Fitting brands. Fashion in a City is getting closer

First fitting session,
Taiwanese Chun Ting Liu

It's time! I haven't been writing about my modelling experience for a while, because there was not much stuff going on until yesterday eve, when Noel Caleb gathered all 60 models of their upcoming show 'Fashion in a city' for first fitting session at their home ground @ The Co, 75 High Street.

We had designers and participating brands to bring their clothes, accessories, shoes, bags for fitting and pairing. Models were pictured and recorded, individually and in groups representing brands collections. 

I got super excited, as I have had look at the participating brands on-line day before fitting and specially  liked two clothes brands - Taiwanese Chun Ting Liu and Thai Dusk till Dawn and I wanted to walk in their clothes, that I think quite fit my character and goes along with my own style. And so dreams come true, I got to represent Dusk till Dawn, that also has solid collection for guys. Actually that day they spent most of the time fitting and picturing them and I had to wait for my turn hour or so, but I'm glad I had that spare time to go around and chat with girls, designers, check collections and even try some accessories. I also had lovely chat with Chun Ting Liu designers and had a close look at their pieces. They have really cool two finger leather gloves, like those worn by professional snooker players, and I remember, that once my friend even presented my one of it - it was red velvet. Great black hat as a finish touch for one of the outfits (see photo in this post). Models also gonna wear special kind of plastic mask or I'm not sure, how to name it - better you check pictures, as I took couple, when designer was fitting it on girls. I really liked Chun Ting Liu collection, and honestly all of the pictures in this post are framing their collection, so you can have a look and make your opinion.

I'm also going to walk in accessories show representing Killari - Singapore-based custom fashion jewelry line and shoes show, featuring my friends Atelier Fang brand. Details on what pieces I'll be wearing are still to come, as we are going to have two more fitting sessions and rehearsals today eve and tomorrow, where they are going to match clothes and accessories, and I heard, that for accessories and shoes shows we might be wearing Noel Caleb clothes, and it will be great pleasure for me to present them again, after I was one of their models at Jonal collection launch in March.

I'm looking forward for fitting sessions tonight, as I want to have closer look at other participating brands like Singapore apparel collections by Lion Earl, Rêvasseur, Saloni Rathor, Thai Asama, Indonesian jii by Gloria Agatha, Singaporean littleoddforest, Allynna bags and clutches and The Shoe Mint. It's even more interesting, as some of brands are presenting South-East Asian fashion and literally arrived to Singapore specially for the show, like yesterday, when I came for fitting, they told me, my Dusk till Dawn clothes and designers are still in airport and going to arrive in one hour. It was really fun!

Theatre goes for crowd funding. Mozart play aims to raise 10000S$ on Crowdonomic in one month

Technologies and Internet are so integrated into our life today, that even art today go for Internet campaigns raising money through crowd funding. And here is fresh example - First ever Theatre play is going for crowd funding campaign. Quest Interactive together with Alliance Francaise de Singapour goes crowdfunding for 'Ma vie avec Mozart' - My Life with Mozart play, a stage adaptation from the novel by famous French writer Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, written in 2005. Mozart needs you! campaign is launched at Crowdonomic site with the goal to get 10000 S$ within month from 18th June to 17th of July.

Funds are raised to pay work of professional artists - french actor Quentin Bernard, musicians from Singaporean Take 5 Piano Quintet (piano, violins, viola, cello) and three New Opera Singapore singers, as well as to make play travel across Asia using Alliance Francaise de Singapour network connections.

'Ma vie avec Mozart' will be played in French, with English subtitles at the Alliance Française Theatre,1 Sarkies Road from 18th to 21st September.

In exchange to their funds, participants can get rewards from simple "Thanks in Facebook and poster" for 10 S$, that are unlimited, to possibility to improve your vocal skills during personal vocal lesson with musical director for 250 S$, which are limited to 20 packages only. There is also wide range of middle option rewards, such as two invitations to the one of the plays in September and be named at the programm and on stage for 100 S$, that is limited to 50 packages and so on. Have a look at the Crowdonomic and it's really worthy to get some benefit to usual tickets, that are sold at Quest Interactive for now at price 42 S$, with special discount for AF members and students - 29 S$. From July you can also buy it on Sistic.

Play is directed by American writer Alison Lester, who lives in Asia for more, than 20 years, and French music director Christophe Drag, who just arrived arrived from Switzerland.

