However, now I’m finding I’m getting a little more daring in my exploration of colours – a process that took baby steps and a whole lot of twitter pair-pressure from ‘followers’ wanting to know the details of my spa booking!

So when I went from white strips into a zone where their was literally rainbows of possibilities.  I chose colour alright – but – its application I kept the same!

Instead of white tips, I simply went black (a stunning CoCo Chanel channeling!) and now have graduated to neon pink – my Nail Stylist (Wing at 10/10SPACE) said that black was ‘out’ and that neon was very S/S’12 (I love her connection with the fashion trends!)

So if you’re like me – a little too classic for your own good at times, stay that way and simply change the colour slightly for a whole new you!
Or if you are on the other spectrum of adventure, then perhaps some of these images will inspire you!
(and if so I want pics – tweet them to me: @HongKongStylist)

Hi J

Is facial hair cool?

- Hairy Man

Trust me on this one ‘Hairy Man’ – if it’s OK for Angelina Jolie – then it’s OK for us girls too!

The reigning champion of facial hair – Brad Pitt – looks scrumptious in every hair-adventure he peruses.  His beard, mustache, or goatee are ever an exercise in an ever-evolving sense of style.

Now as much as your facial hair might feel like a party of your identity, it’s not.

It really should be treated as a trend – something that you can cut, shape, style and shave depending on whats HOT (the hipster-artist ‘stache – Ryan Gosling off-duty) or whats NOT (the handlebar ‘stache – baseball hall-of-famer, Rollie Fingers, BELOW)

Now a safe starting point for those of you who are engaged in a quest to look your hairy best, is with the classics!

Below are 5 facial hair styles that will keep you on track…

THE SHORT CIRCLE BEARD
The good side of a circle beard is for those with skin that’s prone to breakouts THIS is an awesome way to cover it up!  It’s also going to make a soft jawline appear more masculine. That’s two ticks in favour of the short circle beard!
This neatly groomed, Leonardo DeCaprio inspired look is however, a style that needs A LOT of attention!  Your maintenance ritual will require trimming, shaving and shaping, and all the accompanying tools for these tasks, i.e – Not for the lazy man!

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GOATEE
The goatee has evolved from being a section of hair confined to the chin, to being accompanied by a mustache or even slight side growth.  It’s a style that is surprisingly versatile, making it very much a go-to-look.
It can be worn in a slightly disheveled fashion or it can be razor-sharp and perfectly groomed. Transitioning from one look to another can be done within a week for men with rapid hair growth.

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5 O’CLOCK SHADOW
if your facial hair growth rate is on the sluggish side, this style is going to be virtually impossible to pull off.  The 5 o’clock shadow is amazingly suited to men whose facial hair grows extremely quickly.
Just remember, this look is supposed to be more subtle than obvious stubble and it’s a look that it’s much more serious and polished than intentional stubble.

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NATURAL COLOUR
If you’re going gray and thinking of dyeing your facial hair, check out pics of George Clooney’s salt-and-pepper look to see how distinguished gray can be before you take the plunge and buy a box of dye.
Going the au naturel route saves the possible disasters that comes hand-in-hand with  a do-it-yourself job AND it lends to a more dignified look!

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STUBBLE
Bad Boy Sex Appeal – we love it!
And that’s exactly the look that the  rebellious growth gives!
Whether scruffy or well groomed, stubble is always in style that favours any type of guy from the ‘preppy sweater wearing’ man to the ‘slacks over faded T-shirts and torn-up jeans’ kind of a guy
It doesn’t need half the commitment lent to a full bead and is incredibly low-maintenance but high style facial hair.
Although do remember to trim your facial hair regularly to avoid giving others the impression you’ve stopped showering.

With those classics in mind, I suggest heading to the Mandarin Barber for some manly grooming!
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong/spa/mandarin_barber/

“I don’t know when the bustier got a bad rap” Moda Operandi fashion director Roopal Patel said about this seasons lingerie-inspired bustiers and cropped tops (and in all honesty, nor do I!) But in either case, this particular trend is absolutely a step beyond last seasons sheer mesh and see-through lace garments – and one which according to fashion experts is here to empower women!

