We spotted a very very red faced Henry Holland at his show, must be the Singapore sun.

The show was a lot of fun, much thanks to the high energy, cheerleader-esque models, who had their pony tails high to one side bouncing away even on platform boots (one model almost slipped in them). There was a lot we couldn’t take our eyes off,  the earrings (paisley bandana’s woven around them), the sportswear with Henry’s logo, the stripped platform boots (black and white and lilac and white) and that hot purple leather mini-dress.

Images: here and here

We were at the  tent to see London-based label KTZ, there wasn’t too much we liked or disliked about the fall winter collection, but one thing’s for sure - the casting was done really well. One male model had so much swagger, he kinda reminded us of the KGB but with a much cooler Ushanka (fur hat); the fur on the hats were crimped. We say they could almost pass off for hair (ok, maybe not.)

Spotted many tired faces, it was almost midnight afterall, perhaps that also explains why the tent was only half-filled.

We’re excited about House of Holland on Sat, till then, have a fabulous Friday!

Pictures by James Bent
AFF 2010: KTZ Fall/Winter 2010 on Vimeo
KTZ lookbook

 I caught up with an old friend of mine a while back and got her to tattle about the modelling industry from an Asian model’s perspective. As of 2010, she’s now with Major Model Management.

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Gwen, who’s from Penang, is anything but a typical Asian model. Sure, she possess the industry’s favoured Oriental eyes and porcelain skin, but distinguishes herself from the rest with her jet-black short crop.

“I used to think that a model has to have long hair because it’s more versatile and easier to style, but I decided to break the stereotype that Asian models should have long black hair with bangs and show that short hair works on me too,” she explains. According to Gwen, making the decision to model full-time was not an easy one as there was no guarantee that venturing abroad to model would reap results, given that the modeling industry is always fluctuating.

“The tingling desire towards modeling grew as I started to taste the fashion and modeling world,” she confides.

“In the end I decided to leave my comfort zone and pursue modeling full-time as modeling part-time is too stressful and I really wanted to concentrate on this exciting career,” Gwen adds. But it was a decision well made. Now based in New York, she has been photographed for Bazaar Espanol, Deutsch Magazine, Diva (Austria), Wound (UK), D Magazine, French Biba, French Glamour, Vogue Taiwan, Elle Accessories, and Cosmo Girl; just to name a few.

In addition, she secured campaigns with Macy’s West, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and GO! Target.

Gwen backstage at Chris Benz with Lancome doing what she loves best, taking photos.
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So how did the former quantity surveyor become Asia’s next top model?

See her responses after the jump.

Q: How did you get to where you are today?
A: I started modeling in the middle of 2005 and at the end of the year I won Elite Model Look Malaysia. After winning the competition, I started modeling full swing, I secured a contract with Ave Management in early 2006 and during my first season in the Singapore Fashion Festival, the Director of Elite New York scouted me.

Q: What is it like living in an apartment with so many other models?

A:Living with other models is just like living with other human beings.
 They are my companions when I’m away from home and sometimes I take care of them when they are in need.

Q: What’s a typical year for you?
A: On average, I spend about seven months in New York City, three months traveling in Europe and Asia and two months back home. I was back in Malaysia in June for a beauty campaign and a print job for P&Co (by Padini group).

Q: And a day in New York?
A: It’s hectic! Castings start in the morning and go on till evening. I spend most of the day underground connecting trains or navigating my way through New York in search for the place I have to be at. At night, I usually stay in front of my laptop and chat with my friends online and reply emails.

Q: Which fashion capital do you enjoy most?
A: I love Paris. It’s such a beautiful and calm city. However, there is not as much work for me in Paris compared to NYC.

Q: After so much talk of Asian models breaking into the scene, are they really more opportunities for Asian models these days?
A: Yes and no. The demand for Asian models is greater in US, but not so much in Europe. I hope Asian faces will get more exposure in the Western countries.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: The thing about me is that I do not plan. I just follow my heart and do what I love.

First published on Tongue in Chic.

Check out other Asian models here.

Not that these items are treated like junk, but you’ve got to admit that we don’t really treat them like treasure since they’re so readily available here. But I’m glad that elsewhere these things are precious. I’m reminded of my German friends who own a couple of those ceramic plates with a big blue fish in the middle and to them they were just exquisite.

Via Sfgirlbybay

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It seems that everyone wants a piece of China ( remember the Fendi Great Wall?); more recently Chanel hosted its annual Maison d’Arts show in Shanghai.

Check out the two short films below, Paris-Shanghai: A Fantasy by the Kaiser, Karl Lagerfeld himself and Yang Fudong’s film First Spring for Prada Men’s Spring/Summer collection.

Shanghai Fashion Week starts in a couple of days, although it’s still largely a local event I doubt it’ll be this way for much longer.

So this month on the Tattler blog, lets celebrate all things Chinois.

Click on the images to watch the clips.

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Now you can send a garden to your friend. This postcard really caught my eye, all you have to do is pop-out the frame, add the seeds, water and you’re on your way to having your own miniature garden. How’s that for even more fun ways to be green.

Via The Neo Traditionalist

Lucky you!

My problem with travel guidebooks ( Lonely planet and the rest of the gang) is that they never really have enough on where to shop or eat. I have this notebook filled with the names and addresses of cool restaurants and shops to check out in between doing all the usual touristy stuff. Here are two websites that I’ve used.

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Unlike.net
Focuses on many of the “party” cities and a huge plus point is that they provide directions by public transport. I remember finding a very well curated magazine shop, Do You Read Me in Berlin.

Design Sponge
If you’re heading to the USA this would be great, they’ve even got Detroit covered. But they’ve not left out other destinations like Paris, London and Shanghai. The website has a strong design focus, so it’s great for those who like shops with tons of knick knacks and cozy cafes.

Leave a comment if you know of any other cool online guides.

As much as possible, I’ve always tried to be environmentally friendly. I used to bring a nylon bag everywhere I went just to avoid the need for plastic bags and for about a month the plan went marvelously well. But once I sent that fluorescent orange bag for washing, I just never remembered to put it back. Well, I guess many of us have the intention of saving the environment, but sometimes that goodwill just gets lost along the way.

So here’s what I’m going to do. Starting this week, you can look forward to a weekly post with the environment in mind. Let’s get that ’save the earth’ spirit back!

Now let’s look cute on a bicycle and reduce carbon emissions.
Remember to let your hair down!

Images: The Sartorialist and Garance Doré

Of course it doesn’t hurt to have a cute bicycle like these from Pashley.

Via Krisatomic