#fall-winter 2012

Club Monaco Fall-Winter 2012 The Little Scottish Girl

Rain, rain, rain! The weather has been so wet and cold these days, I'd reckon it is time for us to start piling on a little more of those layers. And especially for those of us who work in an air-conditioned environment, it's a lot more colder indoors. With the Christmas season fast approaching, these year end parties are just going to keep coming and we sure don't want to be frozen when it comes to style & fashion this wet and wintery season.

Closing out the year in style, we have the collection from Club Monaco. Scottish inspired, the wardrobe is a mix of soft and structured details that bring out the art nouveau charm of the prints by English textile designer, William Morris. This Club Monaco girl is carefree and playfully glamourous when it comes to pattern, texture and the 1920s embellishment of the clothing. At the heart of the collection, the Scottish looking plaids matched with the herringbone outerwear and at times leather and shaggy fur pieces will strike a cord with you party lovers this holiday period and it's definitely worth checking out if you are looking for some new togs to wear come Christmas day.

Stanley Lui

Herve Leger Fall-Winter 2012 The Ultra-modern Joan of Arc

With the conclusion of the Audi Fashion Festival in May (and it feels like aeons ago, now that we are almost at the end of November), Women’s Fashion Week has descended upon us. From the inauguration of the Men’s Fashion Week in 2010, I believe that the Women’s Fashion Week too, has come a long way. Both have evolved, from featuring up-and-coming edgy Asian designers, to music extravaganzas, to Couture affairs graced by the masters themselves. This year, it is without the trappings of pomp and fanfare of previous years, but I don’t look forward to it any less. In fact, it feels like a much cosier affair.

Opening Women’s Fashion Week this year is Max Azria’s Herve Leger Fall/Winter 2012 presentation. It was… Glamazonian. As if the magic formula of a bandage dress that hugs all the right curves and renders flaws negligible isn’t enough, Herve Leger ups the ante this season with themes that delve deeper and darker, featuring black leather and black fur alongside equestrienne leather body harnesses. Strong and valiant, with knee-high gladiator stilettos to boot, the Herve Leger girl this season is an ultra-modern Joan of Arc getting ready for battle.

What was new were the dresses with varied pleated, just-above-the knee, and flippy skirts. As much as I appreciate the silhouette that every Herve Leger creates, it always felt a little too… bodycon for me. Too short, too tight, too restrictive. But this season, while still retaining its recognizable silhouette, the dresses had a certain free-spirited vibe to them, allowing for more movement. After all, there’s more to embodying the Joan of Arc spirit than merely sitting pretty.

Amanda Mok

Ayesha F. Hashwani Fall-Winter 2012 A Rendezvous Between The East & The West

Rudyard Kipling had once said that "East is East, West is West, and never the twain shall meet". Clearly, it had not occurred to him that the fashion would have become a platform for the East and West to meet. Throughout the revolution of fashion, many designers had presented their own interpretations of what it means when the artisanal sensibility of their tradition and culture is integrated with a more modernly different culture. After attending the launch of Ayesha F. Hashwani (AFH) in Singapore, I have no doubt she is one of such designers to keep an eye out for when it comes to East meets West fashion.

AFH speaks directly to her consumer base as she takes on a contemporary approach to Asian fashion with a subtle hint of sensuality brought forth by flashes of skin. Jewellery, stones and embroidery are adequately used and captures the attention of the viewer without being overwhelming. Indeed, it felt like a visual feast with the intricate patterns on luxurious fabrics such as lustrous silks, chiffons, voiles and charmeuse used to enhance the middle eastern opulence of the brand. The choice of palette inspired by international trends makes the collection all the more flavourful.

Her extremely successful sold out opening is a testament of how well-received her pieces are and appealing largely to the metropolitan, high society guests who were at the event. From the high-octane glamour and contemporary styling, to the agglomeration of concepts like philosophy and practicality, AFH is a celebration of femininity, elegance and understated beauty. Looking at the striking pieces, I cannot help but notice that strong and exotic Pakistani influence in the designs.

Cut to make light and easy for body movement, these enchanting well-crafted pieces from AFH are a collision of the best of two worlds being brought together and will be stocking permanently at the prestigious Ashley Isham Boutique located in Orchard Central. So gear up and get ready to flaunt it!

Enrui Foo

Betina Lou Fall-WInter 2012-13