fashion – Page 11 – Regina Chow

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Fashion: Valentino Inspired White Lace Dress from Seoul Closette

June 28, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

A breezy white dress is a summer essential that never goes out of style, and as I was scouting around for one to refresh my wardrobe, I came across this Valentino inspired lace dress from Seoul Closette, an online store that carries a beautiful collection of apparel and accessories curated and sourced directly from Korea.

It has everything that I love in a dress – intricate lace details that are subtle yet sophisticated, a fit-and-flare silhouette that is absolutely feminine yet flattering, and most importantly, it is made of a light-weight cotton material which is just perfect for the humid climate in Singapore.

I could hardly contain my excitement when I received the dress in the mail. I was smiling from ear to ear, like a child who couldn’t wait to unwrap her Christmas present. My fingers touched the parcel and my heart started pounding as I was a little worried that the dress would turn out different from the pictures online, but my fears were immediately allayed when the envelope opened, revealing the gorgeous dress in its full glory.

Korean fashion is everywhere these days, and it can be difficult to
ascertain from stock pictures alone if an online store’s apparel are
truly from Korea or simply knock-offs from China.

The litmus test lies in the quality of the material and the overall workmanship. As Seoul Closette only brings in apparel and accessories from Korea, the workmanship of the dress did not disappoint. In fact, it looks just as charming in real life as it did in pictures, and my photographs are testament to that.

Dress c/o Seoul Closette

Shoes from Christian Louboutin

Socks from Japan

Versatile, chic and elegant, this lovely number has easily become one of my favourite summer dresses and I can foresee that it will be one of my wardrobe staples too.

*****

S eoul Closette has kindly extended a 5% discount to all my readers. All you have to do is mention my name “REGINA” when you make your purchase (valid from now till 12 July).

Seoul Closette will also be participating in the For Flea Sake flea market on 5 July (next Sat) at Gardens by the Bay (Bay, South) Silver Garden from 9am – 5pm, so do pay them a visit too!

*****

I will be sharing another designer inspired dress from Seoul Closette next week, so do keep a lookout for it!

Meanwhile, have a great weekend!

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Fashion & Beauty: Chacott & Freed of London

June 25, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Chacott and Freed of London, two of the most highly regarded labels in the ballet world, have set up their first South East Asian flagship store in Mandarin Gallery. This is the first store in Asia, outside of Chacott’s home country, Japan.

Some of the world’s best handcrafted pointe shoes are produced by these two labels, making them the go-to brands for professional ballet needs.These brands are also represented by renowned Dance Ambassasdors and ballet dance troupes from Japan, Switzerland, USA and even Singapore’s very own Singapore Dance Theatre.

Chacott and Freed of London have also garnered a loyal celebrity following over the years, including Margot Fonteyn, Vladimir Malakhov, Sylvie Guillem, Nina Ananiashvili, Darcey Bussell, Wendy Whelan, Natalie Portman (lead actress of Blockbuster movie, Black Swan), Suri Cruise, the late Amy Winehouse, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Most recently, Chacott has expanded its product range and expertise to include fashion-forward, premium yoga wear in the Chacott Jazz Dance & Yoga Line, which I personally am very interested in. If you follow me on instagram (@reginachow_sg), you may have noticed that yoga is now an integral part of my life and I would definitely love to have the opportunity to try out Chacott’s yoga wear.

I have yet to share about my exercise routine or love for yoga on my blog, but if you are interested, I frequent Updog Studio at Grandstand for my weekly dose of hot yoga. Even as vast amounts of energy are expended during each hot yoga session, leaving me exhausted and spent, there’s something liberating yet stimulating about yoga that makes it so addictive. Words alone can’t express my fascination, hence I have been urging my friends to give it a try to find out for themselves.

Sorry for the slight digression. Now, let’s get back to Chacott, shall we?

Did you know that Chacott also has a wide range of make-up, under the Chacott for Professionals brand name? Originally created for the needs of the ballet stage, Chacott for Professionals has since gained popularity among stage performers, celebrities and professional make-up artists.

Made in Japan, the Chacott for Professionals makeup range is quality assured. The products are formulated for professional use and are resistant to sweat and liquids, which is perfect for Singapore’s humid weather.