Rethinking these tummy bearing pieces is simply a matter of mindset.
Try to move your view of lingerie-like garments as items that should be hidden and instead use these (now not so controversial) silhouettes and lengths as layering pieces.

Prada presented us with an adoring little ruffled bralet, which is clearly not designed to be worn under a sweater, or seen exclusively at the beach, it is conceived for displaying under an open embellished jacket – as distinctly styled in their ad campaigns.

Now as forward as it may feel to step out in such a cropped top, you can always partially button up your blazer to revel a peek of flesh – it is possible to flaunt this style without crossing any socially acceptable lines!

If the complete midriff feel is simply not an option for you at such an early stage of the trend movement then perhaps layering with sheer garments will be your safety-net.

Countless sheer garments appeared on the spring runways, and bustiers and feminine flourishes in embellished silk, ceramic-inspired prints and even raffia took the mind off of underwear, making the bralets more acceptable simply due to the material they were made from.

Sporty fabrics and shapes reduce the association with lingerie – try pairing a cropped top with an athletic-minded piece, like a sleeves-only sweatshirt from Givenchy. Or layering with menswear-inspired clothes which can also tone down sheer and cropped statements.

But the final and necessary touch on any newly acquired undergarment turned inspiration is a dose of bravado.
“These pieces are all about confidence,” says student and model Lily Kwong  “No one wants to see a woman fidgeting in her bustier.”

(ABOVE: Louis Vuitton SS12)
Applique is a technique most commonly used when quilting.

It comes from the French appliquer, which means “to apply” and is a sewing technique that starts with a large base which is then layered upon with shapes that are cut from other textiles and sewn or glued onto the initial base.  It is also possible to make appliqué with ribbons, cords, sequins, beads, and other materials.

(Valentino S/S12)

It most definitely used to be a skill granted to those operating in the Art & Crafts sector of fashion!
However, with the modern movement that applique is taking on, it’s not just Granny, but Sass & Bide, Chanel and Valentino that are taking to this previously vintage craft.

(David Koma S/S12)
This season you will find the applique floral motif seems to of organically rooted itself amongst the majority of designers, who have delivered mass amounts of S/S’12 designs using this wonderfully feminine technique.

Being on generally, thicker and more structural than lace, applique removes any bridal connotations and can be instead visually related more to the prairie realm of country sides and hay stacks.

S/S’12 applique is fresh and lively, and is a lovely option if wanting to look delicate, but not as sensual as lace can often make it’s wearer.

(Balmain)
Now in terms of styling – applique IS see-through as a rule.
To combat this semi-naked appearance, suggest wearing a nude coloured body-form dress underneath (for the bold) a contrasting neon silk slip (for the Fashion forward) or a delicate pastel coloured petticoat for the more romantically inclined.

Also easily paired with black for a stand-out effect applique is an incredibly easy trend to introduce to any wardrobe as it needs minimal styling – it’s already detailed enough, so simplicity works best with this trend.

Safe sex is the message which each new generation needs to hear, which is why H&M is launching its fifth Fashion Against AIDS (FAA) collection, to raise funds and create awareness about HIV/AIDS among the young.

Available in around 400 H&M Divided departments from April 26 as well as online, this year’s collection brings together ethnic influences from different continents.

DRESS ME supported last year ‘Fashion Against Aids’ via shooting the collection HERE in HONG KONG with a team that believes in the cause.

Check out our images HERE

Dress Me’s inside sources say there’s still a fab amount of the collection at the Canton Road (TST) H&M so do head over those ways!

Here’s a nifty little beauty tip. One that the men and the ladies will appreciate, I’m sure.

Let’s get right into it:

Step 1: Combine equal amounts of the following:

Honey
Granulated white sugar (some people like to use oatmeal or brown sugar – I just find white sugar to be a little more coarse and helps exfoliate better, but feel free to experiment!)
Freshly squeezed lime juice

Mix it all up in a tiny little bowl and rub it along your lips as needed.

When you finish, your lips will be super ultra soft and practically irresistible.

Wanna know the best part? You can store it!

Honey does not go bad and lime juice is an amazing substance and stores the natural state.
Granted, mixing it all up and keeping it for years probably isn’t the best idea – but if you have a little extra left over, store it for next week! If you notice it has gone a little cloudy, just put the jar in a pan of hot water and you’re good to go.

