Window Shopping: Marni x H&M

I must confess this has been an excruciating post to write. But there really isn't anything else to say apart from 'Behold: Marni x H&M. Cue: Apprehension'.

Ahead of the scrum on Thursday morning, the local H&M has helpfully filled their Orchard Road window with a selection of the collaborative offerings.  From what I could see (through the window pane, while avoiding the glare of security), I was mildly disappointed and wasn't entirely convinced of the quality of the silk dresses or the shoes/bags.

On the other hand, the bracelets were as a whole rather good value - two-toned just like actual Marni. A word of caution on the accessories: the white plastic used for the necklaces didn't look as expensive as the black. 

Also, the leaf necklace, despite its dreamy Lanvin-esque diamonte accents, still left me hankering for an actual Marni as the green variation had a distinct cellophane look to it from swopping flat translucent plastic for the shell usually used for the originals. Maybe graduated-tone plastic would have more successfully achieved true "luxe-for-less".

Which brings me back to my original dilemma - are the design, quality and price overnight queue-worthy? Or am I better off continuing my periodic expeditions to Club21's clearance sales to find original Marni bargains? 

Cheap Thrill: MARNI for H&M

Chronicling the history of the H&M designer collaborations, the highs of the Comme des Garcons and Lanvin collections made up for the lacklustre Karl Lagerfeld and Madonna.  Maybe it's because I'm hardly bronzed and Italian, but nothing from the recent Versace outing seemed to make me reach for my credit card.  

All that is changed.  MARNI for H&M might be my downfall.  Dare I chance reputational risk by camping overnight for ten minutes of shopping heaven?  I already want every single piece previewed (yes, including those striped tights!) *help*

Thought of the evening:  Is it too early to apply for leave in March? 

{photo credit}

Go, Sure Buy: Uniqlo +J vs. Club21 Accessories

When it rains, it pours.  New York and London may have their fashion night out, but over here it's just mulling over how to best spend an hour(ish) at lunchtime today.  It's a fashion face-off between the final Uniqlo +J range and Club 21's cheeky prep-school named 'ACS' Accessories Clearance Sale.

Maybe it's queue fatigue - I refuse, on principle, to queue to get into H&M on a weekday (yes, there are still queues in the evening) - but I'm slightly loathe to attempt the Club 21 sale after braving their Bazaar not so long ago. Still though, the siren call of Marni accessories at 60-80% off beckons rather persuasively.

On the other hand, having planned my possible plan of attack, I have one key item I'm eyeing from the +J range - more black long sleeved tees which during Fall 2010 were so well cut that people constantly asked if I'd lost weight when I donned it.  Permanent diet in a tee?  I'm there!

Which will you be going for?

Uniqlo +J

Only available at 313@Somerset

Club 21 'Accessories Clearance Sale'

01-28/29 Forum

9 to 11 September 2011

10.30am to 7.30pm 

(6pm on Sunday)

{pc: onesixtynotepad; club21; uniqlo}

If I Were A Rich Girl: Net-A-Porter USA Sale!!

My worst fears have come to fruition. I'm trying to schedule a viewing for an apartment, but Net-A-Porter (USA) has begun their summer sale - and there are painfully good bargains abound...  This is no time for weak shopping souls, and I'm absolutely fatigued from my long-term/short-term goal soliloquy.  Glee's Fleetwood Mac episode playing on the telly provided the soundtrack to this drama. 

This Bally Rachelle tote, which I've been eyeing in either the nude/brown or black/white, is now 50% off (US$697.50, approx S$906).  The soft muted hues of the brown version stir my heart, but it's the classic monochromatic style which would add more to my office wardrobe.  Having settled into the grind, I've come to appreciate how pulled together a boxy semi-structured tote looks when attending meetings - in fact, I'm regretting somewhat my Mulberry A4 Tote which seems the casual cousin in comparison.

On the International site, the Rachelle tote is currently about S$1390 at full price.  In commercial terms, if this bag goes on 50% off on the main site, I'll be there waiting with my credit card!

Other excellent deals (and if they all seem rather neutral in hue, it's just me trying to be circumspect/justifying their purchase):

3.1 Phillip Lim K.C. leather satchel - Now US$425

Reed Krakoff multi-tone strappy sandals - Now US$390

Theyksen's Theory silk blouse - Now US$147.50

(Chinese) New Year Resolution: Stalk Uniqlo x Jil Sander

{pc: zombio}

With the weather as dreary as it is these days, it's a relief to know that Uniqlo will be launching their latest +J collection online first!  You can shop the +J Spring/Summer collection 2011 in your pajamas or (for me) on the move after hijacking my sister's smartphone at UNIQLO.com from 1am on Wednesday 3 February 2011 (GMT).  That's 9am tomorrow for us in Singapore!


I don't suppose it's inauspicious to buy a crisp white shirtdress or a black coatdress? You will be mine! 

*Galpal M, you know what to do with your iPad :) 

Planning Ahead: Uniqlo +j Spring/Summer 2011

{pc: zimbio}

I'm quite comfortable being marginalised as part of the miniscule minority who kinda loved Tilda Swinton's choice of Jil Sander for yesterday's Golden Globes.  It was the androgynous answer (well, more than a decade later) to Sharon Stone's Gap-shirt-at-Oscars moment.  Although she frequently ends up on the Worst Dressed Lists, it is undeniable that she is one of the most intriguing dressers in Hollywood.  

Needless to say, I was thrilled to notice that a certain white shirtdress from Uniqlo x Jil Sander's latest +j range is a footnote to Sander's runway (now Golden Globes) look.  Can't wait to try this on at the shops - one for a crisp all-white look to take me through the year! 

