Gonbei Restaurant @ Starhill Gallery

I was introduced to this Gonbei Restaurant by a discerning Japanese businessman many years ago and it became one of my favorite spot for Japanese food (Oh he refused to eat at Jogoya, the buffet restaurant near  Gonbei) I went there last Sunday for buffet dinner and decided to share some pictures with you guys.My favorite dish is their grilled crab, it's really yummy! The food is definitely high-quality, with gorgeous decor to match as  Koto instrument being played on air. At RM80++ per pax, I think it's really worth it if you're very finicky about what and where you eat. Most of the dishes are prepared only when you order, so freshness is guaranteed. Tempura, sushis, sashimis, teppanyaki, soba you name it (except the grilled crab, that's a la carte, Darrlingg). Love, Love it.

The entrance to Gonbei. The hostess will beat a drum as you enter through this triangular bamboo trellis.

Some of the food, of course I ate more than these :-P

 I was informed that these (wall decorations) are logo/symbolf/emblem of ancient family names.

HERE is Gonbei's website. Don't forget to treat me if you plan to come here. Thankyouverymuch.
MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Etro Spring Summer 2009 bags

I have to admit that I was almost oblivious to the brand Etro before, until I walked into the small corner at Parkson Pavillion and realized how lively the merchandises were, but at that time, the price tags were kinda shocking (You can easily get 'entry level - popular' bags by Gucci Prada). I hardly see it on editorial especially on local men's magazines. I saw an Etro boutique at Rue Du Faubourg Saint Honoré, Paris last May but it was only for women so I didn't think too much of it. Then there was the SALE. A big, fat, generous SALE at Etro Pavillion (that still takes place as I'm writing now) that marked my first love with Etro because I'm not going to pay full, ridiculously marked up prices.

Etro started as an Italian fashion fabrics line in 1968. Then many years later they became synonymous with Paisley prints that j'adore!!! I was searching for canvas/fabric bags and found this bag generously reduced from RM2379 to about RM952. Hello, that's 60% saving!

Ready for Etro porn, Darrlingg?

 I love the fact that all stripes match at the stitching joints, very neat.

This bag was from Spring Summer 2009. I'm not crazy about following the trend, so whatever. Let's see some bags from SS2009 collection.

 Ohh there's one!

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Buy Less and Cut Up your Curtain

Hey is that your curtain you're lookin' at? Or is it your tablecloth? Whatever. I found these fabric some time ago (from a fabric shop of course) and sent it to the tailor while I was in Phuket. I went to Petaling Street to buy some oranges yesterday. Opss.. how ironic, I'm wearing my orange print shirt. Talk about blending in, Darrlingg.

Without the jacket, hurt your eyes,eh?Bingo!!!

I thought these guys at the stall were blinded my superpower orange shirt, so I put the jacket on.

Then I went to Pavillion KL and came back with lil stuff aka retail therapy.

Tailored shirt, Topman jacket and jeans, Moschino sneakers.

Well, that's what happened yesterday. Oh by the way, did you not see similar print like this on a shirt in Paul Smith, Darrlingg??
MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Comme des Garçons SHIRT

Hello y'all! Happy weekend! Last weekend I spent some time and unfortunately some cash as well at Club 21, Emporium Mall, Bangkok.There were many Club 21 in Bangkok, but this outlet was the only one having sale. Yes where there's sale, there's me. Well almost.

I was so excited to see all these multi brands clothes that I don't get to see in KL (sad). I already promised myself to pick up just one little item. The SA was so friendly she started picking up pieces that she thought I would like on top of my own selection, so a changing room narcissistic photo session was in order. Pardon the horrible angles, I've never shot myself with a heavy DSLR in a changing room ( take note..Need to improve that skill).So here are the garments I have to put myself through ( it's a torture knowing you can only afford to pick one!), I tell ya' Darrlingg.

I love this reversible Dries Van Noten tee, the material is the softest and the lightest of em all, the singlet is one size too big.Too bad because I really like it.

I love Issey Miyake too but too expensive! D&G? Ermm not sure if I want to be a walking billboard for Greta Garbo though. Next time I guess.

So in the end I picked up Comme des Garçons because it's the cheapest..scream cheapskate y'all! Plus it's my first ever Comme des Garçons! Yeay, so I sobbed in guilt and paid about RM345 to the cashier (The actual price was RM1130).

I googled about this shirt later and found out that it's from Spring Summer 2009 collection, designed by Rei Kawakubo. I didn't see many shirts from the runway at Club 21 sale though (perhaps it was almost the end of sale so there weren't  many choices left). I really like the cutting of the shirt and of course, that red attention-grabbing-roses :-P

 There you go.

