Versace x H&M Opens Tomorrow

I'm supposed to be boarding my flight today to Singapore, but at last minute I decided not to. Actually, it's not really a last minute decision as I made it quite long time ago, even prior my birthday weekend in fact. I have a second thought about going to the Lion City; to line up queueing together with the manic fellow shoppers at the H&M store in Orchard Road. I know I'll be missing the chance of a lifetime coz tomorrow the Versace for H&M collection is gonna make its debut worldwide. There would be a massive snake-like queue along the road, as what the other H&M-designer collaboration normally is seen. 

But, yeah... I decided not to join the 'bandwagon'. After weighing all pro and cons, and having a retrospect on my previous H&M-designer collabo projects that I've been to, one question come to my mind: how frequent do I really wear the pieces that I bought during that event? Except for the Jimmy Choo collection which mainly the accessories like the leather shoes and bags, the other...meh.. I'm still finding the 'good' time to really wear them. 

Commes de Garçons x H&M: I bought the shirts in black and white, yet I'm still finding it very hard to fulfill my 'slim' or 'skinny' ensemble in the current situation. The other one that I bought - the wool cardigan - that's super awesome, had to be given to my niece instead coz it accidentally went into 'honey, I shrunk the clothes' moment as I put it into the high-temperature dryer while doing my laundry back in Stamford Hill - it turned to shrink a third of the size! [click]

Matthew Williamson x H&M - I bought the white shirts with MW's signature manic print. Yet, I think it's not too appropriate to wear it to the office due to its psychedelic hem. The other stripes linen-mix jumper that looks like it's from Paul Smith - that has become quite oversized and I hate it now. The only thing i bought in the collection which I wear quite frequently (apparently) are the speedos, which I don't wanna discuss when I do wore them anyway! (ahaks!) [click]

Sonia Rykiel x H&M - I bought them but I gave it to my sis since the collection is all about the womenswear. [click]

Roberto Cavalli x H&M - I can't afford it that time though I'm dying to get the mid-calves boots. Victor & Rolf's collection? I'm a season late as I arrives in London just after its debut. Lanvin? Thank God I don't coz I hate every menswear pieces in the collection. So, in the end the one that I use on daily basis is really my Jimmy Choo - which I think is the best so far! [click]

So, to answer the question: am I going to queue in front of H&M for the Versace collection in Singapore? Nope. Not only because I can't see the frequent use of the pieces on a daily basis nor it's longevity in my wardrobe, but there would probably be thousands of people vying to get in into that ONE H&M store. Imagine people in Singapore + Malaysia + Brunei + Indonesia + Philippines - all might be swarming in into THAT one store. It's gonna be manic. Unlike in London or Japan, at least there're plenty of H&Ms across the city! :) 

Yet, there are two pieces in it that I think might be worth having your hands on i.e. the tux blazer and the leather asymmetric biker jacket, which I think are quite seasonless. Other than that...maybe nah!

And that's why I cancelled the hotel in Singapore... and choose Hotel Maya instead. much worth it! Anyway, for those who's gonna be there... enjoy! (please get me those jackets in size 38!!)

[pix from various sources]

Versace for H&M Menswear: The Complete List

Alas, the (almost) complete look by the next H&M-designer collaboration of the year - the Versace for H&M collection - has finally being unveiled. Modeled by the model-du-jour, River Viiperi wearing most of the pieces, the collection is a reminiscence of some iconic look seen on the catwalk by the Italian edgy fashion powerhouse dated from the heydays up to the recent Spring/Summer 2011. The signature Versace Greek geometric designs dominated the prints and embellishments, while the pumped up color like pink and bright blue, together with a hint of animal prints and floral motifs are also synonymous to what Donatella and Gianni Versace's midas touches are famous for.

What is my verdict after skimming through the pixs? A mixed bag. For those out there who'd like to own a piece of Versace yet are not brave enough to be wild and crazy, the black collection such as the tux blazer and the skinny flat-front trousers are the safe bet. Or perhaps, the one with golden studded items can also be considered safe compared to the rest.

But for those who're absolute Versace craze, own them all! This is the one and only chance you can have them, coz you'll never gonna get any Versace at highstreet prices... ever!! Drop by at H&M stores worldwide from Nov 19 to snatch 'em while you can... (or issit Nov 17? Hmmm...) 

