happy new year!

the great thing about being of chinese descent (and i'm sure other cultures too) is that we have two new calendars that we follow. my last post was in 2014 and throughout the year, i either had no impetus to write or time was against me. 2014 saw the formal establishment of The Online Edition as a company and there was much to be done. 

anyhow, things are somewhat more certain in terms of the company's development thus it is time to reconnect with one of my favourite hobbies: writing! so here i am again...

in preparation for the lunar new year are my multiple engagements as an events host. i am ever thankful that my clients believe that i am still relevant after all these years. most of these engagements are five years on and counting. being the perfectionist that i am, it not about what i say onstage but the overall appearance as well. so now i present to you, the looks for this season of hosting:

1) the simple

checkerd Armani shirt over jeans

Zara hoodie over red tee with jeans

since the shows span over five weeks, i decided to start off with simpler looks that are more casual and comfortable. generally, it's too early to remind the crowds that the festive season is upon us so it's usually just a collared shirt with jeans. 

2) the layered

red Armani cardigan over black

one of my favourites this season

i love layering especially when it comes to my stage outfits. the base is often to absorb the perspiration (stage lights can be cruel!) and in between shows, i can just hang up the jacket for the essential backstage nap. 

the favourite look is a red Zara blazer with a pair of Armani black jeans with red 'flames' on the bottom. what i particularly liked was how well the outfit shown up on pictures. of course the look was completed with a pair of Puma that i jazzed up with a pair of wings (inspired by the Victoria's Secret models).

new lease of life for a pair of old sneakers

3) the muted

muted outfit so that i don't blend into the carpet

occasionally, i depart from the bright reds. this outfit consisted of a maroon shirt with a pair of faded gold jeans from Zara. to tone it down further, i threw a blazer of sorts over the combination. i was pretty glad at this outfit choice because a bright red outfit would have blended into the table skirting and stage carpeting.

4) the impractical

this final two outfits look good on stage BUT honestly are the most impractical. 

the first is a semi-trench from Emporio Armani over a red Armani Exchange shirt, paired with skinny jeans from French Connection. the outfit is finished with a pair of G*Star boots. this entire outfit is just tight (i blame the skinny jeans!) and seriously hard to move around in. driving in boots were a nightmare.

the second outfit is something for fall and definitely not tropical Singapore. it's a wool Amani pullover paired with a pair of maroon skinny (Armani again!) and finished with a pair of gold Versace. beyond the fabrics, the shoes look stunning but seemed to give me lots of blisters (i don't know why!)

a confession though, i do love these two outfits regardless of their comfort level and they have received numerous compliments.

and FINALLY, this year, i decided to have a little fun. since my closing show involves a camera zooming into my hands and projecting my nails onto a screen, here's what i did:

the devil is in the details...

the audience (and client) had a lot of fun snapping pictures of my nails. ask me if i would do it again? probably but i'll probably go back to the manicurist to have it removed. cleaning up the nails is tough. 

overall, it was a fun season of hosting and connecting with friends (old and new). if you want to follow me on my fashion (and generally my life) adventures, just look me up on instagram (@theonlineeditor). may the new year be one of great health and wealth. haven't said this in a long time BUT...

fash'on... BAM!

@dd it: armani

Giorgio Armani

yup, rub your eyes! i am doing an 'advertorial'... well, not really since i am not paid or stand nothing to gain in this. for this week's '@dd it', i am asking you to go into an armani store and pick up something for yourself. 

Adele in Armani couture

yes, you did not read it wrongly, i am throwing my weight behind a brand. my love for armani is no secret anyway. whether it is armani exchange, emporio armani or giorgio armani, shopping in an armani store is always a pleasure. for as well as my memories serve me, i've never walked out of their stores empty-handed. 

Lady Gaga

like i once remairked, 'i have an insane amount of armani. his work is crisp, clean, elegant and tailored. armani's designs have changed the look and feel of contemporary fashion in business, entertainment and the fashion industry itself. 

