My MANy Bags Trendspotting #141

Below: Finally a model carrying the Prada Saffiano Leather Double Zip Executive Tote... this is one of the best Prada bags ever! Love the simple and luxurious design:-)

Below: I got mine in Caramel colour last X'mas... still loved it so much:-)

Prada Saffiano Leather Double Zip Executive Tote

It's been almost a year (last year's x'mas time) since I got this Prada Saffiano Leather Double Zip Executive Tote. Have not seen any pics of real fashionistas carrying the bag (Although hers seemed to be without zippers)... but now I found one, and it is on the arms of gorgeous model, Sophie Srej!

I named this my 'Prada-kin'... as the luxe feel and design give me a sense of the Hermès Birkin. At least until I bag an actual Birkin.

Time to dig out this Prada bag this weekend:-)

Source: Stockholm Streetstyle

My Shopping Conquest #108

Below: Net-a-porter has the best packaging for online shopping! Almost like receiving a gift for oneself:-P

Below: 'Mr Hatman' has arrived! Fly to the moon!:-P

Below: My new metal disc belt from Isabel Marant! Have been trying to locate a metal belt fit for jeans ever since I miss out on Balmain's Fall Winter 2009 version...

Below: Works great with dark denim... and very lightweight to wear or bring along while travelling:-P

Below: The galvanised silver brass lends a more casual glamour style rather than polished metal versions:-P

Below: Managed to shorten the belt myself! Now it fits perfect!

Below: This belt is widely featured in Isabel Marant's Fall Winter 2010 runway looks...

Below: A great alternative to Balmain Homme's Fall Winter 2009 metal chain version...

Isabel Marant Fall Winter 2010 Silver Tone Disc Belt

I had been searching for a silver metal belt, like that from Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2009 (see pic above), that worked as well with jeans as does pants. Alas, I was cheapskate and did not want to pay the full retail at Club 21 Mens, Four Seasons Hotel then. The belt was sold out before the end of seasons sale and I lost my chance to own that. So this Fall Winter 2010 season, when I saw Isabel Marant's version of the silver metal belt on www.net-a-porter.com (unfortunately Blackjack in Singapore do not stock this belt), part leather and part galvanised brass, I knew it will make a great alternative to the Balmain version (my Gucci version somehow seems too formal so that do not count).

I placed my order and the belt arrived hassle free with Net-a-porter's speedy delivery a couple of weeks back. I had originally wanted to return the belt as it was still too long for me despite being the smallest size available. Fortunately, I found a way to dislodge the connecting metal discs and successfully DIY and shorten the belt to my size! Kudos to a bit of 'desperation induced' thinking. Love the glamour and bling when worn with dark denim, and it's light to bring abroad too!

Retail price: £286.86 (approx. SGD 602). Where to buy: www.net-a-porter.com

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #114

Below: Camouflage print... my current obsession. Be a standout, wear Camouflage this spring summer season! Love his suit jacket and matching tie...

Below: American designer Michael Bastian has been proposing this masculine pattern for his Spring Summer 2010 collection...

Below: And real guys are wholeheartedly embracing the 'tough luxe' look...

Below: And Michael Bastian's introduction of this military pattern juxtaposing with sartorial wear dates back to his Fall Winter 2009 collection... Camouflage shorts with blazer looks are spotted in the recent Milan Spring Summer 2011 Menswear Fashion Week...

Below: The 'fashionising' of the camouflage print has propagated the adoption of this unique tough/luxe mix by many guys for Spring Summer 2010 season. (Runway pic from Michael Bastian's Fall Winter 2009 collection)

Stand Out In Camouflage Prints...

Military uniforms, the epitome of masculine expression, are not exactly a fresh concept for high fashion. High fashion has always been intrigued and inspired by military garments' functionality and details. Each season, we see hints of the military in different quantities and interpretations. For this Spring Summer season, Camouflage prints has risen to the 'ranks of trends' alongside the olive green hue. Originally created with practical reasons to hide soldiers from enemy eyes, it has now become a big standout fashion statement.

The current 'fashionising' of the camouflage print started when Michael Bastian introduced the pairing of aforementioned patterned pieces with sartorial wear (way back in Fall 2009), creating a unique balance of toughness and refinement. Tough luxe has now crept into the closets of many fashion savvy men as evident in the abundant looks spotted with this military pattern over Milan's Spring Summer 2011 Mens Fashion Week.

Ironically, the camouflage pattern originally intended to mask the wearer to their environment has now become an eye catching fashion statement where everyone takes notice.

I need this camouflage hunting jacket with elbow patch from Michael Bastian. And yes, that matching tie will be welcome any day even if Singapore's weather might mean you sweat like a sauna wrapping up your neck. I am obsessed with the look now. NEED!

Below: Mr. Wooster, Men's Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus effortlessly pulling off his Michael Bastian camouflage jacket with a matching tie... I need to hunt down a similar one soon!

Source: All the pretty birds, Style, GQ by Tommy Ton

My Shopping Conquest #104

Below: Who doesn't fall for an object of beauty, especially when it comes in an orange box?:-P

Below: Peek-a-boo! Something shiny peeking thru...

Below: It's my new Hermès Thales Bracelet... love the half leather and half gold palladium hardware design. Stunning and yet understated...

Below: Professional pics for better colour representation...

Below: Comes in black and silver Palladium hardware too...

