Top 3 Runway Trends

Here I am again, giving you the cure to your Singapore Fashion Week hangover. If you’re on the lookout for new pieces to refresh your wardrobe and put some more pizzazz into your personal style, look no further than the runways of the recently concluded, wildly successful Singapore Fashion Week 2015. This year’s crop of designers was brimming with so much talent and we have definitely taken notice of their designs and their inspirations as well. There was so much creativity and great ideas on the runway this season, we’ve definitely got more than enough to last us until the next fashion week.

Trendspotting during Singapore Fashion Week was so much fun! It was an amazing experience to see how different minds translated and interpreted the trends of our time. Here’s my quick rundown of the top 3 trends on the Singapore Fashion Week runway:

1. Bohemian with an Edge

Can I really do a trend roundup without including Thakoon? This international design superstar definitely lives up to his stellar reputation with his collection. The 70s bohemian fashion movement has certainly been a major trend player lately, and Thakoon presented his own take on the boho style and spirit.

Knee-high gogo-inspired boots in bright red, lightweight mock turtlenecks, and vintage frame bags sashayed down the catwalk. With an earthy color palette of burnt orange, navy blue, brown, and beige, Thakoon stayed true to the decade but put his own twist, of course. Embellishments, flowing pleated skirts, and athletic stripes were modern details that elevated his 70s look.

Photos: Singapore Fashion Week

2. Japanese Inspired

Inspired by one of the ancient cultures of Asia, there were lots of Japanese inspiration on the runway. Textiles from the region and obi belts abound. Ong Shunmugam’s cruise collection featured intricate Japanese textiles beside menswear-inspired pinstripes. Styled with super trendy white sneaks, the juxtaposition of the stripes with Japanese prints and patterns is the new go-to print on print for stylish it girls. This is definitely an ensemble that you should cop, it’ll make for a double tap worthy #OOTD.

Silvia Teh, the winner of the Harper’s Bazaar New Gen Design Award, also took a cue from Japanese culture and fashion. Teh also used stripes, but in a different way. Graphic, solid and thick stripes adorned her creations with girly schoolgirl skirts and elegant satin fabric finishes.

Ong Shunmugam

Photos: Harper’s Bazaar

Silvia Teh

Photo: Singapore Fashion Week 

3. Tailored Minimalism

The minimalist trend has been going strong for years now. Two designers made standout collections featuring this trend, Dion Lee and Velda Tan’s Collate The Label.

Dion Lee’s ultra chic and slightly futuristic netting details beautifully offset his stark and forward thinking designs. With a neutral palette accented with jewel tones, Dion Lee showed off his incredible tailoring skills with an array of curved sleeve cuffs, structured shoulders, and strategic cut-outs.

Velda Tan’s Collate The Label cemented her place in the Singaporean fashion scene with her collection of sporty yet luxe wear. I loved her black, white, and pastel color palette. It was so on-trend, and it is so perfect for dressing stylishly in the tropics. The curves and sharp angles interspersed within each of her pieces is a beautiful sight to behold.

Dion Lee

Photos: Singapore Fashion Week 

Collate The Label

 Photos: Singapore Fashion Week

What other trends did you spot on the runway? Which trends are you thinking of snapping up for your wardrobe? I got my heart set on these 3 trends! It’s definitely going to make shopping for the next season easier when I know which trends to integrate into my look.

The Hat Trick

Hats are an often overlooked accessory. Up your head wear game and let this stylish topper take center stage in your ensemble. More than just a great way to ward off the sun and stay protected from its harsh rays, hats are fashionable accessories that can instantly transform your look.

Here is a look I chose for champagne and strawberry afternoon with my girls!

Once I have put on the tunic and pants it was obvious that something was missing and thats when I reached for the hat…

Nothing like a chic woven hat with a not-too-wide brim to increase the chicness of your outfit. The history of hats within fashion lends it an innate vintage and sophisticated feeling, something that this outfit could certainly benefit from. Topping off this look with a hat made it more polished, pulled together, dainty, and coquettish.

I love how this little hat by Furla enhances the feminine vibe of my look. It makes my breezy purple tunic top, white skinny jeans, and nude bow embellished heels look all the more summery and elegant. This is my take on a casual yet prim and proper look.

And of course no look can be complete without your favourite bag. This classic Kelly is a lovely addition not only to this outfit but to my “Mine Forever” bag collection. Never letting this baby go…

One of my personal styling tricks is to wrap the handles of my purse in a beautiful silk scarf. Obviously I didn’t come up with the idea itself, but I really wish it was more popular! It is a subtle and unexpected yet effective way to incorporate prints into your look while personalizing your ensemble at the same time.

Devil is in the detail, right?  

Lastly, I would like to add that white pants (or jeans if you prefer) are one of the top 25 basic wardrobe pieces (hint hint hint).

Got your hat ready? Now you’re all set to have some fun under the sun. No need to sacrifice fashion when you want to frolic outside on a beautiful day like this one. Seize the moment and enjoy these wonderful days, there is nothing like it. Wear something comfortable and stylish and let your hat make a major statement.

How about you? Will you keep your hat on? 😉

 

Layer It Up: 13 Street Style Looks to Steal

Layering is an art that all fashionistas aim to perfect and excel in. It’s not just simply about piling one piece of clothing after another. Layering is all about mixing textures, playing with silhouettes, combining colors and harmonizing trends together in order to create a multidimensional visually interesting and appealing look.

Typically associated with the colder months of the year, layering has now spilled over to the warmer months. Style soldiers don’t just layer in the fall or winter, summer layering is a legitimate fashion movement too. Layering takes some skill and fashion savvy and when you’ve done it as expertly as these street style looks have, you can undoubtedly call yourself a true blue fashionista.

