optical illusion.

 bag - c/o jumpfrompaper

top - c/o part and parcel

skort - zara

shoes - dr. martens

Meet the most exciting, unreal addition to my wardrobe: Jumpfrompaper's Cheese bag! I was bouncing up and down when JFP contacted me and asked me to make one of the hardest decisions of ever: picking one bag from their colorful website. While I would be the happiest bunny to take home all of their eclectic, puzzlingly wonderful creations, the "Cheese" bag had to be my favorite. I love the girl-next-door satchel style and I don't own anything in this cheddar cheese color, making it an even more special, unique newbie to my closet. I love the confused stares and obvious double-takes I get when taking this bag out and I certainly don't expect anything less of passerbys; it's quite the statement bag with a very confusing aesthetic construction! Browsing the JFP website left me curious as to how these bags actually looked and felt in real life - "they look so fake and animated!" said a good friend of mine. I don't know how much sense this makes, but if I say that the bag looks exactly as how you're currently imagining it to be through these pictures, I hope that clarifies things for you. 

I love the casual, slouchy and breezy quality of this blue and white striped top gifted to me by local blogshop Part and Parcel. It has a wide, low neckline, making it perfect as a swimsuit throw-over too. The slanted breast pockets and aforementioned neckline create physical linear patterns, emphasized by the stripes, which I like to believe gives a nice slimming effect, as well as the linear cut of my trusty Zara skort. This skort is probably the most overexposed garment of 2013, and rightly so. I have yet to find a more comfortable, versatile option to carry me securely through the awkward gaps of dress codes that life presents me with. Fashion events, tuition, meetings, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacktimes, coffees... the list of instances where this skort is appropriate is truly infinite. The geometric nature of the "origami" skirt instantly adds an interesting angle to the simplest white-tee-and-flats combo, yet simultaneously serves to simplify an ensemble consisting of digital prints and kaleidoscopic sky-high heels. You want versatility, affordability, effortlessness and perfection, did you say? Get your a** to Zara and snap up one or four of these gems.

style.in.kind.

Boasting a kick-ass range of contemporary, youthful pieces for every occasion possible, style.in.kind is the newest exciting online fashion destination for must-have pieces that won't break the bank. From blouses to statement necklaces, style.in.kind's drool-worthy collection of unique pieces are peppered in plenty of color, and of course, the timeless promise of eternal style. Not only do they have their own collection of wonderful apparels, style.in.kind also proudly carries curated items from emerging independent Malaysian designers and labels such as Mno.logie, Midnight in E Garden by Ade G (which lucky Singaporean residents can find in Far East Plaza!), Fortune by Kim Dulaney and many more to come.

As their colorful landing page suggests, style.in.kind is filled to the brim with chic separates that can be easily combined to create a medley of different ensembles to fit your every mood and occasion. The brand were kind enough to sponsor me a few pieces which I am SO excited about - you can check out the clutch and shirt they sponsored me in this blogpost! The perspex clutch has such great studded detail and has found a permanent place on my shelf amongst my fashion magazines and books; talk about interior design potential as well as sartorial functionality! The refreshing, orange chevron-print blouse is lightweight and relaxed - I've already worn it so many times as it seems to fit every occasion perfectly; from date nights to fashion events.

 These are a couple of pictures off my Instagram (@veenamccoole - thank you for 1.5K by the way!) of style.in.kind's pieces - as you can see in the centre picture it's become a part of my room now! I'm in love with the super pretty blue and orange bracelets they sent me too (I'm so terribly obsessed with that color combination as of late - cue a "blue and orange" outfit post, perhaps!).

 Follow style.in.kind on Facebook and Instagram - and check out their website here!

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MINKPINK - high summer.

 Fresh, young and very Australian, I'm completely in love with MINKPINK's brand philosophy that's seamlessly integrated into their "Summer High" Campaign. With daring prints, unexpected color combinations and an aesthetic that is no less than electric, "High Summer" is really all you need for a killer summer wardrobe. The strength of this collection lies in the fact that virtually no accessories are necessary to "amp up" an outfit, as the bold colors and prints suffice to complete any MINKPINK ensemble. Typical summer days usually consist of sunny beach afternoons that quickly evolve into evening barbecues, meaning there's a minimal amount of time to get changed between one social gathering and another. MINKPINK's delicious new collection makes those hectic transitions easier by reducing the number of steps to getting ready: forget accessories, statement hats, complicated makeup or crazy-cool shoes, all you need is a MINKPINK romper in a crazy print to hog the spotlight and make your outfit shine without the aid of unnecessary accessories. 

With more sophisticated elements such as the matching black and white croptop and leggings, a perfect balance of playfulness and poise is attained while, of course, maintaining signature youthful prints. These kaleidoscopic separates can be flaunted with a solid basic counterpart or an even more excitable print for maximum impact, and as demonstrated in the many playful pictures of the campaign shoot, MINKPINK's hot summery designs are appropriate in any and every weird and wonderful situation you find yourself in this summer. Embrace festival-style dressing (even though Coachella is over!) in the form of funky bustiers, distressed denim and fiery bodycon separates in the best prints you'll see this year. Happy Summer!

What do you think of MINKPINK's gorgeous summer campaign?

#DFWSG2013

 

Some of you may have seen this on my Instagram already, but I'm so excited to share with you guys our very own homegrown fashion event --  Digital Fashion Week Singapore! I've been named their Official Fashion Correspondent for this year's event, which promises to be absolutely HUGE. I can't disclose the crazy lineup of designers and international fashion personalities yet, but holy moly - it's going to be amazing. Whether you're curled up in bed in California or are taking a day off in Tokyo, the beauty of Digital Fashion Week is that everyone, regardless of who you are or where you are, can enjoy front-row access and go behind-the-scenes of a fully functioning fashion week! 

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I worked with the DFW team last year and had the privilege to not only attend a few of the shows in person at the Ritz Carlton Hotel (blogpost here), but to be a part of the regional fashion blogger panel who hosted Google+ hangouts with the stars of last year's event to get an insight into their lives and their contributions to the fashion industry. Over the next couple weeks before my summer officially starts, I'll be visiting the studios and showrooms of the participating Singapore designers on behalf of DFW and giving you guys a sneak-peek of what's coming your way through DFW's social media platforms, which are all linked below. I will also be asking them a few questions to get their insight on Singapore's fashion industry as well as their inspiration and design process. Make sure you stay tuned for all the excitement; from giveaways/competitions to designer interviews, it's a whole lot of fun that you definitely can't miss! (Psst... they will be running a giveaway for these polaroids very soon! There can only be 20 lucky winners!)

Follow DFW on their Website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and Google+!

juicy couture: the modern pin-up girl!

 I had such a great time at my first event with Juicy Couture a few weeks back! With yummy pink prosecco, live models, an awesome photobooth and two excellent hosts, previewing a collection has never been this fun. Juicy Couture's latest collection, entitled "The Modern Pin-Up," is exactly what its name describes. It's a fun, sexy and contemporary take on the classic 1950's Pin-Up girl, and in the world of Juicy Couture, that entails lots of color, preppy layering and plenty of gorgeous prints. What I love about Juicy Couture is the youthfulness and playfulness that resonates through every bag, dress or pair of shoes they design. Being sexy and sophisticated is fine, but when there's an element of beachy-cool freedom to your outfit, the result is something all women crave to exude: effortlessness. 

 One piece - three ways!

One of the highlights of the evening was a mini catwalk presentation where the hosts showed us three equally gorgeous ways to style pieces from Juicy Couture's latest collection. I love this sequined dress; it's not excessively glitzy or cheap-looking and only when you take a step closer do you see the subtle sequin overlay. While the updated Juicy tracksuit top is cute, I prefer this dress with a simple navy cardigan and a dreamy tropical clutch.

 I absolutely adored this cute little romper - it's not every day you see such a great balance of tropical playfulness and classy-chic, and I'm 100% sure that that's all down to the genius color scheme adorning the print. My favorite look definitely was the denim jacket and black clutch look - I'd love to be caught sporting that on a resort vacation! Juicy Couture's newest collection also includes nautical-inspired accessories which have a really expensive quality to them, despite sporting the excessive decadence synonymous with the brand. The chunky gold chain necklace (also pictured in the denim jacket look) is a wonderful addition to a mix-and-matched look.

