A.P.C Gold Lace Dress latest model

I love the gold hue of this dress by French designer A.P.C. The mod block pattern and comfortable fit make it even more appealing. And the best part is it is perfect for three seasons.

Anna Corinna Metal City Tote

This bag has it all, a little bit of class and a little bit of rock and roll. This bag is so versatile you can easily bring it to the office or to a concert after work. The thing that makes this bag so original is the fabric print border. Available at Bird $460.

America's Next Top Model Cycle 7: Spoiler!

Its been like almost a week late, but I've been SO busy packing to fly back home and packing again to fly tonight tonight (god my skin is so dry) that I haven't had the time to watch and review it until now.So here I go, so don't scroll down if you don't want to know. Frankly, I thought that as this show progesses, its getting m0re boring and redudant. The reason why I keep watching it is because I am always impressed by how creative their challenges, prizes and shoots are. Plus, they give you good tips for posing in front of your own camera ;) So the winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 7 is. . . .Caridee! Frankly, I feel apathetic towards the results, because I wasn't vouching for anyone in particular. I didn't think any of the girls were particularly good or deserving to begin with. They all had their ups and down. Caridee's last performance on the runway was awful, from her walk to her scream- it was painful to watch. And the one thing that irritated me the most was the bull shooting episode where she insulted Nigel. First of all it was an unclassy thing to say to begin with. Secondly, her apology letter was lame and unnecessary. And lastly, stop tapping your legs!! She really was all over the place!
Despite all that though, her shoots were indeed effortless and has been consistently good. I thought this was pretty cool.
Second runner up Melrose was quite the bitch. But you got to admire her drive. She got the most go-see's done, her runway walk and scream was amazingly elegant and pretty, she got everything down to an art. Unfortunately for her there really is something such as trying too hard. It made her shoots unnatural and breaks down really easily.
I thought this was one of her better shots.
Then there was Eugena. I didn't like her at first, because I kind of related her to Monique that immature girl who rubbed her panties on people's bed, but she started to grow on me towards the end. That piece she said about the contest being a journey for progress was very insightful. And her commercial was pretty good once she got out of her shell.
This shoot here was amazing. Too bad she didn't get out of her shell earlier. Ithink she just needed more time to improve. And just because she's quiet and doesn't proclaim she wants to be the Next Top Model every other minute doesn't mean she doesn't want it!

I am always impressed with the make-up and hair whenever I see the twins, because they looked so plain and awkward in person- even after the make over. Was amazed at how long Jaeda managed to last in the competition. Felt sorry for Brooke, I thought she looked good as a brunette. And was very surprised that AJ got kicked out so early. I thought she was really good. Oh and I thought they put the models in unneccesary risks too. I mean, if they were going to super impose the bull into the picture closer to her, than is it really neccessary to have them pose with a bull in the arena to begin with? And what is with them shooting in the freezing pool? I am sure heated pools are easy to come by. Its not like the scenery beside the pool was needed anyway. The shooting in the flying room was ugly too, I'm sure they could've just wired them. The photos turned out real ugly with distorted faces and all.

3rd Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Prize

I admit I have watched most of Season 2 and 3 of Project Runway. But unlike majority of the viewers, I'm definately not a fan of the show. Also, I had only ever watched 10 minutes of America's Next Top Model before, and I surprisingly hated it.

To me, fashion-related reality shows are great entertainment, but don't do much to contribute to the fashion world. Awhile ago, I read an article that had Anna Wintour say something I really agreed on. It was something along the lines that, Project Runway actually approached Vogue before Elle, but Vogue felt that the reality show wouldn't do much for new designers. Instead, Vogue and the CFDA have an annual fashion fund prize to help outstanding new designers. Now this is actually useful.

So this year's ten finalists are 3.1 Phillip Lim, Costello Tagliapietra, Devi Kroell, Doo.Ri, Jovovich-Hawk, Marchesa, Rag & Bone, Rodarte, Subversive Jewelry, and Thakoon. I'm sure you've heard of most of these names before.
At the Prize ceremony /party:

Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenburg, who recently became the chairwoman of the CFDA.

