Features
An insight into up-and-coming RTW label, Sies Marjan
Old craft

21.01.2018
By Joan Kong

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June, 2017. Flatiron District, New York City.

There are saggy balloons and half-eaten cake in Sander Lak’s office at Sies Marjan, the New York-based fashion house, named after his parents’ respective first names, where he is creative director. It’s Monday morning and the remnants of the previous Friday’s festivities—Sander’s 34th-birthday party—are still on full display. As are the more buoyant work-in-progress layouts for the brand’s Bruce Weber-lensed campaign (which has since been released); it’s all colour and smiles and American family trees, both literally and metaphorically. Equally vibrant fabric swatches and image—reference boards for the forthcoming Sies Marjan collection are also on show. (Rather than release pre-collections, the company delivers its bright-and-breezy seasonal collections in two separate drops, a couple of months apart: part one is ‘the sellers’; part two, the ‘more extreme show pieces’, as Gabbie—aka, Gabrielle Bennett, Sies Marjan’s product development coordinator—describes them). Everything in Sander’s working world, it seems, is on show. There’s nothing to hide.
Nowhere more so than the design atelier, the first thing you notice upon entering the Sies Marjan HQ. With only a floor-to-ceiling glass wall dividing it from the rest of the second-floor space, visitors freely observe the goings-on in this creative goldfish bowl. The predominantly female team of seamstresses, patternmakers, designers, and producers goes about the business of turning Sander’s ideas into fully formed collections. It’s awash with buzzy activity set against the myriad rolls of kaleidoscopic fabrics that have become the Sies Marjan signature since its launch during New York Fashion Week in February 2016.
This season, the notion of share-it-all transparency extends to the Spring/Summer 2018 collection being presented in the atelier itself. Reviewers, buyers, bigwigs and VIPs get to see and smell the environment in which the collection has been created. It’s both a confident (and economical) move and fitting metaphor for a brand that has been quick to garner praise, curiosity and, now, expectation.
For all its joyful momentum and verve, however, Sies Marjan was born out of the ashes of the Ralph Rucci label, which unceremoniously imploded three years ago. Rucci had long been feted for his talent as a painter, his masterly haute-couture skills, and his fervent following of private clients. One of the devoted was Nancy Marks, wife of billionaire investor Howard Marks, who became Rucci’s business partner and  backer in 2012. In doing so, she offered more tangible possibilities for the commercial success that had always eluded the designer. But that all ground to an ugly halt, when in late 2014, Rucci announced his immediate departure from his own company ‘to pursue other creative endeavours’. Not only did this leave a palpable void among American society’s ladies-that-lunch, it also left an atelier of highly skilled couture hands out of work. Some of Rucci’s team of patternmakers, sewers, cutters and hand-finishers had been with him for well over a decade, and Nancy Marks and Joey Laurenti, the CEO she’d brought in to steer the Ralph Rucci business, were left facing a challenging new reality.
Fast-forward three months and Laurenti had hired Sander Lak, a Dutch designer who had worked under Christophe Decarnin at Balmain before becoming Dries Van Noten’s right-hand for five years. Laurenti and Lak decided—from a strategic, conceptual and emotional standpoint—to retain many of the atelier workers to work at their new, American luxury fashion house, Sies Marjan. By taking their considerable ‘American couture’ skills and fusing them with Sander’s more European-fashion-forward outlook and design staff, Sies Marjan had a chance to create a modern proposition of beautifully crafted and relevant garments.
It’s a decision that has so far paid off. Sander’s undeniable talent as a colourist and fabric aficionado has been well received by customers and industry alike, his upbeat and unpretentious dresses and outerwear considered a welcome antidote to the doom and gloom of modern-day America. Add to that the openness and generally positive vibes that the brand exudes, and Sies Marjan seems to be chiming with the desires of the times. With this in mind, System spent the past season observing Sander Lak and his Sies Marjan team during the creation of the collection they presented in their atelier in September as part of New York Fashion Week. This also provided us with the chance to hear from the Sies Marjan team members themselves; the eclectic, yet strangely harmonious mix of women in the large glass cube, whose collective skills and refreshing attitude have helped Lak and Laurenti turn this upstart brand into a potential New York contender. Of course, this isn’t a social experiment, it’s a business, but its sense of family and honesty prevails. As Louise du Toit, the company’s vice president of sales says, only half-jokingly: ‘The thing about Sies Marjan is that we know when to work our fucking asses off.’

Sander LakCreative Director

People sometimes refer to Sies Marjan as a new luxury womenswear proposition. Do you feel that is accurate?
That surprises me. I don’t think there is such a thing as a new fashion label. Fashion is an old craft, an old thing to do. I don’t really see the value of the word ‘new’ so much. There are many other words that are better. ‘Surprising’, maybe. ‘New’ is very empty somehow. I don’t think we are doing anything revolutionary; we just do things the way we want to do them. For us, it is new because we’ve never made products like this before, but I don’t think that we are a new fashion thing. It would be great if we were! And it’s great that people think that, but it is not what we strive for. We are not seeking out newness. I think the time of new is over. Now is a time of collaging things together. For the younger generation, something from the 1990s is as old as something from the 1890s. Everything that is old is old.

Sies Marjan certainly comes across as something new in the context of New York fashion. Is what you are doing steeped in any kind of New York fashion lineage?
We are a New York-based company. We have American backing, an American location. In the traditional sense, we are an American company. But outside of that, I think we are very much an international company. Within the context of New York, what people were immediately drawn to, what made it  different and new, was the superficial observation of us using colour, whereas in an old way of thinking, New York is all about sportswear, and black and white. That is not something that we calculated, but an observation that is being made again and again.

Was it thought of as a calculated thing?
No. Most of time I do things by gut feeling; I don’t calculate, I just do what I feel is right. And I just felt that this was the opportunity, these were the kind of clothes that I wanted to make and this was the group of people with whom we could make them. It just happened to be the right thing at the right time in the right place, because no one was really doing colour in that way. We didn’t sit around the table and say, ‘No one is doing colour—so we should do colour!’

You’ve obviously worked for a number of houses before as second-in-command. Was it always your ambition to be at the head of a label?
Yes. I did my BA in Holland in Haarlem and when I went to do my Master’s at Saint Martins in 2005. It was with the idea of starting my own label. I was determined. At Saint Martins, Louise Wilson kind of slapped that idea out of me. She said everyone comes to Saint Martins thinking they will start their own label, but she preferred people to get jobs and do something that really benefits them. She said there are really only one or two people each year who start their own label. She really pushed me into this idea of working, saying I wasn’t ready for it, that I was very young and that I didn’t have any experience. I didn’t even know how a sewing machine worked until two years into fashion school. I really took that onboard. I started working, went from one place to the next, and kind of forgot about that idea. I was totally happy and totally convinced that it was what I should be doing, and I forgot about my own label. Then, eight or nine years in, it started bubbling again. I started thinking that maybe I wanted more. And somehow, lots of things became available, including this kind of leftfield opportunity in New York that was so strange and not according to any rules. Taking over a house is one thing and working for someone else is another. I understood both, but this was a complete unknown.

Was it a given that you would inherit some of the existing structure and staff from the Ralph Rucci era?
No. When Joey [Laurenti, Sies Maerjan CEO] and I were really sitting together and before I actually said yes, we were really just trying to see what was possible. What does the old company have? What can we take over and what not? As soon as we had discussed all these things in theory and I had said, let’s do it, we just had to see and build from there. From the beginning, I had to get to know everyone and I had to see what skills were there – what could I use and not use? And then we had a year to put the company together, to go through that process, hire new people and see how they worked together. We made some mistakes along the way and we made some good choices. You know, you really grow into your thing. After that first year and those first collections, I really felt that we had the right combination of the old and the new. You couldn’t tell who was there from the start from who came later. Everyone here from the old company naturally morphed themselves into becoming part of Sies Marjan.

What were your first thoughts about taking this offer rather than going to another existing design house?
What Joey and I really discussed in the beginning was the landscape of an American-based luxury brand. There is only a handful of them.

Why is that do you think?
I think it’s probably a cultural thing. Everything is very product-driven and very money-driven, too. That’s a great thing, but it takes away some magic and fantasy. It is very hard for highend American fashion brands to conquer European and Asian markets. I think Europeans don’t look at American brands in the same way. In a way, they are seen as second rate. In France, it’s like, ‘We own this territory of highend’. With Sies Marjan being a nomad thing—as I am, too—we thought there would be a hole in the market for an America-based luxury brand. In a way, we were right, and now we have a lot of stores in Europe embracing us in a way that they don’t normally do with American brands. We are American, but our name isn’t American. The product we make isn’t typically American, but it isn’t typically European either. I think we can build a bridge to conquer both those territories. The money is here, but the prestige is there. We really found a way to hit both at the same time. Joey, especially, is really good at that. This was 2015. We worked that whole year and had our first show in 2016. And 2015 was a very different time in the industry. The way we approached it back then was different. We have already had to adjust our pricing structure. People always ask me, ‘Why did you start a brand?’ This is the perfect time to start a brand because we can adapt so quickly to rapid changes. We don’t have a history of how we used to do things.