You’ll also be happy to know that it is suited for HDTV and contains UV protection (non-chemical SPF/PA). It uses vegetable extract, natural colorants and is also fragrance-free, colour-free and mineral oil-free, which makes the entire range gentle to the skin and suitable even for children.

How does this range of make-up fare? I attended a make-up demonstration by Chacott at Rosebullet recently, which I will share in a separate post soon, so do stay tuned to this space for more updates.

Beauty Direct is the appointed official distributor and local representative for Chacott (ballet, rhythmic gymnastics, ballroom dance, jazz dance & yoga) and Chacott For Professionals.

Chacott For Professionals is presently available at Chacott Freed of London, SG,Plaza@Cosme 100AM, John Little Plaza Singapura.

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Fashion: Checks & Stripes

June 23, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

As you can probably tell, I have developed a liking for mixing prints and patterns of late, and in today’s outfit of the day (OOTD), checks and stripes take centerstage. Both patterns are rather bold and can look a tad overwhelming when paired together, but a general rule of thumb for me when it comes to the print-on-print trend is to make sure that the two prints are of different sizes for better visual harmony.

In this case, my striped skirt has thick, bold lines that are narrowly spaced, while the checks on my white top are spaced slightly wider apart and drawn with thin lines to balance out the overall look. It also helps that the top I chose is primarily white as that neutralizes the bold black lines on my skirt and really binds the whole look together.

What I love about prints is that all you need is a dose of it to add interest to any outfit. They’re so fun to play around with and should definitely be in everyone’s style arsenal. The trick is to find two prints that go well together and yes, they don’t necessarily have to match!

Arm Accessory from Hermes

Bag from MyJotterBook

Top, Skirt and Shoes from random shops

To complete the outfit, I slipped on a pair of ankle-high strappy wedges for greater visual impact. I got these from Far East Plaza many years ago, and was afraid that the soles would fall off as I’ve neglected them for a while. Well, and just as I expected, they came off as soon as I took these pictures!

I was quite crestfallen when that happened but I’m determined to get them fixed. Fortunately for me, I also had another pair of shoes in the car to prepare for wardrobe malfunctions.

Shoes aside, I would also like to bring your attention to this lovely cigar box bag from MyJotterBook, which stocks exclusive handcrafted bags. Lishan, the owner, usually brings in these bags in limited quantities, so the chances of you running into someone on the street carrying the same bag is almost zilch. I personally adore the rocker chic vibes that this bag exudes, complemented by a touch of glamour thanks to the diamonte studs adorning the edges of the bag.

What do you think of this look?

Here’s wishing everyone a great week ahead! Don’t let the Monday Blues get you down. 😉

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Fashion Fridays: Audi Star Creation 2014

June 20, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

I will be sharing some of my favourite designs from Audi Star Creation 2014 in today’s edition of Fashion Fridays. If you are interested in my outfit of the day (OOTD) for the runway showdown, do refer to my previous post here.

The theme for this year’s regional design competition was “The Asian Perspective”, and I had a fabulous time watching the runway showdown and taking a guess at each designer’s inspirations as towering models strutted down the stage in their beautiful designs.

One of my favourite pieces is this cut-out shirt designed by Hye Ra Rhee of Korea. She wasn’t one of the winners, but her feminine designs inspired by the beauty and resilience of nature’s flora definitely won my heart.

Here’s another cut-out design that I absolutely adore. I especially liked how she sprinkled the cut-out floral motifs all over to add dimension and interest to an otherwise minimalist style.

These effortlessly stylish pieces designed by Rebecca Corrine Lam, who was one of the 3 winners that evening, were some of the other designs that caught my attention. Rebecca’s designs, while reminiscent of traditional paper cutting which is closely linked to Asian culture, have a modern contemporary vibe and a touch of edginess, making them extremely wearable. In fact, I can see myself wearing every design in this collection.

Vietnamese designer Tu Nguyen Hoang’s designs were very fascinating as well. Hoang pushed the boundaries by marrying 3D technology with meticulous craftsmanship, taking fashion design to a whole new level. He may not have been a winner at the competition, but his innovative and futuristic designs were certainly well-received by the audience.

That about sums up my favourite designs at this year’s Audi Star Creation. Which of these designs do you like best?

