Friday, September 26, 2008

Fashion Icons

Most people out there may have their own icon regardless area of expertise.

Mine (specifically for fashion) are Jackie O (Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis) and Audrey Hepburn (Audrey Kathleen Ruston).

These two legendary women have similarity not only in their fashion senses, but also in their thrilled life--from their trouble marriages to their death caused by cancer.

What people do see on them that they are still maintaing their sense of classy styles without distracted by their horrific experiences.





Perhaps known as the wife of the late president John F. Kennedy, Jackie endured one of the most tumultuous lives ever lived in the public eye. As a mother, a wife, a fashion icon, and of course a first lady, she will go down in history as one of the most popular and beloved figures of the 20th century.



Jackie is well-known for her famous pill box hat style. The ladylike essence of Jackie O's look is a quality that has returned to today's fashion world. It is a look that creates a very feminine, confident, classy mystique.




There was something in her smile, in her eyes, in her timeless and natural elegance. Audrey Hepburn - beloved actress, icon of style, devoted mother, humanitarian and spokesperson for the children of the world.




Audrey Hepburn's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" became an iconic character for decades.
She wore classy clothing in the film designed by her and Givenchy, which became the most classiest wear to match her role as a socialite.




Even though both of them have lost in their battle with cancer, their styles remain forever.

The truth is that at the time they were quite forward looking and trend setting.
They have made 20th century's greatest fashion icons, they did more for the fashion and flagging fashion industry than either industry could ever thank them.


Fashion moves at a frightening pace. The rest of the world just loved following trends they set. Some observers felt safer wedded to their hippy looks of yesteryear. Others were setting a contrary trend of punk and other subcultures.

Most of us were pleased that Jackie and Audrey constantly moved us forward. Jackie and Audrey really were outstanding fashion icons of their days.


I would rather say that we hardly find any of our locals to kick start the trend setting gear.
We may get style inspirations from celebrities or public figures just for certain times or occasions; still everyone has someone to turn to for fashion inspiration, but have we ever come across to put any local one's fashion styles to deserve the level of a fashion icon ?

Thursday, September 25, 2008

What's your worth?

We seem to underestimate our own self or let someone underestimate us, as we realise or not, it reflects our own overall evaluation or appraisal of our own worth.

Let's put it this way - for example you have come with this statement; "I believe I am a good designer, and feel proud of that!" Easy to say, but hard admit the truth?

Whether it is a job, a relationship or a pair of shoes that we cannot afford (but hey, I think I deserve it!)--we have to know our worth.

Putting a price on your life! We seem to know our worth(sometimes!) in our careers and our friendships, but why do we sometimes forget our worth when it comes to relationships?

It seems that there will be people in our lives that we will fall for who will not completely see our worth, and in their self cherishing ways, will bruise our hearts....

Well as it is easy to say, we are likely to downgrade our self-worth to get attention,to get heard, to have praises or love, to get support, to gain others' approval, to challenge on physical attractiveness, to outdoing others in competition or academic, etc.

Know your worth, don't ever forget how unique you are; and if anyone makes you doubt your value or compromise yourself or your integrity, know that you do deserve more than that..

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wish on our own Van Gogh

As I was browsing through I came across at this one of the greatest artists of all time in the 18th century, Vincent Van Gogh.

I did some research on him for my art assignment during my first year of degree in 1999. So sad to hear on his tragic life , most of his best-known works were produced in the final two years of his life, during which time he cut off part of his left ear following a breakdown in his friendship with another well known artist, Paul Gauguin. After this he suffered recurrent bouts of mental illness which led to his suicide at a way too young age of 37.




Each of his masterpiece was based on his own experiences, places that he went, and everything that made his sadness and happiness.

Some of his paintings that touched me a lot including Bridge across the Seine at Asnieres, Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers , the famous Starry Night and hundreds more.The values for his paintings were estimated millions each.





It makes me wonder..while we are appreciating other foreign artists' artworks, would we be able to have the same appreciation to our home artists? Would we have the sense not only to value the arts, but at least not to forget their existence?

Wish on our own Van Gogh someday...