Dior unveiled the Lady D-Sire bag at their Spring-Summer 2024 Ready-To-Wear show, and it’s all at once familiar, yet new. As its name implies, the bag is an object of desire, and it’s familiar because it draws design inspiration from the iconic Lady Dior bag. The subtle changes see this new model reimagined with a casual style for an urban look. It comes in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large, in a variety of shades including black, dark brandy and powder beige, and can be worn cross-body, over the shoulder or carried by hand. We particularly love the black crinkled Macrocannage calfskin version; the tonal ultra-matte finish is elegant and modern, while the crinkled leather lends a cool edge to any outfit and will wear beautifully over time.
Above: The Dior Lady D-Sire bags in various sizes (not to scale).
Discover the bag in Dior boutiques and ONLINE. It retails $8,800 for SMALL, $9,700 for MEDIUM and $10,500 for large.
Valentine’s Day is arriving sooner than you’d think, and if you need inspiration on what to wear or gift during this romantic time of the year, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite fashion pieces that channel flirty, fun, kitsch, cute, and everything in between. Heart-shaped bags from Dior, Coach, and Louis Vuitton are sweet nothings that’ll mean a lot, while heart motifs dance across sneakers and elegant jewellery; we’ve got a couple of blushing pink and valentine-red accessories to accompany ’em roses too. Even a pair of CHANEL sunglasses has a heart-shaped logo that opens up to reveal a hidden mirror. It’s the thought that counts, sure, but all the price tags are included too, just in case.
‘Tis the season once again — and this time, we’re talking about the season of love. Cliché, commercialised, or utterly romantic, whatever your take on Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to peek some of these beauty limited-editions we’re crushin’ on. A rosy scent as a symbol of your eternal love? Or a long-wear matte lipstick that definitely won’t transfer when you lean in for a kiss? Here are some choice choices.
1. Tom Ford Beauty Cinematic Love Collection
This Valentine’s, Tom Ford Beauty offers the stuff of movies, with the ‘Cinematic Love’ collection that recalls the displays of undying romance and devotion that we’ve seen countless times across the silver screen.
The Eye Color Quad in Honeymoon, is a particular standout, of shimmering peach, sand, plum and dark purple in a limited-edition red palette. The Powder Blush will have you blushin’ as well with its warm peach shade of Love Scene. All of these feature a big, bold heart embossed on their powder formulas as well.
$64 – $158, available at Tom Ford Beauty counters, selected Sephora stores and online on sephora.com and Lazada.
2. MissDior Mini Miss Eau de Parfum
This is one we’re currently obsessed with. Dior Beauty’s Mini Miss solid perfumes are designed so exquisitely that they easily double up as fashion accessories, while allowing for elegant on-the-go application. Two of the house’s signature scents — Miss Dior Eau de Parfum and Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet — are faithfully translated into soft, translucent fragrance sticks that contain highly-concentrated yet alcohol-free formulas.
You can tell they thought about this as well, as the scents are presented in jacquard cases featuring the famous houndstooth motif, refillable too, in a pearl grey for the Miss Dior Eau de Parfum, and soft pink for the Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet.
$128 for the Miss Dior Mini Miss Eau de Parfum, and $104 for the Miss Dior Mini Miss Blooming Bouquet. Available at Dior Beauty boutiques and counters, and online.
For a palette that screams Taylor Swift’s Lover, we’ll have to refer to the pink sunset hues all over Pat McGrath Labs’ latest Mothership eyeshadow palette. The famous makeup artist lives up to her reputation with some of the most silky-smooth and blendable powder textures in the market, while there are certainly multidimensional shimmers and glitters shades meant to bring heavenly sunlit hues to the eyelids as well. This perfect treat for the makeup-obsessed contains 10 couture colours in 5 finishes, in order to create all kinds of sensual looks.
The British fragrance and lifestyle house is coming up roses with this Valentine’s Day series of scents, which, you guessed it, see three limited-edition rebellious rose scents. Meant for the romantics who’re unafraid to wear roses on their sleeves, each interpretation shows off a slightly different facade to the typically feminine rose scent, housed in graphic bottles that match that rebellious attitude.
Rose Blush is charming and modern when infused with notes of basil, lychee and a soft white musk; Rose Magnolia is sensual and mysterious, featuring both Rose de Mai and Rose Damascena draped in patchouli and amber; while Rose Amber features the Tudor rose, a royal flower that, alongside spicy clove and amber, adds to the scent’s sense of grandeur.
$175 (50ml) each, available at Jo Malone London stores and online.
Go for bold with the special-edition YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture, where the all-time favourite satin lipstick is wrapped in a gorgeous red hue, with gold hardware, for the occasion; similarly, the Touch Eclat Glow-Pact Cushion case and The Slim lipstick sees the same luxurious treatment as well. This year, the beauty brand also introduces a build-a-kit concept where you can pick out a couple of beauty items for a personalised Valentine’s Beauty Kit, and receive a limited-edition Love Loud Couture set while at it.
