Karl Interview. So good.

Another blast to the past

Helmut Newton shot these for Vogue in 1979. The tuxedos are of course Yves Saint Laurent's revolutionary "le(s) smoking(s)." I find these so sensual, very compelling, and aesthetically pleasing.  

Old Family Portraits

I like your style. 

This photo is in Rome, in front of the Vatican. My mother on the left in a snazzy Ungaro coat. Grandmama in top to toe Ferragamo. Uncle and Grandpops looking gangsta.

The older generation. Everything made to measure, oh the old days. 

Don't know what my mum, aunt, and uncles are wearing. But I like the styleee. I love old photographs. I dug these out when I was in Manila last weekend. 

I'm in Tokyo this weekend. Will give you the good stuff soon!! 

Much love

Freya
xx

He's back

I think I can probably be labelled "the worst blogger ever," with my lack of consistency when I post. But I try to convince myself that it's quality not quantity that's important hahaha. Truth be told, I've started at Parsons School of Design, so things are quite busy at the moment. But, like Tom Ford, I'm coming out of hiding!!! Yes you read it right, T-O-M F-O-R-D is back. And he is back with an understated bang. In the old school tradition of fashion, just like back in the day of Coco Chanel and Dior and couture in Paris, Ford held a very small, but very glamourous show in his Men's store on Madison Avenue. But this was no men's show, it was his long awaited return to womenswear -- praise the lord, hallelujah.

A very lucky Cathy Horn of the New York Times describes the show as "the height of glamour — sharp pantsuits in black silk or a leopard pattern, gorgeous black evening clothes with sheer blouses, corsets and maybe a shrug in shredded tulle, impeccable details like hammered gold jewelry, stilettos with ankle ties and seamed black stockings. The style was recognizably Tom Ford, chic and womanly, and with that big-time sense of fashion that one sees less and less of today on the runways." And as for the cherry on the top -- the show's cast consisted of a handful of glamorous women, representing the woman from all angles and ages. According to Horn, he had Julianne Moore, Beyoncé Knowles, Emmanuelle Seigner, Lauren Hutton, Rita Wilson, Rachel Feinstein, Marisa Berenson, Daphne Guinness, Lisa Eisner, Farida Khelfa, Lou Doillon, as well as quite a few supers, including Joan Smalls, Liya Kebede, Amber Valletta, Daria Werbowy, and Stella Tennant. I can't wait to see what else he's got up his impeccably tailored sleeve!!

Beyonce at the show.

Tom Ford in the back. Daphne Guinness on the right.

(Sources Cited, and Photos from Horyn, Cathy. Tom Ford's Very Small, Glamorous Show. New York Times, 12 September 2010, http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/tom-fords-very-small-glamorous-show/)

I won't take 3 weeks to post again -- I promise!!

Much love,

Freya xx

Bang! Bang!

I stumbled upon this awesome video today. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Lee Hyo-ri. I can't understand a word she says except "Chitty chitty bang bang," but

I do understand the awesome wardrobe. All the aliens are different versions of Lee Hyo-ri. My favourite is definitely the bleached blond, gurrrlll you are FIERCE. She's like a Korean Lady Gaga, but so much better. 

Lee Hyori-Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from vong chanpheakdey on Vimeo.

I recently booked a trip to Seoul for November, oh yeahhhh. I will be shopping until I drop, thanks. 

Much love

Freya xxx 

For the love of Wang

I get a little obsessive. I think you've guessed from the title, I'm hung up on Wang at the moment. I honestly don't think the guy can do wrong. I'm not saying I love every single piece he's ever made, but the guy produces greatness. I'm loving his shoes, yummy for my tummy. So I popped over to HK briefly, and I played with the new Wang boots. The heels are fantastic. I took a photo on my phone, check me out...

I didn't buy them unfortunately, ankle boots aren't on my "buy" list for the next season. But I did buy some delish Wang pumps on SALE. I'm not afraid to admit I love a good sale. A sample sale, and end of season sale, yes I love them all.  

Yay for meeeee!! 

Freya xxx

All hail Wang

Martin Margiela at Somerset House, London - 20 Years in the biz

Very well executed in my opinion, it was very interactive. A booklet was given out at the beginning explaining each section of the exhibition -- which I thought enriched the experience. I've been to a bunch of these exhibitions 'de la mode' in Paris at Les Arts Decoratifs. They all tend to be very similar, a presentation of pieces from their archives, grouped in different sections according to collection/theme. At the end of the first half of the exhibition on the first floor, before you go up, there is a video playing of old fashion shows. Although it is a privilege to see the clothes, I must admit comparatively these exhibitions were not as interesting. This has nothing to do with the quality of the pieces, but everything to do with the way the exhibitions are laid out. The interaction element in the Margiela exhibition made it so much more interesting. They showcased major themes in collections from the archives but they also presented production methods. The work was presented in a variety of ways from video, to mannequin, to being hung up on a board. The eyes always had something new to see.

Major themes included: paint. 

More paint. 

Focus on these japanese-style shoes. I'm not a fan, I think they look like Camel's feet.  

This fur coat was amazing, my favourite piece in the collection that was on show. Its made from 2 different vintage fur coats. 

A large part of the exhibition was dedicated to pieces that are made from something else. Like this coat made from plastic. Or vests made from plates and such. 

I loved this, printed photographs. The effect is profound and interesting. My other favourite in the show 

This was the best of the prints. 

Anonymity. This has been a major theme at Margiela since its inception. Martin Margiela, the designer believes the clothes should speak for themselves. Bravo, I say, sometimes the apparel industry can be a bit of a media circus. 

Anonymity in awesome sunny g's. 

