The Star Online: Lifestyle: Arts & Fashion
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Arts & Fashion |
| Posted: 23 May 2013 12:15 AM PDT This season, local brand Seed goes for a sensual and relaxed vibe. HOMEGROWN label Seed takes on spring by flirting with a range of inspirations. The women's collection oscillates between overt femininity and sophisticated cool while the men are given different interpretations on the season's relaxed styles. It is a return to girlishness – the essence of spring – for the women in the aptly named Classic Femininity collection. All the elements of demure ladylikeness have been employed to great effect. Think pink, sheer, lace and floral as well as flare and peplum cuts. It's a lacy affair with the delicate fabric making a big appearance in many imaginative ways, from peplum blouses to fit-and-flare dresses and classic shifts. Wear them sheer, peek-a-boo or in contrast against a stronger base colour. Other ways to work the trend include peplum skirts, 60s shift dress with bold trimming, fit-and-flare dresses and long torso shift blouses. Fabrics like polyester lace, stretch cotton, polyester georgette, interlock knit and yarn knit play up the choices of navy, off-white, pink, nude and black. On the flip side, in stark contrast to the girlishness, the sleek Dynamic Chic collection offers inspirations from the modish style of Twiggy to the polished sophistication of Victoria Beckham. Playing on sheer overlay, sectioned sheer, colour-blocking and block trimmed details, Seed offers a more body conscious fit with cuts that are structured, tailored and sensuously feminine. A subtle palette of black, off-white, light orange and blue further accentuates this. The fabric selection of interlock knit, polyester chiffon and geometric print polyester give form and fit to key pieces like the colour block panel shift dress, sleeveless long-line jacket, high-waisted shorts and geometric print silky wide leg pants. For casual looks, Seed goes maritime in Nautical Intarsia. It's a return to fashion that is fun in this playful, light-hearted collection of easy basics, pared down femininity and cool essentials. Shades of pink, off-white, blue and yellow, and blue and white polka dots set the tone. Details like peplum, floral with stripes, 50s fit-and-flare, and opaque and sheer are translated into peplum jackets, floral dresses, opaque jumpsuits and textured fleece easy tunics – wardrobe pieces that spell laidback nonchalance without sacrificing style. Luxe Grunge is the anti-thesis of this, exuding tough chic with its grunge-inspired styling, treated fabric and mod looks. Dip-dyed, sheer panelling, snow-washed, colour blocking and feminine sporty details play on a diverse array of fabric that include denim, stretch cotton, organza, chambray, fancy weave, interlock knit, fleece, poly mesh and single knit. Dip-dyed pants, sheer panelling dresses, snow-washed chambray shirts, colour block sweat shirts and sporty shorts are the building blocks for a collection that calls for fashion daring and unapologetic boldness. The men rock spring by going retro with Relaxed Basic. Pieces like double pleat denim, contrast stripes shirts, contrast collar shirts, boat-neck sweaters and boxy polo T-shirts appear on combinations of navy, blue, yellow and grey. Inner wear and swimwear like colour-blocking boxers and contrast colour waistband slim trunks are also featured for top-to-toe, all-the-time stylishness. Luxurious Mood offers an alternative for the season, taking its cue from the wardrobe of an English gentleman at the beginning of the 20th century. Earthy colours are mixed with navy, indigo, orange and neutral white and grey. In keeping with the theme, the collection uses fabrics such as solid polyester wool, cotton oxford, cotton poplin, interlock knit and 7G yarn knit. The collection is a modern take on the classic colonial look. Selected pieces like the sleeveless blazer, reversible jacket, relax fit shorts, bib front shirt, sleeveless shirt, contrast colour boxy T-shirt, and contrast colour polo T-shirts create sharp, sophisticated styles. Meanwhile, sporty and urban styles are blended in the Refreshing Casual range, featuring blue, red and green – a subdued, easy-to-match spring palette. Key fabrics like broken twill denim, fine cotton twill, printed cotton poplin, cotton oxford and cotton fleece make for a comfortable collection. Chic Atmosphere dials up the casual vibe with earthy and fresh colours in khaki, orange, navy and grey. Comfortable, quality fabrics such as nylon, printed cotton poplin and 30FC single knit highlight the nuances of simple designs. Key pieces to pull off this relaxed styling include detachable hoodie sleeveless denim jackets, sleeveless sweaters, contrast sleeve shirts, geometric print shirts, boxy T-shirts, contrast turn up pants and geometric print pants. To celebrate its latest collection, the brand held a showcase recently at Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur, held in conjunction with Mid Valley's Fashion Week. ■ Prices start from RM29. Available at Padini Concept Store and Seed outlets nationwide as well as department stores. |