Things can’t get more romantic than a Diptyque candle, so how about one adorned with a heart? This limited-edition set features the Baies and Roses candles, where the brand’s iconic oval brand logo is doubled and joined together to form a heart, as a play on the fantasy world of love. Light them both up for a delicate harmony of tenderness and passion; one sees tangy green accents of freshly-picked berries and florals, while the other is akin to a wild garden of blossoming roses.
Amp up the drama with a luxurious edition of Lancôme’s L’Absolu Rouge lipstick, which, this Valentine’s Day, takes inspiration from the French iconic fabric known as “pied-de-poule”. You’ll find hearts all over its new velvet fabric finish case, while the graphic heart pattern is then replicated on the powdery matte bullet of the lipstick too. The lipstick is available in two limited edition shades — #196 French Touch, a timeless carrot-red with a tint of orange, and #277 French Tea, a delightful pink infused with milky brown.
If you’ve been following the who’s who of London Fashion Week and are always on the lookout for up-and-coming designers, then the signature spikes of Asian-American designer Chet Lo should already be familiar to you. Alright, let the rest of us catch up then!
Renowned for his visionary knitwear worn on celebrities including Zendaya, Lizzo and Doja Cat, the Central Saint Martins alumni is best known for his fun, flirty and kinda punk-rock 3D textured spikes, a popcorn knitting technique inspired by none of other than the durian fruit. Recently though, his designs hit even closer to home, thanks to this six-piece collaboration with CHARLES & KEITH.
Designer Chet Lo, with the Spike Textured Shoulder Bag ($159).
Some of the accessories brand’s most iconic designs take on new forms, whether in the form of platform mules and ballerina flats, to spikey shoulder bags. “We really wanted to emulate the femininity and strength of women incorporating my signature spikes, which signify protection but also a distinct sensuality,” says Chet Lo on the intention of the capsule collection. This is also part of CHARLES & KEITH ongoing efforts to work with designers and artists from all over the world.
Appealing to alternative girlies, one of the most popular items in the series has to be the sling-backs, a sculptural piece featuring spikes on coloured wedge heels, and a perfect blend of elegance and fierceness. Then, there are chunky platform mules and more dainty tie-around ballerina flats, which feature a flyback knit with exaggerated detailing.
For the bags, we’re introduced to two styles — a smaller geometric hand-carry with a solid metallic-hued top-handle, and a shoulder bag with a detachable metallic spikey ball charm. The collection is complete thanks to a headband that bears Chet’s soft yet spikey signature.
The three colours of the collection embody that Chet’s cult-favourite aesthetic too, where all the pieces are available in Black, Vibrant Red, and a Vivacious Fuchsia.
Hailing all the way from Paris, France, Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric is Louis Vuitton’s exquisite chocolaterie, which makes its first global debut at Marina Bay Sands Singapore this month.
The timely opening, just before Valentine’s Day mind you, sees the works of Maxime Frédéric, the award-winning Chef Pâtissier of the Cheval Blanc Paris, and offers a curation of handcrafted chocolates that feature some of the fashion house’s most iconic codes. They will be displayed like pieces of art on a curvinlinear counter, surrounded by stacked trunks and little alcoves that show off boxed chocolate creations dressed up in Louis Vuitton packaging.
The concept had originally began in Paris during 2022, with the opening of a Louis Vuitton café and first chocolate shop in Paris helmed by chef Maxime Frédéric; this was followed up by a Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton pop-up in Courchevel for the winter.
As for what to expect, we’ll say pure luxury. The chocolates themselves are handcrafted with high-quality premium ingredients sourced from Maxime Frédéric farm in Normandy, where he cultivates various breeds of chickens for their eggs, and grows a special type of hazelnut that boasts a more intense flavour. Other ingredients such as milk and cocoa originate from the finest sources, including small-scale cocoa farmers from Vietnam, Peru, Madagascar, Dominican Republic and São Tome.
The LV touch is obvious with the use of Louis Vuitton house codes throughout, as chef Frédéric was particularly inspired by the work of the artisans at the trunk-making atelier.
His centerpiece creation, the Vivienne on Malle, inspired by the Vivienne music box, is a mesmerising piece that features Vivienne pirouettes set in motion by a twist of a chocolate key, which shows off his highly-technical skills when constructing intricate chocolate mechanisms.
There’s also the Petula (pet lion), a signature mascot from Louis Vuitton, where each chocolate figure comes filled with coated hazelnuts and is intricately-designed right down to the placement of individual petals on the lion’s mane.
Look out for the Damier-shaped Chocolate Tablets, Monogram Flower, Chocolate Bar and Filled Trunk Tablets too, alongside a special for Valentine’s Day — Filled Heart Saint Valentine, which sees five heart-shaped chocolates in flavours of pistachio, almond and hazelnut, available in limited quantities.
Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton
Address: Louis Vuitton Island Maison, 2 Bayfront Avenue B1, Shop 36, Singapore 018972
Just a few years ago, foldable smartphones were presented as a prototype that tech companies made us dream of; but today we are spoiled for choice across the various brands vying for our top dollar. Foldables are not cheap; but they come with larger screens and the same high-end specs that flagship phones offer. And in these past few weeks among major smartphone announcements, HONOR throws their hat in the ring with the Magic V2, the world’s thinnest and lightest inward foldable smartphone. It improves on the brand’s first version, HONOR Magic V (which was announced at the beginning of 2022), with upgrades in the form factor, battery life, display, and user experience.
Above: The Honor Magic V2 is the world’s thinnest and lightest foldable smartphone.
When folded, the HONOR Magic V2 measures just 9.9mm in thickness — and this is where the device really shines. It’s thin, light (weighing 231g), and the black version that features a vegan leather back feels premium and comfortable to hold in the hand.
Above: The Honor Magic V2 features a foldable oled ltpo display, and has what the brand calls “human-centric innovation”. this includes dynamic dimming that mimics natural light rhythm, and a Circadian Night Display that adjusts the colours of the screen to warmer tones so you get better sleep at night.
The phone operates MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13, and it’s a straightforward, easy-to-use system. It has all the necessary pre-installed apps you’d expect from an Android, and you can easily install the others that you need. As for the smartphone’s camera, there’s a triple rear camera setup that includes the following lenses:
— 50MP Main Camera (f/1.9)
— 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera (f/2.0)
— 20MP Telephoto Camera (f/2.4)
You can shoot with the phone opened or closed, depending on what’s best for the situation. Here, I wanted to see as much of the landscape as possible, and get full manual controls from the camera app.
Above: taking photos with The Honor Magic V2 screen opened.
Here are some photos I took in Da Nang, Vietnam with the HONOR Magic V2:
Above: the clear, blue waters of my khe beach in da nang. The blues and its various layers stand out, and there’s no visible colour noise in the water’s gradient.
Above: the camera system did a good job capturing the layers of this landscape and freezing the plane in the sky.
Above: This was taken during sunset. the mountains and clouds are clear in the background, while the tourists create a nice shadowy silhouette in front.
Above: The various shades of green are beautifully represented in this photo taken at the famous linh ung pagoda in da nang.
The HONOR Magic V2 certainly has a decent camera, and will be excellent for most users. But when it comes down to it, how does it stack up against other foldables? At the time of writing, it’s the most affordable foldable at $1,999 (the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 starts from $2,232, while the OPPO Find N3 is priced at $2,399), plus it’s the thinnest and lightest of the lot. For Samsung users, choosing the Galaxy Z Fold5 makes sense because it’ll fit into your entire eco-system of Samsung products; as for the OPPO Find N3, photographers will willingly pay the premium for its tie-up with Hasselblad; but if all you want is a large foldable screen that’s pocketable, then the HONOR Magic V2 is an attractive choice based on its price and specs.
The HONOR Magic V2 is available in three colours — Purple, Black, and Black PU featuring a vegan leather back, priced at $1,999. For more details, visit the HONOR Singapore website at WWW.HIHONOR.COM/SG/.
How fired up are you for the upcoming Lunar New Year festivities? It’s time for the Dragon babies to rise up, and if you’re feeling all sorts of fierce and fiery for the upcoming holidays too, we’ve rounded up some accessories that do the ‘Year of the Dragon’ proud.
The only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac gets a major shoutout, by way of bags, shoes, watches and more emulating its strength and fiery goodness, by way of dragon scales and claws, of course. Some of the more creative pieces see dragon scales carved and moulded with metal, while our personal favourite has to be Bottega Veneta‘s crowd-favourite Jodie bag, with its overlapping Intrecciato and dragon crest details that then taper off into a dragon-tail handle.
Bottega Veneta.Acne Studios.
Then, there’s the pop culture slant adopted by brands such as FENDI, and their collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara’s FRGMT and Pokémon for a series of Dragonite-inspired Baguettes and Peekaboos. Ever the rebel, Moschino takes an unexpected turn by featuring the dragon twin brothers of classic arcade game ‘Bubble Bobble’, a much-needed reminder of the 80s hit, we say.
Admirably so, fashion houses such as Coach and LOEWE go further to champion the creativity of Chinese artists in honour of their craft, while making traditional Chinese art and imagery relevant to the modern generation. Artist Lian Yang captures motifs of clouds and lotus flowers from Chinese rock painting across embroidery on Coach bags, while LOEWE‘s series is a refreshing take on jade, as they team up with master jade carvers and present bags and bag charms inspired by the art form.
Coach.LOEWE.
Floral motifs and Chinese porcelain tableware are some key designs seen across dedicated capsule collections too, alongside campaign imagery that star Chinese personalities — Gucci comes to mind with actress Tian Xiwei; Burberry went with brand ambassadors Tang Wei and Chen Kun; while Prada does featured Du Juan and Zhao Lei in front of the lens, though their take is more moody and cinematic, accompanied by elegant accessories you can wear all year round.