These photos are from the book about the exhibition. We weren't allowed to take photographs, and they had people patrolling to make sure no one was naughty!!

 I'm back in Singapore, so more to come on Asia. 

Much love 

Freya xxx

VACAY

Sunset, Hong Kong

Space Outlet -- very nicely laid out, and a great selection. Hong Kong

Star spangled banner, Brooklyn, NY

Pool in bar, The Black Room at The Standard. NY, NY 

Gold Bar. NY, NY 

Fuck You. NY, NY 

More to come soon. I'm in London at the moment, hoping to go check out the Margiela exhibition at Somerset House tomorrow. WIll let you know how it goes. 

Much love, 

Freya xxxx

Hair Envy

You know how some people get food envy? Yeah well I get hair envy.

I found this perfect cut whilst perusing Schuman of the Sartorialist's latest finds http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/. This one is a winner, from his travels in Berlin. Thanks for bringing this to my attention matey. Now am I brave enough to give this cut a go? Hmmm. She pulls it off soo well... 

I want her hair.

Off to Hong Kong for the weekend. More to come, and I'm putting a little piece together on my finds in Tokyo as well. A bit late, but better late than never!!

Much love

Freya xx

Hisui

I checked out La Foret mall, to see what all the hype is about...ITS AMAZING. Anyway as I made my rounds, I stumbled upon this shop called H.P France exclusive on the 2.5th floor. Bad name, great store. They sell clothes designed by Japanese designers who have a connection to France -- either they design there or they show there. Here is the website if you want to have a look, http://www.hpfrance.com/index-ja.html. So I picked out a few things to try on, nothing very exciting. But the shop girl starts pulling all these other items for me to try. I sort of looked at most of it and was thinking "okayyy these are going to make me look like a tent." I'm sooo foreign to the Japanese way of dressing, she chose some very interesting materials, a cardigan that looked like a rug, a lot of loose fitting tops, and these weird trousers that had this sort of bubble on the pockets. The trousers, I was convinced would make my thighs look gigantic. But since I had the time, and I was in Tokyo for the first time...I decided be open, and I'm so happy I did!! The result was awesome, I looked japanese. And those trousers are actually amazing, I ended up buying them!! One brand that she put me in, which I LOVE (but sadly is out of my budget), is Hisui. His S/S 2010 collection was being sold exclusively at HP...SOOOO beautiful. They gave me a look book since I seemed so sad when I couldn't bring any of his creations home. I suppose at least I can stare longingly at these pictures instead...

Here's the link to the website if you want to learn more http://www.00s-s.com/hisui/01.html 

More on Tokyo to come!! 

Much love 

Freya 

xx

TOKYO -- SUPA KAWAII!!!

I'm staying in Shibuya (pictured).

More to come!! I have to balance work and exploring...

Much love
Freya xx

Bali - A Secret Shopping Destination

(private pool at the villa = amazing)

I was on vacay in Bali this past weekend, and to my surprise I discovered it has amazing shopping. Thank God the weather was bad on Sunday! Not only do the shops have some great pieces, they are also cheap!! I went a little crazy. Here are some of my purchases: 

This belt is a little space cowboy but I think its really interesting. I like the sting ray and the shape. And its really flattering. It cinches the waist without squeezing the fat in an odd way. (from Word of Mouth).

Oh no there's a mini tiger on my hand about to pounce on me!!! Actually its my new "tiger" ring. I couldn't decide if this was ridiculous or awesome. I decided on the latter. And my star sign is leo, which you know, adds to the awesomeness!! (from Tribali)

Python bag. What a stealllll, seriously it was a steal. (From Magali Pascal)

I've been looking for a crucifix for agesss. This one is so different. (also Magali Pascal)

And the close up...

I LOVE this dress (from Shop Five by Shakuhachi)

Ok so I really went for quantity (I was only there for 2 days and I didn't even show you everything i got!!! I know I have an addiction...) but honestly its all quality. I really don't know how little Bali island got so funky. Most of the clothes are designed by Aussie designers, but their factories are in Indonesia. So I speculate that things are sold wholesale over in Bali, and marked up when imported to the land of Oz?  I can confirm this in July when I go to Sydney!

Love Bali!! These gems of stores are concentrated along Jl Raya and Jl Kunti. Enjoy!!

Much love 

Freya xx

PURRRR Cavalli

Sorry for the time lag on this one. But I wanted the big cheese to stand alone. Cavalli, the biggest name to grace the Singapore catwalk this year. And he didn't let anyone at the show forget it. First impressions are always lasting, and this one was no different...enter Cavahhhhlliiiii and entourage, complete with 25 year old skinny girlfriend, old enough to be his granddaughter. Now Cavalli is too good to be backstage managing the models, the makeup, and the dressing...No, he watches his own show, front row baby!! And then there's the chain smoking, inside, in Singapore. This guy has got balls, and a pretty hefty ego.

The show was surprisingly beautiful, I'm not usually a fan of the gaudy, racy designs but the collection wasn't so in your face. And the FURRRRR PURRRRR MIAOOOO, oh I'm a sucker for the the FURRRR!!

This was the best, and most entertaining show. But with this show, you could see a huge difference between the smaller designers and Cavahhlli -- a true luxury brand. 40 years in the biz, this guy knows how to do it. Part fashion show, and part comedic show. There was a short video intermission - in between the daywear and evening wear. No words can describe the video. I've been having some technical difficulties trying to upload the video...but I will keep trying :). For now, I will just say that it showcased his ego!

EVENING WEAR 

FINALE

Hopefully I will be able to post the videos soon. 

Much love 

Freya xx

P.S. I hate to repeat this time and again. But sorry for the bad quality photos, I was too far away, and too cheap to invest in a new lens!!