Kapok S/S 2012 Lookbook

Have you ever been to visit Kapok in SOJO’s Wanchai’s Star Street District? Judging by these just-released lookbook images for Spring-Summer 2012 for Menswear and Womenswear clothing and accessories, I think it’s a good time to take a peak now to help you put together your look for Asia’s warm summer weather. Additionally the lookbook was shot in and around the same neighborhood as KAPOK, and really captures the essence of city-meets-nature environment of Sun, Moon, and Star Streets, as well as St. Francis Street/St. Francis Yard.

All photographs by Apple Zilla and Models are Chris and Ant.

For S/S 2012, the trend for men is backpacks, satchel/messengers, shorts, windbreaker/parkas, and espadrilles. For ladies its all about the light and fresh looks, like moccasins/sandals/espadrilles, light dresses/light and loose fabric, sun hats, and a few accessories to finish off. Backpacks are okay too for women. Top brands to get for your looks are Herschel Bags (I got one myself from SAILOR, Kapok’s Pop-Up in K11), Jack Spade, Riviera Shoes, any bag by MISMO, Tangram Jewelry, and any bag by MISCHA.

KAPOK is located in #3 Sun Street in Wanchai / KAPOK on FACEBOOK / KAPOK BLOG and ONLINE STORE / KAPOK on TWITTER

JJ.

11am. In The Year 2012.

Yesterday at sunny 11am the big news in Hong Kong was that theSartorialist (ScoSchu) himself was around town in Hong Kong, even snapping up this photo of my friend, Priscilla of the Electrik Sekki Blog on Moon Street in Wanchai.

Boy does weather change drastically. Today at 11am, this was all over Instagram… (First one is mine.)

I had a talk two nights ago at SCAD on Design and Social Media, and was asked if all these social media apps and devices for Social Media have in any way “Degraded” communications or enhanced it.

Well, I suppose a picture is worth a thousand words… how about 14 pictures from Instagram?

Tangram’s Ignacio Garcia.

Pedder Group’s Queenie Mak.

Janice of the Media Maid Blog.

Tangram’s Paola.

LC/ToughLove.HK’s Jason Lam.

Juliana Loh.

General Store’s Tricia Ling.

Lifestyle Asia’s Andy Yeo.

HK Magazine’s Katie Kenny.

WSJ’s Lara Day.

Denise of SUPERWOWOMG.

Can I just say… I <3 Instagram.

JJ.

A “Fashion Night Out” For Hong Kong! One-Night Only Pop Up at the Space This Thursday

Spring is around the corner and the best emerging fashion designers  in Hong Kong have  worked  hard  so  you  look  even  more  stunning  and  fresh  this  coming  season! Jeanine  from  NIIN,  Nick  from  BUBIES,  Yuen  Man  from  MAGNAN  &  TSE,  Julia from  TARA  MOOR,  Paula  from  TANGRAM  and ShopDesCreateurs.com have teamed up for an exclusive fashion Pop-Up on  March  8th  2012  from  7pm  till  late  at  the  Space on Hollywood Road.

TANGRAM

They’ve left nothing to chance. :) Expect exclusive previews of the new collections, giveaways and special offers from each brand, the finest wines from SUMMERGATE, the finest French food from CUVELIER catering, a great DJ mixing from the Mira, a personal stylist throughout the night, and exclusive giveaways from NUXE cosmetics.

MAGNAN & TSE

DESIGNER FASHION NIGHT / Thursday 8th of March from 7pm to 10pm (VIP 5pm to 7pm) / The Space, 210 Hollywood Road (with Possession Street), Sheung Wan / Entry is free and by invitation only. Please RSVP by email today at events@ShopDesCreateurs.com. 

JJ.

White Cube, Another Feather in the Crown of Asia’s “Art Capital” Opened Last Week With New Works by Gilbert & George

Just today, BBC News online has proclaimed the emergence of Hong Kong as Asia’s “Art Capital” citing the suddenly buzzing business of art within the city via ArtHK, as the major of instigator of its new crown. This blog covered Asia Society’s beautiful launch a few weeks ago, and now we’ve been invited to celebrate another feather to the newly minted crown with White Cube’s newest flagship in Asia located in the very New-York Robert A.M. Stern building located on 50 Connaught Road. 

White Cube’s two-story exhibition space is gargantuan for any standard here, including galleries in London AND New York. This is quite a feat considering the tiny “project room” space they started with in 1993. Last week’s opening proved that apples to apples with other foreign gallery imports to the city, White Cube is very serious about their Asian Market.

Today, White Cube is by far one of the most influential galleries in Europe marked by its 5,000 square ft. exhibition space within the gallery’s own free standing building built in 2006 at Mason’s Yard. With 4 galleries in total, White Cube will be able to promote its roster of established artists, as well as continue existing programs which foster the work and careers of new un-established talents, work on public education programs, show films, and host lectures.