What are your desires for the brand?
They have also changed. When we started, I had this idea that this should be the alternative Ralph Lauren. I really had this idea of a brand, clothes and furniture, like a whole world. That has somewhat disappeared. My ambitions haven’t become smaller, but my desire to be that big has changed. All of a sudden, this idea of being niche has become attractive. The desire for that kind of grandness is a little bit suicidal at the moment. Becoming as big as we can, in a niche way, and trying to hit all of our market placements and grow organically into product groups—that’s really what the future should be, not necessarily turning this into a huge machine.

Was that a hard realization?
No, not at all. It got shattered because I realized that that is not what I really want. Maybe I will change my mind again in a few years, but for now I don’t want to be that big machine.

What do you think is the defining mood in fashion right now? How do you think that Sies Marjan conveys that mood?
As with everything, I think there is good and bad. The bad side is this disconnect with what it is that we actually do, and people perceiving fashion as entertainment to fill magazines and dress celebrities. In the end, what we do is make a product and sell that product. For a while, if you put the right things into a product, it would just move. Sometimes it would even sell itself. That has now completely changed and the product doesn’t move as smoothly anymore. All of a sudden, there is panic. A lot of figuring out where and how customers are spending their money and how you can get them to spend their money on you. Do we have to put everything on Instagram? Do we have to be purely online or in a physical space? Do we do events? All of these questions are becoming bigger and more time-consuming than ever. Because we have manoeuvred ourselves very quickly into a high-end space and the right stores, we are able to move really quickly with those changes. I think that has really helped us, but it is not very rosy out there. It is weird, because I am a very positive person, but I don’t know how long fashion is going to survive in its current form. At some point there will be a sort of implosion. Like in 2008, when Lehman Brothers folded and then there was a trickle-down effect. I hope this won’t happen and I love this industry, but I do feel that there is going to be something similar. The industry became so much about money and profit and margins. That is why it became an entertainment, as opposed to a very high-end, niche thing that trickled down to the masses. It used to be separate, but now there is too much stuff for everyone and not enough money to go round. Too many things. At some point, something has to happen. That is very scary and people are worried. They are getting aggressive in how they reach their clients.

Do your products stand out in among all the others?
I do think that when you go into the store and there is our rail of colour, it does give you something. It is all about colour and texture—that is the first thing that you encounter when you walk into a store. In certain stores where it is very dark and there is lots of navy, and you see our rail with all that colour, it just pops out. It is nice to be able to do that with the product, rather than with big merchandising banners. That is a very conscious thing. We sell clo es. That is how we make our money. It is the clothes that need to speak.

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You’ve said that even as a child, colour played a big role. Looking back, how did that express itself?
I was always really sensitive to colour, so I would always have very specific needs as a kid, like what colour my shoes had to be. Not so much what kind of clothes I would wear, but what colours they would be, without knowing that this was out of the ordinary. For me, it was super normal. I just had to choose the colour. I started realizing that while we were living in Gabon, and my mum would dress us all in very bright colours because we were living in a rainforest and were surrounded by all of this green. She would dress us in bright blue or bright pink, so she could look out of  the window and see us, because if we were in earthy tones we would disappear. That was the first time that I really became aware that colours could give you a dimension. They are more than just a thing that covers everything; they actually do something. As a teenager, I started understanding that these things could really have an emotional effect, too. When I was younger, I remember very clearly starting to understand that if I was wearing dark clothes or black clothes, then I would feel a certain way and become a certain person. Then when I would go really bright, I would feel very differently. Originally, I thought it was because I was a teenager and full of hormones, but then I realized it was the colours of the clothes. That is something I always take with me. I am very sensitive to it, but everyone has something of that in them – that certain colours make them feel a certain way. Colour is so instinctive and emotional. If someone asks you your favourite colour, you pick one instinctively.

How do you feel about colour quickly becoming one of the brand’s defining elements?
It will always play a part. For the coming years, I feel very much that everything we do has to have a consistency, because if you change too much people don’t know how to define you. So, yes, I do think we have to keep that part of the collection very clear now, then after a while I am sure I will get bored and try and do something else. But I have absolutely no problem with being known as the colour brand—it could be worse!

Having met some of your seamstresses and team today, I’m struck by how their personal stories work their way into the overall DNA of Sies Marjan. Larissa and Irina, for example, grew up in former Soviet Union countries, learning dressmaking skills because that’s just what every girl did. And then, as young women, they came to America and both became steeped in a basic tradition of American luxury by their experience of working for Ralph Rucci. Now that that house has been transformed into Sies Marjan, they have a mix of a European fashion sensibility with this hybrid American luxury, while your design sensibility forces their skills into new areas…
…and they force me, too! It really goes both ways. I’m learning just as much from them as they are from me.

To what extent do you think all of this is tangible within the clothes or the brand?
I think a lot of it is very technically hidden. There are ways that we treat our fabrics, make certain things and engineer our twists, folds and drapings that are very couture-based. We try to make a product that is easy to wear and does not have a couture price point. But that can make it very hard to read just how high-end it really is. We make it into something that just hangs off you. Something that doesn’t scream. I didn’t want to say, ‘Now we are American couture’. That didn’t feel authentic, because I don’t have a couture background. I don’t know shit about couture. I have never worked that way. For me, it is more about being able to have a crazy or complicated idea and have a pattern-maker who is skilled enough to bring it all the way to the highest level and then back to a ready-to-wear product that sits on the floor next to Céline. A lot of people who really understand how clothes are made say that our fabrications are beautiful and the way they are finished is really well done. I don’t want to scream about it—it should be a given, if it’s a luxury product. Then again, we don’t always succeed, and sometimes we do have to make compromises. But it is about having that option, about being able to move.

You’ve said that you are almost able to sense from clothes on a rail the kind of environments in which they were created. What did you take from your different experiences, good or bad, that helped create the culture you have here?
A certain torture happens in the industry with certain brands and companies that you can see in the products. I have worked in very nice and very harsh environments, and I think what you learn from both sides is equally important. What I have really taken from it is that I needed to find a way that works for me and Joey. We really put everything on a table and said: ‘This is what I have experienced, and this I what felt was the right thing, and this is really the wrong thing.’ Really going into detail about everything. Then we started dissecting it and selecting what we liked. My experience is from a designer’s point of view, whereas Joey has a very different background and Louise [du Toit, vice president of sales] has a different background. In the end, it is not just about a designer’s experience, it is  really about the experiences on the factory floor, sales floor, and so on. Being able to sit around a table and listen to people who are very honest and raw about those experiences and what they like is really where it started.

What was the common take from that?
We don’t want any attitudes. No fashion bitches, no harsh treatment. Nobody should be treated in a bad way or a way that is completely disconnected from what we actually do. We make clothes; we are not saving lives. We are not changing the world. We do something that is very precious and important, and it’s a luxury to do what we do, a joy, so we have to treat it accordingly and treat each other the same way we treat our product. We found this very important. We all had experiences of being enslaved to a product. That approach makes no sense to me. It does not come from respect or love, which is what it should do, in this industry. That is something that I was really clear about. Of course, we end up arguing or having bad moods, but the overall thing is that no one here feels that they are being exploited or forced to do something. I really felt lucky in that I have had mostly good experiences. While I was listening to these people, I was thinking that the last thing I want would be for anyone to come from this place and to sound like that.

What were the character traits that you found recurring?
I think that people are very honest and direct. They help out if someone doesn’t know how to do something. Every  single person in this company would help them to figure something out. It is rare in a studio that people help each other out. They tend to focus on what is needed from them only and just want to please the creative director. We all know that exists, and I didn’t want that. I don’t want anyone to think just about themselves. Everyone has a life outside of Sies Marjan. They have a partner, kids, a home. I think the person with the least healthy life here is me! But, you know, I take one for the team. I find it very important. People need to have a life outside of this, otherwise they won’t give me what I need as well.

How much importance do you place on women playing a part in a process that makes clothes for women?
That is one of the most important parts. I am not saying that men cannot design for women, or that women cannot design for men. That is all bullshit. But for the way that I work, and for the product I want to make, I find it very important that women in the team can contribute beyond an aesthetic point of view—which is what I can contribute as a man. I know this because I was always a menswear designer. I know what it is like to design for your own sex. I would design a piece of clothing and then put it on and feel it. I just physically cannot do that with women’s clothes, so it is very important to have women in the team who can really respond to that. It is just logical. It makes total sense. Why would a team of only men design for women? It is like the White House—all these white middle-aged men deciding women’s rights. That just makes no sense.

How do you see Sies Marjan evolving? Do your conversations with Joey about the three-year or five-year plan make you feel excited or slightly terrified?
They don’t terrify me. I am really excited to have put something out there in such a short space of time, which means we can already start thinking about what a piece of Sies Marjan furniture might look like, or a shoe, menswear, children’s wear. It is quite defined already. For me, quite soon the womenswear won’t be enough. I already want more. We started shoes, which had not originally been in the plan. They will be in stores from August, when we are also starting our online store, in the USA to begin with. Then we have our menswear capsule collection, which we are working on now. But we are taking things as they come; they are like Postits, and we just take them off the wall as we get to them. We were going to do bags first, but then no one cared for bags and suddenly everyone was screaming for shoes, so we did shoes. Then the buyers were saying: ‘We love what you wear, Sander. We want men to dress like you.’ We said fine, let’s do a menswear collection! We go with the flow, with the end goal of becoming a brand where you can  get your clothes and your pillows, shoes, bags, and then furniture. That would be a dream. Maybe not at the scale of Ralph Lauren. But the idea of creating a world with the identity of Sies Marjan makes me really excited. That’s what I think we should be doing.

