Asian Fashion Exchange; Mackintosh for Converse; Ah Peks in Style

Fashion Forward
The local fashion scene will be on overdrive again when the much-anticipated Asia Fashion Exchange hits town May 13-22. I should know—I’ve been working on the specially commissioned supplement for the festival over the past few weeks, so I know exactly what to make a beeline for and what to avoid (tsk, tsk). (P.S. If you missed it in last week’s edition of I-S, email me at [email protected]—I’ll make sure you get a copy). Absolutely not to be missed—Blueprint Emporium on May 22 at the Marina Bay Sands, where our local fashion heroes Hansel and Sifr will be selling their latest collections alongside newer regional labels; the runway shows of Antonio Berardi (May 17), Greyhound (May 16) and Emanuel Ungaro (May 19) at the Ngee Ann City tent—promising glamor and contemporary silhouettes from its Autumn/Winter collections, and all the champagne that can be had at the numerous parties, including one helmed by the queen of kitsch dance-pop himself, Boy George, taking place May 13 at Stereolab. Better make sure you have these dates locked down.
Kickin’ It
I can’t stress how important it is to have that perfect pair of kicks—you know, that pair you’d wear again and again no matter the occasion. While I’ve been swearing by an age-old white Junya Watanabe x Jack Purcell pair over the past five years, it’s unfortunately been regulated to the store room—completely worn out after being the only true companion on my sartorial journey. Although I quickly replaced that pair with the limited edition Feiyue x Andre kicks late last year, I have a feeling that it’s the pair of Mackintosh for Converse Jack Purcell Johnny shoes that landed on my lap two weeks ago that will stand the test of time. These babies have a timeless casual style that goes with most colors, and word up to the Converse team for throwing me a promo dark olive pair, not even sold here, for me to test walk on. But don’t fret, fans of these Send your shopping news and promotions to [email protected] limited edition gems can get their hands on the navy blue and chocolate versions for $260, exclusively from Surrender (#02-31 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6733- 2130). There are only a couple of hundred pairs produced, so you better get your ass down already if you want one too.
What is Style?
, Asian Fashion Exchange; Mackintosh for Converse; Ah Peks in StyleJust last week a good friend and fellow music producer and DJ Funk Bastard a.k.a. Dean Chew posted this photo (image on the left) up on his Facebook page with this remark: “Effortlessly stylish. No need for branded blazers and rollups. If u have it, u have it. “I couldn’t agree more. It’s a picture of a regular ah pek running in his everyday clothes, but what sets him apart from most ah peks is his acute sense of layering and color coordination, and most of all, the simple aura that he exudes—being comfortable in his own skin and clothes. Now, that’s style.