So..here's what happened in the tennis world half way around the globe last night while we were sound asleep
Federer destroyed Tsonga in the men's seminfinal, he's going to meet Andy Murray, who's trying to end England's "god knows how long it's been" grand slam drought
Serena and Venus successfully defended their Australian Open doubles title, Venus didn't even know it was match point and acted overly subdued when they finally won, it's always nice to see the sisters just being sisters
Tonight will be the highly anticipated Women's final between rival Serena Williams and Justine Henin,
Backstories...Serena has a chance to end her "only winning in odd year pattern" while Justine has a chance of winning a grand slam in only her 2nd tournament back from retirement (if she wins, it will also spark many discussions on whether it is her being amazing, or the state of Women's tennis is just dismal)
Who Will Win????
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The ridiculousness of Couture
Couture reminds you what fashion could be, not necessarily what it should be, but how far and how creative it can go. Even though this season isn't as ground-breaking compared to the past, but compared to the rest of the industry, where everyone is trying to play around the line and rarely crosses it, this is equivalent to a breath of fresh air. Here's some highlight of Paris spring 11 and I'll try to point out some Oscar worthy gowns
First off, Armani Prive - the sailor moon collection
Mr. Armani said he was inspired by the moon, I say he watched one too many episode of the classic Japanese anime. But to his credits, the suits were tailored impeccably, there were some outrageous designs, more adventurous but still glamorous
That crescent accessory really bugs me, but the suit is truly well made
Interesting use of a shiny stiff fabric, the big brands nowadays are all characterized by their ability to use innovative material
My favorite piece in the collection, not sure who or where can you wear this, and this is definitely one of those "i love it/I hate it" piece, it leaves nothing in between, you'll either think it's ingenious how they manipulated the fabric and think it looks ethereal, or you think it looks like the person is being stuffed inside an air-tight zip-lock bag, like a sandwich in one of those TV commercials.
Someone please wear this to the Oscars! The shape is dramatic, the curves are feminine, and the fabric is just sick and out of this world, it's like a sheer but stiff textured organza twisted and folded until it became this. And Karlie Kloss just rocked it.
Next...Jean Paul Gaultier, no need for words, let the picture do the talking
Are there anything that Karlie Kloss can't pull off?
And then there's....Chanel, the double C's, the clothes were kind of meh, the vibe is kind of 60's french maid (well this french maid is probably getting paid pretty handsomely to be sporting Chanel suits, but that's besides the point), the collection just seemed like a slight variation from the SS10 spring, but the the hair, the hair is definitely something else
Instead of picture, I'll do it by words, it's all the same...tweed...tweed...tweed...tweed jacket...tweed skirts...tweed dress...tweed shorts...wait what?? Tweed shorts? Yes, they made shorts, that's something new...
If uncle Karl would wear a dress, it would look like this
A male model, one of uncle Karl's favorite, Baptiste Giabaconi, rocking some metallic suit, is this supposed to be a wedding?? I thought everyone knew he and her are both gay. Oh uncle Karl, always the irony
Valentino: very un-Valentino like, tons of chiffon, which is nothing new to Valentino, but it's twisted and wrapped in a very chic way that is very couture and at the same time not very couture, at least in the house of Valentino. It has some of my favorite looks out of this past week.
How does the chiffon stay up like this to look like a flower, tagging? Or is it just cuz she's walking with a fan blowing up her face, what if she's just standing still? Who would want to look like a flower that is wilting...
For some reason I love this. I like the proportion, I think ruffles are hard to work with and this dress could only work if you're tall and lean, but it's alright. The color is fun, very contained but still bold with the neon yellow and lavendar and taupe. Would like to see someone wear it to the Oscars, but probably not.
This screams red carpet, but too quiet for the Oscars, it needs something else, but it's a possible choice.
Now this is Oscar ready, loud, feminine, pretty, dramatic enough for such a big occasion.
That's it for now, so far so good.
First off, Armani Prive - the sailor moon collection
Mr. Armani said he was inspired by the moon, I say he watched one too many episode of the classic Japanese anime. But to his credits, the suits were tailored impeccably, there were some outrageous designs, more adventurous but still glamorous
That crescent accessory really bugs me, but the suit is truly well made
Interesting use of a shiny stiff fabric, the big brands nowadays are all characterized by their ability to use innovative material
My favorite piece in the collection, not sure who or where can you wear this, and this is definitely one of those "i love it/I hate it" piece, it leaves nothing in between, you'll either think it's ingenious how they manipulated the fabric and think it looks ethereal, or you think it looks like the person is being stuffed inside an air-tight zip-lock bag, like a sandwich in one of those TV commercials.
