The Bitchy Me.
I know it’s been a while. I’m busy w/ my life and what not…
When I was in Paris early Oct., I saw many friends from Hong Kong at Maria Luisa-Printemps cocktail party, friends, i.e. real friends who want you good w/ best of hearts, told me that they miss the old me, the bitchy me, in which I’ve become a lot softer – mellow is da word. I then went to Hogan party (spot me) few weeks after. I felt the eyes, talk-behinds ‘n da ‘what is he doing here?’ kinda thing, that’s so funny. Anyway, I figured, people who love you, they remain loyal and would still be in love with, and those who never did love you, they mock you no matter what good you do, because they’re the weakest in da link. Therefore, from now on, I’ll just say whatever I wanna say in the cyber world, I take it as a free podium as it should be, and pourquoi pas? Let’s shake things up!!! Bcos – If it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger.
Balmain Homme | SS2010 lookbook
Featuring Clément Chabernaud for Balmain homme SS2010, photographed by Karim Sadli. It looks familiar – the air of that lanky kiddie from the good old Dior Homme; but this chap is tougher, rugged, less poised and elegant. And he’d be more nonchalant, given if the clothes were not hidden and sold discreetly at the back of the store room to VIPs & VICs only in HK!!!
Balmain | Léo. Punk. Matte. Original
This is so predictable as the very next step. Christophe Decarnin, artistic director of Balmain is launching a line of bags this winter for the first time. A mini-collection of bags that fits into the punk-rock sexy style to accessorize the autumn-winter season. Model includes “Léo”, at €1,250, which adorned with crystals Leopard-patterned Swarovski in a way that’s similar to several pairs of shoes from the runway. Three other models: the “Matte” bag, in black quilted leather, the “Punk” bag in suede with 1,250 studs (at €2,900), and the “Original” – fringed bag in white leather. All are available on Net-a-porter.com now.
La Reine de la Mode
(Below) Probably the first assignment by Garance Doré for VogueParis’s website. Fab!!!
(*source: VogueParis, Garance Doré)
l’Eclaireur store opening at Marais, Paris
Date - 6 Oct 2009, Tuesday Venue - Rue Severine, le Marais, Paris Event - l'Eclaireur new store opening
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Another store opening party during fashion week. l’Eclaireur’s new store located in the heart of le Marais area. Breaking the typical Parisian mood that many stores create, l’Eclaireur always has a certain darkness and futurism to fume the ambience, it sets the mood and can be intimidating sometimes, but never quite short of amusement. Instead of still objects like sculptures or painting, this new store has hi-tech gadgets and screens installed to give light and visual movement. Clothes and accessories are dotted around, bread ‘n butter such as CdG, Lanvin and Dries are hanged by brand behind the electronic sliding door as highlights. It was a fun night and a rather different crowd as Maria Luisa’s. Unlike Hong Kong, Paris really has the room for diversity in the fashion arena.
Maria Luisa at Printemps, Paris
Date - 3 Oct 2009, Saturday Venue - Au Printemps, blvd Haussmann, 9er, Paris Event - Celebration of the opening of Maria Luisa 'n a new role as Fashion Editor at Printemps, Paris
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Long time no see.
As I was wondering what to do in my hotel room at Faubourg Saint-Honoré, my dear friend asked if I want to go to Maria Luisa’s new store opening at Printemps. Of course, I last met up with her was over a year ago in Dec 07 in Hong Kong. This new store concept is groundbreaking and will sure shake things up in Paris retail- as every move Maria takes. It wasn’t just another party, I mean, when you have all the biggest, hippest names in the biz, along with some upcoming ones and avant-gardists, all mingle in the same new roof of the legendary department store, they all come here for the friendship, mentorship and relationship archived over the years; only a couple of people in the business who could pull this crowd together, and Maria is one of them. I couldn’t find better words other than their PR’s caption to describe her – Maria Luisa Poumaillou, Queen of high fashion and luxury retailing in Paris (I’d add Hong Kong and Qatar as well).
