Primped and Primed

ASOS Student Editors 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Fri, 15 May 2015 05:43:00 +0000

H E R

Jumper: The boyffie's

Coat: ASOS

Skirt: Paint It Red

Faux Fur shawl: Mink Pink

Necklaces: Markets

H I S

Turtleneck: Boohoo Man

Coat: Selected Homme

Pants: ASOS

Belt: Connor

Mesh belt/sweater: Topman

We're sending you good jujus from our side of the interweb! Because DRUM ROLL

...

We both now work for ASOS!

Although it's taken a while for general admin stuff, we are officially 2 of 10 student editors around Australia. Let's be real - online shopping is our life and our most beloved form of procrastination. So you can imagine the squeals when we knew we're working for a company we genuinely love.

The role will include original photography and videography as well as writing articles for ASOS On Campus - a blog-like division on ASOS.com created for students by students.

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OUTFIT POST: Universal

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Sat, 02 May 2015 06:12:00 +0000

I never know what to wear to amusement parks. Striking a balance between style, comfort and something that won't fly up or twist on rides is an effort in itself.

When shooting Universal Studios street style, it was refreshing to see how other park goers were dressed. Some people rocked the theme park merch from Hello Kitty printed tees to dramatic top hats and lace bows.

But the one thing that surprised me were the friends and couples wearing matchy matchy outfits. Yep, fully coordinated looks - sometimes head to toe or matching the top or bottom half. Coincidentally, Marvic linked me a Refinery29 video called 'How Korean Couples Do PDA'. It explained this modern trend in the context of Korean youth culture and how it's a material representation of affection. In Universal Osaka I asked some coordinated groups and couples why they matched.
Conclusion? It was mainly a way to show friendship or unity and because it's so much easier to find each other.

For me though, it was a jeans, boots and jacket kinda day. Frankly I'm not brave enough to try this matchy matchy trend. And who was there for me to match with? My little sister?

(For more on Japan ... check out the VLOG & LOOKBOOK)

Killing it in novelty top hats.

These chicks are just wearing their school uniform #thatbowthough

The hat. The sunnies. The jumper. Everything ON POINT!

Team Hello Kitty

Relationship Goals

Rocking the head to toe white #koolkids

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UPDATE: YouTubers?

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:39:00 +0000

We're not going to start with excuses.

Yes it has been four months since we tended to our online baby but just hear us out.

Our absence from the site doesn't mean we were jumping on clouds eating fairy floss and popcorn.

It wasn't easy to stare at our malnourished blog feed while other projects got in the way.

During the past few months, Marvic and I moved from photography and writing to videography.

We directed all our energy to tripods and iMovie (yeah, we're basic like that) and started a YOUTUBE channel.

It has taken us this long to find our footing but from now on we'll be making fashion videos alongside shooting photos and writing content.

Under the same name as the blog, Primped and Primed, here are some film stills of our recent work.

Valentines Day Lookbook

Steal Their Style: Christian Grey - Fifty Shades of Grey Lookbook

#Unidays Ep. 3

Boho Festival Lookbook

Boho Festival Lookbook

Get To Know Me Tag

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'Pacific Getaway' Lookbook

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 00:13:00 +0000

Picture Source: http://forloveandlemons.com

All I want is an adventure like this - endless days exploring forest lakes and lonely beaches. Where time constraints don't exist and neither do hair straighteners. Wet hair simply air dried by the breeze and your skin washed clean with the salt and sand.

Perhaps this For Love and Lemons lookbook captured my summer longing for road trips. Or maybe I'm just sucked into their Spring 2015 collection. Honestly I too want to jump into rock pools with sheer mesh clinging to legs. They do the appliqué and sheer-cross-lace placement so well - as if it's light enough to float.

P.S. Our apologies on the lack of outfit posts, we will be shooting soon but we've been quite busy filming our YouTube style videos. You know how it is: new year, new projects.

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TRENDING: All Black

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 01:53:00 +0000

We’re in the midst of yet another Australian summer - where the sun’s rays have tinged our skin golden, where the beach serves as the ultimate day-off retreat, and where matte black shades and SPF 50+ are absolute must-haves. For many mere mortals, summer bares images of bikinis and board shorts, crystal blue waters and sweet tropical fruit.

But as I’ve come to notice, from those cool kids walking down Bondi promenade, to my very own go-to summer outfits, all black looks - or anti-summer dressing (as I love to call it) - is a growing trend. One must simply look at Solestruck’s Summer Lookbook to see that this trend is all the rebelliousness rage it claims to be. And boy does it look good, almost Tim Burton-esque.

Titled ‘Goths in Hot Weather’, I found the lookbook possesses an enigmatic beauty about this nonconformist way of summer dressing. Maybe it’s the ‘stick it to the man/I couldn't care less’ attitude you seemingly adopt wearing something all black. Or perhaps the timelessness of the outfit by this simple choice in colour. Regardless of what it is, anti-summer outfits have already, and will continue, to dictate how I dress this summer.

PS. Sharon and I have recently started our very own YouTube channel, at Primped and Primed, and we would really love it if you could have a look around and let us know what you think. It even features anti-summer looks.

[YouTube Video Here]

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Three Floor AW14/15

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:35:00 +0000

Left to Right Clockwise: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE

Picture Source: http://www.threefloorfashion.com

Although I'm not one who aches for winter during Australia's balmy summers, this Three Floor campaign is an exception. Think of it as edgy and futuristic party separates that's a little different to the usual crop top, tight skirt combo (Kardashian much?).

Metallic against sequins, sheer opposed to gauze mesh, delicate lace with brocade: this contrast in textures is what Three Floor does so well. Keeping this drop mysterious yet fresh are the aquatic hues and rich jewel tones to complement the mishmash of materials.

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Travel Diary: The Whitsundays

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:06:00 +0000

Every year my family and I travel to somewhere tropical; anywhere with a temperate climate and breathtaking ocean views. Despite the obvious similarities of 'beachy' destinations - palm trees, straw umbrellas and blue waters - there are subtle yet distinctive differences. That being said here are my
5 things I learnt about the Whitsunday Islands.

1. Hamilton Island's transportation of choice? Cute little golf buggies.
Hire one for the length of your stay and it'll take you from Catseye beach at midday to the top of the mountain for the sunset. Such is the island life.

2. Sand that feels like powder does exist.
Living in Sydney, I thought I've seen the best beaches but Whitehaven Beach beats them all: 7km of fine silica sand that apparently doesn't get hot since it's 97% silica content reflects the heat right off.

3. Ice cream is replaceable when you're viewing Whitehaven beach from above.
The aerial view takes me back to childhood days of Rainbow Paddlepops as the beach swirls into a mixture of minty green, aquamarine and white. It's not everyday that an island serves you a scoop of Mr Whippy.

4. Free diving beats scuba diving any day - even Cruise Whitsunday's crew agrees.
Take a deep breath, dive all the way down and you can get up close with the marine life without all that heavy gear. That, and you kind of feel like a mermaid. A mermaid with snorkel goggles and plastic fins … very magical.

5. Out at sea, you don't know where the horizon is anymore.
The sea and the sky seems to blend together into this hazy ombre. You could walk straight into the mist and disappear right off the Earth. That's what I call escape.

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OUTFIT POST: Inspire NYE

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 08:29:00 +0000

HER

Dress: Three Floor
Watch: Raymond Weil
Bracelets & Rings: Wanderlust + Co
Clutch: Mnologie

HIM

Shirt: Topman
Pants: ASOS
Hat: Fallen Broken Street
Belt: Connor
Watch: The Horse
Shoes: Ezra Basics via The Iconic

Twenty Fourteen was a major year; a year of clarity, of discovery and endless inspirations. Escaping out of the suffocating high school cycle, it didn't take us long to realize what we wanted or needed to do.

So many chances were taken.

So many fears surfaced and resurfaced but eventually washed away.

Our supportive circle of friends encouraged us to laugh, to dream and to not run from our weird shadows that forever follows us.

Twenty Fourteen was the year that Marvic left his hometown of Darwin to start a new life here in Sydney. And any great city should pride themselves in the wealth of inspiration it provides. It sure gave us plenty of location spots to shoot at, probably more than we can cover in our whole lives. So what better way to thank beautiful Sydney than to do a final 2014 shoot with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as the backdrop.

This year saw us to do something more with our creativity. Filling our days with aspirations and hopes (and stopping to do the occasional assignment), each idea became more absurd than the last. But as far as New Year's Resolutions go, we're just happy with figuring out how to use this new camera lens.

So to coincide with 2014 Sydney NYE theme 'Inspire', what inspired you this year? And let that continue to do so in Twenty Fifteen.

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OUTFIT POST: Evergreen

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 00:47:00 +0000

Shirt: Saba … Chinos: Country Road

Shoes: Vans Australia … Watch: The Horse

Festive revelries and I have always shared a kind of ‘love/hate’ relationship. Of course, I delight in the beauty of Christmas festivities, being surrounded by the love of those dearest and gorging in the act of stuffing my face with the best food available. But as for the superficial gifting, it is there which bares my inner Grinch.

However, in recent years - as I’ve come to understand such sentiments on a deeper level, tossing aside the 10 year old antics of Christmas being all about gifts and toys - I can’t help but be swept away by the idea of sharing the unforeseen enigma of the Christmas spirit.

So, with that said, as a means of escaping the Christmas shopping crowds, the Boxing day sales - or for a better description, giving in to my incessant need to shop - my family and I ventured south.

Settled on the outskirts of suburbia, nestled amongst the calming wilderness, bordered by rows upon rows of sweetly perfumed stalks of flowers, a charming, yellow brick house. This was the seemingly fairytale-like backdrop to my festive season. And instead of suffocating myself in the usual Christmas attire - an oversized, ridiculously patterned knit sweater – I’ve been obsessively wearing this Saba shirt which reminds me so dearly of an emerald evergreen. It basically screams ‘I’m a Christmas tree!’

