FENDI SPRING/SUMMER 2011, MEETING KAISER KARL.

I would never imagined myself walking the same cobblestone steps as Stefano Tonchi or even inhaling Giovanna Battaglia's chain of puffs. (That lady smokes like a chimney, I tell you!) To witness Fendi Spring-Summer 2011 live was surreal—so euphoric that it is equivalent to touching Sebastien Jondeau (Yeap, did that too!) — or like being a part of the September Issue documentary. 



While Ridhwan gushes about every model that walked out, I was numb from any emotions but I almost bawled seeing Anna Wintour seated front row. It was completely overwhelming. And before I had time to shed any tears, it was time to head backstage. We entered, stood there, mouth open and hands shaking. I simply couldn’t believe my eyes, Abbey Lee and Freja Beha striking a pose in front of me. I died.



I revived from my short-term death (I couldn’t recall much, everything was such a blur) and there he was, Karl Lagerfeld with beau-dyguard, Sabastien. I’ve travelled 18 hours and overcame my fear of flying; I wouldn’t miss any opportunity to be near them so I squeezed my way through. And you would think I will say hi and shook his hand, right? Wrong. I stood beside him in awe and I had my moment.


I will have unlimited bragging rights, period. Until I sit at the same dinner table with him, I’ll probably talk about this for eternity. It is after all the ultimate fashion experience and to forever be the initial team from our field (locally) is definitely an honor. Till this day, I could still smell his hair. Kaiser Karl, till we meet again. In Paris someday?



Images By Ridhwan Sesapar.

Dinie.

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THE HBIC IDEOLOGY.

The picture doesn’t have much relevance to this post, but it sends the message across.

"Don't go too fast. Because of reality television, everyone imagines they can just be a fashion designer, photographer, or model. That's not the way things go. Learn your craft."-- A quote by the HBIC from the upcoming The Teen Vogue Handbook: Guide to Careers in Fashion.

That quote, was the précis of my frustrations when discussing the local fashion industry. Who am I to evaluate the individual rights to hound their passion? Anyway, did you want to be in the industry because a) It feels right to do it. b) After watching the entire season of project runway c) Ashley Isham’s rag to riches fairytale story.

Option B and C seems to be the most popular answer. I feel that while Ashley’s story was very inspiring, it only misleads my community to think that the only acceptable way for a guy to be effeminate or gay is to be a fashion designer. Thus, that explains the increase of you-know-what in local Fashion schools.

In the past (before the hype of Ashley Isham), relatives would be disgusted if they were told that ‘ I was doing fashion’, my mom would only say that I was enrolled in an art institution. Did we know anything about the designer before he made a guest appearance on ANTM? Will Singapore recognize his achievements if not for his appearance on a reality show?

Back to the picture, did u see how Anna is looking at Kanye? That is exactly how I look at some of my peers. Anna Wintour made me realise that i should not compare myself to anyone else because, me and you are two different individual. Anna Wintour is not Anna Dello Russo. I do not invest in things i do not understand. Anna Wintour a high-school dropout, work her way up the ladder of success, as for Kanye, his already-famous status gave him leeway to magically appear as part of the industry. I do not respect people as such.

That’s all.

Dinie.

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60 MINUTES, ANNA WINTOUR.

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Image By Jak & Jil

Dinie.

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