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We Died And Went To Tsum Tsum Heaven

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By now you’ve probably seen the video of the incredible Disney Tsum Tsum arcade machine, shared furiously on Facebook to the delight of all Tsum Tsum fans. And even if you haven’t, chances are you’ve spotted them floating around on your Instagram Explore, in the form of macarons, cupcakes and other sweet treats – and promptly fallen in love. Basically, there’s no fighting these adorable Disney remakes, which is why :CHOCOOLATE by i.t. is pulling out yet another :CHOCOOLATE x Tsum Tsum collaboration – it’s latest and greatest!

TE1599 BKX $59.90 TE1600 GY1 $59.90
TE1606 ORL $59.90TE1634 WHX $69.90  TE1606 BLL $59.90

First off, there’s a whole new line of cutesy Tsum Tsum items, with your favourite round characters gracing T-shirts, bags, and limited edition crop tops. Personally, we’ve got our eye on the crop tops, which feature eight different characters in their signature colours. But if bright colours and flashing midriff aren’t your thing, there’re the more muted regular tees – exclusively featuring newer Tsum Tsums like Alice from Alice in Wonderland and the characters from the Oscar-winning Inside Out. And to really hype things up… Is that an Elsa Tsum Tsum we spy?!
BG0231 $69.90 SG0232 GRX $43.90 BACK   AC0230 BLL $59.90

And if you can’t get enough of these bobble-head cutiepies, collect ’em all with the reversible cosmetic pouches, or the cute and chic sling clutch that features the whole gang – only for hardcore fans. The collection also presents two tissue covers in the shape of Lotso from Toy Story and Sadness from Inside Out, because we’re pretty sure even inanimate tissues would be thrilled to be decked out in Tsum Tsum.
 
:CHOCOOLATE x Disney Tsum Tsum collection, $43.90 to $69.90, available in May 2016 at :CHOCOOLATE Bugis Junction and CHOCOOLATE orchardgatway. 

The Makeup Products Korean Dramas Made Us Buy

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We’ve learnt to never, ever underestimate the power of a Korean drama, and especially when it comes to how they can catapult beauty products into international fame in the span of one episode, or less. Only a Korean drama has had the power to cause a lipstick to sell out all over the world, without even having to have the cast wield said lipstick in the show as product placement – all it took was hearsay and a bit of false information for the internet to decide that a particular brand’s coral lipstick was the absolute must-have product of 2014.
Yes, we’re talking about You Who Came From The Stars and how it sparked a worldwide frenzy for the Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Rouge Pur Couture in #52 a couple of years back. Just when we thought we were done with that insanity, this year we got Descendants Of The Sun and a renewed interest for coral-tinted lips, as well as for men in uniform.
In honour of the recent conclusion of what felt like Korean drama that everyone was talking about – finally, no more images of Korean army men flooding all your social media channels – we round up the beauty products that have gained fame, all thanks to well-timed appearances on some of the most popular K-dramas of recent times. We’ve found that more often that not, it’s a lip colour that the female lead wears most enchantingly; and once the lipstick in question makes an on-screen cameo, or a brand announces that yes, that’s our product that she’s wearing in last night’s episode, you better go grab it quick, because it probably is going to be sold out in record time. Or before you know it, you’ll have to resort to coughing up $100 for it on eBay.
 
LANEIGE Two Tone Lip Bar in Juicy Pop
Seen in: Descendants of the Sun
Seen on: Song Hye Kyo

descendants of the sun laneige juicy pop
(Descendants Of The Sun image: LANEIGE Singapore Facebook page)

Easily the most popular K-drama of the past five years, surpassing even 2012’s You Who Came From The Stars, which created a big enough frenzy at that time (more on that below). After all, things must be serious when a government has to issue an official warning to their citizens to not get too crazy over this show. While Song Joong Ki’s Lieutenant Yoo Si Jin made hundreds of thousands of viewers’ hearts go aflutter with his mobile phone-flipping antics and death-defying abilities, his love interest Dr. Kang Mo Yeon reminded us how everlasting Song Hye Kyo’s beauty truly is. As the face of Laneige for the past eight years, her makeup essential for this drama was the Two Tone Lip Bar, and the brand has taken the opportunity to announce that in the show she wears the recently-released shade Juicy Pop, a combination of a sheer orange and yellow. Unsurprisingly, this shade has gone on to break sales records in South Korea, China and here in Singapore since the drama aired.
LANEIGE Two Tone Lip Bar, $34. Available at LANEIGE boutiques and counters.
 
Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Rouge Pur Couture in No. 52 Rosy Coral
Seen in: You Who Came From The Stars
Seen on: Jun Ji Hyun
you who came from the stars ysl rosy coral
(My Love From The Stars image: SBS Facebook page)

Ah, the drama that sold out a worldwide supply of lipsticks. The memory of the international frenzy for YSL Beauté’s Rouge Pur Couture lipstick in a particular shade of coral is probably still fresh in your mind, since it came along with a general show-induced madness that also included an obsession with Korean fried chicken paired with beer, and with handsome aliens that take on a human male form (we blame you, Kim Soo Hyun). By now, you might have heard that the colour worn by Jun in the show turned out to, in fact, not be said YSL lipstick, but rather a mix of colours from various brands to achieve the creamy coral tint that became such a hit. Turns out, all of the craziness was due to erroneous information and lots of internet rumour-mongering. Oh well, but YSL’s version sure is flattering all the same, so we’re still glad it’s now possible again to snag a tube, after the hype finally died down a little by late 2014.
Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Rouge Pur Couture, $52. Available at Yves Saint Laurent Beauté stores and counters.
 
Mamonde Creamy Tint Colour Balm Intense in Matte Pop Orange
Seen in: Pinocchio
Seen on: Park Shin Hye
pinocchio mamonde matte pop orange
(Pinocchio image: Mamonde Facebook page)

We loved Park Shin Hye as rookie journalist Choi In Ha in Pinocchio, a role that allowed her to demonstrate her acting flair for both the comedic and dramatic. This drama also helped catapult Mamonde, a brand under South Korean beauty conglomerate AmorePacific, and its Creamy Tint Colour Balm Intense chubby lip crayon into widespread popularity as its ambassador Park was spotted applying it in various scenes. It was so well-received that Mamonde released two versions of a “Mamonde Box”, each containing makeup essentials to create a look worn by Park, and including a shade of  the Creamy Tint Colour Balm, of course. But it was the shade Matte Pop Orange that outperformed all the other colours, all thanks to Park looking particularly fresh-faced in a tinted orange lip in various scenes. And we know how hard it is to resist a lip chubby stick.
Mamonde Creamy Tint Colour Balm Intense, not available locally but we spotted it retailing on Qoo10!
 
O HUI Ultimate CC Cushion Foundation
Seen in: Oh My Venus
Seen on: Shin Min Ah
oh my venus   o hui cc cushion
(Oh My Venus image: tin22.com)

Shin Min Ah is absolutely gorgeous, so it’s not that she needs any makeup in particular to help her along. In Oh My Venus, however, we saw a less picture-perfect side of her as she donned a prosthetic fat suit to play a chubby lawyer who enlists the help of a celebrity trainer to help her lose weight and turn her life around. We also saw a full range of O HUI skincare and makeup often adorning her character’s vanity table, and making cameo appearances onscreen whenever lawyer Kang Joo Eun did hurried touch ups to look her best in front of her celebrity-trainer-turned-love-interest. O HUI is a premium brand under the beauty arm of the LG Household & Health Care Limited, and Shin’s flawless, translucent skin in the show was enough to make everybody want the Ultimate Cover CC Cushion she uses in some scenes.
O HUI Ultimate Cover CC Cushion, also not available locally but we found it on Lazada, just not in the limited edition packaging seen on the show.
 
