Vicky's facial expression tells me:
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August 29, 2012
Our Designers: LION EARL
LION EARL
"...purveyor of a discerning creative lifestyle"
"...purveyor of a discerning creative lifestyle"
|
LION EARL's designer Lionel draws inspiration from the Baroque period.
05 Cinematic Issue.
Miss Singapore 2012, Karisa Sukamto, wearing one of LION EARL's designs.
Sneak preview of LION EARL's upcoming collection. Suzaku feather print mini dress
(inspired by the "Suzaku", Japanese mythical phoenix - a bird guardian of the South), as seen on Singapore actress Joanne Peh above. |
LION
EARL founders Lionel Low and Hariz
Yihao
Lim met while serving National Service in Singapore. Coincidence put them in
the same department, under the same officers, with similar scope of work, but
it was their passion and mutual love of art that inspired them to launch LION
EARL.
A
hybrid of
fashion, art and architecture,
LION EARL “challenges the boundaries of the arts and aesthetics” in order to
create stylish designs. Designer Lionel Low revealed their brand “aspires to be
the purveyor
of a discerning
lifestyle in a
world where we
find balance between
nature, the urban jungle and ourselves”.
Read on to find out where Lionel draws inspiration from, what “The Left Hand Book” is and what
LION EARL has in store for customers!
- Hi Lionel, tell us a bit about yourself and your business partner.
- Both of us met during our army days and I guess it's pretty much coincidental as we were under the same department, same officers and we have similar scope of work! Being the only two that's so very into the arts, we shared common topics and even had ideas of future collaborations (which is happening now :)).
- Why the name "LION EARL"?
- It's actually a play on my name, "Lionel" but my business partner and I came up with the actual [name] by extracting the "ion" in fashion and "ar" in architecture to come up with "earl", hence our label name "LION EARL". And it also places a little hint that earl grey ince cream is one of my favorite desserts!
- How would you describe your brand?
- LION EARL is an experimental fusion that challenges the boundaries of the arts and aesthetics, seeking to synthesize a new dimension bounded by art, fashion & architecture, and translating that newfound dimension into genre-defying outfits. We aspire to be the purveyor of a discerning lifestyle in a world where we find balance between nature, the urban jungle and ourselves.
- How would you describe your customer?
- She is empowered, gentle with a strong personal.
- What is a typical work day like for you? Sitting with my different sketchbooks (my left-hand book/doodles!/fashion book) in a nearby tea place with my favorite bag and loopy (name of my mini wooden frog) hiding in my bag so I know I am not alone. It's always nice to sketch or read in an environment with music and people from all walks of life, in that we open up and see the world around us. Most of the technical construction drafts will be done at home where it will always be messy with different parts of it and papers flying all over the place. To end the day, I often end up sweating doing a clean up and that's another good way of burning calories if I have no time for my weekly jogs :)
- Where do you draw inspiration from? Mainly, my influences come from forms of architecture from different eras such as baroque and contemporary. I take references from their structure and line works as well as their texture and details. My secondary inspiration would be a mixture of music, paintings and philosophies. I have this book which I call "The Left Hand Book" that I only write or sketch with my left hand (I am a right hander). When I listen to music, I see shapes, lines and sometimes colors so I will record these down in the book. When I am doing my collection, I refer to it and extract scribbles that could be translated into silhouettes or design details.
- What's the most challenging thing about being an emerging designer in Singapore?
Being
in Singapore is definitely challenging and this aspect will never change, it
could only get even more tense from now. Resources from good quality fabrics
and suppliers producing our apparels are very rare, I mean it takes a long time to build
up the rapport with [suppliers in order for] things to go smoothly according to the original
vision. I guess, as a young emerging label we can also never run away from
the fact that land in Singapore is scarce and that means high rental fees and
very limited space to act as our studio or showroom.
What's next for LION EARL?
LION
EARL will be focusing on a better quality range of womenswear for our customers, with the
introduction of our very own digital prints from original artworks and a high
end capsule range of gowns and dresses. Menswear will likely take place during
the 2nd quarter of 2013.
August 28, 2012
Our Designers: Cycle
Cycle
"Love the world as it is, dream of how it could be."
|
Going over a customers' specifications.
