Diva Kitty

You do not have to be an animal lover to fall instantly in love with this cute flat faced and no mouth kitten.  At 35, Hello Kitty still looks as cute and youthful as ever and adored by fans from little toddlers to octogenarians! I, too, could not resist holding her in my arms when i was shopping at the ANTEPRIMA boutique in Hong Kong recently.HELLO KITTY and ANTEPRIMA worked together to launch a series of Kitty collections which are now HOT!


Paris Hilton has one and so do I...or so I wished!

The "Swarovski Raso Kitty" is one of only 80 limited edition pieces worldwide. Its body is decorated with beautiful Swarovski pink crystals. Measuring W42 x H70 x D30cm and costing SGD$4,999, the bag is already sold out in Singapore! ANTEPRIMA's famed wirebags are made and hand-knitted by skilled craftsmen using exclusive wire code from Italy. Blending techie and fashion, the quirky designs extravert its theme which is "FUN & JOY". Those who are more creative and feminine in style will find the bags most appealing. The bags generally go better with the romantic type of clothing like sundresses, flare skirts, floral prints or sporty looks like jeans and a tee. For work, you can choose the minimal designs in darker shades as the glittery effect of the wires will not be too loud. Rather than a plain canvas tote, invest in a bright coloured ANTEPRIMA classic tote this Christmas to add a little spark in your style!

Sure Bets for Work!

It is always tricky to strike a balance between looking appropriately dressed for work and letting your personality shine through your clothes. Adding on to that challenge, a small budget and as a fresh young graduate in a fast-paced industry, Amanda was thrilled when I introduced her to Lush Women at Queensway Shopping Centre. Managed by Billy and his partner, Lush Women offers a pretty selection of dresses from Korea at affordable prices for the young executive. Prices range from $35 for a ruffled cotton dress to $59 for a modern black and white tuxedo dress. The young lady executive will want to look polished yet trendy without compromising on her style and personality.  Lush Women offers the right mix of gravitas and glamour!

My Favourite Shops

If you are looking for individualism in style and design, MU apparel is the answer. Its design is a fusion of East and West, combining unconventional constructed designs with interesting silhouettes. Although the clothes are more suited for the creative and entertainment environment, working executives will be able to find some basic pieces with interesting silhouettes like asymmetrical hemlines or shirred sleeves to go with their corporate wardrobe. You can also wear their interesting modern pieces on dress down Fridays instead of the typical cotton blouse and cropped pants combo. Moms who do not have the luxury of time to coordinate their clothes and who always need practical clothings will find comfort and style in MU's oversized tunics and cropped pants. What I really like about MU apparels are their effortless style, soft cotton material and asymmetrical cuts which can camouflage a thousand flaws! Prices range from $39 for basic tops to $200 for long dresses. You can expect new arrivals every week. MU apparel is the brainchild of Alfie Leong, a local prize-winning designer. So head on to MU today and support Singapore's local designers!

MU is located at #01-48/49, Bugis Junction and #04-08B/C, The Heeren

My Favourite Shops

Growing up, I remember classmates who would hide their notes in case you want to borrow them. In university, I came across peers who would hide precious library books under their beds in case you want to borrow them. Even now, I know of female friends who would subtly evade your question: "Where did you get your pretty dress from?" The standard reply would be "Oh...I can't remember. It's been so long!" Well, maybe they are a forgetful bunch, maybe it was really a long time ago or maybe they just don't want to share the good things with others!

So I will be spreading some sisterly love here by sharing with you some of my favourite shops. They are on my favourite list because the merchandise is of high quality, is wearable and unique and most importantly, the staff is knowledgeable about the products, friendly and gives excellent service.

OKA at #03-70A, Far East Plaza is owned by Ms Carmen Wong, who is also the designer behind the label. OKA specialises in cotton and linen clothing which are both great to wear in a hot and humid climate like Singapore. The style is casual, relaxed, natural, unstructured and creative. It's no wonder people from the dance and arts fields flock to OKA. Although its clothes are designed for women, there are male customers who would come to buy the oh-so-comfy pants (as shown in photo below). Needless to say, OKA will attract those who are looking for a more casual look yet unique and creative. The clothes are more suitable for those working in the creative field e.g. advertising, arts and beauty and less formal office environment. Although OKA is more for the sporty and creative, you can mix and match them with your own pieces to create your preferred style be it minimalist, feminine, bohemian or dramatic (see photos below). Prices start from $59 for cotton T-shirts, $89 for blouses, pants, skirts and dresses. Look for Joyce, the sales in-charge; she's super nice!

Plaid is so "IN" now. Pair cotton plaid skirt with tank top or ruffled blouse (above left)
for Spring/Summer 2010. Wear plaid dress with laced hem (above right) with opaque
tights and ballet flats for a gamine look.

Minimalist ensembles Unisex pants

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