The Great (Gatsby) Wait

The trailer for Baz's The Great Gatsby is finally here!  Cue: Utter wardrobe lust, orchid envy and an unhealthy obsession with beading and sequins. 

Skip The Wait List: Moda Operandi x Vintage Hermes

I interrupt this regrettable lull in posts to alert anyone suicidally desperate to secure a Hermes Birkin or Kelly.  Moda Operandi has 21 vintage Hermes bags at its latest trunk show - which means you could waltz past the wait list for that black Birkin and the local Hermes SA can withdraw the restraining order she has against you. 

The piece that's got me chucking my credit card into the freezer and holding a chopper over my right hand is the vintage wine hued Rouge H Kelly (US$4,950).  The price is - to me at least - still kind of insane but I like to imagine it once belonged to Victoria Beckham, and she's selling these bags to give back to poor or make space for baby Harper.  Makes it vaguely more justifiable... I say that with an almost straight face.

Well, if you're not saving for an apartment, Moda Operandi's selection (until 18 August) includes:

• Birkin - Eclat, Brighton Blue Crocodile, Graphite Clemence, Ebene Ostich and JPG Shoulder
• Kelly - Blue Jean, Horse Canvas, Chocolate Swift, Black Epsom and Miel Crocodile

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Going Great Lengths

Despite being slightly vertically challenged, I am completely enamoured with the delicate vintage feel of the ankle-length dress.  Yes, it may seem dated to some - but surely an appropriately stellar pair of heels would updated the look immediately (ala Karla)?  Also case in hand - fairly recent red carpet looks from Hailee Steinfeld and the petite (but perfect) Mila Kunis, and on two of my recent favourite formal/bridal looks.  

Is this look only for the willowy slim and celebrity-styled? Or can mere mortels carry the look? 

Hailee in Marchesa at the 2011 Oscars, via JustJared

Alessandra Rich via Net-A-Porter

Mila in Monique Lhuillier at the 2009 Emmys

The much adored Victoria Beckham wedding gown, formerly available at Net-A-Porter

Fashion Victim: Valentino Retrospective

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Tomorrow, I will suffer for fashion.

I am currently drugged up on antihistamines, have pothole-sized pores and nail colours which do not match - the latter due to the unfortunate decision not to turn on more lights while painting my nails over American Idol.  I am not deterred; I am determined to meet Galpal E for the Valentino Retrospective tomorrow!

Mark this day as the first and final time I procrastinate on attending an exhibition. The Last Emperor would be so disappointed. I hang my head in shame... I would wear bright red tomorrow in reverence (and penance) but my current limp complexion would be best served by a neutral hue.  Let's hope a good night's sleep will work miracles!

Tonal Threesomes

Do you ever shop by tone? You buy a first item in a particular tone/vibe, then wind up with a complimentary piece shortly after?

This week, I've succumbed to a love affair with Oak brown - that 'just gets better with use' rustic, lived-in, I-want-a-Mulberry Bayswater hue. Doesn't everything in this tone already feel like you've owned it forever? Isn't that an amazing feeling? I so adore this colour.

Naturally, everything this National Day weekend has been a tonal homage: My A.P.C. wedges, vintage Dooney & Bourke spectator bag from Granny's Day Out and a personalized wallet from Maxx & Unicorn that I'd gifted to the Man earlier in the year. The D&B was only SGD37.50 after the discount and might just go down in my closet history as Best Vintage Buy (Ever). In fact, I could do an entire hyperbolic post on the bag but the pictures probably say it all..
The A.P.C. Spring/Summer sale is still on with 30-50% off at its Raffles Hotel Arcade store and Granny's serving up a rare store-wide 50% over at Peninsula Shopping Centre. If that sounds like a perfect lunchtime of shopping in the City Hall area, it's very much meant to :)

J'adore Vintage

Reminiscent of a Dries van Norton / Pucci lovechild.

Vintage never fails to turn up amazing pieces!

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Eclipsed: 13bees

Remember this? 13bees strikes vintage gold with its fraternal twin.

New Moon Rising

I am speechless. (c/o the sublime 13bees)

Well, I can just about manage to channel Rachel Zoe amidst all my hyperventilation: "OMG. I die. This is bananas. This dress needs a moment. Carey Mulligan? She would shut it down. Seriously. This is killing it on a whole new level."

The Scarlett 'C': The Fanny Pack

Does being quilted and of Chanel make a fanny pack remotely socially acceptable? 

Even Carrie Bradshaw's Gucci failed to ignite public support.

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Spotted: The Original Alexa?

Either this black mini-satchel is the stone-age prototype of Mulberry's nouveau-classic Alexa bag, or it might actually have been the original.  After all, Kate's been known to loan her collection of vintage to inspire Topshop's design team, so it surely isn't *too* far-fetched to imagine this was the satchel that launched a waiting list not seen since the likes of the Roxanne?  

I'm also somewhat intrigued by Chung's sartorial decision to tote her eponymous bag to the media-infested Phillip Lim's FW2010 show and pre-BAFTA party (below), but swing the vintage model whilst "slumming it" at the Topshop Unique and House of Holland shows.  

A shrewd marketing decision?  Perhaps.  But I'm taking this as a sign to permanently forego the Mulberry Alexa in favour of an authentically Alexa Chung vintage find... Off to Ebay I go!!  (pc: tfs)

Cuter Than Rachel Bilson As Tinkerbell

I'm considering these insanely adorable navy polka-dot slacks from Vagabond NYC as my reward for dropping any Christmas weight by Chinese New Year.  Well, at the moment it's more like building up the resolve and incentive to do morning runs.  

I suspect the waist measurement might be a bit overly ambitious given the time frame I have, but I would love a vintage Giorgio Armani; in the occasional wisdom of Rachel Zoe, I'm waiting to have "a navy moment".  I miss that show (read: Taylor). 

Mad About The Boy, Mad About the Wedding

Can you hear my heart melting?  I pledge my eternal devotion to Christina Hendricks and all that is Mad Men.  Her entire wedding party was dressed in vintage!  *SWOON*  I simply could not adore this wedding more.  What a way to bring the year to a close! (source)

An Education: In Vintage

I must confess to having gone a tad off vintage this past year, but An Education made me yearn for its company like an orphan on Christmas Eve.  This nostalgia is in no small part due to Rosamund Pike's stunning Betty Draper-rivaling looks.  She certainly was never this sartorially perfect as a Bond girl.  

As a consequence, I'm now absolutely desperate to bundle up my hair, throw on a leopard coat and statement necklace for a night about the town (ciggie in hand optional). 

(tfs)

My Furry Friends

If I lived in temperate climate (and could justify the CPW):  Juicy Couture coat - USD 330

Since I reside inches from the equator: Vintage shrug - USD41.99

Because I can't bear the thought of fur being unjustly confiscated by customs:  

Urban Outfitters throw - USD58