(My) Project Runway

months before Eid, me and my mom will be doing the whole project runway thing. our project every year is the same though: design your First Day outfit. First Day referring to the first day of Syawal, Hari Raya. in the middle east, Eid/Hari Raya is just one day that celebrates the end of the holy month of Ramadhan. this part of the world is a bit more festive! we celebrate it for weeks. so its tradition to wear something new and pretty for the first day, and many days after! i've been tailoring my outfits since birth but only appreciated the entire process recently. i was quite a slop you see until i graduated from junior college. hahah!

anyhow - traditional dresses like the baju kurung/kebaya are mainly worn but modern permutations are all you see these days mostly. i always make one traditional baju kurung at least, to keep tradition alive and because i like it while i opt for something with a modern twist for the one or two remaining pieces. this year is no different!

the materials i purchase have been the same every year! thai silk all the way baby even though we can easily die wearing it in such hot humid weather! but it's too beautiful to pass! i do plan to add more variety though, next year maybe. i'd consider investing in a lace/chiffon outfit (start saving). my favourite sources of materials include Poppy Fabrics, Bobby Fabrics and Jim Thompson for thai silks. chiffon and laces are usually purchased from Collezione and Alta Moda. Alta Moda has very beautiful high quality chiffon silk that costs a bomb/metre but it's the stuff high end designers use anyways. they come in the prettiest hues with that perfect 'drop'.

so for Eid 2008 i have 3 outfits lined up. 2 are ready and my final piece which i will be wearing on the First Day will arrive this wednesday. i hope it fits well, cos sending it back for alterations is going to be such a hassle! i tailor my clothes in JB, Malaysia by the way at this shop called Legenda in Angsana (this joo-chiat complex equivalent). i strongly recommend her services, she's even good doing couture-like cuts! unfortunately she doesn't do pantsuits =(.

i usually get inspiration for outfit designs through my 'style file'. yes very lame name, shoot me! basically its just a folder where i dump magazine cutouts and internet printouts. so now having browsed through vogue's coverage of nyc's fashion week, i saved a few runway pieces from my favourite designers (there's this whole list which i was too lazy to look through). and here are a few; hopefully i manage to create something from these for next years outfit!

Donna Karan on the left. i like the glittery embellishments on the soft material. on the right is a Reem Acra. i love the material/color, the whole piece is great but don't think i'm daring enough to carry that, yet? hahaha.


another favourite: Lela Rose! i like what she's wearing on herself. the yellow dress is as lovely. it's something i may just tailor. heh.


pretty coats! left: Lela Rose, right: Isaac Mizrahi. one of my outfits this year is that shade of purple by the way. the collars are something to note.


Carolina Herrera: love how she uses ruffles on these outfits


Ralph Lauren: went all Safari, these were my favourites - i want to tailor the one on the left in orange chiffon silk with a black velvet belt


Oscar de la Renta: really one of my most loved designers along with carolina herrera. yep, i'm quite old-fashioned. haha, classic alright! i totally love that platinum dress on the left! further below - super elegant black gown and a great combi of pink and yellow.




Monique Lhullier: as you can tell, i was serious when i declared yellow as my favourite color in a previous post! so its only natural i fall for these pieces. anyways, wd you ever wear the outfit on the left to work? hahaha! i guess if your boss is anna wintour she'd expect you to be that fashionable la! Below: I want/need a pantsuit like that! her black lace dress is pretty sexxaayy, no? i like.




Michael Kors: okay, finally! i love his bags too. his latest collection includes some Pretty Woman like pieces! don't ya think? i find it french riviera chic =) anyhow i'm glad to see the checkered prints cos that's my Eid 2008 theme! yeay so i beat Kors to it since this is his Spring 09 collection. RIGHT. hahah!

Alright, WOW. i've never written so much on clothes. Hahaha! okies, since i'm armed with a new camera this year, i will snap pics of Raya Fashion 2008. so dress up people!