Left: Ashley, Marc Jacobs and Mary Kate. Right: Michelle Williams and Derek Lam.

Past winners of this award, Proenza Schouler. -See what I mean, you've actually heard of them in a high-fashion capacity.

Two nominees: Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa (left). Who hasn't heard of Marchesa? Marchesa dresses are absolute favourites of young Hollywood stars at the moment.
Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk of Jovovich-Hawk (right). Jovovich-Hawk had really pretty boho-ish clothes in its SS07 collection. And do check out the website -lovely styling.

Runner ups: Thakoon (left). Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte (right).

*Drum roll* And the winner is...
Doo-Ri Chung! I was surprised Philip Lim, whose clothes are so loved by the social crowds, didn't get into the Top 3. Anyways, here are my 3 fav looks from Doo-Ri SS07 collection:

So young and pretty...

Asian Eye Make Up

As many of you have noted, the western way of eye-make up application simply does not work as well for Asian eyes due to different structures. So to make sure that Asians have some summer make-up fun as well, I've found some Asian inspirations for you.

As much as I didn't like Gina on last season's ANTM, her being on the show DID teach us something about Asian eye make-up application (I checked April as well, but she had western eyes). I love this dramatic blue fading effect with the smidgen of silver at the corners. Looks fairy-like.

A bit of eyeliner, a lot of mascara and some pinkish eye shadow, the look is very simple yet sophisticated.

For something edgier, here they used the usual mascara, eye liner and bronze-ish eye shadow, but added a black line underneath the eye to give it a more edgier effect emphasizing the slant of the eyes.

Fresh off the runway, is the pale pink lipped fresh faced look. For that effect, observe the asian models- Hye Park at Giambattista Valli and Han at Peter Som.

Then of course there is Du Juan. Love the sexy red lips and those lashes!! They are so perfectly long and curled!!

For more star style, take note from Ziyi Zhang and Lucy Liu. I just love the fresh faced look of Ziyi Zhang, it looks so natural (like nothing is on it) and yet we know a lot of effort was probably put into it.

Have fun girls!

A YSL Fashion Show

Yesterday Harrods Girl and I went to the local YSL show set at the grand ballroom of one of the premier hotels the city has to offer. Very befitting the stature of YSL I must say. We arrived at around 9, stood in line to be registered. Surprisingly it was already very crowded and chaotic (so much that I reckon people appropriately dressed could've gotten in without being on the list). And here I thought people would be fashionably late. Apparently that right is only reserved for the celebs who arrived right before the show and literally squeezed the rest of the people in their row out of their seats.
Anyway, so we went in, had champagne and this delicious strawberry cocktail, chatted and observed the amazingly good looking and fashionably dressed people in the room. And the latest and best were observed, from leopard pump, this season's YSL clothes to the most gorgeous Loubotin pumps and birkins around. Of course, the hair and make-up were flawless. Even the guys looked cuter!
Inside, many rows of benches were set out and the models walked around the rows and we all got a very good look at the clothes. Fashion really does look better in real life. I especially LOVED this dress, it flowed soooo beautifully and looked amazing. Now if only the models would walk slow enough for me to take a picture!
They were also showing the men's collection as well. Although some looked scary and one looked like a woman, a few of the male models were very hot-especially these two in the tux *swoon*.

8th Annual Teen Choice Awards: The Lovlies

The Teen Choice Awards, which for some odd reason seems to have an ever-growing number of awards, is the perfect event for us to get ideas for pretty semi-formal and casual dresses. This year, dresses that show off legs without looking trashy is the key trend.

I LOVE Rachel Bilson's dress. It's so... perfect for this event. It's stylish without looking too mature; unique without looking quirky -very Rachel.

Mischa Barton looks gorgeous in the first dress, and chic in the second dress. I think the black dress suits Mischa particularly well -probably because she's got the legs to show.

Sophia Bush opted for a long dress. This is one of those dresses that you have to look closer to get how pretty it is.

Such a vibrant violet! Brittany Murphy finally dresses in something I like. It's such a fabulous cocktail dress.

