Counting Days = ='

I'm counting now.. 7 days left. 6 days left. 5, 4.....

Still counting. 3. And 2. and and... 

Counting the days? If you're asking me why did I'm counting it, then I'm sorry, I can't answer it. It is so difficult to explain as the answer might involves my feelings right now.

Ohkay, did you guys still remembered my previous entry, titled as The Obsession? I wrote about my obsession of staying at home with my family. Guess what, the obsession came back. Again. I didn't know why, it was like every time I have to leave my home, I got this feeling. The feeling of No-Please-I-Don't-Want-To-Go. =.= I felt stupid. Why? Because I think it is like something immature to do; the feeling homesick when you're actually already 21 yrs old. Isn't it old enough to feel homesick? Huh! But, what can I do if my feeling tells me that I'm not ready yet? Stressed. Lol. I am so emo-ish.

But then, this morning, I'm browsing through my Facebook, and guess what, thanks to some of my colleagues. They're indirectly inspiring me by posting statuses. Then you kinda like want to know and ask me, how it can be soooo inspiring, aite? Then the answer is, I see me in them. So now I know. Even boys take it hard to leave their home. Not only me.  

So then, I said to myself,

"Don't be sad, hunn. There always a reason for whatever things happen in our life. Plus, you're considering as lucky compared to some other person in the world. At least you know, that you leave your beloved one for good reasons:) and they're actually loving you too. The only thing that you should do now, study smarter than before and get an excellent result. And make sure the result is better than before. Make your parents proud of you."

So, better result, I'm aiming for it. Fighting! :)

p/s Im gonna miss you all, fams. Take care :')

Interupting others business.

PISSED OFF! This isn't my business at all but hell to this guy. Argh!

ada ni lelaki. di rumah saya skrg. bincang2 dgn mumy dady saya pasal ni errr adala. terus tu mumy dady saya ckp tdk mau. memaksa jg. orang ckp tdk mau tuhh, tdk mau la bha. memaksa lg ko sana. *tuuuut*. terus sy nih tepaksa meluah ketidakpuasan hati saya di sini sebab kau lg tua dr saya, tdk mau la saya kena ckp kurang ajar nti bising2 pla menyampuk ko membebel di bawah tu. cukupla dulu pernah skali saya kurang ajar sama kau. tp kau *tuuuut* bha. bising lg. *tuuuuuut*. ni hari last saya di rmh saya mau some peace ok. kau bikin rosak ja. berabis ni memaksa. kalu setakat memaksa cara baik xpa juga tapi ni BISING, BISING, dan BISING.*tuuut*. bunguk. tdk fhm lg. trima la kenyataan, dude. jap lagi mau guna Plan B la nih. tunggu ko.

p/s I have to use *tuut* to replace the vulgar words. My blog don't deserve it, just because of him. euw~

Discovering Pitti: CP Company

CP Company's exhibition space at Pitti Uomo. Image from Pitti.

After last February's change of ownership, with CP Company passing from Sportswear Company to Enzo Fusco's FGF Industry, the future for this Casuals favourite brand was far from clear. The new direction began not on the catwalks of Milan but in Florence. Participation at Pitti Uomo marks a milestone in the life of the brand as it presented its fascinating story at Fortezza de Basso's Sala Ottagonale alongside the new collection. For SS11, the focus is on the soul of the brand, it sees a return to experimentation. A casual concept generated and developed to seek innovative materials and technological advances to create a selection of iconic goggle jackets.

Two of the latest designs of that iconic jacket. Image from Pitti.

The new CP Company is firmly rooted in the great tradition of the iconic designer sportswear brand. Kicking off with outdoor work and military apparel, the SS11 collection develops materials and technological studies, with garment treatments that offer unique, inimitable aspects to give clothing a new, contemporary flavour without losing echoes of memory. Flax has been blended with nylon for a new techno look, using a special resin coating that conjures up memories of the oilskins used by seamen of yesteryear. Nylon has been completely transformed and evolved with metameric treatments that gives the fabric a colour changing effect. Inserts of cotton and other material add new dimensions, combining to create a balance and depth of colour, textured effects and various sheens. There is a special focus on a navy style, with a treatment that gives the fabric a slightly crumpled look, as if it had been consumed by sea salt and left to dry in the sun. The collection offers models with such authentic details and fabrics that the garments could be mistaken for real vintage.

A close up, detail shot I took of the Goggle jacket as the film plays on in the background.

