// Fade to #C5C5C5

A Few Favourite Outfits with Liu Wen

Liu Wen for Proenza Schouler

Liu Wen for Anna Sui

Liu Wen for Dolce & Gabbana

Liu Wen for Roberto Cavalli

Liu Wen for Rodarte

Liu Wen for Alexnader Wang

Tags: Alexander Wang, Anna Sui, Dolce & Gabbana, Liu Wen, proenza schouler, Roberto Cavalli, Rodarte

Black Swan

Thanks to my friend John (who is finally taking his first baby steps into the world of blogs), I recently had the opportunity to attend a press screening of the Black Swan, courtesy of the lovely people at L’Oréal and Yves Saint Laurent’s fragrance La Nuit de l’Homme. What’s the connection between the fragrance and the movie, you ask? Well, there’s a several. The movie’s male lead is played by none other than French actor Vincent Cassel, who also happens to be the face of YSL’s new campaign for La Nuit de l’Homme.

Some might recall that this isn’t the first time he is fronting a campaign for the maison’s best selling fragrance; he also fronted their campaign in 2009.  Very well, another connection with the movie is that the TV commercial for the fragrance was shot by none other than Darren Aronofsky – the director of Black Swan.

The perfume is spicy and masculine, but at the same time very sensual with notes of bergamot, cedar and lavender. It is definitely one of my all-time favourite men’s fragrances and I’m currently on my third bottle!

The movie itself was amazing. Not only was the story really captivating, but all the imagery surrounding it was beautiful as well. The fantastic ballerina costumes by Rodarte, or the amazing makeup by M.A.C. should be reason enough for any fashionista to want to see it. Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel and Winona Ryder all delivered amazing performances in the movie. I think this might be Natalie’s strongest role till date, and if she doesn’t get an Oscar for this role, there just is no justice!

Tags: Darren Aronofsky, L'Oréal, MAC, Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, Rodarte, The Black Swan, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder, YSL, Yves Saint Laurent

Jesus…Rodarte Shoes…SS2011

Tags: Rodarte

20 mins Research of…

I really love the pronunciation of Rodarte — Ro-daaa-tay. Can’t name why,  Maybe subconsciously it sounds like ‘Roald Dahl’ and maybe it sounds like a franco-dutch word. I guess it’s just like someone’s a natural-born beauty, this word is a natural born sound-good. But it keeps bugging me, why the talented fine-arty-literature-studying sisters chose this name as their brand’s name??

After a solid researching of 20 mins on-line….(yeah, I really didn’t think it could be that hard to find normally and I know this time is including reading through articles and articles)…I eventually found the answer on an interview on vogue.it. It’s from their mother’s name Rodart, which is an old latin-french name and they add E at the end, just make the whole word sound more artful. (you can read the full interview here.) (and I also wonder since when using their mother’s maiden name become a trend? Proenza Schoulder is also a combination of the 2 boy’s mom’s names.)

During the whole research process I noticed that the sisters have just launched the new menswear line. Although a few pieces only, but totally adorable (same as the price).

Then I realized the famous (or rather infamous) gown worn by Keira Knightley a few years ago  of which appreciated different critics is also by Rodarte.

Then Rodarte, Joyce HK and Unicef collaborated together 4 outfits to raise money and all 4 outfits are inspired by 4 different movies by most influential artistic actress Maggie Cheung. (Very clever move, if they’ve chosen other actresses, i wouldn’t look at the sisters in the same way.)

From the movie ‘Hero’…

From the movie ‘in the mood for love’…

From Maggie’s early year movie ‘Heroic Trio’…

From Cannes Film Festival winner ‘Clean’…

Rodarte’s story is like a modern legend. Their style is futuristic and post-apocalyptic (modern – tick). Within a short a few years, Rodarte fast becomes world famous by mainly spreading out by internet bloggers (modern – tick). Although they started with choosing celebrity as their media-carrier at the beginning, they certainly has won Anna Wintour’s favour with the first 10 piece collection. Rest of all is already history. With the world spinning so fast and many old fashion houses are struggling, Rodarte will become a major part of new blood and a house name to nowadays fashion world.

Tags: Cannes Film Festival, Clean, Hero, Heroic Trio, In the Mood for Love, Maggie Cheung, Rodarte