Ashley Olsen looking effortlessly stylish in black & white as usual. This is another outfits I love. It's amazing how she always turns up to events without looking like she spent as much time to come out with outfits as the other celebs, but still looking as fantastic.

Kristen Cavallari and Kristen Bell looked pretty in two very different styles: Cavallari in a colourful resort-style silk dress, and Bell in a YSL-like outfit. The only thing I have to complain is that I wish Kristen Bell would dress in something that is more youthful sometimes.

Now Jessica Alba is one who really didn't bother much this time, so her outfit wasn't outstanding at all. But she's just so pretty...

And lastly, lovely eyecandies!

8th Annual Teen Choice Awards: The Fuglies

Continuing from yesterday's post, where there are the lovelies, there must be a few not-so-loviles.

As usual, Fergie turned up in a horendous outfit. I hate it when people wear sporty clothes and carry a Vuitton bag around. And to top it off, she's got such a *sarcastic* cute little tiara on her head.

That awful pouty smile aside, the black and white striped tube dress just looks awful on Nelly Furtado. The dress just somehow looks cheap. The makeup seems too formal for this casual dress.As the hostess of the event, Jessica Simpson got to change a couple of times. Unfortunately, it seems that two out of three outfits were terrible. Left: Wearing a tight corset on top with loose capri pants at the bottom is obviously disastrous. Right: This black, lacy outfit is actually not bad, but it just doesn't look chic on Jessica. Another thing, those shoes and that outfit -just too much lace.

Ahh, and finally, Britney Spears. The colour and material of the dress are actually very pretty, but I think we all agree that while showing some cleavage is stylishly sexy, too much skin is seriously not so.

However, Britney's makeup and hair are the nicest I've seen on her for the past two years. She actually seems to glow in happiness -must be the pregnancy hormones!

SS06 Accessories Trend: Scarves As Headbands

With clothes being so 'minimalist' and plain this season, accessories are the key to brightening up your outfit. A pretty summer scarf is just the thing to do the trick. Usually I'm not one to buy such an unnecessary accessory, but I saw a two sided Anna Sui silk scarf that I simply couldn't resist buying, and ever since then I've been looking around for ways to use it.

As seen on the Christian Lacroix SS06 catwalk. I don't like how the scarf covers up the model's ears, but the extra bow thing (top right side) is so cute.

Nicole Richie has been sporting scarf-headbands recently. I love the one she has on here. The print and color combo here is perfect.

For a more summery feel, choose scarves with bright colors and white background (like Nicole in the left picture.) For a cooler, edgier look, choose darker, more solid colors/ prints. Nicole is wearing an Alexander McQueen skull scarf, which was first spotted on Mary Kate Olsen and now almost all the IT girls have been spotted with.

Lindsay Lohan wearing a colorful scarf as a bandanna. I don't like bandannas in general, but Lindsay makes it look cool here!

The prices summer scarves could vary a lot. From cheap to expensive:

These Top Shop ones are only 10pounds each. I like the subtle flower prints in the light blue and pink one. And the polka dot ones are great to go with 50s-inspired outfits, or just any plain outfits.

This Guess scarf is US$24. This is one of those summery-feel ones, and the white background makes it great to match all hair colors.

At first I thought this J.Crew Seaside Scarf (US$45) had too much details to look good, but the picture from jcrew.com here demonstrates how it can be used as a bandanna and totally make a boring preppy outfit more stylish.

Onto the seriously stylish and pricy ones. Emilio Pucci is the first name that pops up. Pucci has a really wide range of selection (US$120-260), so if you are planning to buy one, then choose one which color compliments your hair or eyes. Eg. Pink would be great on brown and black hair, while blue would look great on blondes or blue eyes. Of course this also depends on which shade of pink/ blue/ whatever color it is, so try it before buying it.

Another way to wear the scarf is as an ornament hair tie, as demonstrated at Emilio Pucci SS06 show.

Talking of silk scarves, one must mention Hermes. This one here costs 250 Euros. Again, Hermes has a really wide selection so choose carefully. Other choices: This season, Gucci has a pretty selection of flowery silk scarves, while the Vuitton SS06 runway showed scarves with gold chain prints.