Wrapping It Up With Chan Luu

I have been thinking for a while now that Chan Luu could also be another favourite jewellery designer of mine. However, it is only today that I decided to buy two of her bracelets from Net-A-Porter... but not before being wrapped up in dilemma over which designs to choose from. I finally decided on these two styles.

The A-list can't get enough of Chan Luu's boho-luxe jewelry, from Lady GaGa to Rihanna wearing signature wrap bracelets. Lady Gaga went gaga over the white leather with gold nuggets, while Riri went for brown leather with silver nuggets.

The Vietnamese-born designer studied at LA's Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising before launching her handcrafted accessories line in 1996. She does earrings and necklaces as well, but it's her wrap bracelets that caught my fancy. I love these designs too... dilemma, dilemma, dilemma!

For more info, you can visit www.net-a-porter.com and www.chanluu.com

My SAUCE of Tees

When it rains, it pours. I'm not talking about the crappy wet weather in Singapore... but rather, the discovery of new favourite brands in one day. The day I bought my Yuki Mitsuyasu bracelet at Inhabit, I also bought my SAUCE Karl Lagerfeld "vampire" tee. I like the fit and the quirky print so much that I decided to source for more SAUCE online.

Here's what I found online. I got more tees in the form of Lady Gaga and Mad Hatter. For those who prefer Karl against a tie dye background, you are in luck. Also for fans of Kate Moss.

Lady Gaga

Karl on tie-dye

Kate with bloody fangs


Good ol' Mad Hatter



Here's what else I love from the look book...

You can find the Karl and Kate tees at Inhabit in Singapore. Alternatively, you can shop online at www.karmaloop.com and www.shopbop.com.

Yuki Mitsuyasu - The Bright Star in Jewellery Design

I was shopping at the Mandarin Gallery's 1st anniversary event when I chanced upon Yuki Mitsuyasu's jewellery at Inhabit. I now add her to my list of favourite jewellery designers after Pamela Love.

Yuki Mitsuyasu graduated from Central Saint Martins BA(Hons) Jewellery Design in 2005.,after which she continues to design and produce innovative and award winning jewellery in her home studio in London. Yuki's design philosophy is for her jewellery to look beautiful from every angle. Hence, sculptural and architecture elements are part of her distinctive style.

I would say Yuki's jewellery are works of art, as she has developed several unique clasp systems that are like puzzles to be solved. The interactive aspect of the puzzle-style clasp system engages the wearer to fully understand her designs. Personally, I like her edgy designs that are somehow masculine, yet feminine enough. Perhaps the word I am looking for is "balance".

Below are the items that I like.

SHINE Collection

This is my favourite collection. I bought a star bracelet that is very "True Blood" fashion, something which I think the vampires would like to wear (well, just not in sterling silver). You need to be taught how to fasten the magnetic clasp, as it won't be easy without prior instructions on how to wear it.

BONDING Collection

I love this versatile pair of earrings that can be worn in three different ways. They can be worn as odd pair or identical pair.

BOW Collection

To find out more about Yuki's designs, please visit www.yukimitsuyasu-shop.com or check out the collections at Inhabit at Mandarin Gallery Singapore.

Musical Olympus In Singapore This Week!

The alchemists have been working hard on garnering publicity for Musical Olympus, another project organised by Olga Iserlis. Alchemy, my PR company specialises in lifestyle and luxury brands and we are really excited about the Musical Olympus. This project marks our foray into the classical music arena.

For the first time in Singapore, the acclaimed Musical Olympus International Festival will take place on January 20, 2011. This musical summit of award-winning young musicians from around the world will take place at The Esplanade, under the patronage of the World Public Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations”. The musicians will be performing the works of R. Schumann, G. Verdi, G. Puccini, S. Prokofiev, F. Borne and other composers.

The Straits Times - 30 December 2010

Lianhe Zaobao - 18 January 2011

The Musical Olympus International Festival has been held annually in St Petersburg, Russia since 1996. The festival has come to be known as a “parade of winners.” Every year, it presents highly talented young musicians who have recently won prizes at the largest and most prestigious international music competitions. In 1997, the Festival received the patronage of the World Federation of International Music Competitions.

Since its origination in St Petersburg, the festival has already left the borders of its native land and become a significant international project with a worldwide audience. “We are constantly extending the borders of our activity. The Musical Olympus Festival in Singapore is, first of all, a new opportunity to show Asia the potential of resent stars. It is also an example of the free dialogue in the borderless language of music. We are looking forward to meeting the Singaporean audience,” says Irina Nikitina, president of the Musical Olympus Foundation and Artistic Director of the Musical Olympus International Festival, who will be in Singapore for the event.

Irina Nikitina, president of the Musical Olympus Foundation and Artistic Director of the Musical Olympus International Festival

Started by the Musical Olympus Foundation, the aim of this illustrious festival is to The Musical Olympus International Festival provides a rare opportunity to listen to winners and laureates of international competitions without having to track numerous tour schedules and travel to different places. The festival also provides music-lovers with the priceless opportunity of hearing the world’s best young musicians accompanied by renowned orchestras in the world’s most elegant halls.

On 20th January, at The Esplanade, performers will include: Hayrapet Arakelyan (Armenia, saxophone — First Prize, Jugend Musiziert Competition in Germany, 2009); Jaesig Lee (Republic of Korea, tenor — Grand Prix, The Maria Callas Grand Prix in Athens, Greece, 2009); Istvan Vardai (Hungary, cello — First Prize, The Geneva International Music Competition in Switzerland, 2008); Ilya Maximov (Russia, piano — Grand Prix, The Gabala International Piano Competition in Azerbaijan, 2009). The award-winning soloists will perform in association with the Singapore National Youth Orchestra conducted by Darrell Ang (Singapore — Grand Prix, The International Competition for Young Orchestra Conductors in Besançon, France, 2007).

Darrell Ang (Singapore) Conductor

Jaesig Lee (Republic of Korea) Tenor

Istvan Vardai (Hungary) Cello

Hayrapet Arakelyan (Armenia) Saxophone

Ilya Maximov (Russia) Piano

It will be a concert not to be missed. Tickets are priced from $10 to $40 and are available at all SISTIC outlets. For more information about Musical Olympus Foundation and Musical Olympus International Festival 2011, please visit www.musicalolympus.ru.

You can also tune in to Channel News Asia's Prime Time Morning on 19th January at 9.15am to watch the "live" interview.

Hope to see you at The Esplanade this Thursday!

Lessons From The Sartorialist (Part 3) - Hello 2011

Checking The Sartorialist's website is like being in a vintage shop for me. I love that I will find inspiring things, as sometimes what I like are not necessarily new. The looks that I am sharing with you below are not the latest looks from the runway, but are some looks that I like from what people are wearing around the world... seen through the eyes of The Sartorialist.

If, like me, you can look at a picture and get inspired... then let the inspirations begin.

Makes me want to buy a floral printed skirt. I can't remember the last time I owned one.

I wish I could look this chic while using my Birkin. Perhaps I need to wear my stilettos and cycle around town.

I have the perfect shoes (one pair from Steve Madden, the other from Peddar Red) to create this look... but I wish I have the legs though.

Is he cute or what?

This pic makes me want to wear berms with a nice jacket and scarf.

Maybe I should buy a red jacket...

Hmm... but wearing a red belt suits me better.

Love this military-inspired look with killer heels.

I miss wearing my boots with jeans tucked in.

I love everything about this look, particularly the pleated skirt.

I have been longing for pair of brogues but never did end up buying as I don't think I could look good wearing them. Maybe I should try...


All pictures from http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com