I was on my shopping adventure along Orchard Road when I saw this 1983 Panther Kallista. I promptly whipped out my camera and started to take photos – it’s not everyday you chance upon a vintage car in such fab condition!
Kallista by the Panther Car Company The Kallista was produced by the Panther Car Company from 1982 through 1990. The Kallista used Ford mechanicals, had an aluminium body over a purpose-built steel chasis, and performance was deemed good with a sprint to 60 mph (96.6km/h) in under 8 seconds. In bimbotic terms – the car looked damn cool and drove well. And definitely a chick magnet.
Looks like the owner spared no expense in refurbishing the interior; quilted leather seats with crystal-studded details…
The entire car was jaw-droppingly crystal-encrusted all over. Wow. Drool.
The steering wheel even had its own bling crown logo, and check out the crystallised brake pedals. I wondered if the car horn went “honk honk” or “bliiiing bliiiing”…
Even the car plate wasn’t overlooked. If I ever needed a transportation means for my superhero persona, this would be it, my bling mobile. It shoots crystals instead of bullets, and can blind the enemy with its shine :)
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Ta-da! So happy I got all the accessories I lwanted!
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M
Apparently I was not the only luster – look at all these people staring into the shop while they were setting up. I was told the first person in the queue came at 11am the day before. Craziness.
The longing….the candy wrapper clutches was undoubtedly the most popular item – it was quite scary how the shoppers grabbed them up! The original candy wrapper clutch cost about S$1,000, while this re-edition cost S$99.90, so it was a real steal.
The first 420 shoppers were given tags with assigned 10-minute shopping time slots. I was purple!
Spot me in the queue. So unglam. Only for MMM.
It was nice H&M gave out water and breakfast
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M staff
The shopping area. Memorising the shopping route while waiting to go in.
6 months’ worth of clothing supply
Red lucite heels
My favourite watch collection from MMM – I can finally have it all!
This enlarged keyring collection is pretty awesome. I don’t think anybody else would make things like this – I like.
Wolf had fun with the hair necklace
And pretended to be a sweet in the candy wrapper clutch.
I am freezing my credit cards in the freezer for the rest of the year. And adding my online shopping sites to internet parental safety control.
After months of anticipation, the Maison Martin Margiela x H&M lookbook is finally unveiled! Here’s a peek from the 140-piece collection which launches 15 November at H&M stores world-wide. Inspiration for the collection came from MMM’s iconic pieces, featuring androgynous tailoring, asymmetry, oversize silhouettes and the maison’s trademark humour.
There’s only one problem with the collection – I can’t find anything I don’t like! I think I’m gonna melt my credit card with this one…oh dear. 15 November – quick come. I’m drooling all over the lookbook already. Follow the collaboration hashtag #MargielawithHM to get the latest updates.
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook
Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lookbook Photos from @itsjenniferward and @vistelacalle (bottom right)
Anna Dello Russo, Editor At Large and creative consultant for Vogue Japan, has designed a 50-piece accessory collection for H&M which launches 4 Oct world-wide. Once described by Helmut Newton as a “fashion maniac”, the Queen of Bling’s collection is mostly gold and chunk that Queen Cleopatra and Donnatella Versace would approve of. Inspiration for the collection came in the form of Anna’s wardrobe (and her 4,000 pairs of shoes – ok, I definitely lose). Her Tiffany blue with gold filigree detail cupboard was the starting inspiration for the 50-piece collection, most obviously influencing the suitcase design. Other items include sunglasses,crocodile and snake-adorned jewelry, clutch bags emblazoned with her dog Cucciolina, thigh-high leather boots as well as a bird fascinator with a netted veil. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Anna Dello Russo for H&M Photo: H&M
Bangles and bracelets from S$59.90 to S$99 Photo: H&M
Bird fascinator S$299 Gold heels S$349 Photo: H&M
Blue clutch S$99.90 Gold clutches S$159 Vanity case S$199 Suitcase S$299 Photo: H&M
I have my eyes on you! Photo: H&M
Anna Dello Russo for H&M Photo: H&M
Bracelets start from S$59.90 to S$99 Crocodile necklace S$99 Photo: H&M
Anna Dello Russo for H&M Photo: H&M
Anna Dello Russo for H&M Photo: H&M
Gold leather heels S$349 Photo: H&M
Sunglasses S$79.90 Photo: H&M
Anna has released a pop video to celebrate the release of her accessories range for H&M. Wearing a PVC mini-dress, sheposes on a giant gold shoe as she reveals her collection along with her ‘ten rules of fashion’. It left me a bit dumbfounded, cos’ I don’t really know what to make of it. Have a look and tell me what you think.
