Teen Squeal: Boyband Rewind Monday

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Let's pause for a moment amidst this crazy summer sale season to relive those hysterical, shrill moments of teenage glee. How many of you are grinning with nostalgia?  And who knew 90s pop lyrics could embed themselves deeper in my psyche than what I ate last Monday? 

JC Chasez owning Matthew Morrison in London

NKOTB + BSB = NKOTBSB? I'm sold.

Take That are testimony that good boybands just get better with age. 

Early Warning Notice: Net-A-Porter International Sale

Have your wish lists in hand ladies, because Net-A-Porter's International Sale starts Monday, 20 June 2011!

It will be EPIC. You know what that means right?  Absolutely, most certainly, completely avoiding Orchard Road shops and all other retail websites for the next 36 hours.  No lunchtime shopping, no weekend browsing, nothing.

All These Things That I've Not Done: Sale Season

At 30% + 10% off at Club 21's Sale Preview (until 9pm tonight) and I finally found a nerve to try on this Lanvin silk-satin wrap gown.  While I'm now more enamored with its pale grey elegance than when it first caught my eye on Net-A-Porter, I'm decidedly not in love with its price tag.  Even on sale, that kind of money can only be vaguely justifiable when spent on a Celine Classic Box, Chanel 2.55, a wedding gown or a 2 return tickets to New York on Singapore Airlines.

Speaking of things I lack the gumption (or occasion) to buy - Rupert Sanderson's Sale Preview has yielded these nude Figaro sandals - recently spied on annoyingly-chic-for-her-age Chloe Moritz.  Swirls of soft calf leather would be divine and so perfect to complete the aforementioned Lanvin look.  Dare I say it, they seem a better fit than Natalie Portman's matchy-matchy satin heels when she donned a similar gown.  We all can dream, can't we?

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Lunchtime Expedition: The Link Bazaar Sale

When I use the term expedition, I mean it.  This season, The Link has moved its bazaar sale to the the fringe of civilisation: MacPherson.  All well and good if you're anticipating SPH Magazine writers to pop over at lunchtime, but what of the rest of us?  Some cab-sharing is in order if you're hoping to find Vera Wang Bridal, Etro, Alldressedup and Robert Cavalli at up to 80% off.

At least retail-deprived galpal S, who's been shipped off to the East for work, will finally get to indulge in more than lunchtime surfing or scouring the shelves of the local (pause) 7-Eleven.

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Not Just For The Boys: Mr Porter Sale Preview

Nothing like warming your credit card like a caramel waffle over a skinny latte.  Mr Porter, Net-A-Porter's male cousin, clearly operates the way men shop: None of these teaser discounts, followed by further reductions... they go straight for the good stuff.  Founding members enjoy a sale preview of 50% off all items (excluding 'wardrobe staples' and 'new arrivals') until 10PM (GMT) tomorrow, 15 June!

What's rather brilliant about the sale is the fact that Mr Porter's merchandise aesthetic is as classic as Net-A-Porter is trendy.  You'll find nothing particularly heinous - instead, Mulberry billfold wallets in classic Chocolate and Black, slate grey Marc by Marc Jacobs messenger or this blue accented Paul Smith belt are available for The Guy (usual £133.33 to Singapore), and taupe Marni iPad case or smartphone sleeve for you... Just use this link!

Other unisex options:

Aubin & Wills merino wool breton scarf (usual £45.83)

Balenciaga Studded Laptop Case (usual £334)

Never Say Never: Victoria Beckham, Now 70% Off

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At the risk of sounding completely insane, for a brief moment (okay, more like 22 minutes) I contemplated committing one of the singularly most heinous fashion crimes: Buying a wedding gown, when you needn't one.   

There it was: Victoria Beckham bridal, on Net-A-Porter's USA site and 70% off.  For the price of a Tanjong Pagar bridal salon rental, one could own a designer gown.  What a dream!

Truly, this begged a more diabolical question: Had I morphed into *that* girl?  The one who glances longingly at Louboutin's ruffled bridal collection when she really should be focussing on pumps?  Or who briefly placed Rupert Sanderson's blush Figaro sandals into her shopping cart before opting for the rather more practical Quince wedges?  My fashion soul is certainly in peril.

Time to award blame!  For this dubious honour, I look to one of my oldest friends, H, who tied the knot on last Friday.  Equally, a university acquaintance walked down the aisle on Sunday past.  Rubbing salt to the wound (while cleaning out my wallet) is a colleague's wedding this coming Sunday evening.  Can you see why I've got weddings on the mind?  It can't be helped!  

No doubt Guy M's room must be flooded with panicked perspiration now.  On my part, I definitely need something to cleanse the wedding palette.  Perhaps then this rather apropos Anya Hindmach 'Remedies' pouch (US$40):

My goodness, is it only Tuesday?

A Moment of Silence: Georgina Goodman in Administration

Just when you thought the worst of times was over.  Independent shoe label, Georgina Goodman, announced last week that it was going into administration.  


Her designs might have lacked in re-imagination of late, but surely there was still a niche for stripes, diamonte and lots of Love.  I even recall joking about their somewhat inauspicious unit number when they first heralded the opening of their Old Bond Street boutique - "die die" in Cantonese - but this is all still coming as quite a shock. Her label was the first that planted the seed of hope all those years ago that it was possible for Singapore to have a store filled with independent shoe designers; each pair handmade. With love. 


The administrators have already started a massive sale of all remaining stock - 40% off the last selling price.  Far be it for me to dance on a grave but if you've always fancied a pair of Goodman's signature handmade brush-stroked nude leather heels (and you're in London), this could well be your last chance.

Sale Date

Monday - Saturday, 10:00am - 6:00pm Each Day

Location

44 Old Bond Street

London W1S 4GB

Sale Information
Georgina Goodman Store 

Contact Number, +44 (0) 207 493 7673

Seasons of Change: Celine Sale

In case you're wondering how to spend your lunchtime/evening, do not go to the Celine sale at Takashimaya S.C.  I mean that genuinely and without any irony.  Over the weekend, when I gently enquired if they'd be participating in the Great Singapore Sale, the SA informed me that clothing & selected accessories were 30-40% off, selected bags were 30% off.

As always, the devil is in the details:  None of the Cabas bags (plain or bi-coloured) are on sale, neither are the leather wallets.  When pressed, this was rationalised on the basis they were 'classic items' - which I personally felt was a dubious response.  They were, admittedly, classic Celine shapes but the colourways were definitely (and mostly) seasonal.  Neon yellow python? Peach with Taupe? Navy with Neon Yellow? I was miffed.

Perplexingly, this applied to their belts too - the same tune was sung and I was reminded that 'classic styles' apparently never go one sale, which was another dubious statement considering I picked up the identical style - a deep red "classic" belt - on a very decent 50% discount last year!

What a change of attitude... I guess Celine has finally hit IT-status in Singapore.  And a sad day it is.

Hide & Seek: Victoria Beckham collection

This campaign video for Victoria Beckham's Spring 2009 collection made me smile.  That and admiring the sensibility of her polished (sleeved!) wedding gown.  Happy Thursday everyone!