I attended the Alexis Mabille and Julien Fournié fashion shows at Fashion Week 2013 with Karen and Jessie, presented by The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and organized by FIDe Fashion Weeks.  The gorgeous works of art by the talented French designers were a feast for our eyes. That, coupled with the great company I had, concocted the perfect recipe for a wonderful night out.  

Before I delve deeper into the details of the fashion shows, here are some pictures of my outfit. I picked out an all white ensemble for a clean, crisp look that evening. Subtle details and textures were added to add interest and dimension.

 

Shoes from Vince Camuto

 The intricate lace details were the perfect embodiment of femininity and the main highlight of the outfit. To complete the look, I added a chunky art nouveau necklace in bold hues and a bright blue birkin to lend a pop of colour to the otherwise monotone palette.

The gorgeous lace shirt you see here was actually a surprise find from City Plaza. I love mixing designer labels with street wear as I personally think that this gives the entire ensemble more character and individuality.

Alexis Mabille

French Haute Couturier Alexis Mabille kicked off his show with his A/W 2013/2014 Collection with the mood, colours and silhouettes inspired by the Italian Giovanni Boldini. The collection, in my opinion, was the epitome of femininity with the ingenious pairing of pastel pink, muted dove grey and mint with glamorous touches of gold and silver. Mabille’s signature bow motif was incorporated into every ensemble. Accompanied by tailored silhouettes, dramatic shapes and elegant embellishments, a breathtakingly beautiful collection was created.

Julien Fournié

Closing the show that very evening was Julien Fournié, a recognized invited member of the La Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Fournié has worked with brands such as Celine and Jean Paul Gaultier, and is certainly one of the most notable designers to watch.

For Fashion Week 2013, Fournié was the man of the hour as he showcased his own Haute Couture collection, as well as a collaboration collection with Singapore’s Love Bonito!

Fournié’s collection showcased 22 outstanding looks with an elongated feminine silhouette inspired by Italian painter and sculptor, Modigliani, who worked largely in France. Fournié’s signature silhouette also portrays the Chimera, a mythical animal. 

He showed sinuous silhouettes and exaggerated the elongation with sky-high stilettos by Walter Steiger, strategically placed crystals, leather strips, fur trims and hand-painted prints by his good friend, artist Anbraude. It all looked simple, but the execution was pure Haute Couture in terms of its tailoring and fit.

(Picture Credits: FIDe Fashion Weeks)

If you follow me on my instagram (@reginachow_sg), you may have already seen a preview of my outfit for the MCM Fashion Show at FIDe Fashion Week recently.

My #ootd for the #mcm fashion show at #fidefashionweeks . More pics on reginachow.blogspot.com next week!

As promised, I have also included more pictures of my outfit that day in this blog post. This outfit was put together at the very last minute as I had to rush off to work in the day before heading directly to Marina Bay Sands in the evening for the MCM Fashion Show.

I bought this eye-catching blouse and skirt set from Ching at Far East Plaza a while back and what strikes me most about this outfit is the poufy structure of the skirt, which lends dimension as well as a touch of edginess to the ensemble.

The colour and embossed material are two other aspects that caught my attention. I love the colour gold, and if you notice, most of the bags I carry, including the Loewe Amazona bag that you see here, come with gold hardware. Somehow, gold complements my skin colour much better than silver, which tends to wash me out. 

The embossed material, on the other hand, adds texture and interest to the otherwise plain canvas. I particularly adore how the embossed texture accentuates the sheen of the metallic gold hue and is able to capture all the tones of this brilliant colour from different angles. 

Outfit from Ching

Bag from Loewe

Accessories from Cc Skye and Forever21

Shoes from Aldo

Now, here’s presenting MCM’s Spring/Summer 2014 Collection, “Flower Boys in Paradise”. Featuring a kaleidoscope of tailored, genderless silhouettes and shapes as well as an array of floral and classic Visetos motifs, MCM’s latest collection celebrates the spirit of Spring through carnival colours such as poppy red, electric yellow, neon green and metallic gold, juxtaposed against wild, exotic prints. 