The Italian clothing designer Massimo Osti (1944-2005) created groundbreaking fashion works during the 1980’s and 90’s by combining his revolutionary textile innovations and painting techniques, with functional ideas from mainly military clothing. The story of this iconic piece of outerwear began when the great Massimo Osti exclusively designed and produced the very first Goggle Jacket as a promotional piece for the competitors of Mille Miglia in 1988. Last October I was able to visually document the narrative of the jacket at the Past, Present, Future exhibition at the RCA. From the very first, special edition jacket to the special edition created in collaboration with Aitor Throup last year, C.P. Company’s journey was told through the different steps of this iconic item which, season after season, has been subject to continuous transformation and experimentation. For Aitor Throup the brand has not had the respect and attention that its iconic designs deserve but this exhibition changed my perceptions and understanding of the brand. I hope the new look CP Company continues on the path set by Massimo Osti, creating garments through experimentation and innovation.

Discovering Pitti: Leitmotiv

The one thousand, four hundred and seven exhibitors who decided to preview their new collections and projects at Pitti Uomo and Pitti_W was an unprecedented record. The sartorial Disneyland of menswear trade shows that is Pitti introduced me to countless pulse raising brands. Italian menswear, womenswear and accessories brand Leitmotiv was undoubtedly among them...

Leitmotiv AW10. Photographs by Danielle Mari and modeled by Hannes at Urban.

The two minds behind Leitmotiv were both studying in Bologna when they met by chance. Fabio Sasso was studying art and following private tailoring classes, Juan Caro had moved to Italy from his native Bogotá to study art. Realising they shared many interests they started collaborating together. Leitmotiv is an artistic project with a bright and colorful language on the edge of dreams and theater. For their AW10 collection they chose to concentrate on the shirt as a means to communicate the style of the entire collection.


Sasso's passion for tailoring and constant Baroque thoughts combine with Caro's passion for art and all things Gothic. This fusion of these seemingly disparate styles create clothes and accessories that contain the most fantastic stories. They are stories that have fascinated us throughout childhood. Today we relive these through this duo...


There is a constant play of opposing references. Hot and cold, chaos and order, past and future, light and dark. From the beautiful cityscapes that when seen from a closer look reveal a set of microchips to the faces of the forties that are surrounded by baroque frames to fairytale figures with the heads of robots.


These Leitmotiv creations encompass both the ancient and the modern. All the while creating an eclectic, ironic, visionary array of designs. The seemingly simple white shirt becomes the canvas that unfolds a tale of dreams and the poetic whims of the design duo.


The shirt designs are both elegant and whimsical. By looking to past centuries and different worlds, these prints provide a smile inducing collection. Leitmotiv is a label that references art and fashion while showcasing great craftsmanship. I'm glad I've discovered it.

Leitmotiv AW10. Photographs by Danielle Mari and modeled by Hannes at Urban.

just visiting.

1.54 am, I am still awake and counting the time to watch a match between Portugal and Spain. I'm blog-walking just now, and read some awesome blogs made by these few people that I barely know :) sorry, guys. I'll be your silent reader, okay? :)
Gosh! Today's Wednesday. 2 more days left before I left my precious home and beloved family. See, it's difficult you know, to leave the things you love behind. But I have to. Ohkay, i'll update later k after the game.

Toodles,guys :)

Dunhill SS11

In the midst of fashion week it is quite easy to become a little bewildered by it all. There are just so many collections to view, designers to discover and pieces to add to your dream shopping list. Of course there have been a number of highlights already from Christopher Bailey revealing his darker design aesthetic to Dries Van Noten's graffiti covered quayside to Lanvin's body con knitwear. There is just so much to say, so for the start of SS11 I've decided to take stock of the season before jumping in with show reports and roundups. As with last seasons First Look series, I have really enjoyed Another's Menswear Confidential Milan and Paris coverage. In Menswear Confidential, top designers share the visual references and making of stories behind their latest collections. This type of coverage taps in to our inquisitive nature and really helps see the collections in a new, brighter and altogether more agreeable and understanding light. None more so than Dunhill...

Two snapshots of the Bloomsbury Group

Dunhill's SS11 collection was once again a fusion of heritage with modern day luxury. It confirms what I have previously said about Jones, he obviously takes great delight in investigating the brands archives before adding his own innovation to create the Dunhill of today. The heritage of Dunhill is so broad and so darn British, from its beginnings with the birth of the car to creating luxury accessories for motorcycling, aviation and the oh-so-fashionable smokers in the Roaring Twenties. For AW10, the central inspiration was the journey of Dunhill's very own Clement Court but for SS11 Jones looks at the similarities between Alfred Dunhill and the Bloomsbury group of artists in the 1920s and 30s. Experimentation and English Modernism are the core themes.

