Object of Lust: Denim Totes

Apart from perforated, canvas and being normally associated with snakeskin, Spring/Summer trend is also the time when denim takes its reign when it comes to accessories department. In many seasons now, designers has produces such great arrays of denim bags - for instancce, the Mulberry Piccadilly in luscious indigo denim last SS08, as well as Dolce & Gabbana 'Western' look washed denim tote and messenger bags in previous SS10. On the highstreet is not too bad either as He by Mango also did their versions in two consecutive summers - the denim-like tote in SS09 as well as the backpack last year. So, in short - denim is an object to lust when Spring/Summer came to mind.

Continuing the tradition, this summer also sees quite a number of denim bags in the high-end market. Like Louis Vuitton who sent off their models last SS11 catwalk show in Paris carrying those gorgeous, vintage looking cabas and weekender bag. In a glance I thought it was just a washed canvas, but upon checking in their official website it's actually denim material. Selvage denim, perhaps coz they look quite raw. Very simple, no-fuss design with army green leather handles to comple the chic look. The other one is actually what I like, i.e. the weekender bag in monogram 'LV' denim with diagonal leather handles. I dunno whether it echoes any Oriental influence, but nonetheless this holdall is fantastic. The only thing about these LV bags... expect the price to shoot above £1000!

Louis Vuitton denim cabas in Argile - £1900

Size (LxHxD): 20.8" x 17.7" x 9.8"

Louis Vuitton denim cabas in Kaki - £1900

Size (LxHxD): 20.8" x 17.7" x 9.8"

 

Louis Vuitton denim weekend bag - £1720

Size (LxHxD): 25.2" x 16.5" x 10.2"

On the other side of designe labels is Prada with their rendition of washed denim just like previous D&G. I actually love the combination of blue and brown - an awesome pair coz they look very symbiotic together. It's amazing that Prada offers new material this time since for seasons now it's only about leather and technofabric (well, at least that's what I saw at Bond Street or at Harrods anyway). Some features about this tote include the adjustable double handles as well as the detachable shoulder strap to give variety in carrying the tote. This bag looks very tempting indeed...

Prada denim tote - £680

[pix from louis vuitton and prada]

Stylist Glam Up for Spring

Something for the ladies.

Shortlist's sister magazine - Stylist - has glammed up for this week's issue portraying key trends for Spring 2011. Seven pieces from various designers like Cavalli, Prada and Gucci has been showcased, ranging from denim separates, exotic-skin inspired dress, floral prints and jumpsuits which is synonymous with the season. And to add to the clothes, in the accessories department Stylist gave you the Bottega Veneta Sfrangiato knot clutches with their signature woven leather in a burst of colors.

Aren't you girls ready for Spring to come anytime soon after seeing these? These are luxe at its best.

[pix from stylist issue 64]

Wreck Open My Wardrobe: Part 1

Some people suggested me to post less about the products out there in the market, and more towards what I got in my own wardrobe.Coz they said I live a glamorous life - with all the shoes, the bags, the accessories, the clothes and all the stuff... it's much worth to write it in here than be ignored. I dunno about the 'glamorous' life - but my collection itself is truly something that people has been talked about a lot. Just the other day, my niece stepped into my 'walk-in wardrobe' and say: I feel like going into a warehouse! Lol. Can't argue with that!

So, first up I think I put up my shoes collection that I've been having for the past 4 four years. How many? Unofficially it's about 4 boxes. But officially I think it probably could go up to 6 - 7 boxes, coz some are on the shoe rack, some is still in their own boxes in my wardrobe. But one thing for sure: it's PLENTY. Like what my friend used to say, you could rival Imelda Marcos, Zamri!

I actually dunno how many of them anymore coz to made a 'headcount' it's quite an effort. Last November there's one pakcik who came into the house to fix the wiring of my living room. He saw the shoes on the rack, by which that time I put a lot of them unlike in the pix below. He then said, I think these could worth RM10 k! RM10k?? I think it's more than that, pakcik! Why? Coz cost of one of my designer shoe like Gucci is almost £200 a pair. And I got plenty... the value probably shoots up to more than RM20k!! Fuyoooo! I just can't believe it myself! That didn't include other highstreet brands which is humungous! Where did I get all the money?? I dunno... ngggg..

Anyway, for the first installation of 'Wreck Open My Wardrobe'... these are some of my shoe collection. (Ok fine, I got plenty of blacks. It's the easiest to pair with anything!)

in 'unofficially' 3 boxes + 1 Ikea carry bag.

some already been on the shoe rack...

... some still in their boxes in the wardrobe..

...and more...

...and more, where most of them are designer brands...

...like Jimmy Choo (though it's for H&M)..

... and Hugo Boss suede desert shoe (still unworn!)..

... patent leather D&G...

...or another patent leather - Fendi boots!...

...some Prada...

...some Armani (Emporio)...

... lots more Armani (this time Giorgio)...

And the best investment is my Gucci collection, where I got just about 6 pairs. Not too bad. When buying Gucci I tend to go for their loafers or slip-ons or mocassin, coz that's what they're famous for. And also their boots. As for loafers, I always stick to their signature...

...either the signature classic Gucci 'horsebit' buckle..

... or the modern version horsebit...

..or tassle...

...and even the monk strap loafers.

Oh, the must-haves: plimsols!

As well as some boat shoes.

More patent leather...

...and some nudes!

