Happy Merdeka

Happy Merdeka. May it be significant to you.

[Image: Tunku Abdul Rahman visiting the home of Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock on Heeren Street after proclaiming the date for independence at Padang Pahlawan, Malacca. 1956. Photographer unknown.]

Happy Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

To our Muslim friends - Happy celebrating the completion of 30 days and nights of devotion!
We hope you’re all able to gather and feast with family and friends.

P.S. We are fully open for business this holiday - do drop by :-)

[Image: Celebrating Eid in Afghanistan, by Brad Hunter, Surrey, Canada]

KATE SPADE New York Houndstooth Dress

Depending upon your accessories, this Kate Spade houndstooth silk dress can be corner-office or cocktail attire. Pair with a fitted blazer and sheer black stockings for the day, or a crystal statement necklace and red platform pumps for happy hour.
(RRP US$395)

Happy School Holidays

School is out!
Hope to see you around Plaza Mont’Kiara soon :-D

[Photo: Soft colour series “Good old school days, Japan”, by Nao]

Swoon Alert! ANTEPRIMA (Japan/Italy) Draped Tunic-Dress

Established a decade and a half ago in Milan, Anteprima is the creative output of Japanese designer Izumi Ogino, who had been in charge of Prada’s Japan business in the 1990s.
A perfectly elegant and desirable collection that channels worldly sophistication women, Anteprima not only successfully broke into the exclusive, close-knit Milan fashion circle in the early days, its unique blend of Japanese and Italian ingenuity has since catapulted the brand to AAA+ status, with over 85 boutiques all over the world.

The subtly seductive design, beautiful drape, and quality material make this Anteprima tunic/mini dress a show stopper. Wear it after dark with an elegant updo and metallic accessories for a scene-stealing finish.


Watch the dress in motion at 03:17:-

Anteprima creative director Izumi Ogino is known for her unerring eye.

NEW ARRIVALS - 26 August (Friday)

Cheeriest of Friday greetings, fashion friends!

The 11th hour is upon us - the upcoming weekend will be the last before Hari Raya.

And just in time, our small shipment of NEW ARRIVALS is here to whet your pre-Eid al-Fitr appetite.

Anteprima (Milan-based Izumi Ogino has enjoyed respectable success with her high-end creations), Carmen Marc Valvo (known for his glamorous day and evening wear), Class Roberto Cavalli, DVF, Elizabeth and James, bags from Rebecca Minkoff and Tory burch, Scotch & Soda Men (one of the coolest and most successful Dutch designer labels out there), Desigual Men (Barcelona, Spain-based label characterised by its optimistic, colourful designs), BURBERRY Black Label, and men's shoes from The Frye Company (the oldest continuously operated shoe company in the United States, this 148-year-old company has a long and illustrious history), John Varvatos, Caterpillar (a.k.a. CAT Footwear - rugged, durable work shoes combined with easy, comfortable casual footwear), Wolverine (around since 1883!), Timberland and more.

Plenty of options for indecisive perfectionists who end up waiting till the last possible minute to settle on something to wear. (Not that we know what that's like. No, not us!)

See you soon :-)

[Photo: Peter Dewit, The Hague, The Netherlands]

BAND OF OUTSIDERS x SPERRY TOP-SIDER Collaboration

The collaboration between Band of Outsiders and Sperry Top-Sider has been so extremely well received and loved that the duo had returned season after season with new material and construction that never fail to please and surprise. We love the way the ‘Band’ adds an extra lace hook to the shoes, which really gives a contemporary touch to this classic style.


Artist Ty Williams in Band of Outsiders for Sperry Top-Sider (New York Times T Magazine).


Pharrell Williams in Band of Outsiders for Sperry Top-Sider (Vogue magazine).

Etc.

Volkswagen UK brings out the most wonderful, happy, nostalgic little video to reintroduce their VW Golf Cabriolet.

