MTV VMAs 2011 Style

Did anyone watch the Video Music Awards on MTV last Sunday? Most were watching for who won the awards. Some were watching for who wore what. I was watching for both, though I don't think the Britney Spears tribute or Amy Winehouse tribute did them any justice. 

• Jo Calderone(in suits by Brooks Brother and Dior Homme) taught us that simple is sometimes the best way to stand out, and how to truly open the VMAs. He accepted the Moonmens on behalf of Gaga, cause she couldn't come. You shouldn't spill beer on the floor Jo, because that's how you trip and fall.

• Usually, when someone wears something completely bizarre, they usually have a reason for it. But somehow, I did not manage to find the reason behind Nicki Minaj's outfit. Even if it was very weird, you have to admit it makes pretty good press for her.

• Katy, Katy, Katy. Last year's simple dress works much better. This year's frequent changes(about 5 from what I count from Tumblr) was somewhat like VMAs 2009, in which Lady Gaga changed into 6 different outfits, almost all were somewhat related. But an Atelier Versace Japanese Lolita dress, a purple Tom Ford lace number and a Dior Fall 2011 couture dress don't have a common theme(unless you count wacky, which I'm for) In face, her fair clashes horribly with the Tom Ford dress, and the yellow cubic head piece looks familiarly like a cheese cube. I know for a fact that the Dior collection is inspired by many themes of Dior, like the geometric aspect, but it doesn't stop it from looking like a gigantic cheese cube. (I can't resist adding, but rather like an appetizer to Gaga's meat dress)

• Beyonce in Lanvin one-shoulder, knockout. It is a stunner and shows off her baby pump(Destiny's Child, ahem) Later on, the tuxedo outfit she wore when performing and broke the baby news is sophisticate and simple. While I earned respect for Beyonce dancing in heels while pregnant, steal Jessie J's chair you're pregnant!(sorry Jessie J, I do love your vocals in between commercial breaks)

• One of the rare times, Britney looks better than she had in years with those highlighted locks and Moschino sequined dress. Not so sure about the shoes, but it looks better in the second picture.

• In a figure-hugging, safe number and signature puffy up-do came Adele. Adele is the kind of woman that looks good in classic clothing. I can't really imagine her in anything risque. 

Whose outfit do you think is the best, other than the ones I wrote about? Do tell what you think.

IFB Project #11: Evolution of Fashion Media

I am always constantly visiting and discover new fashion sites and blogs, and reading new fashion magazines. It's hard not too, especially when living in New York where there's a store every few blocks away, or having the Internet at your fingertips. However, I do have my favourites and decided it's the perfect time to make a list when I saw IFB Project #11. I hope you enjoy my picks just as much as I do.

1. LOVE Magazine: The bi-annual magazine by Katie Grand, "one of the most powerful stylists in the world" and a person I admire very much. In each issue of LOVE, they have a single theme that they will focus on. From the highly unique styling to the interesting subjects being featured in each issue, it is my favourite fashion magazine. The articles are very much related to the fashion world and a variety of artists.

2. Fashionista.com: When I first read The Teen Vogue Handbook(hey, I was 11 something!), they mentioned its former editor and their signature collages. I was young and never heard of Photoshop, not knowing how to make them yet, so I decided to visit the site. To this day, it is the only site I relied on for fashion news. The writers and contributors always have a sense of humor that can crack me up, and I can stay on its website for hours, browsing through its broad archive.

3. V Magazine: It's the younger sibling of Visionaire, which of course I cannot afford every issue, so I relied on V Magazine. With an inventive and avant-garde way of styling, it is my second favourite magazine and much more affordable and accessible than the LOVE Magazine(Barnes&Nobles doesn't carry LOVE) The latest cover always catch my eyes, but I don't know why I didn't get a subscription yet.

4. Raspberry and Red: I found Weronika's blog through Teen Vogue's Blogger of the Moment blog last year, and I had been following her casual yet chic style since then. She taught me that fashion can come at any price, you just need to find a way to style it. I love browsing through her archive from time to time.

5. The Coveted: When I found Independent Fashion Blogger, I also love Jennine's blog The Coveted. Her simple approach toward fashion and beauty leads me to having great expectations for my style when I am older. She is one of the bloggers who truly have an opinion, and one that I value.

6. Style Rookie: Tavi's blog is the first fashion blog I read before I started my own blog. Since we share a love for Sassy, Courtney Love, Miu Miu and Proenza Schouler I was inspired to start my blog and I want people to listen and value my opinions on fashion. Anyway, her blog is full of sarcasm, vintage fashion finds and her life as a teenager in high school, and it's another blog that I love browsing through its archives.

