All Woman

I have always wondered what size 0 meant. Haven’t you? Or are you one of the lucky ones who fit sample sizes? It’s quite amazing that a full grown woman’s structure can fit a dress that small. And I say this not so much with envy but rather with utter amazement. I have seen a sample dress size before and believe me, even my 13 year-old niece can’t fit into that!

Victoria Beckham, Kiera Knightly, Kate Bosworth to name a few have, according to some credible authors, been known to wear the controversial size 0. So, where do their boobs go? What about their a…? Okay, okay, I won’t get into the details. But you know what I mean.

I guess some women are (in a more refined language) ‘petite’ and some are just ‘all woman’, you know? The latter being the sometimes envied lot who have the curves that make men melt and salivate while the petite ones empty their bank accounts in search of the miracle serum to endow them where they need it most.

What I noticed about Asian women (in particular Malaysian women) in contrast to their western counterparts is that they try their very best in most cases to hide their curves while in the western countries, they embrace it. Yes, it’s our culture and up-bringing that considers exposure of the cleavage or the appearance of a healthy potential child-bearing hip as vulgar. However, I’d like to find a balance in all of this. Yes, you should not be so seductively dressed to a point it looks like an open invitation (Pam Anderson comes to mind) on the other hand, one should be proud of our womanly curves and show it off with style and elegance. Therein lays the answer. It’s in the balance of things.

The Iron Man 2 star, Scarlett Johansson pictured above (you noticed not much hype about Gwyneth when people talk about this blockbuster. Wonder why?). I seriously don’t think anyone (including male and female) even blinked when she came on screen! The hips, the chest. The very tight clothes she had on. Wow! Anyways, she is here wearing Dolce & Gabbana.

Take a look at Jennifer Hudson. Talk about curves, the woman has it all – breasts, hips and all. Yet you don’t see her drown herself in baggy, loose fitted layered clothing that in truth does nothing to help make a woman look slim. She is seen here in Peter Soronen. I believe Spandex helped here as well.

Beyonce. Overrated but I respect her for being able to carry off a booty….I mean…a body like that. She is in Roberto Cavalli.

So, what’s good on a curvy body? A slim fitted, pencil cut shift like this one by Alberta Ferretti from her S/S 2010 collection will give you that ultra-feminine look without looking too conservative.

I also love this Roland Mouret dress from his S/S2010 collection. True to his work, this dress is architectural and chic. This dress will help to put some proportion to a voluptuous figure while giving it some definition at the waist.

Which is better, petite or voluptuous? No answer to that. In the end though, it all comes down to you being comfortable with your body. That would exude confidence. And confidence can really be sexy!

You Wear the Pants

(pic is Giorgio Armani S/S 2010)

My dad has always been so strict with us. He had to, I guess, because there was seven of us and just one of him! Okay, we were not exactly angels, you know. As with a lot of household, there was mischief, there was naughtiness ……but children should never be considered normal if they were faultless, should they?

Thinking back to those days when my dad was the only bread-winner in the family, I realised that it must have been pretty tough being the one wearing the pants – the provider, the decision maker, the one everyone depended on.

Today however, women are sharing this role and have taken a new place in society (thanks to women’s lib?). This generation sees more and more women getting involved in other activities apart from managing a home and a huge percentage of them are either in the corporate sector or have chosen to be entrepreneurs.

In the past legends like Katherine Hepburn and Coco Chanel broke the mould and began borrowing from the boys by wearing pants on screen and to work. Since then, designers have been fascinated with such non-conformity. The very thought of women challenging society’s perception of a typical woman’s dress code had tantalized them to morph that masculine wardrobe piece to fit a woman’s curves. She should look sexy, yet intelligent, gentle yet assertive and today’s designers have got it down to a fine art.

While high-street brands like MNG make excellent cut pants, a quick look at what the big designers have done this season should give you some ideas on what looks to shop for.

A pow-wow lunch with business partners for instance, does not necessarily call for black or grey. Giorgio Armani (above) shows that colours can make you look like you mean business just as much.

But if you’re a black/white/grey person, then Rachel Roy gives you a cut of the pants that makes you look chic and gutsy. (below)

When on a more casual affair, Gucci does a mean leather jacket and skinny pants for this season that will surely make you stand out.

An all-girl day out may call for slouchy pants paired with a colourful jacket and top. Donna Karan does it right with this ensemble from her DKNY line. It spells comfort and comfort means a really enjoyable time with your closest friends.

However, no one does sexy pants like Stella McCartney. The white lace blouse with plunging neckline and those camel coloured, perfectly cut pants will make you ooze with sex appeal. Surely no woman would decline looking this desirable and certainly no man will say no to an invitation…..

Spotlight on Vera

I love Starbucks. The moment I walk into the café, the smell of coffee kisses my nostrils and tantalizes my taste buds. That sudden urge to take a sip of Sumatra or gulp down a frothy Frappucino takes control of me and all too soon I find myself floating to my seat, Starbucks mug in hand and the morning paper in the other. There’s something about a Starbucks morning that makes me look forward to the rest of the day no matter how gruelling my schedule is. Wait a minute….this sounds like a great ad for Starbucks – hey any of you Berjaya Group execs out there? My writing services are for hire! Call me.

