Fashion's Misses of 2007

Finally we've come to the end of 2007!

Give yourself a pat on the back after surviving through tonnes of natural disasters (cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh), the worst US subprime crash in recent years, Garuda plane crash in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) that killed 49 on board, Pakistan's suicide bombing that killed 115 people and Benazir Bhutto, Burmese monks staging an uprising against the military junta, lovely writers' strike in Hollywood, and paris hilton going "behind bars"...........


*pant*


Aren't you glad, you live in Singapore that the only major thing that affected your life in 2007 was that "meagre" 2% increase in GST last July?


Since we've come to the end of a "smashing", hectic, and happening year, The crew at Style Damsel has decided to put together our very own misses in the fashion world of 2007.


Let's start off with the "best damn thing" launch.



This:






is the fugliest We've seen Avril ever.
We didn't mind her in cut up ugly socks that she passed off as gloves,
grand-dads tie worn over her overly-emo tank tops





But this fairy-godmother-got-drunk look and the decision to dip her head in pink paint is such a no-no for any Style Damsels! And putting your brother's Doc Martins with pink nettings together only belongs to the world of disparity.





No one really knows what marriage has done to her, not even Deryck, still, we can't stop boogying to "girlfriend".






Coined the label whore of 2007 forever,

The one-half of beckham can sometimes crop off too much fabric to appear like she works in "whores R us".

Her several attempts to look and be "classic" is often futile.

Take a hint from the "glamour women of the year awards 2007" then you will know what we mean:






But we were really too spoilt for choice in her "glamour hall of shame for style" that we put together other "best dressed" of hers for your utmost "eyecandy".



She in the most desirable moon dress and at Marc Jacobs fashion show.


Really even the £10,000 Barbie-pink ostrich-skin Hermes Birkin bag and Balenciagia court shoes (which NO ONE wears to the games) can help.

So what if I told you the dress cost £30,000?






The next celeb style caused alot of flying rulers and disagreements across our desks.
Some argued she looked stunning, but really, it came to a point we don't know if it's the designer's fault, her stylist fault, or if it's just her refusal to not be a fashion victim fault.

we are talking about the most-of-the-time-goddess-looking Miss Keira Knightly.








She really looks like a damsel in distress here.
No prizes for guessing that she just got out from falling off the pool.
Bad hair + bad make up + bad dress = bad multiply by three.

Someone, feed her please!




The only male species to top our list this year.
Just when we thought how wrong can men's style go, for any formal black-tie occasion like the Grammy's, we know a three-piece suit will suffice. Look stunning like Justin Timberlake in the VMAs, or charming in White like P.Diddy's style...

But our next chart topper, or should we say, toppers, choose to be different in their second skin.





Ahh...yes, we are talking about thread mill fanatics, Ok Go.
Clad in matching gold brocade suits to mimic their website's wallpaper was indeed the "best" publicity stunt that anyone could ever thought of!

Aren't we glad that the threadmills were left at home?




Our final and the most coveted and deserving "WORST DRESS OF 2007" goes to derryah's favourite singer and sampling artiste,



source: bellasugar.com

Imogen Heap!



disastrous coiffure, garden of daisy flowers, and japanese waxed umbrella made their utmost debut in this year's Grammy's.

When they say a picture paints a thousand words, they mean it!
Next time even if your fans decide to string a whole dress out of your favourite sunflower, please don't entertain their craziness!


SO there you have it!
Our top list of worst dress 2007, brought to your by the devoted crew of Style Damsel.

Let's just hope it won't get any worse this year!


Happy New Year to all our Fans with lots of love,

SD crew!

Fashion Is Plastic

I'm in love with Phu Chu Kang.
Well, not exactly the moley contractor guy, but those bright hot yellow boots.

travelpenang.com

Though, it's not so ubiquitous here in sunny Singapore - since our government loves to pamper us with leveled roads and proper tilings - but I still got my wellingtons from London.

Surprising, they are comfortable to be in. Soft, flexible, and best of it all...CUTE!

My very own

They cost me about GBP30, that converts to about SGD87. The shop owner told me they were used for gardening, but that's just as far as it goes. I always believe personal style is yours to interpret.


