Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Mirror, mirror on the wall... who's the craziest of all?

*ting!!* It's me. 

And this is what the crazy people do. They took photo of themselves in front of the mirror.... and get fashionably late to work. (yikes!)

shirt - Asos, waistcoat - COS, trousers - River Island

iPad case - Dior Homme, watch - Nixon, camera - Canon, bluetooth headphone - Jaybird

Black and Slim

When I open my wardrobe I just realised that I don't have a proper black suit. Am I kidding myself? No, I'm not. I do have a lot of grey suits... name it: light grey, steel grey, urban grey, dark grey, linen, wool, wool-mix - they're all there on the hangers. Black? No. Well, okay, probably graphite color but that's more to softer black than a proper jet black. And the other black that I have - my cropped with white hem from Sub - that's not a suit, that's just a jacket! So, yes... there you go. I Don't really have a proper black suit to say the least.

I went for a quest to find one, but not in store coz all that I saw here in Malaysia are all having the same cut, the same fabric, the same design, and the one that I hate - the same two-buttons. I try to shun anything two-buttons coz I hate it when one element in the clothing is not being used. What's the point of having another button if I never utilized it, right? So, online it is of course.

Thankfully I found one at Asos. (you know Asos has been my only go-to shopping site nowadays!). But I am torn on which one should I picked as there are two different slim suits. But having my prying eyes wide open and really 'scrutinizing' the suits carefully I finally selected one which I think hit the right notes.

Apart from the one-button, slim silhouette that the suit is offering, other features tick the boxes for me. Slim lapels? Check (coz sometimes, though the suit is categorized under 'slim' the lapel might be quite broad!). Hugging waist? Check (if it is slim but not really cekak the waist, what's the point?). Another check? The extra point I gave to the diagonal or slanting pocket coz this is one element on how any great suit jacket should be. It's more Italian and more edgy, as what most famous fashion houses did. 

And the price of course. Though it's cheap (with another 20% discount), the quality is good coz knowing Asos all these years I'm always satisfy with any of my purchase. I think they really emulate what they preach though: ASOS - As Seen On Screen. What you see designer do, they can do the same but with fractions of the cost! Brilliant.

Suit by Asos. Shirt by +J Uniqlo. 

Vest by H&M. Bag by Burberry. Cuff by Burton.

Bow tie by Kitschen

The 'Rebel With a Cause' Wednesday

The mood for today is rebel, as I opted to go for black to be the base of my main look. Or probably not really a total black... more to blackish instead since the suit I'm wearing is not really in black, rather it's the dark urban grey. But yeah, maybe 'rebel' is much better term I like to use - a symbolic as I regain my strength post-flu breakout that I had a day earlier, I feel like I'm in the mood to 'conquer' the world again; just like any rebel would. Whatever it is I'm feeling better as the dosage of the flu medicine prescribed to me was really a deadly one - one pill knock me off to sleep and whisk my cold away right that moment! (now I had a less leaky tap nose!)

Anyway. What would a rebel pick to go along with the style? It's the 'deadly', slightly pointy derby lace-ups shoes in black leather with the crocodile details by Zara, coupled with the slimming silhoutte double-breasted linen suit by Asos.  Together, is the crochet tie worn with my new slimfit shirt - all by Uniqlo - in the black streamlining theme. Somehow, the black-dark grey combo made me looked like a Mafia mob who ready to do 'kill' someone. But who am I 'killing'?

Those people in the meeting room, 'killed' with my sharp-wit tongue and great style. Somehow, I'm kinda wondering that why they really love my presence today? Oh, becoz I'm the life at the party... I mean, meeting. Ha!

A Cole Monday

So uncomfortable. That's all I can say about my condition today as I got hit by the flu. I thought I was already okay last night but getting up this morning I think it's worse than I could ever think of. My nose is like a pili bomba coz fluids keep on running out without having to ask for. Head feeling a bit heavy, as what flu-hit people normally experiencing. Sniffing, snorting... that you don't have to mention as I think I might've disturbed the colleagues in the office. Sneezing... urrghh... can't help it. Thankfully it sounded "aaah-JimmyChoo!" instead! Ha!