Anyways, jokes aside, what I really meant to share with you today is all about froth (hence the Starbucks story J). Froth in fashion? Come on…

Well, whenever I look at Vera Wang’s S/S 2010 pieces, that’s what it reminds me of – froth! Take a look at one of my favourites from her collection below.

The staples in her collection are tulle, lace, satin and - her new accessory collection (the necklace worn by the model below is really strings of beads woven together to form a spider web like pattern).

Certainly different from the usual path taken by the majority of designers this season - her palette boasts no more than the shades of black, grey, white and blue (unusual for spring) . No sun-dresses (the way Dries and Oscar did). No burst of colours that Proenza Schouler or Thakoon used in their collections.

A non-conformist who has been in the fashion industry since 1969, Vera Wang started her designing career, designing bridal wear. Till this day, Vera is the go-to designer for new brides despite her expansion into the ready-to-wear line. Even so, she has won the respect of her fellow peers for her unique and artistic pieces.

I guess, all that froth in her designs really stems from her backbone bridal business. That said, there are pieces that have the working woman in mind. Take a look at these two pieces from her S/S 2010 collection for example. Notice that there is a lot of architecture; in particular the pleating and draping techniques she uses to bring out one’s womanly assets.

As for me, there is no doubt that I would really enjoy wearing one of these to work because it just screams ‘designer’! And all of us, who practically work to live a fashionable life, will agree that coughing up the big bucks would be worth it just for that reason!

The Met

You know, whenever I hear that New York is the greatest city on earth, I wonder if it’s just overrated. Nope, haven’t been there myself. However, I must admit, that what I see from movies, with all of its glittering lights and skyline, there is a certain electricity (not the one that’s keeping the neon lights burning) that runs through the city. Broadway, the Manhattan bridge, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty are all iconic of the city that got the likes of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys belting out: New York…New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, these streets will make you feel brand new, its lights will inspire you…let’s hear it for New York!

The Met is really short for the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Every year, a fashion gala event hosted by The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute is held and the who’s who in the fashion and entertainment industry are all invited. The great thing about this event is that every guest gets to flash their most fashionable outfit and they make no apologies for it.

If money was no object in making your choice of a dress, jewellery, shoes, bags….what outfit would you choose? Gosh! That’s every girls’ dream come true! Well, I tell you, these multi-millionaires who get that coveted invitation to attend The Met Gala, have designers that just throw free dresses, jewellery, shoes and bags at them so that their pieces get the spotlight during the event. I know, I know, it’s unfair but don’t hate the players, just hate the game!

I’ve picked 5 of my favourite outfits worn at this year’s gala at The Met. This is actress Kerry Washington in Thakoon for the Gap. I love the bold red colour and Thakoon’s trademark draping. Also, notice that he had the bustier uncovered on one half of the dress and the other had a drape over the shoulders. Gorgeous!

Then you have actress Chloe Sevigney in Proenza Schouler standing here with the designers themselves. What I loved about this dress was the colour of the lace – a certain sea blue, and the way how the waist nips and tucks so neatly and with precision.

Model Chanel Iman had recently caught my attention with her great taste for what looks really good on her – outfits that keep her looking young and hip. This pantsuit is from Micheal Kors. So unexpected for an event like this, yet I feel is so refreshing and chic.

Actress Carrey Mulligan with her famous pixie haircut in my opinion stood out amongst the elaborate evening gowns that most of the guests were wearing. This short dress from Miu Miu is like a breath of fresh air and certainly puts the spotlight on her. Very clever choice.

And finally, what would any New York event be without the presence of the First-Lady-made-famous designer Jason Wu. He shows off his mastery in cutting a strapless evening gown that simply moulds around Camillia Belle’s petite figure. The actress doesn’t really have curves so to speak but in this dress, she is a picture of voluptuousness all thanks to the designer standing beside her.

So, there you have it, my list of the best in show at The Met Gala. Conclusion? It’s not always the long evening gowns that get to be at the centre of attention, in fact, evening gowns can be quite predictable. If you’ve got in your hands, an invitation to a big dinner event, try something short and chic. You might just stand out among the crowd ala Carrey Mulligan. Clever girl indeed!

I Can't Be Tamed

I was watching E-News and was stunned at what I saw. A video of this mutant human/bird with black feathered wings curled up in a huge cage. This bird woman with sultry eyes, long bronze goddess hair and a black tight sexy body suit unfurled to reveal…. Miley Cirus! This 17-year old with black gothic eyes and donning a $25,000 corset by The Blonds in another scene, was surrounded by sexy dancers while singing “ I can’t be tamed!” in her new music video. OMG!!

At the sight of this teenager caught up in the craziness of the American music industry, this question popped in my mind – why are young teens today racing to become full fledge adults? Are they going to look back one day and think “Have you seen my childhood?”