Online shop Bootkidz sells really cute wellies, ranging from sizes 4-9, depending on the designs.

http://www.bootkidz.co.uk/pink-wellie-boots/


If online shopping ain't your cuppa, try dropping by 33 Erskine Road. Located at the ground floor, Eggthree, is a trendy lifestyle concept store founded by three partners. They were the only local people who brought in stylish wellingtons back when they were only fit for wrinkled-face gardeners.
Learn more about them at www.eggthree.com

Eggthree.com

Alternatively, you can visit the newly refurbished Raffles City Shopping Centre, that houses a novo fashion retail store which bring in independent labels like J.Lo, Betsey Johnsen, Francesca Biasa, etc.
(I spotted some high-end Wellingtons when I was there last week)
They have more sophisticated prints like animal-skin motifs; leopards and zebras.

Be sure to be bold & stylish!

Fashion Labels

There is something very gratifying about creating fashion labels - simple, somewhat of a chore, yet highly satisfying. This brings us one step closer to our materialization of our own brand, our own label.

One month later

It's been almost a month now,
the conceptualization is another step closer to realization.

Checklist, to-do list, buying list are all up and ready.

We never knew fashion was going to be this tough!

But we are going to pull through and bring lots of fun and surprises to you in 2008!

So, keep tuning in!

The Journey Begins

The journey begins, from paper, towards materialization - fabrics, designers, buttons, zips and needle pricks - we'll only say that something really big is coming your way. With this blog, the whole journey from brainstorming, to suggestions, to making it happen - every step will be chronologically archived here for us, and of course you readers to know what's coming up.

Stay tuned - for you won't want to miss the next big thing.

Christmas Holidays is Here!

Hey people, BG and I will be taking around a week and a half from the blog. I'll be on family vacation in Osaka for the next few days and then be back in Hong Kong; BG already has plans with friends packed for the holidays. Anyways, I know BG already did a post on affordable posts yesterday, but here is a list of presents that I want and I'm sure most of you would love as well, (mind you, not all of them are quite so affordable):

Remember the Nex Check Halter dress by Marc by Marc Jacobs? I blogged about it a few weeks ago thinking that blogging would take it off my mind, but I still want it! It gets many ticks on my list of criterias for an ideal dress: cute, versatile, nice material, good colours, plain enough to be worn more than once without being too plain.

Miu Miu bags have had that golden buckle design for a few seasons but I'm still really liking it. This tan leather bag looks like such a nice and casual day bag.

Black classic Christian Louboutin shoes. No explanation needed.

Tom Ford's Whitney sunglasses. I don't care how overrated Tom Ford is. There just aren't a lot of sunglasses out there that look so cool and fit me as well as this pair.

BG did a post on Tiffany rings a week ago. The one I want is the Frank Gehry Fish ring in brushed sterling silver (or perhaps plain sterling silver). I haven't seen it in real life yet, but I imagine it would look like a small, sleek sculpture on my fingers. Loves it!

I was looking at the calendars of TV shows on Amazon, but I was disappointed not to find a Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas is a book about the fashion retail industry. As an over-thinking shopper, there are all sorts of little facts I would like to know in this book. I'm still waiting for it to come out in paperback.

Gossip Girl calendar. Really, don't they know how many girls would love to be able to stare at the gorgeous actors and actresses throughout the year? (Plus wouldn't it be good marketing for CW?) Anyhow, if you haven't read the Gossip Girl books yet, go read them! They're not the same as the TV show but still very juicy.

Veronica Mars is one of my favourite shows of all time and this TV season just hasn't been as exciting since the show's was cancelled. So everyone, get yourself the Veronica Mars DVD box sets!

Have a fabulous Christmas people! We'll see you in the new year!

Image credits: www.amazon.com, www.saksfifthavenue.com, www.tiffany.com, www.eluxury.com, www.barneys.com