But whatever it is, life's going on as usual. Have to go to work coz fabulosity won't happen if you're not working hard, people (suddenly pinjam what Kimora said, coz I've just saw her on the E! News. ahaks!). So, what do I've chosen to spice up my look of the day? Nothing special coz I just grabbed whatever I can snatch in my wardrobe to go along with my new grey linen blazer from Asos. Hence, the Zara slimfit shirt that is that's paired with the striped tie from Red Herring @ Debenhams (style reused!).

The shoes? I'm seriously making a statement today as I went defying the gravity. It's the patent leather Chelsea boots by Kenneth Cole which has also created such a hoopla when I wore them during emceeing the convocation ceremony last year. One of the graduating students even said "sir, people back here is talking about your shoes coz it looks so different. Is that new kind of shoes?"

I have no comment coz I think they might've never seen a guy wearing a high-heel boots before. Yes, repeat: high heel. Or to be exact the Cuban heel or meel (men's heel) since it's like almost 2-inch thick. Seriously? Yup, and that's how I kinda 'defy' the gravity! It boosted the height without a doubt, and the heel kinda straighten up the posture by pulling the back (now I know how it feels for women who wear stilettos, eeek!). Paired it with the slim trousers, the look is awesome. I think I might've done a shock tactic again when the public went like "ooooh" when I walked to the class. Ahaks!

Anyway. I went to the doctor to get some prescribed medicine to cure the flu. Since I'm gonna travel up north and down south this weekend and next week, I better not be sick. Or otherwise I'm gonna be missing the opportunity again. But what's surprising me is when I read the label - do I really need to eat 11 tablets a day? Are you kidding me, doc? 

Owh, it's two... not 11. Nggg... *pengsan*

Freaky Friday Wear

So, Friday 11/11/11 has join the forces to become one of the dates to remember, huh? Pretty cool isn't it given that the date really happen once in a century. (It is a century, right? Coz the last one is 11/11/1911 !!). I know there has been a lot of hooplas going around the world, including the one that says that the Pyramid Giza has been closed to public due to some Pagan believers who wanna take the advantage of the 'supreme power' happen on the date. Errkss.. kinda freaky, don't you think? Others, well.. some just wanna get hitched on the special 11/11/11, while there's also one case even booked a Ceaserean birth yesterday. Whatever it is, as long as their happy to commemorate the day, why not? Me, what did I do? Oh, that you-know-what thing.. ahaks! (jgn marah aaa... nanti kena jual!)

Anyway, yesterday I decided to be in the freaky mood as well coz I wore another pair of patent lace-ups derby to the office. It's by Zara and I just love the simplicity of the shoes. Pretty dressy and almost to OTT for the office. A friend at the PR Office even complimented on how it looks "wah, kilatnya kasut!" Absolutely, coz that's what patent gives you - the very watery, hi-sheen glow. Not Glow by J. Lo... just, glow. :)

And since I'm having meeting again in the morning with my research group, trying to qawtim on our multimillion dollar research fund that we received from the Government; I decided to wear my new black slimfit suit from Asos, paired with the purple Oxford shirt from River Island + black-purple stripes crochet tie from Uniqlo (plus, the Lanvin platinum tie bar as usual). Right now I presumed lots of my colleague at office already noticed that I wear different shirt every day - and when I put on some color, that effect is even profounded. "Wah, hari ni pakai purple Zamri?!" say one of the exec. 

"Ha ah... ingat nak pakai color mcm you (referring to her brown ensemble), tp nak go spiritual color sket...haha!" I replied. Indeed, purple is one spiritual color based on the chromatotherapy, which is good for freaky Friday like yesterday.

Breton Stripes

A definite must-have in any men's wardrobe if you wanna claim yourself to the frontline of fashion and trend. It's Breton stripes - the horizontal, sailor-like stripes which is so synonymous with the nautical theme. Though Breton is normally seen in tremendous amount during Spring/Summer season, yet some cheeky stores out there even offer the stripes in Fall/Winter as well to give a hint of fun to the gloomy weather. Just like what Reiss used to do a couple of years back for their cardigans spotting the Breton stripes. Or even Jean Paul Gaultier, by whom Breton itself is like his second name already as most of what he's wearing is sailor-like tops.