Clio Virgin Kiss Tension Lip
Seen in: The Producer
Seen on: Gong Hyo Jin
37511_102810_1511         clio virgin kiss tension lip
(The Producer image: cafestyle.yes24.vn)

Gong Hyo Jin became the face of Clio just in time for her starring role in one of the most popular Korean dramas of 2015, The Producer. As the hilarious and incredibly chic variety show producer Tak Ye Jin, her consistently on-point outfits and beauty looks kicked off online frenzies after each episode – because that many people couldn’t wait to find out where her clothes and makeup were from each time. Obviously, Clio products took centre stage in the series, in particular the Virgin Kiss Tension Lip, which was Producer Tak’s go-to lipstick. In line with Gong taking on the role of brand ambassador, Clio launched the lipstick with her signature on the tube, making them instant collector’s items.
Clio Virgin Kiss Tension Lip, $22.90. Available at selected Watsons. 
 
Benefit Cosmetics Posietint
Seen in: Emergency Couple
Seen on: Song Ji Hyo
emergency couple  benefiit posietint
(Emergency Couple image: dramafever.com)

As an emergency room doctor, Song Ji Hyo’s character Oh Jin Hee spends most of the show in hospital scrubs, hair pulled back and barely any makeup on – except for just a tint of pink on her lips. It’s enough for us to spend the first few episodes wondering exactly what product she’s wearing, and soon enough, we get our answer when she pulls out a small ubiquitous bottle to touch up her makeup in a bathroom scene. Ah, but of course: it’s Benefit’s Posietint, which made sense as Song was the face of Benefit Korea at that time. Benefit’s multipurpose tints have always been popular, but Posietint’s cameo in Emergency Couple made them highly desirable all over again.
Benefit Cosmetics Posietint, $54. Available at Benefit Cosmetics counters and Sephora.
 
 
Main image: LANEIGE Singapore Facebook page

Nail The Queen's Workout With Beyonce's Very Own Ivy Park

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The truth hurts: We can’t all be Beyoncé. But what we can do is wear her active wear and hope that comes close enough. In another move of regal awesomeness, Queen Bey has released an all-new active wear line for women, to empower ladies everywhere to work with and not against their bodies. The line, helmed by Beyoncé and Sir Phillip Green, drops under the brand name Ivy Park – inspired by the Roman Numeral for ‘four’ (IV), which is significant to Beyoncé for being the date of her birthday, her husband’s birthday, and their wedding anniversary. And that fun fact aside, we can all coo at the fact that it pays sweet tribute to Bey’s little girl Blue Ivy too.

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The collection itself centres around embracing technology to achieve the very best in high functioning sportswear. Think the usual – logo sweatshirts, v-band structured sports bras, and seamless knit bottoms – but made like “second skin” for maximum performance. Still, the real star of the collection has to be the core leggings – an ode to Beyoncé’s impossibly toned thighs, we’re guessing. Made from a sweat-wicking, non-piling elastic material, they come in three shapes that guarantee to elongate the leg and flatter all body types, which will definitely come in handy because, you know, everyone still wants to look good working out. The three shapes are cleverly named ‘I’ (low rise), ‘V’ (mid rise), and ‘Y’ (high rise), and are available in three leg lengths – the capri, crop, and full length. Versatile, no matter what sport you’re using them for.
 
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And obviously it isn’t a Beyoncé line without some daring bodysuits and tantalising mesh. The bodysuits in the collection come fitted with fishnet sleeves, and the mesh even extends to the hoodies and raglan sweaters. The outerwear pieces feature details we can all be thankful for too – like tape-bonded holes for headphone cables to slip through, so you’re always exercising comfortable. One intriguing thing to note is that the entire collection isn’t categorised by sport, so there’s no one definition of what it’s “meant” to be used for; you choose how you want to use it, so you can feel your best whatever you’re doing.
 
