Fashion Fun KAOHSIUNG! See by Chloé, Just Cavalli & Miu Miu Nappa Slip-On

National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 

Chinese New Year 2017 in Kaohsiung provides the sunniest sunshine, the best food and the loveliest family gatherings. We decide to stay two more days since my cousin Jenny and I fly from the rather northern territories to Taiwan for holidays and we really dislike missing the great chances to experience the warmth.

We take MRT (Mass Rapid Transportation, as known as metro) to the adjacent bay of the Taiwan Strait, Siziwan. The bay area is dominated by the campus of National Sun Yat-Sen University which faces the open waters. Known as Takao Beach during Japanese Occupation (1895-1945), Siziwan is a black sand beach. Also the Former British Consulate and the historic Lingsing Temple at the peak of the hills overlook the whole area.

The British Consulate was built in 1865 in red bricks, located in Kaohsiung Port, (Qing Daogou port) was the British administration of the customs duties, now the oldest existing Western-style architecture of Taiwan. But during the Pacific War between 1942-45, the building was partially damaged by bombing, until in 1985 Kaohsiung Government started the work of restoration, and later turned the building into Kaohsiung Historical Relics Museum.

We climbed up to the top and we spotted the red brick terrace where some photographers’ canons are lining up for the late fireworks, with the breeze our own fashion campaign just begun. Equipment Cara heart-print 100% washed silk camisole is one of my favourite basic wears, while adding up Just Cavalli pussy-bow ecru 100% silk blouse, cut from the slightly loose fit, romantic French sleeves with buttoned cuffs, the holiday mood is on. I tear off the bow and let it flow with the wind, make the blouse as a more of a mini open silk-voile top. Very often I match a high-street bottom with designer brand’s upper, this time is no exception: American Apparel’s 100% polyester high waist leggings is just perfect for the sunny windy beach atmosphere.

For accessories, I stay the same (as last year in Kenting Beach) with Prada tonal grey, 100% UV protection acetate leopard pair; with See by Chloé cowhide Doublure mini sac, which I discover and retain it from my Taipei flat. Hand carry the sac is much suitable than cross-body style, since the ribbon-shaped front clutch is heavier in the composition of the softer leather material. The comfy lambskin slip-on sneaker from Miu Miu are my dear duty-free bargain from London Heathrow Airport. The pointy toe soft nappa with rubber sole, with elastic insert on the side and toecap ornament with Miu Miu Logo is unique and easy to climb up and stroll down. Though the off-white bottom sole is difficult to keep it clean, still the part of design stays the best, all I can take care of is that wipe both with Muji wet tissues after usage. The inner sole of sneaker is a 1,5 cm thickness of the black rubber, on the surface stitched with pastel pinkish of leather and Miu Miu cotton stripe. Indeed the designer’s shoes are double multiple at price range, nevertheless the foot health and lovely style is what I really focus on these recent years.

Let’s take a long walk at Bay Area!

Photography & Special Thanks: Jenny

JUST CAVALLI

MIU MIU

Magazine Madness VOGUE Paris: Invité d’bonneur: When Karl Teams Up with Lily-Rose

VOGUE Paris December 2016/January 2017 No. 973

Who is on cover will break the boundary of language barrier? When Karl Lagerfeld and Lily-Rose Depp team up on Vogue Paris. I rely on heavy Spanish and Latin knowledge while I am reading anything in French, still my sense of vague meaning between words lingering every page turn. Karl is an Emperor of fashion world, and Lily-Rose is, quite rarely seldom, that very a few young faces I find worthwhile to collect these days. Purchasing Vogue Paris in Finland is triple price than in France metropolitan, Karl is in charge of December/January 2017 issue and Lily-Rose is as his right-hand so I never mind.

At Issue No. 973, Karl reveals how much he adores paper, films and books, and his muses are also sharing their memories toward Karl. Lily-Rose’s introduction is rather shorter, so the translation into English for the easier reading by me is as below:

Rarely in history will we have seen a young girl taking her impetus on a solemn stardom. The whole world has been paying attention to Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Depp’s the first child: who merges both the French chic and the American spirits. It was not until a few years ago that the chrysalises were transformed, until the Cannes festival yesteryear, when the international press had eyes on Lily-Rose. And what’s next? Her eyes can be discovered from René Gruau, her lips were put on with framboise, a porcelain-like neck and a miraculous silhouette, immediately wowed the crowd. Karl was not mistaken: a muse was born to incarnate - after the Coco de Vanessa - the face is now speaking for Chanel No° 5, L’Eau. 

As for the cinema, she is also having something to offer - which has just topped off from high school to devote herself to Planetarium and La Danseuse, and soon this year Yoga Hosers. This bilingual girl keeps turning and making us in astonishment. The future seems ideal, but the steppingstones have its pungent; that the resemblance with her mother and every other rumours, is that Lily-Rose must learn to be her true self. Nevertheless, the trials do not frighten the teenager, who just told to Vogue Paris recently: Through my parents, I realized that by doing this job, is that a sacrifice to own a private life. I chose the same path as they did, no matter what, I know that I have to pay the price I take (254).

As for photography, for echoing Karl Lagerfeld is the Chief Designer/Director of House of Chanel, and Lily-Rose is the spokeswoman for Chanel No° 5, L’Eau, I place my favourite collection from purchasing at Chanel boutique, a camellia to cover the price tag of the magazine. Secondly I display Chanel No° 5 Eau de Parfum for the resemblance of Chanel No° 5, L’Eau (I will definitely collect one 35ml bottle soon), add up two pairs of Chanel double C logo earrings on each of Karl’s and Lily-Rose side, and finally complete with a slight touch of redness, a Rouge Allure Velvet, to enrich the black, grey and white nostalgic tones.