More than scale?
Yes, more than scale. We need to make sure we make money and are profitable, but it is not so much about scale, more about your footprint in the market. From there on, you just grow in the way that you grow. Five years ago, it was very different. You could have projected your growth, then, and it was an easy calculation. Now that is off the table and it might take a few years before you get to a certain point, which before it would have taken a year to reach. Then again, it can happen that you are an overnight sensation. Look at Vetements, look at Off-White. I mean, look at us. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, we are like ‘boom’. That can also go the other way around. Some of the things we did will probably not work at all, but what is nice with our set up is that we are able to experiment. Also, I trust my team. If someone says, ‘I really think we should  do this, we keep hearing from this market and this is what they want’, then it is up to me to listen and react.

It does feel like this company is being well brought up, based on the collective team here. It feels like a solid base on which you can build.
Yes, totally. Starting a brand when you come out of college has always been a hard thing to do, but even more so now. There is virtually no space for that anymore. That is why I was really clear when Joey and I were speaking, that if we do this, we have to sit next to those brands in the department stores, the Célines and the Alaïas, and not become ‘the young brand’. We wanted to establish ourselves. We can’t be like that kid who just graduated. With the elements we have and the people we hired and the amount of experience people have—not too much, not too little—we can both see what is possible and avoid making stupid beginner’s mistakes. I’m not talking about the pattern cutters, but me and Joey and Louise and the design team. I think that that amount of experience is really perfect. Five to 10 years is enough for you to understand what it is all about, but not be ruined by it yet.

Below, a short film by System—made with footages from 16 CCTV cameras installed in Sies Marjan’s atelier before it became the venue for its SS18 show:

Film by Robert Nethery
Photography by Colin Dodgson
Models: Sasha Pivovarova and Achok Majak

Special thanks: Anita Bitton at Establishment Casting, and Sara Helmig

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Paris Men’s Fashion Week AW20 Street style: The sweet spot of structure and chaos

19.01.2020
By Stephanie Boey

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When it comes to structured silhouettes, there is a sense of order and science behind the sleek clean lines. And it’s a beautiful sight when architectural shapes take the form of clothing, converting its wearer into a walking canvas of modern art. However, because of its geometry and sharp angles, the aesthetic is often followed by a tone of seriousness. Spotted on the streets of Paris, showgoers found a beautiful balance of chaos and structure.
Strict shapes were offset with haphazard details for a twist of exciting unpredictability that guarantee a double take. A boxy cropped jacket in grey paired with neon-printed trousers make the unexpected pair (look 1), your run-of-the-mill knitted sweater receives an artful layer (look 2), while a traditional rectangular top handle bag gets a second look with circular cut-outs (look 3). The best looks from Paris Men’s Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2020 street style brought up a feeling of delightful confusion, bringing a sense of madness to the regular order. The key is in the balance.
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{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] Paris Men’s Fashion Week AW20 street style” rid=”7804″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Lifestyle
The best tips for planning your own party as shared by Malaysian event planners
Party professionals

25.07.2017
By Rachel Au

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When throwing a party, some might decide to just leave it to the professionals and hire event planners and stylists; others revel in the planning process. For the latter, we enlisted the help of four Malaysian professionals—Leann Choong of Pathway Events & Design, Sherly Abd Aziz of Tie the Knot, Eunice Chan of Moments, and Adeline Tan of Mint Events & Soireés—to dish their expert party planning advice.

What’s a popular theme for parties that you have encountered nowadays?

Leann Choong: Pool parties are pretty popular these days—with lots of summer vibes, loud colours and massive inflatable floats to complete the mood.

Adeline Tan: Hawaiian Luau themes are a favourite with pool parties nowadays but otherwise, carnival and circus themes. Those never grow old.
Sherly Abd Aziz: For kids parties, it’s usually whatever the current popular Disney cartoon or superhero is. As of late, Star Wars, Moana and Trolls seem to be at the top of the list. As for adults, the ladies tend to opt for floral or whimsical themes while the men prefer a more monochromatic theme (with lots of booze).

Your best advice when it comes to planning a party on your own.
Eunice Chan: Choosing the right venue is something most people take for granted but it’s actually one of the most vital things to look into. A spacious venue with good ventilation and ambience matters when you’re in a room packed with partying guests. You wouldn’t want them to be sweating away, struggling to squeeze their way through from one end to another, or squinting to catch what’s going on.

Leann: Have a clear idea of your budget and theme as this will ease the entire planning process while keeping your expenses in-check. On that note, do work on your invitation list ahead of time to work on RSVPs and drop outs.

Sherly: Get organised with a To Do List. Determine where is the main area you want the focal point of the party to be. That will then be where you put the most effort in terms of decorations and styling before you personalise other areas. This will be more impactful rather than trying to scatter the décor which might end up looking a little lost. Also, don’t be afraid of DIY. There are a lot of easy and helpful tutorials on YouTube to help with practically anything.

How far ahead should one plan for a party?
Eunice: At least three months beforehand. It’s a good lead-time for you to book your venue, lock in your vendors, have your guests RSVP and to source for the other bits and pieces in between.

Leann: That really depends on the scale of the party and whether it’s simple or elaborate. An intimate party at a restaurant with balloons, flowers and cake can be planned within one to two weeks. A party of a bigger scale that requires invitations and securing various vendors (venue, decorations, food, entertainment, gifts) may take more than three weeks of planning.

Adeline: As soon as you have a date and venue, start sending out invitations to block your guests’ calendars.

Any tips for those who wishes to throw a surprise birthday party?
Sherly: Don’t leave any clues behind and ensure the friends you inform can really keep a secret (so no telling the kids!). Capture the moment of surprise on camera be it in a photo or video. Most importantly, it’s best to invite close friends and keep it intimate as opposed to having it as a huge bash.

Adeline: Indicate clearly that it’s a surprise party on the invitation. Spelling out the time of the surprise walk-in also helps to manage the guests’ punctuality.

It’s Buro’s birthday this month! Which vendor would you recommend to get a cake from?
Eunice: JY Food Lab and Bitter/Sweet are some of the vendors we’ve worked with that does a spectacular work, visually and taste-wise. But to be honest, you can also buy any cake off the counter and add your personal touch to it with some edible flowers, chocolate bars, and a custom made topper—it could save you quite a large sum.

A post shared by Moments (@momentswedd) on Jan 12, 2017 at 10:04pm PST

Leann: We love the cakes and desserts by Shaun Teo and Foret Blanc! Both are so talented and offer fully customised cakes with beautiful designs.

Sherly: Love the cakes and treats from Xiao by Crustz. Do try her!

A post shared by Tie the Knot (Sherly) (@tietheknot.my) on Jun 19, 2017 at 6:10am PDT

Adeline: Miss Shortcakes!

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The Met Gala 2020 has officially been cancelled

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It’s official, this year’s Met Gala has been cancelled. After the COVID-19 outbreak early this year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that they would be postponing this year’s gala until further notice. Anna Wintour, the chair of fashion’s biggest event, said in a statement, “One day that will not arrive on schedule will be the opening of the Costume Institute’s exhibition, ‘About Time.’ Due to the unavoidable and responsible decision by the Metropolitan Museum to close its doors, ‘About Time,’ and the opening night gala, will be postponed to a later date”
Unfortunately, the postponement has lead to a cancellation. Early today, the Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed that this year’s Met Gala 2020 will be in fact cancelled “due to the global health crisis”. President of the Met museum, Daniel H. Weiss says, “the Met has endured much in its 150 years and today continues as a beacon of hope for the future. This museum is also a profound reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of art to offer comfort, inspiration, and community. As we endure these challenging and uncertain times, we are encouraged by looking forward to the day when we can once again welcome all to enjoy the Met’s collection and exhibitions”.
Good news: The ‘About Time: Fashion and Duration’ exhibit is still scheduled to open on 29 October. In our initial report on the theme reveal last year, we learned that the theme was inspired by the works of English writer Virginia Woolf and French-Jewish philosopher Henri Bergson, and is a reference to the 1992 film Orlando by Sally Potter.

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Lifestyle
Editor’s Picks: From a mask-friendly smartphone to anti-ageing haircare, these are the top picks for August 2020

16.08.2020
By Rachel Au

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

iPhone SE, starts at RM1,999

First thoughts: “Wow, it fits in my palm.” While most of the latest flagship smartphones out there are favouring larger screens for better video and gaming experience, the second-generation iPhone SE is a lot smaller and reminiscent of the earlier iPhone days. Was the brief truly to build an affordable iPhone with the best features it can offer? If so, #nailedit! The result: a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, the fastest chip in a smartphone, and the best single-camera system (which includes Portrait mode).
Click through the gallery below for a sample of images taken with the iPhone SE.

