Whether your forte in dressing up is in layering your tops, or piecing old garments together to pull off a never replicated look, UNIQLOOKS provides you with the platform to unleash the fashion ‘guru’ in you, in line with their ‘Made For All’ philosophy.

Mediacorp artiste, Felicia Chin

To hype up the launch of their online community, a local contest began on Jun 17, where MTV VJ Holly, and MediaCorp artiste Felicia Chin served as style scouts, to pick 20 fashionably-inclined ladies and gentlemen for the grand finals on Jul 28, where the contenders got to show their individual style and competed to be the ultimate UNIQLOOKS winner.

Jul 28 saw the 20 finalists, celebrity judges, media friends and selected guests including UrbanWire gathered at the lofty and exclusive Ion Sky for the much-anticipated event. The well-kept secret of a venue was a major eye-opener for many. Prior the event, most of us wouldn’t have guessed that there’s actually a 55^th storey in the Ion mall.

While the waiting time could have been shortened to dismiss further dampening the spirits of a few guests, the refreshments (which far exceeded expectations) served made the wait less painful. This, in particular, captured the hearts of the food lovers.

Instant photo printing services were also made available throughout the whole show at zero cost, where professional photographers armed with bulky DSLRs were constantly on the move to get friends to strike a pose. In turn, guests could also request to have their pictures taken. This complimentary service was exceptionally enticing for some fan girls (and boys) who jostled their way through to have their pictures taken with their favourite star celebrity.

MTV VJ Utt

Finally, the show began when MTV VJ Utt strutted out in his smart wear, an ordinary 3-piece yet fashionably matching suit, capturing everyone’s attention. Needless to say, the spontaneity that comes with his years of hosting experience effortlessly transformed the lifeless atmosphere quickly.

Following a short but sweet opening message by Managing Director of UNIQLO Singapore, Satoshi Onoguchi, it was showtime for the 20 finalists. Although the models weren’t professional, they exuded much confidence as they took turns to sashay down the aisle.

Managing Director of UNIQLO Singapore, Satoshi Onuguchi

What kept this contest interactive is that 30% of the results are based on votes, while the rest were dependant on the judges decision. In round 1, 10 were eliminated.

Voting

Soon enough, round 2 began. The top 10 strutted down the walkway, with more poise than in round 1.

While the crowds seemed to favour Anna Lim, who stands at 1.7m, and is believed to have modeling background, Farah Amelia Tan, who was comparatively more ‘fun-sized’, didn’t let her petite build downsize her confidence. Judging by the swagger that accompanies Amelia when she moves, and the poise that she radiates when a camera steers in her direction, the lack of height doesn’t really bother women that much after all. When Utt did an impromptu banter with the judges, celebrity make-up artist, Clarence Wong, was particularly dazzled by Stacey Law, the most petite among the 20.

Contestant, Farah Amelia Tay

While women are often stereotyped as the ones you take your fashion cues from, this night proved otherwise. Celebrity artiste Felicia Chin, who used to think that “girls style better than guys,” took back her words after that night, when the panel of 6 judges, which consisted of VJ Holly, MediaCorp artiste Felicia Chin, celebrity fashion stylist Trey Wong and make-up artist Clarence Lee, Urban editor Tee Hun Ching and Uniqlo Singapore’s managing directors, Satoshi Onoguchi and Albert Chew crowned Viona Wang, 22 and Nick Chong, 27 as the winners.

Panel of judges

The duo won themselves an all-expense-paid three-night stay for two in New York, an exclusive invite to Uniqlo’s 5th Ave Global Flagship Store Opening party and a turn as cover stars for Catalog magazine.

“I feel really excited and honoured to be chosen from among so many people. I look forward to going to New York because it’s going to be an experience of a lifetime,” said Viona.

“I’m over the moon and I can’t wait to go to New York. I still can’t believe I won,” said Nick after receiving his prize.

Viona (left) and Nick (right), winners

So what makes one a worthy UNIQLOOK model? While fashion may be subjective, there are definitely guidelines. In the words of MTV VJ Holly, she believes in “being comfortable, and not trying too hard”.

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Photo courtesy of UNIQLO Singapore, Her World, Noel Teo 

And if running has become a passé in your exercise regime, and you’re looking for some fresh kick, then these classes definitely make the cut.

Designed by adidas Global Fitness Coaches, who are renowned experts in their own fields, the aFA “promises a program that can be enjoyed by people who are looking to get in better shape, but also challenging enough for fitness aficionados,” explained adidas senior Brand Communications and Sports Marketing manager of SEA, Marcus Chew.

Whether you are looking to stay healthy or shape up your body, here are 3 new workouts that you can consider picking up – no prerequisites required!

adidas Yoga

Those who stereotype yoga to be a sport for the dainty would take back their words after 1 session. Yoga is not as easy as you think it is! The practice of yoga is more than mere meditation; it also requires a sizable portion of muscular strength.

