Friday, 15 April 2016

ER Couture Part 3



How would you describe the changes in your own style having lived in Vietnam for nearly ten years?
What one creates should always be relevant and reflect the here and now. It being in Vietnam or anywhere else. I have reflected upon the typical schooling where it's all about being evolutionary in terms of design to be more focused on women, our needs and our typical body-consciousness.

All women want to be taller, thinner and look sophisticated without feeling restricted. This leads me back to the beginning of the interview pointing towards the silhouettes--what you see when you don’t see it. ER Couture creates collections that cater to women who are not necessary fashion model size. We focus more on draped dresses and tops that skim the female figure.

The mission of ER Couture is to give women garments that make her feel comfortable and unique by collections, which combine different design elements in a way that redefines femininity. Durability and quality are the most primary features of our design; these are reflected in our fabrics, exquisite workmanship and attention to detail.


“Clothes are like your second skin, make sure they let you breathe.”

Saturday, 30 January 2016

ER Couture Part 2



3
What Asian influences do you place in your designs?
Our logo is a balanced knot that captures ER Couture’s structure and sophistication. This is a centerpiece in our design that is known as our signature. You can see this incorporated on the black silk top with a cut-out back detail.



I have lived in Asia for more than 10 years so it's hard for me to take a step back and say I am clearly influenced by Asia in this way... It's not because I strive to incorporate an Asian influence in my design, but my design very personal, therefore reflects my everyday life.




Our signature three-dimensional, hand-sewn, fabric manipulation looks like a braid. This detail is seen as an Asian twist and is clearly our design DNA.

4
What’s the difference in attitude towards fashion that you see between now and when ER Couture opened its doors?
I think Vietnamese are becoming more aware of quality and want garments that are not copies made by tailors. They are now more interested in design and wearing something unique.

Part 3 coming soon...

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

ER Couture: Woven Details Part 1



We always love catching up with Elisabeth Rolskov, the Founder and Designer of Danish clothing line ER Couture, offering a beautiful rainbow of colours and monochrome ready-to-wear pieces for women. Here's the first part of the series featuring the brand and its creator.

What intrigues you about Asia in terms of design?

This might be a typical designer’s abstract answer, but I’m going to say it anyway: silhouettes--what you see when you don’t see it. If we look at the big players of traditional fashion in Asia, we see a completely different and much more graceful ‘cut’ than in Western history where Europe especially wanted to highlight the hip and cleavage.

The Japanese kimono, the Mandarin cheongsam, the Korean hanbok and the Vietnamese ao dai--all these put emphasis on covering the body and creating silhouettes around the feminine shape instead. A graceful flow of silk works as an enticing and mysterious way of showing off the feminine body in all its shapes and sizes. I really, really like that.

Do you see a link between Danish fashion and Vietnamese fashion? Why or why not?

I believe all designers, tailors and clothiers are linked together in the craft of making 'art' that can move and adapt to whomever wears it. There are differences and exceptions everywhere among designers, regions, and trades but generally speaking, Danish fashion is more minimalistic and sturdy with a focus on simple structures, while Vietnamese fashion in general works with more details, colours and patterns.

More soon...


Tuesday, 8 December 2015

She's Got Style

Christina Yu is the Founder and Creative Director of Ipa-Nima producing original design handbags, wallets and purses using the softest leather in colours that'll make you smile. I love styling outfits with her creations. They always add that final oomph! Fans include Cate Blanchett and Maggie Cheung...


Jumpsuit by Lyn Around; Shoes from What For?


Dress by SODA; Shoes by Christian Louboutin


Caftan dress by SODA; Shoes by MANEESLIP

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

The Nanette Tokyo Short Trench. Will Travel



Just one of the many ways to wear the Tokyo Short Trench by Nanette. A perfect travel companion. Rolls up as easily as a shawl for the seat pocket in front of you. Also available in Navy.

Monday, 23 March 2015

Introducing: Nanette--Inspired by a Nomadic Story



I hope you've been well since the last post. I've been quietly busy planning and designing for the launch of Nanette , the new clothing line inspired by my nomadic life. Here are a few pictures to share with you of our clothing label, the collars we love and the Saint-Tropez Dress, a favourite. To see more follow us on: Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. All clothing are named after destinations around the world, some of which I've worked in and others I plan to visit one day. Enjoy!