"Both Alfred and the Bloomsbury circle were forward thinking, challenging the norm. The Bloomsbury group's work influenced literature, aesthetics, criticism and economics as well as challenging modern attitudes."

Kim Jones speaking to Another

The Bloomsbury Group provide the chief inspiration, both in terms of an ease of dress and a distinctly English take on tradition and subversion combined with an artistic experimentation in the detail and attitude of the clothing and the wearer. There is also a notion of subversion and tradition that is inherited by other English groups post-Bloomsbury and this collection is a nod to them as well, particularly to McLaren and Westwood. So whether it is the 1920s or the 1970s or right now there is always a maverick spirit in Englishness, and this is something that always applies to Dunhill.

Ever since he took over the reigns at Dunhill, Kim Jones has looked a man at home but with this collection you get the sense he really is enjoying himself. For a brand with such strong roots, any steering by Jones has been to emphasise them – those being the characteristics of classicism and understatement but his challenge was to present these with a wholly modern personality too which he has surely done with this collection...

Jones is skillful at fine detail. A stylish etched rosewood brief case containing artists’ tools took inspiration from a cigarette lighter etched by Picasso with an image of Dora Maar. Throughout, he developed the artistic and aristocratic Bloomsbury Group, updated in suits and jackets that were double-breasted but with a single breast-bone button. The revised blazer made the strongest statement and gave that touch of eccentricity. Many of the key items of clothing in the collection are inspired by garments worn by Bloomsbury members such as the economist John Maynard and a jacket worn by the artist and critic Roger Fry in particular. The flannel blazer, wide lapelled, high double breasted with a single set of buttons and almost a flared shape is a recurring motif in the collection. There is a concentration on soft, unstructured tailoring throughout, often double-faced and unlined. Whether this is in jackets inspired by artist’s smocks with big patch pockets or in soft collared shirts and roomy straight legged trousers, there is a feeling of fluidity and elegance throughout the collection. Clashing print inserts are placed subtly in the shirting as a nod to the make-do-and-mend attitude of the British artistic elite. It is also a reminder that Dunhill clothes are for life, to be passed down to successive generations. Such precious items as signature sterling silver buttons should reinforce this point.

Ever since we featured E. Tautz's SS10 collection, I have been obsessed with the idea of an Englishman abroad. For SS10, E. Tautz were inspired by just this very idea but not just by any Englishman, the Duke of Windsor to be precise. When Patrick Grant and his team were creating the collection they were thinking about what the English like to do during the Summertime; they like to go to the Mediterranean, sit on beaches and wear hankies on their heads. However, with this Dunhill collection I get a strong sense of celebrating the great British summertime. Who needs the sand and sunshine of the Med when you can enjoy our very own sporadic sunshine at a garden party in Bloomsbury? Tea and cucumber sandwiches anyone?

Alfred Dunhill's heritage is never far from Jones' references as the designer is committed to creating a contemporary wardrobe for the modern Dunhill customer. Once again, Jones has been strongly influenced by the Dunhill archive and the pieces that Alfred himself created. Alfred Dunhill himself was obsessed with innovation and new technology, which means that there are pieces in the archive that are just as relevant today. When Jones trawls through the extensive archive with his excited eyes, he sees there is little ‘old’ about it but rather it is wonderfully modern.

Alfred Dunhill himself was an innovator and had a very modern approach to life and Jones undoubtedly brings a similar feeling to the Dunhill of the future. When thinking about moving the company forward and how he fits into that process, Jones always consider what would inspire and drive Alfred Dunhill if he were alive today. Here he has has picked out key inspirations from the past and repackaged them for the new era of luxury. One hundred years might have passed since they were first designed but for Jones they are as relevant and exciting now as they were then, made all the more so by Jones' touch...



A good example of this is the captive clock - for which ornate, beautiful shutters were designed in order to protect the watchglass beneath it was worn with eveningwear. It is a classic and well-known piece from the late 1920s. This image represents what is great about Dunhill — the attention to detail and beautiful workmanship is still evident in the watches and pens that they produce today. As ever, with function comes great aesthetics.