And with that, we at Primped and Primed would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas! - and we hope you have an amazing time celebrating, eating and basking in good company.

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OUTFIT POST: Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 05:26:00 +0000

Top: Gypsea Swimwear … Skirt: Spell Designs … Sunglasses: Quay Eyewear

Being whisked away to a tropical paradise is perhaps one of the most refreshing ways to conclude a year. Just a suitcase full of swimwear and a heart longing for escape and adventure. These photos were taken early morning at Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island, Queensland. My travel diary will be posted after the festive season.

Merry Christmas lovelies and stay happy and healthy.

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Behind the Camera: Gypsy Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 06:27:00 +0000

Playsuit: Spell Byron

Hat: H&M

Necklaces: Regal Rose and Tiffany&Co

One exceptionally busy afternoon at Sydney's Hyde Park, a 5’7”, fair beauty with lengthy limbs was lounging and laughing amongst the perfectly manicured Sandringham Gardens.

Some metres down the track, awkwardly crouched on sandy gravel, dressed head to toe in white (likening to a Pascall marshmallow), wielding our photographic weapon of choice, this dorky duo.

It isn’t often that Sharon and I get the opportunity to work together behind the camera. But on the rare occasion that we do, it’s seemingly a match made in heaven. Maybe it’s the combined power of our two minds, our genuine love for photography and art, or simply, the fact that we aren’t the ones awkwardly running around in front of a camera. Regardless, this shoot brought together our creative minds in a way that we have never done so before.

As for the statuesque beauty? The focal point of this particular post? That’s Paige. And at 18, is such a humble, mature and warm-hearted human being. One to which Sharon and I are lucky to call our friend.

By Marvic Casingal

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OUTFIT POST: Hideaways

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 23:07:00 +0000

Top: Gypsea Swimwear … Skirt: Spell & the Gypsy Collective

Necklaces: Dove & Lyre and Ebay

I have an obsession with being busy or a fear of staying static. An ideal day is one where no hour goes to waste and every minute is filled up with something, anything, productive.

But this obsession gets exhausting.

At times I crave brief moments of solitude between working two demanding jobs, blogging and squeezing in social activities. When this feeling arises, I retreat to my little hideaway at the bottom of these Marsala (which FYI is Pantone's colour of 2015) stairs. Not quite the claustrophobic Harry Potter set up, I could spend a whole day reading, people watching (not to be confused with neighborhood spying) or during low tide, observing the creepy little crabs that inhabit the river. An entire day spent in either pajamas or as above, swimwear and maxi skirts.

Admittedly, it is important to have a day where time creeps alongside you instead of its usual bad habit of zooming past the meagre hours.

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我痴迷于忙碌的生活节奏，害怕静止的状态。对我来说理想的一天是不浪费每一个小时,每分钟都充斥着任何一些富有成效的东西。

但是这种痴迷使我疲惫不堪。

有时渴望在我两份兼职的工作、撰写博客以及社交活动等等当中获得片刻独享的清净。每当这种感觉出现的时候，我就撤退到小小的阶梯下的隐蔽处，这里不会像哈利波特场景那样的幽闭。我可以花一整天的时间来阅读和观看人群，或者在退潮时，观察栖息在河岸上的那些令人毛骨悚然的小螃蟹。一整天就这么穿着睡衣或者图片中展示的这种衣服、泳装或者马克西裙度过了。

诚然，很重要的是能有这样的一天，时间悄悄地跟随着你，而不是在不知不觉中转瞬而逝。

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Kinahuhumalingan ko ang palaging may ginagawa. Ang idolong araw ay isa na walang nasasayang na oras.

Pero, ito ay nakakapagod din.

Minsan, hinahanap ko ang pagiging mag isa. Pag ganito ang nararamdaman ko, nag tatago ako sa ilalim nang hagdan. Hindi kagaya sa movie na Harry Potter. Na papalipas ko ang isang araw na nag babasa at pinanonood ang mga tao. Ang buong araw na naka suot nang damit pang tulog at nasa itaas.

Minsan, ito ay importante na mag karoon nang araw na ang oras ay para lang sayo - kesya kung nagmamadali.

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INTERVIEW: Fairina Cheng Jewellery

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 08:01:00 +0000

One of the biggest challenges in the fashion industry is to discover 'newness' amidst the cycle of often recycled ideas. It takes a certain drive to create something out of the ordinary knowing there's a risk in the race to stay ahead of the trends. Fairina Cheng, the 29 year old designer, who owns her eponymous jewellery label may have predicted the future of accessories: 3D printed jewellery. It's no wonder with the rapid advancement in technology, that 3D printed pieces might be creeping its way into our wardrobes in the near future changing how we perceive and wear fashion. After all, the 'message is in the medium'.

Understated and untraditional, Fairina Cheng Jewellery won Community's Choice at the 2014 Etsy Design Awards and is part of the Etsy at David Jones Marketplace from the 4 to 7 December. Here Cheng talks about her label and her love affair with computer-aided design.