This is tried and tested – I absolutely LOVE it.

You will just fall in love with your pampered lips!

Love S x

As they always are you might be thinking (and your right!) the Floral trend and tea party connotation is absolutely a Spring classic, that re-blooms every season.

Yet as each year rolls past, so do the details in which these flowers lie. While they once were printed upon floaty, ultra-femme dresses and breezy camis in a delicately romantic way, this S/S’12 has provided a new  atmosphere for this seasonal sensation.

A vivid array of colors such as yellow, turquoise, pink, red are setting the standard for a heavier, more preppier botanical print.
Crisp button-up blouses, structured bags, and slim pants feature this springs vision and with their seasonal structure these pieces look fresh, modern, and equal parts sweet and sophisticated.

Blumarine, Anna Molinari,  Laura Ashley, Moschino and Givenchy are amongst designers taking to the boutique of colour and prints.

All presenting colour tones that are signature to their brands and hints that make the floral prints representations of their fashion houses – and yet – the prints dimensions are similar – BOLD and blooming!

Now there is a fine line between chic and frumpy when it comes to florals – however, this season the designers have saved you a lot of styling stresses by creating prints that are more graphic in structure and less whimsical – meaning you’ll automatically appear a seasoned dresser as apposed to one who may have been got caught up in reading ‘The Secret Garden’.

This season an edgy look, with brighter hues and darker backdrops take form within the prints – and working with these means going along with similar colour pallets.

Ideally you want to choose a colour from within the pattern and add that to your ensemble.

OR if your the more fashion savvy type – dress head to toe florals – it’s a catwalk fav!

Beige and Cream: how close it resembles our skin tones, and Ohh how it tricks and teases when viewed from a distance.

For every woman out there tempted by this minimalist colour pallet, be WARNED!   This colour is dramatic and drastically wrong to wear if not styled correctly!

On the other hand, this colour (or lack of) very much stands out with the charms and lightness of the sheer quality it inhabits.

The ‘nude’ trend has been with us for a number of seasons now, and it is ever moving in new directions.
At the moment, soft beige can be seen set upon orange coloured lace or silk chiffon in a more potent colour – giving the nudness a new depth.
Vera Wang’s Fall Winter 2012-2013 ready to wear collections a perfectly elegant and dreamy example of this.  She presented a show of nude in lightweight layers, styled with androgynous outerwear.
Nude this season, has taken on a very geometrical feel to it with currents of Gothic architecture influencing the shapes and lines that cut the designs up into layers of nude tones set upon each other in a patchwork way.

To wear this seasons nearly-bare colour pallet, opt for layers and texture.
Wear a silk top against wool pants and a tweed jacket.
Or pull together the contrasting yet completely complimentary combination of lace and patient leather – the whole time opting for tones of beige/white/nude that off-set each others delicate colorings.
NOTE:  If you feel this colour pallet washes you out, pair it with dark make-up, or similarly dramatic neon highlights in terms of accessories.  Pop highlights in to add depth to your overall look and ALWAYS remember to wear seamless nude underwear to continue the nearly naked allure that nude creates.

And for that final touch – try a pair of nude stilettos to elongate your legs and have you looking elegant literally from head to toe!

Dark is sharp, slimming and is forgivable in the company of red-wine drinkers who like to talk with their hands.

In fact I myself wear navy all year round, it’s my signature colour. Having said this, these darker shades can look out of place in the middle of a summer mixer, not to mention absorb heat.

So without further ado I introduce you to my tried and tested summer favourite, the light suit. The perfect way to achieve sharp albeit louche summer relaxed cool.

When I say light, I’m talking shade and colour. This is anything from warm neutral khakis to the off-whites and colourful pastels.
This can be a tough look to pull off correctly, but with the right guidance you can avoid all Miami Vice references.

Let’s start with colours.

To lighten the mood in the office a light grey tailored suit will keep you in corporate code.

For those who like to push the envelope, you may opt for light military colours of tan and khaki, freshened up with a blue shirt.

My last vote is for those of you who really like to make a strong statement, and I’m talking a pastel statement in light shades of blue.

The second most important part about this look is the fit.

