Phase of the Moment: In and Out of Fashion

Way before I followed fashion, I was into some other things. I remember in elementary, I always rushed home to catch my afternoon anime. I had friends that all knew how to draw, and we would have this "sketching party" where we'd doodle anime characters. It was a lot of fun.

Soon as I hit pre-teens I began poring over PDAs--remember those? Then came this very long affair with digital cameras, which promptly ended when my dad bought me my very own.

Afterwards was this steady obsession over cellphones, specifically ones that we Americans couldn't get. (Cellphones in Asia are much better feature-wise at that time.) I still remember my ultimate favorite mobile, the oddly shaped Nokia 7280 (pictured) a.k.a. the lipstick phone for obvious reasons.

In transit to adolescence, I had a phase with cars. I guess this is most typified as "the young man's obsession." I religiously read my car magazines such as Automobile, Car and Driver, Road and Track, and ogled at showroom floors. I was also a daily visitor to Cars.com, which has an exhaustive list of automobiles and expert auto reviews.

That was then. Now I feel that my phase with fashion is starting to wane. It's not that I'm totally over fashion. It's just that my locus wouldn't be concentrated in that specific area anymore. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be into fashion if I didn't appreciate animation, electronics and automobile design.

Image from livingroom.org

Personal Rant of the Moment: Lonely Hearts

I know I'm in vacation right now, but I seem to not have time to spend quality time with someone. A special someone if you can catch my drift.

Ever had those moments when you just want to hug someone but no one is there to hug? Or just talk to someone face to face, but still nothing? That's how I'm feeling: loneliness with a dash of boredom.

I can't wait to get out if this mood. Someone, anyone, please take me away!

But until my hero saves me, I'll bask in some nostalgic tunes. It can help heal the sorrow. I hope.

Video from youtube.com

Video of the Moment: Fur Realz?

Actual suit on the Paris runway

Remember that all-faux-fur Chanel suit Lagerfeld sent out a few months ago? Joe Zee of Elle test drove the ensemble in the middle of summer! I say kudos to the man for taking the heat. And maybe more just by looking at people's reactions. Suffer for fashion, baby!

Also, note how he's wearing a Jansport backpack with Chanel. Nothing bad with that, right?

Image from nymag.com; video via racked.com

Trailers of the Moment: Making the Grade

I'm literally on the cusp of insanity. Why so? For starters, I've been spending my entire vacation at home. Doing chores. Sleeping. Getting fat.

So to make an interesting day out of lameness, I delved into the world of cinema. Not making it, but just watching, enjoying and critiquing. Here is a sampler of my cinematic adventure with accompanying grade system:





"Up in the Air"

This movie deserved to be in the Oscars. It touches so many dimensions of real life that one has to wonder why it didn't snag Best Motion Picture of the Year. (Darn you "Avatar"!)

The emotional story arc is rich and compelling, and commentary about the complexity of relationships--with family, colleagues, friends, lovers, career, and self--is just mind blowing. Kudos to Anna Kendrick for playing the naive idealist! Totally empathized with her. Verdict: A





"Brideshead Revisited"

Based on the novel by Evelyn Waugh (a dude by the way), "Brideshead" is a story of one man's venture into the intriguing world of Catholic high society.

Charles Ryder, a down-to-earth artist, becomes center of attention as he befriends peculiar (but fabulous) Sebastian Flyte. Little did he know that Sebastian belongs to an aristocrat family whose unwavering faith in Catholicism is a major dealbreaker. Cue the love triangle between Charles, Sebastian and Julia (Sebastian's sister), and we have drama!

Unfortunately, forbidden love and snide remarks directed to, um, Catholicism can't save this movie. Stick to Waugh's vision, folks! Verdict: C





"Dominick and Eugene"

This gem of a movie is unbelievably underrated that I watched it at an unbelievably underrated channel. Despite it being old (hey, it's only 1988), the film clutches superb points for envisioning the unconditional brotherly love of Eugene and Dominick.

Thomas Hulce's portrayal of slightly challenged Dominick deserves laudatory mention. While Ray Liotta's Eugene is remarkable for being the conflicted yet caring brother. Minor characters should be noted for adding unbridled charm to this movie too. Verdict: B+

Image from lbcc.edu; videos from youtube.com

Item of the Moment: Backpack Got Back

Marni, Alexander Wang, Lanvin and Patrik Ervell

Remember when you were young and had the clamoring to get the IT backpack? Not the ones with Prada or some haute label stamped on it, but the ones that have your fave cartoon plastered on the front. (Extra points if it had a clock!)

If that childhood itch went unscratched, most designers have you covered. Backpacks became the new IT accessory for Alexander Wang's Wall Street-inspired runway while Lanvin, Bottega Veneta and Patrik Ervell took advantage of its utility in the men's Fall collection. For Spring 2011, Consuelo Castiglioni of Marni furnished her man-geek with the sporty sac.

Clearly, there's some sort of budding romance between fashion and functionality. And why shouldn't it? For many seasons, designers have dabbled with the most ridiculous bag designs that barely satisfied the job description (see Dior Homme's manclutch).

Backpacks fit the bill perfectly because they're designed to swallow any item with ease. The fact that you can sling it on both shoulders is an added bonus. Just be wary of the bag's overall look. As shown above, simplicity is always key.

Images except Alexander Wang and Patrik Ervell from gq.com; Alexander Wang from polyvore.com; Patrik Ervell via stylebubble.co.uk