The People's Republic of Style

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3

AW07 Campaigns: Part II
2007-07-03 15:31:00
It seems like a good time to do a continuation of my campaign review now that some more ads have surfaced (For Part I, click here). Hint to anyone who love to collect tear sheets, go and buy the August UK Elle! Not that I know directly- it's just that Manuva of TFS scanned in so many ads from that magazine (it's impossible not to love that community and everyone there)! Ok, let's see... which ones shall I cover in this post-Bottega VenetaThis is a firm equal first with the Pringles ads!! That melancholic atmosphere coupled with the lighting! I think the beautiful dresses both juxtaposed and complemented the mysterious mood... making me think of femme fatales and dark bedrooms in that fabulous film noir style. It's also interesting that these ads couldn't have been more different to the SS07 ones, which had that fantastic old-world-classy Audrey Hepburnesque glow about it (Inguna anyone?), but both really fits the house to a T.ChloéThese ads are very very much Chloé, and I think...
More About: Campaigns

Hello, good friend!
2007-07-02 12:37:00
It feels like forever since I made a habit of stopping at the Biotherm counter in Myer every so often, wondering when they will start shipping their makeup range over here... so imagine my surprise when I found its foundation range in store!! Australia finally caught up!I've been buying the Biotherm Sense Aquaradiance liquid foundation in my annual trip to Hong Kong since 2004, when I first discovered this brand on board a long haul flight in those little toiletry bags. Now it's one of the few products I swear and stand by through thick and thin (Haha- that sounded so melodramatic...)! It provides a very smooth subtle coverage that suits my very very dry skin and is therefore excellent for my daily no-makeup makeup routine (that I think is a girl's best friend in my opinion-)!Go take a peek. Really. It's that good!Photo cred: Biotherm
More About: Friend , Good

Who wore it better: the Haute Dior version
2007-06-29 13:50:00
The dress is from the Eastern influenced SS07 Christian Dior Haute Couture show, which was completely and utterly awe inspiring... never ever in my life have I felt like that! It truly was fashion at its best: fashion as an art form come to life! This lovely lovely creation has this unforgettable beauty about it and well, obviously- Galliano has done it again! So, tell me now... who wore it best?Do you prefer Morgane Dubled wearing the original in the runway show? Edit: Seraphine, you're right- I really should have remembered that the runway really cannot be counted because it is more an artistic showcase than anything else. Consider this picture as the basis and foundation of your decision I guess?Or would you rather Cameron Diaz at the 2007 Met Costume Institute gala with the Poiret theme in a magenta/dark pink version?Erica Baxter, now Erica Packer and the wife of the richest man in Australia James Packer, also wore the same in a vision of white as her wedding gown (which is act...
More About: Version

My Hot Hot Mix
2007-06-26 16:43:00
A selection of songs which is constantly playing in my ipod! The genre varies, from the electro to the kitsch to ballady slow jams to the old school, and I tried to included a mix of artists. Please take your time to listen and I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making this playlist!! Featured artists here include Bloc Party, The Killers, The Presets, Justin Timberlake, Pat Benatar, Nouvelle Vague and more...Cred: projectplaylist

Sitting on the fence
2007-06-26 06:43:00
Quite frankly, I find these tees to be a bit hilarious! I get this feeling that the designers at Supré, one of the more popular Australian chain stores, were having a bit of an indecisive moment along the lines of "Do I like the 'I ? NY" tees more or do I love House of Holland more?" when brainstorming ideas. I guess they decided to compromise with a House of Holland font on the NY style top...And on the topic of Supré... is it just me or do others also remember the days when the store, in an attempt to rebrand and reposition itself from a mature woman's clothing store to target the younger teenage/tween audience, sold tees for $10 and skirts for $15? If my memory is correct, that was only about 7 years ago! Now, clothes retail for prices like $75 for a dress...Which has got me wondering: Is that also what happened when Forever 21 decided to up its image and take the role of counterfeit queen?Photo cred: Supré
More About: Fence

AW07 Campaigns: Part I
2007-06-24 16:33:00
The campaigns are gradually flowing in now, from one of the earliest being the vividly-colored Christian Dior ads to the Dolce and D&G ones popping up only yesterday, and for me... emotions ranged from disappointed to ecstatic. My favorites, as of now, are:Pringles of ScotlandDefinitely my favorite as of now: head over heels in love with the dark evocative neo-romantic mood of these print ads!! The metal structures/props lend a hint of industrialism into the mix, and the great clothes, great hair and beautiful styling means this gets a very strong nod of the head from me. The girl on the left looks hauntingly beautiful, no? That the campaign was shot in B&W makes me love it even more!! I am a big advocate of B&W photography because of the atmosphere it captures.and D&G!Quintessentially D&G, I suppose it might be considered a bit boring... but I like it! Very glamorous! The menswear influence is very now. It's fantastical! And look at Rachel Clark! I thought she really shone thr...
More About: Part , Campaigns

