Alexander Wang to Balenciaga

After Nicolas' sudden departure at the house he made to be one of fashion's forefront, news of Alexander Wang replacing him is on the rage.



Wang's designs, especially in his recent collections shows he can well do this job easy. Although going fashion forward and avant-garde, he is still attached with the word "commercialism" which is Nicolas has not been after. I hope he does justice to this. I know he can.....but, ok , where is Nicolas going interests me more.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013 Menswear

Metallics? Check. Hot pink foil trench coat? Check. These additional playfulness on the latest Burberry collection by Christopher is a good way to update it's really boring pieces he sent these past seasons. I thought the metallics were controlled that it did not go overboard but just enough kick to make an outfit very interesting. Not sure about the new proportions he did for his bomber jackets. On the runway it looks cool but i thinks it's bit of a problem worn in the real world.

I'am liking Burberry again.:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love this look

Prada Men's Summer 2013

It's nice to see again what Prada used to look like years ago--simple and pure lines. What I like about most about this collection is the fabric used. It is so light and breezy and really worked well with the color-blocked designs. Although the whole collection is a bit repetitive from start to finish and there is no ;'it' shoe this time around, Miuccia still did not disappoint.

H&M x Maison Martin Margiela

Perhaps one of the saddest news that happened to fashion to date. Excitement, to some, but for the  loyal and true fans of Martin himself, it is like trading your very soul. Maison Martin Margiela isn't different with any labels that collaborated with the Swedish fast fashion behemoth. Lanvin, Versace, Marni, even Comme des Garcons did a little 'knock-off-ing" of their designs for the mass consumer. So why not MMM?

No. Like the previous labels, it is very much easy to downgrade a dress, or a skirt, or a shirt. Lanvin, for example managed to make party frocks that cost more than half cheaper than its mainline. But how do we downgrade a philosophy- values that is the very foundation of  the Maison Martin Margiela. How could they turn against what Martin has stood for building this house?  There has been a lot of commercialism undergoing the Maison these years. They recently jumped in the perfume industry, which stayed very exclusive and hard to find months back and now available to mainstream, not so but it is going there. Their eyewear line, Line 8, drowned in the ultra fashion forwardness of its Incognito predecessors a few years back. The newly refurbished website, their massive presence now in social networks like Pinterest, Tumblr, and well Facebook is scarrying me to death the house will go global- not that it is a bad decision by its management, but it tries to challenge the house's codes of creativity and will kill the exclusivity and the elusiveness of the brand.

And talking about going global, this collaboration will certainly put MMM to another dimension. Fans who can not afford mainline can have a lick of its "coolness" the house is known for.But, really? We love the house being exclusive and chase after its unusual pieces and willing to eat instant noodles for a month just to have that certain hype.

The bottom of the bottomline  isn't about this business strategy that will make the house on every young teenager's lips. It's about how we value the difference between what is past and going forth. This decision may not have a negative effect on the brand and losing its core values would not be as bad; but, it would have been nice if the house stayed true to  what he has left them.

Thamanyah's Oversized (overpriced) Cashmere Scarf

This is one of those new labels that have come up this season that is making me a bit crazy. Design-wise, I love the  Arabic influences Ahmed Abdulrehman has put in his clothes. He made them modern but somehow maintained its "sanctity'. But is there anybody out there who would buy a 4039-pounder cashmere scarf? Sanity,it's what I need.:)


Available at LN-CC.com

Givenchy vs Alexander McQueen: Battle of the Shark Tooth Pendant

We all love the oversized shark tooth pendant by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy this spring but Alexander McQueen somehow copied the idea, but a his version this time.




Alexander McQueen available at oki-ni.com and comes with a 250-pound price tag.

Raf Simons Heading to Dior

I know this news has been circulating for what, almost 10 days and if I were working at the Vogue offices Anna Wintour has fired me already for a report past deadline.

For almost 2 years, the House of Dior has been put on loose ground after its creative designer John Galliano then was caught on cam with his insensitive murmuring. LVMH acted fast. Fired. And then goes the real problem- Who will replace him? For the most prestigious label, it is a serious predicament.

A lot was expecting Riccardo Tisci. His work for Givenchy is by far a testament of his creative genius. Never  has couture been on that level: sublime craftmanship, art in itself. And then Marc Jacobs, the talent from America  who is in control of mega Louis Vuitton. What can't Marc Jacobs do?Haider Ackermann, the 'it" designer of "that" moment after a spring collection widely accepted and raved by the press. And then rumors of another Belgian taking the post- Raf.

Let us now rest our case. As a Raf Simons follower eversince,never this moment has crossed my mind that he will take such a job. His design aesthetic isn't  Dior.He lacks drama . He is shy. Sure. But Raf has always been the thinker.  His appointment at Jil Sander was easy.Minimal to minimal? Check. But how will he translate that to couture. In a few months will be the Paris Haute Couture Week and I have a feeling this will end  all doubts.

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi UAE

So after more than 2 years of planning to book a tour and not a stay, it finally happened a week ago. I have heard so much about this hotel that expectations became so high only to realize it wasn't as grand as described. Ok, before you raise that eyebrow, yes it was capital AMAZING inside out; it was just when stories and a crazy imagination go too far.hahaha.

Emirates Palace is the only other 7-star hotel in the world aside from the famous Burj al Arab in Dubai. Owned and managed by Kempinski, the hotel opened, oh God, I wasn't listening to our tour guide.lol. And don't expect me to give you further details. Let us just say they are not that interesting.hehe.

Tours are available everyday except Fridays. Costs 100 AED and needs to be booked(02 6907108)

Ground and outside shots

The tour is just on the "palace", which is this picture. Wings are not included. It's in 3 parts: the auditorium, the ballroom, and the room.

token for the ladies

and then my camera's biggest nightmare- dim light.
On the way to the auditorium. I love how high the ceilings are. The floor on this area and almost all parts of the hotel is carpeted

the auditorium

the ballroom

  empty.

if i heard our Chinese accent tour guide right, this is the heaviest chandelier in the world? Imagine it falling on me.LOL

I hate that this hotel does not have a centerpiece.

  the ceiling is 24 karat gold

 all floors look the same and if you are not careful, you will lose yor way. This is on the 7th floor

only the palace suites are allowed to be viewed, and yes, i know what's on your mind looking at this picture. i forgot to ask him that.:)

 This is the Palace Suite:a private elevator, 3 bedrooms, a dining room, and a living room

half bath

the bathroom of the smaller room

all products are by Amouage, oh, Arabic luxury.

the small room

living room

dining room

the master's bedroom

a rather disappointing small walk-in closet. I don't think Carrie Bradshaw was happy staying here in the movie,lol

but I love floor length mirrors

 the bathroom

and talk about a room with a view.

room rates. can i just stay on the baby cot?hahaha

 Raf Simons x Linda farrow sunnies, H &M necklace, Zara shirt(i don't think it's visible), Balenciaga sweater,  Marc by Marc Jacobs pouch, Zara pants, Marc Jacobs sneakers.