The UrbanWire      

Casual was the watchword at the very first m:idea Youth Choice Awards ceremony as celebrities took a breather and cut themselves some slack from the usual dressy award ceremonies. Steering away from the standard suits and cocktail dresses, the nominees for the respective awards came dressed in comfort clothes as requested.

Despite the casual getup, these are the celebrities who deserved a second glance.

Ris Low

If you don’t already know her, Ris Low, ex-Miss Singapore World 2009, is infamous for her coining new words “boomz” and “shingz”, which have become a part of our national vocabulary. The much-awaited fashionista was expected to strut down the red carpet in a seemingly bold red bikini or her personal favourite – an outfit with leopard prints.

However, hopes were dashed as the ex-pageant queen appeared in a more ordinary outfit. Ris says, “The maxi dress maximizes my look as it’s long and it makes me look much taller.”

Her buzzwords landed her as the winner of the Best OMG (short for Oh My God)! Moment category and Ris feels that she can land herself with the Best OMG! Dressed award if m:idea had such a category.

With much confidence, Ris declares that the most “OMG” factor about her style would be her guts to turn a deaf ear to comments to dress as she likes. Ris said: “I’m daring and I’m not afraid to show my body.”

Ris likes to think of herself as a Barbie doll and makes sure that she is well dolled up at all times. Aren’t you curious about whom she gets her fashion inspirations from?

Drum-roll please…

Britney Spears!

Yes, that’s right. Britney’s hit song “Circus” might just explain Ris’s liking for safari-themed clothes.

For a change, the much-talked-about celebrity is now experimenting with colours. Ris declares, “Violet is the new red.” (Red was initially her favourite colour.) So be it a disappointment or relief for you, don’t expect to see Ris in outfits with leopard prints for now.

Instead, look out for her upcoming fashion style as she gears herself up with lots of Tarzan and Jane-inspired togas that shout “boomz”!

Fauzi Rassull

If you thought that Ris Low’s getup would be the most note-worthy at the awards, you’ve thought wrong. Self-proclaimed as “Singapore’s only male bitch”, Fauzi Rassull rocked the red carpet with his appearance. Dressed in an all-black outfit from head to toe, literally, including a women’s cropped fur vest and heeled boots, this blogger had no qualms when it comes to wearing clothes designed for the opposite sex.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s for women or not. I feel comfortable in it and that’s all that matters,” said Fauzi.

This snazzy daredevil may get all the attention but it’s not always complimentary. Fauzi says, “I get a lot of stares from people from the streets but I’m not affected as I’m immune and I’ve accepted it.”

Apart from comfort, Fauzi also feels more confident in his dressing. 2 fashion must-haves that he can’t leave home without would be his black eyeliner that accentuates his eyes and his black nail polish.

Quite like Adam Lambert, don’t you think?

But no, the American Idol first runner-up is not his fashion inspiration. Fauzi idolises skinny models that are “thin-spired” like Agyness Deyn.

Other noteworthy celebs

Celebrity pair Muttons from 987FM, voted “Celebrity Duo I Wanna Chill With”, came in similar tees that are flashy but not over the top, from Ed Hardy.

Winner of “Cutest Male Personality I Wanna Bring Home” Utt came dressed to the nines. “I think I OD-ed a little with my dressing today but I guess I just wanted to be courteous to dress more than less,” says Utt. His efforts to dress up definitely didn’t go to waste as his screaming fan-girls loved it.

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Dare to change.

If the runaway success of the eccentric, outlandishly bold singer cum fashionista Lady Gaga isn’t enough to make you realise that blending in and sticking to the status quo – be it in fashion, hairstyle or attitude – isn’t cool anymore, I don’t know what is.

Soon, we’ll be counting down to the New Year and if you’re booked for some hot party to ring in 2010, this is a wake-up call that a change is called for.

Hair is everything. For a woman, it’s her crowning glory, the most noticeable feature, and that which reflects her beauty.

Fashionistas know that a look is incomplete without a great hairstyle that’ll make the individual feel good and look good too.

So, to inspire and to motivate you in your change for 2010, UrbanWire sent 4 of its writers, representing the different facial shapes of most readers, for a temporary makeover at the recently launched salon – Jonal Chong Hair Couture, owned by the successful celebrity Singaporean hairstylist who has styled the manes of various Hollywood A-listers including Nicole Kidman.

