Monday 18 April 2016

Rhapsody in Blue

"The sound of a pianica tuning has the concert audiences sit up in curiousity. Suddenly, the stage light switched on and an innocent looking bear mascot holding a pianica stands in front of the still hidden orchestra. The audiences erupted in giggles and girls gush about how cute does the bulky bear looks. Calm and composed, the mascot starts playing a glissando solo that leads the orchestra to chime in..."


The scene from Japanese music drama, Nodame Cantabile was my first encounter with George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, one of his most remarkable and recognisable work. The bold and refreshing combination of jazz piano and orchestra is a rare gem itself since jazz comes in a small band and classical music orchestras are often perceived as rigid. The melody is lively, fun and make you want to dance and swing the night away.


This Friday and Saturday nights, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) brings us Wayne Marshall, conductor and pianist renowned for interpreting Gershwin's works, for Rhapsody in Blue and three other pieces of Gershwin and Bernstein. (Plus point: The concert program includes West-side story!) Ticket price starts at RM60 and student get a special price of RM15. Tickets can be purchased at MPO box office at Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC or its official website.


Details of concert are as follows:

Date and time: 22 & 23 April 2016, Saturday and Sunday, 8.30pm
Venue: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas


Sunday 17 April 2011

Natalia Vodianova: Chateau California

In Vogue US May 2011, model and actress Natalia Vodianova unpacks a cinematic urban summer wardrobe at the iconic Chateau Marmont and finds young Hollywood talents behind every door. Photographed by Bruce Weber.

Bear Necessities: When unexpected adventure is in store, suitably glamorous ladies (here with Cody the Bear) as well appointed as their surroundings don't travel light. On actress Dakota Fanning, left, who stars in Twilight: Breaking Dawn: Part I in November: Dior cotton jacket, matching dress, and T-strap heels. On Vodianova: Rochas wool cardigan and brogues. Marni silk blouse and satchel. Jil Sander skirt.
Meet-and-Greet: First impressions are important, especially when hotelier André Balazs greets you at the door. On Vodianova: Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière floral silk radzimir–and–leather dress. On actress Isabel Lucas: Nina Ricci silk-crepe cardigan, cashmere-and-silk top, and wool tweed skirt. Hermès bag. On Balazs: Loro Piana trench. On actor Max Irons, center: Ralph Lauren Purple Label suit. Giorgio Armani scarf. On actor Martin Henderson, who plays Dr. Ben Keeton in ABC's Off the Map: plaid shirt from Melet Mercantile, NYC. Polo Ralph Lauren shorts.
Rescue Party: Reel them in with candy stripes on a '50s-flavored midriff top and high-waisted shorts. Vodianova throws a lifeline to (from left) Irons and actors Dave Franco and Ethan Peck. Marc Jacobs knit sweater and shorts. Bottom, from left: On Peck, Ralph Lauren Purple vest and pants. Band of Outsiders tie. On Irons: Dior Homme suit. Jil Sander tie. On Franco: Dolce & Gabbana shirt.
Frame of Mind: Best known as Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds,Matthew Gray Gubler has fulfilled a dream by stepping behind the camera on the hit show. "I love doing anything that entertains people," he says, "but directing is 51 percent of my heart." Ralph Lauren Collection embroidered dress. On Gubler: Lanvin shirt. Dior Homme tie. Calvin Klein Collection pants.
Supporting Roles: "It was an amazing experience," says Vodianova (here with hotel staff) of starring opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the upcoming romance Belle du Seigneur."Acting is an extension of what I do as a model because I never just pose. I always give a bit more." Giorgio Armani sequined dress and evening bag.
Sleeping Beauties: Some actresses take their Oscars to bed; Vodianova wears Oscar to bed. Oscar de la Renta feather-and-silk cardigan and silk dress with jeweled buttons.
Sleeping Beauties: Clockwise from top left: On actress Hailee Steinfeld: Brooks Brothers pajamas. On actress Chloë Moretz: What Goes Around Comes Around T-shirt. Olatz pajama pants. Prada fox stole. On actress Elle Fanning: Olatz pajamas.

Taste for Adventure: Long admired for his fearless screen performances, Ed Harris has taken up a fitting hobby: tightrope-walking. "So far it's only a couple of feet off the ground," says Harris (who stars in That's What I Am), "but even that keeps your interest." Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière cashmere sweater and skirt. On Harris: Dior Homme shirt. AllSaints T-shirt. Levi's jeans.
Sunset Boulevard: Arguably the most storied hotel on the strip, the Chateau has been a celebrity retreat since the days of Greta Garbo, who would spend weeks at a time holed up in her suite. Vodianova steals a solitary moment and channels that old-Hollywood mystique. Céline cotton poplin–and–denim shirt, cigarette pants, and pumps.
Chase Scene: Sequined stripes as glitteringly chic as these have Irons in hot pursuit. Prada paillette dress and heels. Céline clutch.