Seems like I just got... TAGGED!
2007-06-21 06:14:00
Thankyou to Lady from You Say I'm a Bitch Like It's a Bad Thing who just tagged me for the blog game doing its circuit around the blogs I read! A bit of fun and it enhances my procrastination time (studying for finals is hellish)."Game Rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. They then need to tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, letting them know they have been tagged and to read the blog."OK... I guess I'll get started then:1. Anyone who knows me will realize that I am completely obsessed about Manhattan!! Something about it being the epicenter of the world because it never sleeps (I am sick and tired of living in a city where stores close at 5PM most days, with the exception of a 9PM on Thursday "late-night-shopping" night), and because everything I love is there- Fa...
More About: Tagged

More on Ferré
2007-06-21 04:50:00
Just something from The Daily that I found particularly endearing and further highlights the role of Gianfranco Ferré as the "architect of fashion":?I met him when I was working in the New York office of Vogue Italia,? said editor-at-large Joyce Caruso Corrigan (of Marie Claire), who recalled her sole encounter with the architect of fashion. ?I was introduced to him by Franca Sozzani, who was also wearing all black, and when we shook hands, he looked at my all-black outfit and said, ?Oh, I see you?re part of the mourning party.?Because well, quite simply, architects love black! I love black too! (Vera Wang, I dont care if you think black is the 90s!) After all, doesn't everyone?

Where is the mayhem?
2007-06-20 07:41:00
I lied. I went into Target at 10AM- it was too much effort dragging myself out of bed. The store was as calm and peaceful as ever for that time of the morning. Guess not many people knew about the Josh Goot for Target range then? I didnt see any of the pandemonium that the Stella range supposedly had (I couldnt make it to that one) and there were no naked mannequins. First thought when I say the calm was "Yay! More for me!" Sadly, the quality of the trench did not pass my test ( nor did the fabric suit the style imo)- I hate being such a picky person! The silver fabric fared a bit better on the racer tank but that style just looks strange on my frame.Ahh! The weather is still dropping and I need more winter clothes!! Whatever am I going to do?
More About: Mayhem

Josh Goot for Target
2007-06-18 15:40:00
Comes out 9AM tomorrow. I am checking out the range tomorrow morning- got my eyes on the silver foil knit trench coat (left) which is priced at $130 and should look damn fine with black stovepipes/ opaque black tights (maybe the ones with the silver sheen?)/ leggings!! Must say, one of the selling points of this collection is the great likeness with Josh 's normal line, in terms of style, but with reduced price tags. Chicalert claims that silver trench from his main collection "retails at around $700 at leading international stores such as the prestigious London retailer Browns Focus, Colette emporium in Paris and Henri Bendel in New York!" Superbe, non? Hopefully the quality will be satisfactory- I will be devastated if the fabrics are as terrible as the Stella for Target line, because I subscribe to the philosophy of quality over quantity.Going to head in at 9 (no waiting around for me, thanks!), as I think that it wont be nearly as chaotic as the Stella frenzy, considering that ...
More About: Josh Goot

Salute to Gianfranco Ferré
2007-06-18 07:15:00
Gianfranco Ferré, perhaps best known as the ?architect of fashion? for his sculpted shapes, structured forms, and for his groundbreaking career at Christian Dior, died Sunday evening after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage. The Italian designer was 62.It's sad to note the death of yet another prominent figure within the fashion industry- the creative director of his own label but more importantly, the head designer of Christian Dior where he reigned for seven years from 1989 to 1996. The simplicity and structure of his designs should be noted- I liked that it exuded that sense of ease.While that's wonderful and worthy of praise, what I love and find the most fascinating about Gianfranco Ferré is his groundings in architecture- a degree from Politecnico di Milano, which has one of the best architectural programs in the world (and I was almost going to apply to attend). I think there might be a tinge of regret from me that I didn't end up going through with Bachelor of Architect...
More About: Salute , Franco , Franc

Gemma's new home
2007-06-14 10:12:00
F.A.D. takes us on a tour of Gemma Ward 's new co-op on East Sixth Street (East Village). Bought at $1.525M, it's a 1600 ft, 3 bedroom 3 bathroom affair with re-sanded hardwood floors, according to the Observer, and it looks very nice and cosy. But as much as I love this sneak peek of her place, it feels slightly stalkerish/ invasion-of-privacy in my opinion. Guilty as charged.The location and size of the co-op just upped the "God, I wish I was her" factor.Cred: New York Observer, F.A.D.
More About: Home

IN2THIS.
2007-06-12 12:46:00
The CKIN2U commercial. Wow. Finally saw it when I walked through the city Myer store a few days ago. I absolutely had to dig it up online to rewatch, even though I hate the name of the perfume. First thought when I heard the name was not the best response- "This is Calvin Klein, not some IM conversation." But this is what I'd call amazing advertising- forced me to look again because it was that good!! And fyi, the scent is very light, very fresh. LOVE it!! Might buy it!! Once again, it proves my point that it's an excellent commercial, no?Freja looks breath-taking in it!! My favorite? The soundtrack and GOD! The beautiful elevator scene- Those cheekbones. That intense look in her eyes. The smile. She's so fine. As is the guy- actor Kevin Zegers.Cred: youtube