The girls were treated to an out-of-this-world experience as the salon manager Mike Loh, styled their hair based on the shape of their faces, with a surprising twist to make them stand out. But isn’t Lady Gaga, who’s one of the most popular, crazed and successful artistes today, the epitome of unique?

Check out our writers who had their hair done and just how to achieve that look!

Amanda
Geraldine
Diyana
Adrianna

(Read more)

When it comes to great advertising, the Heineken Walk-In Fridge really nails it. The advertisement hardly has any dialogue or jingle, yet the message is crystal clear. This ad about the age-old differences between the genders is clever, funny, and drives the message across beautifully.

What this ad nails is the moment – the Heineken moment. The moment of realisation that you have a walk-in fridge that has enough beer to last you for a long, long time. There’s just Heineken and more Heineken, and more Heineken…

This festive season, you can get as close as you want to feeling that Heineken moment! The Heineken pop-up boutique bar on Orchard Road is classy and innovative and allows visitors to quickly grab a Heineken before carrying on with their festive shopping or merrymaking.

What you can expect at the boutique-bar: Beer will be for sale on one side of the bar (that’s the bar side), and at the ‘closet’ side, Heineken has partnered with Fred Perry to display their fashionable apparel. Not only that – visitors stand to win Fred Perry discount vouchers too. And then of course, the boutique-bar makes a great opportunity for taking photographs of you and your friends re-enacting your very own Heineken moment!

The Heineken Boutique-Bar is situated outside Orchard Building until Dec 27.

You can visit www.heineken.com.sg for more details.

“Fashion with a purpose” is what best describes Ocean Minded, a leading designer and manufacturer of environmentally responsible footwear and apparel.

UrbanWire got a sneak peek of the 2010 Spring/ Summer Collection at Ocean Minded’s concept store at VivoCity on Nov 18.

The new range contains several capsule collections to appeal to various tastes, such as stylish leather sandals, sporty sandals and casual shoes. The products on display showed a refreshing change from the current range.

^{Image Meilani Yellow Plumeria
(All images from Ocean Minded)}

An example is the Image Meilani. It’s an update to the very popular Meilani sandals by adding loud and colourful prints. The Meilani collection is American surfer Bethany Hamilton’s signature sandal and named after her middle name, Meilani, which means “Heavenly Flower” in Hawaiian. Make a statement with the print that suits your personality best.

^{Image Meilani Yellow Green}

The new Image Meilani collection will be available in January 2010 in Yellow Plumeria and Kiwi colours at a recommended retail price of S$39.95.

There’s also the Cheyna collection for women which features premium leather straps. It’s a very versatile selection with its streamlined and simple design, going well with almost every outfit. Sore feet will never be a problem as the midsole is made from the special recycled Ocean Minded foam containing Ethylene Vinyl Acetate to guarantee comfort with every step.

^{Cheyna Red}

The Cheyna collection will be available from February 2010 in Red, Black and Yellow at a recommended retail price of S$49.95.

Not forgetting the guys, there’s the Seaweed collection that’s created with recycled Croslite material to keep the weight to a minimum. It also features a pliable nylon toe post made from recycled plastic bottles that prevents abrasions between toes.

^{Seaweed Charcoal/Lime}

The Seaweed collection will be available in January 2010 in Rasta and Charcoal/Lime at a recommended retail price of S$54.95.

The Durbo collection by Bede Durbridge is another very surfer-inspired sandal and is surprisingly comfortable thanks to its Croslite DNA. Wear the Durbo with extra pride as it has a specially crafted message on its outsole such as “Keep our beaches clean. Be part of the solution” and “Live. Protect. Respect.”

^{Durbo Rasta}

With great attention to details in the stitching and labels, plus the use of materials such as Croslite which makes the footwear non-slip and odour resistant, Ocean Minded promises comfort, durability and environmental responsibility while still being fashionable.

Situated in Paragon, 33 thirty three is a first of its kind, exclusive multi-label shoe boutique in Asia. It retails the elite designer brand G-Star Raw Footwear that specialises in alternative footwear that gives a rugged feel.

The trendy London-based Double Identity and established Italian brand Iceberg debut alongside that label.

33 thirty three was named thus, “so as to commemorate the significance of the G-Star denim and its quality,” according to Mr John Ng, Director and General Manager of Sidefame Singapore, the premier fashion retailer that manages G-Star Apparel and 33 thirty three.