Credits: Vogue US 

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Taylor Swift's Style

Taylor Swift writes and sings music that reflects her life and feeling, while her style reflects her personality and music perfectly. Unlike other celebrities, she is often spotted shopping at Topshop, Zara, H&M, Anthropologie or other high street shop. These makes her style more approachable and affordable to her fans. We can always recreate her style easily. 

Dresses
Taylor Swift loves girlie dresses. She has a lot of floral dresses in different colours and prints. She also loves lace or ruffle dresses. 
(Left) Taylor Swift went out with her band wearing a red one-shouldered dress, Ralph Lauren satchel and nude mary janes. (Right) She give extra length to her Topshop Cream Lace Flippy Dress by wearing a black tutu skirt underneath. She accessorized with black skinny belt, satchel and two-tone lace-up oxfords.
(Left)Shopping in Galerie Lafayette Paris wearing a quirky H&M bird print dress, stripes tights, and brown high heel oxfords. (Right)She also loves bargain! Spotted in Target in a cute lavender floral dress, her favourite satchel and cream T-strap sandals.

Cardigan
Layer a neutral cardigan over summery dresses to brave the cold weather and add a casual touch.
A grey oversize cardigan adds comfort and warmth against the chilly weather of Paris. 
(Left)Out and about in London, she layer a boyfriend cardigan over her ModCloth Lakefront Property Dress. (Right)In London too, she goes old school preppy chic with black Armani Exchange cardigan, brown mini skirt, french connection tote and Steve Madden oxfords.

Play with Classics
Taylor Swift is a practical girl. She repeats her clothes all the time. Invest in a stripes top, blazer and pea coat which is always timeless.
(Left)At the airport in Zara top and skirt. (Right)Chic and comfortable in Breton stripe black skinny jeans, blazer and brogue.
She has the classic trench with full skirt and Topshop navy pea coat.

Jeans
When she's not wearing skirt, she wears jeans, mostly dark wash, black or dark blue. Ripped jeans? No.

Cocktail Dresses
On red carpet, Taylor loves dresses which length fall above the knees.
Peach hand-pleated silk chiffon dress and spaghetti-strap lavender draped dress, both by J.Mendel. Prada criss-cross sandals and Christian Louboutin T-strap sandals.

Strapless
Sweet heart neckline is also a popular choice for Taylor Swift. Pick a simple strapless dress.
(Left)At the premiere of Easy A in a emerald green Miu Miu bustier dress, Rene Caovilla clutch and Christian Louboutin Madame Butterfly sandals. (Right)At CMA Awards in a flame red Monique Lhuillier Resort 2011 gown. 

Sequins
Dazzling and sparkly dresses are Taylor Swift's all time favourite. 
(Left)Jenny Packham black lace and sequins dress from Resort 2011 collection. (Right)Z Spoke by Zac Posen metallic halter dress and glittering Louboutin peep toes.

Accessories
Bags
Satchel and shoulder bag are her favourite especially Ralph Lauren Collection bags.

Shoes
Comfortable low heel oxfords, pumps and sandals are her choice.

Beanie
She wear beanie with everyting from classic coat to Helmut Lang jacket.

Hair
Taylor Swift is famous for her golden locks. She likes to braid her hair into a Alexander Wang loose braid during daytime. On red carpet, she styled her hair into an updo with a few locks of hair framing her face.

Photos : Getty, just jared

Saturday 2 April 2011

True Love Grows

Peter Lindbergh's photos are simple, realistic and calm. He is one of the few photographers in the world who can deliver his message through his photos. In Tiffany's Spring ad campaign, the message is 'Year by year. Hand by hand. Better and better.' Although this is only an ad campaign, I still can feel the happiness, chemistry and sparks between model Louise Pedersen and actor Robert Buckley. 






Photos : Tiffany & Co.

Saturday 26 March 2011

This Christian Louboutin flats are sublime

I love Christian Louboutin and I love exotic skins. So, this Christian Louboutin Rosella Water Snake Ballerina Flats is a match made in heaven. I will wear them with every outfit, from a white dress to skinny jeans. The blush colour is perfect with every colour. Unfortunately, I can just admire them in front of my computer screen or in my dream because of the nearly 2000 ringgit price tag. I can buy at least 2 or 3 pairs of Repetto flats with 2000 ringgit. Adieu, Loubi flats..

Photos : Net-a-porter

Brian Atwood Rose Gold Maniac Pumps

Rose gold is my favourite metal colour. It is very hard to find any shoes or clothes in this colour except jewellery. I'm wearing a rose gold pendant and many people complimented on it. This pumps are collaboration of Victoria Beckham and Brian Atwood for her Spring 2011 collection. Actually she asked Brian Atwood to match colour of the pumps with her rose gold Rolex which is a present from her husband for her 36th birthday. She also wore them on her presentation day.
Photos : Net-a-porter, getty images