On exhibit now are 22 pictures from a monumental 292 pictures a series titled London Pictures (2011) by “the” Gilbert & George. The artists frame titles from almost 4000 newspaper headline posters and compose themselves within the titles in every picture. This time the texts are the main pictures focus, and their figures are generally masked all throughout as specters contemplating today’s grim state of affairs. The last time Hong Kong saw works by G&G, it was located at the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 2009 via the Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation show (which by the way the museum never worked off the momentum of that particular exhibit.) That exhibit was more theatrical, their figures and the figures of others depicted in life size scale in a tryptich aptly titled; Class War, Militant, Gateway.

The works on exhibition now reflect their motto “art for all”, showing how things really are now for everyone in the world, from their point-of-view.

The Artists, Gilbert and George cooly posing for photos with the umpteenth fan. They were good sports throughout the whole night, even staying out later than me and conversing with all the guests!

The stairs going up to the gallery’s second level.

Accompanying me that night was Tania, lifestyle/travel/style blogger for TLIKEBUBBLETEA.

and Natasha of Saamlung Gallery.

The beautiful Paola, indie fashion designer of Tangram was there, and she was excited about her newest collection which will be available at this Thursday Night’s, March 8th Pop-Up for the city’s independent fashion designers at the Space.

The photographer Laurent being Photographed! I loved his grey on grey palette with mustard yellow backpack. Nice touch.

Diesel’s Federico Tan whom I beat at the #SMWHK Fashion Quiz Night two weeks ago at KEE Club hehe with his friend.

Artist Margaret (Carr) Patterson in the middle, now exhibiting at FEAST Projects.

Architectural curator and Educator, Vivi Ho, wearing beige, white, grey, and a touch of red. It’s very winter-to-spring. I love the textures.

Foster’s Rodrigo with his friend, complimentary in royal Beige.

Great bumping into Moustache’s Ellis (2nd from Right) and Henry Temple that night. Great things soon to come with Moustache’s expanded travel collection with Tapani.

Entrance to the gallery’s amazing bookstore from their artists and exhibits. Hong Kong currently does not have these titles. So very cool. I can spend hours here!

Books of works by Richard Phillips.

Damien Hirst.

and of course Gilbert & George.

And many many many more!

Great exhibition in the end. Ed Chiseen is this you?

Party didn’t stop there. A rooftop soiree was hosted by Armani Prive the whole night! With unlimited free flow Veuve. (A very big deal for an art gallery party anywhere in the world.)

Where I was introduced to the beautiful Barbara Flynn. THE Barbara Flynn. We spoke for the rest of the night about the United States and upstate New York… and Texas. :)

I spotted this Tote Bag which I wanted.

Natasha and I had such a great night, and randomly on the way to the taxi queue we had to go through Landmark, which has now re-branded itself as “THE LANDMRK”. (yes it now has a “THE” in front of it). In any rate, because of the re-branding, X-Factor winner Leona Lewis was in town to sing for the re-branding.

We walked in on the Sound Check and were treated to a mini-concert. :)

The Asia Society party made me feel like I was in New York. The WHITE CUBE / Leona Lewis combo definitely made me feel like I was in London.

The party was still going strong when we were at the taxi queue. You see the tents on top of the Armani building still blaring lights and noise.

Top night right, Natasha!?

White Cube / 50 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong / White Cube TWITTER / White Cube ONLINE

JJ.

Tangram Pop-Up Presale at Konzepp and Magnan & Tse Launches Partnership Program for Their S/S 2012 Line!

+ Tangram Pre-Order Pop-Up Shop

Hey guys I told you i’d up update you if I heard of anymore information about Tangram’s pre-sale. Actually, they will be popping up with a Pop-Up Shop this Saturday, as in Tomorrow at Konzepp. SO, if you’re in the neighborhood, or if you’d like to recieve your dresses the same day as the buyers, then definitely stop by, try on clothes, have a chat with the designer, Paola Sinisterra, and eat some cake too!

RELATED ARTICLE: Paola Sinisterra’s Tangram Label Debuts First Collection

Tangram Pre-Order Pop Up Shop at Konzepp / Saturday, November 5th / 4-9pm / New Konzepp Space, 16 Tai Ping Shan St. Sheung Wan

+ Magnan and Tse Partnership Campaign

In what maybe the first partnership campaign of its kind for independent labels, or at least independent fashion labels in Asia, Magnan & Tse finally launched a partnership campaign for their S/S 2012 Line, which means you have a chance in helping this truly independent designed in HK/made in HK create their next line with partnership levels that start at $18USD!

RELATED ARTICLE: Magnan and Tse Celebrates Milestone

From Yuen Man Tse, Designer of Magnan & Tse:

Coming from an architectural background, I had no idea how running a fashion label and a shop would resemble. Being able to strive in order to live my little girl’s dream makes me feel so enthusiastic and this is a chance that I cherish every single day!

