While the first day of Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day fall on the same day this year, the two events do not appear to have much in common at first glance.
One is a festival from the East; the other originated as a Western cultural practice. One celebrates the importance of family; the other is all about lovers.
But look a little closer and the two start to reveal some similarities.
The origins of Chinese New Year revolve around a mythical beast called Nian, who had to be pacified with offerings of food, ornaments in red and the lighting of noisy firecrackers so it will not devour livestock and children.
The origins of Valentine's Day is believed to lie in the death of a priest in third-century Rome, who was persecuted by the pagan authorities for marrying Christian couples.
One's genesis acknowledges the fragility of life, while the other's echoes that old saw that the course of true love never did run smooth. To counter these shadows, man has come up with days when he devotes himself to the pursuit of extravagantly light-hearted rituals.
What better way to honour the festive tradition of going over the top than by falling down the rabbit hole like the heroine of the 1865 children's tale, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland?
With the release of a movie adaptation by director Tim Burton next month, the vogue for Wonderland whimsy is only growing stronger. Designers like Stella McCartney and Tom Binns, as well as brands like Swarovski, Urban Decay and O.P.I, have released Alice-inspired collections.
Posh French department store Printemps has also recruited top designers like Alexander McQueen, Ann Demeulemeester and Christopher Kane to create bespoke designs for Alice to be displayed in its shop windows during the upcoming Paris Fashion Week.
So, get a headstart on your Alice fix right here, in our Wonderland-inspired guide on how to look fab on Feb 14.
 |
 |
|
Wild in wonderland
Spice up your reunion dinner or Valentine's Day date by playing with unexpected proportions and volume. A fitted, structured top paired with a sudden froth of poufy tiers on a skirt makes for a fun ensemble. Guys can experiment with playful combinations such as well-cut bermudas and a smart jacket. Oversized accessories like hairbands and bowties are a quick way to add visual interest to any outfit.
On her: Jacket, $1,830, from Amuse; satin can-can skirt, price on request, from Wicked Laundry; leather head bow, $180, from DVF Diane Von Furstenberg
On him: Blazer and bermudas, prices on request, from Hugo Boss; shirt, $150, from Armani Exchange; bowtie, price on request, from Wicked Laundry; spectacles from stylist
|
Curiouser and curiouser
Going from visiting Third Uncle to a hot date? Look for clothes that can pull double duty as pretty Chinese New Year threads as well as sexy Valentine's Day outfits. Paired with a demure cardigan, this dress with accents of auspicious red, for instance, will do the trick when you are collecting hongbao. Worn on its own, the unexpected positions of the cut-outs offer sexy with a twist.
Seagull printed cut-out dress, price on request, from Miu Miu
|
 |
 |
|
Through the looking glass
Take a break from the daily grind with new togs made from other-worldly fabrics like tulle, chiffon and lace that are anything but mundane. These will add a touch of ethereal charm to any outfit and lend your style an unbearable lightness of being.
White cut-out silk dress with tiered tulle skirt, $2,530, from Amuse; white satin cut-out pumps, price on request, from Miu Miu
|
Mad as a hatter
Make an impression even against a backdrop of glitzy Chinese New Year decorations and tinselly Valentine's Day trimmings. Bold prints mixed with interesting textures does the trick every time - even just a hint of these elements will do wonders. If you think you cannot pull off pants with starburst prints, opt for an unusual lining that will peek through as you move or a necklace-like woven scarf to add pizzazz to a plain shirt.
Electric blue woven shirt, $150, from Armani Exchange; hand-knitted organza ribbon scarf, price on request, from ForInsaneHuman; star print pants, $290, and red cropped tail coat with lipstick mark lining, $750, both by Yogia Jogia from Front Row; red boots, $189, from Dr Martens; and top hat, price onrequest, from Wicked Laundry
|
hxinyi@sph.com.sg
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.