In meanwhile to get inspired you can watch video about the play and listen to performance by one of the musicians...

Stay tunes and I'll keep you updated about success of campaign and, of course, will be observing theatre play itself!

Alliance Francaise de Singapour is very active in supporting arts in general. You can read about current exhibition Natural Impressionism held until 10th of July at  Societe Generale Gallery, level 2, 1 Saskies Road, as well as about previous showcase Dustbunnies by young Almanic collective.

Feeling eternity through Natural Impressionism in landscapes and calligraphy by Stephen Leong Chun Hong

Winter Feeling by Stephen Leong Chun Hong

Societe Generale Gallery at Alliance Francaise de Singapour is well-known as one of the most active art grounds and prestige place for artists and collectives to exhibit. I was writing already about five young and talented Lasalle College of Arts graduates, who came up with Almanic collective and Dustbunnies exhibition. And today, there is new showcase - "Natural Impressionism" by Stephen Leong Chun Hong, President of Federation of the Federation of Arts Societies Singapore.

On the eve of 18th of June, more than hundred guests, art lovers, friends, colleagues, gathered to greet "Natural Impressionism" exhibition, opened by guest of Honour H.E. Olivier Caron, Ambassador of France to Singapore. 

Bali temples, Cambodia treasure, Korean village, bamboo forest, bushes and ponds with birds - all that objects of Leong's art are chosen to be painted and represent calmness and lack of movement, to picture stability and eternity of our world, give to the viewer feeling of imperishability and calmness, confidence in future. Calligraphy pieces such as 'Good mood' give additional prove in it. After visiting exhibition you get undeniable feeling of eternal life, that artist could create by featuring simple objects surrounding us and paining it with few brush strokes, leaving every art lover opportunity to fill out missing peices by using own experience and imagination.

Exhibition is supported by National Arts Council, Orangina, Choice Wines, Artists Generation Network and can be seen until 10th of July @Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, 1 Saskies Road, Level 2, Monday to Friday from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, Closed on Sunday, PH. 

Below are some pics of works and from the opening ceremony. Enjoy and stay tuned.

Korea, Cheju, Village scenery by Stephen Leong, Natural Impressionism,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

White Agreat, Natural Impressionism, Stephen Leong Chun Hong,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

 Artist Stephen Leong Chun Hong with friends at the opening of Natural Impressionism,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

Guest of Honour H.E. Olivier Caron, Ambassador of France to Singapore is opening
Natural Impressionism by Stephen Leong Chun Hong,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

Bali Temple Island by Stephen Leong Chun Hong, Natural Impressionism,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

Cambodia Temple at Natural Impressionism, Stephen Leong Chun Hong,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

Creative Calligraphy - Good Spirit by Stephen Leong Chun Hong, Natural Impressionism,
 Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore

Guest of Honour H.E. Olivier Caron, Ambassador of France to Singapore is opening
Natural Impressionism, Stephen Leong Chun Hong,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

The Fundies hangout above the Sky at Tower Club with wine and non-formal networking

Truly stunning and inspiring for success view. All World is yours...
The Fundies hangout, Tower Club penthouse, Republic Plaza, Singapore

Singapore is truly opened-minded and easy place for networking and making connections for professionals and expats, brought to Merlion city from all over the World. And every industry can have its own group and hangout. I was already writing couple of times about Hospitality industry professionals monthly Winedown Wednesdays, organised by ACI and supported by HSMAI and many other market players. I also cheered initiative of GeekGirlsCoffees to found section in Singapore to support and connect ICT female young professionals and students. I went for launch of Secret W Business - Women Entrepreneurs after-office hours meet-ups. And here is another great hangout - The Fundies. For those, who are in capital, investment and managing money.

On the eve of 12th of June, over 50 finance professionals gathered by The Fundies at the premier literally high end location, at Tower Club Reading Room, on the 64th floor of Republic Plaza, one of the three tallest skyscrapers in Singapore by architect Kisho Kurokawa, in the heart of CBD. The view from penthouse was truly outstanding and it was pleasant after office time of chatting with colleagues and watching sundown over Marina Bay Sands, sea, CBD and City Hall areas. Cim Global Management was supporting from professional side and Amphora was making friendly atmosphere providing Italian wines from Mastroberardino Winery. As wine lover, I would really recommend their Red Lacryma Christi from Campania Region. 