| Posted: 22 May 2013 06:06 PM PDT Alexander Skarsgard lends his dangerously handsome mien to a fragrance campaign. FRIDAY, Sept 28, 2012 ... that's definitely a date that I will remember for a very long time. If your e-mail interview with Alexander "The Great" Skarsgard had been changed to a 15-minute telephone interview, you'd be excited too. It seems only two in South-East Asia were granted a chat with Calvin Klein's ambassador for its fragrance, Encounter. The time of the interview was set for 2am (Malaysian time) or 2pm in New York. My peers assured me that these appointments are usually punctual but it was only 25 minutes after the said time that my phone rang. All was forgotten as soon as I was on the phone with True Blood's very own Sheriff Eric Northman. Swede smell of success Calvin Klein's Encounter is Skarsgard's first endorsement and he was very "humbled and honoured" to have been asked, he said. It was the brand's first time having a celebrity fronting their scents. So, what attracted him to star in the campaign? "It's a combination (of factors)," Skarsgard, 36, told me. "It was a creative team that I'd worked with before. I worked with (campaign creative director) Fabien Baron – we did an interview with Interview magazine two years ago – and the guy (Steven Klein) who took my photograph for the campaign shot me for that. I really enjoyed collaborating with the two of them." "I've also worked with (Dutch model) Lara Stone – we did a thing with Peter Lindbergh for Vogue US, also two years ago," he added. "And it's Calvin Klein. It's a fantastic house and it's something I felt comfortable doing. I talked to Fabien, and he told me the idea and the concept, and it sounded interesting and cool, like a fun experience," enthused Skarsgard. The ad campaign for Encounter tells the story of the unresolved tension and desire between a man and a woman, played by Skarsgard and Stone. In the two-minute film that takes on a classic film noir feel, the narrative creatively unfolds through a complex game "in which the man ultimately remains in control of his desires, leaving the story open to infinite possibilities". At the time of the interview, the scent was not yet available in Malaysia and I was curious to know what the actor thought of the fragrance. "I like it a lot. I think it's a great scent. I'm a big fan," he said, describing the fragrance as "very sensual, deep with spices. Very cognacy and woody". Works in progress Skarsgard had just wrapped a post-apocalyptic thriller entitled Hidden a few days before the interview. Shot over a course of two months in Vancouver, Canada, the film tells the story of a man hiding out in a bomb shelter with his wife and their 10-year-old daughter. Without revealing too much of the plot, Skarsgard said that "something or someone" is looking for them, so "they're trying to hide and survive". The 193cm tall hunk shared that the experience was intense and "pretty claustrophobic", and because of the special diet he was on to make his character look skinny and frail, he constantly felt low on energy. "I was on this diet because I had to lose weight – my character was kind of skinny. For a couple of months, I ate small salads and a bit of protein to lose weight. It was difficult. "It's not a fun character to play, but I'm very happy I did it," he said. Then there's also the drama-mystery flick, The East, starring alongside rumoured girlfriend Ellen Page and Brit Marling. And what about the Fifty Shades trilogy? Skarsgard's name has been floated about, where the movie version is concerned. Will he take on the role of E.L. James' leading man, Christian Grey who – like Skarsgard's bloodsucker – prefers his sex a little rough? Sadly, Skarsgard as Grey seems unlikely. He said he hasn't read the script nor the books, but has indicated that he would be "absolutely" comfortable taking on the provocative role. Meanwhile, he is busy with True Blood; its sixth season will premiere on American television on June 16. "I liked the way Season 5 ended. I'm curious. I'm excited to see which direction they are taking it," he concluded. Related Story: |
| Posted: 22 May 2013 06:07 PM PDT BRAD Pitt's taken. So is Eric Bana. Ditto, Alexander Skarsgard. Don't fret, fragrance producers. There is still a ton of male actors out there, if you're looking for a hunk to hawk your next scent. It goes without saying that most women want their men to smell nice, and they'd probably end up buying their favourite smell for their other half. (Father's Day is just around the corner, by the way!) I asked my female colleagues who they want to see as the new face of a smouldering scent, as well as their suggested fragrance monikers. These are their impassioned recommendations. Aren't we a helpful lot? Ann Marie Chandy's choice Actor: Joshua Jackson (who plays Peter Bishop in Fringe) Name of scent: Dimensions The smell: The perfume would naturally be otherworldly, and have a lot of character. It would be complex, nuanced and sensual, just like Jackson. It would contain cashmeran in its composition – just so it would have those musky, woody-ambery (Amber, geddit?) nuances about it; and it would have a strong sillage because even when Peter Bishop ain't around, he leaves a strong trail in his wake. Sandra Low's choice Actor: Dan Stevens (Matthew Reginald Crawley in Downton Abbey) Name of scent: Drives Me Crazy (inspired by his best man's advice to him that "you won't be happy with anyone else as long as Lady Mary walks the earth") The smell: Warm as the fires lit in Highclere castle, charming as men in the Edwardian era are brought up to be and as perplexing as running an Edwardian household. Mumtaj Begum's choice Actor: Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead) Name of scent: Dirty Sexy (a term the make-up crew use when they need to make actors look dirty) The smell: Clinical, almost like a morgue. Dzireena Mahadzir's choice Actor: Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries) Name of scent: Smoulder The smell: Masculine and strong enough to knock you out. Patsy Kam's choice Actor: Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) Name of scent: Re-wolve (as in revolve ... get it?) The smell: Enigmatic, to bring out the animal in you. S. Indramalar's choice Actor: Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen in Arrow) Name of scent: Vigilante The smell: Straight-up sexy, you'll have no defences against this scent. Olivia Lee's choice Actor: Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man) Name of scent: Cold Steel The smell: $100 dollar bills and metallic. Nadine Fernandez's choice Actor: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Name of scent: My Cooking or Masak-Masak The smell: Whatever he makes in the kitchen, so we can finally smell what The Rock is cooking! – Compiled by William K.C. Kee Related Story: |
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