This is a collection that celebrates Dunhill's golden era while forging a new one at the hands of the latest innovator, Kim Jones.

The Quote. (Part 1)

"I'd rather be a friendless loser than have a bunch of friends that secretly hate me." - Massie Block, The Clique (2008)


So..
Be a friendless loser? Or have a bunch of friends that secretly hate you? 

It's difficult to choose aite.


People always said, be a friendless loser is better. Because, you don't have to face all the dramas made by a bunch of friends that secretly hate you. Dramas make your life sucks! Yah, as simple as that.
But for me, if you want to experience the life, you need to involve in the dramas; so that in the future you'll be more stronger, and more prepared to face the world. Why? Like we all know, people nowadays can't be predicted, some showing their love towards us but the reality is, it's different than what we're thought. So, if we were well-prepared, the life will be easier for us.


HOWEVER..
If we're choosing to have a bunch of friends that secretly hate us instead of choosing the other one, which is friendless loser, it shows that we're like a hypocrite one. Pretending to be their friends where actually you knows that they doesn't like you. Isn't it sucks, guys. So how? *confused*


Then, how about  me?

And, how about you guys? What you rather be?


Urgh! Still, it is difficult. For me, the most suitable choice to be made is, to NOT be involve in both situation. Be nice to all, and as a result, they'll be nice to you. Accept everyone especially the one around you with an open heart. No jealousy, No hatred, and the WORLD will be in peace. 


Till then, Peace y'all..:)

Bye Bye England, Bye Bye Glen Johnson Darling :(

Ouh.. Sadly to say, England lost to Germany 4-1. Bad, huh. Yaah I know. But what more can I say, a lost is still a lost. England need to improve their defense, I think. Btw, it isn't that I'm being sad because of the losing against the Germany. Germany deserved it. They were great. They played so well. It just that if there's no more England, so there's no more Glen Johnson too. Oh God! This is bad.

But then, 
Who's Glen Johnson? And why do I keep talking about him?


Some of you may know him, i guess. And some didn't. So, here is a little help from me, just for you:)
p/s I got this from www.fifa.com . You guys may refer to this website if you wanna know more about him :)

Glen JOHNSON

Date of Birth: 23 August 1984

Height: 178 cm

Shirt number: 2

Position: Defender

Current club: Liverpool (ENG)

International Caps: 25

International Goals: 1

First international: England - Denmark (16 November 2003)

All reviews about him, please dear, google it. :) okay so here's some pictures of him.

This is him, my Johnson. lol

Another him.

Him again.

And again. Haha :P

Okay, okay. Yaaah, enough with his pictures. So now you know a lil about him; the profile, and the face :)

And now, you must be wondering. Lol even you're not asking me hell yes I know what you're thinking about. (perasan tau lg bha sy.haha)

ya yaa stop telling me that. Yaa I know he isn't handsome as Kaka', isn't fit as David Villa, and isn't skillful as Leo Messi, but still, I adore him for his cool attitude. I love to see him on the field. The way he played the football, ouhh he's so mesmerizing me. :) 

p/s attention to Mr I, if you read this, please be inform that even though I idolized this guy, it doesn't mean that I'm not admiring you. Remember that, my dear. :*

The Obsession. (PART 2)

Aloha guys :) Do you miss me? No? Aww it's a loss because I do miss you guys. lol. So nonsense talks. Ohkayy let me be honest with you. This entry I made today is the second series of my rambles about The Obsession in my last entry. So please. BE AWARE. I'm gonna write about something euww here, so it’s my pleasure for you to leave this page now before it's too late. But if you still insist to read it, be my guest peeps:)

This story is about a girl named Miss ***** who obsessed to follow others, claiming like it is their way, when the reality is, it is not.

Luckily that I'm not obsess of becoming someone else or being a fake person just because I'm not satisfied or having a dissatified feelings of being 'defeated' by that particular person and can't faced any loses to that same particular person. Ops. My bad. It get slipped from my tongue so easily lately as it really irritates me alot. 

Millions of thanks to this person; the FAKE one that trying to be me or greater than me. Like I didn't know about that. Gotcha! You're wrong, girl. You're soo wrong.

Btw, I'm not mad at her if her dream is to be greater than me, and I'm not jealous to her as well if this is the reason why she lived in this world. But seriously ppl, didn't you pissed off when someone you knew for a quite long time plus claiming herself as one of your friends are trying to show the things like "If you got that, I got the same one too" or "I got better than what you've got right now" or some other things like that? It was like she wants to compete with you in a very wrong way. 

