You know how I feel about prints here, and that was about when I decided that textile design was the way to go. I put pencil to paper for the first time in a very long time, drew, painted, learnt heat transfer printing, played with the giant heat press (only about the best thing ever), did some dip dyeing, visited museums, created some devore, 3D manipulation, and almost contantly felt OMG there’s so much to learn and to be in awe of! Three weeks of school in London just whizzed by, I wish I had more time to see, more time to do and even had more homework.

I want to feel like I’m ready to learn, absorb some awesomeness all over again, and if I have the time – a quick revision of the stuff that went down in class. Meantime, some pictures:

See that crackled scar on my face between my eye and cheekbone? Berlin, I blame you.

Oddly enough, the only other brand that I can say is up my alley, is Seea (pronounced see-ah), a California female surfer brand. The idea of surfing is sooooo far from me not just right now, but forever. Still, because Seea’s founder Amanda Chinchelli so expertly melded surfing form, function and fashion, I’ve found myself wanting more than just a piece from the Italian surfer-designer.

For those who are into tiny two-pieces, Seea has more than a few of those. However the ones that I’d like to bring to your attention are the rash guards and skirted bottoms. Sounds potentially grandma (wear your sunblock, protect your skin!) and highly unattractive (think professional surf brands)? Here are some of my picks to prove you wrong:

If I had it my way, I would pair the Doheny rash guard or Paloma crop top with the Leucadia skirted high waist bottom. Which in my mind works whether you have washboard abs or a tumbly tummy.

(Psst this might be exactly how I look like at sea, full suit + long sleeves + cap + too much SPF + under an umbrella.)

The only thing holding me back is the weird stares I might get from wearing not only a sleeved top, but a long sleeved one at that to the pool.

Well you know if you change your mind, these friendly folks will let you in on how to return or exchange them.

Pictures from here.

Matthew Ames is an American designer skilled in the aesthetic of the minimalist, post-minimalist to be exact (a movement that I have yet to fully fathom). For Weekday, he created something “quiet, but powerful” and dare I say “affordable” given the usually price tag of his clothing.

My picks from this pared down collection:

The skirt version of mom jeans – mom skirts. I like the longer length.

Overalls for adults.

And a very versatile open jacket from the menswear selection.

Frankly I’m a little late to the game. These have been on the online store since early April, but there are still several sizes available, so go click around right. this. instant.

Pictures from here.

What’s interesting are newfangled folkwear and I say that because of their contemporary cuts and ethnic accents (plus they don’t have to be obvious and plain for all the recognize). Easy to like and wear, without coming across as tacky and to much for a dinner date, day of meetings or casual coffee run.

A designer who is particularly fond of injecting semblances of traditional tailoring and embellishment is Anna Pitchouguina. Of Russian descent and economics background from Poland, Anna took to the states and worked with Derek Lam in New York, then in London with designers like Christopher Kane and Michael van der Ham. All that rolled into a lovely, cohesive and desirable package, branded Pitchouguina, and based in East London since 2010.

Here we get Anna involved in a short round of three questions:

What inspired you to take the route of fashion instead of economics?

Probably the need for creativity that you can touch and feel with hands. Sort of independence as well, but as economics were an interest at first, I am still really interested in the business side of running and starting a label. I think those two things combined is an advantage.

How have you and the brand evolved since your first collection?

Now that I look at it, it has grown up, materials have gradually became heavier but the color palettes are still quite limited and calm. From the very first collection I was trying to put a little handmade/ Russian-related detail, you can still see this in our fluffy hand knitted pieces and a bulky vest-jumper knitted all by hand in Russia, for AW13.

What is the AW13 collection about, and which is your favourite piece?

Collection is always a mood story, that I try to create with fabrics, colors and feminine shapes. This collection is a bit less flowy and a bit more boxy but I still kept my obsession of having some flower motifs. It’s the feeling of awakening the autumn. Favourite piece – a knitted chunky fluffy sleeveless jumper.