Burberry.Prada.
See the rest of our favourites here, in case you’d like to rock up in fire fits this CNY:
Music’s biggest stars certainly turned it up for this year’s 66th Annual Grammy Awards, with custom outfits and vintage couture and a surprising number of gilded metallic looks, to honour a glitzy night full of iconic moments — that’s everything from a major Taylor Swift album announcement, to rockin’ performances from Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and more. Here, we round up some of the best dressed stars of the evening.
Taylor Swift in Schiaparelli couture
Photo by Kevin Mazur via Getty Images.
Ahead of the Asia and Australia leg of her Eras Tour, Taylor Swift — one of the night’s most cameo-ed attendees — dressed to win big at this year’s Grammys, as if she somehow knew she’d be bagging both the coveted Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights. That’s a mastermind for ya!
On the red carpet, she wore a white Schiaparelli couture gown with a high slit and sculptural silhouette, paired with black opera gloves for extra drama, and a watch choker dripping with diamonds and set to midnight, of course. As always, she didn’t miss a beat when dropping a surprise announcement during her acceptance speech — Taylor’s next album, The Tortured Poets Department, will be out on 19 April.
Miley Cyrus in Maison Margiela
Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images.
Flowers got its flowers alright, with Miley Cyrus’ smash hit snagging two accolades for Best Pop Solo Performance and Record of the Year, marking the singer’s first-ever Grammy wins. Miley’s ecstatic energy felt like it leapt through the screen when the singer took the stage at the show’s halfway mark to perform her catchy single (and interjecting with “then remembered… I just won my first Grammy!”), and also later when, in typical Miley fashion, she quipped “Thank you all so much. I don’t think I forgot anyone… but I might have forgotten underwear. Bye!” while accepting her second award for the night.
While Miley had plenty of outfit changes throughout the evening, her red carpet look, of a custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano gown fashioned from hundreds of gold safety pins, made her look every bit a warrior; it might just be topped by her elaborately-coiffed hair that seemed to channel her musical inspiration and godmother, Dolly Parton.
Olivia Rodrigo in Versace
Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images.
No award, no problem — lest we forget that we’re looking at a three-time Grammy winner here. Olivia Rodrigo took it up a notch with a classy white gown that’s a vintage Versace pieces, one that had originally debuted in 1995 on Linda Evangelista. This masterpiece is embellished with red and white crystals thoughtfully across the hourglass silhouette, which the Vampire singer paired with a bold red lip and sultry eyeliner. Not a bad idea at all.
Dua Lipa in Courrèges and Tiffany & Co.
Photo by Lester Cohen via Getty Images.
Dua Lipa proved she was every bit the pop star as claimed, when she kicked off the night with an explosive performance of her current single Houdini. So of course her red carpet look didn’t fall short at all — the custom silver gown by Courrèges was a shimmery sight, complete with cut-outs at the hip and a deep plunging neckline balanced out by its slouchy boho silhouette. Across her neck was a Tiffany & Co. necklace of platinum and yellow-gold, embellished with sapphires, rubellites and diamonds, featuring a pair of koi.
Victoria Monét in Atelier Versace
Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images.
You’re looking at this year’s Best New Artist! In a highly-stacked category filled with worthy nominees, singer-songwriter Victoria Monét managed to edge out the competition while also winning Best R&B album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for her full-length debut Jaguar II. Just as iconic was this bronze Atelier Versace number on the red carpet, done with a corset bodice that contrasted with silky fabric that led all the way to the gown’s train. This was a winning — and twinning — look, especially since she brought along her two-year-old daughter Hazel, who was dressed in a matching style.
Judging from how instantly recognisable bag names such as the 2.55, Birkin, Baguette, and Jodie are in our immediate circle — see, we don’t even need to mention their respective brands — it’s a no-brainer that we girlies love their luxury bags. Call us obsessed, actually. No other accessory is as vital as a bag slung across the shoulder or wrist, transforming an otherwise basic outfit to one worthy of a second glance, so if you’re looking for a piece that’s able to make that much of a statement, here’s a brand that should be on your radar: AUPEN.
Worn by celebrities from Taylor Swift to Hailey Bieber, Blue Ivy, Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez, and, most recently, Olivia Rodrigo, the accessories brand is the stuff of quiet luxury, a status symbol for sure thanks to these high-profile associations, but with minimalist designs just understated enough to not call (that much) attention to themselves. Where high-end designer brands scream wealth and prestige, AUPEN whispers “iykyk” — with accessible price points to boot.
The Brooklyn and Singapore-based brand has studios in both cities, while AUPEN aims to rethink our idea of luxury bags, by focusing on design over labels; indeed, their popular asymmetrical shoulder bags are both eye-catching and versatile, what we like to call “classics with a twist”. As an added bonus, their calfskin leather bags are made in Singapore as well.