Hermes Thales Bracelet In Veau Chamonix And Gold Palladium Hardware

An accidental purchase of pure love... all thanks to my friend Mervyn for graciously letting me have the opportunity to own this Hermès beauty... the 2009 Hermès Thales Bracelet in Veau Chamonix and Gold Palladium hardware. Dun you love the half leather and half palladium design? One of the best looking cuffs I have encountered. More understated than Collier De Chien, but equally outstanding with the huge hardware. The one and only piece in Singapore at the time I bought this... such a rare find. Perfect wrist candy for those glamourous nights out, or maybe fend off some 'bullets' like fabulous Wonder Woman?!?!?

Now where is my matching lasso and star spangled underwear?

(Comes in silver hardware as well.)

Retail price: SGD $1150. Where to buy: Hermès Boutique at Liat Tower

My MANy Bags News #93

Below: Jesus in Dolce & Gabbana's new Fall Winter 2009/2010 Ad Campaign...


Below: Jesus and Madonna, the hottest couple of the moment as captured by
Steven Klein for W Magazine...

Below: Besides Dolce & Gabbana, Jesus also starrs in Pepe Jeans new Fall Winter Ad Campaign...

Jesus for Dolce & Gabbana

Has Madonna got a midas touch? Seems the evergreen pop diva has not lost her's star appeal... I would say association with Madonna does spur off attention from all over.

Jesus Luz definitely got the limelight when he became Madonna's new beau. With his fantastic ripped body and exotic looks, this Brazilian hunk soon finds himself getting the attention of media and now fashion designers and companies alike. He not only starrs in Pepe Jeans new Fall Winter 2009 campaign but also big names like Dolce & Gabbana.

The new Dolce Gabbana campaign is shot by my favourite lensman, Steven Klein and inspired by Italian film director Luchino Visconti and his film, “Rocco e I Suoi Fratelli” (Rocco and His Brothers). Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana wanted Jesus to portray the film’s lead Rocco, because the model, like the protagonist of the movie, is the modern emblem of hopes and dreams.

And with Milan fashion week kicking off tomorrow, Jesus will also grace the runways of Dolce Gabbana's Spring Summer 2010 menswear show. Be prepared for a hunk-a-licious galore! Can't wait to see what the duo will present for their new Spring Summer 2010 collection. I have always been a fan of Dolce and Gabbana, their cuts and tailoring are one of the most flattering.

The catwalk at Dolce&Gabbana’s S/S 2010 menswear show will take place on Saturday, June 20th at the Metropol theatre in Milan.

Blogazine www.swide.com will follow with an exclusive interview with Jesus in which the model reveals how fashion has changed his life and his future plans. Stay tune!

Source: Dolce Gabbana, Ohlala

My MANy Bags News #92

Below: Behind the scenes, posing for the camera...Emma Watson is truly
a natural for the lens

Below: The 3 key people on the project, Christopher Bailey, Emma Watson and Mario Testino

Below: The Burberry snood...looking cosy and fabulous for winter...

Behind The Scenes At Burberry Prorsum Fall Winter 2009/2010 Ad Campaign

I love behind the scenes pictures. Working in advertising, I can easily identify with all happenings behind the lens. Sometimes, stories and most memorable experience comes from all the little things that happen while working with the whole crew. You get inspired and proud to see your ideas come to life in the final picture. Of course admiring cute models isn't exactly what I would complain about:-)

Burberry has kindly shared these precious behind the scenes images and video for the photoshoot of their new fall campaign. Emma Watson is a natural in front of the camera. And Christopher Bailey and Mario Testino looks deeply passionate and engrossed in the art direction. It's not all glamour during shoots, there is a lot of patience and collaborative efforts to create a brilliant picture. So let's applaud the team for doing a fantastic job capturing the essence of Burberry thru amazing pictures for the fall campaign:-)

On a side note, I think I am very attracted to the snood...it could be my next must-buy scarf after the mega check jersey scarf I just bought.

Source: Burberry

My MANy Bags Lookbook #04

Fall Inspirations

For next season, I am inspired by Japanese label, Julius and the concept of pairing longer tops with shorter blazers (I just got my Raf Simons Ruched Back Blazer tailored again to become slimmer). Something darker and melancholic for winter, edited to suit me:-). Slim and trim with strong accessories such as the weird Pierre Hardy Open Toe Shoes and Givenchy's Chain Trim Duffle bag. It's time to get tough and 'creepy' (Ann Demeulemeester's Beetle Brooch does the trick!) for colder, harsher weather:-P

Source: Julius, Givenchy

Celebrity Spotting!

Below: Justin Bartha in Burberry Prorsum Fall Winter 2009/2010...Love it!

Below: The 'lazy man's scarf', Snood, as seen on the runway...

Below: Backstage during the runway show..

Below: Cole Mohr clad from 'face to toe' with Burberry...:-P

Below: All covered up. Not only does the snood keep you warm...perhaps helpful to prevent spreading of swine flu?

Justin Bartha Wears Burberry...

American actor Justin Bartha was seen wearing a full ensemble of Burberry at the London premier of his new file, Hangover. Looking smart and chic in Burberry's Fall Winter 2009/2010 (the perks of being a celebrity, you get to wear the clothes way before it launches in the stores!) jeans, a cardigan, blazer and shoes by Burberry yesterday evening, I am sure he has sent screaming fans, male and female alike smitten by his good looks and style. Justin also wore a Burberry snood - the new scarf -which was previewed on the Autumn Winter 2009 Burberry Prorsum runway. I would describe it as the 'Lazy Man's Scarf' since you dun need to know how to tie anything to wear it:-) How convenient!

Source: Frillr, Burberry