Photography & Works Cited: 

http://www.vogue.fr

Beauty Boom! 2017 MIU MIU Eau de Parfum

New year new fragrance! First spotted at Helsinki Airport duty free, this attractive flacon with scarlet red cap, golden yellow nozzle and significant lagoon turquoise Matelassé vessel. Designer Miuccia Prada wanted to intertwine the provocative, attractive spirit of Miu Miu into the composition and the design of the first Eau de Perfume of House.

The composition of the fragrance is by perfumer Danielle Roche Andrier, known for her collaboration with Prada, as well as Bvlgari, Marni and Bottega Veneta. As Danielle explains, that the focus is on lily-of-the-valley, bergamot and lemon as top notes, supported with middle notes of jasmine, rose, green notes, black currents and peach, as well as a special ingredient of white must and Akigalawood, which develops the scent of patchouli, notes of pepper and woody aromas. The composition of Miu Miu fragrance opens in a fresh and floral manner, and as it develops it begins warmer and woodsier with time passing by.

My experiences of owning Miu Miu products, at first I thought Miu Miu Eau de Parfum was going to be a cloying sweet, until I decoded lost memories. After my trial smell at Debenhams in Bath, England, it turns out that Miu Miu starts bright, airy, fruity but comparatively light. At the beginning of the hour of the slightest hint of sweetness, then 2 hours later, the lily-of-the-valley shines through and blend with other floral notes harmoniously, while the wood adds a peppery note. The youthful and mysterious vibe of Miu Miu Eau de Parfum fits the romantic balance from the packaging to the centre of the fragrance.

For the inspiration of photo shooting, Miu Miu peachy pink whole packaging, inclusive of cardboard box, ribbon, authentic-card envelope and receipt holder, accompany to the Eau de Parfum flacon, which is fully colourful mindset. While the 30ml size is suitable to carry on for relocation, and Miu Miu Madras pinky pochette can bring out the best travel concept of the House, 2017 has definitely full of sweet and peppery surprises.

MIU MIU

On the Road: Roasted Baby Cabbage Salad Makes Jyväskylä Winter a Winner

December 22-26, 2016

Merry Christmas! Yet at the end of the December, it’s always the warmest moment for family to get together, to chill out, to unwrap the surprise, and to cherish every single second.

Alas again, 2016 Christmas is yet another Black Friday in Jyväskylä. Still, the colourful table setting and the lovely smiles from the family never fade away, and after we change the Marimekko snowwhite curtain for a visual pleasure, we then decide to have more greenery salad as the healthier serving for all.

Being more of an Asian cuisine fan, baby cabbage is never easy for me to have idea on cooking. While chopping white onions into tiny cubes, its high sugar content caramelize beautifully balance the crunchy cabbage and bitter chicory.

So all we need for the preparation are:

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and 4 tablespoons of virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

4 sprigs fresh thyme

1 small clove garlic, minced

2 cups chicory leaves (70g), washed and torn into small pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

A lemon and 200g of fresh handpicked raspberries

How to make baby cabbage a Winter Winner Dish:

1.Preheat over to 200C. In a baking dish, place onions cubes, drizzle with vegetable oil and season with salt and black peppers. Add thyme sprigs.

2.Boil around 3 dozens of baby cabbages for about8-10 minutes in kettle until they become soft. Place baby cabbages together in the oven with the onions until both turn well browned.

3.In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil. Place cabbage and chicory in a large salad bowl and toss with just enough dressing to coat. Add warm onions and fresh raspberries and toss again, adding more dressing if needed. And a winter winner is ready to serve for up to 6-8 people.

Enjoy the greenery and Stay Merry!!

Special Thanks: Perhe Heikkinen

Beauty Boom Christmas! DIOR Diorific Vernis Gris-Or is State of Gold

Happy Holiday 2016! 

After Chanel le Vernis collection, I am treated in surprise with this beautiful metallic gold limited edition DIOR Diorific Vernis #277 Gris Or! 

With rose platin gold with pearly finish, Dior Gris-Or is perfectly opaque in two coats, shadowing a different beast under various lights. Although it shows some brush strokes, still, it is rather minimal. Under sunshine it is more golden and it has shimmery effect close to metallic nail polishes of Chanel. I decide to matching it with a nice sparkle on top or darker tint with other toes. The top coat of holiday collection---Diorific Vernis #001 State of Gold---is a highly densely packed glitter of mixed silver and gold; therefore, It is possible to apply just the single layer of glitter, and it would show opaque in two coats. I applied just solo coat over Gris-Or and loved the new holiday look! 

DIOR Beauty design is as thoughtful and elegant as its haute couture line. The cap of glass bottle of Dior vernis is coated with brass, while the pure vessel at the bottom with cambria font of 'Dior'; Viewing under the yellow light, those words project the shadows on the surface of le vernis, a rather mini pleasure to enjoy for a moment. Indeed, ‘Tiny details always perform a perfect design.’

In my fashion philosophy, there is never an ‘out’ item, unless it is bought with an impulsive drive just because media or press brag unbearably loud. I have spotted what I desire for Dior 2016 nail polish collection, but now I just enjoy what I own in hand from the beloved family. 

Special Thanks: PH