G-Star Raw Footwear carries the emblem of 3301 on all their products. 33 represents the number of the first batch of raw denim brought in for its apparel and 01 was an indication of the denim’s quality.

Sidefame is also the only local spokesperson for Milan-based upscale fashion labels such as Anteprima, well known for high-end leather goods.

Shoes from G-Star, a celebrated brand from Amsterdam that was noted for innovative work on raw denim, occupy 70% of the footwear display in the shop. They are segregated into 3 categories namely – utility, military and sports.

Retailing from $193 onwards, each pair may seem a tad pricey but Mr Ng assured that they are well worth the money if you’re looking for something that’s fashionable and durable.

Pointing out the unique make and design of each shoe, Mr Ng explained to UrbanWire, “The shoes are sturdy fashion items by themselves. It isn’t just about the design that you can see! The soles in itself are a character.”

The unique serrated soles are made based on an inspiration of a pair of “old fisherman boots” and will give consumers excellent grip when in use. The shoes are also styled to be hip and edgy but at the same time designed for comfort.

Take, for example, the military Patton Cinch Collar Leather Boots for men, which are made from calf leather and with an inner sock detail to provide comfort and style.

The Auger Samovar Denim high top sport trainer combines the unexpected blend of “full-grain leather, denim, suede and micro-meshes” to construct a pair of avant-garde sneakers. This serves G-Star Raw Footwear’s “form follows function” philosophy and at the same time is sturdy enough to withstand tough treatment.

Says the enthusiastic manager about the G-Star Raw Footwear, “These shoes cost a lot to produce because they are made from high quality raw materials. They are vulcanised and treated at high heat so they can withstand wear and tear for a very long time.”

Vulcanisation is a process often used to produce tyres. The rubber parts of the shoes are treated at very high temperatures with sulphur and moulded with steel frames that make the material stronger, yet more supple. Unlike shoes that are put together by glue, they are more “lasting and also hold their shape very well”.

Each of the brands, according to Mr Ng, brings in a slightly different twist to what 33 thirty three has to offer despite its common theme of alternative and industrial feel.

Iceberg brings an extravagant and stylish feel to sneakers. The 35-year-old label is run by the Gilmar Group, a reputable Italian company.

The Iceberg Ladies Vernice Nero is decorated with sequins to amplify the glam factor.

Meanwhile, Double Identity presents a “quirky, individualistic take” on sneakers with its prominent double Velcro straps and its 2-lace details.

Like the other stores in Paragon, this has a minimalist almost clinical look, although the shop was intending to convey the alternative, rugged feel of the footwear, using metallic frames and metal nets as part of the décor.

^{Edmund Chen and family at 33 thirty three}

^{Dennis Chew at 33 thirty three}
Those present, such as Y.E.S 93.3 FM deejay, Dennis Chew, gave the look 2 thumbs up. He was seen trying on a few pairs of shoes and said to UrbanWire, “I love the clean and open display. I can instantly pick out the designs that I really like from it and make a choice quickly.”

Designers of 4 labels came under one roof at Blackmarket’s inaugural standalone fashion show – the Blackmarket Manifesto 2010. And how apt the name of the event was, for the show spoke volumes of how the Blackmarket brand, despite being only a carrier of labels, has carved such a good reputation for its loyal support to local and regional designers.

UrbanWire takes a closer look at the 4 labels who presented at the launch.

FrüFrü & Tigerlily

There’s something intriguing about the trio behind FrüFrü & Tigerlily . Constant to their style, their label seems to take upon a demeanor of nu-rave girls hanging out in clubs and being madly obsessed with electronic music. Take for example this collection – a notable fluorescent purple triangular shape was juxtaposed against a background of black on 2 outfits (so reminiscent of glo-lights in a club), making the collection so subtly relevant to the music-loving audience at Zouk. The other outfits in the collection featured mixing different shapes while keeping a sharp and prim silhouette.

Gian Romano

It’s easy to tell that Gian Romano has big ideas behind the clothes he designs. This Spring 2010 collection, being his second show with Blackmarket, was very well-presented and paired, with all the outfits related to an emphasis on sex appeal. Citing his references to ideas of S&M and the red light district, it’s no wonder that his collection was a show of grommets, string detail, skinny pants and leather.

