzi picture above!

All in all, Formal was an absolutely amazing evening. Held at the Fullerton Hotel's Grand Ballroom, a spectacular venue, the evening went very smoothly (much to my relief: being on the Formal Organizing Committee was a LOT of work). There were two big projector screens on both sides of the ballroom where Eventstagram ran a live feed of every Instagram photo posted with a certain #hashtag, allowing everyone to enjoy each others' pictures and letting each of us have our five seconds of fame up on the big screens! A couple of talented student musicians in our grade got up on stage and performed, awards were given out, tons of bad dancing happened and a lot of food was eaten. Formal was also the perfect way for me to say goodbye to a lot of people, because as some of you know, I'm heading off to boarding school in the UK after the summer and won't be returning to my previous school, which has been like a second home to me for 10 years. Thanks to everyone who made Formal 2013 such a great night, and to all my beloved friends, teachers and peers who have shaped my 10 years at this school and made it infinitely fulfilling and worthwhile.