What I love about Breton stripes is the widening effect to the torso, great for those slim guys like me who's quite unfortunate that we look too praying mantis or cekeding sometimes, which is not that pretty. By wearing horizontals - especially the typical Breton with its stripes gather more to the center of the body and leaving empty portion at the top side - at least we can play the optical illusion to the viewing eyes. A couple of percent widening effect is good enough as it creates a silhouette of curviness to the slim body.

Word of caution, those with a big belly avoid wearing Breton stripes coz the effect of expanding your love handles could be multiplied. And for those who're in plus-size region, it is recommended to avoid Breton stripes too coz it'll blew up your look even worse. Better if you wear vertical stripes instead coz it'll direct the eyes north-to-south, instead of more to 'equatorial line'!

One great example of Breton wearing is by Armie Hammer, featured in the previous Spring 2011 issue of GQ.

Armie Hammer in GQ Spring 2011 Issue, wearing the Breton sweater by H&M

My choice of Breton stripe tops is Asos. Cheap and they kill it so well...!

Shoe of the Day, and Drenching Wet

A quick update on my outfit of the day. It's the Gucci boots that I got from Harrods last Winter 2009 which is the most expensive shoes in my collection. Though I got it at price slashed to almost half than the original tag, still it's quite hefty costing almost £300. Yup, I know I'm crazy but that's the limit I put when it comes to buying shoes - I won't buy anything beyond £300. Period.

It looks very simple, yet I know why the original price is actually amounted to almost £600 before the Sale. The simplicity lies on how you slide your foot in. Yeah it's a boots, but there's no zipper nor any elasticated band just like the Chelsea boots. This is merely a full-leather version by itself as the buttery soft leather 'neck' is mouldable which letting the foot to slide in without too much hassle. Somehow I think, I dunno how the Gucci artisan can come up with such a simple look like that coz to make one is truly not easy.

To go with it is my linen suit by Asos paired with the +J slimfit shirt (from the latest FW2011 collection) + grey stripes slim tie from Red Herring @ Debenhams. This is actually my fav look these days which I happen to wear so frequent (coz I'm in love with that suit too much!)

Oh, btw. The luck is not on my side this afternoon as suddenly there's heavy downpour at my area. Too heavy that I can barely see the road when I was driving back home for lunch. The bad news is, when I was about to board my car I forgot that I left my Burberry umbrella at home. So, what to do... other than to redah hujan just like that - and drenching wet!

Hmmm. This is exactly what the proverb said - ku ingat panas sampai ke petang, rupanya hujan di tengah hari! (Translation: "I thought it'll be dry all the way to the evening, but it rains in the afternoon". more or less, ahaks!).

Thankfully, today's the last day of my working week. Tomorrow, balik kampung daa...

Shoe of the Day : Lace-up Brogues

Today's shoe of-the-day. It has been a long time that this brogue lace-up boots by Asos has been abandoned on the shoe rack. So, I decided for its turn to take the reign of the day by pairing it with my graphite slim suit by River Island.  There are a couple of reasons what made me purchase this one last year:  it's a slim form-fitting, it's a brogue with the wingtip details, it's a lace-up boots (to add to my other boots collection) and of course, the price is on the lower side (since Asos brand is basically a 'highstreet' though it's online).

If you buy selected boots now at Asos, you might get 20% off by quoting 20BONUS on the checkout. So, why wait...? =)

Currently Loving : Topman Spring/Summer 2012 DB Suits

When I see an ensemble that is slimfitting, cut to hug the body contour or anything that wraps the silhouette of the body so perfectly, I will instantly fall for it. No question asked. To me that is a perfection without having to speak very loud. Figure-skimming outfit would always flatter anyone, yet alone make the viewing eyes to flutter towards you no doubt (without you knowing it, you'll make them drool too!).

And looking at these double-breasted suits from Topman for Spring/Summer 2012, I have nothing to say except to feel extremely excited to get my hands on them as well. Not only for their mod contemporary look, but its waist-gripping jacket is something to be talked about. It's hot, it's sexy, it's edgy, and it's utterly gonna make you the star in the room. Imagine wearing it to the boardroom meeting - your frenemies will straightaway seal the deal just by looking at you in it! An ultimate Mad Men meet Mod Men to the max.