Albeit the class began with its straight-faced students seated comfortably in the highly known and easily mimicked meditation sitting pose, however, as the True Yoga Singapore’s team leader, Adinath Chowdhury, took the session further, she introduced more challenging poses such as the side planks and bridges.

Go for it: If you’re looking for a sport that brings about greater flexibility, coordination, agility and strength. The adidas Yoga is a unique sport that would bring about many spiritual, psychological and physical benefits.

adidas Personal Training

Lunges, squats and planks – these were some of the exercises that True Fitness Singapore’s master trainer, Wendy Cho, took us through in a 20-minute trial session. While these exercises might seem ordinary, they are what top-notched Olympic athletes do in their every day training. By turning up the intensity of each session, you will feel quicker, fitter and more powerful and agile, as testified by the master trainer

Go for it: If you’re looking to increase your fitness level. The adidas Personal Training will show you how to increase the density of your training sessions and maximize your time in the gym.

adidas Zone Cycling

One hand on the handle bar; the other on the resistance button… then Turn it up! These 3 phrases would be your greatest nightmare in the 20-minute trial session with True Fitness Singapore’s group exercise manger, Martin Cheang. Cycling with resistance is no easy feat! In fact, amongst the 3, the adidas Zone Cycling is the most arduous workout.

Go for it: If you’re looking for something that will get your heart racing. The adidas Zone Cycling is an effective personal cardiovascular workout that will improve strength, power and muscular endurance.

All classes, held at True Fitness and True Yoga centres in Singapore, are available from July 2011, exclusively only for True Group members. The registration for adidas Fitness Academy (aFA) classes can also be done at all True Group outlets.

If you’ve always wanted a foretaste of what the other world is like, perhaps Insidious might give you some insights on that. Be warned though – the further you travel, the darker it gets – are you sure the other world is where you want to reside?

The Lambert’s younger son, Dalton (Ty Simpkins), has a nasty fall one night while exploring the attic in their new old house, from which he doesn’t awake.

When the doctor couldn’t scientifically justify his being in a coma, none of the characters, not even his parents Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Renai (Rose Byrne), wanted to entertain the possibility of a spiritual explanation. In actuality, Dalton had discovered his supernatural ability to segregate his soul from his body, also known as astral projection.

Intrigued by this new unusual discovery, and probably having outgrown his toy guns and swords, Dalton (believed to be not more than 10 years of age), decided he wanted something more than what his parents could offer. And so that fateful night, Dalton departed from his comatose body and went on a solo quest into the shadow world known as “The Further”.

His vacated body becomes a channel for the possibility of a demon possession and paranormal events of the poltergeist variety unfold. So objects defy the forces of gravity: Doors opened on their own, boxes started shifting, and unfamiliar noises were amplified through the walkie-talkie, like in your garden variety horror movies.

Insidious is a paranormal and spooky journey.

What is refreshing is that much effort has gone into designing grotesque visuals, such as a red creepy demon which bore an uncanny resemblance of Darth Maul, perhaps a tad more demented, to create tension among viewers, as the filmmakers of Insidious preferred to keep their horror antics simple.

The opening credits, in which the title appeared in blood-red serif fonts, combined with a meld of loud and cacophonous music, surprisingly managed to send shivers down the most aloof audience in the theatre.

A fusion of horror, fantasy and thriller, with various horror antics infused, the movie felt like a mash-up of psychological horror film 1408, and classic occult horror The Exorcist. Having a third act where audiences discover that Insidious isn’t really just about ghosts, had mellowed down the spine-tingling effect. There were simply too many twists in the story. Nonetheless, the brilliant and unique cinematography such as hand-held and point-of-view shots captured the fears and intensity, as well as the lighting and set design, which managed to set the spooky atmosphere, were commendable.

While portraying the intensity of the situation poses to be a challenge in otherworldly films as such, the casts in Insidious managed to convince the audiences with their realistic acting. Special mention should be given to Lin Shaye for stealing the limelight. Despite having to look silly in certain scenes, she still kept the professional composure of a medium.

Kudos to the creators behind Paranormal Activity and Saw, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, who joined forces to put together a fantasy horror cum thriller, a production atypical from the usual excessive blood and gore.

If you fancy a show that occasionally leaves you guffawing and laughing yourself silly, Insidious, a mixture of gigs and gags, would be the kind of horror flick you would relish in. With sporadic comic reliefs appearing in the least expected scenes, such as paranormal psychic Elise Rainer (Lin Shaye) donned in a gas mask performing a ritual alongside her 2 hipster sidekicks, you’re likely to cackle.

Elise Rainer (in gas mask) seeks Dalton, in this scene in Insidious.

If you measure a good horror flick by how many people discuss it incessantly, whether because of the silly antic, or a failed attempt to scare you out of your wits, go ahead and have a good laugh with a few of your pals. Otherwise, give this show a miss – it won’t have been worth your 102 minutes.