It was great evening with a lot of name cards exchanges and new business contacts made. The Fundies hangout is truly breezy time of enjoying non-formal, but still professional networking. They also run meeting in Sydney, so watch out for a next one and you can join their LinkedIn Group too. Who know, maybe you can make business connections on-line first. 

En Route of life begins for NAFA Diploma in Art (Teaching) graduates

 Jasmine Tan Jie Min, Self Portrait, En route, NAFA,
Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show

At the same eve, on the 10th of June, together with the opening of Oddinary Show - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Graphic Communication Graduation 2013, which I was writing about in previous post, Diploma in Art (Teaching) graduates were opening their own show - En Route, with series of works, summarizing their years of study at NAFA - Nanyang Academy of Fine arts.

20 students presented their Paintings, drawings, mix-media, graphic design and multimedia works, and to be honest as art lover, I could appreciate and understand their works much more, than those from design. So I spent most of the time at that Gallery.
Among interesting works, that caught my eye, there was series of self-portraits by Jasmine Tan, who paints parts of her body in very expressive manner attracting additional viewers attention by writing some statements on the paintings as well. Have a look at the picture below and judge by yourself, but I was quite impressed by interpretation of holy phrase, that was written on teeth with brackets resulted getting literal and inversion meanings.
I loved Poja Kanade mixed-art tour around Tiong Bahru neighborhood, where he got pictured HDB apartments and shop houses in unusual angle - spiral staircases, rest areas, those old apartments, that today are put in plan to be replaced with super modern steel-glass condos. I do as well a lot of pictures, when I walk around that districts. And that mixed art works help us to conserve memory and attract our attention to beauty of constructions, that we pass by everyday without noticing.

History of Geylang Serai, 

En Route, NAFA, 

Diploma in Art (Teaching)

 Graduation Show

There were the same conservation memories about Katong, Geylang and other parts of old traditional Singapore, where you still can try the best laksa in the city or prey in the old mosque. After seeing that works, reading every fact, I felt like I went to museum to learn history of Singapore. It was pleasant and unexpected benefit to my art evening. A little bit of history, that I always keen to know, especially about the place, where I live.

Desiree Tham presented interesting series "Elements of Life", that combine different technique, such as painting, writing, pressed images to show the concept of our fast moving and developing life through the juxtaposing of modern and old almost forgotten objects. Energy tower and bicycle, slow moving material vehicle and fast invisible energy, that is in fast times more powerful, than even human, who will cycle.
The same kind of confrontation can be seen in works of Siti Aisyah Bte Ahmad "The Rules", who is showing road with a lot of signs, that limit your move, but at the same time the road is all time symbol of life and development. And it's pity, but true, that we have a lot of guides and restrictions in our life. Also the turn of the road means unknown change, waiting for the walker. 
I couldn't pass without comment my favorite kind of art, where artists idea is expressed through the food, so here is work "Sundwiched Society" by Joanne Goh Gek Noi, who feels and shows, that our society is just a sandwich, where everybody is just squeezed together without any room for air. Interesting approach and of course, the sandwich doesn't look tasty, which clearly express artists attitude towards society. Check as well my favorite food media works, deeply disturbing your feeling and disgusting to the point - smashed food by Erika Norris showcased at the Magic Bullet exhibition by  graduates of Faculty of Fine Arts Masters Programme  from Lasalle College of Arts at @ ICA Gallery 2, that was part of The Lasalle Show, different parts of which I was visiting during last school year.
Read about other exhibitions at Lasalle College of Arts, that I've visited during the year of The Lasalle Show  - Artism, "The Art Incubator 4" exhibition, Art of Science: "Coded Transformations" and 1st Prize, Parallax Between_Borders: Singapore_China, Shifting between surfaces, Disappearing Moon, Inside the Subject
But lets return to NAFA. One of the last works, that got my attention was Mind by Wileen Png. According to artists statement, she painted car park, that she was passing through during many years. And I can see in one paint many changes are reflected, with objects sometimes overlapping each other, that gives you feeling of movement and even movie watching. Color inversion - schematic, inaccurate, white on black also gives you impression of minute, unstable world. You can feel, that you pry into somebody's life without asking permission. white paint, almost like chalk gives you feeling, that nothing is stable in this life and can be removed easily, as well as gives background about artist, who just turned to be adult. The painting recalled my own feeling and memories about childhood and time, when I was painting the yard court with color chalks, showing everything I see - dogs and other children with moms, cars, trees and everything, that was surrounding me.
There more works and interesting ideas from other graduates, I just highlighted those, that caught my eye. But maybe you will find something more interesting there, so it's worthy to visit by yourself!
Exhibition is up until 15th of June, at Lim Hak Tai Gallery 2, NAFA Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street from 11 am to 8 pm. Please, go ahead and have a look, it's free.
You can also get info about exhibition graduates exhibitions of other Faculties and programmes at NAFA web-site. Stay tuned and next graduation and exhibition called Connected is from Department of Design & Media Diploma Graduates and will be opened on the 24th of June, 6.30 pm at Galleries 1 & 2, Lim Hak Tai Gallery, NAFA Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street, running until 29th of June from 11 am to 7 pm. See you there!