Max Tan

At first look, Max Tan’s collection is obviously telling of what his collection is about – a new interpretation of the classic white shirt. But by the time the third outfit is revealed on the runway, you’d be much more blown away by his impressive interpretation of the classic rather than how you ‘got it’ upon first glance. Reworking and incorporating current styles such harem pants and one-piece jumpers to styles from seasons ago like the asymmetrical skirt into a single collection gave the audience a unified visual treat that didn’t bore or tire. Max Tan’s collection presented itself as neat, solid, and slightly androgynous.

Tangle

And the last of the collections was the Spring 2010 collection of Tangle, under Christy Chow. This collection featured outfits for both sexes that were set apart by their fresh cuts and shapes. The outfits showed hints of rock and edginess fused with romanticism of floral prints in very wearable daily pieces, styled up with black leather boots and chains, truly bringing out the message of mixed movements.

Blackmarket turns 1 this November.

All labels and runway pieces will be available at:

Blackmarket

Opens daily from 12pm to 9pm

Address: 19, Jln Pisang

Website: www.theblackmarket.sg

Telephone: +65 6296 8512

(All pictures courtesy of Jeri Soh via Blackmarket)

This year marks the 100^th birthday for Frederick John Perry, otherwise well known as Fred Perry in the world of fashion. Popular for its classic polo shirts, Fred Perry is known for its signature laurel wrath, which appears on the left side of their apparels.

Born in Stockport on 18 May 1909, Frederick John Perry’s success as a tennis legend led to the famous laurel wrath that has developed into one of the world’s most recognizable logos in the fashion industry. The logo is one of the most timeless of its kind in the world, often associated with authenticity, heritage, and integrity.

On Nov 5, Fred Perry celebrated its 100th birthday at the Red Dot Museum at Maxwell Rd, complete with performances by the UK band Kyte, free alcoholic drinks, and of course, a fashion show with wax-figurine looking models taking charge of the runway with their Autumn ‘09 collection.

With hot models strutting their stuff on the runway, Fred Perry showcased its latest apparels ranging from formal shirts and shirt dresses to sports jackets and cardigans that night. It was 50 years ago when Fred Perry first launched its classic polo shirt, and we can see how the brand has evolved and has now become the shirt of choice amongst younger people around the world.

Of course, it’s become so popular that there are imitations of this brand all over, where they sell the fake goods for less. Just for fun, here are some tips to ensure that your ‘Fred Perry’ piece of clothing is authentic…

1)    Fred Perry buttons are embossed with the words ‘Fred Perry’.
2)    The position of the laurel should be on the left side, just over the heart.
3)    Check for the style reference number of the product.
4)    There is a spare button attached to the wash label.

There you go. UrbanWire would like to wish Fred Perry a very happy 100^th birthday!

Young people who post their outfit photographs online say they only want to “inspire others” and show the world “their style”. Paige Foong takes a closer look.

She smiles coyly into the camera, wearing a 20-year-old black jumpsuit that once belonged to her mother, a pair of chunky Steve Madden brown wedges and a black studded belt that’s twisted around her waist.

Meet Becks Ko, 20, a recent Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate who religiously posts photographs of her outfits almost every other day, either on fashion community sites or her personal blog.

Becks is just one of the growing number of youths who are joining websites like the widely popular Chictopia.com and Lookbook.nu. These websites gather looks from members in their communities and are starkly different from fashion magazines, where the models are waif-like and clothed in overpriced apparel carefully handpicked by professional stylists.

In Lookbook, one can only become a member of the community through an invitation by a current member. Upon acceptance, users can upload their daily fashion experimentations for other users to comment and rate.

Becks, who will be attending Lasalle College of Arts in August, says that she started posting her photographs late last year to share her experimentations with other fashion enthusiasts, and to also get feedback on her dressing.

Sndy Klare Leo, 20, a student from Nanyang Polytechnic, agrees and claims that she started uploading her photographs because she loves dressing up and sharing her outfits with others to “inspire one another”.

Too much to handle?

Sndy recalls receiving mixed reviews when she posted her first outfit online. The business student says there was an especially memorable commenter who remarked that she dressed like his granny, to which she simply replied, “I would love to meet your granny”.

Currently, she puts up her photographs of her outfits on her personal blog, which boasts a readership of nearly 30, 000 since she first started.

