Every new year brings new developments. Cheong Phin casts an eye on what's ahead in fashion for 2011 here, abroad and on the Internet.
Tom Ford's comeback
After a long leave from fashion for nearly six years, the former Gucci creative director returns with a sensual new line of womenswear for spring this year. Shown exclusively to a selected audience during New York fashion week in September, Mr Ford (as he prefers to be called today) returns to making commercially viable clothes that are beautiful and luxurious, adding that "it's about individuality. Real clothes for fashionable women aged 25 to 75. That's why I literally put many of my own muses in the show".
Spring/Summer 2011
Whether it's minimal dressing in white or 1970s-inspired fashion in a heady mix of bright colours, the mood for spring/summer is undeniably a season of optimism, romanticism and freedom of expression. Maxi dresses, all-in-one jumpsuits, high-waist wide leg pants or shorts and below-the-knee midi skirt lengths with platform wedges are just some of the key looks you'll be wanting this spring.
E-fashion and Mr. Porter arrive online
Fashion caught up with the digital revolution last year by connecting to their customers across the world via Facebook, Twitter, live-streaming of fashion shows and online shopping. Debuting this month is www.mrporter.com -- the male version of successful luxury online shopping site for womenswear Net-a-Porter, offering an edited line-up of global designer labels as well as editorial and style advice for fashionable men.
Fashion in Kuala Lumpur
Opening mid-2011 in the textile and garment business district of Jalan Kenanga (better known as "hor cheng yuen" in the heart of Kuala Lumpur) is Kenanga
Wholesale City, a 22-storey shopping mall dedicated entirely to the fashion wholesale business where fashion retailers and wholesalers can trade under one roof as well as allowing bargain-hunters to purchase fashion merchandise at the same (lower) wholesale prices with a minimum quantity of three pieces or more. According to creative consultant Gillian Hung, the concept is similar to the Platinum Mall in Bangkok with a floor dedicated to traditional Islamic fashion at affordable prices.
Home-grown fashion label Eclipse celebrates its 15th anniversary this year and designer Sonny San said: "This time, it will be celebrated with a difference plus, we will also launch a younger sister line "e.pse" by the fourth quarter of 2011"
Elsewhere, Juicy Couture opens its second boutique at the Gardens Mall in February, while Salabianca offers sweet young Lolita looks, laces and 3D blooms for its spring/summer collections.
Lady Gaga tours in Armani
The famous Monster star sent out an early warning of her "Gaga eccentricity" to Italian designer Giorgio Armani when she threw her customised Armani mirrored shoes into the crowd after her sell-out performance in Paris last month. The legendary Armani will be specially creating a series of outfits for the outrageous performer's "Monster Ball" global tour starting next month. Expect to see Lady Gaga in structured silhouettes with pronounced shoulders that include a mini dress cut geometrically with a mirror finish and complemented with special accessories like eyewear and shoes. Armani will have to make sure there are spare sets made in case Gaga decides to indulge in her surprising act again.