Someone please wear this to the Oscars! The shape is dramatic, the curves are feminine, and the fabric is just sick and out of this world, it's like a sheer but stiff textured organza twisted and folded until it became this. And Karlie Kloss just rocked it.
Next...Jean Paul Gaultier, no need for words, let the picture do the talking
Are there anything that Karlie Kloss can't pull off?
And then there's....Chanel, the double C's, the clothes were kind of meh, the vibe is kind of 60's french maid (well this french maid is probably getting paid pretty handsomely to be sporting Chanel suits, but that's besides the point), the collection just seemed like a slight variation from the SS10 spring, but the the hair, the hair is definitely something else
Instead of picture, I'll do it by words, it's all the same...tweed...tweed...tweed...tweed jacket...tweed skirts...tweed dress...tweed shorts...wait what?? Tweed shorts? Yes, they made shorts, that's something new...
If uncle Karl would wear a dress, it would look like this
A male model, one of uncle Karl's favorite, Baptiste Giabaconi, rocking some metallic suit, is this supposed to be a wedding?? I thought everyone knew he and her are both gay. Oh uncle Karl, always the irony
Valentino: very un-Valentino like, tons of chiffon, which is nothing new to Valentino, but it's twisted and wrapped in a very chic way that is very couture and at the same time not very couture, at least in the house of Valentino. It has some of my favorite looks out of this past week.
How does the chiffon stay up like this to look like a flower, tagging? Or is it just cuz she's walking with a fan blowing up her face, what if she's just standing still? Who would want to look like a flower that is wilting...
For some reason I love this. I like the proportion, I think ruffles are hard to work with and this dress could only work if you're tall and lean, but it's alright. The color is fun, very contained but still bold with the neon yellow and lavendar and taupe. Would like to see someone wear it to the Oscars, but probably not.
This screams red carpet, but too quiet for the Oscars, it needs something else, but it's a possible choice.
Now this is Oscar ready, loud, feminine, pretty, dramatic enough for such a big occasion.
That's it for now, so far so good.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
USTA planning to launch nationwide playoff tournaments
This is an interesting idea, for the first time, any American (well, only if you are a member of the USTA, but theoretically any American), will now have a chance to play your way into the qualifying draw of the US Open, which is slated to begin early September.
USTA will be hosting a series of tournament in each USTA national sector and anybody can sign up to play; the eventual winner will be slotted inside the US Open qualifying draw competing against the world's ranked professionals.
I like this idea for several reasons. First, it's great press, they even got Olympic downhill skier Bode Miller to announce his interest in participating. Because it is open to the public, it's due to receive tons of press, and it is the perfect formula for an underdog/Cinderella story; the no name dreamer who found his/her way to the US Open, where all dreams will come true and everybody should watch how it happens.
Secondly, this increases the appeal of the US Open. Lately, the tournament has been generating less buzz outside of NYC, where it's hosted. There aren't as many top American players who can attract the nation's attention away from 10 million other things that are happening. Last year we had Melanie Oudin, and I think the tournament is gearing itself to become a sentimental symbol for the American dream, after all, if you work hard enough, and with a little luck, you can achieve ANYTHING!
Thirdly, it will be quite hilarious to see what's the level of these "amateur" player. I use a quotation because you can bet your behind that most of the entries will be teaching pros, current/ex collegiate players, and many top juniors. If this person end up doing quite well, it's good for the tournament, good for American tennis, and very amusing for me, the spectator.
All in all, this is very interesting, I'm wondering if one of my friend will enter...I hope she does
USTA will be hosting a series of tournament in each USTA national sector and anybody can sign up to play; the eventual winner will be slotted inside the US Open qualifying draw competing against the world's ranked professionals.
I like this idea for several reasons. First, it's great press, they even got Olympic downhill skier Bode Miller to announce his interest in participating. Because it is open to the public, it's due to receive tons of press, and it is the perfect formula for an underdog/Cinderella story; the no name dreamer who found his/her way to the US Open, where all dreams will come true and everybody should watch how it happens.