Meanwhile, have a great weekend ahead!

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Fashion: All White Outfit

June 17, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

White is one of my favourite colours. I love experimenting with bold vibrant colours and prints, but on days when I can’t decide on what to wear, I’ll turn to my white outfits. Not only does white fabric provide the perfect canvas for accessorizing, it also exudes a clean, minimalist vibe and a touch of simple elegance. The epitome of purity and innocence, white outfits are always a breath of fresh air.

This light knit and lace 2 piece set from Japanese label Snidel is one of my most treasured finds during my recent trip to Hokkaido (I will be sharing more shopping tips soon!). I have always been a fan of Japanese apparel because design aside, there is always something special about the quality and workmanship.

In fact, all you need to do is touch the fabric and you’ll know these lovely pieces are made to last. That probably explains why I always stock up on classic pieces like these whenever I have the chance to lay my hands on Japanese apparel.

I am addicted to Japanese skincare too, in particular SKII. I have been using SKII for close to 2 months now and I have nothing but praises for their products, especially their star product, the facial treatment essence. I’m hoping it isn’t psychological, but I really do feel that my skin looks more rejuvenated and glowy, which is probably the reason why I don’t look as sick as I am in reality.

I was still
feeling pretty ill when this series of photos were taken, but I am now
happy to report that I am on my road to recovery. I can’t wait to be in
the pink of health again! The weather is so unbearably hot these days and everyone around me seems to be falling ill too, so please get enough sleep at night and stay hydrated throughout the day!

Outfit from Snidel (Japanese)

Socks from Tutuanna (Japanese)

Accessories, bags and shoes from random shops in Singapore

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Fashion Fridays: Casual Weekend Outfit

June 13, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

I am currently nursing a flu after returning from my recent trip to Japan and China. Whenever I’m ill, all I want to do is dress down and throw on something comfortable. This simple shirt and shorts combination is a no-brainer and absolutely fits the bill. Loafers and a cute apple bag complete the look, and there, I’m all ready for the weekend!

I know I haven’t been updating this space of mine in a while, but please bear with me as I try my best to catch up on lost time. Meanwhile, you can also follow me on instagram (@reginachow_sg) for more frequent updates.

Bag from Kate Spade

Shoes from Chanel

Accessories from Hermes

Belt from Snidel (Japanese)

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Fashion Fridays: Crop Tops and Prints

May 23, 2014 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

Pants from Topshop
Jacket from BYSI
Leatherette Crop Top from MDS
Cuff from Diva

I was initially a little reluctant to experiment with two of the most popular trends right now, namely the print-on-print trend and the crop top trend. Reason being, both trends can be rather tricky to pull off. You could risk looking totally uncoordinated with the print-on-print trend and you will look really skanky if you bare too much of your midriff with the crop top trend.

Having said that, I have to admit that both trends are fun to play with and absolutely fashion forward. In this look, which I wore to the Audi Fashion Festival After-Party, I attempted to combine both trends based on a couple of tips that I read about:

1) Play with proportion and match your crop top with high waist bottoms to expose just a silver of skin.

2) Throw on a blazer to cover your shoulders if you still think it’s too revealing.

3) When matching two prints with similar patterns, make sure that only 1 is graphic while the other is more tame.

In this case for instance, the busy-ness of the prints on my white-based jacket is played down by the bolder prints on my black pants. I particularly love how the solid white crop top unified the clashing prints and pulled the whole look together. Instead of my usual curls, I kept my hair straight and neatly tied up in a side ponytail to balance out the prints and keep humidity at bay too.

When two worlds collide and synergies are harnessed, the results are pretty amazing, isn’t it? Hope you like this look as much as I do.

Have a great weekend! I was supposed to head to Bangkok this weekend, but the recent coup declaration has foiled my plans. Talk about bad timing!

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Fashion Fridays: Audi Star Creation OOTD

May 16, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

In today’s edition of Fashion Fridays, I will be sharing with you my outfit of the day (OOTD) for Audi Star Creation, which just took place on Monday. My pick for that evening was a laser cutout dress in electric blue, complete with matching cutout shoes.

I am drawn to laser cutout designs, especially when the cutouts are juxtaposed against bold colours as they add interest and dimension to an ensemble.