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Of course, as proud members of the BeyHive, we wholeheartedly support anything from the Queen. But Ivy Park takes it one step further (and not just through lunges) with its all-inspiring mission to start a cultural movement, to bring girls and women away from the superficial ideals of ‘beauty’ and ‘prettiness’ – towards ‘strength’, ‘wellness’ and ‘health’ instead. Quite frankly, even down to the mantra of valuing one’s body from the inside out, everything about Ivy Park screams Beyoncé. Casual rumour about the Queen rehearsing on a treadmill to train stamina aside, the whole notion that personal physical accomplishment feeds into mental happiness seems very in line with her own ideals, which, honestly, have got us totally vibin’.
 
Ivy Park collection, S$28 to S$65, available at Topshop, ZALORA and net-a-porter.com.
 

Life In Plastic, It's Fantastic: Melissa x Jeremy Scott Collection

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Hate her or love her, let’s just agree that Barbie, or the world’s most iconic doll, is as much a celebrity as any one of the Kardashians are. Maybe more. Named Barbara Millicent Roberts, dull on the tongue compared to her far catchier moniker, she’s been making headlines since 1959 (take that Taylor Swift!). And for the detractors who think she’s “just a doll”, you might want to change your minds now.
Just like Bennifer, Brangelina and TomKat, her love life’s a well-documented media blitz – after dating for years, Barbie and Ken went through a devastating breakup in 2004, where she then had a fling with an Aussie surfer. But all is not lost! The couple rekindled their romance on Valentine’s Day of 2011 to much fanfare. In true millenial style, she changed her Facebook status to “In A Relationship”, along with a savvy status update. “A doll knows when it’s love, and I’ve finally realised that my heart only beats for Ken,” she says. Or, her marketing team did. Still, we can’t help but to get caught up in her fascinating world.

Melissa_Jeremy Scott_0637

So, it’s no surprise that Mattel’s darling has been a frequent muse – obsession, really – for designer Jeremy Scott. You’ve seen iPhone cases that look like her mirrors, or models sauntering down the Moschino runway in bubblegum pink and 80s shift dresses. Well, say hello to more unabashed girl power, now in the form of Melissa shoes. The spirit of Barbie is strong across this collection of, what else, plastic shoes designed by Scott, in part due to the vibrant hues and bubblegum-scented material.
Melissa_Jeremy Scott_0740

There are ankle boots that make for a chic low-cut version of classic Wellingtons, dainty flats with a heart or ribbon-shaped applique, all with a cheeky twist – a rubber mouthpiece that’s in every inflatable pool toy you’ve encountered. What strikes us the most though are the mules, complete with arched silhouettes and a platform style that we swear is a dead ringer for the actual plastic shoes we made our Barbies wear when we were younger. Hey, if that means we get to wear her legacy on our feet, we’d gladly doll up.
Melissa_Jeremy Scott_0652

Melissa + JEREMY SCOTT collection, priced from $140 to $295, available at MDREAMS. mdreams.com.sg

VR Man

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When it comes to virtual reality devices, there is only a handful worth mentioning; and one of them is the PlayStation®VR. After Sony teased all of us at the 2014 Game Developers Conference, we finally have a launch date (woohoo!).


Originally called “Project Morpheus”, the PS VR is slated for release in October this year and is priced way below its major competitors – the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive – at US$399 (this doesn’t include the PlayStation®Camera or Move Motion Controllers needed for a full VR setup). Sure, those rival devices might claim to offer better visuals but you’ll only be able to maximise their potential if you invest in a more powerful, high-end computer. Besides, if you’re one of the 36 million people around the world who already owns a PS4, then it’s settled. Also, with more than 230 developers and publishers like 2K Games and Ubisoft® already working on content for the PS VR, you can expect more than 50 titles, including games like Eagle Flight (Ubisoft) and EVE: Valkyrie (CCP Games), to be released by the end of the year. To make things even more exciting, an all-new Star Wars: Battlefront gaming experience is currently being developed exclusively for PS VR. Imagine coming face-to-face with Darth Vader or flying a TIE fighter in VR.
psvr3

So what will you get when you head out to purchase the PS VR this October? A VR headset weighing approximately 610g with a 5.7-inch OLED display, a eld of view of about 100 degrees in 1920×1080 resolution and other hardware essentials like the processor unit, VR headset connection cable, HDMI cable, USB cable, stereo headphones, AC power cord and AC adaptor. Oh, did we mention it supports 3D audio?
 
