Isabelle Neo

Monday, June 06, 2011

Sunday, May 01, 2011

It's no secret that I like Shanghai, with its colonial architecture, self-absorbed haughtiness and larger than life people. The way the city is evolving never fails to fascinate me, and I find myself looking forward to visit the place every time.

But I'd be the first to scrunch my face when it comes to chinese inspired clothings, or outfits with "a touch of the orient". Mandarin collars, silk screen fans and butterfly embroidery are not something that you'd see on a fashionista. When you see someone wearing a silk blouse with chinese buttons, the person either works at a hotels, a Chinese restuarant, or he stole the ensemble from the Chinatown masseuse.

But the latest ad-campaign from Shanghai Tang - the unlikeliest of brands, took my breath away.

This season, Shanghai Tang place presents a contemporary collection with accents, embellishments and colours from the Miao culture. The Miao people are an ethnic minority living in the hills around south China.

Juxtaposing antiquity and modernity, the intricacy of Miao elements dovetails beautifully with clean fluid lines to create visuals that redefines Chinese beauty.

The placement of sleek models against the majestic mountains is both romantic and bold; and the use of jade on navy star embellished silk blouse is just crazy beautiful.

Gone are the days when the notion of Chinese beauty is identifiable only by the iconic red lips and thigh high slits. O hail!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Dear Hong Kong,

Guess what, I miss your face. You are beautiful like a beautiful place.

When I was hungry, there was great food.From Agnes b. Le Pain Grille at IFC, to Fung Shing Yum Cha at North Point and Four Seasons' Caprice.

When I felt dumpy, there was crazy partying.

So I can't wait to see you soon! (like in 1.5 months)

Chillaxing at Isola, IFC

SoHo! My favourite place to shop

Sunday, January 30, 2011

New year, new look

New Year. Time to present to the world with a better version of me -

New hair, new clothes and a renewed resolve to conquer the world in my 5 inch heels, among other things. Hee

You know how the Chinese always pray for a good year ahead, failing which they will spend the year quivering in fear avoiding water, marriage, and women with surnames beginning with "P" or "L" or "C".

But I choose to believe that life is given to those who take it.

I had a hell of a 2010 defined by memories of me beating incredible odds, meeting incredible people, learning incredible things, finding incredible luck, feeling incredibly dejected, behaving like an incredible asshole and getting incredibly drunk.

And such is life.

So come 2011, who knows what I'll learn, which new places I'll visit and what opportunities might come knocking on my door. But whatever it is, 2011, I am coming straight at you.

And perhaps, just perhaps, this year, I will take a leap of faith.

Square-necked "Audrey Dress" in Grey from Sophisticate @ 51 Telok Ayer Street #01-05 Singapore.

CNY promotion at Sophisticate boutique from now till CNY. 10% off 2nd item, 15% off 3rd item. Exclusively manufacture, limited pieces available (only 2 - 3 per size, per design).

Thursday, January 06, 2011

When I grow up...

I want to have an awesome Executive Biography.

It would be completed with an orchestrated smile, airbrushed skin and a lofty title.

But I will write myself the awesome Executive Biography.

Because of late, I've been scarred from reading the Executive Biographies of many Senior Executives, that are written by outsourced professionals with a misguided sense of humour.

Some are empty-caloried fluff; others are so mindnumbingly technical that I'd rather read Sumiko's Sunday columns.

Some develop the kind of creative conflict within the bio that makes the Sino-Japanese relationship look like a pillow fight.

Some come with personal pledge creation like "My Personal Motto is Ever Onward!"

Some so disturbingly personal that I won't be surprise to learn from the bio that the Executive uses Herbal Essences Shampoo and goes for bikini waxing twice a month.