My Dear Copycat,

Why don't you just be yourself, hunn?

 It feels much better, you know. For being yourself and not copying others. Maybe you're not 100% copying others and you're saying that "I am so not you" but by buying greater stuff when others just buy it and own it in not-so-great-condition, isn't it shows that you're so copying that person, or maybe you're so don't like to feel defeated? It is just a small matter, hunn.

I don't think that I'm feel so low when others get things like mine but in greater condition and expensive price not like mine. So why don't you do the same thing as me? You're just wasting your money by buying some greater stuff just because you want to look greater than others. This isn't the BFF concept, hunn. To feel jealous in a wrong way towards your best friends. I'm not acting like sayalah yang terbaik by saying this, but this is the truth, right. So please. If you still wanna be my friends, I mean my real friends, don't do this again. It just making me feels sick towards you. I know you'll feel the same way too if others copying you like what you've done to me.  I'm so sorry but I can't hide my feelings for too long. I am a human too. A normal person with feelings too. And my feelings said that I am pissed off to things like that. Got me? No? Then ask me and I'll explain it to you. 

OMG peeps! Is this considered as an obsession too? It was like I'm obsessed to this annoying person because I keep talkin' and talkin' about her. Euww~ Palis-palis. I don't want to obsess about her like what she has done to me; which is obsessing about me. Euw~ stop. No more about her. If don't, maybe sooner or later I'll vomit because of the thinking about her is always succeed to make me feels sick. Ergh = ='

The Obsession. (PART 1)

Everyone is obsess about something. What? Am I wrong? Correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe some of people out there didn't realize this. Plus this is actually not a serious issue, it just me who want to write it more precisely here in my blog. :D 

Talking about obsession.. I am obsessed with these 3 things right now:-


1. Mr. I

He's my life. My soul. My everything. He's the man. Why did I say that he's my obsession too? Then I'll explain it later in my next, or next, or next next entry. Long story, peeps.

2. Stay close to my family.

What's the meaning of 'stay close' here? Well usually I have this; my own disease or obsession of wanting to stay a longer time with my family during the semester breaks. It is like my obsession because I keep repeating it over and over again every semester breaks. It is hard for me to leave my family even I know I'm doing this in order to further my studies and pursuing my dreams later on after graduating. It just, well, I can't avoid the feelings of doing-the-Goodbye-thing so easily. I just can't. Maybe, this is me. And I have to accept me, as me.


3. Having lots of money.

Okay I choose this as my 3rd obsession because I can't think any for now except this. ROFL. Is this considering as an obsession too, peeps? Tell me about it. I'm not so sure about this too but maybe I'm obsessed of wanting to own more money right now because of the needs of it, so then I think I'm obsessed to it.


LOL.:D Honestly guys, the last one is actually not my obsession okay. I'm saying this isn't because I'm afraid of being stamped or said as someone like Gila Duit or something. It just that lately I've been spending some of my free time thinking about having lots of money every secs and the words like 'What If' keep repeating in my mind. So currently I think that I'm obsessed to it. But, do I? *still confused*


Ohhkay peeps, that's all for now. Toodles. :)

Floaty light accessory

1205's Silk Georgette Scarf

With 1205 Paula Gerbase offers a unique concept of a functional unisex wardrobe. Carefully considered pieces for men and women that can be worn effortlessly by either. Regardless of gender the debut collection for SS10 showcases Gerbase’s now trademark sensitive use of luxury fabrics and erudite pattern construction for a modern-contemporary muse. While admiring the collection a few months back, I took the opportunity to sit down with the designer to discuss the label in more detail. Comfort, playing with colour and mixing fabrics were all key themes running through this collection. As well as falling head over heels for her design I started to imagine Gerbase's imagined androgynously tailored world. The combination of this glorious spell of warm weather and the generous oki-ni sale finally played my hand and now I'm a proud owner of one of Gerbase's designs...

A close up...Silk Georgette scarf worn with J+ Uniqlo chambray shirt

Despite being a huge admirer of the unstructured cardigan I decided my wardrobe needed lightening up a different way so plumped for the Silk Georgette Scarf. The printed silk appears to depict a floaty light cloud scene but during my studio visit I learned how Gerbase had photographed wool before blowing it up. The fact that she has integrated such a masculine fabric in wool and feminised it in such a way sums up the label quite beautifully. Now, all I need to do is experiment with the different ways of wearing it.