Sony PlayStation®VR, US$399. Available in October this year. asia.playstation.com 

[Contest] Get Exclusive Invites to SK-II's Mother's Day Brunch

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It’s that time of the year when we pamper our moms with gifts and love and plenty of hugs — or so the world says. Before we roll our eyes at the massive industry force that’s driving the whole Mother’s Day train though, let’s just say, made up or not, it’s a day we can definitely get on board with. For one, how often do we really show our moms how much we appreciate them? And how often do we get a dedicated day that celebrates a mother’s unconditional love and dedication?
Festive15 Mothers Day FTE
The answer to that last question: one. And that’s precisely the reason why SK-II wishes to commemorate this big day with a worthy series of celebrations. Other than the Spring Butterfly Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence, inspired by a mother’s dedication to uplift and transform her child, they’ve organised a tempting Mother’s Day mother-daughter brunch, so you get to give the precious gift of time and company to your mom.
Everything’s planned out nicely, all you have to do is turn up! Oh, and well, get your hands on those invites as well.
Here’s what you can expect at the event, which will be held at The South Beach on 7 May — first, a special brunch at the 5-star hotel, then gifts like a personalised flower bouquet, SK-II door gifts, as well as a chances to win stuff like a 2D1N staycation at The South Beach and more SK-II products. Last we heard, there’ll be media personalities at the event too, including SK-II ambassador and Mediacorp actress Rebecca Lim, while singers Daphne Khoo, Tay Kewei and Aarika Lee will be serenading the audience with a song or two.
The Biggest SK-II Mother-Daughter Brunch

  • Date: 7 May 2016
  • Time: 11.00am – 2.30pm
  • Venue: The South Beach

There are two ways you can get invites to the event. One, sign your mom or daughter up as an SK-II Crystal Club Member and pamper her with SK-II products worth $499 — this sounds like a hefty price, but you do get $800 worth of gifts, and both of you get to receive an invite to the SK-II brunch (it’s limited to the first 110 pairs though, and you’ll have to make the purchase at Robinsons stores). The second way, well, it’s a little easier. SK-II’s giving away 12 pairs of exclusive invites just for NYLON readers, that’s you, and all you have to do is fill in the form below!

WIN! We’re giving away 12 pairs of exclusive passes, for you and your mom, to The Biggest SK-II Mother-Daughter Brunch!
Join SK-II ambassador and actress Rebecca Lim, singers Daphne Khoo, Tay Kewei and Aarika Lee for an indulgent afternoon of pampering and fun, all while celebrating the beauty of Spring. The event takes place 7 May 2016, Saturday, 11am – 2.30pm at The South Beach. For a chance to win, simply fill in the form below, by 29 April, 12pm. 

Boom, Clap

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It has come to a point where wireless speakers have become a must-have, especially if you’re the sort who likes to spend every waking moment of your life immersing yourself in music. With so many brands rolling one out every few months, you’re pretty much spoilt for choice. But of course, once you’ve cut through the clutter, you’ll realise that the UE Megaboom is quite a solid and versatile contender. Weighing less than 900 grammes, this multi-award winning speaker can deliver 360-degree sound with incredible bass despite its rather slim silhouette. At maximum volume, it can go as loud as 90dBA (just make sure you have very tolerant neighbours). Its 20-hour rechargeable battery life ensures that you won’t have to charge it that often, unless of course you go on 20-hour music listening marathons every other day (who knows, right?). The IPX7 waterproof certification and stain-resistant skin on the UE Megaboom can also help to enhance your bathroom “karaoke” sessions as you sing along to instrumental tracks of your favourite songs while showering. The brand has also added more functionality for the speakers with a dedicated app (compatible for both iOS and Android) that has an intuitive and fuss-free black-and-white user interface, allowing you to pair up to two UE Megaboom speakers, set alarms, remotely turn the speaker on and off and change the EQ settings to your liking.
 
