Mother of Pearl

|| Chanel Spring 2014 || 

|| Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2013 || 

|| Christian Dior Mise En Dior fine jewellery ||

|| Sophie Bille Brahe ||

|| All Sophie Bille Brahe, from top left:  14kt Gold Croissant de Perle Earring, 14kt Gold Ellipse Earring with Freshwater Pearl, Emma Deux 14-karat gold pearl ear cuff, Lisa Petite 14-karat gold pearl knuckle ring ||

Ever since the much-coveted Christian Dior Mise en Dior tribal earrings appeared in Pre-Fall 2013, pearly accessories have made a nouveau comeback. With less femininity and grandeur, pearls are still making a big fashion statement in the simplest of forms. Meek asymmetry beads of Mise en Dior earrings add a modest sense of elegance. Karl Lagerfeld’s oversized Coco elements from Spring 2014 Chanel bring a transformative artistic revolution upon the traditionally conservative gem. The ever so stylish Delfina Delettrez – fourth generation of the Fendi dynasty – also dropped some pearls in her namesake fine jewellery line, with novel craftsmanship. Enjoying much prevalence among the streetstyle stars, Sophie Bille Brahe's pearls are at the top of any wish lists. Get your pearly whites ready for Spring 2014.

繼Christian Dior 2013早秋系列的Mise en Dior耳環掀起搶購熱潮後，珍珠配飾再度流行起來。新型的簡單利落設計比傳統女性化珍珠配飾更有特色，Mise en Dior耳環低調雅致，而Chanel（香奈兒）2014春夏系列的大顆珍珠更成為焦點，猶如一場時尚圈的藝術革命，打破珍珠老氣橫秋的形象。Fendi家族第四代Delfina Delettrez嶄新手工的高級珠寶系列也加入珍珠元素，另外後起之秀Sophie Bille Brahe的簡潔設計最近成為街拍明星的新寵兒。重新演繹後，珍珠將成為2014春夏的點睛飾物。

The Low Down

|| Rick Owens down coat || Topshop embroidered top || H&M leggings || Chanel patent cap toe boots || Celine trapeze bag || Prada sunglasses || Monica Vinader, Tai, Astley Clarke bracelets || Chrome Hearts, Tiffany, Joy Everley rings ||
Photos: K

I do have an embargo on down coats, except for those in disguise. Down outerwear is the warmest thing ever, without the need to look like a wild life creature. But I just can’t get myself to like all that Bibendum – more commonly known as the Michellin Man – silhouette. Rick Owens coats are of the rare breed, such slimming effects (courtesy of the skinny leather sleeves) yet so warm at the same time. Most down outerwear just doesn’t come as edgy as this, Moncler Gamme Bleu/ Rouge as an exception, obviously. And no, the Moncler main line is just puffy pomposity blowing out of proportions. Really.

我真心不太喜歡羽絨服，除非是完全不像羽絨的羽絨服。根據早前的angora（安哥拉毛）事件就能推斷出時尚圈終於開始保育，真皮草已經不太時尚，而羽絨大衣就變成最溫暖的選擇，但我就是接受不了那種米芝蓮人輪胎身影。Rick Owens外衣都獨具特色，穿著羽絨大衣依然是瘦子，顯瘦皮革袖子應記一功。普遍的羽絨大衣除了Moncler Gamme Bleu/ Rouge以外也是沒什麼設計感，而Moncler主線就不值得一提了。

Couture Athletics 高端運動

 Christian Dior || Spring 2014 Couture || Style.com

Chanel || Spring 2014 Couture || Style.com

Sportswear (known as sports-luxe most of the time) has always been around every season, especially in New York. This athleticism somehow extended to couture season, to two of the largest French houses – Christian Dior and Chanel. Airy lightness and futurism swept both runways, Raf Simons had the most glamorous pool shoes bedazzling an architectural space, while Karl Lagerfeld had couture running shoes accompanying every look.

Looks like we have got fashion’s nod of approval to stay grounded in sneakers, with the rise of comfort over vanity. The make of these kicks are not so down to earth though. In tweed, python, pearls, embroideries and lace, which probably takes a million man-hours to hand make. We won’t be seeing much of the Chanel sneakers around, since Susie Bubble mentioned that they are only available if you buy the total look.

