Jing Ma

At the request of socialitedreams, Jing Ma is up next on this blog's model feature!

Jing Ma, originally from China and now under Muse Model Management, is known most for her extremely high cheekbones, unique face shape, slightly protruding ears, and round, soft eyes.  This fresh-faced beauty often gives off a pure aura in her photos:

She's made a list of runway appearances in the past year, with a walk for Christian Siriano Spring 2012 being the latest:

If there are any other models you would like to see featured, just give me a shout!

Image Source: Jing, Spread 1 and 2, Spread3, Spread4, Runway 1 and 2, Style.com

My house, my rules, my pleasure

With just a week to go, the hype over Versace for H&M is fiery hot!  Last year, the anticipation for the Lanvin collection was all about the elegance, but this year, H&M is ready to deck us out in the hottest, sexiest dresses yet.  I've got a lot to talk about, but let's start off with the official commercial:



Although at first a little creepy, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the genius ending.  "My house, my rules...my pleasure" - said with a charismatic grin.  I was creeped out by the majority of the commercial, yes, but I couldn't have dreamt up a better way to show that Versace didn't compromise a thing when it came to this collaboration.  Every single piece is to Versace's design standards, and the words "my pleasure" are confirmation that the world of high fashion and the world of fast fashion can exist in exciting, glamorous harmony.

As for the collection itself, it surprisingly doesn't look cheap, which was my initial fear (but that's probably because it actually isn't cheap...it's a fairly expensive collection!).  H&M promises eye-boggling prints, skin-tight dresses, studs and fluorescent colour, all reminiscent of the Spring 2011 collection.  Below are a couple of my favourites:

Unlike the Lanvin collection, where the shoes were a disaster, the shoes from the Versace collection look of much better quality, and are again, very similar to those from Spring 2011.

While the shoes are satisfactory, I find some of the bags this time to be extremely tacky and cheap.  There's just too much glamour, and not enough quality that you run the risk of looking like Snooki on the streets.  You're much better off getting one of the tamer, black handbags.

I find the clothes from H&M collaborations usually never disappoint, whereas it's more difficult to get the accessories right.  But nonetheless, it may have been her house and her rules, but Donatella, trust me, the pleasure is all ours.

Image Source: Fashionologie

How You Swing

Yet another post that I should have published back in the summer:

As some of you may know, I oftentimes go to Holt Renfrew to help a certain friend pick up her purchases (and the ones I share with you are mostly handbag purchases).  This time around, instead of me picking up handbags for her, she gave me two handbags - one new, one used.  The first one I will share with you is the Coach Perforated Leather Brooke:

My friend has given me a Coach bag before, but it was a fabric monogrammed Coach that still has yet to see the light of day.  This bag, on the other hand, is leather, which instantly earned it a point from me.  And to boot, it may be monogrammed, but it's perforated, making it satisfyingly less noticeable.  The colour of the bag is a metallic dove gray, and when the bag is actually being used, it has a slight slouch at the top.  There's braided silver hardware on the handles, and they make a delightful clinking sound everytime I pick up my bag (I admit, it's my guilty pleasure).  I'm thoroughly in love with this bag for it's practicality - it's the perfect everyday bag - and it's looks.

The second bag I will share with you is one I have no doubt you will recognize:

Yes, you are looking at a Balenciaga handbag.  One of the most coveted handbags in the fashion industry.  It was within one meter of me, and for once, I actually owned it.  I had the right to pick it up, put it on the crook of my elbow, and take it out.  I wasn't dreaming, was I?  The distressed leather on this bag practically melts in your hands, it's so slouchy.  It's a roomy bag that adds that extra edge to whatever outfit you may be wearing.  And like the clinking of hardware on my Coach bag, the swing of tassels on this bag will make you feel like that sidewalk is all of a sudden a runway.  But unlike the Coach bag, this Balenciaga is recognizable only if you know a little something about handbags.  So when you get someone staring at your handbag on the train, you know it's not just because of the brand.

Two very different handbags - equal confidence boost.  It's not so much the handbag itself as how you swing it.

Image Source: Coach, Balenciaga