That also means going back to Touch ID, which most people would appreciate given the times. Unlocking the iPhone SE with my fingerprint proved way faster than Face ID failing to recognise me behind the mask, then keying in my passcode. Most things on the iPhone SE works just as fast thanks to the A13 Bionic chip, the same chip that powers the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. It’s this chip too that grants the iPhone SE greater battery life and with fast charging capabilities, it juices up to 50 per cent charge in just 30 minutes. Photos look pretty decent, even under low light despite the lack of Night Mode; because Smart HDR saves the day. If you just need a phone for the basics but value a powerful and efficient eco-system, the iPhone SE is worth its price tag.
Shiseido Professional Sublimic Adenovital, from RM95-RM275

Just like how it’s never too early to start anti-ageing skincare, the same can be said for haircare. Like most things, a good foundation is key and Shiseido Professional’s research that has spanned over 100 years has discovered that promising hair growth is dependant on the deepest layer of the scalp. If the hair root doesn’t attach itself firmly in the deepest layer of the scalp from the start, it can soon lead to hair loss or thinning due to ageing. Hence, their solution was born in the form of the new Sublimic Adenovital range. Newly-formulated with Core Powerising Technology, the range helps to deliver active ingredients to the deep layers, encouraging and enhancing both hair growth and radiance directly from the core. With the Scalp Power-Shot, for example, even newly-born hair roots will penetrate deeper into the scalp and from there, they’ll continue to receive hair growth signals and stay rooted for longer. The range includes a shampoo, scalp treatment, hair treatment, hair mask and a volume serum—and all of them features a refreshing citrusy scent with uplifting notes of herbs. Consider it salon-level haircare for at home.
UA HOVR Phantom 2, RM699

I’ve heard plenty of good reviews for Under Armour‘s running shoes so when I was given a pair of the latest UA HOVR Phantom 2 to test out those very compliments, the challenge was accepted. Everything about the smart shoes was upgraded: from the cushioning to the fit and feel. But hold up, it’s true. Embedded with a chip, Under Armour’s HOVR shoes are smart shoes where, connected with the MapMyRun app, will give you real-time data on your performance as well as personalised coaching and training plans. With a stretchy, sock-like fit, the UA HOVR Phantom 2 proves to be one of the most comfortable shoes made for running while delivering more energy return with every step. Another plus point—the soft upper adapted with perforations over the toe and forefoot, making it extra breathable. It has, perhaps, given me an extra reason to pick up running again.
By Ecom Reclar Water Peeling Device, RM464 via Ksisters

A rising Korean skincare brand founded by popular South Korean beauty influencer, I was intrigued to try By Ecom’s Heartleaf lineup since the star ingredient was a popular K-beauty ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties called Houttuynia Cordata (Heartleaf). Designed for oily/combination skin and to soothe skin with breakouts and redness, it seemed exactly up my alley. The Reclar Water Peeling Device that’s part of it, however, gave me doubts. Described as a water peeling device, the slim gadget with a blade-like shape didn’t look like it would do much. As instructed, I first placed a cotton pad soaked with the Heartleaf Blackhead Cleaner for five minutes before using the device in an upwards “scraping” motion. The science behind it is called galvanic ion technology and to my surprise, it really did unclog pores and removed dead skin cells as my skin evidently felt smoother, rid of the bumpy blackheads I felt prior. The downside is that it makes the skin feel a little dry after so I followed up with the Heartleaf Purifying Mask. Enriched with French green clay and five kinds of powder, the mask did several things: cleanse pores while balancing sebum levels, soothe and calm the skin. Post-regime (which included the moisture-rich Heartleaf Poreless Water toner and a moisturiser), my skin was noticeably brighter, firmer and smoother. Can’t wait to try the device’s light therapy option as well, which is said to deliver anti-ageing and whitening effects.

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Fashion
The best of NYFW SS19 day 6: Oscar de la Renta’s cage bags

12.09.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

Statement accessories were the order of the day at Oscar de la Renta, complementing the eclectic, nomadic essence of the clothes that came down the runway with zest. There were graphic strappy sandals, fringe heels, quirky chandelier earrings, gold chain necklaces and bracelets, and funky clutches. But what really caught our attention were the structural, cage-like bags, like the one that accompanied Gigi Hadid’s languid kurta-style ensemble. Take a closer look beyond the studded structure and you’ll see that there is a bird pouch inside, a super-cute touch of practicality—you’ll need somewhere to stash your essentials after all. How’s that for elevating your summer looks with a touch of kitsch?

Get daily updates on New York Fashion Week SS19 here.

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Buro Loves
4 Ways to up your eye care game (while taking years off your face)

29.06.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

Taking care of the windows to your soul is a lifelong effort — your anti-ageing eye care should begin in your 20s as prevention is always your best bet, rather than scouring for solutions once you hit your 40s. While a healthy lifestyle does work wonders to your eye area (let’s be honest, no eye cream can beat the glorious effects of a good night’s sleep), add these to your skincare routine if you’re looking for a reliable fix to your undereye wrinkles, puffiness and crow’s feet.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl

Weekends call for an indulgent night in with an eye and face mask in place. Try Lancôme’s first ever instant illuminator eye mask that helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while illuminating your eye contours. The bio-cellulose sheet is infused with an eye serum that has the same probiotic extracts as Lancôme’s new Génifique Yeux Eye cream formula. Leave it over your peepers for 10 minutes and wait for its miraculous results thereafter.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

Take the time to pamper your eyes with Estée Lauder’s new formula that aims to give eyes a wide-open look. Its skin-strengthening formula has a concentrated infusion of hyaluronic acid to nourish your eye area while minimising the appearance of wrinkles, lines and dark circles. For a sensorial experience, gently roll the massaging applicator in a 360° circle under each eye and above the lid for three times, then finish your routine by patting the formula with your finger until it completely absorbs into your skin.

Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Lift Eye Cream

Go with a holistic approach with this new anti-ageing eye cream from Neal’s Yard Remedies. Its signature Frankincense Active Phyto Complex helps to protect your eye area from environmental stressors that accelerate skin ageing, while a blend of green tea caffeine and organic green coffee seed oil works wonders if you’ve got the most stubborn dark eye circles.

In case you’ve got sensitive eyes…

If your eye area is extremely delicate, give REN’s Evercalm Eye Serum a go. Made for sensitive eyes, it has botanical extracts that help with anti-inflammation alongside combating swelling, redness and itchiness. The best part is its lightweight, fluid texture that absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy residue.

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Beauty
Actress Chloë Grace Moretz bares all for SK-II’s inspiring, makeup-free campaign

02.07.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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For those who believe that they can’t possibly step outside the house without an inch (or at the very least, a thin layer) of makeup on their faces — just remember that you don’t actually need that swipe of concealer or dash of lip colour to feel confident. Let’s be real: Your natural beauty shines when you’ve got a confident attitude down pat. While healthy self-esteem and self-image play a major role in this instance, it also helps to arm yourself with a foolproof skincare routine.
Japanese beauty brand SK-II is championing this notion with their new campaign, the #BareSkinProject. With an aim to make this statement loud and clear to women across the globe, the brand has collaborated with six global celebrities for this purpose. These muses took on the challenge of showcasing their bare skin for the first time with the help of SK-II’s bestselling Facial Treatment Essence. Shot by photographers Christopher Anderson, Alessandra Sanguinetti and Jim Goldberg, the campaign features 21-year old actress Chloë Grace Moretz and five other celebrities with zero makeup on.
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Watch Moretz’s bare-skin journey with SK-II below:

Read on to find out her thoughts on going makeup-free for the #BareSkinProject:
What was your first reaction when you first found out about the #BareSkinProject?
It was so refreshing to hear about a campaign that aims to embrace women’s natural beauty and spark a movement of authenticity and confidence. I knew that this was a perfect fit for me and what I represent. I was a bit anxious as this would be the first time I’d be photographed without makeup, but I was incredibly excited to be included in the project.

What does going bare skin with no make up mean to you?
As I grew up, I became more confident without makeup because I focused on taking care of my skin, starting with the basics. I now find so much beauty in the simplicity of bare skin. Putting your bare skin forward, into the world, should be something all women feel comfortable doing and through the #BareSkinProject, we hope to make them more confident in doing so.

How do you think your fans will react to such campaign?
I think they will be excited about the authenticity of the project and the message of empowerment. This is such a naturalistic campaign and different from what I’ve done so far, which usually involves getting into character to become someone other than myself. With the #BareSkinProject, it was really refreshing to just be me and to let natural beauty and glow shine through.

How did you prepare for the photoshoot?
I started using SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence. I use it in the day and at night to help my skin lock in moisture. I felt that SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence has 100% helped — I wake up with a natural tone and glow to my complexion. It has given me clear and glowing skin which made me feel so much more confident on set.

The #BareSkinProject is about inspiring women all over the world to embrace their natural bare skin beauty. What would you say to your fans who look up to you to encourage them to be confident in their natural bare skin?
Embrace who you truly are! You don’t need to hide behind anything, including makeup. You don’t have to follow societal norms. Take care of your mental and physical health. I find that meditation, yoga and a daily workout keeps me grounded, focused and helps with confidence.

What was your experience like shooting for the #BareSkinProject and working with Christopher Anderson and Alessandra Sanguinetti?
It was a very exciting experience. From the video shoot to working with Christopher Anderson to working with Alessandra (Sanguinetti), each shoot was very different and multi-faceted. It was nice to be able to show my bare skin journey through the short film that showcases the whole shooting experience with the two photographers — Christopher and Alessandra. Both of them were really professional and fun to work with and I really enjoyed the process.
I think it’s great that a massive brand like SK-II is backing real raw beauty and allowing me to be completely bare skin and show who I am to the world on a global campaign level which I think is so shocking, incredible and exciting. It’s the right step forward in 2018 and personally, it felt very invigorating and freeing. I felt very confident after the shoot and I think even more so, I would wear my bare skin as a badge of honour now.