UE Megaboom, $399. Available at Apple stores. ultimateears.com/en-sg

How To Style Pantone's Colour Of The Year

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First off, Pantone’s deliberately being a little tricky this year. Instead of having just one colour as their celebrated Colour Of The Year, the reigning colour company announced that 2016’s Colour Of The Year would be made up on two colours – Rose Quartz and Serenity, lovingly blended into one Microsoft Word-y gradient. While we started off skeptical, we have to say: the two colours are beautiful on their own, and surprisingly make a pretty wearable combination we never even realised could work. Then again, when a killer combo like that veers so subconsciously close to pairing denim with blush pink tones… are we really that surprised? Here’s how to rock the two without looking like a preschooler.
 
Sports Luxe
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Bomber, Pull & Bear, $79.90
Top, Topshop, $33.90
Joggers, Topshop, $79.90
Hat, Urban Outfitters, US$20
Shoes, Superga, $69.90

 
Athleisure and the sports aesthetic is on the rise, and we’ve surrendered our non-exercising selves to the trend. We’re all about the mesh, joggers, and dad caps; pair with a cozy pair of pastel sneaks and you could almost pass off for a gym rat! Almost.
 
Office Casual
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Shirt, Uniqlo, $29.90
Pants, Uniqlo, $49.90
Shoes, Topshop, $106

 
Admit it, we’d all like to stay comfy at work. Spring for a lightweight linen button down and straight-legged satin trousers that’s still appropriate if you have to dash out for a last-minute meeting. Silver mid-heeled shoes add a touch of class and a refreshing pop to your whole ensemble.
 
Girly
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Top, Zara, $59.90
Skirt, Pull & Bear, $35.90
Bag, ASOS, £32
Sandals, ASOS£38

 
Frankly, Rose Quartz and Serenity are about as girly as it gets. But to really amp it up, play with textures – layer Victorian lace over plain crepe fabric for the pinks to pop. Optional: a denim jacket (in the right purply-blue shade!) to add some edge to your feminine look.
 
Summer Styling
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image2xxl image1xxl
Top, Zara, $69.90
Dungarees, Pull & Bear, $39.90
Bag, ASOS, £32
Sandals, ASOS, £38

 
The heat’s no excuse to be caught looking sloppy. For a more everyday outfit, stick to blue (or Serenity) and white as your safe colours and add a sweet pop of pink – so the whole world knows you’ve got your Pantone game on fleek.

Haute Stuff: The New Object of Lust

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The two worlds of fashion and entertainment have always gone hand-in-hand. But these days, it’s hard to draw the line between the two. Sure, celebrity endorsements have been around for a very long time, but the game changes when the two brands collaborate with celebrities to create something truly unique. It gets even more interesting when these same brands create designs that are inspired by contemporary pop culture for their sneakers, or when they bring to life shoes that were specifically made for a film (like the self-lacing ones in Back To The Future II). It doesn’t matter if you’re a collector or just someone who happens to have an abundance of space on your shoe rack because these days, sneakers like these are becoming more than just footwear – they’re wearable art that’s highly sought after and can command a high price on the resale market because of its demand. Just try searching for a pair of Yeezys on Carousell and watch your jaw drop. By Adam Kerr.
 
 
Read more in our #42 How Entertaining issue, out now!

En Route: Rio Favelas

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Rio de Janeiro brings to mind clear sands, warm weather, and tanned girls in bikinis; it’s an exotic vacation destination filled with tourists every day of the year. But in the centre of it all, there are the favelas – the slums that are growing at a quicker rate than the cities as a whole; and with the 2016 Summer Olympics closing in on the city, there’s a renewed urgency by the Brazilian government to restructure the more than 600 favelas in the city of Rio. In pop culture, the critically-acclaimed 2002 Brazilian drama, City of God, brought to light many of the frightening issues facing Rio’s famous Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela, but of course there’s so much more to these slums than the film depicts. Photographer, Ricardo Abraho, and writer, Roberta Mattos, go on a tour with Leonardo Leopoldo (an artisan born and raised in Rio’s largest favela, Rocinha), to visit a favela for the first time, and unlike your dime-a-dozen hotel tour, Leonardo offered one that was full of joy, pride and love for his neighbourhood
Photos by Ricardo Abraho. Story by Roberta Mattos, as told to Adele Chan.
 