Silk Georgette scarf worn with J+ Uniqlo chambray shirt.

Discovering Pitti: 10a

It might just be time to brace yourself with 10A

Last month, after becoming tired of adjusting his trousers throughout any given day, The Sartorialist opened a discussion around suspenders. As I was contemplating the idea of bracing myself for the first time in my life, I stumbled across 10A at Pitti Uomo. No, this was not a copy of my GCSE results (damn you Maths and Design Technology for blemishing my results card) but rather a well crafted trouser and braces company. Daria Dazzan, an Italian-born 24-year-old former student at Antwerpʼs Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and her boyfriend, the product designer Matteo Cibic, recently unveiled their clothing line with the sly moniker and the brand has quickly gone from strength to strength. As I pinged the braces on the model I was able to talk through the concept and craftsmanship behind the brand with Daria Dazzan...

Stitching in one of the labels by hand

In 2008, 10A created only ten pairs of trousers each month, on request of the pairs friends and through word of mouth. After two years, the success verified the brand, Daria and Matteo then decided to produce a collection of trousers in six sizes. 10A was born. Following a long search to sharpen the quality of the details, the refinement of the materials and the formal, a union between classic taste of the brace and the contemporary style of the trouser...

Focusing on the details.

We have long declared that the real beauty of menswear is in the details and Daria Dazan agrees but her line introduces an often overlooked detail. When creating each item the design duo focus on creating it slow and well. The distinctive elements of 10A are the contrast linings of the trousers and the inside of the braces. The line has two main fits: Slim and Classic. The Slim fit is determined from a tapered cut and low rise. The Classic fit is characterized from its more comfortable style and a straight cut. Both are produced in Italy with Love. Below are a few of the key looks...

10A Suspender Trousers Company unsurprisingly keeps it simple by producing trousers with braces for the sartorial man. The preparation is focused on the small details and the woven quality. Daria and Matteo have sourced the best textile manufactures located in Northern Italy, seeking almost forgotten, traditional textile methods of production where possible. It might just be time to brace yourself...

More kachingssss, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee.. :D

Having the financial problem? Yaah me too. No doubt.

Ohkay, just so you know that I am totally broke right now. I got only rm5 in my pocket. What the.. = ='

I didn't really care actually if I got no money at all, especially when this happens in the holiday time. Got no worries for foods bla bla. It just that.. My hand phone needs a sum of money to be repaired. It costs me hundreds. Poor me. Then, I need money to format my effin laptop. boo hoo to you, lappy. Boo hoo. Pay the monthly rental payment for our house at Indah Permai. Ouh it's sucks!  Pay the college registration fees. It is a must. No doubt about it. Buy things for the college. Naaa.. Same thing goes here. A must.  Money for personal and educational uses. Well, no comment for this. Life sucks when it comes about money. Gosh it's stressing me out. No need to explain more as I scared that you'll be stressed like me too. Huh! Screw it. I don't give it a damn. 

So, I have this Plan B. The Plan B was to cut out the uses on money on repairing this fuckin stupid moron hand phone (oh God I'm cursing right now. Forgive me for using the cursing words. It just because I can't stand of it anymore). So this evening I went to this mobile shop; the place where I bought this effin hand phone. It is located nearby my mom's textile boutique. And unfortunately, it disappointed me a lot. Super duper disappointed. The Chinese guy who is the owner of the shop said that the warranty for LCD problem can be used in a time for 3 months only. I've been using this effin hand phone since July last year and it was so clear to see that the warranty has already expired. Huh poor me, right.. Yeah I guess so. Then this guy added more that if I still wanted to repair mine, it will costs me rm150++,  but he discounted me, so I just have to pay rm40 less than the actually price, which is rm110 something. = ='

Frankly to say, I know some of you might think this is pretty cheap for it only costs you not more than rm200 to repair it. But still, if you accumulate all the money needed to be used, plus by paying it using your own money, plus you're not rich enough to have such a handful of money in your hand, plus you have the money but need to budget it wisely as there are lots more important things need the money for it to be done, then I'm sure it'll be pretty sucks too. This isn't because my parents didn't gave me any money for me to use it, but considering of our family current financial situation and my current attitude towards money, I don't think I can get it easily, plus I am afraid I'll misuse it. I know my parents can afford me but yahh I have this bad habit about having sums of money in my hand. It'll be easily gone. I mean gone, gone. I wasted it on buying some new clothes, or using it to enjoy with my friends etc. Sucks, right. Really, but I can't help myself. I'm a very very very veryyyy bad when it comes about money. A very weak financial budgeter. :(

Where can I find you, Money babehh? Huh!! Thinking and thinking again and again, but still got no answer for that. 

