Simone - Your Style Architect

Happy Thursday everyone.

For those of you who have heard the term " Gangnam Style" or perhaps been exposed to this term on the net but have no inkling what this means, this post's for you. It's such a craze taking over much of tweets and discussions on popular forums and social media platforms.

So what is " Gangnam Style"? It's actually a single recently released by a South Korean Rapper - Psy on 15 July 2012 which was from his 6th Studio album " Psy's Best 6th Part 1". It's been in the running of No.1 in the national record chart of South Korea and as of 3 Oct 2012, it has been viewed 357 million times on Youtube. Flash mobs have been staged around the world since it's discovery and numerous parodies including one of Mitt Romney has been done on this famous dance style.

Hollywood celebrities like Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Tom Cruise has shared it on Social Media sites and its been also covered by music artistes like Nelly Furtado and Maroon 5. Simon Cowell even comments it as " amazing" on the Ellen Degeneres show. Gaining widespread popularity in such a short frame of time, international media such as CNN, Financial Times and Sky News has also covered it in their news updates. Even the Guinness Book of Records has recognised it as the most " Liked" Youtube Video in history.

Enough said of it's popularity, this is what " Gangnam Style" actually means. " Gangnam" is a wealthy South Korean neighbourhood where people often go to party. Therefore this song/ single describes the kind of guy that " Psy"( the artiste) is and the type of girl he is looking for. The different scenarios in his video highlights and caricatures the ostentatious culture of the people who hang out in Gangnam. From a social political point of view, it's a message about the " class" system in South Korea.

Your next question is probably " What does the signature lyric - Oppa Gangnam Style mean"? Oppa is used as a term to describe himself ( Psy) as having the Gangnam style and therefore be attractive to the type of women who hang out in that area. As you can also see from the videos attached the signature dance move is one of " horse riding". Again the implication here is that Horse Riding is often a sport associated with the wealthy and only for the rich and famous. Psy is therefore taking a jest out of this by turning this sport/ action into a hilarious dance move.

Finally how do pronounce the artiste's name " Psy". Well it's meant to be short for " Psycho" hence pronounced like " Sigh".

So enjoy the videos attached and go " Gangnam Style"!!

Original " Gangnam Style" Video

A mother & her son doing the " Gangnam Style" dance moves on

Ellen Degeneres Show. Real fun to watch.

Britney Spears & Ellen Degeneres learns the " Gangnam Style" moves

from the maestro himself - Psy!

For laughs, here is one for my Singaporean followers to enjoy! Gangnam Style - Singapore version by famous Youtuber - Dee Kosh and TheJasonRaj.

Enjoy!

TheJasonRaj - Oppa Indian Style

Dee Kosh - Singapore Style ( Gangnam Style)

Love,
Simone

Hi Everyone.

What comes to mind when you think of Leather outfits?

Probably a cool climate ( hence a need for a leather jacket),

rock chick( sniggering....) or perhaps something kinky to use

in the bedroom? ( more sniggering...)

Well, here in Singapore, we certainly DO NOT wear leather to keep ourselves warm, nor

for most of us perhaps using leather in the bedroom may be a tad too funky ( the Asian

speaking in me!). However Leather as you know is a key Fall trend for 2012, so how can we

style it to be chic yet not biker chick if you know what I mean, unless you are truly getting on

a Harley Davidson and riding off to the sunset!

LOOK NO. 1 - Pairing it with Heels, Statement Necklace and Bag

I wanted to explore playing with textures and prints in my Look No. 1. Piling on 2 funky necklaces, a printed sleeveless top with a checkered plaid corset, a simple leather skirt could easily be worn to the office or out about town with this getup.

LOOK NO. 2 - Wedges & Belt

Sleeveless Daisy Print Top : New Look
Corset : Topshop ( similar here)
Leather Skirt : eBay UK ( similar here)
Heels with Gold Studs : River Island
Bag : Chanel Jumbo XL ( Vintage)
Ring : Forever 21
Gold Choker Necklace : Cotton On ( similar here)
Spike Necklace : Foster Bay

In this second styling, I had toned down the feel of the same outfit just by removing the statement necklaces as well as cinching in the waist with a skinny belt which is probably a cuter way to wear this outfit especially if you are younger.

I had also replace the heels with a pair of black suede wedges.

Here's how Hollywood Celebrities are wearing this trend.

So you can see how easy it is to play around with prints, textures to trend

Leather for Fall 2012 in Asia.

Have fun,

Simone

Happy weekend everyone!

Start of a new week ahead, start of fresh ideas moving forward. Can't believe we are already into FALL season. Have just launched the first of a series of Autumn Rhapsody collection for Foster Bay and therefore had the recent opportunity to review the fashion trends for this A/W 2012 season.

I am sure you all will agree with me that here in Asia where for most of us the weather pretty much stays constant on " Summer " mode and wierd enough it's getting more humid as we are supposedly heading into our monsoon season year end. So here are some tips and ideas to wear Fall 2012 Fashion trends in our climate.

To start the first of my series of " Fall 2012 Fashion Trends", let's explore the "Black & Blue" trend.

Black & Blue

Sultry yet elegant in it's colour combination. It certainly makes a strong impact when mixed and matched correctly. This trend for 2012 is best played out with a darker shade of blue i.e navy blue than cobalt or royal blue.

Look No. 1

Hollywood celebrities trending the Black and Blue Style.

Eva Longoria in her Blue Short Suit

Look No. 2

Look No. 3

So go have fun mix and matching your current items in the wardrobe to trend in the latest Blue & Black colour combi!

If you have any ideas to share for styling this blue & black trend, do drop me an email or comment.

Love,
Simone xoxo

Hi ! Hope you guys are off to a good start for the weekend.

Since we are into Fall, I am starting to rummage through my wardrobe for more muted tones to wear but yet bearing in mind our tropical Singapore climate, fabrics that are cool enough for the humid weather yet warm enough for those chilling offices and malls.

I have to apologise first for the creases on my outfit as you can see from the pics below - Cookie, the dog just kept trying to get in the pic and we were actually playing ball prior so you can imagine

the slight mess I was in but that's life!

No one ever walks around in crease free/ wrinkle free outfits especially when you have pets and kids!

Top : Her Velvet Vase ( old)
Pants : ZARA ( old)
Bag : Foster Bay's Plaited Shopper Bag ( similar here)
Shoes : Old from Mustafa
Earrings & Ring : Birthday Gift ( similar here & here)

Enjoy your weekend ahead!

Love, Simone

Hi everyone,

The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge are here in Singapore !

Today, 12 September 2012, would be their 2nd day in the Garden City and already the main newspapers in the UK and the rest of the world have highlighted the Duchess's fashion choices for her first trip to the Far East.

Katherine Middleton - Duchess of Cambridge
in Prabal Gurung's Spring 2012 Dress

So why this choice of dress for her maiden trip to Singapore?

Well, Prabal Gurung was born in Singapore, though raised in Nepal and now based in USA. Hence many have dubbed this a diplomatic, smart and fitting choice of designer outfit to wear for her first State Dinner in Singapore. Furthermore Prabal Gurung's Spring 2012 collection was inspired by Araki's Sensual Flowers series, thereby making it an ideal choice for the Garden City.

Well Gurung was so honoured and elated that he immediately tweeted

“OMG!!! Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton in our spring 12 dress!

So xctd that I just stopped some strangers on the street n showed them the pic of

Kate Middleton in our dress.””

The likes of Hollywood celebrities who are great fans of Gurung are Sarah Jessica Parker, Zoe Saldana, Kate Bosworth, Hailee Steinfeld and Amanda Seyfried to name but a few....

as well as America's First Lady - Michelle Obama.