Read more in our #42 How Entertaining issue, out now!

She's Electric: Virtual Insanity

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We called it last year, and we’re calling it again – virtual reality is going to be the next big thing in tech. It’s going to change the way we consume media, produce content and possibly the way we communicate with each other. Imagine watching your favourite Tv shows and being completely immersed – Game of Thrones won’t be the same when you can be right there walking through the gates of Castle Black or exploring whatever’s at the north of the Wall. Maybe some tech genius out there might patent a way to Skype loved ones using VR – instead of just seeing the person, you’ll be able to look around his or her room. At this point, the possibilities are endless! Life really is way too big to have just one point of view. Tech brands are slowly, but surely releasing cameras that can capture a 360-degree field of view, giving you the option to see what you want to see. Here are a few of those cameras, in case you want to stay ahead of the pack. By Adam Kerr.
 
Read more in our #42 How Entertaining issue, out now!

Face Value: Shine Bright Like A Diamond

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Diamonds are definitely things we want on our fingers and necks, but as for our faces… it’s usually not something we want to be rubbing into our skin. But turns out diamond facials are a thing, and they’re not one of those super-luxurious treatments reserved only for a Kardashian-sized budget. We tried Theresa Beauty’s Diamond Crystalline Facial Therapy, and got Theresa Beauty’s General Manager, Sandra Koh to enlighten us on why one of the hardest materials in the world can actually make your skin softer.
 
Read more in our #42 How Entertaining issue, out now!

#42 How Entertaining

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Orange Is The New Black’s Kimiko Glenn is the star of our How Entertaining issue! We speak to her to find out what it’s like playing inmate Brooke Soso, her foray into theatre, and her experiences as an Asian-American in Hollywood. This issue is also all about the celebrity fashion, beauty and accessories that have gotten us starry-eyed, including Ivy Park by Beyoncé, Melissa Shoes x Jeremy Scott, celebrity sneakers, and YouTube-famous beauty products.

We're Lusting After Vita Fede's New Made-To-Order Jewellery

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We thought we’d seen all there was to see of beautiful jewellery, but California-based jewellery line Vita Fede just dropped a crystallised bomb on us – with an exclusive new Made-to-Order programme for their popular ‘Titan’ collection, available for a limited time only.

thea-crystal-bracelet-Silver_$4400 Titan-Catena-Tip-Bracelet-$3800 Titan-Catena-Tip-Bracelet-Marquina-$4900 titan-tre-color-bracelet-$3900
Titan bracelets, $3800 to $4900

 
If you love stackable accessories, you’ll be glad to know that the hands behind the brand, designer Cynthia Sakai, was at the very forefront of the trend  – which explains why all the double-spiked pieces in the ‘Titan’ collection come so handily sized. Customise your very own arm candy by choosing your desired metal colour and crystals, before finishing off with the special engraving service that allows you to personalise your piece however you want it. The crystals range from jet black to blue sapphire to rose pink, so there’s definitely something for everyone, especially if you’re customising a gift for a loved one.
Ultra-Mini-Titan-Ring-Crystal-Band-$2500Super-Ultra-Mini-Titan-Crystal-Ring-Silver-$1600Super-Ultra-Mini-Titan-Crystal-Ring-$1600 Mini-Titan-Crystal-Earring-$2900

This season’s reinvention of the Titan pieces draws inspiration from the sea – specifically the Italian sea town of Forte dei Marmi, where Cynthia was drawn to the “airiness and fluidity of the water”. The result? Clean lines and fluid movement in the designs, which twist and turn delightfully for your mixing-and-matching pleasure. Wear them alone for an air of simple elegance, or go wild with the stacking if you want to make a statement. You’ll be surprised at how easily a great quality accessory can make an outfit.
 