Congratz to Maria Luisa & co., as well as her new partner Printemps team, who is daring enough to make this approach. See the official press release at the bottom. (*Special thx goes to Sidefame PR team.)
MARIA LUISA Boutique – A Groundbreaking Opening Cocktail Party
Maria Luisa Poumaillou has signed a partnership agreement with Printemps in February and becomes the Fashion Editor of this legendary department store. To commemorate the grand opening of the MARIA LUISA Boutique, a groundbreaking cocktail party has been held on Oct 3, 2009. Well-renowned designers including Rick Owens, Pierre Hardy, Nicolas Ghesquière, Bernhard Willhelm, Gareth Pugh, Charles Anastase, etc have been there to show support, signifying the respectful status of Maria in the fashion industry.
Maria Luisa Boutique located at the heart of the second floor of Printemps’ fashion department, gives expression to a strong graphic universe based on an optical play of stripes and black and white checks. The surface area is divided into three sections: the main area where the clothes are displayed is more closed and then opens out onto two annexes on either side where the accessories are arragned on cubes at different levels. These thress areas are connected to each other through the visual pattern of the stripe on the carpet. The graphic elements are used on a variety of scales, in the passageways and on the seatings. To soften and add a feminine touch to this atmosphere, the walls are covered with cream suede panels. The powder pink ceiling also contributes to this effect. A cube-shaped changing room covered with mirrors on all foud sides is located in the middle of the space. The intriguing and attractive setting embodies the desire for modernity and elegance that forms part of Printemps’ new strategy.
Paris : Paris
Not quite freshly return from Paris. After days of exhausting running-around-town and multiple-layers of serious thinking en route give me super jet-lag now. Those thoughts are about my view ‘n feeling towards Paris after being absent for four years, ideas on both myself and HK fashion market (press and retail).
Did I enjoy ‘n get excited about Paris as much as before? Not quite, older ‘n wise maybe. Do I love ‘n miss the city? Still and already!
Now, what did I see during the trip?
HOT -
- Khaki. Khaki. Khaki.
- Women in chemise (in both preppy or work-ethic way, but always chic)
- Black (is always new, bien sûr!)
- Maria Luisa opened at Printemps (Reports from ASVOF, Style, NY Times, more on this opening event later)
- l’Eclaireur new store opened in Marais (more on this opening event later)
- Alexander Wang gold studded-bottom bag is also a must
- Less freaky but still high-heels (always in black, mostly in suede or lace)
- Lots of Balmain jacket and dresses from Balenciaga FW09 collection
- Leather pieces and Breton shirts are rather prominent too
- Queues at Uniqlo, Opéra store (dun think it was for the +J collection)
COLD -
- Denim, chambray or plains shirt
- YSL handbag (somehow manage to lost its coolness)
- Eurotrash on Avenue Montaigne, George V and rue François Premier
LONG LIVE -
- Hermès or Balenciaga handbags
- Alexander McQueen clutches
- Anything from Rick Owens and Christopher Kane
- the power of VogueParis way of dressing …
Shit, listing it all out feel so much like a cliché British Vogue’s March issue, have to stop now… I also bump into -
Claude Montana (twice, at Palais Royale and near Châtelet) | Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (off work at his shop/office) | Loulou de la Falaise (with husband Thadée at l’Eclaireur party) | Mario Testino (at front door of l’Eclaireur, 1er) | Robert Duffy (at Colette) | Dick Page (at hotel, 1er) | Rodarte girls (at Colette, being interviewed by Suzy Menkes w/ Colette’s PR Guillaume Salmon) | Cathy Horyn (at front door of Loulou de la Falaise, rue Cambon) | Christopher Kane (at Maria Luisa-Printemps party) | Esteban Cortazar (at Maria Luisa-Printemps party) | Anthony Vaccarello (in Jardin du Palais Royale near Joyce office) | Nicolas Andreas Taralis (at his Republique showroom) | Benjamin Bruno (assistant at VogueParis, at doorstep of Balmain, rue François Premier) | And lots of Martin Margiela moments on the street and in Metro …
Starstruck? not quite, just long time no see …
