Subtlety

I always believed that if you have to get yourself specs, get yourself something really strong and outrageous, that your life and style begins to revolve around it. Well that's until, Rara, the most unexpected of all people got to change my views. She got herself a pair of Marc Jacobs frames (yes Marc Jacobs, not the cheap diffusion line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, or any of his collaboration line). The design is subtle, and the only severity of the design is the way the frame is sliced, to show the idea of construction (something very Marc Jacobs). While the color is not exactly the most conservative – its metallic purple – the subtlety of the shape makes it rather pale in comparison to my frames, even though the color of my frame is conservative. I know all this design talk is nothing without pictures but Rara has yet to collect her spectacles.

But I am rather excited for it. For once I actually remembered the detailing of the design and how the philosophy of Marc Jacobs is apparent on it – severe without being in your face. What's amazing about the spectacles is the unexpected subtlety. On the shelf, it looks rather menacing, and post-modern but somehow, when worn, the strictness and maturity of the design softens onto a modern almost Bauhaus-esque form, without being aged or stuffy. It is modernist while still being art-deco. 

Rara, this could be your best designer purchase this year yet. And Zat, decide on a pair already. As for me, perhaps its time I retire outrageous for some subtlety.  

A satorial complain

It is said, that the Singaporean men dress better on weekdays than on weekends. The perhaps due to the fact, that many companies in Singapore still demand a certain decorum and formality in regards to their employees clothes, especially the financial and banking industry (and almost everyone in Singapore is in financial and banking - no joke, every major banks in the world has a HQ in our little island). While I appreciate the efforts our men put in when dressing up for work - with proper shoes, trousers of the right length and shirts tucked in tight - many seem to be carrying the worst bags you could find - The Crumpler sling bag. I have nothing against crumpler, even though they are usually compared to as the crocs of bags. But a crumpler bag and executive wear is a match made in hell. The shape of the bag distorts the slimness of a pair of dress trouser. The sling of the bag, crumples up the shirt. And you end up looking messy, shabby and not at all executive like. If you refuse to carry a man tote, carry a briefcase then. Crumpler sling bags are reserved for the designer who can wear t-shirt and jeans to work.

A great way to cry

You most probably heard that SIA, dropped the locally grown advertising agency Batey, for the american advertising superstar TBWA. Now the fruits of the new agency is out in the papers. 

When TBWA won the most coveted account away from Batey, they promised a fresher more modern approach to the Singapore Girl. 

Ah.. right. 

Look at the poor Girl. Not only has she been pushed aside away from the focus of the ad, she is now more subservient than ever. That's not the only problem. The ads are not even creative. Sure the new planes are big, but is that your only take on it TBWA?  Oh yar, the new planes has double row windows, lets somehow try to inject that in. 

This is Batey's first ad for SIA. Look at how confident the ad is. No big bolded (and really bad) typography. Just the Singapore Girl in profile. Celebrated. Respected. Displayed whole heartedly. The Singapore Girl is a brand TBWA. Use it properly. Respect it. If you think you can do better than the Singapore Girl, ditch her. Think of something smart to replace her with. Do not put her in a corner like some asian subservient servant. 

Back to the drawing board.

I was asleep