Greetings from Malaysia

Can't really post anything much as I'm not on my own computer. The battery on my camera is also low and I can't recharge here in KL because the plugs don't fit. I did manage to upload one pic. I got some craft books in Tokyo. I loooove them. I'll fill you in on the trip when I get home.

I also got to meet the infamous Kat from Pinku. What a sweetie and a great tour guide. Thanks again, Kat!

The green dress

I had a bit of a stressed weekend. I had left my dresses to the last minute to finish. I've been so busy and sewing is something I have to get really into, plus I am a perfectionist, so small flaws can set me back from finishing sooner. I was still sewing buttons an hour before leaving for the wedding and still ironing half and hour before it! But anyways, it turned out great. The material is a light lettuce green Chinese jaquard silk. It belonged to my late aunt. After sewing the dress, I found a small dot that looks like s stain and brownish color, and it wasn't a "stain". I think it might be because the fabric is old, it might be discolouring. I figure this out after I try to wash it out, and then I have to press the whole thing all over again. We still made it to the wedding on time. Others arrived later than us.

The wedding is not like the few I've been to. Took place in one venue, a golf/country club. Outdoor wedding, inside set dinner, and lots of cake. The wedding is for a family friend's daughter.

Today,my throat is feeling sore. I hope it goes away before I have to go. Only fours days left. I still have to clean and pack. If I don't post before I leave, I'll be back in 2.5 weeks. I might be able to post while I'm there.

Baby, I'm amazed...

Just checking out NY fashion week on Style.com, and see Jeremy Liang on the "marquee". Jeremy is a guy from school, whose work I've always been impressed by. I am admittedly hugely critical and very hard to please when it comes to fashion, but his work makes the cut on my list. Also, he is someone I would have been insanely jealous of, but now that I found my own direction, I am just glad to know someone from my school is making it. He was known as the guy who interned at McQueen. He was two yeasts senior to me. I met him once when the school director introduced him to me, and I created a power point presentation for him for a lecture. Wow, I'm amazed he got mention already so early in his career. But then again, it's Jeremy. He gets into parties where Anna Wintour is.

Speaking of people I know who made in the media, Daria Werbowy went to my high school. I am always in awe when I see her in ads, or mentioned in the media, etc. She's made it as a top model. She was one grade under me. I met her one time in the guidance consoler office, we were trying to get our schedules adjusted. She got kicked out from a class she didn't have a pre-requisite for. When I was in university, she was making it on Fashion covers a lot , and sometimes it's be like 3 in a row or something. That's when you know someone is going to make it.

(below, Jeremy's Spring 2006, Daria photographed by Karl Lagerfield for Chanel's Fall 2005)

In-Flight projects

There's less than a week left before I go. So I had to get some yarn for the 20 hour flight. I would have loved to get more yarns, but I only had so much to spend. I got the pink alpaca yarn, which I'm planning to make mittens with. They're going to be someone's Christmas present. Ooh, I can't wait to work on it. But I better stash it in my suitcase, so I don't get tempted to start on it before I go. Out of sight, out of mind... I also have some Uruguay yarn left over from the slippers I made. I really hope it's enough to made a hat, also a Christmas present, with the matching slippers to go with. I know some people have had trouble getting past airport security with knitting needles. But I'm pretty sure plastic double points are ok, since they are no more harmful than as a ball point pen.

I also got two sets of double-pointed needles. The pearly plastic kind. Normally I avoid plastic needles. But these one are pretty impressive, how smooth they are. And I like how each size is a different color. I have a cheap set of double-pints from the dollar store. Never again will I buy needles from there. It's made of matte aluminum. Not pleasant to use.

And look what came in the mail! A catalogue from Peruvian Connection from my aunt from England. She sent some to me few months ago to help me with new sweater designs.

I love knitting Slippers!

Ever since I saw the slippers Pinku knit for her niece, I just had to have a pair. Now I have 1 and a half pairs. I am knitting a second pair as a gift. It's such an easy knit and it only needs a bout one skein a pair. I changed the k2 p2 rib to stockinette, making it an even faster knit. The strap part I knit in garter so the edges don't roll up. I made mine out of Uruguay kettle dyed wool in mint green. I frogged this yarn from a scarf that I never wear. It was difficult to frog because it felts up so easily, but it can just as easily be felted back together. I undo the ends of what I want to attach and loop them together and then felt them using hot and cold water and a bit of soap. Voila, it's one strand again.

Only nine more days left until I leave! I am still working on the dress. Yesterday I took the day off to work on it. I actually have two weddings to go to this month. It's really been so busy lately. I still have to plan out the rest of the trip. And get a small yarn stash for while I am away. I'm planning to knit small projects. Maybe more slippers, lol. Since I am in the business of yarn, I don't have a stash! But I need something to keep me going until the shipment gets here, which is after I come back. Then I cam start pumping out throe designs I've been promising.

Countdown...

The countdown for my Tokyo-KL-Singapore trip begins. It's less than 3 weeks away. There is so much to do before then. I still have a dress to make! It's a cheong sam. Traditional Chinese formal wear. I love the clothes from the movie In the Mood for Love.



Currently obsessed with pulling ideas together for photo shoots once the sweater samples are made. I obviously don't have a budget for models, etc. But I am trained in prop styling from one of my past jobs. I have a dress form that I got for my birthday three years ago. I want it to have that Japanese craft book look, but also very European at the same time. We'll see what I come up with.

What I don't like about going away during Fall is you miss all the great tv shows that are premiering. I am especially looking forward to the OC, Gilmore Girls and The Apprentice(s). I do get to catch a few episode before leaving, but I must say, I'll miss them!

World of Vogue

I'm psyched to get a hold of the new Vogue China. Though I won't be able to read it. I think it's an item to collect.

The September issue of American Vogue is out, and every year they do something on the best designers in the business. I noticed that this year only ONE woman made it on the "list". Miuccia Prada. Don't get me wrong. I lovvve her. But it's a very obvious pick, and only ONE woman? What wrong with us/them? I realise all the major fashion players are men, but really is there no industry that isn't ruled by men??(Maybe knitting? lol) The women are seen as "cool", but the men are seen as "genius". Might I also add that I do like the rest of the designers on the "list", but in the past, it was more "equal", or at least represented more women. Sigh. One thing I am very pleased is that a woman won the last Apprentice...

(From left: Stefano Pilati, Marc Jacobs, Olivier Theyskens, Narciso Rodriguez, Miuccia Prada, Nicolas Ghesquière, and Alber Elbaz. Photographed on May 5, 2005-- That's my birthday!)