Milan's Men's Fashion Week 2012

giorgio armani himself can sum up his design philosophy, which has proven to be so successful, best, 'i design for real people. i think of our customers all the time. there is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothing or accessories or clothing that are not practical.' hence as we approach the end of another week, we should never forget that every piece of garment remains fabric until someone buys it and wears it.

fash'on... BAM!

five applicable applications

okay people, the online edition is operated by me and me alone. i would love to be with you all the time and provide you with all the fashion updates but i can't. i have bills to pay (which explains work), my dad to care off (hence i can't be in front of the computer all the time) and hopefully a social life to boast of. with all that in mind, i have enlisted some help. so once you have read the posts at 8am, 1.30pm or 10.30pm, you can meddle with these five applications (that i use on my iphone) till the next post goes live.

1) style.com 

this was recommended to me by a friend when he heard that i was into fashion blogging. the updates on this app are fast and furious. at times, one has the sense that he is constantly lagging behind due to the massive resources, articles and shows available.

2) pocket fashion consultant

this is a nice little app that dishes out tips to target problematic body areas. on a awful day and i have no sense of fashion direction, i look to this app for a little advice. there is a paid version too but i'm too much of a scrooge to pay for it.

3) k-star fashion

being introduced to the world of korean drama by my dad, i began a new interest (not love yet though i do want to visit korea, like mentioned) for all things k. the application features styles that you can put together and it's not of big stars but common folk. putting it in blatant terms, no need to go korea and also can dress like korean.

4) fashion tips

like the name suggests, this application dishes out fashion tips. it does not rely on fanciful images, just good old-fashion description (much like The Online Edition). it's simple and comprehensive.

5) ???

this is where i leave the last one to you. the final application to have on your phone should be of your favourite brand or label. personally i have more than one but that's me. i like options. at last count, i have about four... =) but here's a clue to which one made it to my phone.

as we wrap up the week of basics, have fun downloading more apps for the weekend.

fash'on... BAM!

ps: it's our first month anniversary here at The Online Edition. big thank you to sherlyn for her guest review. read her thoughts here!

the world turned dark

i think back to the days before i started driving, one of the must-haves used to be a pair of shades... i remember that at one point in time, i used to have a pair of shades (affordable yet fanciful) in every bag that i carried so that i don't leave home without my shades... then i stopped when i started driving because i always preferred to drive with my glasses on... i still keep a pair of shades handy though for the days that i need a quick fashion pick-me-up or on days when i feel the puffy eyes... these are my 'driving sunglasses'...

it's a pair of oakleys... classic design... nothing too colourful or hard to match. even against a backdrop of colour (in this case, the foreground) this was a gift from my godma and we both decided on this design cos it was a pair of shades for all occasions...

talking about occasions, the only shades that i wear on a weekly basis are my paddling oakleys during dragonboat training, just to protect the eyes from the sun and the water... it's definitely become a need more than a fashion statement.

that said, whether need or otherwise, do invest in a pair of shades... there are just days that you want to protect your eyes from the sun's glare. other days, you may want to put them on while on the bus or train and sleep... i always think that a pair of shades on a sleeping commuter enhances the look...

of course, for those who are lazy (like i am, most times)... you can opt for a pair of glasses with transition lenses... the only grouse i have is that i don't know when my lenses are dark and when people can see my eyes... 

my glasses with transition lenses. frames from Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani Men Fall Winter 2012-13

here's a look at what's coming to our sunny shores... tomorrow's the launch...

Fresh Start

this must the millionth time that i'm been trying to get my blog (any blog) up and running... from writing about the state of things in singapore to ranting about life to a semi-biography... well, they all failed. i'm not certain about this one BUT i just feel this need to (a) write (b) discuss the state of things (c) just share, share, SHARE... all right, (b) and (c) are similar but this is MY blog, whatever i say, goes...

anyway, what is this fresh start going to be about? it's going to be something i love, love, love... FASHION! so i am going to attempt to write about what people are wearing... some finds that i have... basically anything that goes BAM! (also, i recently went to a 'fashion blogger's' site... like i told my friend, that's cut and paste... nothing fashion about it!)

that's enough ranting for now... if you are the lucky few who stumble upon my little fashion haven, here are a couple of treats for you...

1) emporio armani is launching their autumn/winter collection this weekend (14th - 16th sep)... spend $1000 to get a limited edition leather bracelet or a leather passport holder... got a text from the staff at the forum outlet (not sure if it applies to mandarin gallery...)

2) from now till 16th sep, receive a $50 or $100 voucher when you spend a minimum of $450 or $800 respectively at any Armani Exchange stores... (personally i recommend the vivocity outlet... much better staff there)