As an independent designer, we have been self financed so far, and it is very challenging to guarantee a top quality of our products and to further produce every season. Now there is a chance to get supporters involved in the financing and helping us to accomplish and pursue our project.

I hope to raise at least $12.888 with the support of IndieGogo to bring the new collection to life. 8 is the lucky number in Asia! Supporter is totally free to contribute from 18$ to 888$, and please kindly check out the campaign to see the perks!

Magnan and Tse will turn 2 years old on December 2. You can buy their goods online at http://www.leshopdescreateurs.com/ or at their Flagship on 15 Aberdeen Road in Hong Kong.

You can become a partner by clicking on this link:  http://www.indiegogo.com/MAGNANTSE

JJ.

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Paola Sinisterra’s Tangram Label Debuts First Collection in Hong Kong, a Mix of Bold Poppy Colors for Spring/Summer 2012

This past month, Colombian fashion designer, Paola Sinisterra and her husband, Spanish Architect, Igancio Garcia, debuted the first collection of their new womenswear line, Tangram, a label of elegant and feminine casual wear designed and produced right here in Hong Kong. The launch of Tangram’s first collection is a sophisticated and unique approach to an effortless bohemian chic aesthetic, which is seemingly light, but quite complex in its shapes, tailoring, and colorful juxtapositions. Pinks, beiges, yellows, and oranges intermix playfully, giving us a taste of what Spring/Summer 2012 could be, or at least as envisaged through the eyes of Tangram’s designer, Poala.

Spotted: Paola Sinisterra, happily multi-tasking at Tangram’s Spring-Summer 2012 launch. She wears her own creation here.

At the Tangram launch event which was set comfortably within Whitespace’s spacious Sheung Wan studios, I found out that Paola is a Colombian who emigrated to Hong Kong three years ago after having lived in Bogota, Boston, and Barcelona. Paola is quite the industry veteran, having produced fashion for quite a long time, working front end as well as back end of a global apparels label where skills learned from that experience, have proved useful for her and her husband’s setup of this refreshing new fashion line.

The Tangram S/S 2012 launch at the Whitespace Studios earlier this month.

Upon meeting Paola Sinisterra, I clearly realized that she embodies an infectious positive bonvivant personality that is quite rare to find in Hong Kong these days. Whether the attitude is something that is naturally Latin, or whether it is just the way Paola really is, her devil-may-care personality is quite a refreshing injection, which hopefully paves the way for others within Hong Kong’s Creative New Wave.

When speaking to her, she is always brimming with great innovative ideas, offers insightful comments to any subject of conversation, making her quite genial and very much approachable overall. One can also notice that her aesthetic sense of style is always defined by color and plenty of it, and styled in the right way too. People who have lived in Hong Kong for years know that for most of the time, HK is a very “serious” city. City dwellers here are defined by black structured clothing, which reflect the busy and detached disposition that everyone wears on their face.

I only highlight this fact about Paola, because this “go-for-it” creative attitude injects itself throughout all her projects in a major way. It most likely began with her incredibly delectable The Kitchen Nomads Food Blog, and now defines the unique edge that underpins her collection for Tangram.

Konzepp’s Julie Shah, with with a polka-dotted Paola.

Below are beautifully constructed, and easy garments in bright and bold colors with beiges and browns, defining the Tangram S/S 2012 style.

The complex detailing and construction, make for an easy and relaxed fit in the end.

Less brighter options are also available, and work best with a highlight of colorful and playful accessories that stand out with the overall look.

Sublime.

A DJ played music alongside for guests to the showroom.

Others in attendance, Standard Vintage’s Andy, Sinclair’s Larissa, and Carmen Chan.

My pals, Christing C and Dan with a friend. All in Beige, the color of the season.

Tania

Me and Denise

OMA’s Roberto and Inge

And here with fellow Texan and Photographer Michal Garcia. Us both trading notes about party photography… hehe. Check out Michal’s great photos from that night on the Tangram FB Page.

Also Tangram’s collaboration with artist, art curator, and blogger, Xue Tan, were also hung proudly on display that night.

Speaking of Xue Tan, a prolific contributor to the Arts in her own right, Tangram forwarded me this first exclusive, never before seen preview images for the Tangram Spring/Summer 2012 Line.

These beautiful works were photographed in Hong Kong’s countryside, and are a collaboration between Tangram and Xue Tan, an editor and author of The Creators Project, a global web aggregation of all things art and design sponsored by VICE and Intel.

Enjoy the stunning photographs!

There WILL be a presale in the weeks to come. And YOU will have a chance to order and purchase from Tangram’s Spring/Summer 2012 line the same time as international buyers. All you have to do is to ‘LIKE’ Tangram’s Facebook Page and to SUBSCRIBE to their E-Mail Newsletter to get instructions on how to order from the pre-sale.

Thanks Paola and Ignacio for letting us share these beautiful photos and for inviting us to your successful launch!

http://www.tngrm.net/

JJ.

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