Although these websites encourage users to offer constructive advice, hate mail is inevitable. Melanie Lim and Leanne Teo, both 20-year-old undergrads and co-owners of their personal blog, have suffered backlash from their first outfit post on local online fashion community Runway City, where the vivacious duo dressed up in sexy La Senza fishnet stockings, biker tights and snake print leggings, to which one commenter harshly remarked, “Very nice. How much?”

Attention Seekers

Singapore Polytechnic student Shauna Lee, 18, thinks that these websites only cater to “materialistic and bimbotic girls”. The confident teenager also states that she doesn’t need the reassurance from others to prove that she is part of the “in crowd”.

Still, she admits to enjoy reading some of the websites, as “they are a guilty pleasure”. She recalled an unforgettable post by a girl on such a site who said that she “needed advice for her poor dressing, but not to comment on her face or figure as she was fat and ugly”.

Part-time waitress Natalie Tan, 19, shares the same opinion as Shauna, saying that she’d never post photographs of herself online, because she does not want “others to rip off [her] style”.

Subjective Not Objective

Sndy, Leanne and Melanie all agree that criticism on such accessible sites is inevitable, but they make a point to note that style is subjective.

They believe that as long as they remain levelheaded and positive, they can continue taking such risks to experiment and upload. Melanie says, “At the end of it, we’re just girls who never grew out of dress-up.”

Bang! That’s the word to describe the two fashion shows that happened in VivoCity on Mar 4.

Liz Claiborne and River Island were the two of the five brands that showcased their Spring/Summer 2009 Collection at this year’s VivoCity Fashion Showcase.

If you love the lower-end ‘trendified’ version of British India, River Island is just the thing for you. With a mix of bold and neon colours, River Island is very interesting.

Showcasing their women’s and men’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection, River Island definitely makes an impact on the younger generation with their interesting colour palette.

Some may label Electric Blue, Shocking Yellow, Neon Pink and Fruity Orange as tacky colours. But, River Island proves otherwise. In fact, if mixed and matched properly, it adds just the right amount of zest needed to rejuvenate your look.

The collection is very youthful with gorgeous short dresses and unique printed leggings. We all know that leggings are back, but River Island takes the trend a step further with uniquely patterned leggings. (Somewhat inspired by Harajuku style, perhaps?)

The men’s collection also brings something new to the table. It was a different approach to men’s fashion, totally different from the classic tailored wear. Showcasing electric blue cardigans, neon pink shirts and accessories, River Island showcases a look you could only either love or hate.

So, if you’re interested in the River Island contemporary street style, Head down to VivoCity, #01-41/42.

Bang! That’s the word to describe the Liz Claiborne show that happened in VivoCity on Mar 4.

Liz Claiborne was 1 of the 5 brands that showcased their Spring/Summer 2009 Collection at this year’s VivoCity Fashion Showcase.

Liz Claiborne was a divine show. With a colour palette that could suit every girl’s skin tone, it was a floral, pastel fantasy that came to life when the models started to strut down the runway.

Designed by Isaac Mizrahi, the collection represents a key concept of fashion, which is to have fun!

The collection started with a pink floral dress that was instantly a crowd favourite. Simple, cute and yet sexy, the dress had an adorable windblown skirt, and a pink floral print.

The collection was coherent with more floral prints coming down the runway in shades of yellow, purple, orange and even sky blue.

Furthermore, the whole collection was really consumer friendly with different pieces with classic silhouettes and a range of colours from pastels to navy, for the office. Liz Claiborne’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection is a fresh new look for the familiar brand, with a range that could cater to both young and older.

But the apparel was only half of the picture.

The bags that accessorised the outfits were just as amazing as the dresses, at certain points even detracting attention from what the model was wearing. The collection has an fascinating mix of colours and shapes.

Interested? Make your way down to Liz Claiborne at VivoCity, #01-190 to take a gander at the real deal.

It’s that ever-important first date where you’re all out to express your interest in that person.

If you stared at your closet longer than you plan to actually be on that first Valentine’s Day date with that special someone, Hype Magazine has put together some combinations for him and her.

On the other hand, you may have the outfit, but not the composed attitude that should accompany it. If that’s case, we have UW Pre-Date Tips just for you.