I’ve handpicked 13 of the best street style looks that show layering mastery. Jot down some notes, and apply your fashion learnings to your own style.

All white is a quintessential summer outfit. An unbuttoned silk shirt in a burnt orange hue gives these white separates a punch of color. It also adds an element of undone casual glamour.

Refresh your fall layering by wearing a pair of sheer tights underneath your super skinny jeans, it’ll be a nice and alluring sartorial surprise. Keeping the blazer fully buttoned also creates a stronger color statement when combined with blue and red.

Use summer closet items to keep your fall outfits interesting. A pair of leather shorts and white sneakers looks unexpected yet totally apropos with a chunky knit, a cozy scarf, and a luxe camel overcoat.

A sliver of your denim shirt underneath a warm cable knit sweater is grandpa chic meets urban styling. The cuffed jeans and red clutch are much needed details that sweeten up this look.

Leopard + stripes + buffalo check print equals a print on print layering extravaganza. This look manages to meld all those prints together without having it clash, the key here is choosing it in more neutral color palettes that are easy to mix and match.

When it gets way too cold that one coat can’t handle it, layer two on! There’s no fashion rule that says you can’t anyway. Putting on a nude coat over a buttoned bold colored one is a great style fix for those extra chilly days, it’s fashion without sacrificing comfort at its finest.

Leopard print is so chic, timeless, and versatile that most fashion pundits consider it a neutral print. A leopard print topper, like this one, is an excellent way to upgrade an all black ensemble. The leather moto jacket peeking out hints at texture layering.

A boxy leather shell top and a white classic button-down isn’t the typical match, but when layered together it’s a match made in fashion heaven. This closet pairing works brilliantly because of the texture as well as genre contrast, the traditional vs. modern and the tough leather vs. the relaxed white cotton/linen.

A clever styling trick to keep warm and snug is layering two scarves together. It’s also a great way to introduce more prints into your everyday attire. Just make sure that the prints you choose for your scarf will harmonize and complement each other, almost like they were meant to be worn together.

Get into the sport trend by opting for a varsity jacket to wear under your coat. Ditch your layering staples, i.e. your fave denim and leather moto jacket, for a day and take the athletic trend out for a spin.

Summer layering can be a bit tricky. This street style look, however, makes it looks effortless and easy. The sheer panel at the top makes it still look breezy and light, even with the leather jacket on. The flannel layered underneath just adds that extra print detail. The top handle bag and neon-laced sneaks are surprising accessories that work brilliantly in completing the look.

A T-shirt in a similar hue as the sweater is an ingenious layering tip that you can easily copy and personalize. The monochromatic layering maintains the ease of this look.

 

Leave it to Olivia Palermo to introduce and successfully pull off luxurious layering like this. A emerald green fur vest and a tweed coat with leather sleeves? Yes, please. She ups the ante of her jeans and sneaker combo further with her exotic croc skin frame bag.

 

Inspired yet? I know I am. Get to your closet stat, and start experimenting with layering different pieces, textures, and colors. Have fun ladies!

All Images from WhoWhatWear

 

 

Style Icon: Kate Moss

Kate Moss will go down in fashion history as one of this century’s most influential tastemakers and style setters. Moss morphed from iconic supermodel to trend starter and eventually, to a bona fide fashion designer. Her fashion collaboration with Topshop is the definition of her personal style philosophy, she’s always loved mixing up her looks with high street brands. As a teenager, she didn’t have that much money so she scoured London’s Portobello Market for vintage or secondhand clothing. Her effortless way of mixing and matching are definitely reflected in her iconic style.

Here are my picks for Kate Moss’ most iconic looks:

Image from Harper’s Bazaar

Although well-known for her edgy rock n’ roll style, she shows us that she can glam it up too. This canary yellow dress is pure red-carpet perfection.

Image from Harper’s Bazaar

Leopard print is part of Kate’s signature style. She pairs it with flared jeans and a platform pumps, and a little subtle print-on-print with her striped tee.

Image from Harper’s Bazaar

Denim cutoffs and Minnetonka boots was a late 00’s trend that Kate pioneered. The rest of the world followed suit, of course.

Image from Harper’s Bazaar

Shown here at the launch of her Topshop collaboration, Kate shows everyone how to combine street style pieces like a leather jacket with a high fashion emerald green crepe gowns.

Image from Harper’s Bazaar

Famous (and notorious) for her love of fur, Kate Moss wows clad head-to-toe in shades of powdery gray.

Image from Harper’s Bazaar

Short hemlines are another Kate Moss signature.The body conscious cut of the dress is tempered by the absence of accessories.

Image from Grazia Daily

Kate Moss is often credited for popularizing slip dresses and ballet flats. Here she is looking flawless as she walks through the streets of London.

Image from Grazia Daily

Fitted tuxedo jacket and skin tight leather pants, this is quintessential Kate Moss. She always gravitates toward the rock n’ roll style and menswear-inspired cuts and tailoring.

Image from Grazia Daily

 A thigh high double slit with low cut neckline revealing a sheer corset, Moss is an expert at showing skin without looking cheap.

Image from Elle UK

This Alexander McQueen piece is again testament to how her personality shines even through the most elaborate designs. This is a valuable fashion for everyone, you wear the dress, don’t ever let it wear you.

Image from Elle UK

Although all black is her style go-to, Kate Moss deftly embraces color in these fluid green wide leg trousers. She still keeps the proportions crisp with a tailored blazer.

Kate Moss is one of my style inspirations. I hope you learned a thing or two from her style. Remember, fashion is not about brands. It is about blending together different elements to step out in a look that is uniquely YOU.