Alldressedup Sale: Could, Would, Should?

I knew there was some buried subconscious reason that a particular loose silk tee at alldressedup's sale jumped out at me.  Navy, round neckline with 3/4 taupe sleeves - and 50% off and available in an equally pleasing chocolate/taupe combination.  

Sure enough, when scrolling through La Garconne's new arrivals, the aesthetic dawns on me:  3.1 Phillip Lim.  My retail spider sense has clearly been weakened through lack of use.

Alldressedup's version from their Spring/Summer 2011 line is actually more luxe - full silk rather than the knit vest/silk sleeve combination done at Lim.  It's also only about S$179 after the discount which works out to be a third of the cost for a similar look.  I'm now racking my brain (and retail conscience) whether to attempt asking the store holding the blouse - if it's even still available.  Oh the pain, the pain!

Also available on sale are their black or brown skinny wraparound leather belts that are so classic and perfect for that "wraparound & knot" look - a steal at S$35.70 after 70% off.  I have the brown and I love it to death so this might be a good time to score its sister.

On The Fence: Further Reductions

The lacklustre Net-A-Porter (International) Sale has left a big scar on my retail horizon - so much so I found myself back at the USA sale site on several days scrolling for sizes and wondering where it all went wrong.  I should have known better - nary a day before the International sale and suddenly half my prized wish list was sold out. Conspiracy? Or just shrewed shoppers purchasing, then returning the items (only to buy them again on sale)?

I'm hardly about to throw the baby out with the bathwater.  In fact, my recent shopping experience with Mr Porter has converted me to The Guy Side for their speedy shipping, gorgeous packaging (hello, embossed ribbon) and personalised gift sticker (all complimentary). Coupled with their truly male approach to sale previews, I'm so crushing on NAP's younger brother right now.  Go check out their further reductions at up to 70% off - including this Marni leather blackberry holder for only GBP22!

Other shops/websites on further reductions now: Luisaviaroma, Club 21 (Lanvin blanc, I die!), Net-A-Porter USA (on final reductions) and Alldressedup.

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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Oh, You've got Blue eyes: alldressedup Sample Sale

{hiddengarments}

Just because I can't partake, doesn't mean you can't.  There's up to 70% off clothes and accessories from alldressedup and lest you fear a room full of discards, the discount's on pieces as recent as their Fall/Winter 2010 collection.  Heavenly!  Hurry down to their sample sale this week and start the weekend off right - I'll be feeling up their leather necklaces with you in spirit :)

alldressedup sample sale

13 to 15 April 2011

10.30am to 7pm

to 67 Ubi Avenue 1, 

#06-11 Starhub Green South Wing

Tis The Season

OK, back to encouraging people to shop (well, for now at least) so I thought I'd start with a good cause.  Maybe if I combined retail therapy with doing something for society it would all square off and wretch me out of retail rehab?

alldressedup rather timely offers all us shopping sinners a redemptious option by tying up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring some charitable joy to children with life threatening medical conditions. 

Reasonably priced at S$69 to S$89, their giftables are an excellent mix of Mulberry-trendy and Chanel-classic keychains, brooches and necklaces. 10% of the sale proceeds go toward making it a merry Christmas Day for someone who treasures every single day. I think I feel a lump in my throat now... or maybe it's lust for that adorable blue tartan bear who's parachuting from a cascade of grosgrain ruffles. 

Audi Fashion Festival: alldressedup FW2010

After a psychedelic Spring/Summer which shouted Pop Art prints and celebrated all that was plastic (sometimes) fantastic, I found the Fall/Winter 2010 offerings from local label alldressedup decidedly more grown-up.

It was timely coming of age for this local brand. The design team, headed by Sven Tan, were no doubt empowered by their collaboration with French fur house, Jean Terzakou, and confidently put ruffled leather jackets, fur gilets and *gasp* more than just the token fur coat down the runway! In a climate where not a few local designers are opting to strip down to basic Alexander Wang jersey, alldressedup eponymously seem to have taken their look to the Upper East Side and, in the process, intentionally globalised the brand.

Rather than coo over the 'who-wore-whats', it was all about the clothes and accessories for me. My personal favourites came from their capsule Madagascar striped story, which I found elegant and whimsical in equal parts. The label's commonly styled colours very successfully, but often not within the same piece. In these modern zebra prints, Lily van de Woodsen, or Serena & Blair for that matter, would not be out of place in their urban jungle.

I cannot wait to devour all the leather accessories up close! Especially the elephant/leopard tribal motif leather totes with mesh cord shoulder straps. In short, my countdown to Fall/Winter has officially begun :)

My Earth Day Plan

Coming from an energy-efficient recycle-happy home, Earth Day tends to feel a bit overly dramatic for me. I am, however, going to do my bit tomorrow by popping over alldressedup ION.

From 12-6pm on Sat 27 March, toting your own shopping bag (does a big handbag count?) entitles you to 20% off! That's right in time to scoop up these popping, bright, cheery cardholders (r.p $29)!

Stella McCartney might disagree, but I'd like to think that using the hide of bovine (in addition to eating some fine steak) is my personal contribution to a sustainable environment.

alldressedup: Spring/Summer 2010

I hesitate to call these lovelies "also-rans" but they were, at least in my mind, during my CNY outfit shopping trip yesterday.  Both are from the animatedly coloured latest collection from my favourite local brand, alldressedup. Despite the rolled-edged mini matching my Marni bangles completely (a terribly influential factor...) and the cotton dress having the most flattering one-shoulder EVER (how unnaturally slim is my right arm in that pic?!), my heart belonged to another dress that night.  