Her:
Yellow Dress w/ Black Belt, $69.90, Loft
Yellow Heels, $89.90, Loft
Butterfly Earrings, $18, Under the Tree (Cactus Farm)

Him:
White Polo Tee, $33, FOX Fashion
Blue Jeans, $79, FOX Fashion
Hand-drawn White Canvas Sneakers, $29.90, Jaco and Ben (Cactus Farm)

Him:
Grey Chequered Shirt, $59.90, FOX Fashion
Khaki Pants, $69, FOX Fashion
Black Leather Belt, $49, FOX Fashion

Her:
Femme Top Dyed, $29, Flesh Imp
Femme Denim Washed Pants, $43.00, Flesh Imp
White Fashion Watch, $25, Kew (Cactus Farm)
Butterfly Necklace, $29.90, Loft
White Sandals, $89.90, Loft

On the girls:
White Dress w/ Black Belt, $49.90, Loft
White Ear Studs, $18, Miss Con (Cactus Farm)
Green & White Spaghetti Dress, $29.90, Loft
Inspirations Necklace, $8, Kacia (Cactus Farm)
Small Bracelet, $9.90, Yoko (Cactus Farm)
Yellow Heels, $89.90, Loft (Haji Lane)

On the guys:
Brown  Chequered Shirt, $69, FOX Fashion
Grey Jeans, $79, FOX Fashion
Canvas  Belt, $29, FOX Fashion
Hand-drawn White Canvas Sneakers, $29.90, Jaco and Ben (Cactus Farm)
Pink Polo Tee, $29, FOX Fashion
Blue Washed Jeans, $79, FOX Fashion
Black Leather  Belt, $49, FOX Fashion
Leather Fashion Watch, $29, Kew (Cactus Farm)

Stockists: Loft, FOX Fashion, Cactus Farm, Flesh Imp
Photography: Yeo Kai Wen
Stylist: Tammy Chua
Models: Justin Tan, Jessica Lim, Marvin Miranda, Tammy Chua
Location: The House @ Dempsey

UW Pre-Date Tips: Surviving the Jitters
by Nicole Tan

You’ve got the outfit, but you’re all nerves inside.

Chill. Relax. You’re suffering from something normal: the pre-first-date jitters. There’s nothing wrong with wanting everything to go right on that important first date, so take a few minutes to calm those nerves down.

Turn Up the Music
Blast the tunes that you love. There’s nothing like a little upbeat music to keep you feeling good about yourself. Check out some of our suggestions:
A*Teens – Can’t Help Falling in Love
Aly & AJ – Walking on Sunshine
Cassie – Is It You
Backstreet Boys – What Makes You Different
Jesse McCartney – Beautiful Soul

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Stand in front of the mirror and remind yourself of how great you are. You’re a total catch and your potential partner is extremely lucky to have you. There’s nothing like a little self praise to boost your confidence. In the event your mirror has tended not to flatter you, replace it with a slightly more distracting one like the Figgjo Mirror – Round (Black) from Ikea.

Figgjo Mirror - Round (Black), $49, Ikea

A Whiff of Confidence
If you’re still feeling jittery, find some lavender. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lavender is “a natural remedy for a range of ailments from insomnia and anxiety“.

And you needn’t break down the florist’s door either. Simply take a shower with lavender-scented soap, leave on a little lavender-scented body moisturiser or splash on some perfume with a hint of lavender, and you’ll fins that the soothing scent will definitely calm you down.

Not sure where to get lavender products? Head on down to Crabtree & Evelyn, where a wide range of lavender-scented products await you. This UrbanWire writer highly recommends:

Lavender Bath & Shower Gel, $30, Crabtree & Evelyn

Lavender Body Cream, $65, Crabtree & Evelyn

Lavender Water, $58, Crabtree & Evelyn

Now it’s time to go and let your hair down during your date. If the evening doesn’t turn out the way you wanted it to, don’t worry. After all, you sometimes have to go through a few wrongs to get a right. But if it turned out to be more than what you expected, all the better for you! It’s time to plan that next date.

What do you want to do when you hit 60?
Go skydiving? Travel around the world? Meet the president?

Perhaps in due time you’ll figure it out, but sports giant PUMA, certainly knew it, and acted anything but its age.

At its 60th birthday bash, PUMA turned Butter Factory into a sporting shrine, where trend-setting products previously worn by legendary athletes were again displayed under spotlights.

Former World No.1 tennis player Boris Becker, the first FIFA World Player of The Year Lothar Matthaus, Olympics and World Record Holder sprinter Usain Bolt, to name a few, are among the best known athletes whose PUMA apparel were showcased in the Iconic Gallery titled Past, Present and Future.

