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!

the ancients: japan

the japanese clothing consisted of a great variety of kimono. the first of which appeared in the jomon period, with no distinction between male and female. after japan opened up for trading with the outside world, other options started to come in.

officers and men of some units of the shogunal army and navy were among the first to adopt western clothing, fashioned after style of those worn by english marines stationed at yokohama. the style only grew from there, moving out from just the military to other forms of life as well.

the kimono is a traditional garment, wrapped around the body, sometimes in several layers and secured in place by sashes with a wide obi to complete the human parcel. the modern kimono is not worn as often as it once was.

there are six different types of kimonos that a woman can wear depending on her marital status and the event she intends to attend.

  

furisode and uchikake

 

houmongi and yukata

 

mofuku and tomesode

japanese clothing, specifically kimono, is styled to fit the seasons. clothing with more rustic colours and patterns (like russet leaves) are favoured in autumn, while in spring, more vibrant colours and floral designs (like cherry blossoms) are common. in winter, those dressing in kimono tend to wear darker colours and multiple layers (sometimes as many as ten). it is important that one dresses for the season in certain layers, because you do not want to be too hot or too cold.

here's a quick clip of selena gomez donning a kimono:

fash'on... BAM!

five do's

nah, i'm not telling you the five commandments of fashion... i'm going to talk hair. since this is really a week of basics, i'll just give you the terms and then we will leave to it till another time to talk which hairdo suits which face shape, what kind of clothes go with the hair, what accessories to use and all. 

let's strike a deal. if this post alone climbs to top five of the week, then i'll do a full-week feature on hair. till then, here are five do's that one should be familiar with.

Rihanna with the bob

1) a bob cut or bob is a short haircut for women (and sometimes men) in which the hair is typically cut straight around the head at about jaw-level, often with a fringe (or 'bangs') at the front.

Hime Cut 

2) hime cut (or 'princess cut') is a hairstyle consisting of straight, usually cheek-length sidelocks and frontal fringe. the rest of the hair is usually worn long and straightened.

Carrie Underwood with her layered do

3) layered hair is one that gives the illusion of length and volume.

Oprah Winfrey with curls, image from Emerson Salon

4) a perm involves the use of chemicals to break and reform the bonds of the hair. the hair swells, stretches and softens, then moulds around the shape of the perm rod.

Kris Jenner with a layered razor cut

5) razor cutting is a hair cutting process in which sharp, knife-like razors are used to excise, slice and texturize hair. this is a practical method to create movement in straight hairstyles.

anyway, if you can't wait till my full-week feature on hair, do visit here. final piece of advice when it comes to trying out different hairdos... don't fret. hair grows back!

fash'on... BAM!