As a long-time fashion writer-turned editor used to the seasonal cycle of new bags and accessories, these are qualities that personally drew me towards their styles as well, and why I believe some of us love rummaging through racks of clothing at a thrift shop — the idea of an unexpected, unique find that’s more a token of personal style rather than what’s necessarily “on trend”. I’d even compare their designs to low-key brands such as The Row and Loro Piana; AUPEN’s appeal, to me, lies in the balance of how effortless the bags are to style, and how much of a final-touch-to-an-outfit statement they can still make.
With that in mind, we decided to take three of AUPEN’s coveted shoulder bags for a spin, in order to test out their function, durability, and more, and to answer the singular question that’s been on our minds since spotting them everywhere in tinseltown: are they worth the hype? Read on to find out.
This It-bag by AUPEN has a lot to live up to, thanks to its association with a certain miss Taylor Swift, worn on one of her dates with Travis Kelce no less, but let’s put pop culture significance aside for a while. At first glance, the Nirvana, in black, is something that I’d typically go for — contemporary in style, thanks to its softly structured silhouette, but in a classic shade that makes the design feel more timeless than trendy. Accents such as a scooped asymmetrical shape that complements its slouchy feel, alongside its braided handle and detachable bean-like gold charm, make the bag more memorable as well.
Carrying the versatile Nirvana bag in black on a casual day out.
In real life, the bag feels smooth and supple to the touch, and has a finely-grained texture that immediately makes it more functional than a typical luxury bag; it’s durable and scratch-proof, so I can go about my day without a care in the world. While earlier variations of the bag were in vegan leather, I was pleased that the brand has now transitioned to traceable European calfskin leather certified by the Leather Working Group — and yes, this is the leather version that I managed to get my hands on!
I’ve taken it out the most out of the three bags, including work events and casual cafe-hopping on weekends, and am pleased to say the Nirvana is as fuss-free as advertised. It looks great on the arm or shoulder, but also retains its shape when setting it down upright on the seat or table.
With our Nirvana bag at a local cafe.
Furthermore, it’s a lot more roomy than it looks, and easily fits my Apple Airpods, cardholder, more than a couple of makeup items (cushion foundation, lipsticks, blush, highlighter, even a blending blush), plus a staple of the modern world, a portable charger. Don’t worry, it holds its shape quite well despite the ample load I’ve subjected it to, so it seems like the bag has achieved that elusive balance between suppleness and structure. This is a no-brainer I’d reach for any time I need an outfit perk-me-up; it’s certainly made a lover of me.
Fearless is one of those sleek shoulder bags that looks simple from the get-go, though the more discerning would really admire its asymmetrical silhouette, done clean and with smooth curves for visual elegance. Its sculptural minimalism also makes it prime for pairing with just about anything and everything in your existing wardrobe — girly flounces, a form-fitting slip dress, baggy cargos, anything denim, we really don’t have a list long enough to contain the immeasurable number of options.
Shopping and mirror selfies with the Fearless bag.
I chose the all-occasion number in a standout cherry red, as I was thinking of having a nice accent piece among my bag collection, and probably because I’ve had enough neutral, minimalist bags at this point. Thankfully, it was easier to match than expected. On a recent shopping day out, I had paired Fearless with an all-denim outfit for a statement look; I loved how it made the somewhat monotone outfit a lot more interesting, and even had fun pairing it with a red lip. Similar to the Nirvana, it looks great when set down, and can be worn comfortably on the shoulder with ample space underneath the arm, even with scrunched-up sleeves.
We picked the Fearless bag in a standout cherry red.
Compared to the earlier style though, I’d say that the sturdy material — which gives the bag its structure — has less give, and I was thus able to hold lesser items within it, though more essentials that I actually needed. I preferred having my phone out of the bag for most of the day too (who doesn’t!), though I heard that the Fearless is able to hold up to 4 iPhones, a fun fact to keep in mind at the next party, event, or even concert.
There might be people who’re concerned about the lack of crossbody straps for AUPEN’s bags as well, but in my opinion, the added fuss takes away from the cleanness of their designs. After all, my favourite thing about the Fearless, and the reason I’d reach for it more often than not, is the sophisticated simplicity of its design, and I’d be happy to sacrifice, say, three extra lipsticks for this good-looker.
If you like the Fearless, but sleeker, then Purpose should be right up your alley. It’s bold, it’s daring, it’s less girl-next-door and more edgy cool-girl, and, we imagine, made for girlies who resonate with Taylor’s lyrics of “draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man”. I went for the one in white, as I felt that the colourway would make it slightly more versatile for daytime looks. True enough, pairing it with a simple tank top and leather pants, gave the outfit a cooler vibe — in the lowkey way that AUPEN often does. Interestingly, the bag comes with a detachable shoulder strap, so you’re able to explore carrying it as a clutch as well.
Our pick of the sleek Purpose bag, in white.
