D for Dot

Sweet edibles keep popping up in fashion these days. First, there is the Uniqlo x Ladurée collection of UT Tees. And then Kaiser Karl himself (“In fashion, don’t take anything too seriously.”) teams up with plastic footwear maven Melissa to create a irreverent collection that features the above ice-cream cone heels. I never though that dairy products and shoes have anything in common until now. From the looks of it, they are a match made in sartorial heaven.

They come in three colour schemes (black/magenta, white/mint, nude/magenta). I am not sure if they have already available at the local Melissa flagship store, its really not too much trouble to drop by Wheelock Place and find out. If eating an actual ice-cream cone goes straight to your hips, why not just keep them on your feet?

I bought a new camera (which is a little bulkier than my previous point-and-shoot) some months ago and have been looking for a suitable (by that, I mean good quality and good-looking) camera strap ever since. I thought that I will invest in a nicely crafted leather one, but although I did come across some very handsome ones, they usually come with equally handsome price-tags and are out of my budget. Then I stumbled upon Figosa, a brand new camera strap-maker that hand-make their products in Italian leather.

The straps are not at all fancy (just how I like them) and come in a number of colour combinations – you can choose from Honey, Cognac, Brown & Black for the leather and pair it with either gold or silver hardware. Considering everything, I was more than a little surprised to find that it is priced at just 20 Euros (or about SGD33). The Figosa Etsy store just opened a couple of days ago on 1 April, so I suggest you make an order before everyone else find out about this little gem and jack the price up with their demand.

However, before you click on the “add to cart” button, do check with the Figosa team to find out if their straps are compatible with your camera model. (Even if they aren’t, I am quite sure that it is possible to make customised orders.)

Here are just three pretty printed things that I came across today. The one that I like the most is this red printed desert boot from the new Clarks x Eley Kishimoto collection. There are three prints (including the British design duo’s now iconic flash print) and three shapes (boot, kitten-heeled pumps, peep-toed, platform, strappy sling-backs) in all. And grab this flashy gnome too – its much too cute to miss.

Now that budget airlines are trying to out-do each other with cheap flights, I foresee that weekend getaways will become more frequent occurrences. Considering that, a good duffle will come in really handy. So many over-night bags in the market are so overtly masculine, so its nice to see Lulie Wallace (hailing all the way from North Carolina, U.S.A) has nailed it with their unapologetically girly ones. This roomy duffle comes in four soft-colored prints – the brand also offers a more compact weekender.

This sweet Liberty print bow-tie from J Crew are for little boys, but I see now reason why grown-up girls cannot have some fun with them as well. Wear this with a prim button-up for a spot of color or use it as a brooch or bag accessory. Note: a bow-tie need not be worn around the neck.

Spotted this on BOYY‘s Facebook page last night – I can’t remember the last time I was so instantly taken by a bag. It must be that luxurious red (reminds me of a creamy crimson lipstick) and the ultra-cool double front-flap that did it. A bag with two closing flaps; it certainly doesn’t sound ground-breaking but somehow it turned out kind of brilliant. The brand first released the Filippo bag for S/S 2012 about a year ago in soft nude leather accented with what appears to be a spotted deer print. It has since updated the design with various other animal prints.

Considering that I am not a huge fan of animal prints (can’t carry it off; not a wild/sexy bone in my body), I am really glad that BOYY decided to go with plain colours for S/S 2013. Six new shades will be launched, including cream, charcoal grey and that perfect red you see above.

I bought the Oscar bag from BOYY back in 2011, so I can attest to the quality of their bags. Two years on, it is still one of my favourite bags and I use it regularly (just the right size for daily toting). The lovely nappa leather aside (which just gets softer with use), what I love best about the Oscar is its versatility, a winning trait that can be found in the Filippo as well. Coming with a detachable shoulder strap and wrist strap, it can be used in three ways: as a clutch, shoulder bag and wristlet.

The Filippo is available in Small (W 7” X H 6” X D 2.5”) and Big (W 11.5” X H 8.5” X D 4”) for approximately USD670 and USD749 respectively. Only one design (i.e. leopard print) is on sale on the label’s online store right now, and I have no idea when the S/S 2013 colours will be released. So, if you have your eye on this as well, best to keep it fixed on their Facebook page for updates. Or, you can just hop down to Bangkok (with the budget fares, it won’t cost too much) to check it out in person.

