By Adele Chan
Earlier this week, my colleague Joel attended Casio’s launch for their new TR-M11 selfie camera, and wrote about it here. I just got my hands on the actual camera and had a lot of fun playing with it. This is the first photo I took with it, and the same photo with a circular cropping just for the fun of it:
My first thoughts on the camera: it’s cute, the settings are pretty fun, and the photo looked cute too on the little screen. Upon exporting the high resolution photo to my computer, however, I got a bit of a shock; my face and skin is completely blurred over (you know, that “mei tu” effect). It’s not a bad thing, but as a person who usually shoots with the Nikon Df, I’m always expecting clear, natural photos and this one looked too filtered for me.
Anyway, this “beauty” filter is really a personal preference, and so I took the TR-M11 around the office and got everyone who was in to take their own selfie with their choice of settings. Have a look at the results:
Joel & Marcus
Adli & Jade
Pailin & Patrene
I think the guys had more fun with the camera than the girls. In fact, when Marcus passed the camera back to me, he said that it was a lot of fun — and you can tell from his picture that he had a good time shooting himself with it. Would I buy this camera for myself? No. I’m not from the selfie generation and don’t like taking a lot of pictures of myself. But would this make an excellent gift for a female millennial? Definitely! If you can deal with the price tag, that is.
The Casio TR-M11 will retail for $699, and will be available from end October 2017 at authorised retail outlets like Best Denki, Harvey Norman, and Digibridge. The camera is available in white, violet, vivid pink, green, and pink. Get the millennial pink.
By Adele Chan
I have to be honest, Levi’s jeans have never flattered me. I discovered jeans in secondary school; I wore baggy Levi’s back then — they were not flattering, but were all the rage, and I bought my pairs from Far East Plaza. Then in my university years, I was introduced to Australian labels like Tsubi (now called Ksubi), Sass & Bide, and the Australian version of Lee jeans, which were super skinny and had slimming washes like inky navy. In my first few years in the media, my taste for denim was all about Topshop and Cheap Monday. Fast forward to more than a decade later working on fashion magazines, I have evolved into more sophisticated but still edgy labels like Acne Studios and Saint Laurent (no seriously…I work hard for them); but this year, Levi’s has taken a surprising revival in my wardrobe.
This is when the brand has updated their cuts to more modern, flattering fits like the 505C — “C” standing for “custom”. It’s a straight cut that’s less baggy than the original version (hence custom, and also more slimming). I got myself a pair from the Orchard Central store last year, and wear them often enough that the original distressed rips in the knees have become holes. You can check out this cropped version on zalora here, and it’s on sale too!
This year, Levi’s introduced what they call “altered denim”. These are remastered and deconstructed styles based on classic designs. Their tag line: Vintage trends with a modern twist. I love it. When I received the press release on Altered Denim a few months ago, I couldn’t wait for it to launch in store, so I found it on ssense.com and bought this pair of 501 Skinny Altered Jeans in black:
Also, I’m really glad I did because this style was not brought in to the Singapore Levi’s stores. What they did bring in is the 721 Altered High Rise Skinny Jeans which, as its name implies, sits high on the waist, and is slim through the hip and thigh area. It comes in two washes — washed black and indigo, with both colours having their own unique deconstructed details. So you may want to get both:
Design details include twisted seams, covered coin pockets, staggered shadow patches and darts. All these touches and embellishments aside, the cut is actually very flattering. I tried on both colours and love the way they feel. Importantly I think I look slimmer, and that’s what jeans are all about, right? The Levi’s® Altered Collection is available at selected Levi’s® Stores in Singapore and online at zalora.sghere and here.
Loewe has had quite a transformation these past few years, from being a quiet luxury leather goods company to now one of the most desirable brands under every fashion editor’s radar. Creative director J.W. Anderson, who we remember from collaborating with Converse and Uniqlo earlier this year, is to thank for bringing this dark horse into the spotlight. We all love Loewe’s puzzle bag for its irreverent silhouette and multifunctional design, and it seems like there’s another gem from their latest FW17 collection that’s making a beeline to the closets of social media influencers everywhere.
Slow clap for Loewe, anyone?
Alessandro Michele for Gucci’s and Balenciaga’s Bernie Sanders logo T-shirts have blown up in the past, and from what we’re seeing on Instagram, this toast T-shirt can only go unnoticed for so long. And considering it comes from a luxury designer brand, we feel that its price point is actually relatively affordable.
