“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower. - Albert Camus

Le sigh.

The 2009 Fall Collection to date is so depressing.

Too much black.

Although I must say, Balmain has cemented itself to be THE go-to label for tres sexe mini dresses for the Fall season. If I were a super heroine, I would so hire them as my couturier :

Balmain Fall RTW 2009

Balmain Fall RTW 2009

There were also of course, some classic gems which seldom disappoint :

Valentino Fall RTW 2009

Valentino Fall RTW 2009

Valentino, unfailingly elegant and luxurious. The kneee length cocktail dress wouldn't look out of place on Lauren Bacall while the floor length gown appears to be inspired by an Indian sari.

Lovely.

“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” - Mark Twain

I can't be in Japan this spring for sakura season because of prior commitments, so I am going to live vicariously through this lovely cocktail dress :

Tskye Kyoko Cocktail Dress

I am a huge fan of Singaporean designer Alexia Ho's label Tskye. Alexia Ho was trained at Parson's in New York and interned at Vera Wang, and her designs veer towards chic vintage in designer fabrics. Elegant and quirky, Alexia's designs are perfect for day or nights, for any occasion.

Speaking of Japan, I am psyched that casual wear retailer Uniqlo is finally setting up shop here :

Uniqlo Spring 2009

Uniqlo's spring campaign offers its signature skinny jeans in a myriad of fresh fun colors, and I am rather excited at checking them out although knowing my tendency towards the classic safe designs, I am likely to buy a pair in dark blue or black. Unfortunately the first store opens next month in Tampines, which is practically the equivalent of a day trip to Malaysia. Why they chose to have it in the heartland boondocks I will never comprende.

“Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"” - Robin Williams

Oh curses.

I tried this on three weeks ago but somehow deemed it 'too pretty' to be worn about on a daily casual basis. I mean, I'm hardly the kind who floats around in chiffon having high tea, am I? Not to mention the pastel-ness of this airy concoction makes fair skinned moi look a wee bit washed out :

Fendi Spring RTW 2009

Now I slightly regret not buying it.

Then again, some tacky so-called local celeb is wearing it on the cover of this week's local gossip rag, so it's prolly just as well. I am of the staunch sartorial opinion my electric blue Dior mini dress was a much better purchase.

But Karl Lagerfeld is undoubtedly wickedly genius about details :

Fendi Fall 2009 RTW

I absolutely adore how the dress is dramatic and delicate at the same time, its inky purple balanced with intricate detailing and soft chiffon.

C'est beau!

“Mere colour, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” - Oscar Wilde

It all started when Maman and I went shopping and she picked out a drab navy blue silk shirt dress by Marc Jacobs, which led me to lift my hands in dismay and announce:

"Couleur, maman! Non plus sombres!"

I'm tres tired of black and dark shades like navy blue and chocolate ... it's supposed to be spring still, and with all that depressing news going on in the economy, I think we should wear some bright colors to lift everyone's spirits, especially our own.

Which is what brings me to the dress du jour :

Just Cavalli Print Dress

Few do excess as well as Roberto Cavalli, and this strapless tie dyed print dress with a draped back and clever ruching detail throughout is a fine fine demonstration of his appeal to the younger crowd for Just Cavalli.

Anyone remember the scene where Carrie Bradshaw fights with Aidan Shaw over her Roberto Cavalli dress? Boys, do not I repeat do NOT give your missus an ultimatum between beloved fashion item and yourself. Because you might just lose. By a fairly wide margin.

Of course, a dress however spectacular, never quite hits the wow factor without accessories :

Louis Vuitton Louisette Small Ring

Louis Vuitton Crown Ring

The first is part of Louis Vuitton creative consultant Camile Miceli's Louisette collection and nestled within its petals are pink sapphires, rubies and diamonds. Tres exquise. The second is a collaboration between Camile Miceli and hip hop singer Pharrell Williams, and is made of pink gold adorned with pink sapphires and diamonds. A perfect combination of sophistication and ghetto street cred.

These have been out for ages, but I only just got into the accessories groove. What can I say, I'm a late bloomer.

“The pink sheep of the family.” - Alexander McQueen

Growing up, I never was a girly kinda girl, and memories of childhood consist of being dragged through the girls' department in the shopping mall and being made to try on dress after frilly dress by an aunt who insisted on one for my birthday each and every year.

And like every single rebellious teenager, I rebelled and stubbornly refused to wear skirts and dresses and staunchly hung on to my cords and jeans. My mother used to exclaim, "You'll never find a husband dressed like that!", although the connection between sartorial and spouse I never quite got, even to this day.

Anyway, to her utmost relief, I grew out of that phase and decided I quite liked dresses afterall. Well, not only because they were kinda pretty, they also appealed to my practical 'slip on and go' approach to dressing, instead of having to puzzle over coordination. Also, I was too lazy to iron two pieces of clothing instead of one.

Neither was I into the color pink. Although I admit to owning several items of pink clothing, it's hardly one of my favorite colors. The color pink seemed to scream of abject kawaii-ness, and brought with it visions of Hello Kitty and various other unpleasant saccharine associations.

However, I realised that if said item was in hot pink as opposed to pastel, it was an entirely different game :

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress

In the spirit of pink and on the subject of lesser-known labels in my previous post, I also actually really like this tote bag :

Lancel Premier Flirt

Now, I have a rather romanticised relationship with Lancel.

Years ago on my maiden trip to Europe, my bag decided to break.

On Champs Elysees. In the middle of a downpour. In front of Lancel.

So I took it was a sign from above and went in and bought my first quality leather bag.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

“A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.” - Sophia Loren

So lovin' this DKNY ramie blend colour block dress

Aren't these Giuseppe Zanotti heels simply wicked?

“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.

“"Style" is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style.” - John Fairchild

Wow the 2009 Golden Globes are quite something, sartorially speaking.

It was an excellent showing and an awfully difficult decision to make as to which was my favourite dress ... on the one hand I really liked Eva Mendes's white Dior dress with her turquoise necklace but it didn't fit very well on her, whereas Eva Longoria's Reem Acra fitted her like a glove and was super red hot.

Well I'm gonna have to go with my favourite colour :

Eva Longoria in Reem Acra

Eva Mendes in Dior

Looking like she's in a female version of the tuxedo, Kate Winslet manages to look elegant and dignified at the same time :

Kate Winslet in YSL

And I really like this gorgeous gown on Melissa George ... very classy :

Melissa George in Giorgio Armani Prive

Also the stylishly dependable :

Kate Beckinsale in J. Mendel

I really like it when a bit of colour other than the de rigeur black and predictable red pops up on the red carpet, so I applaud this lovely shade of blue :

January Jones in Versace

And last but not least, a gratuitous picture of the gorgeous Simon Baker: