it's boxing day.

i look forward to this day more than x'mas.

this is how important boxing day is to me.

urban outfitters

american apparel

club monaco

h&m

holt renfrew

winners

here i come

Winner's my new best friend.

Oh, the joy when the package comes!

It's pretty amazing, ordering online, cheaper and free shipping and comes within a week.

The books I got from amazon.com are like at least $10 cheaper than Chapters, like each one of them. It's insane.

Anyway, I am now on amazon.com again, browsing and clicking away and looking for my newest babies.

What I ordered last time. The Satoralist is a book that I have always wanted. Just felt like it will be an inspiring read. Bringing Home the Birkin was so witty and so smart, I finished it in two nights, and now its laying peacefully on my bookshelf. Loved the book, Loved the story and Loved the Ups and Downs it brought me through. It really made me think, "Was all these really necessary? A birkin? A Croc? Who cares.."

But nonetheless, I still want to get a 40cm Black (any leather) Birkin with Silver hardware before I turn 30. Its a long time goal for myself!

And the third book, Digital Fashion Illustration for Fashion Designers, I bought it hoping it would teach me something new about drawing flats, but it didn't. So I was kind of disappointed. I guess this is the downside to buying books online, you can't really see the content.

Anyway, so lately, I have developed a rather fondness for Winners. Before, I used to think that Winners was a cheap and trashy bargain store, but ever since I got my JPG jeans at Winners in January, my mind about this store has totally changed. Winners blew me away when I visited the Park Royal location last Sunday, they carried MARNI!

MARNI!! MARNI!! MARNI!!

My jaw literally stayed open as I fondled with the dresses and skirts they had there.

Again! MARNI! O-M-G! Marni in Vancouver, that is ridiculous, I haven't seen Marni in Holt Renfrew! It is kind of ironic, how Winners carry better clothes than Holt Renfrew. And each Marni dress retailed for about 899 each, which is a bargain!

Oh! And there were a bunch of Valentino LBDs, Emilio Pucci dresses and some other brands here and there.

For men, there were lots of Perry Ellis, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, you know, the usual. But my eyes widened when I found a Karl Lagerfeld trouser and white shirt. Like seriously? Karl Lagerfeld hidden in between Point Zero and Adidas, I nearly shedded a tear! But unfortunately, they were not my size, or I would've bought it! The trousers were like $120, and the shirt was like $110. I, however, did score a pair of Alexander McQueen jeans. YAY ME!

Oh! and there were some Costume National blazers and a couple of Valentino suits. All for under $1000. It's ridiculous. Like seriously. Winners?

So today, I decided to try my luck at another Winner's location which my aunt is working at (employee's discount = 20% off, not much, but better than nothing). So I walked in, it's like the usual Winner's. Messy, check. Crowded with unfashionable housewives, check. Mounds and mounds of clothing on the floor, check. Seriously, it's more fun than hunting in a vintage store!

So I found this pair of Calvin Klein 100% Wool Trousers for only $39 cdn, like SERIOUSLY? Tried it on, it's a tad bit tight, but I bought it anyways! So now, I am officially on a diet.

(excuse the bad picture!)

Also, found a Buffalo trench coat in wool for $52, but didn't get it because it was a tad bit too big, I don't like jackets that fit bigger.

Then I ventured into the undergarments section, hoping to find some stuffs. There they were, hidden in the pile of boxers and briefs, I found two pair of Calvin Klein 365 boxers and a pair of ____ (I don't know what brand it is, but they were hot pink) briefs. They were $8 each. Cheaper than Old Navy and Gap. Grabbed them, and paid for them.

It's hard for even myself to believe what I am about to say, but Winner's is now one of my "usual" shopping locations alongside H&M, like WTF!?

Oh! And received this Issay Miyake L'eau de Toilette set from bb earlier this week. I love the scent, and I love how long lasting it is. Thank you! And now, I have something else to put on other than my "overused" Terre des Hermes.

And now, I want to go back to Winner's again!

h&m ss 2010 lookbook

So the H&M ss2010 lookbook for men's pictures showed up today. Saw it here.
So many trend pieces, so many runway-esque pieces, I want so many pieces.
The pleated man-skirt, the harem pants, the ombre dyed scarves, the crisp trousers. All on my wishlist now! H&M, here I come. I wonder if Vancouver will carry these pieces, I hope it will.

Anyways, here are the pictures.

 I want this man skirt, though I don't know if I could pull it off like Marc Jacobs, but I think it's so Comme des Garcons, I want it. The blazer is also crisp and sharp.

These harem pants are #1 on my wish lists. Because of my love for Rei Kawakubo, I have developed a strong love for drop-crotched harem pants. I want this. Like, I'll buy two or three pairs! Hope they're not made out of polyester.

I want that block colored cardigan. Reminds me of Junya Watanabe.