For now, below there are some pictures from the venue for you to have a overview before you head there by yourself and appreciate young talents design works and ideas.

Literally... Jasmine Tan Jie Min, Self Portrait, En route, NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show,
 Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

I love that tours to HDB neibourhoods, especially Tiong Bahru, where I was living for a while, by Pooja Kanade,
 for En Route, NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Contrast of fast and slow, material and invisible, old and new in "Elements of Life"en route by Desiree Tham,
NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Rules confronting - Slow but go on! by Siti Aisyah Bte Ahmad, The Rules,
En Route, NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Food topic - my favorite one - couldn't pass by without comment - Sundwiched Society by Joanne Goh Gek Noi,
En Route, NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Many years in on painting - feeling of movie and movement - Mind, Wileen Png, en route, NAFA,
 Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Singapore NAFA Graphic communications BA Honours go for graduation with Oddinary Show

Louis Lee Yu Jin, Opening of BA Graphic Communication Graduation
Oddinary, NAFA, Singapore

It just happened, that I've been visiting Lasalle College of Arts for their exhibitions within The Lasalle Show during whole past year, but I never had occasion to come just across the street to NAFA - Nanyang Academy of Fine arts to see the works of their students. And here is my first occasion and Right Away it's BIG event -  Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Graphic Communication Graduation Show 2013 - Oddinary Show of both NAFA and Loughborough University.

On the eve of 10th June, students, colleagues, art lovers, designers, friends and family members gathered to greet the graduation of 33 students, whose works and ideas were presented at Gallery 1, NAFA Campus 1. Guest of Honour Steve Lawler - Kult3D opened the Show and wished all talents to keep continue trying new even small things everyday to keep development, inspiration and creative mood. The event gathered quite a lot of guests and designers were presenting their works proudly and ready to tell you their ideas and inspirations. There were lots of real advertising samples, that means, freshly graduates already joined working community of Singapore and actively building their portfolios and making career helping out to marketing and media.
Exhibition is up until 15th of June, at NAFA, 80 Bencoleen Street from 11 am to 8 pm. Please, go ahead and have a look, it's free. Who knows, maybe you will find there creator of your next promotion campaign. It's also worthy to see, where to design is going to nowadays. I don't dare to judge, as I'm more in arts and actually had to split my time between this event and Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show - En Route, that I'll be writing about in next post.
You can also get info about exhibition graduates exhibitions of other Faculties and programmes at NAFA web-site. Stay tuned and next graduation and exhibition called Connected is from Department of Design & Media Diploma Graduates and will be opened on the 24th of June, 6.30 pm at Galleries 1 & 2, Lim Hak Tai Gallery, NAFA Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street, running until 29th of June from 11 am to 7 pm. See you there!
For now, below there are some pictures from the venue for you to have a overview before you head there by yourself and appreciate young talents design works and ideas.
More pictures can be found at the events FanPage in Facebook, where graduates and their supporters express feelings about the show.
Oddinary Show is supported by Kingsmen - Official Outdoor Media Partner, Zouk - Official NightLife Sponsor, Media Sponsors Artitute, Juice, Youth.SG, Campus, Flea & Trees, Merely Ice-Cream, Books Actually, Palm&Oak Hostel, LuvTea .
Food was kindly served by Arts and Design friendly SPRMRKT, that is located @ 2, McCallum Street.

