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!

one boy, two feet, three cities

greetings from taiwan! well it has been a three-month silence but the silence has not been without reason. the second half of 2013 has just been packed to the brim and thus it took time away from reading and more importantly, writing about fashion. well for the final post of 2013, i am going to tell you a story.

a boy was mindlessly surfing the internet one day and he came across a pair of gold-coloured shoes. it glittered and sparkled. that instant, he knew he had to get it so he went to the nearest flagship to enquire about it. however, the buyers didn't bring it in (at least according to the sales people) so he was left to dream about the glistering gold. 

months later, he went to another country. this time round, he was wandering around aimlessly and stumbled across the store. he walked in to ask about the pair of shoes but the people at the store seemed reluctant to serve him so he settled in his heart that the shoes were never meant to be.

another half a year later, he was shopping in a third city. a total stranger walked past him carrying a paper bag bearing the logo of the shoes that he so desired. so with a little tinge of hope, he walked into the store and saw the following:

no gold shoes... after chatting with the ladies at the store, (to cut the long story short)

so here are a few lessons that a boy with two feet learnt after searching through three cities:

1) never lose hope and have patience

2) the answer to our desires can be yes, no or not yet

3) always work hard so that you can afford that pair of dream shoes (i actually said i'll take the shoes before asking about the price tag)

4) i have an incurable love for shoes

i'm in bliss crossing from 2013 to 2014... i hope you are too! happy new year and lots of virtual hugz to you!

fash'on... BAM!  

vintage men

i know, most of you will be blasting me for how little coverage i am giving when it comes to vintage styles for men. well, don't blame me. i wish that i was a trendsetter back then too but in the past, men's fashion was a tad bland hence the less attention given.

One Direction goes vintage?

however, once you understand that fashion is a never-ending cycle that always takes on a modern-day twist, the possibilities for style become endless. vintage clothing has always been a popular phenomenon, but knowing where to find it, how to wear it and which era is 'in' is the ultimate challenge.

from the '50s to the '80s (and soon the '90s), everything from saddle shoes and spandex to big collars and big hair eventually sees a reemergence on the fashion scene. every era has a comeback, as today's designers simply update the styles from other time periods. so basically, it's the concepts from different decades that return, rather than the actual article of clothing. 

here are some items that one can include in their closet to achieve that retro-look!

1) dirty denim 

Denim by Diesel

otherwise known as 'washed-out' or 'distressed', this denim is treated to give jeans and jean jackets a second-hand look.

2) button-down shirts 

Charlie Sheen

popular vintage-looking collared shirts include 'utility' shirts; a button-down with a small chest pocket on one side and a patch or insignia that reads 'joe's gas station', for instance. you can also find shirts, in either brown, blue or green, with some stripes on the shirt, usually in another shade of the shirt's base color. another popular vintage detail is a shirt collar made from a different fabric, usually a knit.

3) converse and nike

the '80s have returned in full force, especially in the world of sports apparel. you can find old-school white nikes with the original nike 'swoosh' in most sporting goods stores. even '80-style converse all-stars (low or high-top) have made a huge comeback.

4) sunglasses

oversized shades are super popular for men and they're reminiscent of the good old '60s and '70s. even '80s-style aviators are flying high on the fashion scale.

fash'on... BAM!

men of fashion

if men want to be fashionable, the best place to start is to learn from fashionable men. the three men that i have selected are not only fashionable themselves. their names are their brands, brands that not only men should know but brands that women have come to be very familiar with. let's see what the buzz is all about.

1) marc jacobs

The Brand

marc jacobs is an american fashion designer. he is the head designer for marc jacobs, as well as marc by marc jacobs, a diffusion line, with more than two hundred retail stores in eighty countries. he has been the creative director of the french design house louis vuitton since 1997. jacobs is on time magazine's '2010 time 100' list of the 100 most influential people in the world and ranked 14th on out magazine's 2012 list of '50 most powerful gay men and women in america'. 

The Man

over the years, marc jacobs' personal style has evolved and changed - from the early days of his career through to his butterfly-like transformation into the gym-honed body that appeared naked in his bang fragrance campaign; from a penchant for somewhat geeky ensembles to the kilts and sharp suits that we expect from him now. as creative director of louis vuitton and designer of two eponymous lines, he is also a style icon in his own right. 

The Empire

jacobs is famous for his sense of humour, which has been known to colour his catwalk creations and he's not afraid of a fancy dress opportunity: he wore head-to-toe stephen sprouse neons by vuitton and donned a blonde wig for Halloween one year, once dyed his hair blue in tribute to japanese artist takashi murakami and dressed as a 'camel toe' for his arabian nights-themed holiday party. here is a man who counts sofia coppola, dakota fanning and even miss piggy as muses.