Ooargghhh.. Till then, toodles..

Ravensbourne BA Graduate Showcase: Bobby Charles Abley

Earlier this month I took my seat to watch what the current crop of talented BA students showcased at Graduate Fashion Week. I was fortunate enough to see a large number of shows but one in particularly sticks in my memory, Ravensbourne. Ravensbourne’s was a graduate collection of beautifully tailored menswear. A trio of graduates forced me to sit up and take notice with stunning collections from Thomas Crisp, Jade Rozenbroek and Bobby Charles Abley.

As I wiped the early morning sleep from my eyes, Abley kicked start the show and instantly brought a smile to my face with his well executed care free, carnival like tailoring. Abley looked to comic book heroes to create a fun collection of empowered, primary coloured pieces which would brighten up any grey day. Here we catch up with the young designer to peer in to his sketchbook, learn more about his time at Ravensbourne and discover that we weren't the only ones impressed with his collection as a certain Dame took a keen interest...

Abley's collective of comic book heroes. Image courtesy of catwalking.com

SS: Congratulations on more than playing your part in a dazzling Ravensbourne show. How did it feel seeing your finished designs on the catwalk?
Bobby Charles Abley: Thank you very much for the compliments. People tend to say there is a line with menswear that you can't cross and that it is more restricting than womenswear. I agree...to a certain extent but I also think menswear needs a push. It’s the modern world, we are a much more open minded generation that is always searching for something new and exciting, so starting my final collection was a chance to push menswear, play a little... and it ended up on the catwalk!! It's amazing to have your work exposed at something as big as GFW, it makes you feel like you made all the right choices.

SS: What attracted you to the Ravensbourne BA course in particular? What was the best thing about your course? And the worst?
Bobby Charles Abley: I knew it had a good menswear reputation and I knew that is what I wanted to specialize in. Also I had one of my friends from my hometown studying fashion there, so I heard good things about the place. One of the best things for me was having guest tutors like Peter Jensen, Todd Lynn and my favorite David Frizzell, I learned so much from him. He really opened me up creatively and helped me how to express myself in a mature way, he’s an amazing teacher. Sorry, I know that’s not really about the course itself, but when I was there I just got on with it, I did my job the best I could.

One of Abley's sketches, TV Rain

SS: Can you talk us through the inspiration for your collection?
Bobby Charles Abley: I could go on and on about this... I’ll try not to give you a headache. The inspiration came from many angles, but I started with myself!!! I have stories to tell about my life so I chose to do that with this collection. I wanted to express the evolution of a personality, a person, their appearance, their change in confidence, most people go through these changes, everybody evolves, people go from weak to strong etc... so I based it around that. I went through phases of feeling like I don’t fit, being bullied, kids at school are threatened by someone who is different, so they choose to attack. Much like the lives of the superhero characters like Peter Parker and Clark Kent. So I started to pull together a lot of comic book references and created this theme of “make me a Superhero”... which is a child growing up with the comfort of these superhero characters and how it helped him evolve.

I wanted to include a lot of child like references because I think artists should be both adult and child. As a child you see magic in things that you don’t any longer see as an adult, adults become cynical or we don’t have time for things. I think its important not to loose touch with who and what you were otherwise you then you become a bit dead in a way because you pretend to yourself, consciously or unconsciously that you weren’t a child, that you didn’t have the anxieties that every child goes through. Sitting down and making something for myself when I was little was like “I can change the world for the better, for me” I was just living… I was working things out in the most extraordinary ways artistically. I used a lot of old pop references too, for example Mickey Mouse and teddy bears and primary colours because it is hard for people not to like it. What I wanted to do with this collection, and in all my future work is to always use these elements because I think or I like to think something will trigger some sort of nostalgia and take people back to when they were a free child with the world at their feet.