Fashion in a City: Style Show by Noel Caleb in the heart of Singapore - Avalon @ MBS on the 29th of June

I've been super busy bee around, but still managed to drop by The Co, 75 High Street, last Tuesday, 4th of June for a second part of big Model Search 2013 casting, that is handled by Noel Caleb for big Show on the 29th of June. Since last time, when I was writing about first part of the casting on the 21st of May, in which I took part in order to be a Noel Caleb model again, more details about event came. 

It's going to be BIG! In Avalon @ MBS ... On the 29th of June... It's called Fashion in a City... And it promises to bring you everything you love in one evening - Fashion, Beauty, Food, Entertainment. From 5 pm to 10 pm guests will be enjoying fashion show by local and international brands, moreover, they will have a chance to buy desired pieces at specials of 50 - 300S$ on the event day only. Styling stations will be providing makeover and chance to be pictured by professional photographers. It's going to be big mingle among stylish people and models, designers and fashionistas. And then everybody will continue with night party in Avalon all night around. 

As a model I expect to see good crowd and walk my way presenting brands I wear. Media will come down by 5 pm for hour or so to shoot collections and quest designers. Food will be served to the guests. But for me it's great chance as well to hang out with people of my interests, make new connections, be snapped by photographers, get great pictures and smile to everybody.

If you still keen to join event as a model and be behind the scene actually doing and walking show, today, 7th of June, is last chance! Noel Caleb decided to make last call for a models - third part of the casting. As show is really going to be huge. Considering, that two previous calls brought up around 80 models for casting... And they are still looking for more, just imagine on how big event you can be part of. So please, hurry up now, put your high heels and makeup now and be @ The Co 75 High Street, 1.30 pm sharp. Male models are also highly welcomed, as Noel Caleb has partners with men clothes lines to present to.

One East Asia Gallery uncovers Ties and Fragrant Lies of the Land of Thousand Smiles showcasing 8 young Thai contemporary artists in Singapore

Manit Srisuwan, Deer Lady 3, One East Asia, Ties & Fragrant Lies

Despite I'm highly refusing to visit Thailand of private reasons, and by the way, still managed to keep my promise refusing high temptation produced by special offers from budget airlines, I'm still opened and highly interested in learning about Thai rich culture and history, a well as any culture in Asia. And here is perfect chance - One East Asia Gallery in Singapore gathered eight young Thai artists under "Ties & Fragrant Lies" exhibition, curated by Woho Weng and Joey Soh. 

On the eve of 4th of June, art lovers and friends could get an overview of contemorary art in Thailand, represented by young artists under 30's - Anchalee Arayapongpanit, Krissadank Intasorn, Manit Srisuwan, Phansak Kaeosalapnil, Pruethinan Kamalas Na Ayudhaya, Supparak Nopparat, Suriwan Sutham, Wilawan Saowang. The importance of introducing new art to the society was shown through support and visit of the exhibition opening by Thai Ambassador in Singapore, His Excellency Mr Marut Jitpatima, who spoke to artists admiring their ideas and vision. Artists were also warmly greeted by galleries chairman Daniel Komala eve before show and absolutely overwhelmed with guests attention and interest at the opening reception, where all artists were presented and ready to talk on what is inspiring them in work and about main idea of the exhibition reflected in title "Ties & Fragrant Lies".

All artists aim works are aimed to show controversy between image of Thailand as "The land of Thousand Smiles" and real urban life local people. For example, Supparak Nopparat shows grass and wild flowers, that seem to be almost mystery and another world objects in urban landscapes. The colors are also deformed, from tones of green to darker more dusty grey and brown. Flowers are almost dead. The forms of the bouquets also state it.
Manit Srisuwan is concentrated on similar to human characters, such as for example, manekens, that are put in strange positions, and nothing confirms, they are alive. So viewers get feeling of dead human bodies.
Wilawan Saowang paints new lock, that are put on old objects, that shows, how new things can influence old traditions, but also keep it together. Pruethinan Kamalas Na Ayudhaya specialises on traditional Thai architecture - Buddist temples, but only capturing rooftops and sky, showing respect to God and Buddist study, but also doubting it's endlessness. Suriwan Sutham concentrates on women, wearing jewelry and accessories. First look gives prospective of beauty of traditional dresses and costumes, but women covered by it so heavily, that almost lose their identity. Obsession and vanity are key issues, observed in works.