Those khaki trousers= WANT. Also. the sandals too, but I bet they will not have my size. Shame on H&M for only making men's shoes up to size 11.5, like Seriously?

These ombre dyed "I assume they are silk" scarves are to dye for. So spring. So light. So airy. I hope they have them in Blue or Grey! Will get them too!

The RODARTE sweater for men. Though not as deconstructed, but I can certainly see the influence and inspiration. I do not like the color though, I don't get why men's clothes (especially at H&M) have so many orange pieces in them. It bugs me to death. I think orange is a cute color, but no in garments. It's horrible!

This jacket is so Junya Watanabe as well. I love the color blocking. I want!

It's barely winter and I can't wait for Spring to come. I want those harem pants, NOW!

stuck

It was a nice day in Vancouver today. Sunny, not too cold, and not too windy. Woke up, had my coffee, changed into my newly studded Zara shirt and McQueen Jeans, left for school.

Today was another one of those "8 hours days."

Got my evening dress pattern back, no changes needed to be made, just a few minor "blending" and "true-ing" to do. Cut out my muslin and sew it together, it turned out exactly like I wanted to. I am starting to be able to visualize my final result in the preliminary a.k.a pattern making stage and I think that's kind of cool.

Anyway, afternoon class went by in a blink of eye. I cut out all my strips of fabrics for my embellishments. I want to make it tasty, not tacky. I need to find the balance point. Somehow, I just think it's not that good of an idea. Kind of wanted to scrap it and come up with something new. I hope it will work.

Now, just looking at the pile of fabric in the corner makes me feel so drained, I had a long day.

Yet, I am still sitting here trying to finish the bustier, and trying to get the stitch lines straight, as we will lose marks if our stitch lines are not straight enough.

So I kinda blanked out, and stared at my sewing machine. Out of thoughts.

Is it really meant for me? Am I really capable of doing this?

I wonder.

I feel stuck, temporarily.

I think, what I need, is

sleep and a good read in the bed.

forlorn ecstasy

So yesterday was my first official photoshoot to showcase what I've done so far in my short sewing career. 6 months ago, I did not know what a bobbin case was, and now, I am making skirts and dresses on a regular basis. It's quite amusing. Anyway, the model was Janice, with heels, she was taller than me, and I am 6'1, so that was pretty scary. She had no modeling experience prior to this, she's actually my co-worker at a tutoring centre. Anyway, so after work, we just went into M.A.C. and asked the ladies there if she could do the make up for us. And she did for free! That was nice. I was originally scheduling for an outdoor set shoot, but the weather was horrible, so we decided to just stay inside and shoot at SFU. I rented one of those humongous set lights where the lightbulb was bigger than my face. It does wonders!

Then we put Janice into her outfits. I was the photographer, stylist, and model coach. It was fun!

A'int she fierce?

Oh! And I edited all the images and laid them out in a magazine editorial format because I am going to use the images from this photoshoot for my Concepts & Trends assignment.

Oh! The diversity! I love diversity. She is this sophisticated coffee sipping girl with a classic Chanel bag in the left image and BAM! in the right image, she becomes this hobo chic glam chic who lives in Tokyo.

Spin! Jump! Smile like a little girl!

Those were my instructions to her, and she did it, naturally! Unlike those super cheesy covergirl smiles!

Oh, by the way, we played Leona Lewis while shooting!

These two are my favorite shots from the shoot. They're so young, so fun, so full of energy! I love how I styled this set too! That mini jacket turned out so well!

Back to sexy again! This zebra print skirt was the first full-size garment that I made in my life. And I still love it.

Oooohh... fashion is in my blood.

And my blood is green.

URBAN NOMAD PROJECT COMPLETED

So this group project has finally ended. The duration was this, I suppose was dreadful. I love the idea of this project, putting people into teams, assign a theme, and have the team come up with a cohesive collection of day dresses. Though there were complaints about this project, even by me, but now, just looking back, I believe I was prejudiced, which, in this, has taught me a lesson, "Not to just label people from what you've heard," simple, but still, it happens. My team was two teams clashed together. I would very much prefer the old team formation as it was just me and another classmate who does not seem to have a problem to cooperate. But as our team got merged in with another team which contained a classmate that I have trouble working with - or everyone has trouble working with. I believe being a team player is extremely important and I try my hardest to be a team player but I also need to keep my own "priorities" in eyes, in this case, my grades. I do not want to sacrifice my 4.0 GPA just because a fellow classmate wants to do it that way. Communication is key. And when a team member refuses to communicate and believe only what she says is right, then the communication and the working environment will become unbearable. Giving attitude when things do not go her way, calling people stupid in a "nicer way," judging other people's designs and acting like a know-it-all, getting all frustrate just because something does not work out and not try to solve the problem, blaming "time" when a grade is not pleasant, I call it childish. And for the record, if you are not going to be nice, I will not be nice. But I won't be a rude person and say that no women will wear your dress but a prostitute.