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Watches
In full bloom: Buro 24/7 unveils Van Cleef & Arpels’ Frivole collection in style
An afternoon delight

22.03.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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The impressive flower wall outside the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique at Starhill Gallery gave guests a preview of what to expect in the store. Yesterday afternoon, Buro 24/7 Malaysia co-hosted an exclusive event with the French jewellery brand to unveil the latest Frivole collection that has just arrived on our shores. Celebrities and friends of Buro turned up to take a peek (and try out) the new additions to the collection, comprising nine creations characterised by the iconic heart-shaped petals folded to angle on a groove down their middle. Esteemed guests including Zaida Ibrahim, YM Datin Indera Che Puan Amelia, Lee Yin Yen, and Bella Kuan had the opportunity to wear a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels pieces throughout the event as well.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Buro x Van Cleef Arpels 1″ rid=”4938″ order=”a_tstamp”}
After a welcome speech by our Deputy Editor Gwen Ong, Retail Director of Van Cleef and Arpels Julie Clody gave a brief introduction of the Frivole collection—a foliage inspired lineup that takes on the floral motif (a signature of Van Cleef & Arpels since the 1920s). The savoir-faire of the Frivole’s designs are evident with a closer look at each cluster of petals, all boasting a three-dimentional form that allows a subtle, natural fold. Nine additions to the existing collection include ethereal bracelets that come in a new size with a single bloom alongside yellow gold pieces paved with top-grade diamonds.
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Apart from taking in the sparkling sights from the glass showcases, guests indulged in bubbly and canapés while customising their bouquet of blooms at a flower market within the store. What better way to top off the evening with a mandatory pose by the flower wall, replete with their personalised blooms? As the event came to an end, guests went home with said flowers, fragrance from Van Cleef & Arpels, and Buro 24/7 Malaysia merchandise.

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Fashion
8 Style lessons to pick up from local heart-throb Meerqeen
Cool, suave and stylish

24.06.2022
By Pravin Nair

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Actor and influencer Meerqeen has slowly risen into popularity since placing third in Hero Remaja 19/20, a local talent scouting competition that encompasses intelligence, style, bravery and looks in its assessment of participants. Currently the leading man in Melur Untuk Firdaus, a TV drama airing on Disney+ Hotstar, alongside our March cover star Anna Jobling, the 21-year-old artist has been attracting extra attention from fans online, as well as industry insiders, due to his boyish looks, tall, model-esque physique, unwavering confidence and exceptional acting skills.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meerqeen (@meerqeen)

Lately, Meerqeen has become quite the fashion darling about town, always appearing at high-end fashion parties and dressed in the latest designer collections as seen on his Instagram. However, what we’ve gathered from his postings is that he has a stellar individual style too. Below, we’ve dissected his everyday looks and broken down tips on how you (or your boyfriend) can dress better, inspired by the man of the moment.
1. Staples are necessary

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meerqeen (@meerqeen)

A crisp white shirt can really turn your outfit from zero to a hundred quickly. Truly timeless, it is the foundation of every gentleman’s wardrobe and can be worn for every occasion. Plan to wear it to the beach like Meerqeen here? It works! Want to wear it to the office? Pair it with slacks and you’ve got yourself a stylish, work-appropriate outfit. Follow the star and match it with blue denims jeans for a knockout casual look.
Shop a crisp white shirt here
2. Layer on

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meerqeen (@meerqeen)

Earlier this month, Meerqeen marked another year around the sun, and to celebrate, he posted an obligatory birthday post thanking his fans, wearing a black blazer over a plain tee and blue jeans that absolutely uplifts his outfit. Another versatile piece, the blazer, especially one in this colour, injects sophistication into an otherwise plain look.
Enhance your basic ‘fit game by adding this jacket to your wardrobe
3. All-black elegance

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A post shared by Meerqeen (@meerqeen)

How do you go wrong in an all-black outfit? The answer is, you don’t! Pictured here is Meerqeen standing tall and poised in a black T-shirt and a pair of jeans to match. However, the cherry on top of the cake is ultimately the warm brown tortoiseshell sunglasses that give his look a vintage twist.
Get yourself a pair of tortoiseshell sun

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Film, TV + Theatre
For one night only: An Evening with The Phantom of the Opera in KL
Softly, deftly, coming our way

09.04.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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The Phantom of the Opera began its run on Broadway in 1988. The beautiful music by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stillgoe brought the novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux to life in spectacular manner, and three decades on, it remains one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

If you have been longing to hear the classics of the iconic musical live, then mark down 18 April on your calendar. For one night only, Milestone Production is set to present ‘An Evening with The Phantom of the Opera’, a musical concert celebrating the musical’s 30th anniversary on Broadway. Taking place at the Manhattan Ballroom in Berjaya Times Square Hotel, the 75-minute show will feature world-class theatre performers Michael Cormick and Claire Lyon. Your favourite songs are in good hands—Cormick played the lead role of Raoul in the London West End production of The Phantom of the Opera for three years, while Lyon took on the role of Christine in the World Tour of the musical from 2012 to 2015.

The two renowned performers will be belting out the show’s best tunes—as well as songs from other musicals—under the leadership of music director Bernard Walz. Safe to say you’ll be in for a night to remember.

An Evening with The Phantom of the Opera will take place at 8.30pm in the Manhattan Ballroom, Berjaya Times Square KL. For ticketing and more information, visit www.milestone-entertainment.com.

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Lifestyle
7 Things you can do this weekend: 6—7 January 2018
First weekend of 2018

03.01.2018
By Rachel Au

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

1. Arts & Lights Vol. 2 – Rainbow Riot at M Centura, Sentul, 6 – 28 Jan
Missed the first edition at Icon City PJ last month? That’s okay because Mah Sing Group plans to make a series out of their Arts & Lights exhibition. Vol. 2 features new installations with a very big splash of colours for the theme this round.
Admission is free but you’ll have to register here first.

2. Rise and Run 2.0 by lululemon KL at Bangsar Sports Complex, 6.45am – 9.45am, 6 Jan
On a global scale, lululemon has started a 40|80 Challenge. Locally, in conjunction with that challenge, they’re inviting you to join them for a 10km run with their ambassador Karen Siah.
For more info, visit the event page.

3. Komune-ity Yoga with MissMafia at Komune Coworking, 11am – 12pm, 6 Jan
Don’t feel like pushing yourself too much? Yoga’s a great way to reset your mind, body and soul for the new year.
You’ll need to bring your own mat, water and towel. For more info, visit the website.

4. Edible Gardening in The City at The Bungalow 35, 9am – 12pm, 6 Jan
New year, new you—and maybe the new you is interested in growing your own vegetables and herbs. It’s doable even if you live in a condominium. The Hive has teamed up with Ground Control and The Bungalow 35 to teach you all the basics in this hands-on workshop.
RM150 per person. For more info, visit the website.

5. Japanese tea and wagashi session at Tea Press, The Japanese Tea Roasters, 10.30am – 1.30pm, 7 Jan
Learn about Japanese tea culture and watch a wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery) demonstration by Nagai Yoshiki of Tea Press. You’ll be able to indulge in the treats at the end of the session.
For more info, visit the event page.

6. Chinese New Year Baking Class at Iloha Culture Centre, 10am – 2pm, 7 Jan
In light of the Year of the Dog, why not learn how to make your own dog-shaped chocolate chip cookies as well as almond crisps?
RMwatches-and-jewellery-mens per person. For more info, visit the event page.

7. Reserve your seats for a dining experience with 1-Michelin-starred Chef Mario Cittadini at Mandarin Grill @ Mandarin Oriental
From 11 to 14 January, embark on a unique Italian epicurean journey with 1-Michelin-starred Chef Mario Cittadini at the wheel. Expect tantalising gourmet dishes such as tortelli with parmesan emulsion and black truffle caviar, and a special 25-layered lasagna with Neapolitan ragout and scamorza cheese fondue. Choose from the 3-, 4- or 5-course menu for lunch while dinner offers either a 5- or 7-course menu.
To make a reservation, call 03 2179 8960 or email [email protected]. For more info, visit the website.

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Beauty
SK-II’s latest ‘PITERA™ and Me’ video reveals TWICE Mina’s unbelievable skin transformation

23.05.2022
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

Just a few months ago, we announced that TWICE’s MINA had been named the latest global ambassador for SK-II and that she had debuted her new role with the self-directed PITERA™ and Me campaign. In the first video from the campaign, we got to take a sneak peek into MINA’s life, where she shared her hopes for her new beginning with the PITERA™ Essence. We fell in love with her candid and bubbly personality as she laid out her plans for the future (Spoiler alert: Knitting and travelling are just two things on her to-do list!).
Well, the PITERA™ and Me series has returned, and, in its latest instalment, we checked back in with MINA as she shares the progress of her skin transformation with the PITERA™ Essence. In short: So far, so good!