"We know every wardrobe contains a story. We'd like to be part of yours."

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Mimi Ledo Creator of BoAime

Mimi Ledo, the brains behind Bohemian luxury label BoAime is one of my favourites. Here's my portrait and text on what she loves and what inspires her. Look for it in the October issue of Travel+Leisure SEA!

Monday, 9 September 2013

Bangkok Street Style in Tiger Tales Asia

I roamed around Siam Square in Bangkok where one is always guaranteed to spot some of the most stylish in the city. In fact, the first posts of this blog featured some then teenagers who readily showed their style. Get a closer look here: Tiger Tales Asia. Also in the same issue is my feature on Taipei's rock scene including American singer Christine Welch, a Fulbright scholar of Chinese who writes and sings in her adopted language, The Chairman, Taiwan's biggest and longest running band, Tank the aboriginal singer who's stealing girls' hearts with his ballads and Trash, the up-and-coming alternative band.

Thursday, 27 June 2013

Bohemian Lux Label BoAime

I'm hooked on Bohemian lux label BoAime. If you like bamboo, silk and cashmere, take a look at the autumn/winter cashmere cardigans that drape beautifully on the FB page here or on their website here for the spring/summer 2013 collection that's mostly silk. Mimi Ledo, the founder and creative director of the label also gives a percentage of her profits to UNICEF each year.

Monday, 17 June 2013

Stylish Sixties

My stylish mother who is always willing to let me experiment. Here she's wearing a linen top by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, linen trousers and shawl by H&M, bag by Coach, and shoes with vintage finish at the tip by Vera Wang. The necklace is mine :-)

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Taipei

Kurt Chen of label Faith inspired by vintage American style.

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Friday, 19 April 2013

New Project: Vietnam's Pajama Ladies

I started this project a few years ago when I first started coming to Vietnam. It was obvious quite early on that Vietnam loves its bright colours and bold prints, often several worn at the same time. I started taking photos in Chinatown one day outside a market.

What I found is these pajamas move with the women who quite often are working class women running a street cafe or carrying bundles to and fro. They haven't got time to fuss about with zips, flaps or drawstrings. And as most of these pajamas are made from synthetic fabric, they dry quickly under the hot Saigon sun after a long day's work. There are ones with a scoop neck, a bib collar or a tank with frills added on. While these outfits can be bought at markets, some women make their own adding special touches.

Here is one lady I first noticed from the window of my taxi selling coconuts at a roundabout. After seeing her cherry blossom shirt jacket, I got inspired to walk around the streets the next day for more portraits of pajama ladies. As luck would have it, I spotted her in the same jacket after walking a few blocks, this time sitting on the curb of Vincom Center I, Saigon's first shopping mall.

Click here to follow me on Facebook for more.

Sunday, 7 April 2013

Travel+Leisure SEA Taipei Street Style

Here are the tearsheets in the Travel+Leisure SEA story I worked on in December.

Saturday, 23 March 2013

Portraits in The Observer Magazine


The story I worked on with the brilliant award-winning journalist Abigail Haworth "From War Babies to Billionaires: Vietnam's Wealthiest Women. Click here to read the online version

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Taipei in Travel+Leisure SEA

I was in Taipei beginning of December for several assignments. One of them was to capture and chat with stylish Taipei residents, some in the fashion industry, some not. Here they are. Some appearing in this month's Travel+Leisure SEA. Grab a copy for the full story!

Friday, 30 November 2012

Marie Claire Australia & Czech Republic

"From War Babies to Billionaires" the feature award-winning journalist Abigail Haworth and I worked on is now in the December issue of Marie Claire Australia and Czech Republic.

Monday, 26 November 2012

Coming in December: Saigon Street Style

I just finished shooting and writing feature story: Saigon Street Style for Smile Magazine, the inflight of Cebu Pacific Airlines. In it you will see six of this growing city's fashionistas and hear from four personalities how they're part of the new Saigon style revolution!