Designer Fairina Cheng

1. How did you get into jewellery design?

I was working long hours at a full time office job and I enrolled in an evening jewellery course. At that point I was just curious, but it wasn’t long before I fell absolutely in love with the process of manipulating metal.

Soon after, I enrolled in a two-year contemporary jewellery design course, followed by a three-year course in commercial jewellery manufacture. I’m not the kind of person to take big risks. So diving head first into a massive career shift was a bit out of character. It just felt right!

2. Where did the idea to create 3D printed jewellery come from?

In my second year of studying jewellery, we were introduced to computer aided design as one of our subjects. It was fascinating to learn how designs are drawn up on a computer, and especially fascinating to learn how they are brought into their final, three-dimensional form. My experiments during this time led to the development of the Negative/Positive collection!

Rings from the Negative/Positive Collection

3. Where do you get inspiration from?

Sometimes I’ll catch a fleeting glimpse of an interesting shape or line and it’ll stay in my head and influence my next design. Or I’ll be experimenting on a piece of jewellery and evolve it as I go. Sometimes I start with one idea and by the time I’m finished it’s a completely new design!

Background/Foreground stainless steel mesh stud earrings

4. Describe your design aesthetic.

Clean and geometric. Although a few free flowing, organic pieces sneak their way in!

5. What are some metals you work with when creating the pieces?

I work mostly in silver and gold. But I don’t believe that jewellery should be restricted to just precious metals and gemstones, especially when there are so many interesting materials out there to explore.

I also work in stainless steel mesh, a material commonly used in industrial applications. It comes in a shimmery grey silver colour and develops a vibrant range of gold, bronze, pink, purple and royal blue hues when heat is applied.

6. Can you explain the 3D printing process?

First, a design is drawn up on the computer using a 3D modelling program. The file is then sent to the printer and built layer by layer in wax to create a scale model of the piece. On some machines, the model is created in resin and solidified with the help of a laser.

The printing process usually takes a few hours. The model is then cast into your metal of choice. Where possible, I have a mould made so additional pieces can be created quickly and easily without having to be reprinted.

Often I’ll handmake components such as ring bands and earring posts, before meticulously polishing, packaging and sending the finished gem off to its new owner.

Jeweller's bench: Behind-the-scenes

7. What do you think is the future of accessories, or fashion as a whole, and how does your label fit into that?

3D design has opened up opportunities to really push the boundaries and create jewellery that would be almost impossible to make by hand alone.

As the technology advances, the power to customise products will increasingly be put into the hands of the everyday shopper. Instead of going to a shop and buying a premade, standard size item off the rack, perhaps we’ll soon be able to go onto their website and tailor a dress or pair of shoes to the perfect fit in minutes!

It’s exciting to see how fast technology is advancing and I really look forward to seeing its future applications in the world of design.

Note: All pictures belong to Fairina Cheng (Website, Facebook, Instagram)

By Sharon Jiang

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Summer 2015 Mood Board

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 04:37:00 +0000

Picture Source

http://www.ladyslider.com/, http://felicitydowniephotography.tumblr.com/, http://www.fashiongonerogue.com/, http://www.rockybarnesblog.com/, http://www.mikoh.com, http://www.desertwandererdesigns.com,

With a week left until my trip to the Whitsunday Islands, those inspiration pictures capture exactly what's on my mind.
Stay tuned for more summer posts, I will be blogging while on holidays (or at least snapping).

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OUTFIT POST: Fairy Godmothers

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 10:38:00 +0000

HER

Dress: Sabo Skirt

Belt: Vintage

Bracelet: LuxeWild

Pendant: House of Harlow

HIM

Shirt: Topman

Pants: Topman

Shoes: Vans Australia

Sometimes we all get stuck in a rut. Between the daily realities and our wandering fantasies, it's difficult to figure out which we should pursue. As children we were advised by adults to 'chase your dreams' and because our immature mindset told us that anyone taller is infinitely wiser, we believed them. As teenagers, the tables turned: talks of exams, marks, University and the 'future' settled in, pushing away the whimsical dreams we once had.

What didn't cross our kiddie brains was what they classified as 'dreams'. I always thought it needed to be profound mega plans to save the world, or travel to space. But dreams can be smaller and much more personal.

Admittedly, it takes a certain fairy godmother (or father) to urge you on and help you realise the more obscure things you've always wanted to try. And as such, dreams are constant shape-shifters, changing like the wind and evolving with age and circumstance. In our heads, it's never too late to start a new hobby or learn a new craft. Because you never know where it might take you.

