Heidi Mottram’s clutch bag

Nicola Stapleton spotted on the red carpet with Heidi Mottram’s clutch bag!

Heidi Mottram's bags are available in artistspringboard's shop

Let's Talk About Love: Tif & Tiffy Valentine's Day DIY Blogger Event Celebrates the Spirit of True Love

I found this quote widely shared on Facebook around Valentine's Day which inspires us to reconsider the meaning of Valentine's Day:

Valentine's Day is not just for couples,

it's about love to share;

so think about the people you love,

and let them know you care.

On this year's Valentine's Day, I spent the sweetest moment ever with another 29 bloggers and friends invited to Tif & Tiffy Valentine's Day DIY Workshop where we used our creativity and aesthetic sense to DIY with love a winter accessory chosen for our beloved friends and families (or ourselves). Launched in 2007, Tif & Tiffy is a local brand specializing in high quality knits and furs, first starting with the European retail market and now expanding its business back home in Hong Kong and China.

Fall/Winter 2012 collection

Tif & Tiffy is the brainchild of Ms. Kitty Poon who shared the story behind the brand inspired by her close relationship with her two daughters, Stephanie and Tiffany after whom the brand was named.

Derived from the loving mother-daughter relationship, the brand's core philosophy is to embrace and celebrate the tasteful life which is built on a foundation of love and of healthy human relationships.

 

Tif & Tiffy X Keenable Crossover Tote Bag: Tif & Tiffy shows love, compassion and support for the disadvantaged people by collaborating with charitable organizations such as Keenable Creation, a non-profit social enterprise with a mission to promote the disabled artists in Hong Kong and sell their artistic creations, and explore opportunities for them to expand their creative talents to the full by which their quality of life can be enhanced through participation in art and design to convey humanist values that everyone, whether they have a disability or not should be equally entitled to the freedom to create and enjoy their own life full of love and happiness.

We were as excited as kids in a candy store when we saw tons and tons of beautiful colored DIY materials – glass beads, crystal rhinestones, fabric buttons, brooches, you name it placed before us for our selection.

Considering that I spend much time per year in Europe with my beloved partner, I chose to DIY this adorable pair of knitted ear muffs to keep our ears warm in the winter months while my friend, Caroline picked these stylish purple striped gloves.

 

After almost an hour of “hard work,” ta-da! ladies and gentlemen, my debut DIY ear muffs were finished! I glamorized the headband with matching colored crystal beads and rhinestones of different shapes and decorated the right side of the muff with a super cute butterfly brooch. How do you like them? My friend in the US offered to buy them. What a nice surprise!

 

It was totally out of my expectation that Kitty picked my ear muffs as her favorite among other DIY designs. Another nice surprise for me! Thank you, Kitty.

 

When I entered Asia's Top Glam Bloggers Contest, I was asked to describe my favorite fashion moments. This Tif & Tiffy Valentine's Day blogger event celebrating the spirit of true love was undoubtedly one of my picks. 30 bloggers including me had all become the most beautiful angels as we shared love with others through fashion, and from which we might even inspire and enlighten the world through creativity. Such core values should exist in each blogger.

Long live love! Everyday is Valentine's Day.


Originally posted on La Mode by GV Miao - an Oriental Perspective 

MelikaM

One to watch is the new brand MelikaM label that brings luxurious and original creations to the high street.

Each piece in the MelikaM collection is imbued with Melika’s diverse cultural influences and real excitement for wearable, fun, confident fashion.

More pieces of the collection available at www.melikam.com

Be the Chinese New Year Masquerade Party Queen Wearing Jade Chiu X Muffinhead Oriental 3Dragons™, In One Word, Exotic!

Chinese New Year is the most important of all the festivals for Chinese people. Traditionally, the celebration of Chinese New Year lasts for fifteen days, starting on the first day of the first Chinese lunar month (January 23 for this year) and ending with Lantern Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day) which is on the 15th day (February 6). The year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese horoscope, which makes this year particularly special and become “the year of years” when dragon babies are expected to hit Chinese communities worldwide in droves throughout the year. Chinese people consider themselves descendents of the dragon, the symbol of the emperor and hence of power, authority, nobility and auspiciousness in Chinese culture in which year babies born are believed to be not just smarter but more brilliant.



Just like Christmas in the west, Chinese New Year is a time for gathering with family and friends. Let's grasp the last chance to throw a Chinese New Year masquerade party to celebrate this special Year of the Dragon before it's too late. My Taiwanese born designer friend, Jade Chiu, graduated from Parsons School of Design has got an amazing idea for turning you into a party queen this Chinese New Year. She collaborated with Muffinhead, the New York pop culture artist to launch a versatile exotic accessory collection 3Dragons™ inspired by the Year of the Dragon. The plexi laser-cut pieces can be worn as necklaces or eyepatches at a masquerade party.

Ming collection: I especially like the pendant which is like the Ming princess' crown. The 3Dragons™ collection comes in several colors: gold, purple and red which represent wealth, royalty and happiness in Chinese culture.






Dragon Kiss collection: How about wearing the geisha white make-up to enhance the oriental look? It's absolutely my style.

Tai-Pow collection

Start the Dragon year with an exotic glam look and it brings you good luck all year round. Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Chinese New Year!