You can find Pitchouguina in small independent bouquets in Eastern Europe and also online at cloudmine.pl. Stay tuned for their online store on their website come September. They will also be showcasing their collection in Guangzhou very soon!

Pictures from here.

It’s been a while since we’ve both been pictured together, and we’re so happy that it’s Headline Seoul that gave us the shot! It’s also timely publish, with our spanking new job titles that read: Florist and PR Executive for Jo and Sarah respectively. We’re comfortably settled into this new phase of work life, that both have little to do with fashion (if we will it to), but still gets us excited everyday.

“This is my ideal work get-up on a good hair day (that determines pretty much my outfit and mood), super easy to throw on top and bottom, complete with an apron and no I don’t wear heels, wedges or platforms to work in the florist. My mum has been a florist for about 12 years now. I’ve been doing bits of work for her, photoshoots, logo design, web design, generally helping around since graduating from University in 2010 and working full time. I quit my job back in May 2012, did some travelling since my boyfriend was doing a six month exchange in Uppsala, Sweden, and also completed a course in textile design at Central Saint Martins London. Those two months were a freakin’ dream. When I got back in August, I started going back to work at the florist, really enjoying doing creative work with my hands, but it was only at the turn of this new year that I officially announced (to myself and friends) that this is what I wanted to do. A regular week at work involves visiting the wholesalers for fresh cuts, trimming and conditioning flowers (damn hard work I must say), replying emails, servicing clients, meeting brides-to-be, setting up events or weddings. If you happen to like the bouquets and floral coronet you see in the photograph, I’m very happy to say that I did them, and that you can find them here“, says Jo.

“Clean, simple, fuss-free. That’s how I’d describe my styling choices. Every now and then I throw on a crazy print (at least “crazy” by my standards) to mix things up. But more often than not I’ll stick to simple silhouettes, with good structure or interesting details. With my new job, you’ll typically see me in separates, its so much fun to mix and match. On weekends, I simplify. Nothing oozes comfort more than a simple babydoll dress, sneakers and a casual clutch. And since I’m always walking around with a floral wreath in my hair (not!), with this floaty dress, it seemed appropriate for the ‘Japanese fairy librarian’ look that I was going for (;”, says Sarah.

This photo is actually from the Headline Seoul Headturners street style series, which you can find hung in their Wheelock store or on their Facebook page. You can also vote for your favourite (ours perhaps? we totally have flowers everywhere we go) here and stand to win some shopping vouchers. So, no harm clicking!

Virgin Daisies is a swimwear and lingerie brand designed and made in Thailand. You’d hear nothing of revolutionary quick dry/ slimming/ shaping or what not typical of high street or sport swimwear brands. Only boys want to know about that sort of stuff, right? So for all the R&D that they didn’t invest in and we don’t care for, they more than made up for it with design.

Their pieces are styled in a girly vintage fashion that has been all over Bangkok for a few seasons now, with peplums, frills and cut outs that brands like Disaya have rampantly popularized. Somewhat formulaic in that aspect to gain fast fans locally, but still I managed to pick out some no-frills pieces:

My favourite is this sleeved and colour-blocked suit, made in a fuzzy textured fabric reminiscent of a soft terry cloth:

These would definitely double up as going out clothes – if they fit. I wish I could say that I got me a piece, but they are characteristically small (as with most clothing from Thailand), available only in S and M, and most items come without lining and padding. I think I might just look here for some other options.

For more information, visit their facebook page here. Pictures from here and here.

Showrooms reps are really the people you want to be in the company of – they scout talent and pull together the coolest brands you don’t yet know about. Well that’s just broadly speaking and only half the story, but more often than not the good ones are gonna have stuff that will blow your mind.

Sarafan is an online-only showroom from Tel Aviv we wrote about back in 2011 here. They’ve since expanded their online presence to include a consumer store, full of goodies from their bevy of nine brands, all from the Israeli city.

On the site now is an enticing mix of their favourite brands, which they wore, loved and now represent. You’ll find a easy-to-love greyscale across their bags, accessories and clothing, and these are some of the pieces that jumped at me:

A sweater of exaggerated hood and sloping shoulders. Collegiate tunic with sheer bits.