This first video from the series chronicles the starlet’s first impressions of the cult-favourite essence loved by millions worldwide, and it’s filled with relatable moments. For any fellow Gen Zs who believe that a good skincare routine can wait, MINA is here to change your mind, just as how the PITERA™ Essence changed hers.
“I thought that SK-II was a brand for adults, so I wondered if it was too early for me to use it,” she recalls. “But after I tried to use it, I felt that I had to start using it now.” Why? In her words, “it’s important to start right now for my future ahead.”
For the record, she’s entirely right. Skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation and premature ageing may seem like a distant concern for Gen Zs, but truth be told, a good skincare routine is an investment best adopted as early as possible. Aside from improving the quality of your skin in the short-term, great skincare will better your odds of ageing gracefully in the future too. And, of course, there’s really no better companion for your journey to Crystal Clear Skin than the PITERA™ Essence. How so? Well, you’re about to see the receipts.

In the next self-directed clip, MINA finally begins her ‘PITERA™ and Me’ journey, and the results so far are jaw-dropping. Not only is she glowing, but her skin looks absolutely flawless—so much so that it’s genuinely hard to believe that she’s completely bare-faced in these videos.
According to MINA, her main skin concern is “extreme dryness” within her skin; an issue that is only exacerbated by her hectic work schedule. “What I expect from the PITERA™ Essence is whether it will help the dryness,” she declares. As it stands, the best-selling essence has far exceeded her expectations (and, judging by what we can see from the clip, has put her right on track to Crystal Clear Skin): “It’s lightweight but feels like it’s absorbed into the skin. It feels mochi-mochi. It’s amazing, it’s perfect.”
Seeing MINA’s incredible results has been so inspiring that Team BURO has decided to embark on our own #PITERAandMe journey. We’re thrilled to see how our skin will change with our new PITERA™ Essence routine, and we urge you to join us on this journey, too. If you’re keen on kickstarting your #PITERAandMe experience, you can score the SK-II PITERA™ Essence here!

About the PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence
SK-II’s beloved PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence has definitely earned its reputation as the “Miracle Water”. Used and loved by millions of women worldwide, its lightweight and nourishing formula is a cult-favourite among beauty aficionados thanks to its incredible transformative effects on the skin—most of which are thanks to the brand’s star ingredient, PITERA™.
The SK-II-exclusive ingredient is made from the fermentation of a unique yeast strain and mimics the skin’s Natural Moisturising Factors (NMF), enhancing the natural function of our skin. In addition, it claims to help moderate the skin’s renewal cycle and promote healthy skin turnover, leaving you looking smoother, dewier, and more youthful.
Find out more about the #PITERAandME campaign here and watch the videos here.

This article was written in collaboration with SK-II. Find more beauty news here.

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Watch the Dior AW18 livestream here

Fashion
Watch the Dior AW18 livestream here
#DiorAW18

27.02.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

Maria Grazia Chiuri has made her views on feminism loud and clear through her collections since taking over the creative reins at Dior. Expect that conversation to continue, as Chiuri revisits Paris in the ’60s for the upcoming Dior AW18 show, when a new revolutionary and defiant feminist spirit was sweeping through the streets. Will there be more statement tees? Stay tuned to find out right here:

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Fashion
Fernanda Ly takes a (mariachi) subway ride for Kate Spade New York’s summer campaign
Riding high

16.05.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

What better way to welcome the sweltering joy of summer in a big city than with a mariachi band in a subway ride? Kate Spade New York had that exact idea in mind for its latest Summer 2017 campaign, featuring a digital images and a short film shot at the New York City Transit Museum. Bringing the artful flair of Mexico City to its home base New York, the campaign reflects Mexican influences such as piñatas, cacti, carnations, hummingbirds, and the like. It also sees the return of candy-haired model Fernanda Ly (her debut for the brand was for the Spring 2017 ads) as the quintessential Kate Spade New York girl—riding the subway on a hot summer day as she basks in the joyful sounds of Flor de Toloache, an all-female Mariachi band.
“This season, we are about joyous, personal self-expression, and as always, we find the extraordinary in the everyday moments right here in New York.” – Deborah Lloyd, Kate Spade New York President and Chief Creative Officer.
Take a look at the Kate Spade New York Summer 2017 campaign here:

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Let’s cook: Teriyaki salmon bowl recipe

Food + Drink
Let’s cook: Teriyaki salmon bowl recipe
Something different

02.02.2016
By Buro247

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Besides being brain food, fish are packed with nutrients and are excellent sources of high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals (including potassium, selenium and vitamin B12).

What makes oily fish such a very popular choice though is their content of omega-3 fatty acid, that contribute to healthy brain functions (reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and depression), the heart, joints and general wellbeing. Omega-3 is termed as an essential fatty acid because our bodies cannot produce them and we must eat them or take supplements. To optimise your body’s supply of essential fats rich in EPA and DHA, try to eat oily fish – such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and fresh tuna – at least twice a week.

Ingredients
2 salmon fillets (100g each) – sliced sideways
1 medium egg
2 handful of baby bok choy or any favourite leafy greens
1 cup soaked brown rice
2 cups water

Teriyaki Sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free option)
1 tablespoon mirin
1 tablespoon sake (optional)

Method
1. Soak brown rice overnight or for at least 4 hours. If using a pot to cook, add brown rice and water and bring to boil. Then lower heat to simmer for about 10 minutes or until water is fully absorbed. Keep covered for another 10 minutes to steam the rice.
2. While waiting for the rice to cook, heat up a non-stick 6″ pan on low heat. If using a normal pan, lightly coat the pan with vegetable oil. Whisk egg with a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Pour egg onto the pan and swirl the mixture around to get a thin layer of omelette. In about 1 minute, the top will be dried and cooked through. Remove and slide off the omelette onto a chopping board. Roll the omelette and slice thinly from the end.
3. Using the same pan, pan fry the salmon fillets for about 2 minutes on each side on medium heat. Remove the fillets and set aside.
4. Mix teriyaki sauce ingredients in a small bowl and pour the sauce into the same pan. When it starts to simmer, switch off the heat and add the salmon fillets back to the pan to coat them in the sauce.
5. Just before serving, place baby bok choy into the pot of rice to let the residue heat gently steam the veggie for 2 minutes. I put the veggie directly on top of the rice. This will produce slightly crunchy bok choy, which I prefer. Steam longer if you prefer wilted bok choy.
6. Plate a bowl of rice, and top with salmon, bok choy and omelette, with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce. Itadakimasu!

Note:
If you do not have sake, replace with rice wine or omit altogether. You won’t be getting an authentic teriyaki sauce, but it is just as delish.

Get more nutritious yet delicious recipes like this on PurelyB, a healthy lifestyle website.

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Features
NYFW SS18: How to colour-block like a pro
Colour-ific

15.09.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Fashion Insider: Content creator Eros Erfe on the inspiration behind the ‘Bags of KL’ series

With fall nowhere in sight (just yet), street style folk at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 took it upon themselves to dress in every colour of the rainbow this past week. Adding much needed vigour to the gritty landscape, the memo of the week was colour-blocking—in every imaginative way possible. Colour combinations you never thought would work were pulled off successfully by these fashion-forward crowd. Aubergine with ochre and dark green? Nailed it with chic accessories and a statement top (Look 15). Mint green, pastel pink and marigold? The perfect colour palette for springtime in the city (Look 25). If the abundance of colour terrifies you a little, try experimenting via accessories, be it a statement-making bag that matches your shoes (Look 2), or even mismatched socks in two different yet complementary hues (Look 4). Take some colour-centric lessons from our favourite looks below on how you can pull off every shade in your wardrobe with confidence:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”NYFW SS18 Colour Blocking street style” rid=”5460″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Highlights of Day 8, NYFW SS18
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Watches
Five ‘Year of the Rooster’ watches to usher in the Chinese New Year
Prep for the new year

04.01.2017
By Buro247

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The Chinese zodiac is based on a twelve-year cycle where each year is related to an animal sign. Come January 28, 2017, the star of the Chinese New Year is the rooster. With many excellent characteristics, the rooster is often described as independent, quick-minded and confident. Said to take pride in its appearance and be punctual (hence the morning call), the boisterous bird seems to be the perfect subject for eccentric watch dials. Here, we’ve compiled five timepieces designed to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year:

Ulysse Nardin Year of the Rooster Classico watch

Ulysse Nardin’s watch rendition of this year’s Chinese zodiac is a rooster portrayed on the dial in vibrant colours and bold shimmer, achieved by blending a host of different metallic oxides. With a sapphire caseback to enable viewing of the meticulously finished movement, there are only 88 pieces of this exclusive 40mm timepiece.

Piaget Altiplano Chinese Zodiac

Marking the fifth year that Piaget created a zodiac sign-themed timepiece, this year’s rendition features a rooster on the dial of its ultra-thin Altiplano watch. Using a cloisonné enameling technique, the shadows and depth of the rooster’s feathers are defined with contrasting gray, white and black, teamed with a tinge of vibrant red on the comb of the rooster’s head and its wattle beneath the chin. With just 38 limited pieces of the 38mm watch, this 18-karat white gold case is bedecked with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art the legend of the Chinese Zodiac

This luxury Swiss brand unveils two renditions of its Métiers d’Art ‘Legend of the Chinese Zodiac’ watches—one in 18-karat white gold against a blue Grand Feu enamel dial and another in 18-karat rose gold against a copper-coloured Grand Feu enamel dial. With a transparent sapphire caseback on the 40mm watch to allow viewing of the movement, only 12 pieces of each version will be made.