Sheryl Wong, General Manager and Gabriel Yap, Marketing Manager blowing out the candles.

To further illustrate PUMA’s outstanding achievements in sports and fashion, a fashion show, where 6 local designers were invited to interpret PUMA’s styles throughout the decades with the accompaniment of pumpin’ music, was presented.

First up came the collection from Keith Png, designer of the label Koops.

Set in the 1920s, the selection of apparel consists mainly of neutral colours such as brown, with textured jackets used in abundance. This UrbanWire reporter can’t be sure if the colours were intentionally chosen to depict the crisis present during the 20s -The Great Depression – but if they were, they sure were appropriate.

Bringing us to the 60s is Dolphine Chia.

Her inspiration being vastly different from Keith’s, she splashed bold, contrasting colours in the form of stripes, graphic tees and funky sunnies. With the layering trend very much still alive, Dolphine banked on the rage, throwing striped cardigans over graphic tees and striped knee-high socks.

After an intermission, where the party-goers were treated to a session of freestyle football, the fashion show time machine proceeded on to the 1970s.

Emitting a laidback chic aura, the models appeared in rollerskates, skimming the floor lazily.

This collection by Nicholas Wong of Nicholas was fairly similar to that of the 20s, with the exception of one thing: underneath all the neutral outerwear, UrbanWire spotted flashes of warm colours. The sudden acknowledgment of hues definitely added a pleasant element of surprise.

Remember the hottest movie of the 1980s, Flashdance?

Not only did the film push music videos in it to fame, it too sold professional dancewear as fashionable streetwear. Unveiling a collection clearly influenced by Flashdance, fashion stylist Steven Kong dressed his models in leotards paired with leggings, and walked them down the runway. The tight-fitting outfits only served to accentuate the toned physiques of the male models, while the females’ never-ending gams were played up by the short hemlines

URBAN’s Chief Stylist Jerome Awasthi chose to reproduce the 90s with an interesting mix of windbreakers and berms. If you don’t know what the latter are, they’re short for bermudas or casual knee-length trousers. What this UrbanWire reporter found cute though, were the coordinated pairs of sneakers every model had on.

After a rush through the past, Frederick Lee, one of Singapore’s most sought-after couturier took on the task of presenting PUMA’s present collections, touted to shake the fashion industry in the near future. This selection too, incorporated many of the current season’s trends – frills, animal prints, short hemlines and tights.

As the fashion show drew to a close, PUMA left its well-dressed attendees to their own devices, while spoiling them with a free flow of drinks and alcohol.

A memorable Iconic Gallery, a delectable fashion show bringing us through the ages, and a night of revelry.

Now you know what kind of party you can throw when you hit the big 6-0.

Angels, ghouls, Darth Vader and vampires dragging along their brides. We’ve seen them all at Halloween parties, and gotten so used to them we’d hardly jump if Frankenstein were to pop up in front of us with a club in hand. Now what would be really scary though, is if you turn up for a Halloween party not as Freddy from A Nightmare on Elm Street, but instead, looking like a million bucks.

The folks at French Connection, who know people who’d rather be dead than caught looking unfashionable, launched the Halloween Fashion Runway show at its Raffles City outlet on Oct 23, with black being the predominant colour, naturally. Comprising of pieces from the Autumn/Winter ‘08 Collection, the runway show was a scream, bringing out models with gory, dark makeup and prosthetic vampire teeth.

Connecting with FCUK

Started in 1972 by Stephen Marks, FCUK set out to conquer the high-street fashion scene, while offering quality and affordable prices. With a slogan like “Fashion Is Our Business”, there is no doubt FCUK takes design and style very seriously, always trying to bring every collection up a notch.

FCUK down the Runway

Titled “Mixing It Up”, the Autumn/Winter Collection ‘08 is true to its name, with a delicious throw-in of both casual and formal wear. This collection sees French Connection sticking to its collaboration with French art director, Fabien Baron, expanding on the themes that were established last season.

With mostly fitting tops, dresses and jeans, the Autumn/Winter Collection ‘08 banked on trends prevalent in the world of fashion, that of bows, high-waisted skirts, and plaids.

Although black dominated, it wasn’t the only colour in all the pieces showcased. There were a large variety of hues, with each containing an underlying hint of black, creating a peek-a-boo effect.