2) jimmy choo

Jimmy Choo

jimmy choo, born choo yeang keat, is a malaysian chinese fashion designer based in london, united kingdom. he is best known for founding jimmy choo ltd that became known for its handmade women's shoes. he made his first shoe when he was eleven years old. he is perhaps the most notable of students of cordwainers technical college in hackney, england, from which he graduated in 1983. jimmy choo traced his beginnings back to his workshop in hackney, north london, which he opened in 1986 by renting an old hospital building. his craftsmanship and designs were soon noticed and he came to the verge of international notability when his creations were featured in a record eight pages in a 1988 issue of vogue. patronage from diana, princess of wales, from 1990 further boosted his image. in 1996, he co-founded jimmy choo ltd with british vogue magazine accessories editor tamara mellon.

Princess Diana with sons, William and Harry

in april 2001, choo sold his 50% stake in the company for £10 million. he has since concentrated his work on the exclusive jimmy choo couture line produced under license from jimmy choo ltd. when you buy a pair of jimmy choo shoes at a store like bergdorf goodman or neiman marcus, they may be gorgeous and they may bear the 'jimmy choo' label but the ready-to-wear shoes are not designed by jimmy choo. 

Jimmy Choo Couture

today if you want shoes that actually have anything to do with jimmy choo himself, you'll have to purchase them from jimmy choo couture. available by appointment only at 18 connaught street in paddington, london, england.

3) calvin klein

Calvin Klein

calvin richard klein is an american fashion designer of hungarian origin who launched the company that would later become calvin klein Inc. klein was born in the bronx to jewish-hungarian immigrants. he did his apprenticeship in 1962 at an oldline cloak-and-suit manufacturer, dan millstein and spent five years designing at other new york shops. in 1968, he launched his first company with a childhood friend, barry k. schwartz. 

Spring / Summer 2012 featuring Lara Stone

klein became a protégé of baron de gunzburg, through whose introductions he became the toast of the new york elite fashion scene even before he had his first mainstream success with the launch of his first jeans line. klein was immediately recognized for his talent after his first major showing at new york fashion week. Klein was hailed as the new yves saint-laurent and was noted for his clean lines.

2010 campaign featuring 2PM

klein's design philosophy is rooted in minimalism (extreme simplicity) and is known for his 'casual chic' clothing, stylish but casual designs created for active women. he typically uses neutral colors or earth tones (browns) and designs separates (articles of clothing designed to be worn interchangeably with others to form various combinations) that work in many different ensembles, from day to night and season to season. at the same time his advertising for jeans and fragrances was being criticized, calvin klein clothing was receiving critical acclaim for its clean, modern lines. time magazine named klein one of the twenty-five most influential americans in 1996. klein won the prestigious coty award three times in a row (1973–1975), becoming the youngest designer to ever have that honor. in 1982, 1983, and 1986 he also captured the council of fashion designers of america award. klein is undoubtedly one of the most successful american clothing designers today.

fash'on... BAM!

@dd it: ergonomic fashion

it’s the end of the week! congratulations, you’ve survived another week. well, i’m looking forward to the weekend because there is dragonboat training and more importantly, IT’S MY BIRTHDAY… i’m turning 21 again. haha... anyway, enough talk about me and let’s talk about what i think should trend this week. since i've shared with you a ton of ways to make yourselves uncomfortable in the name of fashion. this week, we shall trend something comfortable!

comfort is key?

ergonomics, by definition, is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. effective and successful 'fits' assure high productivity, avoidance of illness and injury risks, and increased satisfaction among the workforce. common examples of ergonomic risk factors are found in jobs requiring repetitive, forceful, or prolonged exertions of the hands; frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying of heavy objects; and prolonged awkward postures. so here are some items that you may want to add to your closet, just to get comfortable.

image from fatin

Yoga shoes 

all ergonomic shoes, or 'ergo-shoes', regardless of design or manufacturer, are designed to simulate the natural condition of walking barefoot on soft ground, rather than with shoes, on concrete, as we so often find ourselves. they do this by distributing body weight evenly, restoring balance, and improving posture and overall spinal alignment. as a result, back tension and pain are relieved, and muscles throughout the body, generally toned.

besides shoes, there is ergonomic fashion as well. 

Nicolas Vaudelet Fall 2010 

since the weekend is here, let's get comfortable!

fash'on... BAM!

massaro

after much extensive coverage on haute couture clothes and jewellery, there is one aspect left to share before we bid farewell to our 'haute couture week': shoes. of course, we did feature some pretty interesting shoes last week but this feature of shoes is in a different league.

