The Hoard Gazette blog is devoted to fashion, beauty & grooming. And of course jewellery: designer jewelry, jewelry making, vintage jewelry and restoration techniques. We try to include only practical information and tips which could be used in everyday life and would like to invite you to share your style, experiences, information and tips with us. Write us, we want YOUR INPUT!
On the note of femme diva, there is no other that goes way back from the 80s to the very millennium. Madonna, the girl with many faces. But mostly known as the Material girl/Vogue.
Remember the 80's?Madonna the Boy Toy, Material Girl Young, fresh and invigorating. The ambassador of the tattered fashion and the icon of the 80s.
Pop-trash style harlot Madonna - Wedding gown with Boy Toy belt
1990, early 90s. Vogue Madonna Yes you know the tune Vogue, you know the cones. The image Madonna has and will always be most clearly remembered as. Costume design by Jean-Paul Gaultier.
1991, Marilyn Monroe Madonna (the sultry chick in Dick Tracy)
Mid 90s, Evita Madonna Don't cry for me Argentina? Madonna
Ohh the red lipstick, flawless white skin and hair tucked into a bun. Tai tai?
1999 Grammy, Geisha Wannabe The rage then from Memoirs of a Geisha, inspired Madonna to do a live impersonation, of course with a wicked Madonna twist to it - stilt-high platform boots. JPG designed.
2000, turn of millennium. Rock-cowboy chick Music, the electro-pop single demanded a new image. And the woman of many faces, Madonna was herself in DSquared outfits.
2005, Material Girl Meets Guy - Mommy Madonna She shows her toned-town, yet sleek and sophisticated side with D&G outfits.
2005, Uber-Style Disco Diva She shows that a mum can be every bit hot and FIT, outclassing any one confident lass with her svelte figure and sexual oomph....in her 50s!
2008, Gucci-chic Madonna - Black, form fitting chic with a twist, Madonna style Bottom, right: Material girl - bohemian chic style
Trivia: Anita Mui Now which celebrity would look this good in her 50s! Well, I think the only Asian celebrity who would parallel such versatility & styling would be Anita Mui.
Trivia: Posh Spice - Victoria Beckham (Adams) Notice the similar Gucci sleek image Victorian digs too?
Posh Spice - Victoria Beckham In a Bag for Marc Jacobs
If you hadn't come by the celebrity lined collaborations of Marc Jacobs campaigns, he's got Posh Spice Victoria Beckhams for his spring campaign.
Her comments on the shots:
“The images are humorous and ironic. You can’t be afraid to experiment with fashion, especially when working with Marc and Juergen — you have to push the envelope and show a different side. Marc is a genius. I completely trusted his vision and the opportunity to work with Juergen again after so many years was a privilege.”
Which ad is her favorite? “Truth be told, I love them all. If I have to pick favourites, it’s the package series: me coming out of the box in the gray knit dress shot with the hat, as well as the image of the oversize shopping bag. Certainly, if you can’t get locked inside a Marc Jacobs store, then trapped inside a Marc bag has got to be the next best thing."
The Bad Girls of Japan - Kogal, Ganguro, Gyaru, Yamanba
Since we were talking about Japan, and Shibuya, for the record and because Japan is the fashion leader of Asia, being the conventionally unconventional, we have to talk about it and its part to play in the fashion revolution.
And the monumental fashion style - and its social upheaval - rebellion of societal norms & traditions, a call to arms for individuality, dominance and utmost indulgence: Kogal, Ganguro styles.
I'm in a little of a hurry for this entry and don't have time for a breakdown of it. Watch this vids and get a basic understanding of these looks and what they stand for. They may not be THAT accurate from its White Western perspective of production & editing, but nevertheless worth a watch.
Basically Kogal look is the passive counterpart- whereas, its extreme Kogal stands for the overt stance in sex, celebration of independence & freedom from societal norms.
The EGG magazine (official Kogal/Ganguro media) & Fruits magazine (more on urban & cosplay street fashion) will satisfy your hunger, shall you want to learn more about this. They are available at Kinokuniya, Lido Singapore.
A recent store on the 8th storey of the fashion forward Shibuya 109 building, has opened its doors as the de facto trend-watching place to be - SBY
For the defined customers of ages 15-18 (highly influential opinion leaders & market maverns).
And for the watchful marketers of companie, who use it as a test-pad and observation haven before formal public launches.
The place is divided into 3 areas: Sampling, sales & cafe. Teens can try new product samples at the sampling section: new sweets, drinks, snacks, food, shampoos etc.
Oh and here's how effective mall marketing should be - like Shibuya 109
Malls should convey constant marketing messages to its patrons, delivering its tenants benefits (of their rental's worth) and branding/differentiating the mall in the minds & hearts of patrons.
We don't really see this in Singapore.
And at least a cost-effective & highly influential campaign effort should be made on the worldwide web. Just like Shibuya 109, which takes the effort to market its shop tenants' trendy products and produce interesting content to induce shoppers/patrons.
The sun has been good, and if you're thinking of going for a little bake under the sun this weekend by the beach. Since we were on the note about kinky fashion, here's what not to wear:
The microkini - is a micro version of the bikini (seen here the underwear part) that is small enough that it covers just the private area.
Summary "The Internet Fashionistas are mostly female and around 25 years old.
They love a casual style, are addicted to shoes and know to combine the right pair to jeans or mini-dress.
The typical online Fashionista is inspired mainly by herself and the internet, sends photos via her mobile phone, loves to talk about sex and fashion, and has the instinct for the favorite designer/labels..."
I can't help but start a post on this, after coming by such wicked brilliant creations.
Artisanal collections, so Maison Martin Margiela calls them.
Here's the Elastic Jacket. As the name says, it's entirely made up of elastic bands. Yes...