The Made-to-Order programme will be available from 25 April to 9 May at On Pedder’s Ngee Ann City #02-12 P/Q (we know, way too short a time, ugh) and customisation takes 60 to 75 days for delivery. 

Life In Technicolour

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UNIQLO has been on point with their collaborations as of late, teaming up with the likes of fashion editor Carine Roitfeld and former Hermès designer, Christophe Lemaire, just to name a few. They brought us some of the most stylish, yet affordable Parisian chic pieces this season, satisfying the closet Francophile in all of us. This month, UNIQLO continues their winning streak by releasing a special collaboration with Liberty London. This prestigious UK brand was founded back in 1875 on London’s Regent Street. They sold a myriad of ornaments, fabric and artwork from all over Asia (predominantly Japan), which ultimately became the inspiration for some of the 42,000 prints in their archives. Their extensive collections of catalogues, dresses and textiles – all of which are housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum – are a testament to their unwavering passion for the arts, culture and fashion. Arthur Lasenby Liberty, founder of the brand, worked with Costume Society founder Edward William Godwin in 1884 to create in-house apparel that would challenge the fashions of Paris back then. These traditions continue to ring true with their current collection of scarves, accessories and fabrics, cementing their reputation as the epitome of classic British design. This collaboration between the two brands will see Liberty lending some of their signature floral prints from their archives translated onto a range of UNIQLO items. This unique line of women’s, girls’, babies’ and men’s products will be lighter, more comfortable and more affordable, and have a tinge of heritage that’s both authentic and valuable. Two for the price of one. Nice.
 
Liberty London for UNIQLO Collection, $14.90 to $59.90. Available at UNIQLO stores. uniqlo.com/sg
 
 

7 Alternative Blouses To Wear To Your Next Interview

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You know what they say – first impressions count; and what you wear to meet your prospective employer can crucially make or break an offer. But contrary to popular belief, there’re actually more options to wear to an interview than just the standard white button-down. For a more lasting (but nonetheless positive!) impression, trade in your go-to crisp white blouse for these slightly edgier alternatives; we guarantee it’ll make for a harder case to turn you down.

Ruffles

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Bershka, $39.90

Ruffles and other Victorian-style details instantly add a touch of formalness to an otherwise ordinary long-sleeved blouse, so you can head to your interview in peace without having to worry about a stiff, uncomfortable collar.

 

High Neck

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Topshop, $79.90

Another alternative to the conventional collar is a high-neck cut – mock necks and turtlenecks work as more casual options that’re still interview or office appropriate as they cover up the collarbone, which can come off as a provocative part of the body.

 

Neck Ties

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Forever21, US$12.90

It’s amazing what a simple black ribbon tied at the collar can do for an outfit, especially when you want to bring a little bit of personality to a formal interview.

 

Choker Top

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Zalora, $29.90

This one has our stamp of approval. Opt for a stylish choker top – a current staple in the wardrobes of celebrities and socialites – to show off your eye for fashion and making daring choices. Perfect for wearing to interviews at a comapny that’s fashion-forward.

 

Blush Pink

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Topshop, $76.90

Pantone’s colour of the year is a great alternative to wearing white – it’s still muted and respectful but elevated with a touch of sophisticated elegance. Style with a unique open collar and you’ve got yourself an instantly polished ensemble.

 

Cowl Necks

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Forever21, $17.90

We’re getting a little more daring with this bodysuit, but then again no one will ever know once it’s tucked into dress pants or a pencil skirt! And the cowl neck will frame your chest area in a way that’s chic but still conservative.

 

Mid-Length Sleeves

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Topshop, $66.90

The secret to pulling off a more casual looking top? Sleeves that go down to your elbow (or halfway down your arm). Not for the fashionably timid, the deeper cut on this blouse also screams, “Work hard, play harder”, which, depending on the company, could be what your potential boss is looking out for.

 
Featured image from facebook.com/topshop.