Functionally, the bag’s magnetic clasp holds its flap in place as well, which keeps its contents neat and secure. While versatile enough for everyday style, I still see this as an occasion piece, both because of its slim, eye-catching style, and how, unfortunately or not, it only holds the essentials of, say, a mobile phone, cardholder, keys, cushion foundation / mirror, and a lipstick or two; I wouldn’t necessarily bring this out on a day with a packed schedule.
Where it does shine though is as a flirty little party piece, for when you need a lightweight style that just holds your phone and a couple of items, discreet enough to keep close to you but also boast about during those all-important selfie moments. To up the ante, Purpose also comes with a more glamorous chain strap, and in a fancy Ice edition, with crystal embellishments hanging off the edge of the bag.
Joy
Gabrielle Union and Olivia Rodrigo, with Joy.Joy, $208.
While browsing through AUPEN’s website and socials, I’ve recently come across a new design that piqued my interest — the Joy bag. Also worn by celebrities including Olivia Rodrigo and Gabrielle Union, I’d describe this is the rounder, even more casual cousin of Nirvana, though they share similar traits when it comes to that gentle asymmetrical curve and the versatility of the styles. In pursuit of sustainability, the brand has also opted for responsibly-sourced calfskin leather in two of their newly-introduced handbags, Joy and Lover, as well. If you’re looking for an elegant yet casual style that doesn’t break the bank, here’s a good option to go for!
In case you missed it — which we highly doubt — it’s just one more day to k-pop girl group NewJeans’ performance at Nike Orchard Road, where they’ll be in town to celebrate the opening of Nike‘s spanking new flagship store along Orchard Road.
Happening 3 February 2024, the highly-exclusive event was announced on Nike’s app just last weekend, and by now, the invites to lucky fans would have been sent out, so they can be ready to scream their hearts out when the group performs chart-topping hits such as “Super Shy” and “Ditto”.
For fans and bunnies who may have missed out on the invite though, that’s completely fine as you’ll still be able to get your hands on the Nike By You x NewJeans collection!
As part of the sportswear brand’s Member Day campaign, they’re offering a range of limited edition NewJeans designs, available for customisation on t-shirts and more, exclusively at the Nike By You booth on the third floor of the store. This will be available all the way till 4 February, Sunday (though the store will be closed on Saturday to facilitate the event).
We did a quick check at the store earlier today (Friday) though, and it seems like items such as baseball caps and tote bags are already sold out. What’s, thankfully, still available though are the t-shirts, where you get to choose from 15 NewJeans-themed designs, including some that feature their signature bunny combined with Nike’s iconic swoosh.
Customers get to build their design on an iPad, before paying up and getting a queue number. Then, the store staff get to work, prepping fresh tees and having your chosen designs printed on these; you’ll then be cued to pick up your finalised item when your queue number appears on the Nike By You screen.
Here’s a look at the entire process, and some of the designs available:
[click on the images to expand.]
The new 28,000 sq ft Nike Orchard Road store opened on 19 January, and boasts three storeys of sportswear, apparel and shoes. It’s also the brand’s largest store in Asia outside of China.
Here’s a look at the Nike By You x NewJeans collection! As part of @Nike’s Member Day campaign, they’re offering a range of limited edition @NewJeans designs, available for customisation on t-shirts and more, exclusively at the Nike By You booth on the third floor of the newly-opened Nike Orchard Road. Note that the store will be closed on Saturday (3 Feb) to facilitate an invite-only event where the k-pop girl group will be performing. More about the collection at our linkinbio! The Nike by You x NewJeans graphics will be available till end-February, while stocks last, at the Nike Orchard Road flagship store. #NikeByYou#NikeOrchardRoad#NewJeans#Nike#NikeSingapore#NikexNewJeans#singapore#tiktoksg#sgnews#sgfashion#kpop#collab
Vietnam is an incredible holiday destination; it’s close to Singapore (less than 3 hours by plane), the people are friendly and hospitable, the food and coffee is excellent (and affordable too!), the beaches are stunning, and the cities are full of culture and heritage, which is interesting for those into travel photography (that makes all of us).
Above: the View Flying in to Da Nang, Vietnam (spot the shadow of the plane).
One of the most scenic beaches in Vietnam is My Khe Beach located in the coastal city of Da Nang. My Khe Beach is known for its clear blue skies, smooth white sand, warm water that’s perfect for swimming in, and its gentle slope. It doesn’t experience large waves, which makes it safe for kids as well.
Above: My Khe Beach, Da nang, view from the balcony at hilton garden inn da nang.
We checked in to the Hilton Garden Inn Da Nang, which is just a stone’s throw away from My Khe Beach, and with guest rooms that offer calming views of the ocean.
Above: The Panoramic room at the Hilton Garden Inn Da Nang.
Above: The bath in the Panoramic room.