What’s not to like — it’s a t-shirt with a tacky (in the best way possible) toast print on it! We don’t know whether to brand it a minimalist or maximalist piece, but it’s definitely an easy way to rep the brand. Pair it with menswear inspired suits or items from Yoox’s latest street wear line and you’re ready to go!
If one slice isn’t enough to satiate your hunger, check out more pieces from Loewe’s collection, including designs that come in a lollipop print!
Faster deliveries. Easy access. All during peak hours. These are just some of the promises rolled out by McDonald’s and UberEATS, which jointly announced a new delivery partnership yesterday (Oct 24), that offers customers the ability to order their favourite McDonald’s meals via the UberEATS app.
“We are excited to introduce a new level of customer convenience by partnering with UberEATS, having been in the delivery business for 15 years,” said Kenneth Chan, Managing Director, McDonald’s Singapore.
“The ease of the UberEATS app will complement our existing 24-hour McDelivery platform, and provide our customers greater accessibility to their favourite McDonald’s food delivered right to their doorstep.”
“Wait, what?” you may be asking yourself. What’s going to happen to McDelivery? Well, absolutely nothing. The service that has kept many our tummies full for the past 15 years will still be around, and it’s not going to take a backseat. Instead, UberEATS is meant to complement McDelivery as an additional delivery option.
McDonald’s menu items will be offered at the same prices on UberEATS. There is also no minimum order required. However, customers will be charged a delivery fee of $3, with an additional surcharge during peak delivery times. UberEATS also does not operate 24/7 like McDelivery, operating from 8am to 11pm.
If anything, it’s a fantastic opportunities for McDonald’s to increase delivery output, without actually investing in extra staff, all the while receiving further exposure via the UberEATS app – pretty ingenious, if you ask us.
In other Uber news, you can now ferry your pet around Singapore with UberPET. Download UberEATS from the App Store or Google Play.
We all grew up with fairytales and Disney, and secretly we all want our own fairytale ending even if we don’t really want to admit it. While Disneyland brings us a little respite from the real world from time to time, most of the usual Disney collaborations involve cute little characters like the Tsum Tsum Lip Smacker series that includes all the Disney princesses and Mike from Monsters Inc. and the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse printed Superga shoes. Yes they are cute, but they don’t exactly make you feel like you’re living in a fairytale.
Paolo Sebastian is renowned for their beautiful, romantic gowns that will be the star of any formal gathering or wedding. This time, they really outdid themselves with their latest Disney collaboration – the Once Upon A Dream line of dresses for Paolo Sebastian’s Spring/ Summer 2018 fashion show that will really allow you to channel your inner princess.
Feast your eyes on these ethereal gowns, which were inspired by the original Disney classic movies. Your fairytale dream? Might not be just a dream anymore, because everyone deserves to feel like a princess.
Tulle ball gown with fairy dust inspired beadwork, featuring the lyrics of Cinderella’s ‘So This is Love’
Beaded ball gown with clock work embroidery inspired by the stroke of midnight
Paolo Sebastian, who is from Australia, is probably known best for his wedding dresses, which is why you’ll see a lot of white in the line. We aren’t complaining though, because the closest opportunity most of us girls will ever get to feel like a princess is on our wedding day!
“Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might. Have the wish I wish tonight.” – Pinnochio
Floral and nightingale embroidery and the lyrics of Cinderella’s ‘Sing Sweet Nightingale’
We love how Paolo Sebastian also manages to weave actual quotes from classic Disney songs into his dresses without making them look too slogan-ish. You probably have a go-to Disney song (mine is Under The Sea from The Little Mermaid), and there is nothing more exciting to be able to wear your favourite quote on you! Plus it requires less commitment than a tattoo.
Forest scenes and deers running along the hem – probably channelling some Snow White vibes here
The classic high-collared Snow White dress because you want to feel like the fairest one of all
This one is inspired by Sleeping Beauty’s ‘Once Upon A Dream’
More Sleeping Beauty-inspired dresses! This one is the Kiss of True Love, featuring hearts and crowns embroidery
Floral and branch embroidery to match Sleeping Beauty’s ‘I Wonder’
Our favourite warrior princess, Pocahontas, and the Colours of the Wind
The Little Mermaid’s whimsical take on ‘Part of Your World’
Sleeved fishtail gown with 3D rose and thorn embroidery
A modern reinterpretation of Belle’s gown in Beauty and the Beast
Of course, if you were just looking for a more bad-ass dress because white might be too ‘angelic’, this one inspired by Princess Jasmine and Aladdin is perfect to a T.