Brilliant. They even made it look somewhat a futuristic, with sharp shoulder edgings. The weaving pattern reminds you somewhat of Bottega Venetta leather weave doesn't it?
If you haven't checked out the infamous House of Martin Margiela's website you truly should.
Don't be shocked by the out-of-this-world presentation method!
Movie Props Trivia - Titanic Heart of the Ocean Necklace
I've been having this urge to start a thread about famous props (for the matter, jewelry) in famous movies.
First thing that comes to mind, seems to be 90s tear-jerker classic Titanic's Heart of the Ocean necklace. Above: Not the original but a decent inspired version.
Supposedly sunken into the depths of the ocean and unattainable, it has resurfaced in proliferate variations and numbers to suit the lusts of we people, who seek the unattainable.
History The necklace was fashioned from a large blue diamond worn by Louis XVI. Shortly after his execution in 1793, the diamond disappeared and was believed to have been made into the Heart of the Ocean.
Source of the original Replica Some online sources quote that original first replicas (paradox?) were sold as limited editions by J Peterman, which was of course sold out in by nature of its affordability.
Wikipedia Jewelers Asprey & Garrard were inspired to make a real Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace. The result - 170 carat (34 g) heart shaped sapphire with 65 diamonds, totalling 30 carats (6 g). Celine Dion wore it at the 1998 Academy Awards ceremony as she sang Titanic's theme song "My Heart Will Go On"
Guide on Buying A search on Ebay saw many replicas (as usual) including some variations of J Peterman's which does no credit at all to the certificates of authenticity. But if you aren't picky on a cliched novelty gift, maybe that will suffice.
But do not deviate too far from the original:
Original pendant was about 1 3/4 inches in length
Huge blue diamond and numerous smaller clear diamonds surrounding (good replacements - crystals, semi-precious stones or even better, sapphire will be best as replacements)
Length of necklace - pendant should dangle on upper chest. Short of the bosom.
That said, enjoy your quest for a fine replica! (paradox again)
Voltaic's Solar Bag - Charge your Laptop on the go!
American mobile solar panel accessories specialists, Voltaic has yet again outdone itself with its debut of the Generator laptop range of carrier.
"The Voltaic Generator is the first solar bag powerful enough to charge a laptop. It uses high efficiency solar cells to generate maximum power in the limited space available.
It includes a battery pack custom designed to efficiently store and convert the electricity generated. It can also charge cell phones and most other hand held electronics"
I'm excited, but for a hefty price tag of $599USD, I think perhaps you could be quite a couple of spare laptop batteries.
But then again, you could be the ultimate king of tech geek with this. And that you'll probably be able to disappear into the Alps or safari retreat and stay connected. Perpetually, with mobile satellite connection =)
Few things are worthy of mention, and when I do see those that are (which I somehow have a penchant of getting to) I can't help talk about them.
Have a look at these spectacular dresses, hand-dyed with exquisite embellishment works. Subtle play with sequin tones, black on black, or dramatic Deco styled details.
The height of what I sort of wanted for a men's dress shirt look.
Anyway, feast ur eyes at these. She's dressed A-list celebrities such as Catherine Zeta Jones, Angelina Jolie and the likes. Dressy, classy, flashy yet feminine and oh-so-exciting altogether.
Accessories are meant to complement. Shine. Add the oomph of excellence & glamour to your outfit. Be it a drop dead dress you're about to parade at dinner or just the lazy Sunday top & denims you're out with. They add life (brimming or lack of) to the overall look.
I hadn't the time to surf for too many examples, but here's some pics I came by:
Diva stlye.
Always the epitome of divalicious. J Lo seen here donning a flowy white dress that complements her buxomy figure. She wears striking jewelry that complements her deep v-neck dress. Very dramatic & eye-catching. (Though I wouldnt recommend such long plunging necklace if you weren't a mountain of asset, as it leads the eye to the bosom)
Jennifer Lopez seen here with simpler touches. Striking contrasty earrings (to her pink dress) and a big rock ring.
Contrasty colored earrings bring attention to the face, great if you don't want the focus to be on your bod, say if you're on an "off-form day/period"
Glamourlicious puss.
Catherine, ever the sex-puss. Those lips!
Since shimmer is one of the themes of fall/winter this season, why not don it in a dangerous red? Catherine seen here with common themed shiny bracelets and sparkling rings. Neck accessories avoided or kept minimal as the dress is ALREADY shiny and eye-catching. To clutter more adornments at the scoop-neck would be overt.
Don't overdo unless you wanna be an auntie or a traffic light. Something like why mini-skirt with heels is avoided, unless you wanna appear.. slutty, which is unprofessional. Well unless its your profession =)
That's it for now, more to come! PS: Do write to me if you have other contents or ideas & would like to contribute.
I've always been an admirer of the Chanel style. Classic elegance, except that you probably have to pull it off to wear it. That's quite hard to come by these days, somehow.
Took a look at their latest releases for the season. These are my favourites, absolutely chic yet of excellent female form
Haven't got enough? Certainly. Pictures from http://www.fashionwiredaily.com
No they're not Vera Wang's new F/W collections for the year. They are works of gown designers for the 2006 Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest. Yes TOILET PAPER.
This year's winner:
Ones I like:
Last Year's Winner (my fav!) Look at the details, crazy isn't it?
Elegance.
Left: Looks like this is Bottega Venetta inspired, but woven toilet paper style! Right: Totally love this flowy simplicity!
Alright, I'll admit, this gives me a new outlook to toilet paper when I use it for my daily bowel needs. =)
Well, maybe when you're having a tight budget for your wedding, you know where to turn to! Hey, after all, you don't usually wear wedding dresses twice (not usually), so why not use the dough on a better honeymoon? Ha!
All images from http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com