 

 I've honestly never thought hot-pink and red could ever go well together, but this neatly pleated shift dress definitely proved me wrong. I love the matchy-matchy striped belt which adds lovely shape to the dress, and that sparklingly clean white clutch is a perfectly preppy way to finish off the look. On the other hand, while I love the green bag and mesh cardigan to bits, I probably wouldn't decide to pair them with this dress. My favorite is the last look - from the glammed-up tote to the big floppy hat, this look is a wonderful marriage of different styles, textures and color. Recurring stripes equals nautical appeal; and you can never go wrong with that.

Camilla, Emma & I with our Goodie bags | Emma & I enjoying some Prosecco | Host/Blogger Yvette and I

 Since this event clashed with my annual last-day-of-school sleepover with my two best friends, I decided to drag them along for some Juicy Couture fun! Here are some pictures of us from the event and from the sleepover - check out our matching shirts! I was wearing a gorgeous dress sponsored by Kristine's Collection, check out their Facebook and Website.

shopbop's new designers!

The rapid rise of the digital age in the context of fashion doesn't stop at simply promoting accessibility, breaking down barriers of exclusivity and giving online influencers a place among the stars in the front-row of fashion; one of the most striking facets of our technology-powered industry is the fact that one no longer needs to doll-up and head into town in order to snap up some sale pieces from their favorite designer. For someone who likes doing absolutely nothing at home, the idea of shopping from the comfort of my bed is EXTREMELY appealing - and what better place to shop online than Shopbop?

The cream of the crop in the world of e-retail, Shopbop was launched in 2000 and has since been successfully in sustaining their vision of catering to the "chic, modern woman" of today. Shopbop provides a personalized shopping experience to its customers and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as having "the best customer service." A champion of emerging design talent (they feature limited edition pieces from top designers exclusively available on their site) and the first "magazine-meets-boutique" approach to e-commerce, Shopbop is arguably the best store of its kind - it's certainly made its way to my list of "Top Hits" lately! For a self-confessed newbie to the world of online shopping, Shopbop is definitely my top destination for future "e-splurges" on pieces from my favorite designers!

Here are my 5 picks from some of Shopbop's newest designers - let me know what you think of them!

1. One Teaspoon: Pretty Daggers Top
This homegrown Sydney label specializes in edgy yet wearable designs that bridge the gap between sexy rock-n-roll and laid-back surf culture, and is a great place to snap up deconstructed/reinvented wardrobe essentials in bold colors that transcend fast-fashion trends. I especially love this gorgeous caged top, it's basically the definition of Aussie Tumblr-style and can be worn in so many daring ways.

2. Vera Wang: Sleeveless Corseted Dress
Designed by the ever-reigning queen of the most important dress you'll ever wear (your wedding dress!), Vera Wang's aesthetic of elegance at every age is translated perfectly into this flattering white number. It's sophisticated but not dull and conservative but not granny-esque; while other designers struggle to walk the fine line between appropriateness and boredom, Vera Wang seems to skip along it and breeze right by. With simple pleating and an origami feel to the nipped in waist and medium-bodied skirt, this dress flatters the female form from every angle and promises to exude understated glamour.

3. Monika Chiang: Domina Chain Cuff Sandal
I've recently fallen very much in love with ankle-strap shoes; even though they provide the illusion of shorter, stumpier legs, I just love that they're a nice change from the generic pump-design of most heels. This head-turning design by Monika Chiang is a boundary-pushing, inspired take on classic athletic silhouettes - what I love is the range of textures, materials and color combined tastefully into one shoe that makes it the perfect focal point of a basic outfit. Monika Chiang's other designs feature the likes of mesh platforms and spiked wedge sneakers, making her name synonymous with all things sexy, grungy and athletic.

