Eye Candy: Ailee

Ok so this girl has been around the block a little and some may already know her.  She is a Kpop sensation that you would never guess is actually Korean American.

Some infobits:

• Born in Denver, CO
• Raised in New Jersey
• Studied criminal justice
• Launched a YouTube channel showcasing covers of R&B songs
• Performed on Maury
• Was signed to a NYC based agency before moving to Korea under YMC Entertainment in 2010
• Taken as a 'trainee', mentored by Kpop star Wheesung
• Her performance of Beyonce's Halo broke ground in Korea
• Officially launched as a solo singer in February 2012

This girl has it all.  Looks and talent, in a Korean born industry that is getting more and more prominence internationally.  And the best part is that because she is effectively bilingual, she has even more potential to do crossovers.  

What I do like though is the progression she has made style wise.  Clearly the Kpop image makers know what they are doing.  Seeing her early days in the US and how she is today, you can appreciate the difference between looking good for a Western audience versus looking hot for an Asian one.

Stuff Envy: Super Thin iMacs now Shipping

It is not just a trend.  It is a standard now.  Everything is getting smaller and thinner, unless you are the host of Man Vs Food on TLC.

It was inevitable for the iMac to go thin, but I suspect this is not going to be where it ends.  After a long spell of manufacturing delays (ironically caused by the new slim design), the machines are finally shipping.

Starting prices:

21.5 inch at SGD1,788.

27 inch at SGD2,488.

Buy the iMac

Partygram!: Issey Miyake Pleats Please Fragrance by Luxasia

Dancers as part of the ad campaign

The event was held at Tangs. This was not for a new launch as the product has been in the market for a few months.  This was a publicity drive, tied to the relaunch of Tang's renovated beauty floor.  So I will be writing more about the event.

It called for guests to come in primary colors.  The invitations were presumably capitalized on the Tangs Card mailing list.  The guests who turned up seemed suspiciously not within the intended demographics.

If brand image was important, the guests did not seem 
to match the profile

There was champagne, mocktails and finger food, served by some very polite waiters.  If the intention was to make it appear posh, it was a valiant attempt.  I enjoyed how fashion exclusivity could be so democratic.  Now the masses can enjoy a sense of what the fashion community and media supporters take for granted.

It didn't last long, just a little over an hour.  The host played a spot quiz game that was a little clumsy as it made the guests mark each other's score cards, which was quite awkward.  I had a kiasu Caucasian lady who kept trying to make sure we marked her scores correctly.  She also spoke about the background of the brand and the product, mispronouncing French names and English words along the way, but the guests didn't mind or notice.

Still, the star of the show was the fragrance.  The host rattled off fast facts, much of which has been in public knowledge for a while.  A sample:

• first to involve models in its advertising campaigns
• the first to reflect Miyake's fashion collection
• the bottle reflects aesthetics of Miyake's Bao Bao bags
• the scents come in 30ml, 50ml, and 100ml sizes.

The beautifully crafted bottle

Miyake is an Asian designer that has a signature aesthetic that many have tried to emulate.  It puts him on a different scale on the world design stage.  I wondered if doing the beauty floor event was a good reflection of the brand and whether there could have been a different way of handling it.  Perhaps in a more controlled environment, or a tie up with Club 21 to have the event in a Miyake boutique (brand reinforcement).  

Also, when the host said "I am surprised by the turn out", it did not exactly bode well for the product and brand.  Yes, it was intended to be a positive, that the crowd turn out was more than expected.  However the opposite interpretation was also reasonable. Perhaps though, to protect the integrity of the brand, the turn out (which by the way, was not overwhelming in numbers) could have been glorified as loyal support for a distinguished brand.  Luxury Brand Management 101.

Breaking the dress code of coming
in primary colors

Eye Candy: Ali Hammoud Mr International 2012

He is the current reigning champ of Mr International 2012, a pageant that was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 24 November 2012.  He hails from Lebanon.  His name is Ali Hammoud.

It is insane how stunning this guy is.  It is more insane that no amount of independent checks can unearth any details about him.  No stats, agency representation, or background.

Which would make it hard for any client to contact him directly for projects, unless they go through the organizers of the pageant.  Then again, since no one knows his stats, it is hard to figure out if he is of the expected standard size range for the industry.

What is known is that he is actually third runner up in the Mister Lebanon pageant.  And the win in Bangkok is the second international coup for the country.

Regardless, agencies really need to expand their net in search of new faces.

More on Ali Hammoud: Models Redefined 

Eye Candy: Redefined Male Ideals

I do not intend to turn this blog into a meat diary.  But I do want to make a point.  Beauty is everywhere.  And if we subscribe to a type, we'd lose out a lot.

Case in point -

Mister International 2012 from Lebanon: Ali Hammoud.

And how about the first Filipino winner of Manhunt International 2012, June Macasaet.

The age of the skinny boy models is over.  And seeing that these men won over their Western counterparts, it is a healthy sign that beauty is constantly being redefined.

Fashion always strikes a balance between what is representative and what is aspirational.  Maybe it's time to go back to looking at role models in the fashion industry.  Role models that are at least closer to Asian ideals when it comes to beauty.

Stuff Envy: Alexander Wang Wedges

Can you LOVE a pair of shoes?

Yes.

Alexander Wang's Snake-effect leather wedges are divine!  They expertly balances luxe with a modern, futuristic edge that will still be compatible with a lot that you already have in your wardrobe.

Where to buy

Sale!: Coach Shoes up to 50% off Online and In Stores

OK shoe lovers.

Coach is now on sale online with free shipping over USD150 in the US.  For Singapore customers, you can always sign on to the SingPost service and have your purchases shipped to you that way.

Is it worth it?  Check out these samples:

franca sneaker, was USD118, sale USD79

blanche heel, was USD198, sale USD99

haircalf pump, was USD239, sale USD119

brenda rainboot, was USD249, sale USD129

www.coach.com