Trends on the catwalks for spring/summer indicate a loose fit.  This look is hard to pull off… well unless you have the tall, slim frame of a male model.

My suggestion to stay looking sharp in lighter shades is to keep it slim and finely tailored.

The last thing to consider is the shirt and accessories.

Here is where the best-intentioned light suit wearers have unraveled.

Many a man will go straight for a dark contrasting coloured shirt. Whilst some have succeeded, many have been mistaken for mobsters.

My advice is to reach for lighter colours such as white or light blue, or even a nice crisp plaid shirt.

To keep the look unfussy, contrast the tie with the shirt and hold it down with the all-important tie clip. Matching the pocket square to the tie colour will bring a coherence to the overall look.

This is an easily transformable outfit, removing the tie and undoing the top two buttons will change an outstanding office ensemble into perfect after-hours attire.

To relax this style even more, wear with a smart denim shirt or a crisp tee.

Remove the office footwear, add espadrilles and cuff your trousers. This is also a great get-up for weddings and garden parties. As always, the above are just suggestions, go out, have fun with this and make it your own.

As a man of many projects (TV host/ Scientist/Student and of course Fashion Blogger) – we have not only a whirlwind life in common, but are telling our stories from unexpected places!

As an Asian in Canada (Vincent) and myself being a Westerner in Asia – the East meets West mash-up was another interesting POV to add to our ever evolving lives in the Fashion Industry!
And it’s something we thought we’d share with YOU!

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So this is what happens when we are away from our computers, researching for our blogs.

Now we are on other sides of the world from each other, but aren’t so different considering all the opposites we have in common (gender, ethnicity, vocation, location…)

MONDAY – I hit the HK fashion social scene with a party that went way too late for a school night – hence my sore feet!

While Vincente stayed at school in the science lab – having an equally late night!

(And then around 2AM we blogged)

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TUESDAY night was a designer focused night where both Vincente and I rubbed shoulders with some of the fashion industries most elite designers

(And then around 10PM we blogged)

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WEDNESDAY we were out… (YES AGAIN) this time putting our social skills to use as we met and mingled with a mix of fashions ‘must- knows’

(And then around 11PM we blogged)

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THURSDAY – An educational day of showroom collections being launched and catwalks being pranced down.

(And then around 8PM we blogged)

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FRIDAY – What else would anyone do on a Friday night but wine, dine and party!!?

(And then around 1.30AM we blogged)

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SATURDAY – Ahhhhhh you would think we perhaps would have one day off! But no, We were both on set, microphones on hand and film rolling as we presented on our Fashion Channels.

(And then around 11PM we blogged)

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SUNDAY – Play day! While I shopped, Vincente chilled… The end of another week!

(And then around 1PM we blogged – Now THATS dedication for you!)

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With tones that remind me of delicate macaroons,  – I feel like a kid in a candy store!

The colour trend that brings on such mouth watering moments – Pastels – The fresh, soft, femininely sweet tones that simply belong to the Spring season.

This candy coloured fashion has been handed to us to feast on this Spring/Summer by the likes of top designers – Calvin Klein, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, among many others.
And although the runway models look nothing less than edible in these tones, for the less model-like wearer I have a few slices of advice to keep in mind when dressing in the pale yellows, blush pinks, icy blues, or light lavenders of this season…

Firstly, if your of a petite nature, pale colours tend to visually add bulk which means if your not in your normal gym-enhanced shape, then the few extra pounds you may be carrying will be a lot more noticeable than they would be on a taller lady in the same colour.

Yet, don’t let that put you off wearing what is such a femininely enhancing colour pallet – instead work with this tip!

If your legs are lovely and toned, draw attention to them in a pair of lavender jeans (and people wont notice your Grandma-Arms!)
Or if your bottom half is more pear-like in shape and heavy, look for a delicate bouse to match with a navy pair of trousers.  This way your slimming down your bottom and enhancing your top – perfection!

And if your simply just not wanting to dare the lighter shades of Spring – accessorize!
Jewellery in pastel hues will frame your face perfectly or a clutch will have you looking amazingly on-trend!

Girls, do you agree with Sofia?

For me, I do use lip balm on a daily basis – dry chapped lips are a big beauty no-no!

But when I feel like having a more complete make-up look, I am definitely using a lipstick, which matches my make-up or outfit.

