... But Dude, Where's My iPad? : Part 5

Could today be the day that all technogeeks would rejoice when iPad2 will finally be released after months of speculation on how the specs gonna be? Thinner, lighter, speed bump, dual camera and yadda, yadda, yadda? I hope so... though the latest rumor from an insider saying that iPad 2 launch isn’t the one that we should be getting excited about, instead we should reserve our enthusiasm for the iPad 3, which is apparently due later this year. Is it? Why? Coz THAT is gonna be one major redesign of the beloved tablet. Reduction in overall size, I suppose?

Anyway. Reserve our excitement or not, we all gotta see what iPad2 has in store for us first before we could make any more judgment.  Then from there on we can lust over or dream of getting a newer version of iPad - the iPad Mini - to compliment this bigger sibling after its launch today. To be hones,t it's kinda tiring to read all these rumors after these months - and I can't wait to see the real thing when it hit the conference later. Oh btw, I did call Apple store to ask whether I can reserve the new iPad2, but their answer "we haven't get any instruction from Apple yet to do that..". Errks... I know I'm being too eager too early!

So, for the final installment in the countdown towards the unveiling of iPad 2, I'm bringing you the mother of all iPad cases. Well, sort of coz this one is from a major fashion house. Introducing the Yves Saint Laurent iPad folder in a very chic, shiny patent leather. If you happen to read my previous post, (the one with Harper's Bazaar clipping) you must've noticed that YSL has previously released an iPad folder under their CHYC version in smooth leather. Yet I think this one looks much better, with an embossed, stitched-detail 'YSL' logo to feed your inner conspicuous in you.

What I like about this one is how the gadget would be filled inside - i.e. thru the cutout slot like seen in Burberry and Dior Homme. Inside it is lined with suede, while having tabs to secure it in a folded state.

Oh, wait. Why am I showing you the pix that is already being shown everywhere in the blogosphere? That's not very 'original', don't you think? Thankfully I have other photos to show... since I got one myself. Say hellooo to my YSL patent leather iPad case. Ha!

If you read my previous tweet you might've seen a glimpse of it. Where to get this beauty? Probably at any YSL store, but I got mine from Net-a-Porter.

Wait...! Before you click the e-shopping website yourself, I have to tell you the bad news though. This iPad case has already sold out since they have very, very limited stock. Yes, right after I purchase it, they're totally gone! Gone in 60 seconds!  So, I think I'm among the lucky ones to have it (but unlucky to my bank balance...yikes!).

Anyhow... you can still get other iPad case out there in the market - but none can match this beauty! :P

Still, one thing's missing: dude, where's my iPad2? I'm ready to get one!

+J Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

Did some of you already enjoyed the new collection by +J - Jil Sander for Uniqlo - that has been out in-store and online last week? I dunno about this time coz I'm not there to experience it either at Oxford Street or Westfield London where the colletion is housed in-store. I heard the reception is better than last year. Yes, last year I'm not really sure how to put it: in short, it's quite a cold response. Though the event for the +J Spring/Summer 2010 is organized by Grazia magazine, there're not many people around. When I stepped in, I think the store is mine. you know what I mean? As I mentioned, quite a cold response, as cold as the winter chill in January 2010.

Anyhow, I'm quite pleased to see good range appear in the collection for SS11. Many light colors and much better fit than before. Though still lots of basics and some is even repetitive like the previous - but thats what you want from +J. Simple, clean silhouette, great cut - and the most important: a touch from a high-end designer without the high-end prices.

Anyway, when I browse thru some pieces I can't help but quite delighted with how it appears to be. Some whites seems to make its way which seems to be abscent in SS10. What is better is, how some pieces looks like they can be a great substitute to the high-end labels.

For instance is the white blazer, which will be in-store and online next March, looks like a good replacement for the YSL seersucker jacket. With just one fifth of the designer price... who wouldn't feel tempted? Or if you're going to an evening event, the tuxedo blazer by Jil Sander for Unilqo looks equally good as the Alexander McQueen one, without the hefty price tag of course.

So, did Jil Sander succeed in bringing her designer midas touch  without the designer price for everyone to enjoy? I don't have to answer that coz the pix could tell it all.

Other pieces that is truly welcomed into the collection is the cropped trousers. Last summer in London I'm quite sceptical to try on the Uniqlo's own range which I think looks quite silly. I thought: cropped pants, who would wear that? But I'm wrong coz being a little 'mischeavous, adventurous' freak myself, it turned out that the cropped pants is something I truly like. Why and how?

Look. I didn't wear any shorts with a hemline that goes higher up above my knees. So, these cropped pants work wonders coz not only it can be worn as its own, I tend to roll it up and voila... I got an instant shorts, without exposing my knees. I thought it was brilliant coz it skims my legs even better than any shorts out there in the market since the fabric contains elastane. And that's why I'm rooting for this +J cropped pants too coz I think it'll be as good as, if not better, than what Uniqlo has done previously.

One more item that I never fail to buy for two consecutive seasons by Jil Sander's +J range is the shirts. White shirt to be precise. I dunno what it is, but I think +J white shirt is the best in town. The fabric is just right - it's not too sheer or peeking, the fit is awesome, and the price is very affordable. Two consecutive seasons (FW09/10 and SS10), I find there's a little tweaking here and there too. It's not the same even if it looks like it. For this new SS11, I saw a different take on their classic white shirt as well. What is it?

Try to look at the pix. Can you see the diagonal hems on both sides of the waist? How's that will change your look, you ask? It'll made you appear slimmer coz it'll make a slim silhoutte around your torso. I can't give much explanation coz you have to try it yourself. I have a couple of shirts with that diagonal-hem feature myself, and that's why I can tell you briefly what it does. Skim to slim. :)

Btw, I love the peak collar of these shirts. They're to die for!

As I said, +J is all about simplicity. Clean and chic, at the same time. The basics that +J offers is utterly seasonless actually coz you can wear it practically all year round. Except for the wool overcoat which is quite heavy (who would wear wool overcoat in summer!?), other pieces can be worn anytime. (Trust me, I have a lot of +J pieces from both seasons myself!). But another word of advice: select carefully coz not all pieces looks good - some can be too tacky (like the utility jacket two seasons ago, yikes!).

Anyway, these are some look in their ad campaign fronted by Clement Chabernaud.

P/S: Think I should head down to Fahrenheit 88 in KL to check 'em out...

YSL in the Loo! What A Crime...

Fashion really follows me everywhere, huh? Even in the toilet.

Look what I found in the loo at National Geographic at Regent Street.
It seems that someone just dropped his/her YSL 'wrapper' on the floor.

Oh, man... fashion wasted on the floow. That's a crime!

Btw. I just love the tiles in the toilet.
Quite a Moorish, Marrakesh feel...

YSL Leopard Chelsea Boots

Any real swagger would definitely love this leopard-print Chelsea boots by YSL. It's the kind of thing that they should have in their shoe closet - just one pair minimum, to be there among the animal skins or prints like croc and python. Since the color is true to its form, it'll definitely took your style to a new height. Or if not, the heels would coz it's 2 1/2 inch!

This iconic YSL Jonny boot has side elastic gores for added flexibility and comfort, and a stitched leather sole. I love the upper ankle part where it looks so snuggly and well fitted once your feet are in. Unlike some other Chelseas (or any boots in general) that has so wide opening, making your legs appear 'big-footed' especially if you wear a slim pants!

So, guys. Are you crazy enough to wear leopard-prints? Come on it's fashion. And in life, if you haven't done anything crazy yet, meaning you haven't live your life to the fullest! =)

[pix from YSL]