I bet the price is very dear to the wallet coz being a Topman, I'd expect it's within the highstreet price range. Since I'm going back to London again next year (to seal some closure deal too!), I hope I could snatch some in their Oxford Circus store. Just wait and see who'll be the neo mod men then...  ;)

[pix from topman]

Mentioning a db suit, oh man... I truly can't get enough of them. My current chambray db suit from Asos is my absolute victim at the moment, and almost being 'molested' so many times coz I love wearing it. Last August I did my shock tactic when I wore it to the closing ceremony of the event that I lead. I think somehow it became such an attention-grabber coz it looks like everyone wanna get their photo taken with me. (ayat perasan *sila lempang di sini* mwahahaha!) Hmmm... konpius plak gua!

TGIT : Thank God It's Thursday

Suddenly I became quite superdizzy after these eyes have been stuck to this flatscreen LCD monitor; trying to crunch numbers, and doing these iterations and what not like it's neverending. But I don't wanna complain, in fact I'm glad that I've back to my modelling world again. Erm, correction... mathematical modeling to be exact, not fashion modeling. Ahaks! And today the 'second' glad is that it is Thursday, the last day of my working week this week. Last day, how? Apparently I have to take a leave tomorrow - a 'must-take leave', which I don't wanna waste at all. Since last month I've worked during the weekend as an event manager of a national-level symposium, therefore I've been granted unrecorded leave to be taken in any working days, provided that it's within one-month period from that mentioned date. Since the due is approaching... there's no more other day except tomorrow. Otherwise, it'll be burnt just like that, yikes!

Though I'm feeling quite elated, I woke up this morning didn't know what to wear. Skinny suit again? Nah... otherwise I'll be doing the fashion faux pas by wearing the same thing twice in a row. While I was wandering about in my wardrobe, I felt that I just wanna keep it safe and simple just by wearing the white shirt from Jil Sander's FW11 collection for Uniqlo and the double-breasted chambray suit by Asos instead.

But there's one dilemma, which ties should I pick? The steel grey horizontal stripes on the left or on the tartan checks on the right? Since I can't actually decide, I just bring 'em both in my bag with me so that whenever I feel the need to switch, I can always do so. What about the shoes? Suddenly I'm in the mood for patent, I just slipped in inside the mid-ankle patent leather boots by Fendi instead. Easy peasy and no fuss. Simple and understated, and at least it'll keep me to be incognito... (I know in this campus now, there is no way I'm not gonna be noticed, erkks!)

Can't wait for tomorrow. It's gonna be round-the-clock tour to Unisel, UIA, UPM, Sepang, Serdang, Putrajaya, KL etc... etc...

oooh, sempat lagi camwhoring through the bedroom mirror, huh? blurry, blurry... nak kena rembat iPhone4S nampaknya! =)

Shoes of the Day

Real-time blogging using the Blogger iPhone app from Google. This is the shoes of the day today.

It's the black patent leather mocs with the 'cummerbund' cross-strap from Asos. If you happen to read one of the old posts, the shoes is quite similar to the one done by YSL a couple of seasons ago. From the the look of the material, the pointy toe front and the fabric strap - both are similar. The difference is only the price tag.

See, sometimes there's no need to spend big just to look good. This is what I call: small cost, bigfat style!

Lord of the Rings

Once upon a time, I was given a ring by my sister a couple of months after my dad's passing (which is about many, many, many years ago btw). She said to me that the ring is one of its kind - it's gem is called the Serpent's stone or geliga ular in Malay. Legend has it that the person who sold it to my dad got the gem from inside of a snake, which is quite mystical I think. The gem is divided into two halves, that both ornated onto two separate rings. One rings is the one inherted to me, and the other is kept by my mum's cousin. My sister dearly asked me to keep it safe, not to let it fell into my mum's cousin's hands coz they possess some kind of 'magical' power. What power? I asked her. She further mentioned to me that if anyone wears it on both hands, he or she will be immuned from the venomous bite should he/she is being fanged by the snake. And what's more, he/she will not be bitten by the snakes at all!

Whoa... how mystical was that, huh? To be honest, I'm not really into these kind of supernatural things but it made things look so cool. When I took a look at the ring, it's not any kind of fancy ring at all. It's hideous. Looks more to orang tua punya rings. And it doesn't fit my finger either coz that time I was still a teenager. So, what I did is just kept it safe into one of my bags.

And you know what, I've lost the ring. I dunno where it went and I'm totally lost it. Either someone nix it from my possession, or it really lost with time - I've just lost the ring. Period. But I still think that I am immune from any snake bites - as long as the snake is ular daun or python!

Anyway, mystical or mythical - I just don't like wearing rings. There is one time I used to wear the sterling silver rings which I got quite cheap from Cameron Highland. It looks quite cool, but whenever I met somebody new, they will ask me are you married?. Why? Coz the ring looks like a platinum wedding band. Errks, what a major partner-rejector I guess...! Not to mention, wearing cheap sterling silver rings left some kind of dirty mark circling around my fingers which is hideous. And itchy too. So, it been years I haven't put a ring on me ever since! (cue Beyonce's Put a Ring on It, lol!)

Yet, a couple of years back I suddenly got a new craze of wearing rings again though not on a daily basis. Just casually. All thanks to Topman by which I found the wing rings during my snooping around at their Oxford Circus store in London. What's special about it is the elasticated band which is brilliant coz it suits any finger size. They got both colors - golden brass and silver - so I get them both (with discount of course!)

The other ring which is also interesting is the one by Asos, in a shape of a leaves ornamented by faux diamonds. Got it quite cheap, and it looks fierce in any fingers.

Talking about rings, suddenly reminds me of the famous trilogy : The Lord of the Rings. I dunno how many times I've watched the movies, coz I just love the epic fantasy adventure story like that. The story of magic, sorcerers, elves, etc...etc.. it's just a great trilogy. Not to mention the most iconic phrase : my precious!!! And the elves' language - that sounds like you just wanna spit your phlegm.. khukhukhaahhwaaaptuii... lol.

You know what, I think I just got an idea to write my own Lord of the Ring trilogy. How? Let's see. Here we go...

*** The Lord of the Ring : The Fellowship of the Ring ***

Story about a low-maintenance guy who lived in a city called Ipoh (not Iphone, not Ipod, but Ipoh) who happen to fly to a far, far away land called Stóru Reykja - translation: The Big Smoke aka London (get it?). At the new place things changed when he got the rings from some'cave' called Topman and Asos... suddenly he turned into a high-maintenance, shopaholic, trendspotting, fashion addicted bloke which is quite phenomenal (kena la puji diri sendiri, ye tak?).

The rings cannot be separated from him. Whenever he put 'em on... there would be some magical power happen on him : the couture power! 

*** The Lord of the Ring : The Two Towers ***

The guy went to a land called Bologna to fight in the war (actually to present conference paper, ahaks!). And there, he saw the Due Torri - Italian for the two towers - located at the heart of the city. So amazing coz the rustic building still standing strong.

But when he return to his own country, he saw another Two Towers or better known as KLCC. This place is magical to him, coz it's where he always go for meetings with other 'elves'. Not to mention, the place where his 'servants' present their projects there.... (kena evaluate presentation, huhu!)

And at the foot of this Two Towers is another magic happen. The place is called Suria, so magical that his credit card balance always depleting. Swipe, swipe, swipe... coz he loved shopping for new 'crowns' there. :)

*** The Lord of the Ring : The Return of the King ***

This is to say, I'm back! Though at first I decided to take a month-long break from blogging, it seems that it'll make other people also go nuts. They can't live without me. They can't start their daily life without reading this blog (perasan bagus la plak, ahaks!!!). Though I am quite nuts myself with my crazy schedule and everything that's previously happening to me, I think there's no harm to write again.... The king of blogging and king of shopaholic has returned, people!

abis toto mak aku, tau...

Though at the same time, the King is buried in his lair (home office) to settle all kind of task that's dragging his life around. Lots of responsibilities, lots of works, lots of reports to be written... But, once in a while it's okay to blog, don't you think? And for you to read things like this utter rubbishnes, don't you just love it? Muahahahaha (evil King's laugh!)

