French fragrance label opens boutique at shopping mall

Commemorative collectible: The limited edition Annick Goutal toiletry bag made from songket

Only one: Hidayah and Lim opening the the Annick Goutal boutique at
the Bangsar Shopping Centre,
the only standalone boutique in South-East Asia.

Scents & Songket
By Charlz Chan

MY EARLIEST memory of Annick Goutal dates back to May 1985 when its first Asia Pacific standalone boutique opened in Figgins Diorama, Collins Street in Melbourne.

I joined throngs of people who waited on the opening day to sample the perfumes of this new star of the French perfume industry.

On entering the boutique that cold winter morning, what awaited me was like nothing I had seen or smelt before.

The small boutique, veiled with sheer organza curtains, had an air of mystery with its dark grey interior and gold-coloured fittings.

There were mirrored walls and a great big chandelier in one corner that made the boutique look even bigger than it actually was.

Under the chandelier stood big gold urns. Customer's perfumes were decantered from these into dainty ornate butterfly-topped bottles. The smell of these new perfumes was totally intoxicating.

I was hooked the first time I smelt the unisex perfume Eau d'Hadrien, which now has a cult following.

This fresh-smelling citrus scent is favoured by Tom Cruise, Madonna, Leonardo DiCaprio and many Hollywood celebrities.

Recently, almost 25 years later, I was privileged to attend another Annick Goutal boutique opening, this time at Bangsar Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur. This is the only standalone boutique in South-East Asia.

Designed by Annick Goutal's daughter Camille, this is a replica of the latest Parisian boutique in Rue Victor Hugo, and is evocative of a French boudoir.

It carries the entire range of perfumes: 26 for women and 10 for men. Still following Annick's original philosophy, each unique perfume represents a moment of happiness, a treasured emotion, or a powerful memory connected to a significant event or even a loved one.

Toh Puan Seri Hidayah Wan Ismail was the guest of honour and opened the boutique.

She also launched a special edition songket toiletry bag designed by Poppy of Bagatelle, in collaboration with Annick Goutal and Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah.

These bags come in brown and cream and are woven in the traditional songket style, with the signature Annick Goutal butterfly motif in gold.

The bags contain a selection of new products from the Un Matin D'Orage range

Ken Lim, managing director of Esplanade Avenue Sdn Bhd, the distributor of Annick Goutal in Malaysia, said the proceeds from the sale of the 200 bag sets would go to Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah to help revive the songket industry and make it more contemporary.

After the store was officially opened, models presented a new range of Bagatelle evening bags that incorporated elements of sumptuous songket fabric by Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah under the Royal Terengganu Songket brand. These are available from the Annick Goutal boutique.

This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)
URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/28/central/4589697&sec=central

FWD: Special workshop to raise breast cancer awareness

Chefs in pink: Some of the celebrities and personalities who took part

in the workshop with their creations.

A Jelly Good Time!

CORPORATE leaders, fashion designers and celebrities were some of the participants who turned up at the Royal Selangor's " A Jelly Good Time", a jelly-making workshop aimed at raising awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA), Malaysia.

Clad in pink aprons, familiar faces like Khoon Hooi, Owen Yap, Tunku Ali Muhriz, Khairy Jamaluddin, Justin Leong, and Charlz Chan made their own jelly creations using Royal Selangor's mountain-inspired conical-shaped jelly mould designed by British designer Nick Munro.

Speaking about Royal Selangor's involvement in supporting the breast cancer cause, the company's general manager of marketing Chen Tien Yue said they had been involved in raising awareness and funds for breast cancer efforts since 2006.

Chen also added that in conjunction with breast cancer month in October, Royal Selangor would be conducting similar jelly-making workshops throughout the month.

Two workshops will be held for the public on Oct 10 and 24.

At RM200 per person this includes the workshop, a pewter jelly mould as well as afternoon tea at Royal Selangor Visitor Centre. For each person who signs up, Royal Selangor will be contributing RM70 to the association. Those interested can call Royal Selangor at 03-4145 6345 or 4145 6237.

Celebrities gather for a good cause...

Thomas Pink's Project Peace

Chic: Celebrity Bernie Chan and freelance designer Alexandrea Yeo's
creation entitled 'A Dress of Peace'.

Nice: Fashion designer Nurita Harith's creation with
illustrated hand painted panels and burnt edges on the shirt.

Clean lines: Royal Selangor creative director Chris Yong's 'Abhaya Mudra'.