Seemingly detached bag. A thoroughly thought-out and well-compartmentalized wallet.

Smooth oxidized brass cuff, flawed intentionally. A leather scarf of sorts.

Sarafan is offering free shipping internationally now – I don’t think there’s a more convenient way to a piece of Tel Aviv.

Pictures from here.

Form supersedes function when it comes to shoes designed by Sophia Webster. Her creations aren’t in the least bit about subconsciously putting something onto your feet, like during school days when you are in the passenger seat of the car and you’ve reached school and can’t quite remember how or when you put on your socks… No, Sophia Webster shoes make feet look AMAZING!!!

I’d like to think that a lot of fun and joy goes into her design process because I can’t help but smile as I stare at these beautiful shoes!

Maybe it’s a cheap thrill, but I thought it was quite funny that this wedge, below, had a digital print of flats. Geddit? A wedge, with flats? hehs. (:

Anyway,

This protegé of Nicholas Kirkwood boasts awards from Condé Nast and Time Magazine, which named her as Footwear News’ Emerging Designer of the Year and 2013′s Top 100 People to Watch, respectively. According to Teen Vogue, Sophia Webster’s final student collection at the Royal College of Art was picked up by Browns. And she now counts Net-A-Porter and On Pedder as stockists.

Her creations aren’t “shoeporn” but rather “shoe candy!” I swear, some of these designs are so yummy I could eat them!

Sophia Webster in, what I presume is, her workspace. I think its very apt that of the only stationary visible on her desk, one of them is a neon orange highlighter!

Image sources: here, here, here and here.

]]> http://wottoncool.com/2013/02/candied-crush/feed/ 0 http://wottoncool.com/2013/02/schools-back-in-session/ http://wottoncool.com/2013/02/schools-back-in-session/#comments Fri, 08 Feb 2013 04:00:44 +0000 wottoncool http://wottoncool.com/?p=10859

Better start digging out those ankle socks and chalk up your school shoes! School’s back in session with JW Anderson and Topshop‘s second collaboration, scheduled to launch in stores on 27 February 2013.

This second collection, I feel, builds on his idea of The School of JW Anderson with sweater staples with swallows, cars, dodos and hearts. My money’s on the lilac separates and argyle anythings making street style guest appearances at Fashion Week Month.

Word is that Singapore stores wont be seeing the entire collection stocked on our sunny shelves. And I’m personally heartbroken the lilac dress is amongst the itemlist not destined for our shores. But I’ve got my eye on some separates (: Hoping and a’prayin’ that they’ll be mine.

Prices of the JW Anderson x Topshop Autumn/Winter 2013 collection will range from $79.00 to $389.00. You you’ve been warned my pretties, here’s something to set aside some angpao money for!!

Photos from here and here.

Inertia. A property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line.

Sarah here.

I’m battling myself, doing my best to reinvigorate the habit of blogging on a frequent basis. Blame it on Newton’s first law of motion, blame it on myself. Whichever way, I’m gonna change that.

I’m in the process of serving another internship, securing a full-time job and figuring out my purpose in life, wondering if fire-breathing dragons really exist and hoping Singapore (and maybe the rest of the world) will not implode on itself when more people realise that putting money in a banks actually earns you less (interest and satisfaction?) than if you took all that money and spent it all on yourself right now!

Ok, I’ll ramble on that another day.

So yes, this is me posting that we’re still alive. And that I will do my very best to be more present.

In the meantime, here are some photographs of Suprette‘s latte and We Are The Sun wooden frame sunglasses from Manicurious (above).

My dinosaur hair tie from Homeless (Hong Kong), Vice and Vanity necklace from feial, Longines watch with dark ochre NATO strap,  20:TwoThree panelled top, Mae Pang skirt and gold glitter shoes from Kuala Lumpur.

And finally, my sister’s Diana F+ (which I’m all thumbs with), We Are The Sun makes yet another appearance, mini Tic Tacs and a work-in-progress neon pouch bag from a street market in Hong Kong.