Btw, do you know that Zamri's Big Fat Blog is currently on #4 world's best fashion & style blog? Pretty amazing, huh? All I can say... you're welcome, boo! :)

Yellow Fever

Yellow is by far my least favorite color in the color wheel. I dunno what's about it, but there's something about the color which I quite resent. I felt the hue is a bit 'pungent', too overpowering and very attention grabbing; which can came across a bit offensive or in my face kinda thing. Looking through my wardrobe, I can confirm I have no all-yellow clothes - except for some combination with other colors, like my stripes tee from Asos and the checks shirt from Topman. Other than that, nada. [click!]

It's funny that apart from yellow being associated with youth, vibrant, joy and happiness; it is one color that symbolizes wisdom and intellectual energy. Yellow produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, stimulates mental activity, and generates muscle energy. And there's some opinion that you should add yellow in your life if you want;

• some clarity for decision-making;
• relief from 'burnout', panic, nervousness or exhaustion
• sharper memory and concentration skills, and
• protection from lethargy and depression during dull weather.

Huh, really? Still, to me I won't be having any clothes in 'true' all-yellow. Yet to inject a sense of happiness and joy, turning a bit mellow with yellow in the accessories department is no harm instead. It's all about being discreet with the color, that's the most important!

Currently Loving : Sleeveless Hoodie

Does hoodies now receiving such a bad rep ever since the riot happened in the UK recently? Probably yes, probably no. Yes, because most of the youths that involved in making the havoc, burning stuff and looted people and shops are mostly wearing hooded sweatshirts, which somehow is becoming part of the 'uniform' for the geezers. But, maybe no too coz hoodies has been there for such a long time; even the famous sportsmen out there opted to wear hoodies as part of their dailywear. So, to really pinpoint that hoodie is really a bad item of clothing - I think that's so lame. To me, I love hoodies especially during the chill weather since the hood is perfect to protect anything neck up from the cool air.

Apart from the typical hooded sweatshirt, I am now loving its other 'sibling' which I have to admit to be a very, very, very late follower recently. It's the sleeveless hoodies that is quite cool coz it give such an edge due to the non-sleeves existence. Nothing more I can say except that I just love the simplicity and sporty look of it. Pair it with a blazer, or tuck it underneath a shirt or a jacket, or even as a replacement for a waistcoat in a casual day - it can rock however I wish to.

So, does sleeveless hoodie make a cut in having a bad rep too? As if I care to answer that question...

sleeveless hoodie - Asos

Asos Envelop Croc Laptop Cases

As far as I could recalled, Fall/Winter season is all about the croc and alligator trend hitting the streets. As much as python and snakeskin made it huge for Spring/Summer - it's the ireegular scales of the croc that take the reign when it comes to accessorizing in the chiller environment. Whether you do it with the real thing or just the mock/faux versions, it doesn't matter coz the pattern is amazing nonetheless.

Latest at Asos are these laptop cases which looks very cool in its envelop flap top. It comes with a strap which you can slip your wrist into while you sling the stuff to the boardroom. This case is made of PU that's really soft to the touch and is padded inside to protect your notebook/netbook/tablet much better. The size? Quite reasonable coz it can even fit a typical A4-sized document, which is very handy should you wanna use it as your portfolio bag replacement instead.

Price? Just £20... With choices like cobalt blue, canary yellow and vermillion red, who can beat the great look with that price tag, right?

[pix from asos]

nampak macam kaler TV3 la plak...!

time to rock with the mock croc...!

skinny suit - River Island : vest and leather fingerless glove - H&M : lightweight scarf - Uniqlo

The King's Speech

It's time for me to take the stage.

Public speaking has been my thing for quite some time. I never felt nervous whenever I have to speak in front of an audience. Give me a mic, then I'll do my thing. If there's no mic, I still can do my thing - though I have to scream a little bit to let this voice out. My involvement in public speaking is not new since I've been doing it when I was in the primary school. Being a Head Prefect then, it came so natural for me to be able to recite the speech in front of hundreds of students. In fact, I can recalled there's one time I have to reenact a scene in a play for the sake of 'giving the audience a taste' of what's coming for the interschool drama competition that I've involved in.

And then things rolled from there, as I've frequently being in the public eye not just in the secondary school, but also at Uni. From being in the school debate team (both Malay and English!), to being a deejay - talking in front of public is something I yearned for. When it comes to the career world, it's my nature of work to speak in front of the audience coz I teach. Nonetheless, I think lots of people at my uni also known me as the emcee since I've been emceeing in so many high profile events, both internal and externally. One time I remembered I shared a stage with the former PM - Tun Mahathir - in an event attended by not less than 3000 people. It was quite daunting, since only me and him in front of thousands, but I kinda find my calm in handling things down. (you have no idea how my knees shiver!!)