Photos from Hypebest.
 
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Now, take that ! #1

GLAM lelaki Magazine, Sept/Oct 2010 Issue

Finally a local magazine I can relate to. Never mind the fact that it's written in incredibly polite Malay. I love the fashion spreads, very imaginative in styling yet not pretentious. It's nice to read about local designers too, plus the fact that the editors/writers aren't afraid to play with colors and not dictating the style as must-have or must-wear bulls* unlike many others.Bravo, GLAM!

Hans Isaac on the cover.

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Vintage pieces at What is Design Exhibition, TCDC

One of the must-visit gallery in Bangkok (that is, if you're interested with fashion history) is the permanent exhibition at Thailand Creative and Design Center titled "What is Design". I was lucky to notice this free exhibition  at TCDC on my last day of Bangkok trip. They allowed no-flash camera so I snapped some photos to share with you, Darrlingg.

Although the exhibition was about design in general (furniture, automobile etc) I decided to focus more on vintage clothes. I think it's really important to understand the reasons why these clothes were designed at that period, so it reflects what we see now, and how distorted our perception of class, style and elegance can be today.

The entrance with a short video presentation on what influenced 'design'.

The interior.

Silk robe (2008) by Somchai Kaewthong, owner of Kai boutique.He was raised in Yala in 1947, and grew up before the advent of ready-made clothes. He opened his boutique at the age of 22.This robe was inspired by Russian Empress Alexandra.

Custo Barcelona tee (1990) was used as a canvas to express freedom  from decades of dictatorship and cultural oppression. They combined unashamedly bright colors and intense graphics to reject the Mediterranean habit of wearing black.

Zara,with its first store opened in 1975 featuring low-priced lookalike products of popular, higher-end clothing fashions.

Louis Vuitton travel trunks (1854) were created as most of the trunks back then couldn't be easily stacked for travel.

Burberry trench coat (1920). Thomas Burberry proposed the garment as official raincoat for British army officers. The rain coat was eventually dubbed the 'trench coat ' because the jacket was primarily worn by soldiers fighting in the trenches.

Marimekko cotton dress (1970's). Founded in Helsinki, Finland in 1951 sought to produce textiles that marry native and international, rural and urban lifestyles and nature with technology. Marimekko means "a girl's dress" in Finnish.

Silk evening gown by Viktor & Rolf (2007). The label was founded in 1993 by Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren who perceived "fashion as antidote to reality".Some of their best designs are meant to poke fun at the pretensions of fashion industry. You see what I mean, Darrlingg? Fashion is not about what's tasteful or elegance all the time.

Wool and nylon shirts by Junya Watanabe, Comme des Garçons (1970's).Comme des Garçons as a company was found by Rei Kawakubo in 1971 to reject Western notions of beauty and attest to the beauty of imperfection instead.

Pleats Please clothes by Issey Miyake (1993), took inspiration from strong interest in clothes worn by the Japanese pheasants and workers. He wanted to create universal clothing that anyone can wear it anywhere in his daily life.

Jacket suit by Giorgio Armani (1980) created to symbolize renewed confidence, wealth, male power and prestige after the global economic stagnation the previous decade.

Oxford women shoes by Ferragamo (1970's). At the age of 9, Ferragamo made his first pair of shoes for his sister, then realized his love for the art of shoe making. These brown leather shoes attest to his love of experimentation.

Suit by Coco Chanel (1923). She was breaking the tradition at the time and refused to submit to the notion of beauty, class and style at the time. Back when everyone was so feminine, beige and frilly, she stood out against the crowd. Now fast forward to 2010, her design remain classic and elegant. I think her clothes are elegant, but I hate to see people now with their Chanel still mocking others thinking that everyone should look a certain type. What they forgot was that Chanel back then refused to follow what was perceived as "classy" at the time. So think twice Darrlingg before you mock others, what you think is tasteful is probably irrelevant to that person you make fun at. Plus, what fun would it be if everyone dresses a certain type? Will that make the world go round?

Zoom on the zipper used back then, and what's being used now.

Jeans jacket by Vivienne Westwood (1970's). What people don't realize about VW is that she carries the same spirit with Coco Chanel: Rebellious in their own way. VW gave a voice to people 1970's working classes English youth who were fed up with rules and bourgeois respectability. Today she has come of age, highly interested in culture and history to make the world a better place through her voice and clothes. Despite the critics and mockeries thrown at her by many people, she remained true to herself: To break away from conformity. That's, I like.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photos and the information, Darrlingg! Go visit TCDC the next time you're in Bangkok.Wink.
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