Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category
Hello New York, Goodbye Manolos
Indeed, Sex and the City is grossly misleading, not only in terms of expected apartment sizes of newspaper column writers (not even syndicated!), but also that all New York women all prance around in 4-inch Manolos.
During my years in Hong Kong I have amassed an astonishing amount of 3-inch heels. (I’m 5′ 7″ and do not have a Napoleon complex.) See, Hong Kong is very heels-friendly. First, the city is very compactly constructed. Just take a look at the hundred-story high-rises — space is a precious commodity. Second, we were not known to explore much. The best places to live, work, eat, and drink, were all within a 5-mile radius of Central. Third, the culture of Hong Kong itself favored heels. A notorious one-industry town, most people toiled away in über-conservative investment banks. Exposed toes are not a good look on that chick who’s about to take your company public! In conclusion, due to the small distance traveled and general expensive footwear-oriented culture, stilettos were my weapon of choice.
By contrast, New York is just as pedestrian-friendly as it is heels-unfriendly. Have you seen those cross-town blocks? They are so freakin’ long! Combined with the perils of those metal subway covers waiting for your poor stilettos to sink in, heels are not a practical choice. Though fashionistas may interject with the “heels, always” motto, hobbling down Fifth Avenue is never fashionable. I love walking and gawking in New York. Why bereave yourself of such a simple pleasure? Save the Manolos for the days of being chauffeured.
As much as flip flops suffice for most occasions, it is just a tad inappropriate for any situation involving anything marble. In particular, I cringe when the rubber goes pitter patter against marble stairs. What to do? Here are my choices for chic flat sandals.
Giuseppe Zanotti flat sandal from Endless
Giuseppe Zanotti is *the* brand I think of as soon as I see “flat” and “sandals”. They create what I consider to be one of their signature items, the jeweled thong, every season. These are casual but oh-so gorgeous! Combine with a beautiful pedicure for maximum effect.
K Jacques St Tropez Valerie sandals from NAP
In case you didn’t get the memo, t-strap sandals are all the rage here in New York. I love the K Jacques version. The tan leather sole nicely sets off the metallic straps, making it glam but not over the top for day. And what is this “K. Jacques”, you may ask. Fashionista has some interesting insights.
Gucci Nolita sandals from Bergdorf
If you did seek something more over the top, however, this Gucci version is to-die-for. Stupid interlocking G’s symbol aside, this sandal is simplicity at its best. I love mirrored metallics for the summer. Add a little sparkle to your step while traversing Central Park!
Greetings
Check out the beautifully-designed L-atitude site, which combines luxury fashion with travel. It’s like my two great loves in life finally found each other.
Guess who wrote the Hong Kong Zip Code Guide?
Correct answer: Yours truly.
Diane von Furstenberg
She wore a black sheath dress, black and white leopard print cardigan, black slingbacks, and a gold bangle. So chic. In a panel of five, she was the only one who seemed to be completely at ease: putting on a cardigan when it was cold, fidgeting with the hem of her dress, zoning out when it was appropriate, and making naughty quips with raised eyebrows. (And her eyebrows are really striking to begin with!)
I love the way she talked, with very long drawn out words and elaborate hand gestures. English is not her first language, which gave her even more of a flair. While recounting the cultural richness of Vienna, she asked: “What is it, when people take too much drugs? Yes — Overdose! I felt like on Overdose!”
English is not my first language either, so I had thought “doyenne” meant an old lady who wears gaudy jewelry and orders people around. Not true. The one word that kept appearing in my mind while watching Ms. DVF interact with Prabal Gurung and Norma Kamali is “doyenne”. Clearly, she commands so much respect that everyone hung on her every naughty quip.
One of my favorite quotes of the night is when she spoke on her design for the New York Sidewalk Catwalk, which is an allover leopard print. ”It’s nice for women to feel feline, which is why I guess the leopards wear it.”
End of a dynasty; return to modesty
I woke up the other day to two jokey messages from my besties back in Hong Kong. They questioned their ability to wear crazy ruffled dresses in my regrettable absence. Jokesters.
Fashion is less about beauty than it is about capturing a certain zeitgeist. The dresses signified a personal roaring-early-twenties: it was Hong Kong pre-financial-crisis; all my banker friends were fresh out of business school; and everyone stayed out until 3am without question. Two and something years later comes the end of a fabled time, and thus an end to strapless ruffled dresses in bright colors.
Out of responsibility of reaching the “mid-twenties”, and out of necessity of finally moving to a place with real winters, I am beginning to see viable ways of incorporating turtlenecks into a stylish wardrobe.
More to come.
Adventures in Copyright ©
I have been following this column for a while and it recently took an interesting turn. From the Miu Miu and Just Cavalli post you see that copying is not just happening among the low-end shops anymore. Even more interestingly, take a look at the Bottega v. Ten Over Six post, it’s actually happening in the reverse mode. Low-end inspiring something high-end. (Psst – Remember those LV red and blue bags?)