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有些时候我们固守成规。在日常现实生活与徘徊的幻想中，很难找出我们应该追求的目标。当我们还是小孩子的时候,我们被大人们告诫说“追求自己的梦想”。当时我们不成熟的想法告诉自己，个子高的人一定是超级聪明的智者，我们因此而相信他们。当我们成长为青少年的时候，局势改变了，我们谈论着考试、分数、大学以及安排好了的”未来”，这些推开了我们曾经异想天开的梦想。

没有越过我们孩提时脑海的就是被我们归类于”梦想”的东西。我一直认为，一定需要一个深远的大型计划才能拯救世界或者旅行到太空。其实梦想可以更小一点而且更个性化一点。

我承认，要有一位神仙母亲（或者父亲）来督促我们并且帮助我们了解自己一直以来想要尝试的那些模糊古怪的东西。正因为如此，梦想是经常改变形状的，就像风一样随着年龄和环境不断进化着。在我们的想法中，开始一项新的兴趣或者学习一门新的技能永远都不会太晚。因为你永远不知道这些会带你去往哪个未知的领域。

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Minsan napapako tayo sa mga gawain. Sa gitna nang katotohanan at pantasiya, mahirap pumili kung alin ang susundan. Dahil sa bata pa tayo, ang payo nang matatanda ay sundin ang mga pangarap. Dahil sa murang kaisipan ang kasabihan na ang matatanda ay langing tama. Habang tumatanda ang kaisipan nang teenager, nakakalimutan na ang pagarap na unang gustong marating.

Ang hindi natin inisip ay kung ano ang kahulugan ng pangarap. Ang akala ko kailangang ito ay laging malalim. Pero, ang pangarap ay pwedeng maliit lang at makabuluhan.

Gayon pa man, isang tao lang ang makakatulong na mapag isip-isip ang pinapangarap natin. At dahil dito, ang pangarap natin ay laging pabago-bago. Hindi pa huli na mag simula ng panibago. Dahil, hindi mo malalaman kung hindi mo susubukan.

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OUTFIT POST: Guilty Pleasure

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 10:56:00 +0000

Blazer: Connor … Shirt: Cotton On … Shorts: Revival via Dangerfield

Shoes: Vans Australia … Watch: ASOS

For many, being lazy is a pass-time equally as bittersweet as the pleasure which follows. The inner conflict to relax and the guilt of doing absolutely nothing is one that haunts even the best of us.

But as I’ve recently discovered - from being huddled in bed for countless hours, dressed head to toe in ill-fitted loungewear - there is something artful about being able to watch television for hours on end, and gorging in the luxury of stress-free living. But when life beckons - urging you to jump out of this comatose state – facing the world and dressing the part can be a mission in and of itself.

My way around this? Dressing simply. With classic colour combinations and traditional silhouettes, there is no better way to combat this dilemma than opting for a minimal look. There is a hidden confidence and understated sense of class in dressing this way. Also, putting little effort into an outfit that can be accomplished in the menial time it takes to remove it from the hanger? Now that’s my guilty pleasure - my kind of lazy.

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Para sa lahat, ang pagiging tamad ay pampalipas lang ng oras, yan ang mapait at matamis na katotohanan. Ang nagpapahirap makapagpahinga ay ang pakiramdam na nakokonsenya ka dahil wala kang ginagawa, yan ang umuusig sa lahat.

Pero na diskobre ko na, meron palang makatuturan na magagawa kesa manood ng tv at mamuhay ng maaliwalas. Gayunpaman, kapag ang oras ay dumating sa pakiki pagsapalaran sa mundo, ang pag tahak ng landas ay mahirap.

Ang solusyon ko ay mag suot ng simple. May mga pang karaniwang konbinasyon ng mga kulay at may estilong tradisyonal, hindi ka mag kakamali. Ang pag dadamit ng ganito ay may nakatagong pagtitiwala at pakiramdam ng klase. Paglalagay ng kaunting sikap sa pananamit, yan ang idea ko ng pagiging tamad.

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对很多人来说，懒惰是一种消磨时间的好方法。任何人都会感受到因为无所事事而产生罪恶感的内心冲突的困扰。

但是最近我发现，穿着便服躺在床上，懒散地持续看好几个小时的电视，享受零压力带来的奢侈感觉是多么的美妙。但是一旦生活促使你从这个休整的状态中跳脱出来，那就应该穿着得体面对这个世界了。

我怎样解决呢？衣着简洁即可。经典色的组合配合传统的剪裁，以此来而达到简约的风格，没有比这样的组合搭配来得更好了。这样的穿着透着一种隐藏的自信以及格调。并且，仅仅只是从衣架上取下衣服，花费小小的力气便能完成着装。这就是我罪恶的快感，我的懒惰。

OUTFIT POST: Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 10:40:00 +0000

Playsuit: Finders Keepers the Label via The Fashion Bunker

Bag: Triangl … Shoes: YES via Solestruck

Lately shopping has only one purpose: to stock up on party pieces for the holidays free from regimented schedules. In the process of reincarnating the 'death' of me and Marvic's social life, I've realised both of us don't even 'partay' much.

Our idea of a good night is laughing at each other in psychedelic harem pants, skipping the clubs to munch on Cobs popcorn, and talking about gardening shows while listening to a live pianist - all of which has honestly happened before.

So my project of accumulating cocktail wear seems a little, well, redundant. A closet full of ready-to-go party frocks complete with attached swing tags sums up my situation. Since it feels like a waste for these pieces not to see the light of day, I've come with up a new plan of styling semi-formal garments for everyday wear.