I am all for this sportiness, women in this world can live with more fitness, less bunions.

運動風幾乎是一個永恆不滅的時尚趨勢，因為每一季都至少會出現於紐約時裝周。這風竟然吹到一向以華美手工晚裝見稱的巴黎2014春夏高級訂製時裝秀，兩大法國時裝巨頭Christian Dior及Chanel（香奈兒）不約而同地休閒起來。脫離高訂一如以往的華麗枷鎖，來一個未來主義的運動小清新，但依然保留高訂奢華手工及高端範兒。Raf Simons以最華麗的寶石鑲嵌游泳鞋穿梭著充滿建築美感的秀場，而每一位香奈兒模特都以跑步鞋亮相。

看來我們已經得到時尚界的允許，以舒適為大前提穿著時髦運動鞋。可這些高訂運動鞋一點也不平民化，以粗花呢、蛇皮、珍珠、刺繡及蕾絲等手製，必定花上不少人力物力，才能稱得上高訂吧。但我們應該不會有很多機會能親睹香奈兒跑鞋的風采了，著名時尚博主Susie Bubble透露寶石跑鞋只可以跟全套裝束一起購買。

我個人認為運動風鞋履是女生的大喜訊，運動鞋的舒適總比高跟鞋帶來（血流成河）的傷痕來的好。

Vintage in Paris

"Where did you get that lovely gold cuff from?" "It's vintage." And then there would be some ohhhs and ahhhs. No questions asked. Vintage. This word is somewhat mystical, magical and vague, is it overrated? Sometimes I am just a bit skeptical. Does it feel like a go to term when people bought something that looks vintage when in fact it isn't but they didn't want to disclose where it is from so its vintage? 


Vintage pieces are by all means very special, obviously their one off exclusivity makes it impossible for every other person to just go grab one from the nearest Zara. They are the one and only (most of the time) and even more unique depending on what you pair them with. Feels like there is a piece of history attached and that element of fun, nostalgia or glamour is transferred to the outfit too. 


I dragged my friend to quite a lot of vintage stores when we were in Paris, in fact I seem to drag my dear friends out of our way to go to vintage stores and come back empty handed all. the. time. For instance in high school, I dragged a friend to Rellik when we were only allowed out in London for the Saturday afternoon. Vintage stores are always very nice to explore but I never can buy anything for some unknown reason. Could it be that I wasn't looking hard enough? Or am I reluctant to buy pre-owned things? Perhaps growing up in a country where all the fakes come from (fake handbags to fake eggs) made me very doubtful when buying vintage pieces. I am still not sure why but certainly it doesn't put me off exploring. 


There are quite a lot of vintage stores near the Rue de la Verrerie in Paris, I made my friend walk the all the way to Le Marais and I swear she was quite annoyed with me. Along the way you will find Free'P'Star (61 rue de la Verrerie. Paris 4è.), Fripes Star, Mam'zelle Swing (35 bis Rue Roi de Sicile 75004 Paris) and Coiffeur Vintage (Saint Gervais, Le Marais, Paris 75004). I came out empty handed from all of the above. Free'P'Star, Fripes Star and Coiffeur Vintage are all pretty similar, very very low priced, but I guess I was too tired from all that walking to seriously dig for goodies, and they do have some kind of smell. I did find a small selection of fur in Coiffeur Vintage but everything was just way to big for me and it wasn't the fluffy kind of fur. Mam'zelle Swing is a bit different with that 20s vibe, sequins, lace, feathers and all that. Again, most of the stuff did not fit me and my skepticism kicked in because it just didn't look very vintage to me. 


The more upscale vintage stores are Yukiko, La Belle Epoque and La Jolie Garde Robe near Rue Vieille du Temple. I didn't buy anything either but this time my friend actually enjoyed all that walking with me, because Rue Vieille du Temple was a delight. There were quite a lot of interesting stores (big names small names) to look at, especially some local French brands which also carried furs, mostly rabbit and very very fluffy. 


Last vintage stop on our trip was Marché Dauphine, one of the markets of Puces de Saint Ouen. I would say if there would  be a next time for me in Paris, this would be the only vintage stop. Although it is one of the markets among a few, half a day can easily go by walking in this gem packed bazaar. I finally bought this charming purple beady vintage clutch without any skepticism or doubt because I just liked it so much. 

