Ok, one last 2012 round-up post (I know I'm late) before I launch back into the usual mix of hunting and profiling Singapore and Asia's coolest labels.
This time I'm giving my Bonjour Awards for best second hand store, best collection and best accessories amongst others. But I also have to tip a nod to my favourite international label from the past 12 months.
Hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave your feedback in the comments section below. Normal service is about to be resumed...
Best jewellery label: Carrie K.
After years of mastering hand-made jewellery, Carrie K has proved that passionate artisans can move from one medium to another and continue be as inventive in their craft. Last year’s ‘Heavy Mettle’ collection, made entirely of metallic coloured leather could be easily mistaken for heavy metal but it is as light as a feather. I admire people and brands who keep pushing creative boundaries and experimenting to perfect their craft and Carrie K. embodies that perfectly.
Best vintage/thrift hunt: New2U thrift shop
Probably the best hidden gem I’ve come across last year was this tiny charity thrift shop which I can’t get enough of! I love thrift and vintage shopping and New2U has become more of an addiction that I have to pop by at least twice a month and yes, I always manage to come out with some amazing finds which are unbelievably cheap. Here are some examples in this post and due to popular demand, I’ll be posting a follow up feature with my new finds and some tips for thrift shopping so watch this space!!
Best collection of 2012: Pauline NING for Asia IEX collection and Ong Shunmugam’s Prints Charming
I’m always surprised by emerging designers who put together collections which work so well together and most importantly – every piece is a star. This was the case with 2 Singaporean designers I admire so much, Pauline NING and the stunning collection she’s created as collaboration with Asian Civilization Museum (you can read about it more here) and Ong Shunmugam’s Prints Charming collection which had me at hello during Blueprint trade show. While I’ve been lucky to wear a dress from Pauline NING’s collection during Digital Fashion Week, I’m still waiting for the right occasion which will call for that special Asian-inspired dress from Shunmugam’s next SS13 collection which looks as amazing as the last one.
Best men’s label: -J-A-S-O-N-
This category was probably the hardest one to choose from, as so anmy cool men’s labels have sprung up lately in Singapore. But at the end I had to go with -J-A-S-O-N-, one of the first men’s labels I’ve discovered in town and also because my hubby is a big fan ;-)
Designer JR Chan has managed to take her craft further this season with the inventive yet wearable cuts and quirky pieces shown at DFW.
Best Singaporean label: Hansel
When deciding on this category I had to look in my closet and see which label had truly made pieces which I covet and bought and of course wore over and over again. The answer was Hansel, one of the first labels to come out of Singapore with a unique twist and no shortage of colour. Their last collection ‘The Puffin’ was very versatile and successful and I’ve managed to get my hands on a cute printed blue dress which I wore for filming an episode of local xin msn series Of Love and Hidden Charms a few months ago.
Best international label: Antoni and Alison
With the blog’s focus on Asian labels, I rarely do share my international designers finds unless I feel compelled to. This year, the label which caught my eye the most in London-based Antoni and Alison. I do have a certain weakness for printed silk dresses so no wonder I fell in love with their quirky designs and unusual prints which cannot be easier to wear. Luckily one of my favourite boutiques in town – The Society of Black Sheep – has picked it up and is now selling those gorgeous frocks which remain high on my wish list even in the new year.
This time I'm giving my Bonjour Awards for best second hand store, best collection and best accessories amongst others. But I also have to tip a nod to my favourite international label from the past 12 months.
Hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave your feedback in the comments section below. Normal service is about to be resumed...
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| My focus in the last year has been more on Asian labels but when I come across something as cool and quirky as the printed dress from London-based Antoni and Alison, I cannot not share it! |
Best jewellery label: Carrie K.
After years of mastering hand-made jewellery, Carrie K has proved that passionate artisans can move from one medium to another and continue be as inventive in their craft. Last year’s ‘Heavy Mettle’ collection, made entirely of metallic coloured leather could be easily mistaken for heavy metal but it is as light as a feather. I admire people and brands who keep pushing creative boundaries and experimenting to perfect their craft and Carrie K. embodies that perfectly.
Best vintage/thrift hunt: New2U thrift shop
Probably the best hidden gem I’ve come across last year was this tiny charity thrift shop which I can’t get enough of! I love thrift and vintage shopping and New2U has become more of an addiction that I have to pop by at least twice a month and yes, I always manage to come out with some amazing finds which are unbelievably cheap. Here are some examples in this post and due to popular demand, I’ll be posting a follow up feature with my new finds and some tips for thrift shopping so watch this space!!
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| Run entirely by volunteers, the shop does not exactly look inviting but dig deeper and you'll find some treasures in there! |
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| Who would have thought that a S$1 top would look so good? |
Best collection of 2012: Pauline NING for Asia IEX collection and Ong Shunmugam’s Prints Charming
I’m always surprised by emerging designers who put together collections which work so well together and most importantly – every piece is a star. This was the case with 2 Singaporean designers I admire so much, Pauline NING and the stunning collection she’s created as collaboration with Asian Civilization Museum (you can read about it more here) and Ong Shunmugam’s Prints Charming collection which had me at hello during Blueprint trade show. While I’ve been lucky to wear a dress from Pauline NING’s collection during Digital Fashion Week, I’m still waiting for the right occasion which will call for that special Asian-inspired dress from Shunmugam’s next SS13 collection which looks as amazing as the last one.
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| Striking yet subtle, Shunmugam's Prints Charming collection shows how to do Asian-inspired modern clothes so beautifully. |
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| What a combination of prints and colours... works perfectly for me! |
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| Love this dress from Pauline NING's collection which I wore during DFW |
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| More amazing pieces from Pauline's collection which caught Patricia Field and Andrej Pejic!! |
Best men’s label: -J-A-S-O-N-
This category was probably the hardest one to choose from, as so anmy cool men’s labels have sprung up lately in Singapore. But at the end I had to go with -J-A-S-O-N-, one of the first men’s labels I’ve discovered in town and also because my hubby is a big fan ;-)
Designer JR Chan has managed to take her craft further this season with the inventive yet wearable cuts and quirky pieces shown at DFW.
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| Hubby has this shirt in blue and I have to say everything from the fit to the quirky details and material works really well hence the label topped my list! |
Best Singaporean label: Hansel
When deciding on this category I had to look in my closet and see which label had truly made pieces which I covet and bought and of course wore over and over again. The answer was Hansel, one of the first labels to come out of Singapore with a unique twist and no shortage of colour. Their last collection ‘The Puffin’ was very versatile and successful and I’ve managed to get my hands on a cute printed blue dress which I wore for filming an episode of local xin msn series Of Love and Hidden Charms a few months ago.
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| I love hansel's easy to wear dresses like this colourful one from their earlier collection last year. |
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| And I can only see my collection of hansel dresses expanding... |
Best international label: Antoni and Alison
With the blog’s focus on Asian labels, I rarely do share my international designers finds unless I feel compelled to. This year, the label which caught my eye the most in London-based Antoni and Alison. I do have a certain weakness for printed silk dresses so no wonder I fell in love with their quirky designs and unusual prints which cannot be easier to wear. Luckily one of my favourite boutiques in town – The Society of Black Sheep – has picked it up and is now selling those gorgeous frocks which remain high on my wish list even in the new year.
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| Antoni and Alison have some of the most original and inventive prints I've seen in a while! Love all the dresses!!!! |