Dressing down instead of dressing up, that's the prediction of my summer holidays.

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我一直在囤积派对的服饰以迎接将要来临的假期。在我和 Marvic 试图改变我们前一段时间“零派对”的过程中，我却意识到我俩并未参加太多的派对。

我们心中对于美好夜晚的想法就是嘲笑对方穿着迷幻的哈伦裤，跳过去俱乐部而只是大声咀嚼爆米花，讨论园艺展的同时聆听一场现场的钢琴音乐会- 这些之前确实都发生过了。

所以我积累鸡尾酒会服装的这个计划看似有点多余。满壁橱即穿即走的派对连衣裙还挂着标签未被扯下，这就是我的情况概括。因为感觉这些服装终日不见天日是一种浪费，我有一个新的着装计划,那就是每天穿半正式的服装。

打扮随意而非刻意，这是我对暑期的预言。

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Nag iipon na ako ng mga damit na gagamitin sa party para sa bakasyon. Sa muling pag kabuhay ng social life namin ni Marvic, na pag isip isip ko na hindi kami masyadong nag aatend sa mga party.

Ang idea namin sa masayang gabi ay tawanan ng isat isat tungkol sa mga pantalong malalaki at maluwang, napapalampas namin ang hindi mag punta sa mga club para lang kumain ng mga tsitserya habang pinag uusapan na may pinapakingan kaming live pianist. Sa totoo lang nangyari na ito samin.

Ang proyekto ko na mangulikta ng mga cocktail dresses ay mukhang kalabisan na. Ang kabinet ko na puno ng mga damit na pang party, na may tag pa, yan ang sitwasyon ko ngayon. Dahil sa parang nasasayang lang ang mga damit, naka isip ako ng panibagong plano.

Pag style ng mga damit na pang araw araw , ito ang aking mga pakay para sa tag-araw.

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OUTFIT POST: A Social Death

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 02:05:00 +0000

Hat: Fallen Broken Street … Sunglasses: Quay Australia … Shirt: OBEY @Glue Store

Shorts: ASOS … Watch & Cuff: ASOS … Shoes: Topman

As I toss aside my last uni assignments, it’s hard to fathom that my first year of higher education has come to a timely conclusion. For most mortals, this means partying from dusk til dawn, donning the most insanely regaled outfits our youth allows and shamelessly dancing to the latest Iggy Azalea hit.

But being the odd ball that I am, awkward and weird to the core, I can’t help but acknowledge the past few weeks as the death of my menial social life – pretty melodramatic huh?

That being said, I’ve noticed that the dramatics of my personality has ultimately lead me to dress for head to toe in black, channelling my inner Tim burton and likening to that of the Addams Family. Although the colour choice isn’t fitting for this sunny weather, there is something mischievously fun and twisted about rebelling against the social norms of ‘weather-appropriate’ dressing. It may be a social death in the making, but one totally worthwhile.

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Pagkatapos kung I submit ang huling assignment, mahirap isipin na ang unang taon ko sa university ay tapos na. Ang ibig sabihin nito sa maraming estudyante na, makakapag party na ulit sila, simula sa umaga hanggang madaling araw, makakapag suot na ulit ng mga crazy style na damit, at sumayaw nang sumayaw sa bagong kanta ni Iggy Azalea.

Pero dahil sa kakaiba ako sa ibang kabataan, ang mga huling lingo ay parang katapusan na ng aking social life – ang drama ano?

Dahil nasabi ko na ang ang drama ko sa buhay, napansin ko na ang personalidad ko sa pananamit ay nag bago at nag simulang mag susuot ng itim mula ulo hanggang paa. Dahil na rin sa inspirasyon ko na si Tim Burton at Addams family. Kahit na ang kulay ay hindi bagay sa panahong ganito, meron pa ring mga bagay na nakakaaliw, sa hindi pag sunod sa bagay na pananamit ayon sa panahon.

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当我折腾完最后一份大学作业，难以置信的是，我的第一年大学生活就这么结束了。对于大多数人来说，这意味着穿着年轻人可以穿的最疯狂的衣服，派对狂欢从黄昏至黎明。

但我是一个奇特的人，我不禁意识到过去几周以来我居然没有参加任何社交活动，很戏剧化吧？

我注意到我的奇特个性驱使我全身上下都被黑色所包裹。虽然这个颜色与阳光明媚的夏日是多么地格格不入，但是与“适应天气”的穿衣社会风范对着干也使我感受到了恶作剧般的乐趣。可能我正在制造零社交，但这又是完全值得的。

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OUTFIT POST: Fringe Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 11:22:00 +0000

Dress: Spell & the Gypsy Collective … Bag: Steve Madden … Shoes: Mollini

Necklaces: The Mania Mania, Real Leaf Jewellery, House of Harlow

Cuff: Eina Ahluwalia … Hat: Lack of Color

The recent Sydney heat waves tell us one thing: that summer is well and truly approaching. And just like that, the change in wind brings a variation of style.