Balloon

SS: What was your starting point and how did the the collection evolve in to what we saw at GFW?
Bobby Charles Abley: Lots of strong imagery, I carry a notepad around with me jotting down things I overhear people say, my own thoughts, song lyrics. Last summer I was working at an exhibition at the Truman Brewery, there was little to attend to so I would sketch and get my ideas on to paper, cut out teddy bear silhouettes from different papers and create different prints, there was on of those retro photo booth’s there as well so I took advantage of that, it was a good way to express my mood and ideas everyday, and the result were these great black and white photo strips. I would bring in props related to my concept and take it into the booth. It was good fun. I actually went back to a lot of my original ideas when it came to finalizing the line up and fabric selection. I did do a lot of in depth research but my earlier ideas worked better. The bear print and the photo booth pictures from a year ago were brought back in and turned into digital prints for some of my shirts. I went back to a lot of my original fabric choices that I used from pre-collection, they were much more individual and new for menswear. I started going down a dark route, lots of black, and things had more of a grungy vibe, but then I took a step back from it all and thought “this is already out there, its currently being done by everybody. So I brought in a lot more Pop from earlier research and sketches...

Spider hung up

Spider Arms

SS: How would you describe the collection in your own words?
Bobby Charles Abley: It is chapter one of many. Strong, fresh, new, inspirational, suggestive.

SS: It looks as though you had a lot of fun making this collection, what was your highlight and what were you most proud to see walk down the catwalk?
Bobby Charles Abley: I had so much fun doing this collection, the imagery and everything I was working from was amazing! I never got tired of it, and working with primary colours just made me smile. And as I mentioned earlier I used a lot pop references that triggered a lot of nostalgia, I shut my eyes and I could see myself as a child again. It was really fun to take the piss a bit as well, by using a repeat print of my face yawning on some of the shirts. I would say I am most proud of the short leather jacket. I was worried about sewing a garment out of very expensive upholstery leather, but it worked in the end and it has a lot of impact coming down a catwalk. I'm also really proud of the hanger appeal I gave to each individual garment, they are all immaculately bias bound in red blue and yellow.

Two of my favourite looks. Show images courtesy of catwalking.com

SS: What type of man can you see wearing it?

Bobby Charles Abley: I aim for the underground scene of the major cities, they are more creative when it comes to dressing themselves.In places like London and New York, there’s a really good vibe like nowhere else. I know my designs won't appeal to the masses. I don’t want to go mainstream, it doesn’t suit me, even though when I design I do think about function. I know clothes have to be wearable, when you separate the looks for this collection and remove the styling you’ll see that they are all very wearable, but make a big statement. Which is exactly what the less commercial market go for. People like Jeremy Scott and Jean Charles De Castelbajac aim for the same market and I'm a huge fan of both, which helps me.

Show images courtesy of catwalking.com

SS: Aside from your own, which graduate collections did you love?
Bobby Charles Abley: Amy Addisons collection. I'm not just being bias because she’s one of my best friends. I genuinely loved it, the print, the colour. Very pop and at the same time lovely womenswear.

SS: What advice would you give a prospective menswear fashion student?
Bobby Charles Abley: Be prepared to work really hard, you have to live, love and breath what you are doing. Its important to have a good work ethic, laziness will get you nowhere. Make sure you explore, learn to understand yourself, find your own style and develop it. Always stay true to what you believe in and stand for as a designer. A lot of people are quite naive about fashion design. Some people treat it like it’s a joke, but there is a lot of creative thinking and hard work that goes into it. Its not a shopping trip. You need to get your creative head on and bring something new and fresh to the table, or no one will be interested.

Show images courtesy of catwalking.com

SS: Finally, what's next? What would you like to achieve in latter half of 2010 and beyond?
Bobby Charles Abley: After the show at GFW Vivienne Westwood came backstage and asked to meet me, she spoke to me about using my collection and mixing it in with her menswear with some design changes so the collection flows as one. So I think I'm going to try that out, its not everyday you get the queen of fashion telling you they love your work. That was better than winning for me, I think it will be interesting to see what direction my collection will go in. I'm also going to start work on another small collection under my own name. I'm bursting with ideas and I want express another side of myself. This will be accompanied by a short film/inspirational video based around the trend, so I'm looking forward to collaborating with my boyfriend on that. Can I just say a huge thank you to him as well for helping all the way on this collection. I’d like to go back out to L.A to see my friends at Jeremy Scott and maybe help him out while I'm there. Then its CSM for Masters….. hahah…..I'm not stopping!!

Spider Love.

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After a number of somewhat disappointing menswear collections at GFW, I was blown away by the Ravensbourne show and Bobby Charles Abley's offering in particular. I for one am looking forward to seeing Abley's subsequent design chapters.