4. Liebeskind: Lioba Stainy Studs Bag
If there's one color that everyone needs to own more of, it's stone grey. Or rather, every single shade/tone (I forget which is the accurate artistic term!) between the extremes of black and white. Grey is such a beautifully understated addition to any outfit, it has a unique, offbeat appeal and is versatile beyond belief. This studded grey bag from Berlin-based brand Liebeskind (translation: "love child") is so wonderfully carefree, with a distinct charm that reflects the urban vibe of Berlin. Be it leather shorts, skinny jeans, a maxi dress or denim cutoffs, this bag might just be able to accompany every single outfit of yours out the door and onto the street.

5. ace&jig: Rolled Tee Blouse
If there's something I literally cannot ever have enough of, it's slouchy tees. This particular one comes with a great history as well as interesting details - the yarn-dyed striped fabric is made in collaboration with specialists in India on ancient hand looms. It adds the perfect touch of color, texture and a wonderful snippet of historical context to anything from a ripped pair of boyfriend jeans to a flowy maxi skirt.

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cobalt blue.

Be it celebrity style, recurring details on the runway or simply what you see on the street, the thing about trends that really irks me is the fact that it can sometimes put a huge limit on the colors deemed "stylish" in your wardrobe. While I understand fluorescents are hardly the hues of choice for winter and black funeral shrouds are never really "in" for summer, I don't think trends of any sort should have the right to dominate your decisions when it comes to color. One of my favorite things about putting together a colorful outfit is having the freedom to play with contrast and mood, regardless of the weather or season. There's nothing more refreshing than donning a color-blocked scarf in the dead of winter; color is an excellent way to liven up any outfit, be it workwear, formal-wear or lazy-Sunday-wear and my current favorite is cobalt blue. 

In my opinion, this electric hue is best suited to bold, geometric pieces such as statement cut-out heels and patent crossbody bags.There's nothing more chic than cobalt blue apparels slashed with neat, geometric doses of its equally powerful color-counterparts, namely tangerine/vermillion. Adding a punchy color to a head-turning accessory: that's real power-dressing for you! To lessen the "impact" of the color on its own is an equally gorgeous way to wear cobalt blue: in a print! The sharp blazer on the top left shows the color set in a soft pattern, and the iPhone case demonstrates just how effective the modern color is at giving ethnic prints such as ikat a futuristic update. 

Given how perfect of a backdrop cobalt blue provides for metallic accents and details, another effective way to wear the color is with a classy dose of metal. Simple studded/toe-cap flats fulfil this perfectly, as do geometric pops of color set in a gold chain or silver cuff. It's the harmonious marriage of edgy and trendy, and unlike other brighter colors, it's definitely something that can be pulled off by women of any age. 

What do you think of this great color? 

fall 2012 - england | photo diary.

Here it is; the comprehensive photographic recollection of my marvelous week in Kent + London! For those of you who don't keep up with me on Twitter, I spent a week in early November soaking up the nippy weather, sunny skies (YES you read that correctly - there was magnificent weather!) and beautiful fall scenery of England. Although the purpose of the trip wasn't exactly for leisure (I spent the first half of the trip studying and sitting various exams, eek!), I ended up doing a lot of shopping, sightseeing and touristy photo-taking in England's stunning capital city. Following my rambles (which should end soon) is a photo-diary which will hopefully take you on a visual journey through my various experiences over the past week, including one or two repetitive outfits (Singapore Airlines' weight allowance unfortunately didn't accommodate my entire wardrobe so apologies for the lack of diversity in the apparel department!), tourist-y shots, and countless snaps of the crispy fall leaves/bare trees - I seriously can't help myself when it comes to fall, I have such a weakness for the burnt hues of the perishing foliage, the fragile, naked branches and the fresh-red-cheeks weather that goes along with it. It's such a beautiful representation of nature's most intricate cycle; the dying, falling, absence and subsequent regrowth of leaves, and the leisurely decline in temperature followed by the eagerness of warm sun, gently nudging the snow out until next year. Judging by the snowstorms that have hit my cousins in Connecticut, my description was probably a little (or a lot) romanticized, but when you live in a tropical city without the luxuries of dynamic weather, all you've got is your imagination to fuel you (e.g. turning my air-con down to 10˚C on Christmas Eve in order to bundle up in several woolly articles of clothing and pretend I'm in Europe). Enjoy!