Gin for the Win

There is no shortage of Singapore designers, only talented ones.  And I am talking about Gin Lee, a Singapore-born Central Saint Martins and Nafa graduate who is based in Israel.  Coming into its 8th year, the company that bears her name is slowly but surely gaining more attention here and around the world.

Her initial collection consisting of a few styles has now grown to embrace 2 capsule collections yearly, of mostly minimalist silk pieces, some knits and a few woven lightweight jackets/coats.  The styles are not trend-led but keeping to Gin’s aesthetics of  having them more timeless, able to fit into any woman’s wardrobe regardless of her age/size.  Her designs tend towards a modern silhouette that is “soft, fluid and relaxed”.

Last night, her showing at the Singapore Fashion Week 2017 demonstrated just how ‘must-haves’ her designs are with most women.  Even the most hardened fashion whore will appreciate her floaty black silk and sheer chiffon blouse to wear with their Saint Laurent skinny tailored pants, or the blogshop princess who will appreciate the wrapover foam mint dress with the sheer illusion skirt.  Fits well, good workmanship, quality materials and most of all, very affordable!

See Gin Lee finale one here on YouTube

See Gin Lee finale two here on YouTube

And what makes her designs the more exciting is when they are being styled and mixed-and-matched by others.  Case in point – at the same SFW show, another Singaporean, bag designer Ling Wu, showed her range of covetable bags in python skins, and used Gin’s clothes to match her designs.

Ling’s aesthetics is more urban and contemporary with a hint of utilitarian flair.  But somehow, the blend of soft (Gin’s) and hard (Ling’s) works to perfection.  By adding the feminine pieces and re-styling them with layering and adding boots, Ling achieved an edgier look.  Likewise with her bags, she gave a breath of newness by combining neon climbing ropes and carabiner clips onto them.  And by adding smaller shaped bags with larger utility bags, she added a street-cred to her lady-style bag styles.

See Ling Wu finale one here on YouTube

See Ling Wu finale two here on YouTube

All in all, it was a show worth the 2-hour delay.  Well done designers, not so well done SFW…

 

 

 

Play For Peace

I grew up in a time where play is very important.  It is where my imagination ran wild and I could be anything that I wanted to be.  It also helps me learn how to interact with other children.  The times are a-changing and children today don’t really play, unless you mean being glued to the tablet or computer screen.

Children in less developed or warn-torn cities are worst off.  They cannot even play safely… but this is about to be changed for the refugee children displaced from Syria.

The Body Shop has teamed up with International Alert to help refugee children to just be children again.  For every purchase from The Body Shop’s seasonal gift collections will support the Peace Play Project in Lebanon for a year, which provides a safe space for children to play and heal.

Click here to watch a short YouTube video

So know that whether you are purchasing a product for yourself or for someone else, know that this Christmas, you are helping some of the most vulnerable children to smile again.

Of course, we rather have world peace but until that happens, we can do something now to bring smiles back to the Syrian refugee kids.

My personal picks from the myriad of wonderful gift sets are:

1) 100% Vegan Multi-Masking facial mask duo at $65.  The Himalayan charcoal mask will purify deeply, while the British rose will plump with moisture.

2) The Body Shop x House of Holland limited edition White Musk EDT gift set at $52.  I remember getting a whiff of it when I was still a student, and it still brings me back to those carefree time.  This set contains the EDT, body lotion and shower gel, all in 60ml, and perfect for travelling as well.

3) Shave Away Kit for Kings & Gentlemen at $42.  Experience the old world charm of its shave cream and shaving brush duo.

For more of their gift sets, products and information, click on this www.thebodyshop.com/en-sg/

Tech Uniqlo

When Uniqlo Singapore launched its Uniqlo U Fall/Winter 2017 collection, what was evident is that technology is very much in place.  This is the third Uniqlo U collection from the design team at the Uniqlo Paris R&D Centre, led by Artistic Director Christophe Lemaire, who is determined to fused design, pattern, fabric development and stitching innovations as part of Uniqlo’s commitment in reinventing wardrobe basics.

Some of the technology that you can appreciate:

• 3D U-KNIT – a three-dimensional knitting technique that employs WHOLEGARMENT technology developed at the Innovation Factory, a joint venture that Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, established in 2016 with Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer of knitting machines. This allows the production of knitwear three-dimensionally in one entire piece, eliminating seams. Another advantage of this technology is that it is flexible so that the designers can realise their design visions more holistically. While WHOLEGARMENT has primarily been the domain of knitwear from fashion houses, employing this technology helps Uniqlo to offer quality at prices that are affordable for all.
• BLOCKTECH – this technology that had been employed before has now become so popular with its sportswear range for outstanding wind-proofing, water-proofing and breathability that it is now being adopted for its coats and jackets. It combines matte cotton fabric with water-proofing properties.
• SEAMLESS – Debuting with this collection are the seamleass down track jackets that incorporate new technology with Toray. The outer fabric employs double-weave polyester, reducing the number of stitches for outstanding wind proofing. The lightness and streamlined fit of this outerwear enables it to double up as an innerwear. Women’s items can also serve as vests by unzipping the sleeves.