The guest rooms are modern, beautifully designed and comfortable, with a King Guest Room starting from an affordable 1,235,000₫ (approximately SGD68) to a Panoramic Room Ocean View with Balcony at 2,375,000₫ (approximately SGD130). If you’re travelling with parents or kids, you can book the Family Connecting Room (around SGD145) that accommodates up to 6 people.
Above: the balcony in the king deluxe room.
During the day, you can head up to the rooftop infinity pool to relax and soak in the sun. Return in the evening to enjoy cocktails at the rooftop bar while watching the sun set.
Above: the view from the rooftop bar.
For dining options, the hotel boasts an all-day dining concept called Together & Co.; the atmosphere is cosy, while the dishes are prepared with locally-sourced and fresh, sustainable ingredients.
Above: Together & Co.
Above: Chef linh, who’s friendly and hospitable. he introduced many local dishes and shared with us about the city of da nang and the best places to visit.
Above: a special vietnamese flat rice noodle, crafted by chef linh. it had a familiar braised flavour.
Above: a trio of springrolls crafted by chef linh.
Above: coconut coffee, a specialty at together & co. and truly a delicious drink.
While you might be tempted to stay within the hotel, its location is really one of the highlights of the property. It’s just 15 minutes away by car from the international airport (the taxi fare is around SGD5), 10 minutes from the bustling Son Tra Night Market, 10 minutes from the iconic Lady Buddha (the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam), and 20 minutes from the famous Marble Mountains.
Above: the iconic Lady Buddha (the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam).
Above: Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang, a Historic and Protected Site where the lady buddha statue resides.
Above: Seafood at the son tra night market. This entire plate costs around SGD65, and it’s grilled fresh for you on the spot.
Reviews of Hilton Garden Inn Da Nang on Expedia are “exceptional”, while Tripadvisor gives it 5/5 stars, which is an “excellent” rating. One of the reviewers said that if they could give the hotel 10 stars, they would because everything about the hotel is amazing. And we agree; it was a fun and enjoyable stay, and the Hilton Garden Inn really had the perfect location next to My Khe Beach. And what’s truly attractive is Da Nang’s proximity to Singapore, and the accessible price point of the rooms. It’s a good weekend break with our best girlfriends, or a destination to consider for the kids during the school holidays.
Above: nick boyd, general manager of the hilton garden inn da nang. A super friendly guy who ensures that the property runs in tip-top condition.
Above: view from the hilton garden inn da nang rooftop bar and pool, where you can see the lady buddha and Linh Ung Pagoda.
Hilton Garden Inn Da Nang is located at 96 VoNguyen Giap ManThai SonTra, Da Nang, Vietnam. Visit HILTON.COM for bookings.
Dior first launched the Chiffre Rouge collection in 2004, and it was born from the collaboration between Dior Timepieces and Dior Men. It was created as an automatic diving watch, and over the years, the collection kept on being animated with a wide variety of calibers and complications.
This February 12th, 2024, Dior’s Chiffre Rouge will enjoy a renaissance, reinvented through five new models that feature some of the House’s most iconic codes. The extraordinary timepieces have a modern edge, and are now adorned with the lines of cannage, Dior’s famous symbol.
There are two sizes of the watch available — 38mm and 41mm, both presented in different finishes, such as embellished with stones, or set against an ultra-matte black.
Five of these exceptional creations will be available in boutiques from February 2024, one from July 2024, and the last two from October 2024. Check in Dior boutiques for more release information.
Last year, when Samsung launched the Galaxy S23 Ultra, it was a powerhouse of a phone; I spent the year shooting portraits and fashion spreads with it, and the camera system on the device delivered with impressive results every time. It was also a very pretty phone, especially in its “hero green” shade that I had for review.
And then earlier this month, Samsung showcased their next generation of their flagship S series — the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The exterior design of the phone looks generally similar to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but the dimensions differ slightly so you won’t be able to fit your old cases on your new device. What’s also upgraded are the materials; the Galaxy S24 Ultra now has titanium built into the frame, plus there’s a better scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Armor screen.
Above: the Samsung Galaxy S24 series featured at the media event, including the galaxy s24 ultra in titanium black (first phone from the left).
We see seven colours of the phone on Samsung’s website, and we have the all-time favourite Titanium Black for review. It’s a conservative colour compared to the other available shades, especially the Titanium Orange, which I actually really like. Nonetheless, whichever colour you get, you’ll probably put a case on it, and Samsung has teamed up with 12 local artists and CASETiFY for an entire collection of exclusive designs to protect your new phone with.
Above: some of the CASETIFY artist designs made exclusively for the galaxy s24 series.
The specs are what you’d expect of a top-of-the-line smartphone, in particular, the quad camera system that includes a 200MP lens. No doubt the Galaxy S24 Ultra takes incredible photos, it’s the AI that’s the trump card in this new mobile device.