Yes, it’s happening.
Michael Bay, best known as the director and executive producer of the Transformers movie franchise, is set to produce an upcoming live-action Dora the Explorer movie alongside his Platinum Dunes’ partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller.
The appointment might seem like a drastic departure from the humanoid Autobots and Decepticons he’s familiar working with, but reports are that Bay’s take on Dora the Explorer will be more mature than the hit Nickelodeon series version we used to watch growing up as kids. No specific story line details have been released, but rumours are that the movie will feature a teenage Dora who visits her cousin Diego in the city. The rest will be up to our guessing and interpretation.
From what we can remember, Dora was a seven-year-old girl who went on numerous adventures in the jungle with her pet monkey, Boots, solving various riddles and interacting with other animals like the mischievous Swiper. If the latest live-action Dora the Explorer is any semblance of its TV series counterpart, we can’t wait for the appearance of Boots, who we can only hope will be played by our favourite Crystal the Monkey from the Night At the Museum and Hangover movies!
The movie has been almost two years in the making, and after a series of shuffling of manpower, it’s finally ready to be produced. Scriptwriter Nick Stoller, who has a strong comedy resume from the more risque Neighbors to kid-friendlier titles like the Muppets reboot, is set to do up the screenplay for this movie. We don’t want to complete ruin a fond memory from our childhood, but we’d certainly enjoy a spunkier Dora who won’t have to wait for our yeses or noes to react to (what we’re guessing will be) life-or-death situations.
And, no, the official trailer for the movie isn’t out yet. Don’t be fooled by CollegeHumor‘s parody version on YouTube, with Ariel Winter from Modern Family starring as a no-f***’s-given, 007-esque detective shooting guns and detonating explosives… heyyy, that kind of sounds like the Dora Bay might be setting out to create.
Long legs and bright pops of pink – what’s not to like? At local café Bicky & Brew, flamingo motifs adorn as much blank space as possible. From the vibrant turquoise and pink wallpaper to their intricately designed takeaway coffee cups, Bicky & Brew serves as an Instagrammable haven to those located in the Telok Ayer area.
Not that the CBD’s lacking their daily cup of Joe with the number of cafes strewn through Club Street. But what’s special about Bicky & Brew is their unique design and honest dedication to providing patrons with good food and good coffee.
Although the front façade is plain, with a simple ‘B&B’ written in a cursive script with an intertwined flamingo (hot pink, of course!), the bright interior is perfect for a quick catch-up with a friend or colleague. Take note that it’s a very small space and you’d have to balance all your items on a narrow ledge.
The term “Bicky” is Australian slang for biscuit. With owner Erin coming from the south of Sydney, she’s brought with her Aussie-cafe vibes where you can even try a flat white – where the milk is prepared to produce micro foam, to give you that smooth feel with a hearty coffee flavour.
Besides biscuits, Bicky & Brew also serve homemade treats including a variety of pastries, Bircher muesli and chia pudding. All baked goods are freshly made in-house. Bicky & Brew is located at 31 Club Street, #01-02. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5pm. Tel: 9129 7114. Header Image: xJenn3 Photography
Buying presents can be stressful. It’s easy to worry about getting the wrong gift, especially when it comes to Christmas. And as the day approaches, your panic-stricken mind goes into overdrive. Needless to say, it sucks. Luckily, the ideal gift does exist and it’s all thanks to Fossil.
Whether you’re going for style or functionality, Fossil has got you covered. The fashion brand’s range of hybrid smartwatches and bags combine both aspects brilliantly, comprising of classic designs and modern features, as seen in Song Ji Hyo and Ji Chang Wook’s recent campaign with the brand.
Celebs don’t get classier than Song Ji Hyo. The Running Man star completely rocked Fossil’s third generation of touchscreen smartwatches (which we introduced to you guys last month), although the focus here is the brand’s latest Q Neely Hybrid Smartwatch – an accessory that Ji Hyo pulls off with consummate ease.