ARMED with a white Thomas Pink shirt, 11 designers and celebrities came together and put their creative juices to good use for a good cause.

The "Peace Partners", as the designers and celebrities who took part were called, turned the basic white Thomas Pink Shirt they were provided with into a fashion statement that conveyed messages of peace.

The creations were then auctioned off at a fund raising event organised by Thomas Pink Malaysia at The Gardens last week where guests bid at a silent auction. Funds were channelled to Mercy Malaysia.

Trinidad Group of Companies managing director Naresh Mohan (its parent company Trinidad Holdings owns Thomas Pink Malaysia) said Mercy Malaysia was chosen for their involvement in aiding war-torn and devastated regions.

"We wanted to create something for peace and to be constructive. We will be working with Mercy Malaysia in future projects and hopefully this fundraising event can be an annual affair," he said. The aim was to raise RM20,000 to RM30,000.

TV and radio presenter Will Quah's creation "Peace in Pieces", with hand cut faux mirror appliqué adorning the collar, cuff and placket, was inspired by a mask he wore to an event.

"It's (designing the piece) a venture unknown to me. It's quite labour-intensive, it took me about one-and-a-half weeks to finish," he said.

Singapore Fashion Show producer Daniel Boey's creation, reflected his view of the world today — chaotic yet with an underlying beauty.

"The scrunched up part of the shirt reflects the world today, full of hypocrisy and bigotry but if you strip all of it away, there is beauty underneath," he said, adding that the black see-through material symbolises transparency.

Renowned fashion designer Khoon Hooi sewed layers onto his bias cut white on white piece and added ribbons and a statement-making gold label behind.

"Utopia presents a place of imagination and dreams," he said of his piece "Utopian Whirlpool".

Mercy Malaysia honorary secretary Puan Raja Shazmin Raja Badrul Shah was present at the event.

Other peace partners included

- Sonny San (creative director and managing director for Eclipse),

- Shahril Nizam (poet/writer/visual artist),

- Chris Yong (creative director for Royal Selangor),

- Nurita Harith (fashion designer),

- Bernie Chan and Alexandrea Yeo (model/actress/celebrity and freelance designer),

- Alex Koh (shoe designer and entrepreneur for Charm) and

- Charlz Chan (fashion consultant for Thomas Pink).

__________________________________________________________________________
Your one-stop information portal:
The Star Online
http://thestar.com.my

Copyright © 1995-2009 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited.

FWD: Grid girls set to make heads turn

The grid girls showing off the new outfit for the race this weekend.

This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)
URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/2/central/3590078&sec=central

__________________________________________________________________________

THIS week in Kuala Lumpur, we will be flooded with fashion events that are held in support of Stylo for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

However, off the Stylo red carpet and the fashion runways, there is also fashion glamour at the Sepang F1 circuit.

This is supplied by batik designer Nazleen Noor with her costumes for the F1 grid girls for the race.

She unveiled her new creations recently at 2201 Fashion Avenue, The Gardens Midvalley City in Kuala Lumpur.

Five grid girls showed off what they would be wearing at the race.

The designer understood that her costumes had to be worn in hot and humid conditions at the Sepang F1 track. So comfort was a major factor that she had to consider.

With that in mind, she designed a modern kebaya top using translucent white cotton voile. She embellished it with traditional embroidery from the neckline down to the pointed hem at the front, and all the way along the back. That is about the only thing that is traditional, as she cut the sleeves short! Light and easy, contemporary with a traditional twist, this top is worn over a simple white cotton tube top.

The sarong worn with this ensemble is again not your traditional one. Nazleen has produced a batik pareo that is wrapped around the hips and then tied at the waist to suggest a sarong.

She stylized the Malaysian national flower, the bunga raya so it looked more modern and contemporary on the hand-drawn satin silk batik pareo. Using the Petronas corporate colours, it comes in a white or aquamarine base, with a touch of black, deco aqua and light grey.

This modern kebaya is sexy yet practical, and is sure to turn heads before the checkered flag is waved at Sepang.

__________________________________________________________________________
Your one-stop information portal:
The Star Online
http://thestar.com.my

Copyright © 1995-2009 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited.

    --------------------------- 

Thomas Pink launches Project Peace

By: (Mar 18, 2009)


Thomas Pink Malaysia recently launched "Project PEACE", a campaign to raise funds to help those affected by the crisis at Gaza.

Spurred by a similar project by Thomas Pink London, Project PEACE is a collaborative effort
enlisting the help of local designers and creative personalities to interpret their message of peace using a white Thomas Pink shirt as their canvas.