Affordable Christmas Gift Ideas

Now that the holiday season is upon us in full force, so is the time for last minute Christmas shopping. Thats right, we cannot prolong it anymore. Typically the gifts we have left to buy are for those who already have everything they want (that we can afford anyway). So what else is there left to buy them? Well, here are some ideas:
Something pretty and cute, like these floral knit ear warmers and colored leg warmers from Urban Outfitters. Personally even though they are not that expensive, I wouldn't spend too much on such items that I may or may not wear next season. But if it were a gift....then I definitely wouldn't mind! I especially love the floral ear muffs! Is this a strange train of thought on my part? I also wouldn't mind getting more basics in different colors. Namely, opaque stockings in bold colors (black, purple, pink, maroon) and quality plain colored tees, like this one from American Apparel. One can never have enough of these! (especially the stockings which always runs!)
Catering to vanity, we have this very pretty mirror from UO (though personally I'd like one of those SERIOUS vanity mirrors with the light surrounding it). Then there is this set of photoframes. When I get to design my own room, I aspire to have a wall of simple photoframes just like this with pictures of fashion inspiration, artsy photos I've taken, my family and my friends. This set is also from UO. As much as I don't really like the quality of UO apparel, I DO love their furnishing and bits and pieces. They are all so funky, funny and cute, yet affordable. They make the perfect gifts!
More photo related things, there is this photo clutch and this snow globe frame. I LOVE the snow globe frame. I bought two this season and lugged it all the way across the Atlantic.
Another thing I wouldn't mind receiving would be a fun board game like this Grey's Anatomy and I've Never board game. A few months ago, I would've scoffed at the idea of board games as something little kids played. But after a really quite excellent house party this Thanksgiving, I'm a convert of board games. Its a great way for a large group of people to bond and have fun.
Gift cards is also a very good idea. As unpersonal as it sounds, it really is the best thing to give if you have no idea what the other person wants. Better let them get something they like than get them something they don't like that will end up cluttering the back of their closet. Choose a store they like, and if you have no idea what that is, department stores like Bloomies and Saks are a good idea. For the younger generation who shops online, Shopbop is also has gift certificates. Ok, so this might not be exactly THAT affordable, but it does come in different price ranges!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Image Sources: Saks, Bloomingdales, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel,

The Immaculate Conception

Welcome to the style-struck journal of the conception of styledamsel.com - a place where dernier cri calls home.

I Dream of a Lifestyle Involving Many Cocktail Dresses VI: FCUK

This season, I have really liked FCUK's selection of dresses. They have a fantastic selection of shift dresses (basically like a huge T-shirt,) which are young, sparkly and trendy. I liked them so much that I've been to French Connection more than to any other high street store this season and tried on most of their dresses in store. The last time I went to the FCUK shop in Covent Garden, all the salesgirl were wearing one of FCUK's dresses in their own style, (with their own accessories). The whole store felt so festive!

One of the things I've thought about FCUK were that for a highstreet shop, it has really pretty clothes. But I also feel that its clothes never quite justify the original prices, which is why I always try to wait for the things to go on sale. Anyways, onto the dresses:

The dress that everyone has probably seen is this sequinned dress. The white version is SO gorgeous! If only we had the events that celebs go to to wear shift dresses...

I really like how the studs are of the same colour as the dress (so the dress wouldn't look like one big mess) but they're just light-reflecting enough to see the pattern. The problem with sequinned and studded dresses though are that I can't really get a tailor to cut the dress shorter. The dress ends at almost the knee for me, when I think it's supposed to end mid-thigh. Sigh.

I've only seen this dress online before. I like that it looks so cute and summer-y and party-ish. Tube dresses are hard to wear though, and the bubble effect at the bottom doesn't make it any easier. But still, if you were partying on some hot and resort place, then you might want one for the parties!

BG and I like to imagine we have fancy dinners to go to (without going out afterwards,) so we thought these dresses would we perfect for the dinners. I really liked the silk, block coloured dress on the left, and BG like the knit dress on the right. Unfortunately, hardly anyone dresses up for fancy restaurants in Hong Kong so the only place we would get to wear dinner dresses would be in the States and London. Perhaps the two of us should organise a fancy-dress-wearing dinner sometime.

Two other dresses that would be great for dinners.

Now I thought this lime green dress looked pretty chic when I saw the model wearing it. However on me, it wasn't short enough and it felt and looked like I was wearing a green box -wide and flat.

The difference between two colours of one dress never looked so apparent until this dress. The light-coloured one is so much prettier. No wonder it's sold-out whereas the pink/purple dress is now on-sale in stores.

Pretty by itself, but not sure how pretty it looks on a person.

I really like colour-block designs and the sequins make the design look young and 'now'. I still haven't managed to try it on yet, although I did notice that it was accessorised with a wide belt at the FCUK window displays.