I find myself tucking away the structured shapes and button ups of winter instead reaching for lightweight cottons. It really isn't hard to adopt this boho form of dressing - after all the rise in mercury does require airy garments for comfort and ventilation.

Not only that, the bohemian style comes with its own attitude. The breezy nature of the draped fringe and low back cut makes me want to twirl in fields of long grass - evidence of how fashion can affect our mood and vice versa. It's no wonder that most 'boho' editorials are photographed in natural settings from beaches, to forests, from paddocks to meadows. But seeing as I'm lacking a professional team and aren't near any of the aforementioned places, I made do with the patches of greenery and natural rock formations around my home. Yes, I pretty much live in on a cliff.

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最近悉尼的热浪告诉了我们一件事：夏天真的要来了。就这样，变幻之风带来了着装风格的变化。

我发现自己摒弃了冬季严谨的塑形及调节扣的衣着转而选择了轻便的棉质。适应这种“波西米亚”穿衣风格其实并不难 - 毕竟气温的上升确实需要我们更注重衣着的舒适和透气度。

不仅如此，“波西米亚”风格源于自身的态度。流苏和低切背带来的阵阵凉爽会使我想在长草地里旋转 - 这也验证了时尚的确能够影响我们的情绪，反之亦然。这也难怪，大多数“波西米亚”的编辑取景于自然环境，从海滩到森林，从牧场到草地。但如大家所见，我缺少一个专业的团队，也不靠近任何上述地方。但我拼凑了我家周围的自然绿化和天然岩石。是的，我几乎住在悬崖上。

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Dahil sa init ng panahon dito sa Sydney, Australia: nararamdaman ko na ang summer ay talagang nandito na.

Napansin ko sa sarili ko na nag sisimula na akong magtago ng mga makakapal na damit at inilalabas na ang maninipis. Hindi mahirap pakibagayan ang mga damit na katulad nito. After all, ang init ng panahon ay nangangailangan ng mga damit na komportable, maaliwalas at magaan sa katawan.

Hindi lang dahil sa aliwalas sa katawan ang pag susuot ng mga damit na kagaya nito, ito ay nag bibigay ng magandang pakiramdam. Ang detalye ng damit ay kainga inganyo na gusto kung sumayaw ng paikot ikot sa bukid ng mga bulaklak. Dito makikita na ang fashion ay malaki ang epekto sa ating pagkatao, at kabaliktaran. Kaya ang mga pictures ng bohemian style ay ginagawa sa dagat, kagubatan at halamanan. Dahil sa wala akong propesyonal na team, ginagamit ko na lang ang mga halaman at malaking bato sa tabi ng bahay namin. Oo, Nakatira ako sa tabi ng talampas.

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INTERVIEW: Belinda Xia Illustration

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:21:00 +0000

These 'feel good' drawings surely brightened my day as I couldn't help but smile at the carefree brush strokes and patches of bright colour.

Discovering illustrator Belinda Xia on Instagram reinforced how social media can be the perfect breeding ground for young talents. Scrolling through her profile, I was immediately drawn to her illustrations' youthful and humorous quirk.

Twenty four year old Sydneysider Xia draws for "her own enjoyment" where she recently reignited her love of drawing after she "grew out of it at some point during high school."

Using art as a creative outlet, here I talk to Xia about her surroundings when she's in her design bubble.

What she hears:
"I'm loving Asgeir - he's like an Icelandic Bon Iver, really nice and chilled. I've usually got my iTunes playing a mixture of dorky and current music."

What she sees:
"There's a big bunch of flowers sitting in a glass vase on the windowsill. I draw in a room at the front of the house where I get the best light during the day and coincidentally the best view."

What she smells:
"The flowers on my desk - ideally fragrant pink lillies."

What she has in front of her:
"Arches watercolour paper (300gsm), a small Roymac brush and all my Daler Rowney inks sitting next to my watercolors, which I'll alternate depending on what colours I need."

What distracts her:
"The passerbys out my winder especially on the weekend as there's more of them."

All pictures belong to Belinda Xia Illustration

By Sharon Jiang

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Accessories Edit: Rose

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 09:49:00 +0000

Pyramid Ring: c/o The Peach Box (shop HERE) ... Watch: Raymond Weil

Bangles & Stacking rings: Wanderlust & Co

Spring is synonymous with incredible floral blossoms - a sign of the upcoming warmer weather. With the soft breeze replacing chilly winds and the extended Sydney sunshine (thank you daylight saving), I thought it was appropriate to try out a new metal. More subtle than yellow gold, rose gold's tinge of pink made it the perfect base for this spring edition of 'Accessories Edit'.

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ANGELS

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:01:00 +0000

Picture Source: http://www.boudist.com/, http://www.alicemccall.com, http://loverthelabel.com, http://www.zimmermannwear.com, http://thestonecoldfox.com, http://www.fashionising.com/

White lace forever and always ...

