Hong Kong Travel Companions

Two things I had with me always in Hong Kong this trip - my Hayden Harnett's Toulouse Weekender (in Petit Points Amber print), and my Converse double-layer (grey/black) high-tops .   The Converse high-tops (thank you Alice!) might seem to contrast with my usual style, but I am not going through another wrecking-of-black-leather-flats-debacle like I did in last Christmas.  Hong Kong walking can cause a lot of stress on your shoes.  I probably should have taken these pictures before I used them and added so much "character" (dirt and distress) to them.

The Hayden Harnett bag I love dearly.  It is sturdy, with a soft and spring-like print to it.  It's part of the Paule Marrot Voyage collection.  Paule Marrot is a great print designer, and my bag has both the Paule Marrot and Hayden Harnett loveliness to it. 

(Paule Marrot + Hayden Harnett, images from Hayden Harnett)

I had my laptop and magazines in the trusty bag during my flight, and took it around Hong Kong when I did fabric shopping.  I probably stuck out like a sore thumb, since my oversize bag basically screamed "TOURIST", but that is still better than carrying ten plastic bags of fabric!

buttons on my hong kong outfit

The tricky thing on shopping in Hong Kong is dealing with the enormous amount of merchandise available, with a wide range of quality and pricing...

I have to admit, even I too will dabble in the cheap little stores and finding little things here and there.  This post is one of the examples.  I found this jacket and dress in a no-name store, knowing the quality is not as good, but still falling in love with the buttons and ruffles.

dress:  coral pearl ruffled shirt dress (hong kong, random store)
jacket:  brown (love the muted brown) pleated and ruffled collar jacket (hong kong, random store)
slip:  grey pleated slip (i.t., hong kong)
tights:  hue
shoes:  t-strap heels (anthropologie)

When I travel, it seems like I bring the Seattle rain wherever I go.  San Diego and Hong Kong both suffered from my Seattle Rain Syndrome.  So all the dresses I brought to Hong Kong, hoping for excellent outfit posts, all went down the drain.  I was in converses and jeans the entire trip.  When I come back, I was informed of the excellent sunny weather they had here in Seattle.  I quickly put on my new clothes for an outfit, it started to rain.  I desperately tried to salvage my dreary outfit photos in the Seattle rain, but couldn't quite fix them to my satisfaction.  I apologized also if you read through all my ramblings on the weather!

laura laine

I was reading through my Muse magazine on my flight to Hong Kong, and saw these wonderful fashion illustrations from Laura Laine.  It was inspiring, and also made me think of my fashion illustration classes fondly (hi karin!).  I need to pick up my pens and pencils and draw again...

(illustrations by Laura Laine, found in Muse magazine - issue 17)

(illustrations by Laura Laine, found in her drawings, NY Times T Magazine, Zara)

makool loves you!

Having to go through a process of making your own clothes have made me appreciate independent designers so much more.

Makool loves you is having a 20% off sale right now until May 5th (enter OGLA at checkout).  Makool is located in Portland Oregon, and features small quantities of handmade clothing.  Check out their blog for photoshoot pictures and news updates.  You can also find them on etsy.

I cannot get enough of their pockets and bows.  Someone has once described Anisa's collection as "Pippi Longstocking Couture", which is perfect.

My Hong Kong post is still coming.  Perhaps I'm feeling a little uninspired about the whole thing right now.  I couldn't take as many pictures as I had intended to, but hopefully it will still be a good read.

Style 09 + Designer Boutique Sale

I haven't disappeared into the ends of the earth!  I had a busy week in Hong Kong, trying to finalize my plans for the sample making of "i dream in cake" for The Finerie. 

I just got a chance to sit and look through all my Seattle fashion emails in the Korean airport (where I am desperately trying to start recapping my journey), so I thought I would share this before I board my plane back to Seattle! 

   

Style 09 is happening TONIGHT (April 30th), and The Designer Warehouse Sale from Seattle Boutique is this Sunday!  For more details, go to my Seattle Fashion Design Examiner article!