Anna’s Ten Rules of Fashion (say it with an Italian accent to get the most oomph)
1. Fashion is a declaration of your own freedom
2. Between style and fashion? Absolutely fashion
3. Fashion is always uncomfortable, if you feel comfortable you never get the look (AGREE)
4. Fabulous at every age
5. Wearing night clothes in the daytime is unexpected
6. Somebody wearing your same outfit? Wonderful, you did the right choice
7. You must wear outfit once (but we don’t have a wardrobe allowance like yours, Miss Russo)
8. Wear coat as a dress
9. It doesn’t matter the size of your body, fashion flatter everyone
10. Fashion jewels personalise your style. Nothing succeeds like excess
Anna Dello Russo with “Fashion Shower” director Alex Turvey Photo: Tom Gildon
Touchingly, Anna remembers to contribute back to society: “Accepting this challenge [to design] has allowed me to give my personal and deeply felt contribution to the rebirth of Japan, a country I am strongly bonded with. Thereafter, part of my fee will be donated to the Japanese branch of the Red Cross International.” Yay, now I don’t feel that bad buying – I am doing my part for Japan too! :p Fingers crossed I can get my hands on some of these gems (crocodile – I have my eyes on you)!
Anna in a S/S 2013 white cut-out embellished Fausto Puglisi dress wearing accessories from her H&M collection Photo by Mr Newton via Harpers Bazaar
As I wait with abated breath for the launch of Louis Vuitton’s latest artist collaboration with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama “Infinitely Kusama” this week, I got inspired to wear lots of dots, which is the signature motif of the artist.
Look of the Day – Infinitely Dots Top: Pleats Please by Issey Miyake Pants: Marni for H&M Bag: Balenciaga
LEFT: Bangles – Hermes, H&M RIGHT: Purple Necklace: Marc Jacobs; Chain encased in black mesh: The Link boutique
LEFT: Blue polka dot satin bow: From Tokyo, Japan RIGHT: Finger rings: From Hong Kong
Fashion x Contemporary Art The Infinitely Kusama line follows the past highly-success collaborations which Louis Vuitton has done with Stephen Sprouse (graffiti), Takashi Murakami (smiling cherries and sakura blossoms) and Richard Prince (a joke – I’m serious, the LV bags were spray-painted with jokes printed on them). The line also coincides with the artist’s retrospective exhibition, Kusama at the Whitney Museum.
Such cross intersection of art, fashion and even music is getting increasingly common, as associating with art lends credibility and a more high-brow, exclusive image to the brand, as well as allows innovation with a new product line. For the consumer, they are buying accessibility to the art world which is high-end luxury, where a piece of artwork by the artist would normally be out of reach – and understanding – for them. As for the artist, this is seen as a way to reach out to the masses to gain more awareness to their artworks.
Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama Lookbook Photos: Franck Mura via Women’s Wear Daily
Yayoi Kusama Yayoi Kusama, who celebrated her 83th birthday earlier this year, is a sculptor, painter, writer, installation artist and performance artist. The “High Priestess of Polka Dots” is known as the most expensive living Asian artist, and her diverse art is expressed mainly through the use of mere dots. Why dots? As a child, Kusama coped with the hallucinations she suffered from by painting polka dots. This motif has remained a central feature of her work, and expresses her feeling of revolving ‘in the infinity of endless time and the absoluteness of space,’ and her view of herself as ‘a dot lost among a million other dots.’ She has also lived for forty years in the open ward of a mental hospital with her own art studio down the street.
“My artwork is an expression of my life, particularly of my mental disease… My art originates from hallucinations only I can see. I translate the hallucinations and obsessional images that plague me into sculptures and paintings.” Kusama has also expresses the polka dot as a symbol of love and peace (How about saying “I dot you” to your loved one next time? haha) Photo: Arrested Motion
Marc Jacobs’ first met Kusama in 2006, and the enchanting encounter set the path to collaborate on the current Louis Vuitton Kusama collaboration.
Infinitely Kusama The Infinitely Kusama collection will consist of ready-to-wear (trenchcoats, silk payjamas), handbags, shoes and accessories (wristwatch, sunglasses, pendant necklace) adorned with the artist’s famous polka dots fashioned in a tentacle-like “nerves” motif. Think pop art meets luxury. The first wave of pieces (ready-to-wear and small accessories) will debut in stores on July 10 with a major handbag and accessories push coming in October. The collection’s bags are mainly classic Vuitton designs redone in Monogram Vernis leather printed with dots in contrasting colors. The collection is also reported to include wave prints.
