mylo xyloto.

I guess my music taste is somewhat unusual. 

yes i do occasionally listen to the mainstream pop by Gaga or Britney, but i never consider those my favorites. dont get me wrong, they are fierce, but this is not the kind of music that trigger my emotions or penetrate into the depths of my soul. 

music to me, is a universal remedy for troubles, heartaches, anxiety, and all other miseries.

i prefer the heart wrenching songs by damien rice (my all time favorite artist) as opposed to sappy love songs by taylor swift. i want to hear the sadness in the vocals, which almost sounds like a croak. i want to hear the harmony of an acoustic guitar and a piano. there is something so real, so raw, and so genuine about vocals that are not tweaked by modern technology. 

music, to me, is always better when the melodies and lyrics are written by the artist him/herself.i guess i am just a sucker for the singer-songwriter type.

coldplay. 

one band, four guys, piano, drums, guitar, and a bass.

the creation of something more than just sounds. 

melodies that stay on your mind, lyrics that tell a story. 

music that transcends all ethnicity, age, and background.

 there are not many bands that i would consider to be one of my favorites, but coldplay is most definitely one of them. i had the great opportunity of going to see them live at the taping of the NBC today show.

  

it was quite a crazy and unforgettable experience. i woke up at 4:40 am and made it to the venue at 5:40 am. waited in line for an hour and then stood in the plaza for another, until finally, 8 o clock came and the four magnificent men appeared on stage. chris martin, as usual, sounded absolutely wonderful. every minute of waiting in line and standing in the cold was worth it because this is a once in a lifetime kind of experience. 

coldplay, your music, has always been able to "fix" me. 

thank you.

im just going to end this with - mylo xyloto.

graffiti mecca.

    

    

 this is the graffiti mecca of new york city. this is 5 pointz.

I have never been to Queens before, so this marks a first for me. I took a trip to the famous 5 pointz last weekend, it was about time I explored the outer boroughs. This place was definitely very different from the Manhattan scenery. I was surrounded by bold colors and graphic portraits. 

I just love how free all the artworks look, seems like the artists just placed whatever elements they wanted next to the existing graffiti. Odd juxtapositions are always the most intriguing. I guess that is the true spirit of street art. It's about freedom and spontaneity, so different from the rigorous and structured plannings we do in school.

 i have to be completely honest, that is about the ugliest Mulan i have ever seen. damn, she has always been my favorite Disney princess.

 artists hard at work, it's the beginning of a new creation.

 a fairytale retold using graffiti; so different from the editorial Alice in Wonderland photoshoot that I mentioned last week!

RE-CREATE: ENDLESS LACE

One of the biggest trends of the past few years has been lace; in every single form possible, as tops, sheer skirts, shoe, and accessories. I am in love with this trend, it is romantic yet dark at the same time. Maxi skirts have also made a big comeback this year and lace and maxi skirts have been a ubiquitous combo on the runways for Fall '11.

 Dior, Lanvin, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel

I tried to recreate this look using piece left over from last winter and this spring, using a vintage belt from my grandma as the accent. Love the full body of lace, but perhaps too dressy for school, I look like I could be going to either a party or a funeral....

 

Switched it up by replacing the lace top with a casual sweater. Perfect for this slightly chilly weather.

wonderland.

The modern fairytale story has been interpreted by many artists and designers, my favorite is most definitely the Alice in Wonderland editorial shot by Annie Leibovitz. I just love the juxtaposition of modern couture gowns with unusual scenery. Another factor that made this shoot so special is that all  the designers actually appear next to the model, as a character in the fairytale! Who doesnt love to see the DSquared boys dressed up as Tweedledum and Tweedledee?!

 John Galliano, whose genius and eccentric brilliance never ceases to amaze me.

 

This is another spread by Annie Leibovitz, "Beauty and the Beast" featuring Drew Berrymore as Belle.

 

The imagery is hauntingly beautiful.

new york fairytales.

      

 Despite all my complaints about working at Interview and the amount of errands we have to run everyday, there are still perks once in a while. This past week, I was given the task of running to BVLGARI to pick up earring for the holiday issue which features Scarlett Johansson. It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon, slightly chilly, but sunny nonetheless. I went uptown to 5th Ave and 57th, close to Central Park. It felt like a modern day fairytale. I was surrounded by trees and horses and chauffeurs dressed up in top hats. Romanticism coexisting with reality.

 

I've always found it hard to believe that beautiful scenery actually exists on the metropolis island that is Manhattan. As I walked back to the subway station with thousands of dollars worth of jewelry in my bag, I came across this breath-taking scene. The lake in Central Park was glistening as the sun hit its surface; the mirroring reflection in perfect harmony with the reality. What a peaceful little quite corner in the center of this chaotic city. This image was inspirational. On my way back to the office, I envisioned a photoshoot with ethereal chiffon gowns and lace and lots of tulle, with modern day accessories like leather belts and hardware to create the perfect juxtaposition.

 

Aside from that fictional scenario I made up, I kept thinking about how this concept of the modern day fairytale in New York City is actually just a poetic way of summarizing what we are all doing here. Everyone who works or studies in the city, is simply trying to live their modern day fairytale, trying to accomplish their dreams and fantasies. It truly is a city built on dreams and endless possibilities.

the technicalities.

Sometimes I look back at the old drawings I did back in highschool and think, what was I thinking?

There is always room for improvement, look how far this has come.

It's all about the technicalities; it's the attitude, posture, and long legs.

denim collection, summer 2009

 

figure exercises, october 2011

internships = modern day slavery

As children, we were told that grades were the most important thing in terms of success; but as young adults, that statement no longer holds as much weight because experience in the real working world is just as, if not more important. As an international student studying here, it's been hard to look for opportunities that would suit my situation. I dont have a SSN nor a working visa so I cant make any money during my stay in America, which leaves the option of an internship -- which is just a sugar-coated word for free labor. I guess being inexperienced doesnt help with the situation either. I grew up in a community where most of us didnt have to work, the most we did were community service projects and volunteer work. 

So I guess all I'm saying is that everyone has to start from somewhere, and that somewhere for me, is Interview Magazine. I had my first trial day today, and although it was excruciatingly long and tiring, I got a taste of the real world. It is bitch work, but at least I dont mind doing it. It's weird how the act of returning five pairs of designer shoes back to the Jimmy Choo showroom can make me happy. 

Here are some snapshots from my day. 

 

leather boots for tomorrow's menswear shoot

 

I cant even believe it myself, I have entered the realm of flat shoes.

 

 

at the end of a chaotic day

 

all ready for tomorrow morning's run-through

All complaints aside, they decided to keep me right away. No need to wait for emails or phone calls, I am now officially an intern in the Fashion Closet at Interview Magazine. 

Cheers to the future, where endless hours of hard labor, running around the city, and tedious paperwork awaits.