Last week I decided to take the centre stage and give a speech in the event that I'm chairing. Normally, I don't wanna be in the spotlight when it comes to the students' activities, where I just let the Project Director to do his things instead. But given the fact that the event has been rebranded and with many things going on, as well as receiving so many questions by my colleagues on 'why the need to change the name??' thing - I decided that my speech could explain just that. 

It took me a couple of days to think about the concept of my speech, yet when it comes to really pen it down, the text is done within just 10 minutes. I presumed every points that's been swirling in my head has been let out into those paragraphs. The result - a four-pages manuscript for about 10-mins period. Not that bad I guess.

There was about 300 people in the audience including the Vice Chancellor and the Deputy VC + participants and guests (quite a low key ceremony). I think everything went smoothly. But what surprised me when I return to my seat, the DVC reached me out, and shook my hand saying 'that's a good speech! give me one copy!'. I'm quite stunned but delighted nonetheless. Yet, what is even surprise me is when the event is over and we walked out from the hall : lots of people complimented me how great the speech was. I was quite bemused really since I think what I wrote is just simple things.

Btw, I think that's what happen if you give a blogger a chance to recite a speech - he/she will rock it, definitely! :)

Anyway, in case you're wondering what's in the speech, well, here is some of the excerpts. Some part here and there I picked from the four-pages manuscripts I wrote. Pretty simple and easy to understand. Just like this blog too! Since the event is about the design exhibition, having being involved in it myself for more than 7 years (as a judge and 'observer'), plus me myself have won four design awards previously; I think I pretty much know what I'm talking about. =)

".........To me, the essence of design begins with the basic principle, which is simplicity. As Leonardo da Vinci used to say, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Because at the end of the day, you want is a product that is simple to be used, or simple to operate. However, to achieve that simplicity, is not that easy because one must understand the concept of balance. A designer need to strike a balance in any aspect of his/her design methodology. In fact, science is all about balance. Engineering is also about balance. We talk about the balance of electron in the atomic orbital that calls for its stability. We talk about balance in a chemical reaction equation for it to reach equilibrium. We talk about balance in the First Law of Thermodynamics. We talk about balance when dealing with the conservation of mass, energy, and force. Indeed the concept of balance in Science and Engineering is highly emphasized.

In design, a designer has to balance between the engineering & technical aspects with the aesthetics of the product; its functionality with its ease of use. A balance between its economic contributions with the environmental impact. A balance between its practicalities with its sustainability. It’s really about the balance. In fact, it is in line with ______ Brand Essence itself – Energy Receives, Energy Returns – which indeed emphasizing on the concept of balance.

........ we have reintroduce the category for the primary and secondary schools. In order to extend the innovative culture to the surrounding community, the Organizing Committee which is through our Science Ambassadors, has coordinated a ‘Reach-Out Program’ to the school students within the vicinity of the campus in order to get their involvement in the creative and innovative activities.  This is also aligned with the Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) of the University, and also the Prime Minister’s vision to develop and implement strategies to stimulate and support innovation in Malaysia. It is hoped that through this activity, we will help to support sustainable innovation to both develop and galvanize Malaysian future entrepreneurs and innovators.

........ I would like to encourage you to visit all booths to really notice how creative and innovative our generations are. I also would like to point that last semester, the booths arrangement is designed like a herringbone structure – a symbolic meaning to the ‘moving forward’ of this event. .....the booths are designed like a star shape*, which epitomises that ‘a new star’ is born. It also reflects the star in the Malaysian flag – our homage to the month of August, the month of Malaysia's Independence.

.........May this event be your first stepping stone in sustaining the innovative culture in your life. While you are having a good time showcasing your researches and innovations, please do not forget to protect your ideas. Your intellectual property is indeed worth more than you could think of!"

See, how simple the speech was. I dunno how it touches the audience hearts? Hmmm...

I'm wearing River Island slimfit suit in graphite + taupe Asos shirt + stripe knitted tie from Uniqlo + Jimmy Choo boots.