Design is transferred onto the wooden surface using a silk screen.
the glass is used as a grip. Large pieces of glass are then removed and left to completely dry overnight.
Final product.
|
Described as "a way of life, and a way of viewing and understanding our ever complex and mysterious world", Cycle creates beautiful eco-friendly products that range from skateboards to hats to shirts.
Started in San Francisco amongst a group of friends, shaping cruiser boards in the heart and soul of the Tenderloin district, Cycle has grown to become a global collaborative network. Cycle believes in cruising, collaborating, innovating and respecting local culture and improving our planet into a clean and beautiful place.
Started in San Francisco amongst a group of friends, shaping cruiser boards in the heart and soul of the Tenderloin district, Cycle has grown to become a global collaborative network. Cycle believes in cruising, collaborating, innovating and respecting local culture and improving our planet into a clean and beautiful place.
Read on to learn more.
- Who are the brains behind Cycle?
- Sheyen Ikeda: Founder (The engine)
Rei Shirako: President (The car)
Haruhiko Sato: Sales (The gasoline) - Why the name "Cycle"?
- Sheyen: The word 'Cycle' is derived from several ideologies.
First, we believe in a closed loop cycle of production where no waste is created through the manufacturing of our products.
Second, we will reconstitute waste, trash and debris and convert them into products.
Lastly, we believe that every human being is connected and we are all involved in this cycle of human development.
Just as we respond to the cycle of seasons that alter our way of life, we believe we have to respond to the cycle of time. - How did you guys come up with the idea of using recycled materials to create skateboards and hats? Sheyen: Japan produces approximately 512 million tons of consumer waste (enough to fill up 138 baseball stadiums) and 4.12 billion tons of manufacturing waste every single year. We, as citizens of this consumer driven world, are drawn by desire - a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction.
We want to set a paradigm shift in the way we produce and consume our products. No more waste, and if it is necessary to extract raw materials from our environment, we want to make sure that the material is recyclable.
So we came up with a system that allows us to use the things we had. We believe, through intuitive design, we can change the way consumers view a product. We believe that one persons trash is another persons gold, but it is through design that we can close the loop of production and consumption, and create a sustainable cycle in preserving and beautifying our planet.
August 27, 2012
Our Designers: Stolen
Stolen
"Those who keep more than what they need, are thieves."
-- Ghandi
"Those who keep more than what they need, are thieves."
-- Ghandi
|
|
Stolen is the brainchild of Elyn Wong, former Creative Group Head of Ogilvy & Mather (O&M). Launched in 2007 as a pet project, Elyn juggled advertising, fashion and art until this year. She left O&M to launch her label as a full-fledged fashion line this year.
Although Elyn has no former training in fashion design, her graphic design background has undeniably contributed to the timeless aesthetic of her minimalistic chic designs. Elyn was recently handpicked to represent Singapore at her first Paris show, Tranoi, this September.
STOLEN's designs are stylish staples we are dying to have in our closets. See for yourselves!
Although Elyn has no former training in fashion design, her graphic design background has undeniably contributed to the timeless aesthetic of her minimalistic chic designs. Elyn was recently handpicked to represent Singapore at her first Paris show, Tranoi, this September.
STOLEN's designs are stylish staples we are dying to have in our closets. See for yourselves!
- Tell us a bit about yourself.
- Born and bred in Singapore. But my biggest love is to see the world. So travelling and experiencing different things in life is a big part of me. I came from a graphic design background. Been working as a Creative Group Head in advertising for the past 16 years. But I believe creativity should not be conformed to any media or forms. Which is why I am also a fashion designer and an installation artist. Creating is just so much fun.
- How did you transition from advertising to design?
- I was actually juggling advertising and my own label and art for around 7 years. It proves to be quite challenging at times when it comes to time management. But mostly, they feed on one another creatively. Sometimes when I feel dry from advertising, my fashion label comes my escape. But there are also times when my advertising work will give me the brightest ideas for my installation artwork. I see all these as just different extensions of myself creatively...so [it] doesn't feel like it's too much of a stretch reality. It's all revolving concepts, expressions and aesthetics.
- What was the inspiration behind starting your own brand?
- My job in advertising requires me to help build and grow million dollar businesses everyday creatively. At one point, I realized I wanted something of my very own. Something that breaks away from the hierarchy of big organizations. Life is too short to be doing what everyone else wants. After a while, I start to seek what I want for my life. Starting Stolen satisfies my desire for vanity, feeds my insecurities and keeps me real.
- What inspires you?
- Architecture, women with short hair and contradictions (which is inherently in all women).
- Why the trademark bare back? Stolen's signature backless feature are usually quite bold and structured. It encapsulates the strength of women while it accentuates the curves and sensuality. Every woman likes to be sexy. But not everyone is comfortable revealing too much. Back is one of the sexiest part of a woman's body that most women are comfortable showing. However, most backless garments out there are overtly sexy with body hugging forms that I am not hot about. I feel that sexiness can be more understated, more classy or even edgier. Stolen is trying to fill that gap.
- What's the biggest risk you've taken so far? Taking the leap of faith into a career that I am not trained in (fashion). And getting out of a comfortable industry that I am very confident in (advertising).
- What's the most fulfilling part of your job?
Turning thoughts into reality and seeing how random ideas in my head can eventually materialize into tangible things that other women can fall in love with. And the realization of how some brilliance in the head can turn out horrendous and how some rubbish can evolve into brilliance. Guess sometimes in life, you just have to try to know.
August 23, 2012
Our Designers: Shoe Artistry
Shoe Artistry
"Bringing Hong Kong's shoe craftsmanship into the new era."
|
Leather options hanging on the feature wall of Shoe Artistry's workshop.
Wooden shoe molds.
Some of these artisans have more than 30 years of shoemaking experience.
Artisans "making an art piece". |
"We realized what inspired us most and pushed us forward throughout the design journey was our own culture," revealed founders Kit Lee and Jeff Wan. They decided to launch Shoe Artistry last year to show people "the essence and beauties waiting to be explored" in Hong Kong and Singapore - where they frequently travel to and from. The duo designs their own products and collaborates with local craftsmen to produce their items. "We want customers to know the good story and the good cause behind Shoe Artistry".
Shoe Artistry's designs are unlike anything we've ever seen. Excellent service and perfectly fitted shoes? That's something we can't resist here at ZAOZAO!
Read on to learn more.
- Hi Kit and Jeff, what were the both of you doing before Shoe Artistry?
- Kit: I started out as a fashion studio assistant for a wholesale company in Singapore. I was assisting my boss - the Creative Director of the company. I worked 7 jobs before starting up Shoe Artistry.
Jeff: My first job was in furniture design, working with Matthew Hilton. It was such a valuable experience and I've learnt the British way of putting aesthetics, comfort and lifestyle into furniture design. Besides my passion in design objects, I am also involved in design research and design education. Shoe Artistry is a project combining both passion and experience from Kit and I. - What interested you about bespoke leather shoes?
- Jeff: We like the fact that every pair of bespoke shoes is handmade and styled individually for each pair of feet- for comfort, style and practical need. We don't get this kind of service nowadays. Watching the whole process of "sifu" (shoemaking master) make a pair of shoes is the same as watching an artist making an art piece, they are both works of art, and the beauties of human touch are what we are missing in Hong Kong. So we decided to keep this valuable heritage by bringing Hong Kong's shoe craftsmanship into a new era. Moreover, we know there is a huge space for us to inject our creativity into this old trade. It's going to be fun!
- Tell us about the local artisans Shoe Artistry works with.
- Jeff: "Kong Suk" (Uncle Kong) is the key shoemaker who works for Shoe Artistry and we have other freelance shoemakers helping us from their home or basement workshops, like Uncle "Fat Dog" and Mr. Cheung. "Kong Suk" is over 60 years old and has more than 30 years of shoemaking experience. He represents the Hong Kong craftsmen from the 60s - very focused, straightforward, humble, with excellent and flexible skills. But each shoemaker has their own speciality, Uncle "Fat Dog" is very good with making the upper part of the shoes and Mr. Cheung specializes in paper patterns. "Kong Suk" is just great and all-rounded. Our worry is that their skills will grow old with them and no younger shoemaker can pick up the crafts before they disappear. Shoe Artistry is actually open for passionate young people to come and learn the craft.
- What kind of experience can customers expect at your workshop?
- Jeff: We will measure customers' feet to guarantee comfort and discuss the design they are looking for. Customers can select leather in our workshop i.e. cowhide, cordovan (goatskin), patterned leather, printed leather and exotic leather in different colors. Customized details are fun things to do on customized shoes. We will work with customers to fulfill their special requirements. These are the things that can create a personal touch and make the whole experience different.
- How can a customer tell if a shoe was actually customized?
- Jeff: We know many bespoke or custom shoe shops that will take your measurements but have your shoes made by size in their factories. This is what we consider a "fake" customized process because the "by size in the factory"process cannot take care of customers' unique shapes of their left and right feet. A pair of "real" customized shoes should perfectly fit each individual customers' feet and include at least one fitting process (hand-altered if necessary). We guarantee customers will be able to witness this process in our Shoe Artistry workshop in Mongkok. We proudly make each pair of customized leather shoes by hand in Hong Kong. Hope to see everybody soon!
Sneak peek of what you'll be able to find on ZAOZAO:
| Classic bespoke shoes with a twist! |
To pre-order a pair, be sure to visit our site once we launch!
Shoe Artistry has launched a social initiative to educate the public about preserving local heritage and sustaining unique craftsmanship. Visit Shoe Artistry's Facebook or website for more information about their workshops and apprenticeships.
ZAOZAO exclusive: Jolin Tsai's Leading Man Tanner Gerschick // 蔡依林JOLIN"大藝術家"MV的男主角
| Jolin Tsai's new MV, featuring Tanner as "The Great Artist" |
On one of my business trips to Taiwan last month, I had the fortuitous pleasure of meeting American model Tanner Gerschick through a mutual friend. Having graced the likes of Hollister and Tommy Hilfiger ads, and now featured in Jolin's comeback music video, "The Great Artist" (as the great artist himself) he was pleasantly low-key for someone so ridiculously good-looking. Perhaps a combination of gentle mannerisms- being a sweet southern boy, from Georgia- and a rare deference encountered only with first time foreigners in Asia?
August 21, 2012
August 19, 2012
August 17, 2012
August 14, 2012
Kitten mom
since "tiger mom" became a household term last year thanks to amy chua, i've been hesitant to opine because of my overwhelmingly strong yet scattered feelings on the matter. it's not just that i can relate to the no childhood sleepover rule or practiced 6 hours of piano daily at age 5...in this respect, i absolutely 100% LIVED it. but to say "yes it sucked" or "no i had a completely normal american upbringing" would be an unfair and highly reductive generalization. the experience itself was painful yet rewarding, i struggled with typical teenage hatred of parents yet couldn't be more grateful today. i could go on, but for now, let's just leave it as a complex experience beyond what battle hymn could have ever captured.
August 10, 2012
August 9, 2012
A Shatin Story
| a welcome photo by the HKSTPC board |
"excuse me, ah. caramel apple spice and ah, cinnamon butter toast" a voice stammered behind me, as ling and i grabbed onto the nearest pole to steady ourselves on the packed train back from science park.
ling was facing him, so i could see her already direct gaze intensifying (per usual aggressive stare-down mode)."i have been following you for 3 stops, since shatin", ventured the local man sporting a cross-body messenger bag. his words sounded bold and otherwise creepy, but he delivered them apprehensively.
August 8, 2012
August 7, 2012
August 6, 2012
August 4, 2012
ZAOZAO Exclusive: Girl's Guide to Startup Survival
This entry is a partial response to that question. I had anticipated the sharp income drop (to zilch) a while ago, so preparations were already in place. Even so, pretending to be poor is different from actually being poor. That's right; you're not fooling anyone into thinking you're one with the 99% just because you take the tram to the office job that pays you that six-figure salary.
All in all, it's been manageable: like other things, prioritization is key. Below is a summary of 5 salient points/tips/observations Ling and I have tried to live by since making the transition. We call it the girl's guide, but it could be applicable more broadly minus a few specifics here and there.
Read on for more if you dare...
August 3, 2012
August 2, 2012
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