Some of the really cool Galaxy AI functions include directly translating your phone conversation or messages from one language to another (if you’re using the phone translation AI tool, you need to speak clearly and slowly, so the software can do its thing). Another cool trick is that you can circle a picture or visual anywhere on your phone in any app, and it’ll do a Google search of it.
When it comes to photography, you can lasso items in your photo and move its location or remove it altogether. Google Magic Eraser already has this “remove” function, but the Galaxy AI takes it a step further and the edits look more natural. And sure, Photoshop has their incredible “Generate” function, but with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it’s the convenience of having a good editing tool for photographers on the go.
Here are some portraits I took with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and edited on the device as well.
Above: MARK LEE captured on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Above: Jack neo captured on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Above: Bobby tonelli captured on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Above: Vinay captured on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Above: RYAN captured on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is priced from $1,928 and is available on samsung.com and all major telcos
Fierce and majestic, the dragon motifs come in blazing hot across this year’s limited edition beauty items, which honour the Year of the Dragon via creatively-done dragon scales and gold dragon-themed illustrations.
Dancing across bestselling serums and moisturisers, alongside exquisite palettes and lipsticks meant to symbolise luck and prosperity, highlights include shu uemura’s matte lipsticks engraved with dragon scales, and artist collaborations by luxury brands such as Clé de Peau and Lancôme that honour traditional Chinese artwork in modern styles.
Interestingly, with both Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year falling within the same week, we’ve also observed some hidden hearts amidst the dragon scales, seen in makeup collections by NARS and M.A.C for instance. Clearly, this is a sign to put our best faces forward, whether we’re visiting grandma or on our next hot date.
The sci-fi universe and giant mechas of Gundam have enthralled fans for generation, so we’re not surprised it’s making its way to a Levi’s® store near you. This year, the intricate designs of mobile suits, machines and more make their way across the Levi’s® x Gundam SEED collection, combining futuristic tech with heritage craft thanks to their indigo denim core pieces.
Key to the series are the Levi’s® x Gundam SEED ‘93 501® jeans and matching Relaxed Trucker, made from indigo denim with a light stonewash finish, and a recurring pattern of the Strike Gundam printed on; there’s also a blue jacron backpatch, and a co-branded patch to signify the collaboration.
For an even more futuristic-meets-streetwear touch, fans may turn to the Levi’s® x Gundam SEED Technical Anorak, a boxy and slightly cropped cut that hits the mark with silver piping, utility chest pockets and straps, and a large GAT-X105 Strike Gundam graphic on the back. Those into full co-ords will appreciate the matching Cargo Pant with matching piping.
As for the other items within the 12-piece collection, it includes bold tops such as the Boxy Tee, in Starbright White and Destruction Black with Gundam graphics, a light gray Rugby style with a cotton twill black collar, and a dark blue Long Sleeve Tee with the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam print on the back and a mix of reflective and non-reflective print on the left chest and right sleeve. There’s also a red Levi’s® x Gundam SEED Hoodie with a glossy GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam print and a jacquard patch on the left sleeve.
Co-branded accessories include a Harness Bag, as well as utilitarian accessories to complete the post-apocalyptic style, such as an Accent Pouch that can be hooked to bags, pants, and more, and the Gundam SEED Utility Beanie featuring a small storage pocket.
See the rest of the collection here:
[click on the images to expand.]
The limited-edition Levi’s® x Gundam SEED collection, $29.90 – $189.90, available from 1 February 2024 exclusively at Levi’s® ION Orchard and on levi.com.sg.
Kipling monkey, meet the Minions. It’s time to say a hearty “bello” to Kevin, Bob, Stuart and all their cheeky friends as they go bananas all over Kipling’s latest series of bags and pouches that ring in the Lunar New Year. Don’t worry though, it’s a good kinda chaos, as this collaboration with Illumination’s beloved Minions sees not just bags featuring the animated characters, but designs inspired by their bright yellow hue too.
GABBIE S Minions Emb, $229 ; KEVIN Minions Fur Fun, $159.
The most prominent designs within the KIPLING LOVES MINIONS collection, at least to us, have to be the two special-edition styles — the Creativity pouch and the crescent-shaped Kevin. These go all out with a furry yellow exterior and a pair of Kevin’s signature goggles, surely a collectible if you’re a fan of the cute and cuddly.
Creativity L Minions Fur Fun, $109.KEVIN Minions Fur Fun, $159.
Elsewhere, we also get Minions running amok across the Gabbie S, Riri, and Lionel crossbody styles, along with the New Cicely Tote, and City Pack S backpack, in light gold outlines on black.
To go along with the CNY inspiration, these are done with a quilt-like motif that represents dragon scales, and are accompanied with a gold dragon charm bearing both the iconic Kipling monkey and a fiery dragon. All the bags in the collection further feature a woven label on the interior with a red lining decorated with a host of Minions.
The KIPLING LOVES MINIONS collection, $109 – $249, available at Kipling boutiques and concierge shopping service on WhatsApp at 8928 0706, the Lazada Kipling Official Store, and selected department stores.
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