7. Love Aesthetics: It's a funny story how I discovered Ivania's blog. Since I follow Lulu and Your Mom, another of my favourite blogs, on Formspring. One day, someone leaves Ivania's URL in Lulu's Formspring and Lulu said she really like it, so I decided to check it out. Her simple posts and style is refreshing in a blogosphere full of similar style and blogs. Ivania also has a strong opinion about her style, and is not easily influenced by others. Her dislike for Jeffrey Campbell is particularly outspoken, since most fashion bloggers have a pair of Litas, and that does not include me. 

8. InStyle: Funny enough, I first got this magazine from my parent's friend after she was finished with it. I like the magazine's wide variety of content, from fashion to lifestyle and more. They values their reader's opinions and always include them in an issue. In the current issue with Beyonce on the cover, it has an article of layering that leaves me full of ideas to dress for fall. Since I'm still a complete newbie in beauty, I also delighted by its beauty section, which is full of tips and new ways to wear make up. 

9. Lulu and Your Mom: Her Californian style is simple yet full of surprises. Lulu's blog is my favourite blog and I always fall in love with the music videos and inspiration that she posts. Her Tumblr is also full of vintage photographs and her ongoing writing career(she writes about love and the Internet, and they can also be read on Lulu and Your Mom. They are straight to the point, and brings me a feeling of nostalgic.

10. Fashion Toast: Rumi is almost the queen of fashion blogosphere, there's not denying it. But something about her style, the chic, undone glamour of her outfits that drawn me toward her blog. She stays true to her style, even though she had became famous for it and attended tons of fashion shows.

That's all! What's your favourite magazines/fashion sites/blogs? I'm always on the look for new ones!

NK Style Crimes

When I was younger, I thought dyeing my hair a bright, brilliant colour is a taboo. I mean, being raised in an Asian family, hair dyeing, along  with tattooes, are considered "scene-kid like and very inappropriate." But people changed over time. Why else would I be sporting Manic Panic on my hair? Or Hayley Williams and Lady Gaga would not make an appearance on my iTunes(by the way, Gaga dyed her hair back to blonde and  currently receiving anti-bald treatment. Too much dyeing can cause excessive hair loss...)

I found this campaign really interesting. Sometimes, a campaign involving 5 plus hair colour, clearly retouched and a model who doesn't look like herself is not exactly called groundbreaking. But I think it is something about Sara Blomqvist, her confidence and poses, that make it truly works.

source: fashiongonerogue

M.A.C. Semi Precious Collection

Considering the loads of Tumblr and blogs dedicated to Brazil-born bombshells(which is a lot, for those who don't know), it's unsurprising why most of them have an amazing career and made Brazil famous for their gorgeous, supermodel-potentials(Gisele Bundchen and Adriana Lima, anyone?)

On the other hand, M.A.C. is my favourite beauty brand. Their campaigns and collections are really simple or really weird, and it's hard to think that M.A.C is owned by Estée Lauder. One of their collaborations, Viva Glam, raises money for their AIDS fund, and they also had a collaborations called Bloggers' Obsession, a series of eye shadows and lip colours created by beauty bloggers.  

Inspired by the easy beauty of these bombshells, M.A.C. came up with a limited edition mineral makeup called Semi Precious. A series of lip colour, blushes, powders and brushes with colours that are probably the best for summer, but during winter, I like lightweight and moisture make up because of the very annoying weather of New York. You can either put yourself in hydrated lotion all the time during winter or deal with the fact that your skin is very, very dry, bleeding cracking lips, and that you look like a dried-up cattle flower. 

I like the lip colour, even though some of it looks like the kind you get in a beauty sample bag. But I had long learned not to judge a book by its cover(um, in this case, a lipstick by its colour? It rhymes...) and it probably would look very different on an actual model. The blush, made of baked minerals, enhances your non-existence checkbones into Gisele-like cheekbones. They even have limited edition brushes, just thought you ought to know, probably makes apply make up much more easier, for a newbie like me.

Get the M.A.C. Semi Precious Collection here.

P.S.: I need to update this blog more. I'm extremely, extremely sorry, but hey, everyone deserves a break once in a while. Well I always say that, but I should put more effort into my blog.

Natural Beauty

I am really attracted to natural beauties these days. Nothing looks more beautiful than a fresh face and bright eyes. I wish I can have the undone glamour of Kate Moss and Abbey Lee Kershaw. Not that I ever bother to wear any makeup.

photo source: tumblr, knightcat, fashiongonerogue, frenchfrosting, littleplastichorses