Each PEACE Partner was provided with a basic white Thomas Pink shirt and based on their
interpretation of PEACE, they can opt to embellish, paint, draw and even deconstruct the garment.

The Peace Partners include Eclipse creative director Sonny San, fashion designer Khoon Hooi, fashion show producer Daniel Boey, artist/poet Shahril Nizam, Royal Selangor creative director Chris Yong, fashion designer Nurita Harith, actress Bernie Chan, fashion designer Alexandrea Yeo, TV & radio celebrity Will Quah, shoe designer Alex Koh and Thomas Pink fashion consultant Charlz Chan. Also present at the recent press conference was Trinidad Holdings managing director Naresh Mohan.

According to Charlz Chan, fashion consultant to Thomas Pink, "This project hopes to provoke and express creativity and act as a channel for the PEACE Partners to display their unique talent that otherwise might not have an outlet".

His creation themed Doves Around the World was inspired by doves, the universal symbol of peace. Each dove, which is made from fused fabric and folded to resemble an origami dove, is sewn on the Thomas Pink shirt to show the migration of these peaceful birds from north to south. The blue fabric used for the doves was to reflect the sky denoting that the birds are in flight.

The Gala Night will showcase the 10 finished garments on April 16 followed by an exhibition which will take place from April 17 to 26 at The Gardens, Mid Valley City. - Kim Cho

--- end ---    --- Article Information --- This article was emailed from Sun2Surf. Article's URL: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=31248 

Messages of peace and hope- THOMAS PINK'S PROJECT PEACE.

L-R: Peace Partners- Nurita, Charlz, Alex, Sonny, Khoon Hooi, Naresh Mohan, Bernie & Alexandrea.

"Each dove is made from fused fabric and folded to resemble an origami dove,

then sewn on the shirt to show the migration of these peaceful birds from North to South"

For peace: (from left) Bernie Chan, Khoon Hooi, Nurita Harith,

and several other personalities as well as Naresh Mohan (right)
holding the origami doves on Charlz Chan's creation.

This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)

URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/3/16/central/3466414&sec=central

__________________________________________________________________________

IN LIGHT of the Gaza crisis, designer label Thomas Pink Malaysia launched its "Project PEACE" fund-raising campaign recently.

The campaign was spurred by a similar project by Thomas Pink London whereby famous and up-and-coming personalities conveyed the message of peace on a white Thomas Pink shirt.

In Malaysia, 11 individuals comprising fashion designers and television and radio personalities were enlisted to interpret their own messages of peace.

They were Sonny San (creative director and managing director for Eclipse), Khoon Hooi (creative director for Clothier Creation), Daniel Boey (Singapore fashion show producer), Shahril Nizam (poet/writer/visual artist), Chris Yong (creative director for Royal Selangor), Nurita Harith (fashion designer), Bernie Chan and Alexandrea Yeo (model/actress/celebrity & freelance designer), Will Quah (celebrity/TV & radio presenter), Alex Koh (shoe designer & entrepreneur for Charm), as well as Charlz Chan (fashion consultant for Thomas Pink).

Each was given the freedom of embellishing, painting, drawing, and even restyling the garment.

Trinidad Group of Companies managing director Naresh Mohan (its parent company Trinidad Holdings owns Thomas Pink Malaysia) said the project was about creating a platform that brought together talented individuals to contribute to a greater good and at the same time show off their talents.

"In such trying economic times, not everyone can afford to donate cash.

"So we thought this idea of auctioning off these personalised shirts as a novel way of getting people to make their bid and in return, the highest bidders will get a Thomas Pink shirt that are embellished, painted, and drawn by a group of talented people," Mohan said during the project's launch at The Gardens in MidValley.

Mohan added that they would select and decide on the organisation they would channel the raised fund.

Charlz Chan said the project was aimed at provoking creativity while acting as a channel for the individuals to display their unique talent.

He showed his work-in-progress creation during the launch, themed "Doves Around the World".

"Each dove is made from fused fabric and folded to resemble an origami dove, then sewn on the shirt to show the migration of these peaceful birds from North to South," he said.

Bernie Chan, meanwhile, is doing a collaborative piece with Alexandrea Yeo who emerged as the first runner-up in Project Runway (Malaysia) 2007.

Yeo said their idea was to turn the shirt into a corseted shirt dress for women.

Her message of peace was that people should be united as one and no racism.

Sonny San said his creation would feature a simple yet elegant piece.

