Chanel Resort Accessories

These hand and foot accessories stole the show...perfect for a mixed race Indian girl!

Chanel Resort Hong Kong

Yes, I have been quite absent, Lane Crawford Christmas Installs in 5 stores throughout HK, Chanel Casting & Collection Organization, and a move.  It felt like NY fashion week, yet a fashion week that lasted with such intensity for 6 weeks.  I am back and I look forward to pushing this blog forward.  Some lovely photos from Chanel's Resort Show that took place over the last few days.  9 shows, 2 days, 14 models from around the world and an amazing collection crew, the best I have ever worked with.  Collection not that compelling, but it is more about creating an atmosphere (theme St. Tropez) to encourage direct sales.   A team of sale persons sit with each guest post show to organize their order.  I don't think anyone walks out without a purchase.   Its a winning combination.

Model Casting HK

I have a few photo shoots and projects developing that require my immediate understanding of Hong Kong models and their agents/agencies.  First off, this is not NYC, not in the least, so it takes 200% more effort.  Visited four different agencies and couldn't help but notice that all of model agents were lesbian (a far cry from the shrieking feminine male in NYC).  I am only making an observation and certainly am not making any judgement on this.  But one couldn't help but notice.  There are few Asian girls to choose from which is tragic and reeks of colonialism.  Similar to India and the strive for lighter skin tone, the east asian image of beauty is still one viewed as western (those of you living or from the East won't be surprised by this).  The 1st photo above is Miin (Korean), 2nd photo is Bakker (1/2 Dutch, 1/2 Chinese).  We cast Miin.  We think she is our new muse...

Sham Shui Po, HK Fashion District

It seems that most fashion districts are disappearing world-wide as fashion production shifts almost entirely to China.  Among the benefits of living in Hong Kong is Sham Shui Po.  Over the weekend, I visited the area (Kowloon side, about 20 minutes from Central on the MTR), as I am styling a shoot that requires fabric for custom hats, trimmings, silver chains to make faux necklaces and belts.  Literally anything one needs to make fashion wise (fur, leather, feathers, crystals, buttons, lace, ribbons, silks, cotton, leather etc. etc) exists in a 10 street radius.  Certainly you must search around for the highest quality, but it is the variety and the immediacy that makes this a destination whilst visiting Hong Kong.  Anything is possible here and the prices are 70% less than NYC's limited fashion street.  Politics aside, it is thrilling for a designer, whom recognizes that anything is possible.

LittleShilpa, IMG Mumbai Fashion Week

I am so caught up in all things HK, that my India postings are quite few and far between.   Fortunately, IMG Indian Fashion Week just closed in Mumbai and I have been meaning to write about this accessories designer for a bit.  Littleshilpa is a Mumbai based designer whose handcrafted accessories, most notably her hat and head gear, make her Indian's answer to Philip Treacy.   Not certain if she sales in NYC, but can be found at Villa Moda's Middle East stores and My Sugarland in London. Her inspirations and references range from pure fantasy to India's complicated relationship colonialist history.  I am less enthused about her recent show in Mumbai (hope this was just a one off fashion blunder), so will share with you previous projects and collections.  This is certainly someone to watch.

HK Nails

A bit of a juncture from my regular postings, but I keep spotting these nails out and about in HK.  Trashy, a bit, sophisticated, not at all, but I admire the individuality and style of the designs.  And these women work, these particular hands work at an upmarket restaurant (no matter what your job is, you pick up glassware, food, dirt).  I admire that skill, I can't wear nail polish, I chip the polish before walking out of the salon (i have no patience).

East Asia Meet South Asia-Photo Shoot

I styled a photo shoot last week for an Indian inspired HK fashion label called Kaprice.  She is known for voluminous kaftans, embroidered tops, and cocktail dresses.  I learned very quickly that it is quite tough to find models in HK.  Models here tend to be more pretty than edgy, meaning more geared towards commercial work, rather than fashion.  My friend and colleague, whom shot the look book, Laurent Segretier, works a lot with Angie Ng, whom models in the photos above.  Lovely girl and wish her luck, as she is on her way to Paris for Fashion Week.  Angie and Laurent made the shoot and Kaprice was happy with the end result.