The apparel from Marché Dauphine was awe-inspiring, a lot of sequins (which I am in love with at the moment), lace (a bit too delicate fore my taste) and it was, for a brief moment, the place where I thought I would score something in style of a 20s flapper dress (soon I let go of this thought because I remembered nothing would fit me). 


For some weird reason I kept looking at furs on this trip and I found an amazing vintage Dior cape in one of the stores but again, I was real suspicious because of the price tag. It looked somewhat like this:

Amazing cobalt blue wool cape with fluffy baby blue rabbit fur, god it was so lovely. I also found a white vintage Chanel cashmere cardigan in another shop which was in amazing condition with fine hand painted buttons lined with sparkles, regrettably it was way too big for me as a very oversized boyfriend cardigan. Even the very nice and enthusiastic shop lady who let me try on everything said "Trop grand! Trop grand!". Pas de chance pour moi! 


Generally speaking Paris was quite enjoyable, even though there was no visit to Disneyland and I was on high avoid-getting-mugged alert. My broken French wasn't extremely useful but we got by, I have got to be more familiar with numbers though, I knew how to say "Combien ça coûte?" and "Quel est le prix?" but my blank face just gave me away when they told me how much it costs, Parisians speak way too quickly. Well, at least I knew I should feel good about myself when the nice French couple who helped us take a photo said "Vous êtes très jolie." 

Tory Burch Spring 2011 Preview

SPRING 11. The other day I went to the Tory Burch Spring 2011 preview in IFC Mall Hong Kong. The collection consists of vibrant reds, yellows and greens as always, but this time together with a mix of nature and nautical vibe, with animal patterns and a touch of navy blue.

J'adore this chunky plastic necklace, the plastic pieces are silhouettes of swallows.

This new Robinson Satchel in yellow is lovely too, the top handle and shape makes it very different from ordinary satchels. Featured in Harper's Bazaar, Poppy Red and Cricket Green available on Tory Burch.

Not a big fan of brights, so this outfit became my favorite out of the lot. Together, all that golden tweed, dots and wavy patterns do not seem too much at all.

Neon orange in unanimity with the rainbow brights Spring 2011 trend.

Another Spring 2011 trend, the flatforms, also sported in Chanel and Prada. Yay or nay? 

A little resemblance with the Céline box bag and Hermès Constance? 

Wooden wedges, tan soft buttery leather, perfect for a relaxed spring day.

Leather jacket Calvin Klein

Camel button down sweater Zara

Pointy capped toe flats Chanel

Navy Bayswater bag Mulberry

A bit of green and a bit of sadness...

HM. These are the days when I would stare at my phone blankly hoping the message signal would light up, and then showing a face of disappointment after reading it because the sender was not the one I wanted. Yes, it is the 'can't eat can't sleep syndrome' that I am going through, hopefully it will be over soon. 

Black cardie Zara

Green lace tunic Topshop

Denim shorts Levi's 

Suede booties in taupe Jeffrey Campbell

Fringe leather bag Prada

Bracelet Links

Rings Aldo Dior Accessorize

Nails Rose Insolent Chanel

Preppy fall look

PREPPY. The festive season is near and Hong Kong finally got its first taste of fall. The other day I went for a preppy look with an argyle panelled cardigan and chunky over the knee socks. I added a touch of fall with the amazingly realistic Cherry Chau flower which I got from Selfridges London a couple of years ago. 

Argyle cardigan in cream Topman

Light blue striped shirt Jack Wills

Black shorts H&M

Grey chunky over the knee socks H&M

Grey T strap sandal from Zara

Classic flap bag Chanel

Flower accessory Cherry Chau

Rings Aldo (green), Tiffany and Accessorize (silver)

Bracelet Links 

Nails Chanel Jade Rose and Dior Timeless Gold

Chanel Grunge

GRUNGE. A grunge look is not my favorite look, but it is fun occasionally. 

(Top VS, Shorts Levi's DIY, Bag Chanel, Booties Aldo)

(Rings 3 Tiffanys, 1 Accessorize, Eye bracelet Swarovski) 

I used this Chanel Eye Gloss palette on the eyes. Its perfect for messy grunge eyes.