Movie: Insidious
Rating: 3/5
Opens: 26 May 2011
Duration: 102 minutes
Language: English
Age Rating: NC-16
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Fantasy
Director: James Wan
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose, Byrne, Lin Shaye, Ty Simpkins

If it’s your secret fantasy to be surrounded by a multitude of women, you’d have had that fulfilled if you were just present at the Marina Barrage on May 7. Because that was when 5,000 feisty females took part in the inaugural all-girls Nike Goddess 5K.

Not that you’d have been granted admission in their ranks. The Nike Goddess 5K stood out from past races organised in Singapore for the same one-up(wo)manship of the “The Men Don’t Get It” credit card campaign.

For that one very simple reason: An intention of celebration for girls to showcase their passion through the sport of running, the event also proudly proclaimed their amplified slogan, ‘Running Is For Girls’.

“So what if men can run, do they know their way?” With tongue-in-cheek taglines like these unabashedly declaring a female conspiracy against men, the hidden female chauvinistic nature in every girl was certainly catered to.

“We are here to show the girl power,” said 23-year-old preschool teacher, Nurul Huda, giving extra emphasis and careful enunciation to the word ‘girl’.

Many others, like Huda, have longed to participate in sporting events, but were previously too self-conscious to do so. However, when she found out that it was an all-girls event, she quickly “roped in whoever she knew” to join her.

Participating in this race also unleashed the competitive nature in her, which she never knew existed. She added, “Competing against women only makes this run special and more competitive. The thing that we like most about running is the aftereffect. With a goal in mind to finish the race, it feels like you have achieved something once you complete it.”

Aimed to empower girls to own the sport of running, while embracing the goddesses within themselves, the 5-kilometre race, Anne Date, a Nike athlete, felt “provided a great platform, because they felt comfortable and safe in an all-girls event, allowing them to enjoy the sport and the atmosphere with fellow girlfriends”.

Added 34-year-old Didith Lawary, “We run for fun, and not for competition. All of us have a different pace when running. Some of us will be in front and some of us will be behind, but no matter what, we will always wait for each other at the finish line.” She and her group of friends resembled Greek goddesses as they donned floral headbands, which resembled laurel wreaths.

Ready, set, go!

With a flag off that started at the Marina Barrage, the route took runners across the Marina Channel and around the scenic Waterfront Promenade. Despite the sweltering heat, the majority of the participants remained peppy.

Blissful squeals of delight escaped from the crowd as a few lucky goddesses sprung past the starting line, and were greeted with “high fives” by MTV Asia VJ Utt, who was one of the rare thorn among the roses then. Jealous fan girls, on the other hand, wore disgruntled looks to show their disapproval for this gesture.

Slowly, but surely, the ladies returned from their 5-km adventure. While some conquered every step of the race alone, others braved it with their buddies. The run would have been a breeze if not for the scorching hot weather. Nonetheless, the spirits of the goddesses were not doused – very commendable indeed.

Anticipating the return of the runners, men in black lined themselves along the finishing line, presenting the girls with a stalk of sunflower as they strode past it, to celebrate the ladies’ completion of the run. Although fresh drinking water would have been preferred at that point in time, it was still a sweet effort by the gentlemen, the so-called hunks hired by Nike, to receive the ladies with cheers and words of encouragement.

The Race Village

Those who finished were led to The Green Roof where the field was transformed into a second heaven, known as The Race Village. With a host of complimentary treats and pampering services such as frozen yoghurt, massages, and other delicious treats such as Danish pastries, éclairs and fruit tarts, specially catered for the girls to celebrate the goddesses within, the earlier anguish was easily forgotten.

Vanity being a girls’ preserve, the only photo booth that was stationed along the borders of the field remained very popular. Even though the queue stretched across the width of the Green Roof, the size of 4 football fields, more girls weren’t deterred from joining in.

The winners were bestowed with a VIP treatment of an exclusive limousine ride to any destination of their choice, in Singapore, of course.

Party’s not over

MTV Asia hosts Utt and Holly, were on hand to pump up the adrenaline of the audience with their chauvinistic banter and natural chemistry.

Finally, with homegrown talents 53A and Forgetting To Shower electrifying the atmosphere with their covers of chart-topping tunes like ‘Beautiful Girls’, ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, and ‘In Your Head’, and female duo DJ Twoface taking the decks spinning electrifying tunes, it was no surprise that the event ended on a high note. The night couldn’t get any better with girls spotted singing and dancing along to the beats of the music.

Indeed, the Nike Goddess 5K proved to be more than just a competitive run. It also unleashed the goddess in every girl, with the desire to look and feel good via running.

Marketing Manager of Nike Singapore, Vijaya Kumar beamed, “We achieved what we set out to do – to celebrate and empower girls to own the sport of running.”

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