@dd it: jade

it's that time of the week again... time for me to indulge in me, me, ME! (truth be told, this week is not really about me. the inspiration came from a breakup that i heard about.) this week (keeping in line with the whole asian theme) i say we should add jade to our closets! 

for far too long, jade has had to bear a negative name. when someone says he/she is jaded by life or love, it is usually a rather bad shape to be in... the heart closes, the emotions harden, people become someone totally unfamiliar. but jade has often been misrepresented. if you want more nitty gritty details about jade, do turn to my dear friend wikipedia.

jade is often used as a family heirloom for the chinese, from one generation to another... as this gift is passed down, so are the stories and traditions. we can never change where we came from, we can only choose where we want to go. instead of trying to 'forget', we can fully embrace our past. while i recommend jade as a trend this week, the greater recommendation is the stories and traditions that accompany every piece of jade...

jade bangle... traditionally handed down to daughters

of course, no one would complain if they were being 'jaded' by these pieces of fine jewellery...

Cartier

Cartier brooch

as the world of fashion moves forward rapidly, perhaps it may be good for one to hold on to timeless pieces of fashion... not because they are great looking but because they remind us of who we are, that we are not random being but products of life's experiences (good or not-so-good)... 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!