Each piece in this collection pays tribute to sophisticated and urban utopias for discerning globetrotters internationally. The duster coat and motorcycle jacket were given a fun interpretation while MCM’s signature bags were given a unique twist with the ingenious use of pop colours and floral motifs. The result is a fresh, invigorating collection, never before seen at MCM.

 

 

(Picture credits: FIDe Fashion Weeks)

Don’t you just love the convenience of online shopping? Practically anything can be bought online these days, and eyewear is certainly no exception.  Glasses Online contacted me recently for a review and I was truly amazed by their wide range of eyewear, ranging from prescription eyeglasses, frames, contact lenses and branded sunglasses for both men and women. Glasses Online also offers free delivery and free 30 days return if you are not satisfied with your purchase.

I was tempted to try out the coloured contact lenses, but my high astigmatism forbids me to wear cosmetic contact lenses. Hence, I continued browsing through the site and that was when I came across Nunettes! Nunettes are graphic sunglasses that have been featured on fashion magazines such as Vogue and Marie Claire. You may also have spotted them on celebrities such as Lady Gaga, 50 cent and Rihanna.

I was immediately attracted to the J’adore Nunettes as it exudes versatility and sophistication with a touch of edginess. In case you were wondering, yes you can see perfectly well with these sunnies. It is similar to looking through perforated glasses that help to improve your eyesight.

Trendiness aside, choosing the right type of frames to suit your face shape can also enhance your overall appearance. Here’s a guide that the thoughtful team at Glasses Online came up with to help you choose the right glasses. 😉

All readers of Shopping Queen’s Haven will also be entitled to S$10 off purchases over S$50! 

All you have to do is to key in the code GOBLOG10 as stated below upon checkout.

Happy Shopping!

Sorry for the
lack of updates on my blog! I have just returned from a week-long Bali
vacation and all I did was to celebrate mother nature by basking in the
sights, sounds and smells of nature. Sometimes, taking a
break from our daily grind and relishing in the beauty of doing nothing helps to
refocus our energies and rejuvenate our souls. That was precisely what JW and I did and we both
felt absolutely refreshed and ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead (Ok to be honest, I’m actually still suffering from Bali withdrawal symptoms :P). 

I am still in the midst of sorting out my
Bali photos, but here are some pictures from my instagram account ( follow me at @reginachow_sg) to whet your appetite. 🙂

Good morning! Waiting to board the flight to #bali for my idyllic #beach #holiday! Wearing my #hermes #maxitwilly to keep myself warm on the plane!😊

 

Have you ever been to Singapore’s Army Museum or SAFTI
MI? I had a chance to visit both places recently at the invitation of Mindef, who organized an event titled “Think About Our Boys!” for female bloggers to better understand and appreciate what the average Singaporean male has to go through during National Service. It was not easy waking up early in
the morning but it was worth the effort in retrospect.

 

I went along with Karen because we were both curious about the event. Upon arrival at the
Singapore Discovery Centre, we found ourselves strolling along a quiet
lake amidst lush greenery in an idyllic setting. 

 Did I mention that we were both dressed in military themed outfits too? Here’s what I wore:

 Top from Forever21
Shorts (not shown in pics) from Editor’s Market
Shoes from Korea
Bag from Chanel
Kelly Dog from Hermes
Cap from random store in Singapore

 To complement our outfits, the thoughtful organizers made personalized dog tags for each and every one of us.

They also roped in professional manicurists who treated us to military-themed
manicures. 

While I really loved my 1 year stay in Sydney as it has so
much that Singapore doesn’t have, I have also come to realize that Singapore is
where my heart is, because it has formed a part of me – my memories, my
bonds and my beliefs. 

That is why I hope that we can all love Singapore
for who she is, and recognize the sacrifices by our NS boys in our own
little ways. This event reminded me again of the need for national defence to
protect this place where we call home, and to never take peace for granted.