To add some insider perspective, Prada subscribed to my trend forecasting service right about the time when I left. My trend director and I had some fun with the situation. Just what trend information is Miuccia going to take from a forecaster? Here you have the pinnacle of fashion herself, asking us to inform her of the trends.
Just like the world economy, fashion and designers are more and more interlinked. No label is going to be an island or independently creative (like China in the 1750s?) How do people find inspiration? It’s not sitting in a room with no windows and fiddling, but walking out and exploring the world. We more or less live in the same world with the same major events happening. Sometimes it is hard to not be inspired by the same things, just because it’s the most defining thing happening during our lifetime.
Lastly, the meaning of fashion is simply different today. The likes of Chanel, Dior, and YSL shocked everyone with their respective departures from tradition. But now, everything that’s new and shocking has already been done. Women have worn everything from petticoat-less dresses to pants to bikinis and back. Now it’s about recycling while seeking to impart a new perspective. Are Zara’s designs original? Nope. But is Zara so freaking amazing for revolutionizing fashion and bringing runway to the masses like nobody has ever done? YES.
Louis Vuitton
During my time off, I wandered into the Louis Vuitton flagship, battled with the latest batch of Chinese mistresses who are there to buy their tax-free status symbol 包包’s, and actually found a pair of basic black sunglasses that I really liked. I have trouble finding sunglasses that fit my face (small round Asian nose!), and LV is really ahead of the game here — not simply enticing the affluent Chinese consumer with their ubiquitous logo, but also designing things ergonomically to fit the Chinese frame. Cool!
Was just checking out their site as linked by The Selby, and found Todd Selby’s collaboration with the brand. Selby to me always represented indie cool, so this is a delightful surprise to me. (But I mean, indie is the new cool. Just take a look at the Gossip Girl soundtrack and Elle magazine’s music recommendations.) I lvoe (typo, but I’m keeping it) that LV is going back to its travel roots. After all, it is what really distinguishes the brand from its counterparts. Be sure to check out the Shanghai profiles — the sound is very China!
Journey of a Wardrobe by Todd Selby for LV
Lane Crawford VM Team Rocks
Was at the Causeway Bay Lane Crawford the other day and when I ran into something so extraordinarily inspiring. In this particular branch, the contemporary section is right next to the old ladies section, and in the little path in the middle were three impeccably-dressed mannequins. All three boasted St. John’s jackets with interesting texture, casual jersey t-shirt or woven shirt underneath, ripped up short shorts, and accessorized with those of-the-moment heavy metal chain necklaces. The result is so chic, perfectly blending uptown and downtown.
I have a pink St. John’s jacket that I adore, but rarely wear for the fear of being mistaken for a Republican. This totally inspires me to pair it with ripped up short shorts!
iPhone v. Blackberry
The age old question that has graced many the magazine covers. One thought: the iPhone is rarely a graceful instrument to use. I often see people poking/pointing/sliding/shaking/tapping the hell out of their iPhones, none of which is particularly attractive. Remove the iPhone, and the movement itself is actually hilarious and kind of stupid. Ask yourself this: does this body movement go with your strapless floor-length Oscar de la Renta gown? I will posit that it does not.
On the other hand, the Blackberry is much more graceful to use, if not only for the fact that it is more mysterious. You may see the person furiously thumbing away at something, but not necessarily what exactly he/she is doing. In this matter, the iPhone is the equivalent of those clear plastic satchels a la Prada SS10 – with all its secrets shamelessly on display!
The similarities are uncanny
In the name of good style, I personally will not be pointing my well-manicured index finger to any iPhone soon. 
Perfection
Valentino lace back dress. A little nice in the front. A little naughty in the back.
Lace detail crepe jersey dress from Net-a-Porter
You know who else has a passion for fashion?
Dick Fuld. Excerpt from the Daily Intel:
Richard Fuld once berated his deputy Joe Gregory for wearing an “unfashionable green suit,” and fired CFO Erin Callan for what many (us) believe was (among other things) her usage of appalling nude lipstick. But we did not know how deep his passion for fashion ran until we read the excerpt from Vicky Ward’s new book in Vanity Fair this morning. Put a chic bob and some oversize sunglasses on the man, and he’s basically Anna Wintour.
Like Anna, Fuld, who declared it “a dark day for the firm” when Casual Fridays were voted in, was always impeccably turned out.
He always dressed immaculately for work, in a navy-blue suit purchased from Richards department store in Greenwich, Connecticut, along with a white shirt, black lace-ups polished to a high sheen, and an Hermès tie. He had a tailor put special stitching in his suit pants and tops so he could easily see which coat went with which pants.