Jaquet Droz Petite-Heure Chinese Fire Rooster

Depicted in hand-painted sophistication on the dial, a vibrant blue and gold rooster stands in the center against a background of Grand Feu enamel. Available in a sculptured rooster version, an 18-karat gold rooster is sculpted by hand on the dial. Each of the 35mm or 39mm watches is created in a limited edition of 28 pieces.

Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi – Year of the Rooster

Turning to the ancient Japanese art of Urushi lacquer painting, the rooster is stunningly portrayed on an ultra-thin L.U.C. watch. Combining Japanese art with Swiss craftsmanship, this timepiece displays head-turning colours and artistic textures. This 18-karat rose gold number is being crafted in a limited edition of only 88 pieces.

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Beauty
Watch: All the merrymaking at the Buro 24/7 Malaysia Christmas Beauty Dollhouse surprise lunch
Flashback Friday!

22.12.2016
By Gwen Ong

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BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

As they say, ’tis the season where our steps are lighter, our smiles are wider and our hearts are fuller. We got into the spirit of #BuroLovesGiving and played Santarinas recently hosting a group of Friends of Buro to an intimate lunch. Over bubbly and desserts, beautiful memories were made as we caught up with each personality and laughed ourselves silly over a game of passing the parcel.
To cap off the day’s affair, our Friends of Buro were in for a surprise as we presented each of them with a custom-made Buro 24/7 Malaysia Christmas Beauty Dollhouse. The exclusive beauty box contained a selection of gifts from skincare to makeup, haircare and fragrance. All the ladies went home with gifts from Chanel, La Prairie, Cosme Decorte, Shu Uemura, SKII, Lancôme, Sulwhasoo, Makeup Forever, NARS, Dior, L’Oreal Professionnel and Panasonic in a Mercedes-Benz automobile. Needless to say, the Buro 24/7 Malaysia Christmas lunch ended on a sweet note with squeals of delight and the widest of grins.
Catch all the highlights of the afternoon in the video below:

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Beauty
So, this is what boot camp for the face feels like
Minus the workout

05.01.2018
By Terry Saw

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BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

From homegrown fashion designers to beauty entrepreneurs, nothing beats the feeling of seeing local talents and businesses thrive. What started as a passion project for Emily Loo, Founder of Beauté Library, is now a successful premium holistic beauty brand that is seven years strong in the market and fiercely proud of its Malaysian roots.
Wilson Lee, Brand COO says, “Our presence and longevity are testaments to the fact that homegrown beauty brands can do just as good a job as the next brand, if not better. We have spent years listening to our customers and evolving, and in addition to expanding our reach and services in 2018, we have also developed our own fully customizable natural skincare range to address the collective needs and concerns we’ve come across throughout the years.”

So there I was, in their spanking new flagship boutique at Plaza Arkadia, Desa Parkcity all geared up to give this homegrown favourite a go. I was recommended the Beauté Floral Essential Collagen Facial Treatment, which featured a cell-freeze procedure that piqued my interest. Here’s a breakdown (and tips) from my two and half hour experience:
The ritual
1. Pre-facial skin analysis: My therapist was knowledgeable and friendly and honestly speaking, they are also the best ones to ask about any new skin changes or concerns you may have, so chat away!
2. Cleansing rituals: Relaxing face massages were followed by an anti-inflammatory chamomile double cleanse before a gentle exfoliation using a pineapple scrub as a treat to the senses. The cleansing ritual is then topped off with a quick cool-steam session for the face.
3. Extractions: My stand on this: never a fan, never will be, but will bite the bullet in the name of beauty. The upside to this was that my therapist was skillful enough to make the procedure a breeze – minimum discomfort in exchange for a much smoother and clearer complexion – so worth it. Tip: Avoid DIY whiteheads removal at home as you may end up enlarging your pores if it’s not done right – better to leave it to the pros at your next facial!

The cell-freeze technology
This step feels like a huge reward after extractions. Water-based serums are then massaged into the skin using a tool that features an ultra-cooling and smooth surface. Why the term ‘cell freeze’, you ask?
This cooling step soothes and calms the skin and helps to improve the penetration of serums deep into your skin cells for intense hydration while rebuilding its structure from within. Over time, it basically ‘freezes’ or keeps your skin at its best possible state by gradually improving the appearance of your skin and delaying signs of ageing from the get to. What I found interesting about this treatment was from the tools to the steaming and face masks, everything used was icy-cold (in a refreshing, not uncomfortable way) to give the skin a boost.

The plot twist
As it turns out, this unexpected twist was the highlight of my treatment – the Lymphatic Drainage Massage. While this wasn’t my first experience with this detoxing ritual, it was certainly my most intense.
If you have yet to experience this, I’d approach the term ‘massage’ lightly – expect your therapist to apply firm pressure in strokes, taps and rubs with her fingers to increase circulation. Also expect your skin to be kneaded in the directions that follow the structure of the lymphatic system to ‘drain’ accumulated lymph fluids through the proper channels. For comparison, my therapist started the massage on the right side of my face for contrast and I may have cringed a little at what I saw – the right side of my face was visibly suppler, slightly more lifted and looked far, far less tired than the left. She also explained these little marble-sized lumps I’ve been feeling around my jaw and neck area were results of long-term muscle tension, which cause fluid build-ups. To my delight, these lumps disappeared after the massage.
Some of the other long term benefits you can also experience from a detoxing lymphatic drainage massage include improving the body’s immune system, boosting metabolism rate, skin’s circulation and moisture levels.
Just a heads up though, personally, it felt a little like putting your body through boot camp – you think the workout was intense, then you wake up the next day and you feel the burn, and you’re not even moving! My face felt quite sore the next day as a result of the intense kneading and massaging, but you know what they say – no pain, no gain – and like a good workout, the results were well worth it – ah, the things we do in the name of beauty. Just so you know, it does get even better – an icy cool mask to finish and a short nap later, you’ll wake up to skin so fresh you wouldn’t want it anywhere near your makeup kit. Ok 2018, we’re ready now.
Beauté Floral Essential Collagen Facial Treatment, RM880 (RM180 for your first trial), for 150 minutes.
Beauté Library is now open at G-G-3a, Plaza Arkadia, Jalan Intisari, Desa Parkcity from 10am – 9pm daily. T: 03-2712 0448

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Music
Foxes has returned from her 5 year hiatus—here’s what to expect from the British songstress

11.12.2021
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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Born Louisa Rose Allen, Foxes made her debut back in 2012 with her debut single ‘Youth’. Then just 23 years old and new to the industry, it wasn’t long before big wigs started to take notice of the burgeoning star. You may recognise the British musician from her chart-topping singles with Zedd (‘Clarity) and Fall Out Boy (‘Just One Yesterday’)—two tracks that eventually earned her international recognition.
However, with two LPs and an EP under her belt, the singer surprisingly went on to take a four-year hiatus from the business. As for her return? Well, that came in the form of her Friends In The Corner EP, released earlier this year. Now, as 2022 approaches, the singer is prepping for a triumphant return to the industry, with a brand new album, The Kick, set to be released on 11 February 2022.
Fret not, however—you don’t have to wait that long to get a sneak peek! The singer has already released three singles from the new album, including ‘Dance Magic’, ‘Sister Ray’ and, most recently, ‘Sky Love’. Ahead, we spoke to the singer about love, loss, and Zoom, as well as how that all culminated in the production of her new LP:

The Kick is your first full album in five years—what sparked your desire to release music again?
“I took some time away after writing two records; I wanted to realign myself with what I wanted to write about. Also, taking a step away from the music industry for a while really helped me to create a team I felt I could create the best art with.”
The upcoming album was written and recorded via Zoom—what was this experience like and how did it work logistically?
“At first, I didn’t like the idea at all—I love being in a room connecting with people whilst writing. But, eventually, out of being isolated for so long, I started to write poems, thoughts and feelings. It just started flowing out of me. I then reached out to Ghostwriter, who is a wonderful producer, to see if he would be up to giving Zoom a go—almost to escape the walls of my own apartment for a little bit of time and to see a friendly face.
“Somehow, though, we ended up ‘Zoom-ing’ back and forth, day and night—I had set up a mic and I would send lyrics melodies to him and vice versa. I loved it in the end! It was exactly the escape from reality that I needed.”

How did you settle on the tracklist for ‘The Kick’?
“I think my music always has two sides, and I like to end the album in a more soundtrack way. I guess I started with the more upbeat tracks that allow it to flow naturally. Also, on a personal note, lyrically things were probably happening in that order anyway.
What does the new album mean to you, thematically and otherwise?
“It’s an emotional release—a huge release of pent up energy and finding my feet along the way. I lost a friend in lockdown and writing about that was hard. I also went through heartbreak and then I wanted to dance it all out but couldn’t. So, it’s almost an emotional whirlpool that allowed me to dance in my kitchen and be free and dance my emotions out.”