Especially Escada Elixir is a new fragrance in the Especially Escada family. I had the opportunity to try the Especially Escada perfume previously and I loved how it lends a touch of old-world 1920s, Great Gatsby glamour to any occasion. I have been using it regularly, even on my overseas trips, hence you can imagine my delight when Especially Escada Elixir was introduced.

 

 More intense than its predecessor, Especially Escada Elixir features prominent rose notes fused with a unique blend of ingredients, resulting in a sensual, long-lasting scent that is perfect for an enchanting evening.

All it takes to capture that extra touch of mysterious, rosy scent is a little spritz during that magical hour at dusk, just when the day ends, and the evening begins.

 Did you know that 4,000 kg of roses are needed to produce just 1 kilogram of rose oil? Damask roses from Turkey are one of the few roses that can produce rose oil for use in perfumes. These roses create a mysterious and sensual scent, which make them a wonderful base for the Especially Escada Elixir fragrance. The rose notes are further enhanced with ambrette seeds, which give off a woody and musky fragrance similar to Musk. Musk was originally sourced from the Musk Deer, which is now banned. 

To balance the intensity of the base notes, Especially Escada Elixir is infused with oriental elements such as Vanilla and Ylang Ylang from Madagascar, both of which are known to calm nerves and aid relaxation. Finally, for that element of fun and surprise, which to me is what sets the Elixir apart from its counterparts, blood orange (my favourite fruit!) is used to add a clean, crisp and citrus scent to this luxurious fragrance.

Rouse your senses and add a touch of opulence and glamour with this sensual, evocative fragrance, the perfect accessory for your evening escapades!
 

Mistress of Glam (MOG) is where creativity blossoms into exquisite works of art that exude individuality and where jewellery lovers revel in the fine craftsmanship that goes into each and every piece of jewellery.

 

Established in 2007 by owner and designer Queena, Mistress of Glam (MOG) remains a breath of fresh air in this day and age where mass production reigns. Unlike the typical run-off-the-mill jewellery stores, what Mistress of Glam offers is a specially curated collection of jewellery that is exclusively designed and handcrafted by the designer herself. 

Queena shortlisted some of her lovely jewellery for me to review and this necklace is one of the pieces that I selected. 

The intricate details and delicate composition of pearls, roses and crystals  exude a sense of femininity and grace, as well as a vintage charm that makes it the perfect accessory for accentuating soft, cascading dresses or jazzing up a plain neckline. The workmanship is fabulous and even my hubby, who usually does not pay much attention to what I wear, commented on how beautifully made the necklace is.

Necklace from Mistress of Glam (MOG)
Top from Korea
Skorts from Liz Lisa
Shoes from Pazzion
Bag from YSL

I love how every design at MOG is
inspired by gems, crystals and pearls, infused with a touch of vintage
glamour.  Feminine, stylish and glamourous, these are the very traits
that many ladies aspire to be associated with. 

And now, you can fulfill
these aspirations with their one-of-a-kind creations which
are handmade with love from quality materials that are either imported
or hand carried by the designer Queena when she travels abroad. Some of the materials, such as the beautiful clay flowers and owls, are also exclusive to MOG as they are painstakingly handmade by Queena’s equally talented sister. All the accessories that you see on MOG’s website are quality assured as they are made from 14K gold plated and rhodium plated materials which do not tarnish easily. 

  No outfit is complete without jewellery accents and customized jewellery that reflect your personality. Customized jewellery also make treasured keepsakes to commemorate special occasions. MOG provides jewellery customizations for weddings,
bridesmaids or even for yourself, so let Queena work her magic and add
that extra sparkle to any occasion!

  
Queena’s artistic flair is
evident from many of her signature pieces where vintage parts are
juxtaposed against semi-precious stones to retain an old world charm,
coupled with a contemporary twist. 

 Here are some other pieces that I personally adore:

Rings

Necklaces

Earrings

Bracelets

 Other
than jewellery, MOG also offers an exclusive selection of apparel that
are specially handpicked by Queena during her overseas trips. I love shorts sets which are so popular right now, hence no prizes for guessing what my favourite pick from MOG’s apparel collection would be. 

