Zebra, Waka Waka Eh, Eh...

This is one of the unreleased photos I did when I was in London. It was actually taken during the World Cup 2010 mood last summer, by which I was so inspired by everything Africa - since the venue was held in South Africa, that is. I was so bored one day after flustered in front of the tele watching the game (as what all other graduate students would normally do in the weekend!), so I think hey, why don't I just do a photoshoot today?

As the theme is Africa, and summer is also about the tribal and animal prints trend, what better than to make something that related to that after all. I'm thinking zebra - coz zebra and Africa always go hand in hand! So, I put on my sleeveless tee from Topman that has the zebra print element on it, paired with the zebra print towel from Matalan.... and then boom! I got this photo. 

Not too bad, huh? I know I'm crazy and that's what fashion is about too... be dare, crazy and sometimes push to the limit! I have to say, apart from leopard print, I like zebra because of the black 'n white stripes that looks so chic. And that Topman tee - I think it just hit the right notes!

I actually wore the same tee during the check-in at Hotel Maya two weeks ago. To cover the sleeveless arm and make it appear much edgier, I wear my cropped sleeves blazer from Sub + the Topman slimfit jeans (and my Gucci boots). I assumed that this is probably one of the the reason why I get the free room upgrade from just a Studio Room to a Junior Suite (which is double the space and worth about RM600 per nite!!) - coz I think the girl at the counter kinda hypnotized by the zebra print. 

I dunno, just my theory. Lucky me, ha!

sempat la lagi nak snap dalam lif tu...

is it because of the zebra I got the room upgrade? cool...

Shoe of the Day, Plus Going Blue

Haish... the fire alarm has just been activated by the time I'm writing this. Anyway, just one quickie update before I run off fashionably towards the nearest assembly point, this is what I'm wearing today. The mood for lo-pro shoes is still going on, so as the mood for patent. So I decided to slip on my Gucci patent loafers with the modernized version of signature Gucci horsebit ornamenting the strap. This is the same one I used to wear when I went to my lab last year - the lab with the oil/water pipeline facilities - which I also happen to write a blogpost too (kalau rajin, korang cari lah yer... ehehehe).

I was actually very lucky to get this mocs at more than half price in the Gucci store at Bond Street, London during the Summer sale. Lucky becoz it's the only one there - multiple lucky coz it's in my size! There actually has been quite tug-of-war between me and the salesguy who questioned me whether I want it or not... coz otherwise he'll snap it. Questioning me? Excuse moi? It's Gucci, mana bleh aku cakap NO. But hey, I'm the customer - and customer always comes first! :)

Anyway, since the shoes is a patent leather (patent mean, the leather been treated or 'coated' with a layer of hi-gloss finish), to put it on is a bit of a challenge too esp when it's a loafer. Thank God I have the shoe horn by Ermenegildo Zegna which is given free to me by the salesguy at Harrods, during which I went to buy shoes there during the Sale too. The same salesguy who's been layan kerenah aku everytime I tried the shoes at the ground floor of the store. Thought he knew me, that's why I get the priviledge (plus an addition 10% off as usual!).

Oh, the outfit for today is blue tops - blue slim Oxford shirt by Topman paired with the indigo linen slimfit blazer by River Island + blue stripes tie by Red Herring @ Debenhams. I normally wear blue on Monday to make that famous cliche, but this time it's the midweek instead.

Owh, I thought it's gonna be a quickie one. But since the alarm has gone off tetiba plak, no chance for me to run off fashionably neh... haish. :P

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!

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! :)

Mr Hare x Topman : Nice Shoes, But... Oink!

So, Mr. Hare shoe collection for Topman hits the store today. I bet all the shoeholic and Topman fans are queuing outside their store at Oxford Circus, hoping to get their hands on those gorgeous pairs of footwear from one of London's best shoe designer. And fyi, you can also bought it online.

No doubts the shoes are fantastic. They look amazing, not to mention the price is well worth it. You'd never find that kind of price tag if you look for Mr. Hare's shoes since mostly are well above £200!

One thing that always doubt me when a shoe price is brought down to the highstreet level is the compromise with the material being used. Though Marc Hare himself assured the quality is no comparison, but you can't fool me mister. And I am damn right, coz when I look at the lining, now I know why the price is less than £100 a pair.

It's the pigskin lining! No wonder the shoes are cheap! And most Topman shoes are in fact lined with pigskin. Though you can fool people on its facade - inside, it's a different story after all. Pigskin, I have one word : eeww...!!!

I think I have to revert my comment on their Facebook fan page! (Oh, yes..I've already did!)

[pix from topman]

The Topman & The Hare Story

I know most of you have read the childhood story 'The Tortoise and the Hare'. But in fashion world, we have a different kind of story 'The Topman and the Hare' which is much, much more interesting. What's the story is all about? It's about the collaboration between the menswear highstreet label, Topman and one of the most celebrated London-based shoemaker, Marc Hare that is releasing a great array of shoes end of this month (it could probably out today?!).