I'm still sorely tempted by the dress and maybe one of their loopey silicon necklaces to go with (all of which seem to go for S$120 or less).  Maybe someone can convince me the one-shoulder trend isn't (yet) on its final legs?  

500 Days of Wanting: alldressedup for CNY

Narrator:  This is a story of girl meets dress.  The girl grew up believing that she'd never truly be happy until she'd worn every colour known to man, that is, except deep yellow due to unfortunate racial and personality implications of the same.  This belief stemmed from early exposure to sanguine cartoons and an abject worshipping of any film's 'makeover scene'.  The dress did not share this belief.  Since the gradual disintegration of her retail value, the dress yearned for only two things: The first was not to be relegated to a bargain bin at the next bazaar sale.  The second was to find someone in the world with the exact skin tone to carry off her hue.  Girl meets Dress in 2009.  This is a story of girl meets dress, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story...

Long story short:  Girl passes on Dress in favour of the flashier, ostensibly more expensive Bag.  But in true romantic comedy fashion, Girl couldn't keep her mind off Dress and professes love for Dress, albeit in 2010 (complete with formulaic party scene).  Girl breaks her resolve and cheats on Bag.  Girl is now penny poorer.  Bag is dejected.  Dress is secretly thrilled. 

*Photos of the CNY outfit to come - Check back at CNY!

alldressedup: Fergie Flies Our Flag!

I used to wonder why alldressedup's fabulous line of accessories hadn't yet been picked up by Net-A-Porter or such other retail powerhouse.  With this timely celebrity endorsement, I can't imagine NAP overlooking this range for long! 

As testimony to how highly I think of alldressedup, let's say that IMHO the delicious Josh Duhamel is (for once) not the best accessory on Fergie: 

In a somewhat related aside, I maintain a perennial concern about The Shameless "taking inspiration" from independent, up-and-coming brands.  This fate befell Camilla Skovgaard after her shoes were spotted on Halle Berry and Vanessa Hudgens.  No doubt they were hoping the general population wouldn't realise glaring resemblances.  I'm hoping copycats won't latch onto this charming local brand.  In the meanwhile, can't wait for the full range to arrive instore! 

(pc: adu; coolspotters)

Sale Season Ahoy!

Alldressedup at up to 80% off? Temptation, thy name is Shoptoomuch...

The Link Bazaar Sale

2-4 December 2009

Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel (behind Palais Renaissance)

Level 3, Picasso Room 1

10am - 8.30pm

Lucky 'The Link'" (and DBS - thanks ST!) cardholders get an extra 20% during the Preview tomorrow *hmph*

Close Encounters Of The Burberry Kind

Psst... Don't tell HRH Christopher Bailey but his staffers are actually wearing Rupert Sanderson!

[Scene: Earlier at ION Orchard, Singapore] A slim, effortlessly chic lady boards the escalator ahead of me. Close-cropped brunette pixie hair. She adjusts her Burberry wraparound-studded watch and I glance to check her shoes (an annoying habit that I have). Lo and behold, finishing her all-black ensemble is a pair of black satin Rupert Sanderson Margaretha pumps! I'd know those cut-out details anywhere.

I decide to shamelessly enquire if they're Rupert Sanderson. She's pleasantly surprised: 'How did you know?!' I gesture meekly at my slightly battered, but thankfully recently buffed, patent pumps from the same eponymous label. She chuckles, amused maybe.

'My feet were killing me so I wore these... though I really should be wearing Burberry... I'm with Burberry (you see). Are YOU wearing Burberry this evening?'

'Sadly, not tonight.'

'Oh really? Your necklace is very Burberry.'

She fingers my black slashed leather necklace, apraising the cluster of fringed blooms like a seasoned merchandiser.

I sputter: 'It's Alldressedup and the store's upstairs. Anyway, I'm not invited.'

'What a pity... ah well.'

And with a grin, she rejoins HRH's court.

I might not have had the privilege of attending Burberry ION this evening, but for the smallest of moments, I felt like I did.

Auf Wiedersehen Germany, Hello Singapore!

When I attended alldressedup's SS09 fashion show a couple of months back, I had no clue that Germany's Next Top Model were busy filming clips of their final 3. Singapore was the exotic foreign stop and venue for the walk-off in Episode 15, which precedes the Finale.

Am really elated for the talented Sven Tan and his team of designers. What a great platform for their gorgeous line! Plus, is that a Vice & Vanity necklace I spy in the final photoshoot? YAY local talent!!

More images of the finalists in Singapore and their photoshoot at Haw Par Villa (I think!):

{images from Germany's Next Top Model}

Birthday Goodies

This is rather tardy of me but here's a THANK YOU to my pals for their fantastic gifts, and for giving me a perfect birthday weekend!

And so, in not particular order of gift glee :

- vintage black jumpsuit which fit perfectly!

- T by Alexander Wang charcoal boat dress... 'nuf said:

{Image from OAK}

- adorable denim shorts, worn here with my faithful alldressedup necklace and stolen bf T:

- the cutest (and amazingly well-cut) pajama set:

{Image from VS}

and finally... "my gift to myself" : alldressedup fringed washed-suede necklace through B's fabulous staff discount!