|
clapbangkiss
|
read my profile
sign my guestbook
Name: Dawn
Location: Singapore, Singapore
Gender: Female
Interests: Jesus (Lover of My Soul). Gastronomical Indulgences. Exploration of the World. Sartorial Elegance. Prose. Design. Film. Music. Racing. Black Humor. Sunsets & Sunrises.
Expertise: Blogger extraordinaire. Model and Events host. Closet Nerd/Geek. Fashion entrepreneur at www.lexilyla.com
Spam, slander, abusive remarks and comments that propagate lies are not tolerated. Just as no one wants trash in their home, I do not hesitate to clear out trash here too.
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
11/20/2003
 Premium
|
|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| LEICA - "DAS WESENTLICHE" in Berlin
Leica - a legend in the camera universe since 1925. This renowned German brand is synonymous with a rich heritage, quality, precision craftsmanship and..... hefty price tags. Highly coveted by photography enthusiasts, many people ooh-ed and ahh-ed when they found out I was invited by Leica to Germany for their worldwide launch of new products. I almost felt.... PRESSURE! I made duly sure to upload pics to my Twitter and Facebook the next morning so they would be the first few to know :) All photos at the event seen here were taken with the compact Leica D-Lux 5 passed to me for the trip. 
Das Wesentliche, means "the essence"
Venue was an old post office, now the space is used as an art gallery C/O Berlin.
Live performance by the Berlin Philharmonic.
German actor Jan-Josef Liefers is host for the evening.
Jan is joined by Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Mr. Alfred Schopf and Stefan Erfurt.
They talk about "Das Wesentliche" and creating tools for photographers to create more artistic images.
They also thank all the Leica staff for their speed in getting the new models out.
 
Barbara Klemm is a photojournalist who shoots B&W. And she loves her Lecia M7. 
Photographer and trumpet musician Till Brönner. He gave a performance for guests too.
Many cool areas for people to lounge around.
 