Slim, sleek, and sophisticated, the Q Neely Hybrid Smartwatch has the stylistic qualities of a fashion watch and the futuristic features of a smartwatch. For instance, it gives you smartphone notifications, activity tracking, plus it’s charge-free. Shutterbugs can also snap a photo and have it appear remotely on their phones.
If you’d like to turn things up a notch (and be a complete market spoiler), get your girl the Q Neely Hybrid and pair it with either the Rachel Satchel or the Maya Small Hobo. The former is made out of rubberized leather, has detachable handles and interchangeable straps, while the latter is more casual, being made from glazed pebbled leather.
For the ultimate chic, go for the Rachel Tote. It has everything to desire in a bag, with plenty of style and substance. Made from coated leather, the tote comes with a detachable multifunctional pouch and interchangeable straps. Plus, that classic shopper silhouette design is to die for. Talk about cream of the crop.
Guys deserve to be spoiled too, and Fossil knows exactly just how. The brand’s third gen of touchscreen smartwatches looked fabulous on Ji Chang Wook, and they are a sure-fire way to score some dude pride. So are the Q Commuter and Q Grant Hybrid Smartwatches – slick accessories that are perfect for the modern men.
Like the Q Neely Hybrid, the Q Commuter and Q Grant Hybrid are swanky watches that have plenty of tech appeal. Users can check smartphone notifications, track their fitness activities, snap remote photos, and even control music on their phones – all without the awkward designs of certain smartwatches
As for bags, fashion forward men should go for carriers like the Defender Backpack; a cotton canvas gem that has twill lining and a comes in grey and navy, or the Buckner Workbag; a casual workbag that gives off a rugged vibe while being handy at the same time with an exterior zip compartment.
No matter what you choose to get, just remember that you’ll be getting the best of both worlds from Fossil in terms of form and function, so buying a Christmas gift should be a whole lot easier now. Fossil’s Holiday collection is now available at all Fossil retail stores, TANGS (VivoCity & Tang Plaza), and coming soon to Zalora and Lazada in mid November. Images: Fossil
Good news caffeine lovers, Starbucks’ annual holiday handcrafted beverages and Christmas merchandise is back in stores this Oct 25! With favourites like the Toffee Nut Crunch Latte, Peppermint Mocha, and Joyful Medley Tea returning, Starbucks is kicking up the festivities with the launch of a new Vanilla Nougat Latte.
Yes, we can’t wait to try them ourselves – the Vanilla Nougat Latte is a concoction of Espresso, nougat sauce, and French Vanilla, with a hearty topping of whipped cream, mixed berry drizzle, and strawberry almond nougat candy.
Starbucks has been giving us homely drinks lately, with their last offerings of Pumpkin Spice and Maple Pecan proving to be huge hits.
Christmas this year has Starbucks welcoming the return of the Christmas Blend, which has spicy layers balanced with a silky rich texture. The Starbucks Christmas Blend Espresso Roast and Starbucks Christmas Blonde Roast also promise to add holiday cheer in terms of both taste and aroma.
Other festive delights include creamy chocolate and milk Starbucks Pudding Cups, baked Cranberry Apple Strudel that has the aroma of ripened apples, and a loaf that is chock full of cranberries and pistachios. For something savoury, go for the quiches and puffs that are crammed with turkey bacon, cheese, pumpkin, and mushroom.
Starbucks is also launching this season’s Christmas merchandise line, available in two collections: “Night Forest” which features woodland creatures and “Holiday Luxe” which has traditional festive colours and fun patterns.
From 25 October 2017 onwards, there will be new and exciting Starbucks specials with Starbucks’ Gift of the Week.
For the first edition, you can purchase a pair of Christmas Bearista Key Chains and a limited-edition Starbucks Christmas Cup Card at $19.90 a set. Available while sets last. Find out more at www.facebook.com/StarbucksSingapore to keep in the loop for each week’s festive treat. Images: Starbucks Singapore
TV commercials get a terrible rep for being cliché, repetitive, and a hard sell of products and services. That’s why we have we have DVR, to skip through the lag time between the scenes of our favourite TV shows. Or better still, we get those shows online.
Some commercials, however, have the power to transcend the attention span of even the most impatient viewers. There are those that are funny, others which are tearjerking, and some that are just straight up bizarre. Just take an example that daytime talk show host Ellen Degeneres shared with her viewers on her TV show two weeks ago and pick a guess which category this commercials fits into.