Secondly, this increases the appeal of the US Open. Lately, the tournament has been generating less buzz outside of NYC, where it's hosted. There aren't as many top American players who can attract the nation's attention away from 10 million other things that are happening. Last year we had Melanie Oudin, and I think the tournament is gearing itself to become a sentimental symbol for the American dream, after all, if you work hard enough, and with a little luck, you can achieve ANYTHING!
Thirdly, it will be quite hilarious to see what's the level of these "amateur" player. I use a quotation because you can bet your behind that most of the entries will be teaching pros, current/ex collegiate players, and many top juniors. If this person end up doing quite well, it's good for the tournament, good for American tennis, and very amusing for me, the spectator.
All in all, this is very interesting, I'm wondering if one of my friend will enter...I hope she does
Venus stumbles while Serena marches on
They might share the same last name, but their fate at the 2010 Australian Open had nothing in common after their respective battle on the court, one after another. Besides both being a 3-setters, each sister approached the net after their match with the exact opposite reason; while Serena fought her way back from a 0-4 2nd set deficit, Venus failed to close out her match in the 2nd set and went on to lose a jig-sawed 3rd set, eventually losing to one of the streakiest player on the WTA tour - my personally favorite Chinese - Li Na (and it's Li Na, don't call her Na Li like some of those commentators on ESPN who wouldn't even take the time to learn how to pronounce the name of a top 15, soon top 10 player in the world)
Sad to see Venus go, but glad Li Na got through. She along with Zheng Jie, both from China, occupies 2 out of the 4 spots in the women's semifinal. I have a feeling that's as far as they'll go, but hey, it's tennis, you never know until the final point, so never rule out an all Chinese singles final come Saturday.
A little on Venus' game and Serena's gut(not the on that's hanging onto your waist)...Venus needs a plan B, she just can't change up her shots or move her feet and her footwork differently. So when she's down, all she knows is how to hit her way out, and sometimes, especially when you're older, that just doesn't come as easily. Plus, as grand as it sounds on paper, or on air, her "I live in the moment" philosophy is getting a little annoying. Although it could easily be interpreted as her being confident in her abilities , it also comes across as slightly arrogant and overly prideful in a game that is not always top-notch.
But on the other hand, Serena, although her game is also not always on top gear, she has the most mind-blowing will power I've witnessed. It's something special to see in front of your own eyes, that extra power and hunger which she can call upon time and again. For Serena, it's almost not about her game, but it's more about when she can execute it, and for today, bringing it out while down 2-6 0-4 wasn't too bad of a time.
Who knows, after all these, maybe Justine Henin will just blow everyone out of her way and win a grand slam after two tournaments. This way she'll beat Kim Clijster's record of winning a slam 3-tournaments into a come back, since Henin always tops Clijster anyway, right? Life.
Sad to see Venus go, but glad Li Na got through. She along with Zheng Jie, both from China, occupies 2 out of the 4 spots in the women's semifinal. I have a feeling that's as far as they'll go, but hey, it's tennis, you never know until the final point, so never rule out an all Chinese singles final come Saturday.
A little on Venus' game and Serena's gut(not the on that's hanging onto your waist)...Venus needs a plan B, she just can't change up her shots or move her feet and her footwork differently. So when she's down, all she knows is how to hit her way out, and sometimes, especially when you're older, that just doesn't come as easily. Plus, as grand as it sounds on paper, or on air, her "I live in the moment" philosophy is getting a little annoying. Although it could easily be interpreted as her being confident in her abilities , it also comes across as slightly arrogant and overly prideful in a game that is not always top-notch.
But on the other hand, Serena, although her game is also not always on top gear, she has the most mind-blowing will power I've witnessed. It's something special to see in front of your own eyes, that extra power and hunger which she can call upon time and again. For Serena, it's almost not about her game, but it's more about when she can execute it, and for today, bringing it out while down 2-6 0-4 wasn't too bad of a time.