"In these times of doom, gloom, what with the war and economic recession, I do not want to add on to what's already dark so my piece would definitely cheer people up."

The project aimed to raise nearly RM30,000.

The fundraising event to showcase the 10 finished garmets for auction would take place on April 16 followed by an exhibition from April 17 to 26 inside the mall.

Auction is by way of silent bid.

__________________________________________________________________________
Your one-stop information portal:
The Star Online
http://thestar.com.my

Copyright © 1995-2009 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited.

Wonders Down Under

The uber cool Alpha60 is known for its fresh take
on classic styles and cuts, and for referencing popular culture.

By Charlz Chan
The FashionHISta

An edited version of this article appeared in Sunday Star, 14 February 2009.

In the world of fashion, one would not think of Australian designers as cutting edge or world-famous. However the land Down Under does have it’s own style and look, when it comes to clothing.

R.M. Williams is one name that is synonymous with the Aussie Outback. Considered the Loewe or Hermes of Australia, it is a brand that originally started out specialising in bespoke leather goods and saddlery. This iconic Australian company began making boots and saddles in 1932, and today has diversified into its trademark moleskins, jeans and bush shirts.

This is one of the reason’s Catherine Martin, the costume designer for the film Australia, (starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman) plundered the archives of R.M. Williams’s headquarters in Adelaide when doing research. The epic film directed by Martin’s husband Baz Luhmann (of Moulin Rouge fame), was set at the same time Mr. Reginald Murray Williams started making his now famous boots. So inspired by what she found, Martin has designed a small capsule of limited editions for R.M. Williams as a tribute to Australia, the film.

Considered the quintessential Aussie Bush Outfitter, R.M. Williams now offers a full range of boots, hats, eyewear, bush work wear and casual wear for men, women and children.

From the bush to the bohemian Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, north of Melbourne’s city centre; we find the head office of ube cool label Alpha60. Created by brother-sister duo Alex and Georgie Cleary, this label is known for their fresh take on classic styles and cuts, and for referencing popular culture. A constant source of inspiration is derived from influences of iconic films like Buffalo 66, The Ice Storm, La Haine, Twin Peaks and most notably Jean-Luc Godard’s 1965 cult classic Alphaville.

This theme is very evident on entering their boutiques called Alphaville in Melbourne and Sydney. These boutiques pay homage to the label’s celluloid muses who gaze watchfully from the store’s crisp white walls.

Their Summer 09 Collection consists of clothes for both men and women in only black, white and grey. Monochromatic, stark, edgy and dramatic; Alpha60’s clothes are for the young and cool. This label has shown at Fashion Weeks in Paris and Melbourne; and was invited by Jamie Oliver to design the uniforms for his restaurant FIFTEEN in Australia.

From the ultra cool to the ultra wearable, we find GRAB Denim that originated in 1999 in the suburb of Collingwood, Victoria. GRAB Denim is focused on pure design innovation, and launched their menswear line in 2008.

“Spring Summer 09 is about young lovers, happy colours and childhood simplicity prints,” says GRAB’s menswear designer George Chan. “Spring starts off young at heart and matures into Summer.”

Looking through the racks in their Chapel Street store, it was the intimate and minute detailed twists that make this collection special. This was evident in a grey marle T-shirt that caught my eye. It had a red foiled printed logo on the inside neck, and was finished with a contrast blue velvet back neck tape. It had a small welt coin pocket on the front, just below the V-neck, with a button strap that closed it shut. To finish it off, there were two chain-stitch pinstripes sewn on the front, with the label’s name embroided on the left side. Talk about details! Though it may seem like there were too many applications on this one T-shirt it did not look over done.

The men’s jeans range from mid waist to low rise; slim leg to straight leg and engineered. All denim has GRAB’s signature side stitch detailing and certain styles have a hidden pocket in the back yoke. Innovative washes also add to the jeans uniqueness. From the battered and threadbare “Brunswick Destroyed Jeans” to the dark “Fitzroy Raw Resin”, there is something for everyman.

It was interesting to see that GRAB denim is sold through their own retails stores located throughout Australia and New Zealand, but is also sold in Dubai, Philippines; and in CK Tang in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

There are other labels I would like to write about and many other topics I have yet had the opportunity to touch upon. But my time and column space has come to an end. Unfortunately this is the last time I am writing as The FashionHISta. I hope I have managed to impart my fashion experience and knowledge to you, or at least have managed to brighten up your fortnightly Sunday reading.

Charlz bids you good health and hopes you have a stylish year. When in doubt, always overdress!