The women’s line consisted of simple pieces jazzed up with details such as bows and pleats. UrbanWire particularly liked the way luxe fabrics such as satin and velvet were incorporated into the outfits, giving them an edgy look due to the metallic sheen. This season’s hottest trend of high-waisted everything manifested itself in the form of skirts and pants.

Show off your penchant for bows, a la English singer/songwriter Lily Allen, by throwing them into your outfits. This UrbanWire reporter spotted at least 4 bows appearing in this collection, on clutches, dresses, halter tops and even on high-waisted skirts.

The men’s line churned out a large variety of looks. Punk-rock, preppy chic, laidback cool and smart businessman. This collection had them all. To create the first look, French Connection threw heavy leather jackets over teeshirts screaming out FCUK messages. Preppy chic was interpreted in the form of pageboy caps, shirts and a tie layered under a cardigan, as well as long scarves, both of which are too warm for our weather.

The best way to create a laidback cool look is to don hats, all kinds of hats. If you know nothing about them, look to rocker Pete Doherty (yes, he used to be with with supermodel Kate Moss) for inspiration. He dons hats, all sorts of them, from top hats to straw ones, with pizazz.

Front-row Session with FCUK

The French Connection runway show also saw Fashion Director of CLEO, Sally Teo making an appearance. She had earlier been featured during the front-row session with La Senza where she dished out advice on lingerie selection to CLEO readers. This time round, she shared with 100 CLEO readers the importance of knowing one’s body proportions and the cutting of clothes. Sally then demonstrated using mannequins how different looks can be created with pieces from French Connection’s Autumn/Winter ‘08 Collection.

FCUK Fashion

The French Connection’s Autumn/Winter ‘08 Collection definitely has pieces worthy of your purchase. So whaddya know, if you’re totally stumped as to what to wear to that Halloween party, you won’t have to look much further for your outfit.

If you can’t join them, scare them. With style, of course.

Accessories splayed out on tables. Shoes piled up in a stack. Hangars thrown everywhere. Clothes spilling out of suitcases. You would think this scene was taken from a runaway bride’s room. Well, that’s where you’re wrong. Flea markets look like that too. Especially a flea market of Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun’s aptitude.

The Singapore Conference Hall saw a throng of people on Oct 25. Of course, we’re not saying people don’t usually head there. People do, for orchestra performances. This time round though, the crowd was made out of largely youths who were dressed to the nines. Fashionistas and trend-setters were aplenty.

And they had all one goal: To hunt down the best bargains and buys one can find in Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun.

Although the scene was chaotic, with everyone rummaging through piles and stacks of clothes in search of nifty pieces, this UrbanWire reporter managed to squeeze her way through (as well as squeeze some time out from her intention to shop), and speak to a few people who garnered awesome buys at dirt-cheap prices.

Celeste, 21, (on the right) found herself a great bargain with the purchase of 2 dresses for only 50 bucks. She is long accustomed to the squeeze that happens at every Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun as she pops by in search of apparel every now and then.

For Yean Ni, 25, it’s her first time at Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun and already, the more-than-reasonable prices have impressed her. So much so, she made a purchase of 3 tops; 2 kimono tops, and one knitted tunic.

Ivy Lam, 23, was busy hawking her wares even as she was approached for an interview. She volunteered the fact that more than often, she makes a profit whenever she runs a stall at a Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun event. She had only one word to describe her feelings at the second anniversary of Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun: “Yay!”

And the faces behind Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun: Terence Lau and Christy Chow. You can read more about how they started up Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun in our previous interview with them.

Of course, with the abundance of affordable yet stylish pieces screaming out at this UrbanWire reporter, she had no choice but to give in to temptation and purchase them to add on to her already-bursting wardrobe.

A white dress with lovely stitching details for only $10, and a quirky high-waisted skirt for the same price too! That black bag you see contains another red skirt which was bought at a steal: 5 bucks.

And no, that wide grin you see on this UrbanWire reporter’s face isn’t for show. She really is delirious.

Now whoever said comely buys only come in the form of branded goods?

When we ladies want to make a fashion statement, we usually think “clothes”. Well, how about playing with something that’s closer to our hearts? Yes, lingerie’s what I’m talking about. Now, with La Senza launching a multitude of stylish yet comfortable bras, playing lingerie-dressing up has never been easier. (Read more)