Busy (eating) Saturday

Photos by Helena. I wasn't in my best shape while taking these pictures due to the heavy rain and tiredness. Anyways, this should be how I normally look like when I leave the house for uni or going to the nearby shops. Look: Vintage denim jacket + oversized shirt + olive backpack from thrift stores, black jumper + shorts are essential pieces in my closet during winter.

Autumn Has Arrived!

Photos by the talented Kim. We went to the riverside in Kingston for an autumn walk and the scene was so pretty that I felt like I'm in a movie! Faux leather jacket + denim shirt by The Jazzy Workshop, skirt and shoes have been mentioned in other posts. Ok, to be honest, I've have this skirt and this pair of shoes for a good few years and I can't remember exactly where I got them from. In terms of clothes, I love custom made pieces. Especially when it comes to jacket or coat, I want the perfect piece only that fit and stay with me for a long time (for me, long time means at least 5 years). I have never been much of a shopping girl (not ever close to a shopaholic). I just want to get the right piece and be loyal with it! Yes, there is something called 'loyalty' in fashion too (for me, at least)! 

Back With Something New

I know that it has been too long since my last post but hey summer had been pretty fun for me. I hope it was for you too! Now I'm back to London to continue my study. Should be graduate with my bachelor degree next summer. Things have been really busy lately, but hopefully I'll manage to update this blog more often! Oh and guess what, new hairstyle obviously! Photos taken by my lovely friend Helena, check out her cool pictures here. In these pictures, striped jersey top + oversized blazer from The Jazzy Workshop, scarf from Muji, trousers and shoes have been mentioned before. That's it for now. Surely I will have to update more.

Say 'Hi' to the new Hologram Kid

Photos taken by Mèow Mẩu. It was a bad hair day for me. A leather cap was a quick fix for the photos (to be honest, it's not even mine!). All black and grey as always, even though it was a pretty nice sunny day. And yes, here is one of my recent purchases, a hologram clutch from Other Stories. Apparently, this is my favorite store. Good quality, cool branding and affordable price. So much love for this! I'm busy working on my final major project and re-do several projects for the portfolio. But it's gonna be fine. I'm pretty excited for several up-coming projects. Hope that I would get the chance to show it to everyone.

Review: Chinese New Year's Video by Topshop

So today while I was doing some research on my dissertation proposal, I just accidentally bumped into this Chinese New Year's video by Topshop. After watching it and reading several 'rude-yet-true' comments, I think a bit of (my personal) interpretation would come handy one day in terms of dissertation research.

Overall the video, it seems to be pretty dark and grey. The yellow lighting from the surrounding and the lanterns make it look so much 'Christmassy'. And then there is girl, standing on her own, looking up the sky/the lanterns wearing earthy color clothes. I have to say, she looks like the fancier version of the little march girl.

Ok, next they probably think it's a good idea to at least put an Asian girl in the video since this aims to attract potential Chinese customers. This might be due to the fact that Topshop is expanding into Asia's market recently (a new store in Hongkong?). It is always good to aim directly at a particular group of customers and show them that you understand them/providing them what they want. However, the problem here is that Topshop or their market research for this video alone obviously know nothing about Chinese New Year. At least, go to Chinatown and you'll soon realize that red is the big/lucky color! This whole leather/studs/dark color urban girls don't suit the theme if you want to wish them a Happy Chinese New Year. And again, looking at this young lady walking around the empty city alone makes me think that she's having the most depressing New Year Eve's on her own. Well, or that could be true, she could be a abroad student like me, who couldn't afford to pay for the flight ticket to go home? 

The lanterns? I'm not sure 100% if that's what symbolizes the Chinese New Year though. At least, I'm from Vietnam where we also celebrate Lunar New Year and I barely see this happening. And yes, excuse me, it should be called Lunar New Year by the way, because there are more countries in the world/in Asia celebrate this New Year according to the Lunar Calendar, not just Chinese (do your research, please!). 

Last but not least, the fading effect of the type at the end of the video combine with the 'whispering' music creates such a ghostly atmosphere. It feels like a cheery trailer of the new Twilight? It also reminds me of make-up tutorials by Michelle Phan. By saying that, I mean those videos that she had done two years ago. Her stuff is so much better now, if we have to compare it to this poorly made video from Topshop.

That's it for now. I'm not trying to be an old lady who criticizes everything on Earth but this is just a bit weird and disappointing at the same time. For such a brand and as they are expanding into Asia's market, I think it's worth to invest in some proper research about culture, lifestyle and interest of their potential customers. I hope you enjoy the review. I might continue doing this type of review if people are interested in hearing some more.

Moodboard-ing for The Jazzy Workshop

Time for some moodboard-ing. The Jazzy Workshop is planning for a come-back this summer. I'm super busy currently due to the huge amout of workload at uni. Things are falling into places so everything should be fine. Hopefully I'll have some time/some semi show-able work to post on this blog. Working on some exciting printing/handcraft projects, just so you know!

Chill for Easter

These are a few items I would like to own/wear right now (only if the weather gets any warmer here in London!). Monki is always one of my favourite stores. And guess what, I've just discovered & Other Stories, a new brand run by H&M. I want almost every single items from them. Anyways, the theme is chill-out, laid back kinda mood since it's Easter holiday right now. Minimalist is the trend or at least it's what I like. A touch of color would add the whole festive/summer feeling. A hint of delicate details is always sweet (like this chain of necklace from The Vamoose). Happy Easter everyone!

Rainbow D.I.Y Necklace

5-minute D.I.Y necklace. All you need is a few sheets of colored cards/acetates, leather cord, a hole puncher and of course, a pair of scissors. And excuse my silly face. Apparently I'm 12 years old! Other projects should be updated soon. (Yea you know how soon is 'soon' right?)

Grey as Always

Photos taken by Alice during London Fashion Weekend. It was a freezing day so I just layered loads. Tailored coat from home. Favourite hat from Monki. Two scarves, black one from Monki and grey one from the back of my mom's wardrobe. You can't really see but nevertheless, I was wearing my black jumper inside, paired up with a pretty leather patched pencil skirt from CUE. That's it for now. Much more to come.