The collection will be introduced in two phases.  The first was on Oct 6, while the second will be on Nov 10, available exclusively at the UNIQLO Global Flagship Store at Orchard Central and online at www.uniqlo.com/sg  It will comprise of 45 styles for Women, 27 styles for Men and 11 styles of accessories. Prices range from S$7.90 for a pair of HEATTECH Socks to S$99 for the Women’s 3D Merino Ribbed V-neck Dress and S$199.90 for a Men’s BLOCKTECH Mods Coat.

The Watchman Cometh

Shooting on-location during the rainy season is no joke, especially when its out in the open with no shelter in sight!

Nevertheless, we decided to do it, as we were given the opportunity to pair the model with a lovely vintage a 1963 Mercedes SL roadster convertible and some sumptuous watches from the new IWC Ingenieur collection.

 

             

One uncompleted photo into the shoot, it started to drizzle before becoming a storm!  We had to rushed and drove off to take shelter under the roof of an abandoned building.  And doing our best, we decided to carry on shooting as much as we could, given the limitations of depth of field, lighting and angles…

The results are above.  Surprisingly, they don’t look like we were shooting in the rain!

The fashion spread can be viewed here as well: Senatus

For a short video of the shoot.
Model: Theck Ann from Now Models / Hair and Grooming: Vicky Yang / Photography: Ong Rui Liang of Lightspade Studio, assisted by Lionel Lim / Styling: Lionnel Lim / Creative Direction: Kien Lee / Watches: IWC Ingenieur / Clothes and Sunglasses: Suitsupply / 1963 Mercedes 230SL, courtesy of IG: @fongster

Gucci Fantastico

The Autumn-Winter 2017/18 womenswear collection of Gucci by Alessandro Michele is a kaleidoscope of prints, textures and shapes.  Quirky and whimsical, the pieces lend a sense of fun to the wearers.  And if I could afford any item, it would have to be the stretch crystal mesh pants!

Earlier this month, I picked a selection of styles for an editorial spread for Senatus

The fashion video of the spread is Senatus

Let me know what you think of this spread.

Model:  Alina from Mannequin / Make Up:  Yuan Sng, using YSL Beauty / Hair: Christvian Goh, using Kevin Murphy / Photography:  Ong Rui Liang of Lightspade Studio and assisted by Lionel Lim / Styling: Lionnel Lim / Creative Direction:  Kien Lee / Location Chikin, Bukit Pasoh Road / Model is wearing Bausch+Lomb

 

Sparkling Eyes

Unfortunately, the launch of Bausch+Lomb Lacelle Grace Daily Cosmetic Contact Lens, coincided with my shoot, so I did the next best thing – to utilise one pair and test-drive it during my latest fashion editorial spread.

Alina, the model, had no experience with contact lenses, but she gamely took on the challenge to try them for the shoot.  Though she took a bit of time, she finally got them in and seemed very happy wearing them throughout the half day shoot.  I prepared a bottle of eye drops but she didn’t ask for it.

Seen here, a beauty shot – photographed on-location at Chikin – from that spread, and as you can see, the lenses made the model’s eyes pop!  Here, I used the lighter brown called Crystal Brown.

Model:  Alina from Mannequin / Make Up:  Yuan Sng, using YSL Beauty / Hair:  Christvian Goh, using Kevin Murphy / Photography:  Ong Rui Liang of Lightspade Studio and assisted by Lionel Lim / Styling:  Lionnel Lim / Location Chikin, Bukit Pasoh Road / Model is wearing Bausch+Lomb Lacelle Grace Daily Cosmetic Contact Lens in Crystal Brown

Christian Dior AW 17/18

We are in love with the blue palette, employed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, for Christian Dior AW 17/18 RTW collection.

Here are some photos from the editorial spread I styled for Senatus.  Go check out Senatus.net or their FB pages for more photos: Senatus

Model: Kwon Saem from Mannequin / Make Up: Yuan Sng, using Christian Dior
Hair: Francisco Raquiza from Salon B / Styling:  Lionnel Lim / Photography: Ong Rui Liang of Lightspade Studio, assisted by Lionel Lim

 

 

Tudor x Kevin Seah

When Tudor launched their new Black Bay range of watches, I styled the spread to reflect the versatility with various menswear styles from bespoke tailor, Kevin Seah.

Take a look at the full spread on Senatus.net or on their FB pages.

Model: Matthew from Now Model Management / Hair and Grooming: Shirley Li / Styling:  Lionnel Lim / Photography: Ong Rui Liang of Lightspade Studio assisted by Lionel Lim

Tiffany Hardwear

Some months ago, I was approached by Senatus to style a jewellery editorial spread featuring Tiffany & Co’s new Hardwear range.

I haven’t actively styled for a while now and was a bit worried that I might not be able to deliver, but the result was quite lovely, and I hope you guys enjoy this spread too.

Of course, working with a great creative team is always half of the battle won!  Enjoy!

The full spread appeared on the Senatus.net website and on their FB pages.

Model: Yumika from Mannequin / Make Up:  Yuan Sng / Hair:  Francisco Raquiza of Salon B / Styling:  Lionnel Lim / Photography:  Amanda Wong, assisted by William Lai / Location:  The Warehouse Hotel, Singapore

 

It’s a MAN’s World

The now-defunct menswear label, N. Tyler, started promisingly in the early 2010s, but faced resistance within the parent company about the style direction.

At its height, I was hired to style a few campaigns, but I especially love this one.  Here are some photos from that shoot…

Credits:  Photography: David Tan / Styling: Lionnel Lim / Location:  Raffles Hotel, Singapore