I had a most enjoyable evening, which left me in awe of the inspirational designs created by the 12 finalists. Before the show even began, the air was already bustling with positive energy and it was amazing just to watch Singapore’s sharpest fashionistas walk by. This is perhaps real-life satorial splendour at its best. If you are interested, I will be sharing more on that and the runway show in a separate post soon.

I wish I had time to attend the rest of the fashion shows at Audi Fashion Festival this year. The excitement and exhilaration of seeing new collections is so addictive, I wish the show would never end.

Ching Dress

Zara Heels

Hermes Birkin Bag

Chanel Earrings

Have a great weekend!

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Fashion: Jun Ji Hyun’s Style in “Man From Another Star”/ “You Who Came From The Stars” (Part 2)

May 15, 2014 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

The Korean drama series “Man From Another Star” or “You Who Came From The Stars” may have ended a while back, but Jun Ji Hyun’s (the lead actress who played Cheon Song Yi) stylish outfits have etched an incredibly lasting impression on me. I am sure I am not alone.

If you are interested, you may wish to read my previous post on Jun Ji Hyun’s Style in the drama series here.

In Part 2 of her style journal, I would like to draw your attention to 5 beautiful jackets showcased on the show (I have also included the links should you be keen to purchase them). I was inspired to blog about jackets this time because I will be heading to Japan soon, and the lovely spring weather means that my jackets can finally emerge from the depths of my closet.

1) Burberry Gem Embellished Trench Coat

This attention-grabbing statement coat is a beauty to behold. It is the epitome of femininity and the divine pairing of intricate pastel blue lace with gemstones ensures that you will always be the centre of attention.

2) Louis Vuitton Spring 2014 Ready-To-Wear

Here’s another statement jacket worn by Jun Ji Hyun/Cheon Song Yi at the start of the show. The feather and sequin accents lend dimension and a touch of edginess to the jacket, making it an instant conversation starter.

3) Burberry Long Cotton Gabardine Trench Coat

This classic Burberry trench coat is always a stylish addition to any wardrobe. The flattering design elongates your silhouette and the fact that it comes in a beautiful shade of camel ensures that it will never go out of style. This is certainly a worthwhile investment in my personal opinion.

This lovely trench coat also matches the Burberry Medium Canvas Check Tote Bag perfectly. Looking effortlessly chic has never been eaiser.

4) Valentino Spring/Summer 2014 Coat

If you’re feeling more adventurous, perhaps this zebra print Valentino coat would be your cup of tea. A jacket like this instantly jazzes up any outfit, adding a little pizzazz to the otherwise boring shirt and pants ensemble shown here.

5) Balmain Tweed Blazer

I personally have a soft spot for tweed jackets and blazers. Not only does tweed look and feel absolutely luxurious, it is also the perfect fabric for jackets and blazers because of its structure and durability.

This double-breasted Balmain Tweed Blazer worn by Jun Ji Hyun is versatile for both work and play and I especially like how the gold buttons add contrast and a touch of glamour. This is yet another worthy investment for your wardrobe.

Which is your favourite?

Do you prefer simple yet classic jackets or would you prefer to push the envelope a little with fashion forward pieces?

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Fashion: Fruits Galore OOTD

May 11, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

Some of you may have noticed that I have started a new series of posts titled “Fashion Fridays” on my blog. By dedicating Fridays to fashion on my blog, I aim to bring you an OOTD (outfit of the day) or fashion-related post every Friday from now on. That said, I will still be posting OOTDs throughout the course of the week if time permits.

This bold kitschy poufy dress is the highlight of my OOTD post today. I was a little skeptical when I first saw it on the rack, but the moment I put it on, it completely blew me away. I was surprised that the unexpected combination of vibrant colours, fruits and stripes actually works!

The poufy structure of the dress exudes a unmistakable vintage vibe which really sealed the deal for me. On the other hand, the midi length and fun prints give it a contemporary twist and make it right on trend.

I might be able to take preorders for this dress, so if you are keen, please drop me an e-mail at regina.chow@gmail.com. This comes in two sizes, size M (fits UK 6-8) and L (fits UK 10-12). The cutting is smaller than usual, hence I’m wearing a size M.

Price: S$59.90