To put into perspective what you just saw, a bunch of kids were enjoying milk delivered to them through a gigantic, floppy alien cow teat — with perfect aiming we may add — that extended from a UFO wrapped in cow decal. It’s hard not to see why this commercial had Ellen’s audience’s jaws dropping, from shock as well as from laughter.
But Ellen did not just stop at showing it once. She has been incorporating it into several segments of her show since then, such as quizzing her audience on it and featuring it in her parody trailer of the new Star Wars movie.
This is certainly one of the more whacky commercials Japan has produced so far. We can only go so far as to wonder what convinced this milk company, Rakunoh Mother’s marketing team to string such random ideas together. And from their past commercials, it’s clear there’s some kind of narrative thread going on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL3WO-No8lk
As much as we secretly love these commercials, we’re not sure if we can sit through a third instalment to this series. It’s fun once or twice, but don’t you think another one would just be milking the idea dry? Header image: The Independent
When it comes to cute pop culture collabs; few brands do it better than :CHOCOOLATE. Sailor Moon, Gudetama, Dr. Slump Arale, Looney Tunes, and Tsum Tsum – these are just some of the quirky collections that the clothing brand has doled out in recent months, with the latest being a whimsical Alice in Wonderland series.
Revolving around gorgeous shades of pink and red, this candy-coloured fairytale collection is based off the classic 1951 film produced by Disney, with prints of Lewis Carroll’s beloved characters such as Alice and Cheshire Cat making their way to a medley of sweatshirts, hoodies, and sweaters.
Oversized Sweater (Ladies: $79.90)
Hoodie (Ladies: $79.90)
Knit Top (Ladies: $79.90)
But that’s not all. Hardcore Alice fans can go crazy over a variety of fanciful accessories, including a mini cushion that sports an image of Alice trapped in a glass bottle, a book-shaped handbag, as well as a hand towel that’s made to look exactly like Alice’s iconic blue dress (such a waste using it to clean stuff though).
Storybook-shaped Handbag ($49.90)
Mini Cushion ($39.90)
Hand Towel (Free with a single net purchase of $150 or above – including one :CHOCOOLATE Alice in Wonderland item)
If you’d like to score items from this collection, :CHOCOOLATE is dropping the entire batch on Nov 2 at i.t stores in Bugis Junction and orchard gateway, so you know where the rabbit hole is. All you’ve got to do is follow it! For more information, visit itlabels.com.sg. Images: i.t Labels
Not many people are aware, but fashion is actually second to the most pollutant industry in the world – the oil trade. In recent times, cheap and fast fashion has snowballed to create a harmful culture of greed; and as Andrew Morgan’s film The True Cost has spoken out on, human and environmental costs have grown dramatically with it since.
It’s not all doom and gloom from here, though. For those who are keen on living a little more sustainably, shopping for vintage and pre-loved items is a good way to kick things off, and you can do just that this November. The UN Women’s annual Buy To Save event is back this year, so expect an array of pre-loved high-end designer pieces at this 3-day sale.
From shoes and bags to dresses and blouses, and a variety of designer labels up for grabs – we’re talking shoes from Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo, and even a number of luxury brands we’re coveting such as Balenciaga, Marni, Diesel, and Paul Smith – there’s something for every sartorial taste.
By making a purchase from this sale, you won’t just be giving these designer pieces a new lease of life – it goes way beyond sustainability. 80% of the net proceeds from Buy To Save 2017 will support the Singapore Committee for UN Women’s advocacy against gender-based violence, including outreach through the Help Anna campaign and Her Justice workshops in Singapore.
To secure livelihoods and empower women who live with HIV, 10% of the net proceeds will also fund the UN Women’s Cambodia Roka Commune project, while the other 10% will fund the UN Women Safe Cities Metro Manila Programme, which seeks to reduce the risks of sexual harassment and violence in public spaces. Every bit of your money will go to these remarkable organisations and campaigns, travelling way further than you can imagine. Go ahead and shop for a great cause this November.
The hype surrounding minimalist sneakers Common Projects hasn’t entirely died down yet, but it’s completely understandable why people are clutching on tight to these classic leather low top sneakers. The Achilles sneakers are stamped with that coveted ‘Made in Italy’ and with its sleek and minimalist design, promises to be constructed with top-quality materials. The only noticeable design outlier is their signature ten gold numbers printed on the side – representing the sneaker’s number, size, and colour. But of course, these can be easily rubbed off if desired.