This Mint Martini shorts set is so chic yet whimsical! Complete the outfit with one of MOG’s quirky bracelets and you’ll look impeccable for afternoon tea or weekend brunch with the girls.

 If you prefer a more romantic look, the Black Romance Peplum Top would be perfect. The alluring peek-a-boo lace details and baroque motifs lend an air of mystery and elegance without compromising on femininity and versatility. You can pair this top with pants, shorts or even a pencil skirt to take you to work!

 

 Now, here’s the good news!

Mistress of Glam (MOG) is offering a discount to all my blog readers from now till 30 November 2013. All you have to do is type Regina08 upon checkout to receive an 8% discount off your total bill, applicable storewide (including the sale section) !

Free registered post is also provided storewide (including apparel and sale items), so head on down to Mistress of Glam (MOG) now for your dose of retail therapy!

  
I enjoy sharing my outfit posts regularly and today, the outfits that you see in this post are from a new online shop called OutfitOTD.  OutfitOTD stands for Outfit Of The Day, and as the name suggests, it aims to bring inspiration to to your daily outfit choices with quality, self-manufactured apparels.
 
I have a soft spot for cream lace dresses as they epitomize femininity in a subtle and elegant manner. The Grace Lace Overall Dress does just that and is extremely versatile too. I love its tailored shift silhouette, which offers a clean minimalist look that is perfect for work. You can also experiment with bold accessories to create an edgy yet stylish vibe, like what I did here with a floppy hat, striped persplex clutch and leopard print heels.

 Grace Lace Overall Dress from OutfitOTD

Made of thick, quality lace that is slightly stretchy, the dress accentuates the female silhouette and the cutting is very figure flattering. I particularly adore the slightly flared sleeves, which enhances the overall shape of the dress. Being able to perfect little details like that shows how much thought went into the design of this gorgeous number. 

This lovely dress also comes in 3 different sizes (S, M and L) and size S fits me perfectly.

 

I was very impressed with the workmanship of the dress as well. If you ask me, the quality rivals that of my favourite Japanese fashion labels. In fact, my hubby, who takes most of my outfit pictures, asked if this dress was from a Japanese label that I love!  Well, the good news is, you are able to get the same quality at just a fraction of the cost at OutfitOTD. 😉 

The Emma Embellishment Dress is another dress that I would recommend from OutfitOTD. A cascading chiffon dress with a sparkly gold embellished neckline, this dress has a flattering A-line cutting that conceals any figure flaws. 😉

This dress is made from smooth, quality chiffon and is lined with satin, similar to the material used to manufacture gowns. Again, the workmanship is wonderful and quality is assured. 

 Accessories were kept a a minimum for this look as I did not want to steal the limelight from the beautiful neckline. All I did was to throw on a red cuff to add some contrast.

In my opinion, the apparels from OutfitOTD are worthy investments as their excellent workmanship and classic designs will certainly stand the test of time.

We woke up bright and early for breakfast one Sunday at Grub. Alas, we weren’t early enough and ended up having to wait for about 45 minutes for a table. With so much time on our hands, we decided to take a stroll around Bishan Park, where Grub is located. 

The tranquil surroundings and fresh air awakened our senses. To a large extent, it calmed our nerves too as we were a little upset about the long wait for the table. You know how they say a hungry man is an angry man? The description cannot be more apt. On hindsight, the food was worth the wait and I will share more about their breakfast menu in a separate post.

 Now, for my outfit for the day. I don’t usually get out of the house this early on a Sunday, and JW took about an hour to wake me up from my deep slumber. The minute I got up, I slipped into the first dress that I saw in my wardrobe, threw on a contrasting statement necklace, grabbed my bag and dashed out of the house. 

I actually like the juxtaposition between the pastel dress and bold accessories, which explains the title of this post. To complete the look, I threw on a pair of nude heels to balance out the colours. Hope you like this ensemble as much as I do!

Dress from TippyJess

Bag from Hermes

Shoes from Zara