Harper’s Bazaar Singapore- Asian Models Embracement

I remember explicitly during my interview for the Harper’s Bazaar Singapore internship (which by the way, Laila, I still owe you a treat! :P), when asked about my opinion about the magazine by fashion features editor, Kim Reyes, I openly stated how much more relatable the magazine will be if it has more Asians being featured on it’s covers.

It seems that my prayers have been answered. Pretty much.

Before I flipped the pages of the August issue with Lucy Liu in Dior on the cover, and overlooking the texts (I hardly read them. If the cover’s good, I’m sold), I was thinking, “Ok, another celebrity cover, typical. But oh well, at least she’s Asian!”
But through the "editor's note" section, from editor-in-chief, Gisele Go, I finally realised that it was an issue dedicated mostly to just Asian Talents! Above all, it was the work of fashion director, Kenneth Goh, editorial featuring Wang Xiao that made me (and still) love that issue so much. Everything- from the location, to the hair, to the make-up, to the styling, to Wang Xiao’s natural sensuality- are all love-at-first-sight.

“Love at first sight” hit me again when the October issue came out. Guess who the cover girl was:

I remember myself double-checking the month and year on the issue just to make sure I’m not holding on to a vintage issue from the 90s or something. Wang Xiao, with the blown-up puffy hair, beauty mark, and the sharp make-up, truly blew me away. This girl, must be having some charm for Kenneth to feature her more than once.

Just recently, in Borders bookstore of Wheelock place, approaching the magazines section, I recalled a little gasp from my diaphragm when I saw some black Asian haired slender figure wearing resort Chanel (Chanel Venice):

Hello there Sheila Sim (also known as Singapore’s very own Natasha Poly), shot along with another model with a gorgeous butt, makes the cover of the November issue.

Now look, correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m almost sure Harper’s Bazaar Singapore had only used Caucasian models for their covers most of the time. Nothing wrong with that, just felt that Asian models has been under-appreciated in the high fashion magazine world for far too long. However, with this recent acknowledgement from Harper’s Bazaar Singapore towards featuring Asian models, I’m feeling more than delighted.

Picture source: Design scene

Preen S/S 2010

After a few seasons of the hard edged and wild dresses, Thea Bregazzi and Justin Thornton’s Preen girl for spring 2010 is tangibly walking back to the softer and mellower lines. Not entirely giving up the deconstruction that got themselves celebrity worshipped by, the couple not only gave the girl the usual cut-outs and the vulnerable shoulder straps, patchworks of lace and puffiness (that was last seen from Giambattista Valli) was also pieced into the romantic collection.

Couldn’t get any more evident of a supplely season, out came a yellow and a couple pink sheer draped dresses, as well as a series of grey and white loose translucent blouses. Also in the placid colour palette are beige and nudes that gave the girls that extra body-conscious appeal.

But shaking off the trendy zippers and houndstooth prints, what might seen as a déjà vu this time round are the shoulder pads that pops out once in a while through the show. And just when it seem that nothing could be more abrupt, out came the PVC-glossy pieces which might let their customers re-inquire when they look at their price tags attached.

Photo credit: Fashionologie, Style.com