In styling these sneakers, everything goes. From your weekend mom jeans and favourite worn-in tee to your dressy pencil skirt, Common Projects is the go-to white sneaker for many to pair with their everyday outfits.
That’s not to say that there are countless other sneaker labels that can become your new go-to minimalist sneaker.
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Eytys
Their unusual spelling of ‘80s’ with the name Eytys smartly references Generation Y, as a tribute to the creative contributions of the post-internet generation across different platforms. Starting as a humble Swedish brand, Eytys has grown to become a global cult favourite. ‘Mother’, their unisex platform sneaker, is their first foray into footwear and is also the most recognisable. ‘Mother’ comes in a range of colours from magenta to your standard black, and materials used include leather, suede, and canvas.
‘Mother’ in White Leather, $USD235
In response to the trend of hyped sneakers, such as the Yeezys or NMDs, Eytys designed their sneakers to be long-lasting – something you can keep and wear for life. They also have a pair of white leather sneakers, known as the Eytys classic, with vulcanised rubber soles and comfortable cork insoles.
A great alternative to Common Projects for its simple but considerate design. You can find Eytys at www.eytys.com, starting from $USD160 for the ‘Mother’ in Canvas.
As a handcrafted luxury label based in New York, THEY wants you to have the best of the sneaker world – an elegant design that is both simple and versatile. The design intends to celebrate design itself, with the three founders (combined, they draw over 30 years of family expertise with Japanese footwear!) regarding the shoe as a blank canvas.
And indeed, THEY’s sneakers all feature a geometric shape that is embedded within the structure. Whether a triangle, semi-circle or rectangle, all sneakers come in a distinctive two-tone silhouette that plays with the muted earthy colours of white, off-white, beige, grey, and navy. They’ve also recently branched out into a canvas series for hot summer days.
You can find THEY New York at www.theynewyork.com, starting from $USD359 for a pair of sneakers from their Core Collection.
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While still minimal in its design, Filling Pieces does comparatively have a more complex silhouette across their different sneaker models. Their ‘Low Top’ was the first shoe designed by founder and designer Guillaume Philibert in Amsterdam, built with minimal and clean uppers.
In experimenting with various textures and materials, their collection includes the coveted minimalist sneaker but also many other less traditional high-end sneakers. ‘Low Top’ in Classic Cement Grey, €190
The brand’s since delved into ‘less minimal, more details’ with designs like the ‘Low Marina Bogor’ which has technical detailing like lacelock and lace hooks, along with nylon webbing up the tongue. Filling pieces hails from Amsterdam, with all shoes handmade in Portugal using top-quality Italian materials. Their sneakers are inspired by the styles from all over the world, and you can see their influence embedded within their clean but unique designs.
You can find Filling Pieces at www.fillingpieces.com, starting from €190 for the Low Top and €240 for the Low Marina Bogor.
Oh, Sam Smith, we all wish you could lay by our sides too.
If you’ve seen recent pictures of Sam Smith online (not that we’ve been Googling), you would’ve probably been pleasantly surprised to find that the 25-year-old British singer-songwriter has been showing impressive signs of progress with his new diet plan. Plus, he’s announced the release date of his upcoming album The Thrill of it All and confirmed his new relationship with 13 Reasons Why star Brandon Flynn. So if you’re wondering how he feels about life right now, just count the number of times he smizes in photos these days.
While everything seems to be falling nicely in place for him now, Smith recently revealed in an interview with The Sunday Times that life wasn’t always so certain for him. Besides struggling with being “literally the only gay in the village,” he also got crap for his liking for dressing effeminately.
When asked if he identifies as a cisgender man, Smith replied, “No, […] I feel just as much a woman as I am man.”
For those who might be confused, sexual orientation and gender identity are like apples and oranges in the same fruit basket. The former describes who you like, the latter describes who you feel. As many who are gender non-binary like Smith confessed to being, they enjoy pushing the boundaries of conventional wisdoms when it comes to dressing up and behaviour.
Smith goes on recounting a time in his youth where he didn’t own any guy clothes, “I would wear full make-up every day in school, eyelashes, leggings with Dr Martens and huge fur coats, for two and a half years.” Sadly, he was teased a lot for it, but suffices it to say that “there were also people respecting me for walking around like that in my school.”