Raymond Massaro

beautiful shoes are the details that create a distinctive allure and silhouette. this is even more so when they complement haute couture labels. for decades, massaro has been accentuating couturier collections and every season’s shows by creating unique accessories, the perfect final touch to the fashion message that the designers wish to convey. 

Chanel two-tone sandals

when raymond massaro met gabrielle chanel, she took great pleasure in telling him about the incredible working relationship she had built up with his father. so it was perfectly natural for coco to continue her association with the firm that created her famous two-tone sandals at the end of the 1950s.

Spring Summer 2010

Se'bastien Massaro for Chanel, 1957

since then, massaro has become the exclusive supplier for chanel haute couture. in the run-up to the fashion shows, a certain intensity fills the workshops: the first sketches arrive from the studios on rue cambon which need to be worked up. and, as for any other customer, a model is created, examined, revised and approved, in this case by karl lagerfeld.the talents of the massaro workshops are sought after by other couture houses and many designers: the order books are filled each season with prestigious names. when the fashion show season is over, the same names send their special customers, knowing they will find the ideal accessory to perfect a suit, a cocktail outfit, an evening gown or wedding gown.

fash'on... BAM!

skin(shoe) care

since it has been all about shoes. the final post for today will be for your 'skin' shoes or rather leather shoes. care of leather shoes is not just about making your shoes look good, which would be reason enough to take care of them. it is also about preserving and adding to the life of your leather shoes. whether you spend a lot on your shoes or don't have much to spend, taking care of your leather shoes makes sense. you are either protecting your investment or removing the need to buy new shoes for every occasion. without proper conditioning and care, leather can dry out until it eventually cracks and falls apart.

Gucci woven leather boots 

there are four steps to protecting your leather shoes and keep them looking their best: clean, condition, polish, preserve or weatherproof. before doing a full and thorough session of leather shoe care, you'll need the following items: soft cotton cloths or rags, soft shoe brush (optional), shoe cleaner, leather conditioner, shoe polish or a shoe polish alternative. be sure the products you buy are recommended for smooth leather shoes. 

world's most expensive: A. Testoni shoes

first, remove dirt by cleaning with a leather cleaner made specifically for smooth leathers. you can use saddle soap or a smooth leather shoe cleaner. shoe cleaners come in gels, foams, sprays, liquids and creams. many leather cleaners come with an applicator top or you can use a soft shoe brush to aid in removing dirt from the surface of the shoe. this will also help to remove dirt from any cracks in the shoes. after cleaning, let the shoes dry for a few minutes and begin shining the shoes with a soft cotton cloth - either a shoe shine cloth, or even an old t-shirt, as long as it's soft and made of cotton. conditioning your leather shoes will help soften and moisturize the leather, and protect it from drying out and cracking. certain types of leather, and shoes worn in dryer climates might need to be conditioned more often. some shoe cleaning products will clean and condition your shoes, but if you want your shoes to get the full treatment, or used a product specifically for cleaning, the next step is to condition your smooth leather shoes.

image from kyivpost

use a conditioner made for the specific type of shoe you're working on. also, look for a natural conditioner that is absorbed into the material of the shoe, as opposed to a synthetic conditioner that sits on top of the surface. rub small amounts of conditioner into the shoe, until the entire shoe has been covered with conditioner. after a couple of minutes, wipe any remaining conditioner off of the shoes, as the leather will only absorb what it can.

Versace black leather croc

shoe polishes are available in liquid, cream or paste. liquid shoe polish dries quickly, but is not readily available in a lot of colors and does not last as long as the other options. shoe polish paste is the longest lasting but is very messy and slow to work with. shoe polish cream is a great compromise and is available in lots of colors. get the appropriate color of polish for you shoes. apply the polish to a small, less conspicous area of the shoe to test and be sure the color is right. rub the polish into the shoe with a soft cloth and allow it to dry thoroughly. after the shoe polish is dry, shine your shoes by buffing them with a soft cloth or brush made specifically for shining shoes.

Versace metallic leather platform sandals

weatherproofing your leather shoes will help to protect them from water and other elements that can ruin the finish and shorten the life of your shoes. different weatherproofing products serve different purposes, so you should choose wisely. for example, if it is essential that your shoes are waterproof because you spend a lot of time in wet or messy conditions, and a pretty finish is not as is important, a beeswax product would be a better choice than a protective spray. beeswax products form a protective layer over the surface of the shoe or boot instead of being absorbed into the leather. this provides a better barrier against water, but the additional layers can alter the appearance of the shoes.

the next time you buy a pair of leather shoes, condition them before ever wearing them. this will help insure that your shoes are best protected from the start, and will save time on future cleanings.

fash'on... BAM!