Fear of Finances & Self-Loathing in Singapore

{pc: style.com}

Just when I've decided that this year I'm going to shop (a little) less, Club 21b aka. the store formerly known as Blackjack has decided to start welcoming worshippers at Forum The Shopping Mall from mid January 2011.  What this means to me is quite simple: Theyskens' Theory. In Singapore. Where/when can I start the queue...?

{pc: vogue}

Cheap(ish) Thrill: Tsumori Chisanto pour Petit Bateau

Bonjour! When I sighted the whimsical, très chic “marinière” top from French label Petit Bateau's collaboration with Japanese designer Tsumori Chisanto, I yelped and promptly made a beeline for their nearest boutique in London. I was such an early bird that they hadn't even had a chance to place pieces from the 13-piece collection onto the shopfloor... which perplexed me somewhat because the TC website listed the collaraboration being available since mid-October. Ergh, Japan always get stuff first...

Blagging my way into a "sneak peak" was worth it. How adorable are these two styles? The femme version is a heart and star thin cotton jersey top - perfect for even sunny Singapore; the homme version with the shooting star is of a slightly thicker weave and would probably work better as a cotton jumper. In a bit of non-buyer's regret, I feel like I should have also picked up the bag (how CDG is that?) and the scarf... but then, there's always Paris :)

The Jury Is In: LV SC Bag

It's hardly news that Galpal M has been obsessing over the Louis Vuitton Sofia Coppola SC bag for as long as the collaboration has existed. With her latest collection launching this month (right around the time M's in London), I suspect she'll *finally... FINALLY* throw in the towel. The only question is: Which one?

I adore the original Cobalt (navy) and Jasper (red), but the suede and croco (embossed?)versions certainly make a convincing argument. That and the cape / Louboutin flat combination. In any event, there is undeniable truth to the adage of not doing anything in halves. So if you do find yourself on the cusp of *finally... FINALLY* purchasing investing in a full leather Louis Vuitton, why not make that dream BIG.

Over to you, M... :)

{tfs}

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November...

It's unbearably hard not to shop between now and my November holiday. I am beginning to resent my scheduling decisions: (a) missing out on the September sample sales that often coincide with London Fashion Week, and (b) failing to be in Europe to scoop up early bird Uniqlo +j Fall/Winter offerings. Rachel Zimmerman?! Oh Uniqlo, how you tug at my Vogue-worshipping heartstrings...

Great, now I'm relegated to paying full RRP on everything a month from the post-Christmas sales, stalking the local Uniqlos for paltry +j offerings and/or waiting for them to go on sale *pine... pout...*

{pc: nitrolicious}

If I Were A Boy: Gap Sale

Has Gap reconfigured their sizing? I spent a tidy time attempting to make their women's range fit - to almost no avail - but found a plethora of charming styles in Gap Kids sale section.

It was an open secret that students in the UK used to stalk the Kids range to avoid VAT (myself included) but this move was primarily a financially motivated one. Who would have thought that I'd be doing the same a decade on? Thank goodness for Stella McCartney, who'll keep me hitting these sale racks for decades to come!

Stella McCartney x Gap Kids, Boys cotton sweater, XL - S$57.50 (after less 50%)

Pierre Hardy x Gap denim wedges - S$84.50 (after less 50%)

Okay, this isn't the Kids' range but it's actually still listed as a full priced item at Gap's online store!

Stella McCartney x Gap Kids, Boys breton top, XL - S$19.50 (after less 50%)

Costello Tagliapietra x UNIQLO: Love the Store, Hate the Policy

Minimalist, work-appropriate, draped frocks in jersey for SGD49.99? Yes please! So it was an absolutely joy swooping up two buys from the Costello Tagliapietra's capsule collection for UNIQLO.

Granted, 313 Somerset's store only had TWO styles from the 14-piece range. And the smallest size available for the sleeveless dress was a 'M'. But the colours were versatile, the cut was flattering and the material was weekend-on-a-weekday comfortable. Out my wallet came :)

However, there was one rather significant smear (in my mind, at least) on the sparkling Japanese windows of the UNIQLO retail skyscraper: plastered all over the fitting room doors were notices urging customers to return all their tried clothing to the SHOP FLOOR. ON THEIR OWN!

That's right, the end of UNIQLO's customer service excellence is nigh. Lest you think that these were empty threats, the sales staff swiftly refused to even take hold of any of my "rejected" fittings. I was incredulous - even Topshop Oxford Circus in Christmas Eve would never have suggested such an action. Is this unique to the Singapore stores? Has UNIQLO Singapore grown too big for its breeches?

I'm curious to find out how long the signs would remain. Shoppers of Singapore: Please feel free to take aim!

It Pays To Wait: Uniqlo +j

The pricing lifespan of a Uniqlo +j mid-gauge cashmere cardigan:

Oct 2009         Was (London): £89.99 

Dec 2009         Was (Singapore): S$199.90 / £79.99

Dec 2009         On Sale (London): £49.99

Jan 2010          On Sale (Singapore) : Now S$79.90 / £30

To be fair, the smallest size left is a 'M' but that's more than sufficient comforting roominess for a lazy bf look.  Incensed by the further discount, I (naturally) caved on the charcoal and navy versions, and now never need another classic cashmere cardigan for the rest of my life.   I'm taking this as a learning experience - strengthening my resolve to wait. wait. WAIT. when it comes to any of Uniqlo's future designer ranges.