Who knows, after all these, maybe Justine Henin will just blow everyone out of her way and win a grand slam after two tournaments. This way she'll beat Kim Clijster's record of winning a slam 3-tournaments into a come back, since Henin always tops Clijster anyway, right? Life.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sunday afternoon
Went to church
Ate lunch
Played some online game
Browsed through the updated men's show images
checked out thesatorialist, just saw how cool an Italian can make Green looks
Watching Venus struggling and just lost the first set
Still wondering whether or not she's wearing any underwear in her crazy dress
ah...it's sunday afternoon
Ate lunch
Played some online game
Browsed through the updated men's show images
checked out thesatorialist, just saw how cool an Italian can make Green looks
Watching Venus struggling and just lost the first set
Still wondering whether or not she's wearing any underwear in her crazy dress
ah...it's sunday afternoon
Saturday, January 23, 2010
An upcmoing trend that I'm excited about
So it's 3:26 in the morning and again I can't fall asleep, I've watched three matches, all good ones, and then flipped through all the men's show so far in Milan and Paris, and I have to say, even though the styles in these two cities' shows are really different; for example, you'll never see a draped t-shirt walking down a runway in Milan, or you won't show a tailored suit in Paris without somehow messing it up a little, through all the shows I did see one commonality and I think it'll be a big trend this coming fall or even early Spring
Mixed fabric garment is going to be the craze, wool mixed with leather, or nylon with cotton, it's all about contrasting texture within the same color tone to create the illusion of one-ness while creating a visual dissonance.
So if you have anything like that in your closet, then you're lucky b/c it looks like you can save a few bucks come next winter (gosh, we're not even out of this present one yet, why is fashion moving so much faster ahead of life itself...)
Mixed fabric garment is going to be the craze, wool mixed with leather, or nylon with cotton, it's all about contrasting texture within the same color tone to create the illusion of one-ness while creating a visual dissonance.
So if you have anything like that in your closet, then you're lucky b/c it looks like you can save a few bucks come next winter (gosh, we're not even out of this present one yet, why is fashion moving so much faster ahead of life itself...)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Off to Paris
Men's fashion month moves on to Paris, J'aime le Paris!! Expect to see edgier men's fashion, shows to look forward to: Victor and Rolf, all the Japanese brands (Julius, Undercover, Issey Miyake, Comme Des Garcon..etc), Dries van Noten...
I think I'm going to do a review on Maria Sharapova's off-court fashion soon
I think I'm going to do a review on Maria Sharapova's off-court fashion soon
Neil Barrett - new favorite - FW10
Neil Barrett himself
My kind of a t-shirt, a little funky, makes a white t-shirt that much more interesting
a little cutting and pasting action here, my favorite treatment so far at this year's Milan fashion week
I'm gonna go out and buy a bunch of these buttons, cover them with black and gray fabric and put it on my black pea coat, RIGHT NOW
nice touch with the single leather lapel, not a big fan of the leather pants, but that's just me
Slim, looks like it just came out of the dryer, the suit is fitted, unassuming, and youthful
Men's Fall2010 trends so far
Noticed a couple big trends
Thin Sky High Turtle neck - just enough extra length at the top to give it a little lose scrunch, perfect if you have a scrawnier neck, stay far far away otherwise, my friend Johnson might like it
Prada/Gucci/Jil Sander
Military Boot - basically almost everyone in Milan showed lace up military boots, from heavy duty to elegant moderated versions. I should look for a pair in black for my upcoming NY trip
Burbery Prosum/Neil Berrett/Bottega Venetta
Cut and paste - mixing different fabric and using each for a different part of a garment. Super cool and futuristic, perfect for someone who likes the classic and want to be seen as living in the present also. Example, a top coat that mixes grey suit material with black wool with leather sleeves
Burberry, Neil Berrett, Jil Sander, Trussardi 1911
Other trends - plum-ish color, voluminous overcoats, more lose bottoms
I'll post the picture of my favorite item from Milan soon
Thin Sky High Turtle neck - just enough extra length at the top to give it a little lose scrunch, perfect if you have a scrawnier neck, stay far far away otherwise, my friend Johnson might like it
Prada/Gucci/Jil Sander
Military Boot - basically almost everyone in Milan showed lace up military boots, from heavy duty to elegant moderated versions. I should look for a pair in black for my upcoming NY trip
Burbery Prosum/Neil Berrett/Bottega Venetta
Cut and paste - mixing different fabric and using each for a different part of a garment. Super cool and futuristic, perfect for someone who likes the classic and want to be seen as living in the present also. Example, a top coat that mixes grey suit material with black wool with leather sleeves
Burberry, Neil Berrett, Jil Sander, Trussardi 1911
Other trends - plum-ish color, voluminous overcoats, more lose bottoms
I'll post the picture of my favorite item from Milan soon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)