This is my “lipstick jungle”. There are different brands of lipsticks in various colors.

Picking a lipstick is like picking the mood of the day – red is sultry; dark purple is vampy; neon pink is playful; bright pink is girly; nude is sophisticated…

I like maintaining a balance in my look, so my rule is – if I have simple eye make-up, my lipstick should pop and make a statement. If I have dramatic eye make-up, my lips better stay subtle.

Taylor Swift rocks the red shiny lips with earth-toned eye shadow – one focus at a time!

My recent favorite is Chanel Rouge Coco Shine #46 Liberté  – There is no need to put the lip balm before applying the lipstick, it is super hydrating and easy to glide on!

The lipstick can soften the lips and gives a shimmering glow. It also smells really nice that it was an utter enjoyment to put it on!

Another lipstick that I adore is Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #33 – the shade is beautiful neon pink that has a matte finish.

It creates a youthful, frisky look. I like blotting my lips with tissues after application because this can blend the color to my lips better – as if that is my natural lip color!

SHOP THE STORY:
Chanel Rouge CoCo Shine #46 Liberté ($260HKD)
Chanel’s boutique at Prince’s Building, Harbour City, Elements or Festival Walk, Intercontinental HK, Harvey Nichols at Landmark, Sogo at Causeway Bay or TST, Wing On in Sheung Wan, DFS in Peking Road…

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #33 ($200HKD)
LCX in Causeway Bay, Seibu in TST or Langham Place, Faces in Harbour City, Wing On in Nathan Road, New Town Plaza in Shatin…

Stay fabulous!
-Michelle Summer H.

As with most obsessions, Brehan Todds’  started early and progressed from childhood collections of bead,s to embroidery bracelets to a now fuller collection which consists of designs that are crafted from years of passion, patience and a talented eye for beauty in the broken!

Seeing the shine of re-rendered glam in the most abstract of things, Brehan crafts her designs mostly out of old odds and ends that have character and, more importantly to her – flaws.
” I love working with vintage ceramic pottery figurines from the 1960′s or little flowers by Royal Adderley. I like finding something and completely reclaiming it in a new way. Working with unexpected materials, toys and things that are not meant for jewellery are sometimes the most fun to work with”

Brehan approaches jewellery making in a purely creative, and slightly quirky way.
 ”I’m most creative in the wilderness, being in the middle of the forest by myself or with a friend, in Montana where it’s totally quiet and peaceful. I love music also. The music I listen to often is reflected in my designs.”
And yet her collections remain in sync with the modern pop culture – no matter how removed she becomes to urban life in order to complete her collections.

Stocked globally, Brehan sells her work in various boutiques, including a South African store called Lady Jane Vintage.
“I would love to work with more international boutiques and buyers to continue to reach out more in the global market,” says Brhan, making the Crowd Jewel competition a perfect starting place to establish such world-wide connections.

‘Crowd Jewel’ spotted the talented Miss.Brehan via a recent competition that was open globally.

Dress Me had the honor of being a guest judge in the competition which saw a vast amount of creations that came not only from Hong Kong but all around the world – capturing some of the most innovative creatives worldwide.

Brehan’s work was picked by YOU, the viewers/voters, as the WINNING design – placing Brehan in the top tier of her contemporaries.

Her standout piece was based on the BLACK SWAN mood board that was created especially for the competition and drew on elements of light and dark and how they compliment each other and create shadows and illusions.

Brehan said about her winning design:
“I have such a contrast of dark and light to my personality, it’s simple for me to translate it into my designs. To me the swan is such a beautiful creature, it has a lot of curves and roundness to it. It’s delicate but solid. They almost glow in the light, like they are lit from the inside and the contrast with the darkness of the eyes is so mysterious. I’ve loved Swans since I was a little girl. The contrast of the metal with the sheen of the pearls and crystals was pleasing to me so I followed that idea, layering and sculpting until I knew it was finished.”

(ABOVE: The winning design!)
What I personally adore most about Brehans work, is her healing hands – the way she mends broken or discarded pieces of jewellery and re-works them into statements pieces of quirky glam!

To purchase Brehan Todds designs, please visit her on-line site: BREHAN TODD DESIGN

With special THANKS to: