Spring '10 trend #1 - Socks!

Of all things to stir up a trend, this Spring it's our socks! In particular, socks with heels. And more specifically, knee-high, over-the-knee, and thigh-highs socks. Wear your super high socks with a pair of short shorts or a skirt. It's a little preppy, but with pizazz! I can definitely dig these looks!

But one of these sock trends that I think I'll need a bit more time to get used to: SHORT socks with heels.. It's already begun to take over the streets.. What do you think?

McQueen's Farewell

Here are pictures from the late, great Lee Alexander McQueen's final runway collection, showcased in a private fashion show during Paris fashion week. True to form, McQueen's unpredictability churned out this rich, aristocratic collection of silks and jacquards matched with crocodile skin shoes with hand-carved wooden soles. One could call them...period pieces. Dramatic and flawlessly tailored, each garment contains meticulous details of hand-pleated materials, while prints of artworks by Bottecelli, Jean Fouquet and Hans Memling were woven, printed and embroidered onto the pieces.

Medieval influences, impressions and symbols of the afterlife, ancient Asian flavor.

A true visionary, gone too soon.

Photos by Chris Moore/Catwalking via Getty Images

"In this collection Alexander - Lee - McQueen showed his sensitivity to history, his powers of research, his imagination, his technical skills and his love of women, often misinterpreted or misunderstood, but here evident in every fold and feather."

Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune

"As usual, McQueen's work blows you away. The push-pull between dark and light, anger and love, beauty and ugliness, madness and sanity has the awful power to drive a man to suicide, as we've learned, but it was this that made his work so compelling. You might very well be horrified by one of the pieces, but you can never look away."

Kristin Young of luxist.com

BLOOD FALLS

Blood Falls on Taylor Glacier, Antarctica.

No, that red substance you're seeing is not ACTUALLY blood, but it sure as hell looks like it!

The story goes like this: About 5 million years ago, the Taylor Glacier accumlated down Dry Valley in Eastern Antarctica and over a small lake, completely sealing the lake from the rest of the world. This lake's inhabitants consists of "an ancient community of microbes" that evolved and have miraculously survived there with no oxygen and minimal heat, recycling sulphate to survive all these years. The water in the lake is too salty for it to freeze (I wonder why? Must investigate the science behind this!), with an excessive amount of iron in it which gives it its red color (tah-dah!). 17 different kinds of microbes have been found so far! Makes me think: If global warming eventually brings this glacier to its demise, and scientists are actually able to get into this lake, what in god's icy earth will they find in there next?? I mean, think of the creatures they've found in the deep sea.. there must be some gems at the bottom of this one!

If you look on the bottom-left side of the picture up top you'll see a small half circle that looks kind of like a beachball. That is no beachball, it's actually a tent placed there so we can see the magnitude of this bloody waterfall. It's 5 stories high!

Some people are saying that the discovery of such a tenaciously adaptable ecosystem on Earth lends credence to the possibility of life on other planets. If Earth has held up for so long against all the abuse we put it through everyday, imagine how much more nature could thrive without our interference (like this lake here under the Taylor Glacier)!

Thoughts?

The Real Street Chic

We all know "homeless chic" has been touching every corner of the fashion world for the past few years, but it is now more evident than ever that designers are actually turning to the streets and its inhabitants for inspiration! Ningbo's most famous homeless person, now dubbed Brother Sharp, has been taking over the cyberworld with his sometimes outlandish but always trendy boho style. His fondness for women's clothing actually even seems to fuel this overnight fashion sensation's status as "the coolest man in China." The most outrageous thing we've seen and read about this 5'8" 35 year old "Homeless Vagabond" is the striking similarities of one of his looks to a model in D&G's FW10 runway show. Brother Sharp's good looks have also been compared to the likes of Takeshi Kaneshiro and Ken Watanabe. So, what is the deal with this stylin' street walker?



Rumors are rampant about Brother Sharp's true identity and what led him to his current state of "great fog sickness", which mainly consists of a loss of identity, and pretty much a feeling of permanent lethargy. Some say he became this way after his girlfriend left him, and all he wants is a woman who will love him. But when well-intentioned semaritans sought him out to offer their help in giving him a place to stay or to help him find work, he would only respond by crying. Brother Sharp was recently reunited with his family (after he became an internet sensation), and was brought to a mental institution as it is said that he looked mentally disturbed when approached on the street. He had been estranged from his family for about the past 10 years. Brother Sharp says that he enjoys the freedom of the streets and does not wish to return home.

A blogger named Tianyi123 had probably the most real encounter with Brother Sharp that anyone has been able to have about 2 years ago, when she spent six months experiencing and documenting the life of a homeless person in China. In her recollection of her days with Brother Sharp, Tianyi123 talks about offering him 10 yuan to buy food only to see him go to the nearest store to buy cigarettes with the money, and watching with the heaviest of hearts as he eats discarded remnants of someone's lunch off the sidewalk. Because of his "great fog sickness," Brother Sharp does not know how to beg. Technically he is not a beggar at all, just a street wanderer or what Westerners may call a gypsy. Begging is actually illegal in China, as the communist-run state claims that they provide all necessities that a citizen would need. Public opinion on the level of truth behind this claim......varies, to say the least.

Tianyi123 also uncovers the mystery behind Brother Sharp's fondness of women's clothing, reporting that he yearns for the love and care of a woman and a home. "Sometimes he is himself, and sometimes he pretends to be the woman that loves him." Click here for her full report

With all this new attention on the homeless people in China, and the actuality of China's aid for the homeless being called into question, I hope China's people will now think twice before dismissing the homeless as lazy and con-artists (even though there are a lot of those out there too..where can we draw the line?) and perhaps even lend a hand.

Good luck Brother Sharp, we hope you find what you are looking for! Take care, the world is watching now...

Red Carpet Weekend!

Who's excited for the Oscars this weekend!? Or... Monday morning for us Hong Kongers.. For those of us who have to work on Monday, we might still be able to catch a glimpse of the glamourous red carpet. Hopefully that'll be enough to hold us over for the day until we can get home to catch the re-runs! So pumped to see what Hollywood has in store for us during this fashionably fabulous evening! Top celebrity stylists say that white is a huge trend this award show season. And gold accessories. Sounds fab!

Oscars deets:
82nd Academy Awards
March 7th - 8/5pm (EST/PST)
March 8th - 9am Hong Kong time
Check out this year's nominees here: http://oscar.go.com/nominations/nominees

Here are some of last year's style mavens to get you in the mood ;)

In Store This Week -- UNIF

UNIF - U'RE NOT IN FASHION, THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE

This little LA brand began its journey in 2004 when creator/designer, Eric Espinoza, singlehandedly started to create tees from his own backyard. He took his unique designs from boutique to boutique, taking orders, making shirts, shipping them out within impressive time frames all by himself. 2 years later, he was approached by a seasoned LA designer who offered him an office and the assistance of a list of incredibly talented industry people to develop his craft and his brand. Another 2 years later, UNIF is found all over the globe with its complete collection of men's and women's cut & sew knits, wovens, denim, accessories, and much more.

UNIF embodies and represents true LA street and contemporary style. Eric's quirky personality is depicted in all of his fun collections which are definitely not for the bland. 80's style, crop tops, fun colors, flattering fits, creative & playful designs with both graphics and cuts - All fascinating & fabulous characteristics of his new Spring collection - Available @ Addiction this week!!

Here's a sneak peek:

Oscars Designer Challenge 2010

We love it when new designers have the chance to showcase their talents in a big way! The Oscars fashioned a competition for designers across the globe to participate in, to win the chance for their dress to be worn by the on-stage awards escort this year! The winning designer's name will also be announced live at the Oscars Pre-show. And the best part, this is completely voters' choice! You might still be able to vote, go to http://oscar.go.com/extras/designer-challenge for more info, and to watch all the designs in their runway debut!! Meanwhile, here's a peek at the designs:

WHO'S YOUR FAVE?

       Ari Sheuhmelian              Elda de la Rosa                 Fernanda Carneiro                 Ivy Higa

            Kelsy Zimba                Oday Shakar                      Oliver Tolentino                Phong Hong

Rania Salibi