Under the brand 'Mr Hare', the shoes are known to be very young, edgy, contemporary and has all that cool factor about it. From the lace ups that combine multi-material such as suede with patent and smooth leather, to the buttoned boots in its first debut collection a couple of years ago, men's shoe-holic like me really look into owning some of the footwear. I think, Marc Hare would probably gonna be the new Jimmy Choo when it comes to the men's shoes. The only problem - they're too damn pricey! But that doesn't mean his previous collections to date never being bought - on the contrary, they're always clear off the shelves very quickly!

When Topman decided to collaborate with Mr. Hare for the new Topman AAA pieces, I think many men out there really putting their hands in the air and scream yes!! The shoes are so fun to look at, not to mention they look like a million dollar. A huge range from the lace-ups to the boots again, in addition to the trainers too - those would definitely be the most wanted items prior September comes. What is even better, the prices are a fraction of Mr. Hare's original collection! Who can beat that collab? One word: love 'em!! (okay, that's two words, ha!)

Really, I have to PM my mate, Rizal in London to buy me those beauties... Or, are there anyone out there in London willing to help me instead?!

P/S: Still can't wait how's the Versace for H&M collection gonna be. That's also one exciting thing to look at!

[pix via selectsim and metro uk]

Chunky Soles for the Funky Souls (Again)

The invasion of the chunky soles continues. We all have to blame Prada really coz they're the one who started the thick undersole madness in the fashion world. Now that they came up with a new collection for this coming fall/winter 2011 in black and brown versions of the the creepers, everyone too seems to join in the bandwagon as well. If in the previous post I've mention about Burberry's chunky soles - now it's time to take it to the highstreet as Topman offers you their take on the height-elevation footwear.

Collaborating with the famous shoe brand, Loake; Topman brought edgy shoes for you to choose. From derby to fringe loafers and boots, they look quite similar to the Burberrys' - with white undersoles - which seem to raise the question, is this one way of copying the look? Whatever the answer is, the price tags are much dearer to the wallet compared to the designer labels coz that's what highstreet is all about.

With the look and all, I think by giving that dash of chunky soles is one effort to pump up the typical classic Loake in the market. Don't you think?

[pix from topman]

Topman AAA Texture

Autumn/Winter is the best season to play with texture. Wool, tweed, chunky knits, cashmere, velvet, fur, leather and pleather - it's all about feeling the moment in various form of fabric. And Topman gives you just that in their latest AAA 'Texture' ad campaign featuring Isaac Carew. Love the black and white photos... 

[pix from topman]

Too Much Bretons!

Breton stripes are huge this season. And I do mean HUGE with the capital H. You saw it everywhere - on the catwalk during the Spring/Summer 2011 show, in the highstreet stores, and of course... on the streets. It's stripes galore! Whether it's stripes all the way, or the Jean Paul Gaultier sailor lookalike - Breton is definitely a hot trend that never fail to appear whenever summer comes. I think the way it breathes nautical theme is what charmed people.

Me too has been succumbed into the lure of stripes. My victim of the situation? Absolutely at Asos, coz they got a humungous collection of stripey t-shirts. Either short, three-quarter, or long sleeves; Asos has a burst of Breton this time around in many color choices to choose from. With the price tag that's always dear to the wallet, Breton stripes at Asos is one stop to head down to. Period.

For every tee you see below, I have at least two for each pair coz I have a simple principle: if I like it, always buy two. That's why I have too much Bretons now!

(L) Breton tee in navy-white - Asos : Jeans - Uniqlo : Denim bag - He by Mango : Watch - Calvin Klein Sight

(R) Breton tee in green-dark green - Asos : Wool trousers - River Island : Tweed backpack - Zara : Watch - Nixon

(L) Breton tee in light grey-white - Asos : Jeans - Uniqlo : Grey leather tote - Bill Amberg : Watch - Bench

(R) Breton tee in grey-light graphite - Asos : Jeans - Uniqlo : Suede studded tote - Jimmy Choo x H&M
Watch - Calvin Klein Bold

(L) Stripe tee in green-white - Asos : Chambray trousers - Asos Canvas tote with leather trim - Jaspal: Watch - Skagen

(R) Tee in navy-yellow - Asos : Jeans - Uniqlo : Mock croc tote - Topman : Watch - Nixon Shutter tortoiseshell

Re-Launching Store TOPMAN & TOPSHOP

Pada pertengahan Juni lalu bertempat di butik Topman – Topshop, Senayan City, Jakarta, young fashion jet-sett kembali meramaikan acara re-launching butik Topman – Topshop. Butik pertama ini disihir menjadi semakin chick, edgy, dan tak ketingalan nuansa british seperti asal brand ini. Dengan dihadiri Nicholas Saputra dan Andien sebagai host malam itu, acara ini sekaligus menampilkan trunk fashion show dari koleksi terbarunya. Fun!.

Photo by MRR