Ann Demeulemeester goodness

I cannot help but, from time to time, to put on this hooded tunic from soft diaphanous cotton fabric. Without question the cult Belgian designer always knows how to produce a fine quality piece yet at the same time befitting the contemporary wearer. Personally I can wear this tunic with the loose linen Thai fisherman pants to echo the drapery effect of the top, or, pair it with a corduroy vest, also from Ann D. Talking about value for money, I have been wearing this tunic for quite a while now, tracking back my entry regarding my trip to Antwerp more than two years ago...

 

  

  

Here I am wearing the drapey + drapey combo, composed of Ann Demeulemeester tunic shirt, linen Thai fisherman pants from eBay, accessorised with Celine Bi-cabas lambskin bag and Comme des Garcons x Generic Man pebble leather brogues with Vibram soles.

Marni for H&M launch!

 

Aren't you excited to hear that Marni, the pattern-frenzy and color-blocking label from Italy will be launching their collaboration with Swedish fashion giant H&M this eighth of March? Naturally for those whose appetite for artsy designer labels can never be whetted (that screams me!), this is the perfect chance to grab a similarly-looking runway collection at a fraction of the price.

Undoubtedly this is a bargain hunter's wet dream - for the guys the slightly odd patterned shirts (but artfully beautiful, of course) start from 34.99 GBP, and  outerwear like the strategically color-blocked jacket range around 100GBP. And of course in addition there are also accessories ranging from bags, sandals an silk scarves that are well-designed and perfectly understated. Will be surrendering my credit card in exchange of the colorblocked shirt, the drawstring bag thingy and the sandals...

 

And the select separates that have my eyes ogling just a bit more...

 

Clockwise from top: mishmash print, Lanvin-esque doodle t-shirt, cashmere jumper and cotton Bermuda pants

 

Clockwise from top: the beautiful night blue coat with contrasting sleeves, slightly kooky polka-dot print on the shirt and silk shorts, silk scarf 

 

The man bags are quite interesting - I'm drawn towards the drawstring detail on the right one. Would inspect the accessories in person to judge the quality and construction, of course. 

 

And a solo image of the sandals, just for your eyes only. Fully leather???

Many of you will say that high/low collabs are massively produced and hence there will be a significant reduction in cost and subsequently in the quality as well. But to me purchasing the 'real deal' from the mainline runway pieces is still far away from my financial grip, so I think this collection will suffice for the time being. Never mind the possible synthetic fabric attack that will dominate the pieces...

Architecture: Tanah Rata Convent

Perched on a hill overlooking a street, Tanah Rata Convent, Cameron Highlands was once used by the British army as a hospital. Now it is simply a primary school for all girls. I couldn't believe my eyes when I see this old Roman Catholic Convent school is a fusion of a myriad of architectural styles - Gothic / Romanesque by my amateur eyes.

All layered up

The layering madnesszzz is perpetuated as being at a higher point gives me bone-tingling chills that needs to be whole-heartedly combated. This time around, I wore the once-forgotten cardigan with ombré/degradé effect from New Yorker. Strolling around a beautiful pot plant nursery in this cardigan almost gave me a camouflage feel because of the rather bright colors, loosely resembling a morning glory...

And of course this time around I managed to dig out the jeans of my yester years - the only Levi's that I have, purchased in 2003 as a self-gift for commencing the first year as a student in Russia. Sentimental notions aside I like the jeans very much because of the baggy-cut denim (this is prior to my skinny jeans obsession), and I cannot stress much on how comfortable walking in them is. Also, the back pocket print effect at the sides of the front pockets is simply quite unique and I haven't seen such technique done in any other jeans, I believe.

 

A bloom on a knit

I joined a family trip to Cameron Highlands recently (yes, don't laugh at these two facts that a) I still join family trips, with extended members all included and b) it was a Cameron Highlands of all places).
Maybe most of you will shudder and object at the notion that CH is still worth a visit, but, if you could travel pass the tourist magnet Brinchang town, the Cameron Highlands Resort awaits you with its stunning and well preserved architecture complete with high French doors and Tudor-styled cottages. It is simply a quietly elegant place to spend the weekend, plus, the balconies face a spread of green carpet of golf course just opposite of the building.

Being on a higher altitude meant cooler morning climate, that was a signal of opportunity for layering or wearing sweaters. And of course I chose to wear this sweater from H&M to help me guard myself against the relatively chilly weather.


We took the opportunity to roam the area which is beautifully lined with exotic flora, one of which aptly matches the digital print on my sweater.

Panggung Anniversari wonder

I won't say that I'm architecturally inclined but I'm always attracted to visuals and design. Seeing beautiful or interesting objects and buildings definitely excites my vision. So when I saw this amphitheater in the Lake Gardens, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, I might have ogled my eyes a bit.

The dominantly white design of the structure is quite elegant I feel. I am also a big fan of simple designs and muted color tones when it comes to buildings (except the buildings in question were built centuries ago, where ostentatious tapestries and bold colors were the norm)...

Ushering in February with Kikki K

Recently I have been attracted to quality, affordable stationery. Just because working in the government sector gives one a perk of free unlimited pens, journals and diaries every year, it does not mean that I should, in a gullible manner, accept whatever things I'm provided with, no matter how substandard the quality is.

But fortunately all that comes to an end with the emergence of Swedish stationery label Kikki K, offering quality items in understated Scandinavian design.

Chasing the Greyhound in Yellow Decks

The vivid color/pastel fever is perpetuated yet again during last week's outing. This time around the pastel part involves a newly-purchased shirt with print detail from Greyhound, a Thai label that has been quite a serious player in the international menswear market. 

 

The shirt possesses a quirky look with this 'iron-on' effect of a print right in the middle of the shirt, which is also present as elbow patches.

The green lives on...

Are you sensing that lately my entries are about colours? Good. Green has been another shade that I have been keen to try on lately. Previously a hue that I find a bit too tricky to manipulate now I might safely say it is quite a colour that surprisingly can be quite easy on the eyes. Yes, if you think there are too many colours in one outfit feel free to dissect one greenish tint at a time, and wear a piece one by one at your own discretion!

 

On me are several pieces, in addition, that I think have a slight military feel - those green khaki pants from Topman, the Sanders shoes, the Peter Pilotto x Kipling bucket bag; and a tinge of sea foam green in the Balenciaga t-shirt. And the look is completed with a light brown blazer from Zara and socks from Uniqlo.

Pastel is the way to go

Sometimes I get to dress a little outside from my personal norm of cheap baggy work shirts, and equally inferior-quality trousers, the majority from hand-me-downs. This time around for the long weekend I could not say no to the opportunity of being a bit crazy, outfit-wise.

I walked around Jalan Telawi at Bangsar area recently in the search of good food and to bring around my friend who came all the way from Kelantan. Instead, what I got was more of staring eyes, perhaps I suspect, at my arrow print jeans and perhaps the light yellow socks peeking out from the denim flood pants. But it is all fine by me, because the pastel/ faded hue that I try to don every now and then has finally got what it deserves here...