“Only great minds can afford a simple style.” - Stendhal

I love the Academy Awards.

No, not because of the celebration of cinema blah blah and all that boring stuff, although I WAS quite miffed that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button didn't win anything big. But I guess it's all relative to its competition ... so I guess it had to concede that may the Best Picture win, hahaha.

Anyway, the reason why I LOVE the Academy Awards ... RED CARPET FASHION!

And my all-time numero uno uber favourite is :

Kate Winslet in Atelier Yves Saint Laurent

A close second is :

Marisa Tomei in Atelier Versace

And last but not least ... although I'm not a big fan of hers, those Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings really are a brilliant touch to an otherwise slightly blah (I hate black for these occasions, SO boring) though well designed gown :

Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab

Others of note include the gorgeous gown on Anne Hathaway which looks so much better than the severe navy blue one she wore at the Golden Globes as well as Amy Adams in Caroline Herrera with a to-die-for Fred Leighton necklace ... although the dress kinda eminds me of a female Spidey, heh.

Anne Hathaway in Giorgio Armani Prive

Amy Adams in Caroline Herrera

Amanda Seyfried also look really good with her Veronica Lake inspired blond hair and brick red Valentino dress although I don't quite like the ginormous bow ribbon on it. Also, Reem Acra seemed to be a very popular choice for the award shows of late.

The nude Elie Saab on Evan Rachel Wood should have been on someone with slightly darker skin for a contrast ... and although I like the design on Natalie Portman's dress, the bubble pink is horribly offputting. I thought Jessica Biel's Prada dress could do without the excess frontal fabric which destroyed an otherwise lovely gown. I don't know why Miley Cyrus always manages to look decades older than her actual age on the red carpet, and I REALLY preferred Melissa George's gown at the Golden Globes, sigh.

And most importantly ... where in the world was the consistently elegant and luminous Cate Blanchett???

Overall, I still think the Golden Globes was a better showing fashion-wise.

“I have a trunk containing continents.” - Beryl Markham

The Centenary Collection

The Orient Collection

The 2008 Limited Edition : CANDY

Am uber in love with Globe-Trotter's hand made luxury travel trunks. Never mind that they're prolly not as practical and abuse-friendly as my trusty but pedestrian red Samsonite two-wheeler ... they're sooooooooo GORGEOUS!!!

They would go so well with my private jet and personal porters.

“Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind." - Gail Rubin Bereny

Yes well I believe that was before aforementioned author saw this:

Le Bag So Rock Chic : YSL Seven

“Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams, Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round.” - William Butler Yeats

I have a big crush on:

The Celine Orlov : the younger and more affordable Birkin