When it comes to choosing footwear, I think I've come a long way. There has been a huge change in the type of shoes that I've chosen. If before going to London (and live there for almost 5 years!), I normally choose the square-end toe. Now I think anything square toe is utterly hideous. Ugly. Should be burned! In fact when I went to any shoe store in this country, there're all been awashed with this pattern. OMG... these people really need a shoe fairy like me!

Yet, living in London has opened up my view on various selection of footwear. The best part - they're all pointy toes which make me appear much slimmer and more chic. It give more elongation to the legs. In fact I truly believe that this type of shoes is what everyone should wear. You wanna appear sleeker? Then pointy toe (or at least almond toe) is the only choice...

Next time: I'll show my bags collection. :)

my choice pre-London (in my Lewre slip-ons)...

..during and post-London (in Gucci horsebit mocassin).

SHORTLIST Style: iPad Covers

[click to enlarge]

[pix from shortlist]

The Guardian's Autumn/Winter 2010/11 Key Trends

Ty Ogunkoya models some key trends for autumn/winter 2010/11 for The Guardian UK.

• Military:
  Christopher Bailey never fails to come up trumps. For the A/W menswear collection, beautifully tailored military coats were set against sheepskin-lined trenches, all referencing the Burberry archive and the original first world war garbardine Burberry coats worn by British soliders. Follow his lead and add a military-inspired piece to your wardrobe.

Burberry

• Men's shirts:
  Dries Van Noten does things to clothes that we can only dream about. For A/W10 he seemingly took the scissors to the menswear collection and pieced it back together in the wrong order. Happily the 'wrong' order was, of course, very much right. Follow his lead and make sure your shirt is anything but plain this season.

Dries Van Noten

• Camel:
  Unless you have been living in a cave you will know that camel is THE colour for A/W. That goes for you chaps too,take your lead from the Gucci collection.Here's how to wear it.

Gucci

• Db suits:
  Double-breasted suits have a timeless elegance - it's something about the way they make you hold yourself. Do yourself a favour and invest in one this season. In our humble opinion, this one from Louis Vuitton is the best money can buy.

Louis Vuitton

• Luscious coats:
  It's that time of year again. Time to invest in your winter coat. The catwalk championed several styles, military, duffle, outdoorsy and of course classically tailored, like this Prada one.

Prada

• Grey:
  So much chicer for men than black. There was plenty of it around for winter on the catwalk. The standout collection was Pringle of Scotland's rich textures, layered up in a symphony of grey. Take a look in your wardrobe - chances are you already have plenty of pieces laying dormant just waiting to be worn together. Take inspiration from these suggestions and start building your grey look today.

Pringle of Scotland

[pix and words by the guardian uk]

Prada Reinvents Men’s Footwear

It may not seem like it sometimes, but women aren’t the only ones who complain about foot pain from unforgiving shoes. The only option is keeping a pair of trainers on hand to quickly change into under your desk. And then back out of them when duty calls. That is, until now. Prada is leading a slew of shoemakers, including the likes of Mr Hare and Salvatore Ferragamo, in reinventing the classic men’s shoe for comfort as well as style.

The range is called Modernist. At first glance it appears that nothing’s changed. There are loafers, lace-ups and boots, as you’d expect, that come in a range of polished leather and textured saffiano.

But the difference is in the sole, which is lightweight and made from rubber to ensure comfort if you’re on your feet all day.

Prices range from £295 for a saffiano leather loafer to £350 for a five-lace holed shoe, with the Chelsea boot coming in at £330. They’re available now exclusively from Prada stores.

[words and pix from shortlist]

Summer Sale Highlight: Trying Out Prada Fori Lace-Ups

When I saw the perforated lace-ups worn by Jeremy Young in the previous fashion spread in the Guardian, I was instantly fell in love with the shoes. It's Prada Fori lace-ups for Spring/Summer 2010. Less that I knew I will 'meet' the shoes in real life when I visited Selfridges the other day during Summer Sale.

I was strolling around the footwear department on the First Floor when I spotted this quirkily interesting looking lace-ups. I picked it up and I instantly knew it was the one worn by Jeremy. The look says it all - from the punched 'holes' around the shoes (hence the name fori) to the centre 'band' where it somehow separates the shoes into two halves. It is so light that I hardly feel any weight when I hold it in my hands.

The shoes felt like it is made of plastic, though I knew it's actually a patent leather. That's why it gave a bit of hi-sheen as typical patent would do. The tongue which scripted with the word Prada is from the padded technofabric, hence making the whole shoes lighter than a usual leather lace-ups. This shoes is actually a two-toned - in steel and light grey; though in the Guardian spread the color looks like black (or maybe it IS black, haha!).

How was the fit? Awesome. That's all I can say. It is so comfortable. Very, very comfy. It was a big surprise though that for Prada all the shoes that fit me are the one in size 8 (Euro size 42). I dunno whether my feet is the one that's shrunk or the shoe size in this entire world somehow has shrunk themselves? Anyway, whatever it is - this shoes is really great.

Oh, the price you ask? I was about to bring it to the till when I suddenly spotted the price on sale sticker inside. Originally this one cost almost £500 before discount, but even after a big slash I think the price is not as justifiable as the amount of 'leather' being used. As my 10-year old nephew used to comment in my Facebook about my perforated Giorgio Armani shoes "your shoes is expensive, but it got so many holes!!!" - that's the similar thing what I'm gonna say here too. With all those fori, shouldn't the price be any cheaper? But well, this is not just any shoes - it's a Prada! =)