With the MD of Leica Asia-Pacific, and invited Korean artistes.
Kristiano was coerced into being my obedient model for this shot. Very Mad Men.
And now we come to the most exciting part you've been waiting for..... The new Leica models unveiled for the first time in the world! Was very exciting to witness the big night! Hoardes of people were crowding round the glass-encased exhibits, trying to get a glimpse of them. 
Lets find out a bit more about these lust-worthy debutantes... hold your drool...
First up, for the super wealthy who enjoy the finer things in life and love exclusivity... LEICA M9-P »Edition Hermès« / LEICA M9-P »Edition Hermès« – Série Limitée Jean-Louis Dumas US$25,000 - US$50,000
The meticulous hand-crafting of the Hermès edition. 
For those who want high specs combined with gorgeous retro styling in a portable size.... LECIA X2 S$2,980
 For the entry-level starters.... LEICA V-LUX 40 S$990
 And finally, a revolutionary new camera... the world’s first digital camera exclusively for full-frame, 35 mm black-and-white photography. Leica M Monochrom S$12,260
My fascination with black & white photography will never die. There is a timeless beauty, an elegant and poignant quality expressed in monochromatic images that I love. If you are serious about exploring black & white photography, the Leica M Monochrom would be a good bet. During the launch event and press conference, I got to see up close, a stark difference in quality and clarity between images taken by other Leica cameras. The Monochrom was super x 10 high resolution with much, much less noise.
 A photo taken by Jacob Aue Sobol using the Leica M Monochrom on his Trans Siberian journey.
I may not get to keep a Leica, but well I'm happy I got to play with them :) 
Next time I'll share about our visit to the Leica factory in Solms, Germany! 
Cheerios! | | |
| Mugler, Audi Fashion Festival 2012 
photo by: Lee Koon Yew
I did a guest blog entry for Yahoo Singapore on my experience attending the opening show of this year's Audi Fashion Festival - by French fashion house Mugler. You can read it here :)
Several comments on the site have been quite disparaging, leading to me being a bit upset for a day. Some I felt were not constructive criticism at all and such nastiness really uncalled for. Besides adding some of my own personal experiences of the night (which is what the editors instructed), I put a lot of effort to include more thoughtful analysis and opinions into the entry. I wanted to make sure it wasn't one of those vapid blog posts by "fashion bloggers" with some photos and some lines like "oh it was wonderful!" "I loved that dress!" and umm....that's it.
But well, as I've learnt over the years, you can't please everyone. I'm aware I'm not the best literary genius in the world and I have room for improvement; and I'm also aware some people out there will hate no matter what. Browse the internet and you'll find it is full of vitrol, people who love to bash online anonymously about everything, anything and anyone in the public eye. I will strive to always do my best anyway, and nonetheless, I'm thankful for the more positive encouragement and support by friends and followers on my Facebook page, hugs to them! x
Big thank you to Yahoo too, for giving me this opportunity! It's an honor to work with one of my go-to sites!
**Singapore's annual Audi Fashion Festival is one of the biggest fashion events in the city. Held from 16 - 20 May, this year's show featured participants like Mugler, Zac Pousen, Roland Mouret, Raoul, Alldressedup, and other notable local designers.** 
| | |
| Dorothy Perkins, 10 Years in Singapore 
British high-street retailer Dorothy Perkins celebrated their 10th anniversary in Singapore with a fashion party at Raffles City. For the event, they got me an appointment with their stylist, and after a session of trying on this and that and that, and that, I was runway ready in the lovely dress above and pretty pink-silver heels! It was like a chic champagne party on a sunny summer's day. 400 invited guests were treated to a runway show featuring Dorothy Perkins' latest looks from Spring Summer 2012 collection, showcasing their debut Luxe collection; and also a new capsule collection by Olivia Rubin. 
Fresh, fun and feminine, l liked everything that came down the catwalk.
London designer Olivia Rubin's 17-strong collection "Postcards From" was especially enticing. I was swooning! Since prints and bright girly colors are very on trend this SS12, one can conclude there is no lack of some shrewd business brains at Dorothy Perkins - what a clever move to collaborate with the Central Saint Martins graduate most well-known for her signature graphic prints (she previously worked at John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, before launching her own label in 2007).
Rubin's designs for the capsule collection were emblazoned with holiday-themed shell and tropical bird motifs in soft neutral shades mixed with punchy highlights of her favorite shocking pink. Floaty chiffon drapes, soft and feminine asymmetrical wraps in winking patterns, all delightful modern girly chic. "This is all you need to pack in your suitcase for your summer holidays," Rubin says. "You’ve got a maxi-dress to take you from beach to festival, party dresses for wedding to club, and all those easy throw-on pieces for in-between." 
My sister is also wearing Dorothy Perkins, Luxe collection
Guests get into a shopping frenzy in the store afterwards
My mom attended the event with us, in a classy shift dress from the Luxe collection too.
Uh oh, even I couldn't resist some retail therapy
I'm happy I got to keep the lovely dress and heels :) Thanks DP! | | |
| Happy Mother's Day 
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. - Proverbs 31: 10 -31
Every line describes her perfectly to a t. I thank God for the best mom our family could ever have. Over 20 years of thoughtfully, self-sacrificially loving me through my best and worst days, I vow I'll do the same for her till the end.
(oh, and she gave birth to me naturally, without any epidural. How kick ass is that!) | | |
| World Gourmet Summit 2012 Opening Reception 
It was a FATTTastic night pigging out on the excellent samplings of dishes prepared by various local chefs, accompanied by visiting world-renowned and Michelin-starred celebrity masterchefs.
The setting: Universal Studios after hours, with the entire New York street transformed into a gastronomical paradise alley. 
After its first conceptualisation in 1997, World Gourmet Summit has become a world-acclaimed epicurean celebration and extravaganza.
With a total of 15 distinguished chefs hailing from Australia, China, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Peru Russia, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States, including legendary headliner Marco Pierre White, the World Gourmet Summit 2012 promised to be yet another grand affair showcasing the world's best wine producers and extraordinary dining experiences! 
Things to expect in the WGS: - Masterchefs are hosted at various hotels where they create special menus called Epicurean Delights during the week-long promotion. - Special events such as culinary masterclasses, cuisine showcases, wine masterclasses and vintner dinners are held at some of Singapore's finest dining establishments.
The heat was nearly unbearable; men were walking around with soaked shirts! But for the tantalizing food, this was no sweat.
I was impressed by Sam Leong's dishes, particularly a crab rice creation he made that night. I'm quite partial to Asian food :)
A girl's dinner is not complete without her desserts.
Entertainment by Universal Studios performers added to our feast for the senses.
And I was absolutely thrilled to try the Transformers 3D ride!
 
If you want a feel of what it's like to be Shia or Megan, you MUST hop on this super fun, amazing ride!
It felt so real I screamed my heart out and reached for Optimus Prime to save me ;)
Chefs I had the honor of personally speaking to in a media exclusive, one-minute each, speed-dating, table-swopping frenzy: David Zhang - China, Dani Garcia (two Michelin stars) and Paco Roncero (two Michelin stars) - Spain Fergus Henderson (one Michelin star) - UK Ian Curley - Australia Pedro Miguel Schiaffino - Peru Pietro D'Agostino (one Michelin star) - Italy
I asked Mr. Garcia and Mr. Ronero from Spain what makes a good paella (because I've never been to Spain *yet!* and I love the dish)
To which they replied, "PASSION." Indeed, cooking, or anything in life for that matter, without passion will never achieve greatness.
Till the next World Gourmet Summit in 2013 - all you foodies out there definitely don't want to miss it next year!
Image credits: Matthew Low, Resorts World Sentosa
| | |
|
|