And that’s where Smith hits the nail on the head with the impact he will have on his coming out experiences. 2017 has been a controversially harsh time for the LGBT community, from the violent concentration camps in Chechnya, Russia to the arrest of gay men in Egypt via dating apps. There have to be many efforts combined to combat such terror, and Smith plays perfectly to fans of his music to listen beyond his soothing tunes and impressive falsettos.
As Smith continues to boom successfully with his music, he will also bring a voice to a much misunderstood social minority and empower those like him when he was young to overcome oppression.
Do you get shivers down your spine just from listening “The Imperial March”, aka Darth Vader’s majestic theme song?
Well, young padawan, it looks like you’re in for a real treat. The first ever Star Wars concert is heading to Singapore from Oct 29 to 31, 2017, at the Esplanade Theatre, and it’s going to be a musical extravaganza of epic proportions.
Featuring scores composed by five-time Academy Award-winner John Williams, this galactic production will feature an army of 70 orchestra musicians, all of whom will soulfully perform the movie’s iconic soundtrack, while Star Wars: The Force Awakens is televised on a giant screen behind them.
Hardcore fans can look forward to legendary tunes like “Main Title”, which has been featured in every Star Wars movie since Star Wars: A New Hope, as well as other classics from Williams, including “Duel of the Fates” from the prequel trilogy; and of course, “The Imperial March”.
So if watching the films gave you the feels before, then this is next level stuff. At the very least, it’s a great warm up session before Star Wars: The Last Jedi is released in theatres worldwide. Right now, tickets are available via SISTIC, which you can get over here. For more information, visit sistic.com. Cover image: The Star Wars Underworld
Even if you hate Kpop with a vengeance, you have to admit that Korean idols and stars make some of the best fashion icons. Whether they have a stylist or pick out their own clothes or not, you can’t deny that Korean street fashion is one of the hottest styles to follow. Korean street fashion is also pretty androgynous, where clothes look like they’ll be at home on both guys and girls (stealing your boyfriend’s clothes has never been easier). They even dress up when they go to the airport – we all would probably don our most comfy sweats and pullovers, but no, Koreans also have ‘airport fashion’. There are tumblr accounts dedicated to spotting the latest airport trends, if you are ever in need of some last minute fashion inspiration.
YOOX, an online collective that sells everything from lifestyle and fashion to art, just debuted a collection with four of Korea’s top fashion brands for a capsule collection that celebrates their entrance into the Korean market. The capsule collection, which contains four different lines – two womenswear and two menswear – embodies the chic, grungy vibe of the streets. Check out the four different lines here: Kye x YOOX
Kye first shot to fame when Kpop stars wore its clothes (unsurprisingly), and is now sported by Western celebrities like Rihanna after becoming a mainstay at Seoul Fashion Week. And it’s hard to see why not. Kye’s bold prints and vivid colour schemes all scream edgy. Staying in line with their love for baggy silhouettes without losing their feminine touch, this line is good for those who want to express a little rebellious streak without going too overboard.
Fleamadonna loves everything 80s (their name even has Madonna in it, for goodness sake), but there is nothing old-fashioned about this collection at all! Who would ever have thouht that pairing a t-shirt with a high-waisted A-line skirt would make the outfit totally perfect for the office? And the polka-dotted blouse is super cute with the asymmetrical hem for a cheeky touch.
Beyond Closet x YOOX
On to the menswear; Beyond Closet takes the preppy look to the streets. The trench coat might be a little too overkill for the hot Singapore weather, but we reckon that the letterman jacket is cool enough to tote around for the cinema. We love the hidden motifs on the inside that’ll flash whenever you take your wallet out from the inside jacket pocket! There are also stripy shirts, sweatshirts, and the quintessential backpack, all with bright and colourful prints. Want the attention to be on you? This collection won’t let you down.
DBYD x YOOX
DBYD has always been all about utility wear, and embodies the spirit of freedom and peace. Bomber jackets, camouflage and the flannel shirt are all necessities in every man’s closet, and are coincidentally also symbols of the ever-lasting teen spirit. This capsule collection is a subtle mix of styles that you can easily style up or down- are you casual? Or formal? Who knows? As long as you look good.
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