[pix via fy]

River Viiperi for Versace x H&M

Versace for H&M collection gonna hit the store across the globe on the November 19th (mark your calendar, it's Saturday!). From the sneak peek by Donatella herself who wore the dress during the Versace show in Milan a couple of months back, to the editorials in Vogue Russia and some other websites - there seem to be a buildup of images coming right before our eyes. What's my verdict? Nothing much to say, other than it's very typical Versace. From the motifs of Greek geometric designs, to the eponymous golden Versace floral and animal prints, you can actually predict it is somehow what the Italian fashion powerhouse is really famous for.

As for the menswear, though the first array of images show a black tux worn by the male model during its initial promo looks quite acceptably cool and understated, it seems that the next few images which came across the press has been a bit... underwhelming. Seriously, a pink suit from top to toe? Just tell me how many blokes really dare to turn into a human version of Pink Panther? Or the bomber jacket with mixed Versace prints that looks quite tacky and distracting to the eyes - I dunno who on earth would want to buy such a look? That two images so far is quite worrying to me, afraid that it won't be a sell out just like Matthew Williamson's collection a couple of years ago.

The only ensemble which I think is okay to look at, without piercing my eyes too severely, is this one worn by River Viiperi in the latest promo shot. The leather jacket with padded sleeves and studded lapels bearing the Versace Greek geometric motifs , which I think could be a massive 'I WANT THOSE!!' during its debut next month. I can just feel how buttery soft the material is. Not to mention its symmetrical design and how edgy it looks. Paired with the multi-strap buttery soft leather hi-top sneakers - could this be a winner? (not sure about the bling bling socks, though.... but the belt is drool-worthy!)

[pix from designscene.net]

Up Close and Personal with Atelier Versace

This could be the third time I talk about the Atelier Versace. Yet alone to be mentioning about the same dress that I truly adore. The first time is early this year when I saw Abbey Lee Kershaw model the collection by Donatella Versace for the Atelier. Too splendid as they were, I did predict that some of the pieces might've been worn on the red carpet sooner or later. [click!] And as if my word is very haunting indeed, my prediction is true coz suddenly bing!... someone had picked the dress and wear it to red carpet event. It is bing!... or Fan Bing Bing to be exact who wore the dress at Cannes Film Festival in the mid-year 2011. Though not as great as Abbey Lee, at least the dress do look amazing as she glides through the crowd amidst the flashing paparazzi lightbulbs. [click!]

And now, as they say third time's a charm, am I lucky or what to have a chance to be very up close and personal with the exact same dress worn by Bing Bing? It was indeed so fantastic to see the frock; to appreciate the craftsmanship and the many, many manhours that has been poured into by the master seamstress from the House of Versace in creating that dress. It was so couture. One very unrivalled design.

The work on the skirt with the flowy train really made me so impressed with the whole thing. The gradual tone of what I thought as feathers turn out to be not 'feathers' after all, but tiny pieces of soft fabrics (probably chiffon) being cut beautifully, properly colored, shaped and arranged to give that variation of hues, and sewn onto the body of the skirt making it looks so frilly and fluffy. It was pure art and I can't imagine how many weeks or months they have taken to complete one whole piece.

No wonder the dress is one of its kind and truly worth being on that fashion pedestal. I think that's what atelier after all!

Milan Fashion Week : The Bags. Part 2.

Ermenegildo Zegna

Suedes galore... from the satchels, to totes and backpack, Spring/Summer 2012 promises that suede is taking its reign in the Zegna household. I truly love the adjustable handle trim, which color looks so harmonius with the body of the bags.

Etro

One thing that I love is the first pix : the sailor bag with paisley print. Truly delish...

Gucci

There's an reinterpretation of the heritage Gucci one more time as the fashion house dug the archive and modernise the duffel bags. If FW10 they came as fully covered, this time they're in the form of tote with the middle flap. The design, does it somehow echoed the Celine bag?

There's also some retro vibes seen on the holdall, as well as the scale down of Gucci webbing from three stripes to two.

My personal pick is absolutely the white diamante tote. Fantastico!

object of lust... :)

Port 1921

The mlutch invasion again. Looks very cool with the chain strap that hold to your wrist.

Roberto Cavalli
Cavalli probably thinking about travel on a yacht coz the bag got the stripes which gives the marina feel. I like the big travelling bag, which somehow reminds me of old movies. Very retro and classics.

And the best pick: the bucket bag with stripes canvas body and leather trim. Ultimate summer carryall...

Versace

The large tote in cream and tan leather reminisces Burberry SS09. And I like the extra little touch of the geometric Greek pattern on the bags that Versace is really famous for.

Z Zegna

Ethnic-inspired stripes briefcase for a gentlemen who dare to be different.

[pix from gq style]