The two dresses which I seriously condsidered buying were these two. The black chiffon dress (left) is so cute. It looks sort of prim (black, chiffon) but it's also modern because it ends at mid-lower-thighs. It's a nice LBD for dinner and formal cocktails. On the other hand, the sequinned dress (right) that I liked is the navy blue version because the pattern shows up better. It's such a sparkly, party dress. The problem with sequinned dresses though, is that they fall out really easily, so it would probably not last more than a few wears. Nevertheless, if only I had the occasion to wear it...

What do you think of the FCUK dresses this season? Bought or tried on any?

Image credit: www.fcuk.com, www.nordstrom.com, www.asos.com

ANTM Cycle 9- Spoiler!

For once I actually managed to watch the ANTM finale without knowing who actually won. It was that much more exciting and fun to watch. So yes, I am now going to talk about the finale and who won etc etc. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Overall, I thought the quality of girls this season was better than the last and that they were in general more likeable. There was really nothing much to complain about, it was a decent round of ANTM. Not terribly compelling but not horrible either. I DO love the fact that they went to China though. China looked really pretty, exotic and fun through their lense. I've only personally been to Shanghai once a few years back (well..maybe 5) and didn't quite get the vibe that they portrayed...maybe its time I go back again!
I thought the final runway for Qi Gang in this exotic palace next to the Forbidden City (is that what they said?) was very awesome with the dancers on stilts etc. It was all very oriental and grand. Though maybe the whole entourage thing following Tyra down the runway to her throne was a bit too much..... Qi Gang's dresses were also really gorgeous in an oriental couture sort of way. I especially loved the grey dress Chantal wore on her second run!
Judging from over all performance, I do think that Saleisha was the right choice between the two finalists. I mean, both girls were there for the right reasons, both were very loveable and both took very good pictures and all, but Saleisha clearly rocked the runway. Even minus the tripping the stilts guy with her dress incident, Chantal's walk wasn't that inspiring. Random thought: doesn't Saleisha look like a model even before her makeover? Though I think her new hairstyle is very cute. It took her a while to grow into it, but she eventually did. I wish I can carry that off without looking like a mushroom head.....Oh and you got to admire her make up application. In some scenes in the show, she totally had huge eye bags. But she covers it up so well. What did Tyra say? Brown eye liner on bottom lid?
Saleisha's continuously good photos. I loved the jumping one at the Great Wall, she really went out of the box there. The only one I didn't like was probably her Garden of Eve one, which had really dead eyes.
Besides her catwalk, I think I was secretly vouching for Chantal, just because she's soo cute and I like her personality just a teensy bit more. She also did a better job in the Covergirl commercial.
I loved the dragon dance photo shoot. The colors were just so exuberant and she just looked so edgy here.
Then there was Jenah who came out third. It really was too bad about her misunderstood personality. She indeed takes very very gorgeous pictures- I especially love how she looks in this rock climbing one. I thought her come around speech in the judging room about why she's misunderstood was also very eloquent and well done. Too bad her competition was just too strong.
Now here is a girl that I cannot believe lasted for so long. I thought she did a good job at the Go See's and was very professional and really wanted this. But to be honest, I just didn't like her look. I don't mean to be mean or anything, but I just didn't think any of her pictures made her look very good (edgy wise or pretty wise) no matter how much make up, super photography, angles and photoshop applied. She looks kind of....scary manly.
And then there was Heather. Ah Heather. There was no question that she was amazingly pretty and effortlessly took beautiful pictures (if only we all had this gift). And it is indeed very brave and incredible that she was able to overcome her Asperger Syndrome in this competition. But I thought in the end, she really just couldn't handle the stress of being in the competition. Especially when she had so much trouble with the Go Sees and getting along with the girls. The modeling world and the fashion industry really don't cut anyone any slack.

Other random thoughts. I can't believe that Ebony just gave up like that and she really DID have an attitude problem no matter how much she said she was misunderstood...Hmm what else is there to say about the show this season... there really isn't much. As I said, it was a "not bad" season. None of the photoshoots were terribly exciting, but then maybe I am just getting jaded after having seen 9 seasons of this show and the countless photoshoots.

Maybe it is time to make a graceful exit Tyra. 10 seems like a nice complete number.

Image Source: CW