For the past half a year, I’ve been rather fixated with finding a Barbie-pink lipstick that will work for me. Like the quest for the perfect red lipstick, hunting for a really great pink one is an arduous journey too. Too often, they are either too pale or too bright, too shiny or too matte. I finally found mine at the recently launched YSL Beauté standalone store at ION Orchard (the first in Southeast Asia) – from the Rouge Pur Couture line, in “Rose Libertin”. And it is not just the colour that has won me over (although it is just what I am looking for); I like my lipsticks creamy but not glossy and this lovely tube from YSL is just that. The staying power of the pigment is also impressive for something that is pleasingly moisturizing (say no to dry lips!).

I have to admit that the gorgeous gold casing is a significant part of its appeal – YSL cosmetics is known for their beautiful packaging – but that’s really just the cherry on the cake. It may not seem as opulent as the much-talked-about (and highly covetable) Tom Ford range, but for the much more reasonable price tag, this may be the best option for those of us who want to indulge in luxury but are not willing to spend a small fortune.

[Pictures: YSL lipstick on fashion editorial from RUSSH magazine, October/November 2012]

Recently, almost-too-cool Swedish fashion brand Acne unveiled its flagship store in Aoyama, Tokyo. To bring a little piece of Stockholm to the Japanese capital, it has launched a sweet and quirky limited edition silk scarf (USD290) that is sold exclusively online and at the Aoyama store. If you are a great lover of silk scarves, this will certainly pull at your heartstrings. I mean, it is pulling on mine! Other than this little piece of silky heaven, the other compelling reason to vist the new flagship is the store itself. Located in the thick of the city’s designer fashion central, the sleek, brutally minimalist interiors may make me feel a little self-conscious, but I will be loving it nonetheless. Penning this down as a must-visit destination in Tokyo right now.

Naturally, you know about the Hermès Birkin and Kelly. But do you know about the Hermès Parrot? The fine handiwork of French artists Zim&Zou, this beautiful bird is made entirely out of carefully selected leather scraps collected from Hermès workshops.

If you do not find a single bird impressive, the duo has also created a stunning window installation – The Eternal Jungle – that is currently exhibited at the Hermès store at the Hong Kong International Airport. This lushly elaborate piece feature a trio of leather wildlife – a monkey, a toucan and a chameleon.

Personally, the greatest thing about Hermès isn’t its gorgeous leather goods (although that counts too) but its incredible versatility and open-mindedness when it coms to defining art and creativity. [Remember their collaboration with graffiti artist Kongo back in 2011?] These qualities not only help to keep the French heritage fashion house youthful and relevant but poised it at the cutting edge. I’m looking forward to seeing what it comes up with next – undoubtedly, it will be something wonderful.

If you know a quirky fashion girl, chances are she loves Marni. Actually, most fashion girls – quirky or otherwise – loves Marni. Which means that these pair of D-frame acetate sunglasses from the Italian fashion house should please most of the ladies on your gift list this year. Luckily for you, they are going for more than half off on that retail wonderland known as OUTNET.COM right now – at just £82.50, they are definitely a bargain.

[I've always wondered why so few Singaporeans make it a habit to put on sunglasses when they are outdoors. I am equally puzzled by people who leave theirs on when they go indoors. Don't you?]

Just spotted these ice-cream concoctions over at AnOther magazine – they are inspired by the latest Spring/Summer 2012 trends, created for the sweet-toothed fashionista! How can anyone not love ice-cream as stylish as these?

Created by illustrator Tom Baxter, I think they are pretty spot-on as representations for their corresponding runway looks. Can you identify the featured designers above?

It has been raining almost everyday and the gloomy weather makes me appreciate Charlotte Linton‘s gorgeously printed, vividly coloured scarves even more than I usually would. I’ve always had a thing for scarves – they are like a great fragrance or a fresh manicure; little things that value-adds a lot.

Although a print designer by training, Linton’s interests is not limited to fashion and art but extends to topics as diverse and improbable as archaeology, ethnography and zoology. She has even gone so far as to create a quirky alter-ego in Ermantrude, a stylish, globe-trekking zoologist who often inspires her designs with her fictitious travels.

One thing is for sure – wrapping up in one of her large, digitally printed squares will be one coz affair. Retailing from £270, they will make a lovely gift for a special scarf-lover in your life.