LEFT: Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama Polka Dot Heels RIGHT: The embellished Louis Vuitton Ellipse that Kusama is holding is a bag that the artist hand-customized for Vuitton’s creative director Marc Jacobs. Lucky dude. I also want. Photo: Purse Blog
Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama Lookbook Photo: Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama Lookbook Photo: Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama Lookbook Photo: Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama Lookbook Photo: Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Collection – Accessories My faves? The metal studded collar (USD1700) and sunglasses sporting a cute flower (USD610)! Photo: Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Collection – Handbags Photo: Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Collection – Scarves Photo: Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Collection – Footwear Photo: Louis Vuitton
Infinitely Pop-up Shops
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Pop-up Store Concept Photo: Louis Vuitton
The collection will be available in Vuitton’s 461 stores around the world, including a series of pop-up shops. The first pop-up shop will debut inside the Louis Vuitton Soho flagship in New York City on 10 July (today!). Other pop-ups inside or adjacent to LV boutiques will also include Ngee Ann City (13 July – yeah!) Singapore, LV Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo, Dover Street Market in Ginza, Pacific Place in Hong Kong, LV Printemps flagship (23 Aug) in Paris and one of the biggest measuring over 1000 square feet in Selfridge’s (24 Aug) in London.
I’ll definitely pop by (pun intended) the Singapore store wearing surprise, surprise….polka dots :)
Louis Vuitton will also launch an iPhone App that will allow users to take pictures and customize them with Kusama motifs. The app will be available in both English and Japanese. Images: Louis Vuitton
Brazil first country to get Infinitely Kusama Brazil is not only the first country to launch the much-hyped collection; its Vogue Brazil is also the first medium to reveal the collection, with a pregnant Gisele Bundchen fronting the cover for its July issue.
31-year-old supermodel Gisele Bundchen wears a red scarf as a top with a yellow scarf around her waist and polka dot pants from Louis Vuitton’s Infinitely Kusama line. Photo: Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue Brazil
Other interesting Kusama collaborations Kusama has also previously done some interesting collaboration with other products, and these are two that caught my eye:
iida X Yayoi Kusama: Based on the idea of a mobile phone as art, KDII brand iida collaborated with Kusama to produce three limited edition mobile phone models called ‘Dots Obsession, Full Happiness with Dots‘, ‘My Doggie Ring-Ring‘ and ‘Hand Bag for Space Travel‘. Source: Design Boom
These Kusama-designed Coca-Cola vending machines were displayed for one month in Daikanyama, Tokyo as part of Coke’s No Reason Art Project conceptualised by Dentsu as a way to better engage its sophisticated young urban target audience. The trademark dots represent the sparkling freshness of the brand. Photo: Ananas à Miami
10 Things about Yayoi Kusama 1. Yayoi Kusama’s childhood in rural Japan was “like a nightmare”. Born in 1929 to an abusive mother, she experienced continual hallucinations throughout her childhood, and was prone to morbid obsessions. The first subjects to appear in Kusama’s earliest paintings from childhood were her mother, the sun, the moon, and clouds.
2. Kusama left Japan for New York City in 1958 and spent several years entrenched in the art scene; she exhibited with everyone from Donald Judd to Andy Warhol, and was friendly with Georgia O’Keeffe.
3. In the sixties, Kusama opened a boutique where she sold her own mod clothing designs, many of which were made from see-through materials. Nudity was common in much of her work at the time, and the shop included private studios where models would have their bodies painted and photographed.
4. In 1968, Kusama designed a bridal gown for two men to wear at their wedding, which took place at Kusama’s Church of Self-Obliteration and was directed by the artist herself, who had been dubbed the “High Priestess of Polka Dots.” Polka dots—which represent disease for Kusama—started appearing as motifs in her paintings around age 10; they are present in many of her works, including street performances that involved painting polka dots on nude men and women.
5. Kusama calls her work “psychosomatic,” and continually explores the themes of eternity, emptiness, hallucination, obsession, compulsion, accumulation, and repetition, among others. In her thirties, she focused in particular on entropy, sensuality, and femininity through a surrealist lens.
6. In addition to her autobiography, Infinity Net, Kusama has written eight novels and countless poems.
7. Throughout the late 1960s, Kusama staged over 200 “Happenings” in public spaces around New York City and throughout Europe. The performances included body painting festivals, fashion shows, orgies, and anti-war demonstrations. When she moved back to Japan, Kusama began staging performances on temple grounds in Tokyo—for one, she toilet-papered a graveyard.
8. In 1968, the artist launched Kusama Fashion Company Ltd., and sold her avant-garde clothing and accessory line in “Kusama Corner” at Bloomingdale’s in New York. She staged fashion shows in Rome, Paris, Belgium, and Germany.
9. Kusama moved back to Japan in 1973 to focus on her health and to pursue a more peaceful artistic lifestyle than New York City would allow. Since the mid-1970s, she has lived voluntarily in a psychiatric hospital, and continues to create artwork in a studio nearby.
10. In order to create a body of work that she feels will leave an impact on future generations, Kusama would like to live to be at least 200 or 300 years old. As long as she has the energy to continue creating, she will carry on.
spunktitud3 