ALLSAINTS SPITALFIELDS (London) Drape Neck Dress

A perpetually best-selling style, this silk design from Brit label AllSaints Spitalfields was crafted using a vintage dress sample, with the fabric pulled forward on a sewing mannequin to construct the beautiful neck drape.
The style also features hem ties, deep pockets, and a high definition digital print of -in the case of the washed black version- floral and game illustrations inspired by Flemish still life paintings of the 16th and 17th century.
Take this clever and cool construction in an even edgier direction with a leather aviator jacket and lace-up boots, or go glamorous with chandelier earrings and crystal-embellished heels.
(RRP US$270)

SACHIN + BABI (New York) Sequined Printed Dress

Before their label’s official launch in 2008, the husband and wife duo of Mr. Sachin and Mrs. Babi Ahluwalia already had decades of sartorial cred. Once only known for its couture embroidery work for big-name fashion houses, the New York-based Sachin + Babi collection is now appreciated for its unique couture-meets-contemporary aesthetic, picking up quite a starry following along the way. Sachin + Babi, in short, is the fashion world’s newest darling.

Intricately embellished with iridescent sequins, Sachin + Babi’s monochromatic silk dress is sure to turn heads in whatever party room you walk into. Pair with a simple black patent clutch, strappy high heels, and lash of red lipstick.
(RRP US$305)

A.C.N.E. (Sweden) Men's Indigo Shirt

With authentic Old West details redolent of 1900s ranchers’ shirts, this all-purpose denim top with wash-wear-and-go ease and work-shirt durability will have you ready to ride out and roam the wild country. Great with jeans, kaki chinos or black slacks, this timeless silhouette is sure to get much wear in your wardrobe!
Crafted from cotton indigo fabric by ACNE of Sweden.
(RRP €156 / £130 / 995 SEK)

TORY BURCH Reva Jelly Ballet Flats

A clever update of the jelly-styles we all loved as little girls, the Tory Burch Reva ballet flat is a fun jelly shoe that puts those, ahem, Cr*cs to shame. The jelly moulds super-comfortably to your foot’s shape, while the brand’s iconic gold logo plaque takes centre stage. How easy-chic this would look paired with a flirty dress, your favourite jeans, or even cropped cigarette pants and a tailored blazer.
And because it’s all rubber, feel free to slip into these sweet shoes on rainy days, too :-)
Named after Reva Burch, the designer’s stylish mother.
(RRP US$125)

RUGBY RALPH LAUREN Flared Silk Tunic

With just a little bit of smocking here and there, this RUGBY Ralph Lauren silk piece is simple and low-key, yet so incredibly versatile and flattering (thanks to the figure-friendly flared silhouette). The loveliest enhancement for any Boho Chic look with leggings or denim cut-offs (when you’re meeting friends or out shopping), as well as the most elegant tunic-top to go with your work slacks, skinny belt, and statement necklace.
(RRP US$148)
*Available in 2 colours.

Etc.

The awesome Sesame Street has created a pretty hilarious spoof entitled ‘True Mud’ - about a stranger who orders ‘True Mud’, raising suspicions that he is a… grouch.
Can anyone, uh, guess which over-the-top HBO show that parodies?
Happy Saturday!

New Brand Alert: GIRLS FROM SAVOY for ANTHROPOLOGIE (USA)

If you're not already familiar with it, Anthropologie (or “Anthro” amongst true believers) is the fashion mecca in North America (and since March this year, London, too) famous for its romantic-sophisticated clothing and shabby-chic homewares, not to mention amazing art-installation displays.
Detractors may wonder what the big deal is, but they cannot deny the obsessive global following of fans that Anthropologie attracts.
Anthropologie sells an astounding array of 200 women’s fashion brands, almost all of them as exclusives. Every piece feels like a one-off, even if it’s not. (And they make you say, “I want everything!”).

Girls from Savoy is one such hugely popular exclusive brands. The “girls” of GFS are Pam Berick and Melissa Charatz, two longtime friends who parlayed their shared love of feminine silhouettes and vintage prints into Anthro-exclusive threads that have been seen on Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries, and How I Met Your Mother, and on celebs like Dianna Agron and Taylor Swift.


Make a cheery splash at your next special occasion in this Girls from Savoy for Anthropologie crinkled crepe sheath dress, featuring an uplifting mustard-yellow hue and cute waistband buttons.
Pair this retro-inspired style with gold accessories and heels for an outfit that goes from the desk to dinner!
(RRP US$168)


(Top to bottom) The dress -in an alternative colour and print- as seen on style blogger Sydne Summer, the Anthropologie catalogue, and Emma of Glee (Jayma Mays).


Like a unique wonderland in which you experience pleasures in every corner, everything in Anthropologie stores is inspired by vintage. Bee-you-ti-ful.


Hollywood has a deep love affair with Anthropologie dresses.