Overall, I learned quite a lot from this project.

But mostly on the "how to be a nice person" part instead of the design/construction field.

Now, on to the evening dress project.

I am so glad that it is not a group project!

plaid

I have a thing for plaids.

So for our construction class, I was the only person to use a fabric that is not just one color.

Though plaid is challenging, but I decided to challenge myself.

Turns out, I overcame the challenge, and I was the first one in the class to finish.

The jacket was due today, but nobody else finished.

Where are the strict rules?

Where are the standards?

Whatever.

I like to push myself.

I don't want to just sit back and relax.

So, I'm going to work on my own stuffs simultaneously.

I love those gold buttons.

So gorgeous.

hearbroken

I know I am a few days late.

But these few days, I just don't feel the drive to update my blog.

So much work, yet, I am not stressed. I like to handle whatever that comes my way slowly and orderly.

Somehow, classmates are starting to complain about workloads and time issues. I personally feel that it is fair, in fact, it may not even be enough work. I still find time to go out, I still find time to come online and read blogs, I still find time to watch dramas. And yet, I put a lot of time and effort into my school work. Also, working on various projects on my own time. Oh, and there's work. So no, I do not think school is too busy, and I do not understand why everyone is so stressed and freaking out. A few projects, two garments to sew and like, one little weekly assignment, seriously, it's not a lot. Just put the negative energy aside and deal with it. The real world is going to be way tougher than this, I presume. There goes Darwin's "Survival of the Fittest."

Anyways, as usual, I read blogs and imagine the bloggers like me, sitting in front of a macbook, typing away. However, I can't help but be JEALOUS of tavi.

Like seriously, what was I doing when I was thirteen. Let me think, I was playing pokemon cards and busy with school, tae kwon do, swimming and skating, I didn't even know who Marc Jacobs was. Now, this girl, at the tender age of thirteen went to the PRADA  book launch, sat in front rows in countless shows in the NYFW, talked with a handful of top designers, is a personal friend of RODARTE designers, and now she is flying to TOKYO to meet my idol, REI KAWAKUBO.

Life is unfair.

Speaking of unfair.

Daul Kim passed away.

There shall be a moment of silence.

She was fabulous.

Her career was beginning to kickstart.

And now she's gone.

:(

Life goes on.

mercibeaucoup,

love.love.love

My favorite brand ever. My favorite designer is Rei Kawakubo, but my favorite brand has got to be mercibeaucoup,

I love the colors, textures and shapes in all her clothes.

Been to the stores in Tokyo, and they are magical, cute and just makes you feel like you are flying somewhere far away.

This is what I want to do. But in my own vision.

Marni

These two men's Marni bag from the SS2010 collection is so so so gorgeous. I love the monotonic prints and the beige/brown accents on the bag. Simple, elegant, yet not too flashy. Its officially on my wishlist.

Now, just where can I get this in Vancouver!!

Nicole Fox for ANTM

So this cycle's ANTM hasn't really got me excited. But the finale's on Wednesday and I have to say, the final two this cycle is the best since Joanie and Danielle in cycle 6. After the disappointment of Saleisha and Whitney winning, and the much too expected wins of Teyona and Mickey, the final two this cycle has got me a tad bit more excited. Nicole is fierce, beautiful and kind of awkward, which I love while Laura is sweet, bubbly and sexy. But I have to say, Nicole has taken some of the BEST pictures I have seen in all thirteen cycles of America's Next Top Model, so Nicole Fox for the win please!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, she can't take a bad picture, every picture of her's is breathtakingly beautiful.

Below are some behind the screen captures, they are even more beautiful!

 

Work it, girl!

perdant

A video I made for a project a year ago when I was still at SFU.

It still pisses me off how I got a bad mark on this because the professor thought this wasn't appropriate.

Like seriously...

fashion? or simply offensive?

During last Thursday's Concept & Trends class, we looked at some provocative and offensive fashion ad campaigns. Even though we did not look deep into this issue, but personally, I thought it was an interesting topic to waver about, so I did some research at home. Looked up some ad campaigns and found that some were in fact, really provocative. But personally, I don't mind them, because fashion is art to me, and art should not be limited. But I guess the general public will be highly offended by the following ads.

This one is kind of creative. I like it. I like the message in this picture.

This Tom Ford ad caused a lot of controversy, but personally, I think it is done tastefully. Though the woman's head is not shown, which kind of indicates that women is but a sex tool to men. But I guess this is just a marketing strategy, it grabs your attention, but doesn't make you go "ugh."

However, these two American Apparel ads are kind of off, they are dont tastelessly and they look like cheap porn. Imagine seeing these images in fashion magazines.

Oh my.

This ad, I don't know for what brand, but it's for a Dutch company, is completely gross. I feel bad for the model and this whole image is just disturbing....