My Modeling Debut: A Blend of Casual T-shirt Culture and Italian Elegance

I made my debut as a stylist/model doing a photo shoot for the “Not Interested In Being A Fashion Icon” slogan tee sponsored by an Italian designer, Alessia Caliendo for LittleBlackDress. It was certainly a fun and fruitful experience for me. Instead of pairing the tee with a pair of average blue jeans, I stylized the look with a pink monogram fedora, a polka dot scarf and a floral bubble skirt, adding a romantic touch and a retro Italian elegance to the overall style. I enjoyed feeling pretty and sweet in the photo shoot. Do I have model potential?



On Vicki Victoire for GV Miao fashion blog:
“Not Interested In Being A Fashion Icon” slogan tee sponsored by LittleBlackDress
Floral bubble skirt from iBlues
Pink monogram fedora from Furla
Polka dot scarf from Kookai
Pink suede ankle boots from InNIU
Gold large hoop earrings from Juicy couture
Grey faux crocodile skin handbag with pink ribbon embellishment sponsored by Alison B. Bags (stay tuned for my blog's next gift giveaway campaign to win this adorable handbag)

Styling, modeling & make-up: Vicki Victoire for GV Miao fashion blog

Venue: Stanley, Hong Kong (the Victorian-era Murray House exudes European colonial charm, elegance and style, a perfect venue for my debut fashion shoot)


Alessia picked her favorite shot and featured it on LittleBlackDress' official website/online store (pg. 5). If you haven't joined my GV Miao X *LittleBlackDress* – Christmas Gift Giveaway Campaign 2011: T-shirt Slogan Design Contest, I hope my photo shoot will help inspire you to think of your life's slogan which means something to you. Come join the contest!

Freya Rose LONDON - Super Clearance Sale!

Freya Rose will be holding a super clearance sale, with all bridal and NON bridal shoes between 50 and 70% off.

This will include samples from the latest 'Boudoir' collection, older classic styles and one off designs.

Come and enjoy a glass of wine, find a beautiful pair of shoes and Freya will also be on hand for advice and customisation. Freya will also be offering 20% off non sale stock and customisation service. So come and treat yourself this Christmas.

The SALE takes place on Wed 14th and Thurs 15th December from 12-8pm
at Freya HQ - The Business Design Centre, Islington, London.

To avoid disappointment, book an appointment as soon as possible. If you are unable to attend on these dates please contact Freya www.freyarose.co.uk/showroom/

A Huge Shout Out to Alessia Caliendo for *LittleBlackDress* Our Sponsor for Christmas Gift Giveaway Campaign 2011: T-Shirt Slogan Design Contest

Alessia Caliendo is the sweetest girl I have ever met. Graduated from Accademia della Moda in Naples, Alessia set up her brainchild, LittleBlackDress in 2007. She is an expert in creating modern girly chic style whose designs are a vivid and artistic representation of her personality. In addition to her sunshine smiles, what I miss most about the LittleBlackDress booth at FashionCamp Milano 2011 was a wide range of fashion items designed by Alessia exhibited ranging from the signature slogan and print tees, the colorful tribal print dresses and adorable bikinis to gemstone and gold jewelry. They were all witty and humorous designs yet lovable for girls.

My young Italian designer friend, Alessia Caliendo and her African print dress, I especially love those ethnic patterns and bright and uninhibited color combinations. Alessia is best known for her cheerful and colorful designs which are a true reflection of her personality. Her lively spirit is beautifully reflected in all of her ingenious creations.
Photo taken at FashionCamp Milano 2011



I have got my “Not Interested in Being a Fashion Icon” slogan tee as a gift from Alessia. Slogan tees are one of LittleBlackDress' signature items. Now you get a chance to win your one-of-a-kind slogan tee. Read on.











Many young jewelry designers of Alessia's age are keen on creating collections of fancy, bling bling jewelry intensely embellished with colored crystals or faux expensive diamonds. Alessia's jewelry pieces, nevertheless, are unique in the way that they are made of gold with a simple and clean design. How can't you not fall in love with these cute purse pendant bracelets? I reckon they are the best gift idea.








The designer Alessia herself is the best image girl for her own brand.


LittleBlackDress' brief brand profile: first launched in 2007, the brand represents simplicity, versatility and cosmopolitan elegance. It offers all the must-have items for every modern girl's wardrobe, from slogan tees and sartorial etiquette dresses to accessories of the Italian innovative design tradition, all are designed by the fabulous and talented designer, Alessia Caliendo. After the successful exhibition at FashionCamp Milano 2011, Alessia expands her business into the flourishing market in Dubai while sustaining an outstanding sales performance in Europe.


This Christmas, we are honored to have LittleBlackDress to be our sponsor for the t-shirt slogan design contest. Alessia will award you, the winner the most heart-warming festive gift – a LittleBlackDress slogan tee with your winning slogan printed on it and acknowledge and sell your design on LittleBlackDress' official website. For full contest details, please click to read 3 STEPS TO WIN GV Miao X *LittleBlackDress* – Christmas Gift Giveaway Campaign 2011: T-shirt Slogan Design Contest. We cordially invite you to a creative Christmas experience with us. Take action now!

Photos by LittleBlackDress