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INTERVIEW: Gypsea Paradise 14/15

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 00:03:00 +0000

'Mayan': Mayan feathers from the rain-forests of Mexico & the Mayan Ruins

'Dino': The minerals

'Zeepop': double exposed zebras and poppies

'Nicobar': Nicobar Pigeon from the Andomon Island & Malaysia

Known for their original and vibrant prints, Gypsea Swimwear's newest 2014/15 collection 'Paradise' showcases the brand's love of nature and design. This Western Australian label has come a long way since their runway debut at 2013 Australian Fashion Week by designing swimwear that's unique in print and cut yet flattering to the female form.

Zebra & Poppies Double Exposure by Misha Ashton Moore

But even after finding success designer Emma Jones and surf photographer Scott Bauer, who run this business together, has not strayed from their design DNA. Gypsea is still that label which merges swimwear with exquisite photography shot by Bauer and other talented photographers and artists.

Such is the importance of original photography that Gypsea has an artist program to support local and international talent. The idea is to accept artists to 'collaborate with Gypsea ... creating a unique piece of wearable art'. This collection features the work of Misha Ashton Moore, Darrell Gulin and Stan and Kaisa Breeden.

Previously I had the pleasure to interview Bauer after the label's debut. This time I catch up with him to talk about the new collection.
These are his thoughts:

On inspiration: "I'm very much an outdoors person, so nature is a big inspiration. This particular collection is very much inspired by my upbringing, from North Western Australia with the Karijini and Ningalo prints."

On the prints: "The minerals, I've always been amazed by at a young age, the textures and colours are so unique. The feather prints are inspired by amazing Rainforests; Paradise Lost is from the Amazon, Bird of Paradise is from Papua New Guinea, Nicobar is from around the Andamon Islands and Malaysia and Mayan is from the rainforests of Mexico where the Mayan Ruins are." (see photo captions for print information)

Mayan feather by Darrell Gulin

On designing new cuts: "We're constantly evolving and the ultimate goal is to produce new, contemporary swimwear that is very flattering but also have those staples that we are known for."

On challenges: "I think sometimes the biggest challenge is to narrow the range down enough so the collections aren't so big. We get so excited it's easy to get out of hand."

On partnership: "Emma and I work so well now and the design process we have so much fun with."

'Mayan': Mayan feathers from rain forests of Mexico and the Mayan Ruins

'Paradise Lost': Macaw Feathers from the Amazon

'Nicobar': Nicobar Pigeon from the Andomon Islands & Malaysia

Picture Source: http://www.gypsea.com.au

By Sharon Jiang

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MBFFS Behind-The-Scenes

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 04:43:00 +0000

The intermission where staff are head down bum up and pacing around in nothing less than flat shoes is such a contrast to the highly staged runway shows. Shouts from the front of house manager to the sound of a hundred footsteps and the rustling of paper, this is the human and not so glamorous side of MBFFS.

But this underrated part of a fashion show rarely covered in magazines or shown in media is one that's left a memorable imprint. I whispered to Marvic: "Is it weird that I find this changeover period more mesmerising than the actual show?"

Because to these workers - the student volunteers, the sound, lighting and setting crew, the photographers eagerly waiting in the pit - a fashion show isn't all fun and games, it's their job. Seeing them execute it with speed, efficiency and a no-nonsense attitude was very refreshing. These pictures were snapped during the interval between the Fashion Bloggers on Style show and the Camilla and Marc resort show.

So here's a shoutout to all those hard at work behind-the-scenes. They deserve a pat on the back.

By Sharon Jiang

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OUTFIT POST: The Advisor

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 08:57:00 +0000

Shirt: Stray for Roger David ... Singlet: ASOS Australia ... Chinos: Country Road
Hat: Fallen Broken Street ... Sunglasses: Quay Eyewear Australia

Socks: Country Road ... Shoes: Shubar for Hype DC

Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival has now come to an end and I am pleased to say that my very first experience at an actual fashion shows didn’t disappoint. The pieces were amazing, the atmosphere addictive and the fashion, left, right and centre, all too inspiring. But the moment engrained into my psyche was not that of the silhouettes or nuanced details of the clothing, but the eye-opening advice given by a man bunked beside me in the shrouded media high-riser.

Unfortunately I have totally forgotten the name of this masked man (I know, what an idiot) but his American accent and extensive knowledge of the fashion industry is that which should be admired. From our passionate exchange, the thing that stuck me the most was education – education of who and what each designer is, means and stands for; and to how their collections and pieces have come to fruition.

So with that said and done, this outfit was my attempt at dressing myself in labels and pieces that I have conceptually learnt about – trying to educate myself on where a piece or design has come from, what it means and the inspiration behind it.

Fashion is about knowledge and understanding. It is not simply just ‘what looks good’ or ‘what looks bad’ – but the emotion, knowledge and heritage weaved within its threads.

With that said, from top to toe, the labels I am wearing are: Fallen Broken Street, Quay Eyewear Australia, Stray for Roger David, ASOS Australia, Country Road and Shubar for Hype DC.

Primed Men

By Marvic Casingal

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