What are some of your favourite lyrics from the upcoming album (if you can divulge them, of course)?
“‘I take too much colour in’ is about over sensitivity. It’s about feeling too much. It’s about feeling overwhelmed by life. The colour. The energy. The infinite choice. Sometimes it’s all too much. I find that, throughout my life, that feeling has followed me. I wanted to write about it so people who might feel the same don’t feel alone.”
Where does your stage name, Foxes, come from?
“My mum had a dream involving foxes running up our street one night. She said the howling sound reminded her of my voice, which I found funny because they don’t sound great! But she said in her dream they sounded ethereal and beautiful, so I’ll let that one go. I also wanted a name that personified the music first before myself—I would rather people hear the music first.”

You released your EP, ‘Friends in the Corner’ last year. The concept behind the video for ‘Love Not Loving You’ is fabulous! Could you speak a little on the inspirations behind the video?
“I thought I was going to have to abandon plans for a music video due to lockdown. We had everything ready to go and it all got cancelled. So, I ended up setting up my iPhone and somehow learned how to edit while I had the producer and director on Zoom with me. It was so surreal.
“We then layered classical women over the top of parts of me and my body. I was really struck and interested in the idea that a lot of women in classical paintings seem to be just the muse, whereas a lot of them were probably just as creative as the famous men painting them. The cheeky look in their eyes speaks to independence and creativity, and I really wanted this video to celebrate women of all generations and make them the main focus.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Louisa Rose Allen (@iamfoxes)

Who are some of your major musical influences?
I grew up loving all sorts! Eminem, Kate Bush, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, and Bob Dylan are just a few. I also love film soundtracks—I would just watch films for hours, getting inspiration from them and writing lyrics.”
What are you most excited about right now?
“Touring and releasing an album after five years. I can’t wait to be on stage again and dance with the people that have supported my music from day one!”
For more music stories like this, click here.

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Travel
Astrotourism is a thing: Here are 6 Unforgettable experiences with the stars

26.03.2019
By Rachel Au

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The breathtaking sight of the Northern Lights in Iceland should be on everyone’s bucket list but why restrict yourself to one starry, starry night? From booking out trips to see the celestial skies or the solar eclipse, astrotourism or stargazing have become increasingly popular since mid-2018 and it will only continue to rise.
There’s another name for these type of travellers—”darkness seekers”—because for one to have a clear, unpolluted (light pollution included) view of the stars, one would need to seek out some of the world’s last-remaining dark places.
Fun fact: There are a total of ten eclipses and a rare planet transit in 2019 alone. So isn’t it the best year to embark on a totally different type of vacation? Here are some of the tours we found on Klook that you can check out for a taste of astrotourism.

1. Fireflies Night Cruise with Local Seafood Dinner, Kuala Selangor

firefly tour kuala selangor
For something closer to home with a touch of adventure, look no further than our own Kuala Selangor for a slice of peace and a sprinkle of magic.
READ MORE: 6 Hidden gems in Malaysia worth going on a road trip for

2. Ishigaki Island Stargazing Experience, Okinawa

stargazing ishigaki island okinawa
Okinawa is on Team Buro’s 2019 travel bucket list and looks like this seals the deal. Ishigaki Island is the only place in Japan that lets you catch the Southern Cross in a sea of magnificent constellations.

3. Pinnacle Desert Sunset and Evening Stargazing Day Tour, Perth

stargazing Pinnacle Desert Sunset perth
It’s proven that Western Australia is a fun place to have a holiday based on our last visit. Not to mention, there are a few worthy day trips you can take. This is just another grand addition. The world-renowned Pinnacle Desert is a destination of its own but come sunset, it slowly transitions into a surreal moon-like landscape.

4. Big Sky Stargazing in Mount Cook, New Zealand

stargazing mount cook new zealand
New Zealand is yet another popular travel destination and if you’re stopping by the South Island, head for the country’s first full dome planetarium. The tour starts off first with an informative presentation about space and its constellations. Then, the staff will introduce the various types of telescopes and binoculars, which you can then pick to use for the stargazing activity at an open field that follows after.
READ MORE: 5 Breathtaking mountainous hiking trails around the world

5. Saipan Banzai Cliff Stargazing Tour, Northern Mariana Islands

Saipan Banzai Cliff Stargazing Tour
Banzai Cliff is a historic site located on the northern tip of Saipan island which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. By day, the island is gorgeous with its easy-warm weather, lush tropical scenery and deep blue waters. By night, its Banzai Cliff makes for a perfect stargazing spot thanks to its wide panoramic views. Apparently, you might even be able to see shooting stars if the weather is great.

6. Northern Lights and Stargazing Tour, Reykjavik

northern lights iceland tour 2019
Last, but not least, it’s, of course, the Northern Lights in Iceland. Known as one of the world’s most breathtaking, natural phenomenon, the Aurora Borealis is not to be missed.
READ MORE: 5 Reasons why Iceland should be on your travel bucket list

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Fashion
QUIZ: Which fashion week are you based on your personality?

24.04.2020
By Stephanie Boey

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

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Beauty
Now open: Clinique offers a brand new shopping experience
Beauty pit stop

12.08.2015
By Terry Saw

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2015 is the year of reinvention for Clinique. Still fresh from the brand’s launch of #FaceForward: a powerful and engaging global social campaign featuring some the most influential millennial voices – Margaret Zhang, Tavi Gevinson and Hannah Bronfman – the brand has also managed to innovate its beauty shopping experience closer to home.
Its new, pristine yet cozy 398-square feet boutique right here in Mid Valley Megamall houses practically everything you need from the latest makeup treats to skincare offerings (including a complete Clinique for Men skincare bay) and is a welcomed option in addition to the classic counter-shopping concept we’ve grown accustomed to for the brand.

What we like about the new open concept store design is that every product is within sight (and touch). You are encouraged to try on every shade of foundation and lipstick colour your heart desires at the makeup and skincare bars until you find something that really works for you. Plus, you’ll also have beauty consultants and experts at your disposal to guide you through your most complete shopping experience yet. Just a heads up: the Chubby Sticks column is our favourite and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be trying on all colours and going home with a few in your shopping bag – don’t say we didn’t warn you!
The Clinique boutique is now open daily from 10am to 10pm at Lot F093, First Floor, Mid Valley Megamall.

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Watches
Bell & Ross Vintage GT: Style of the ‘70s racing drivers
Sporty elegance

27.10.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

Designed with a look that is both retro and urban at once, the new BR GT watches from Bell & Ross’ Vintage collection are evocative of an era that inspires modern men in search of authenticity. A contemporary interpretation of the chronographs worn by racing drivers in the ’70s, the two Vintage BR GT models feature graphic dial designs that hint at the rev counters and dashboard instruments found in cars of the era, showcasing a resolutely neo-retro look with a timeless allure.

Channelling the spirit of ’70s racing driver watches, the BR GT timepieces flaunt a pitch black dial housed in a 42mm case crafted with satin-finished steel. This contrast is augmented by the facetted, photo-luminescent metallic hands and appliqué indices, providing an understated, bold visual. Keeping in line with racing driver watches of the ’70s, the watches are paired with a black, micro-perforated strap made with Alcantara, bearing an exquisite suede-like touch not unlike the car upholstery of the era. They are also available in satin-finished steel bracelet options, for the man who finds comfort in an all-steel watch.

Powered by two Swiss self-winding mechanical movements, renowned for their reliability and endurance, the Vintage BR GT watches are water-resistant to 100 metres. The elegant bezel of the chronograph vision indicates a tachymeter scale, prioritising the measurement of short time periods and enabling performance and speed to be read immediately. Suave and sophisticated, these immaculate timepieces are designed to accompany you from day to night, at black ties or with jeans at the weekend, and of course, behind the wheel of fine cars.

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Fashion
Gigi Hadid to launch her first ever capsule collection with Tommy Hilfiger
Classic American cool

18.12.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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Come Fall 2016, supermodel and social media star Gigi Hadid will be taking on the role of brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger. This partnership will also see the “social supermodel” launch her very first capsule collection. Created in collaboration with the iconic American designer, the capsule will feature women’s sportswear, footwear, accessories, as well as a new fragrance, fusing her chic modern style with Hilfiger’s classic cool heritage.

“I never thought I would be asked to design a capsule collection, so it still feels like a dream that Tommy approached me to collaborate,” said Gigi Hadid. “His company is one that I genuinely love and have been a fan of for my entire life, and Tommy is the easiest, most fun person to work with. I have always looked up to his brand, campaigns and design style. I think our collection celebrates the iconic Tommy lifestyle and mixes a bit of everything: there are styles that are really hippie-chic, styles that are sporty streetwear, and styles that are tomboy but girly; everyone’s is going to love a different part of it.”

Gigi Hadid was a prominent figure in Hilfiger’s SS16 show, and given her rising status in the industry and world of social media, it only seemed apt that the partnership continued in due time. “Gigi has walked in our runway shows and now we are thrilled to continue our collaboration with her as the new face of Tommy Hilfiger womenswear and fragrance. She is truly the definition of today’s ‘Tommy Girl’—her magnetic personality is bright and always optimistic, and her style is confident, effortless and cool,” said Tommy Hilfiger.

Launching in Fall 2016, the Hilfiger Collection and Tommy Hilfiger sportswear collections, including Hadid’s capsule and fragrance, will be available at Tommy Hilfiger stores globally, through select wholesale partners and online at tommy.com.

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