before and after

keeping in the spirit of all things children... this post will be dedicated to how some big names in the fashion world looked while they were still children... so let's start the ball rolling...

any guesses to who this little boy grew up to be? the answer will be revealed at the end of the post... but here are more faces that continually impact the fashion world...

our covergirl! need i say more? i loved watching ellen while i was growing up. i didn't understand many of her jokes but i'm so happy for her... she's like the best friend that everyone would love to have growing up... if you missed her covergirl commerial, click here...

yes, yes, her songs are great... her acting is brilliant... her mark on the fashion industry, other than being stunning on the red carpet? beyonce has her clothing line, yo! it's the house of dereon!

liz hurley (or elizabeth hurley)... associated with estee launder for over fifteen years... imagine that! on top of that, she was the face for a host of other brands... liz hurley now owns her own line, elizabeth hurley beach...

it's jenny from the block... jennifer lopez (sidenote: i love dance again!!!) long story short, show stopper on the red carpet and at events... well, in the fashion world, she has her own lifestyle brand.

last but not least, paris hilton... rich, beautiful and oh-so-perfect (okay, maybe not perfect but i actually like her...) her estimated net worth as of 2012 is $100 million... a fashion line may not be her thing but bags are...

finally who was the boy i shown much earlier? this is he...

Karl Lagerfeld

enjoy the chanel spring summer 2013 show...

big thank you to the chobble for all the images (except the karl lagerfeld ones)!

fash'on... BAM!

regardless of race

this is a reference that singaporeans will have no excuses to not know. it is from our pledge... reciting it on a daily basis when we are in school. the pledge shall form the backdrop of today's fashion talk. 

when the discussion of race arises in singapore, one will just think of the different races we have; predominantly chinese, malays and indians... however with the influx of migrants, as a singaporean chinese, i often feel that i am of a different race from a fellow chinese from malaysia, china or taiwan.

yet, we cannot deny our common chinese heritage. when it comes to fashion (especially chinese new year), all walls are demolished and we often go with the reds, pinks, oranges and gold... not to mentioned the cheongsam. the cheongsam was briefly mentioned in my tribute to asian legends... but this will be a more extensive discussion about how i feel towards the cheongsam.

cheongsams from absolute closet

i have a love-hate relationship with the cheongsam. the very reasons that i embrace it are the same reason that i dislike it. when one (with reference to the ladies) dons the cheongsam, every curve is accented... the movements are restricted and kept minimal. one has to watch the way she sits, stands and even the amount she eats. i guess beauty has a price. 

Emma Watson, 2004

Paris Hilton wearing gown by Lu Xun

ultimately as chinese, the cheongsam becomes a common factor regardless of our country of origin. we look up to it as a beacon of chinese beauty, grace and elegance. it is a dress that every lady puts on to feel, fully, woman. it is the dress that puts us ahead of modern fashion because it pulls us back to traditions.

so are we still modern if we hold traditions steadfast? fash'on... BAM!