Minimalism and shit

April 26, 2012

When I was sixteen, I dreamed of being a scientist whose mission was to cure major diseases. I held on to that dream as I did my national exams, and then entered junior college to further my education in the field of science (and taking up a special art program at the same time). Three weeks into slightly-more-advanced biology I decided I had no interest in knowing what is inside a nucleus, nor put up with pretentious artist-wannabes, therefore I jumped ship and entered a design school.

Fast forward almost ten years later I found myself looking like a technician in a Jil Sander lab coat and sunglasses that could have passed off as safety goggles. It was from the same season that made every blogger in the world do that shredded tee thing (myself included). I did it with a sweater and posted a photo here many years ago. It’s actually quite lolworthy but don’t bother searching for it because it’s buried underneath lots of crappy experimentations.

If it wasn’t for this ingenious twist I wouldn’t have looked at the dress twice. My only gripe was that I’m not gung ho enough to bare my bum. Sorry folks.

Jil Sander dress; Rick Owens boots; Henry Holland for Le Specs sunglasses

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Margiela’s Tabis – the camel hooves everyone loves

April 18, 2012

My first encounter with Margiela (the label, not the man) was with the famed Tabi boots. They were standing by the glass window, beckoning passerbys to take a good, long look at them. I did, and I scoffed. Back then I couldn’t for the life of me comprehend why anyone would want to wear camel hooves. Apparently I was not the only one who felt this way. While searching for images of Tabis, a number of people expressed the same views too. First, there was a feeling of repulse and bewilderment, then comprehension, and finally falling head over heels in love.

This is exactly how I feel about Margiela’s best works til today. Although the feeling of repulse is no longer present, more often than not, I will subconsciously raise a brow when seeing something new on the runway, or the archive. Someone once remarked that Margiela is all about visual puns, and that’s exactly what it is. Many of Margiela’s best works, with or without the man himself, begins from a classic item found in person’s sensible wardrobe, which will then be given a weird proportion, cut, or treatment. It makes the audience go, hey it’s not meant to be made this way, but it’s just bloody brilliant, that’s what!

Margiela’s Tabis are no different. They stemmed from the classic Japanese footwear of the same name. It took me several years before I could finally understand why people went apeshit over these strange, hoof-like shoes. Perhaps it’s the constant exposure bathing them in a positive light that influenced my opinion, or perhaps it’s Margiela’s magic working itself on me. Whatever it is, I know I’d like to collect the stranger versions of the Tabis, split toe or no split toe. I believe that if one should like to wear crazy camel shoes, one should go all the way and paint the town red in all its glittered glory.

Here’s to all you Tabi fans out there. Cheers!

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A Tribute to Raf Simons for Jil Sander

April 12, 2012

I bought this dress off Ebay last winter without knowing what I was actually getting. All I knew was that it was a flowy pink dress. Everyone whose opinions I asked was fervently protesting against it saying it was too loud and far from my ‘dark’ aesthetics (except the boyfriend, I could be wearing rags and he wouldn’t mind at all).

Mind you this was the very first piece of non-footwear from Jil Sander that I’ve owned, so I could never truly comprehend Raf’s genius before then. It was only when I held the dress in my hands that it truly dawned on me what they meant by Raf Simons being an intelligent designer. With strategically-placed zippers on the body and sleeves, what seemed to be a deceptively simple dress becomes a silhouette-changing garment. On moment it could be a kaftan, the next it will be a long, lean t-shirt.

I have to admit LVMH did a very good job in concealing Raf Simons’s move to Dior. All eyes were on Haider Ackermann right after Raf’s departure from Jil Sander. Was his 180 degree turn towards a bourgeois direction a hint of what was to come? Noone knows for sure but I have my reservations about his move. I love what he did for Jil Sander more than what Jil Sander herself did for the brand. While the latter binds herself so strongly in the realm of minimalism to the point of restricting the type of girls who would feel beautiful in her clothes, Raf’s approach to minimalism was more forgiving in the sense that someone like me who is neither blonde nor tall could feel like a million bucks. Remember his sculptural, vase-like collection with all the curly-wurly shapes? That, to me, is the peak of his career in Jil Sander.

One can only hope Jil Sander would bring something fresh to the table for her namesake brand. As for Dior, I don’t know if I can afford the price tag needed to attain Raf’s intelligent design once again.

Spring 2012

Fall 2011

Fall 2009

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Margiela Amazonia

April 5, 2012

Margiela goat hair stole; Young & Restless asymmetrical dress; Rick Owens boots

Dressing in a hot and humid environment proves to be a difficult challenge, but there’s no reason why one should just stick to shirt, jeans and flats. Too often I see women having the mentality that an expensive, designer ‘It’ bag can rescue their shabby fits. If one’s goal is to be presentable, or to impress, a Prada, Balenciaga or Hermes arm candy will certainly not make up for a cheap, poorly-thought out ensemble of shirt, shorts, and slippers. I strongly feel that if one has the ability to afford expensive handbags, the money should first be put into investing in flattering, stylish clothes and great skincare. Unfortunately handbags are placed first and foremost because it’s a symbol of one’s social class, doesn’t matter that Birkins are a dime in a dozen now, and in the primarily Confucian Asian society, little else matters.

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Another day, another way

March 31, 2012

There is no way I could have possibly walked around in a floor-sweeping cape as shown in the previous post because I’m just another ordinary folk who has to take the bus to get to town. And thus with the help of a trusty belt, I went from a menacing Sith Lord to a slightly more amiable Jedi.

This is a really simple formula when dressing is a chore for the day. All you need is just a long cardigan, I stole my brother’s which was bought from Oak NYC, a dress/long-shirt as your base layer, and your favourite statement boots, of course not forgetting the waist belt. Mine was a thin, equestrian horse harness of some sort but it worked pretty okay. With a tug here and a pull there you’re ready to scare the children.

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I will not fall, I cannot die.

March 26, 2012

Channeling a Sith Lord with the help of an Improvd dress, Oak sleeveless cloak, and Rick Owens boots.

To be continued.

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