But in all fairness, there are young adults who have successfully found a balance in what they need to do to succeed in the entertainment industry whilst being true to themselves and maintaining their individuality. They use fashion as a strong way for them to make a statement and help open up doors of opportunities for themselves.

Let’s take Emma Watson – the 20 year old has been such a favoured fashion icon. She knows how to pick a dress that makes her look like a style star yet one that allows her to show off her youth. She's pictured here in Erdem.

Selena Gomez is another young fashionista who knows the perfect dress to wear for a night out. This 17-year old has clearly got her feet grounded and is in no rush to adulthood.

And then there is Twilight star Kristen Stewart. Despite playing the dark deep character Bella, on the red carpet she shines in a light vermillion shift. There are no signs of trying-hard-to-look-mature here.

The talented Dakota Fanning who is only 16 this year knows how to wear her age and in return has won the hearts of many.

So, really have the times changed without my knowledge and the young ones today are given the green light to show off their sensuous side because it could mean an express ticket to stardom? Or should Miley’s latest video be a wake-up call to put a stop to this rush for success that is robbing them of their innocence?

Tom Binns and the First Lady

Michelle Obama did it. Never has the White House, since Jackie Kennedy, had such a refreshing fashion forward outlook. This First Lady has the fashion instincts comparable to Anna Wintour (US Vogue Editor-in-Chief) who launched quite a many fashion careers. Michelle knows classy art when she sees it and makes an occasion of it when she decides to wear it. I’m not talking about the dresses and gowns (remember Jason Wu’s inaugural gown?). I am talking about her choice of accessories particularly wearing Tom Binns’ pearl necklace to a White House gala event (above).

The chunky necklace is Tom Binns’ trademark and is apparent in all his pieces. Big, with layers upon layers of baubles and hardware, his statement jewellery pieces commands centre stage every time.

Take a look at some of his creations below. You notice that at times he mixes crystals with the unexpected – safety pins!

At other times, he is pure genius in creating an elegant and sophisticated piece fit for a Maharani.

Tom Binns has been designing, manufacturing and distributing jewellery for over twenty-five years. He began his career in 1981 and remains inspired by the early twentieth century Dada movement, the main theme of which includes deliberate irrationality, anarchy, and the rejection of standard beauty and social organization.

With over 20 years of making jewellery, Tom Binns’ designs have greatly influenced the fashion industry. Low and high-end stores have been clamouring to make affordable jewellery that closely depicts his designs and with lucrative results!

Designs similar to the ones I have shown here can be seen in stores like Zara, MNG, and Forever 21.

But if you’re into the real thing, then sites like zappos.com and shopbop.com carry his designs. Be prepared to spend the big bucks though. His designs don’t come cheap.

Flower Power

Ok, I did it again. Guilty as charged! I bought yet another ‘hippie’ skirt and I am kicking myself over the impulsive buy. But in my defense, this skirt is silk with tiny flowers across a mint green background. It has layers of broad frills with tiny ones in between. It fits me like a glove and is not too bulky (some frilly skirts can make you look like you’re hiding your little sister inside!). So there you have it, I have defended myself – verdict changed – not guilty….not guilty….not guilty…..(ok, ok, I’ll sacrifice a shopping trip next weekend and stay home with a good book instead).

The thing about us girls is there is a little hippie inside waiting to be unleashed when the occasion arises. There’s something about the days when the hippie flower power generation decided to not conform but instead live a liberated life. No more bras (yes, for those of you who do not know about this era, in the US, women publicly burnt their bras as a sign of freedom to express themselves and embrace womanhood). That mindset transcended into their wardrobe – more flowy, loose-fitted and colourful garb. Shoes were mostly sandals or strappy flats, bags were big with long straps and some even wore flowers in their hair. It became a cult.

Those days may be gone, but the need to be appreciated and respected for being a woman is a fight that still goes on in many cultures to this day. We may be living in a technologically modern world with many women holding high corporate and political positions, but we want at some point to indulge in our girly fashion fantasies and once again live that flower power life.

Anna Sui to me is one woman designer who has successfully found a way to create current designs but incorporate that ‘hippie’ side of her into each one of her pieces. Take a look at her S/S 2010 collection above. There is an explosion of colours and her designs are floral and at times ethnic in nature. She makes each piece girly, fun and sensuous. Kudos to her for keeping the spirit of the flower power era alive in the 21st century.

When I saw this picture (above) of Jade Jagger (Mick and Bianca Jagger’s daughter) wearing Versace at a 2002 party, I thought to myself, yes, you can still live the flower power life in a modern world. You don’t have to look like you’ve not let go of the 60’s, but instead, you can look young, chic and current even with a flower in your hair. (see below)

Its Spring, its Summer, (its always summer in Malaysia, I know, I’ve not forgotten). Go mad a little. There are lots of floral/colourful dresses around town. Get one. Wear those strappy sandals. Get a huge flower ring and adorn your finger. Stick a flower in your hair (ok, if that’s being too much, then a little hair clip with a tiny flower on it will do). Weekends will from now on be a celebration of freedom and womanhood! Flower Power to ya!