Spotlight : Ailine Liefeld, a World of Delicacy

This Berlin photographer recently made the front page of FlickR. I was immediately seduced by her treatment of the light. It is soft, delicate, very far from the awful, harsh light of Terry Richardson. Ailine Liefeld's light isn't agressive with her models, but instead, seems to caress them.

Her shots are uncluttered, without ceremonial, and focuses on the woman -or the man, I am really found of her male portraits- or the details of the outfits, that are always charming.

Browsing through her work is extreamely refreshing.

Working under the nickname bCaptured, she is always ready for spontaneous shootings in Berlin, and even has got an interesting project called 'Freunde von Freunden', dedicated to interiors of fellow Berlin inhabitants. An interesting way to learn about your neighbours. You can contact her if you want to join the project.

Too bad, her website isn't working yet, but it isn't really hard to find her pictures on internet : FlickR, Deviantart and more, offer a tour inside her world of peace and light.

http://ailineliefeld.com/

http://freundevonfreunden.com/

http://www.flickr.com/people/bcaptured/

Weekend at Borobudur Temple - Heart of Hindouism

Borobudur is a giant Mahayana Buddhist monument in Central Java. Built in AD 800, the monument was lost for hundreds of years following the decline of the Buddhist kingdoms in Java. Borobudur was rediscovered in the 19th century, rescued from the surrounding jungles, and today is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site.




Borobudur is built on a stupendous scale - it couldn't be otherwise, as it is nothing less than a representation of the cosmos as Buddhist theology understands it.

Once you enter Borobudur, you find yourself being led into an intricate cosmology immortalized in stone, which is a magnificent trip for amateur archaeologists, albeit one that will require an experienced guide to decipher.

3 tips about Borobudur:

* To avoid the crowds, avoid the weekends when hoards of domestic tourists visit, along with the occasional school trip of students, sent by their teachers to practice their English with unsuspecting foreign tourists.

* On Waisak, Buddha's birthday (held on the night of the full moon in May), an elaborate and colorful multi-day Buddhist festival is held at Borobudur, culminating in a candle-lit procession from Candi Mendut to Borobudur. Walking the Waisak procession route from Borobudur to Candi Mendut (or vice versa) at any time is an excellent experience.

* If you are still at Borobudur in the late afternoon, return to the top level stuppas for sunset. It is often very quiet at this time and the sunset behind the mountains to the west is quite magical



All you need to know about about Borobudur and other destinations on Weekend.com.sg:
Where to stay around, best place to eat, how to get there ...

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*All the pictures of the article are not our property

IFB's Links à la mode : I have been chosen !!!

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

Looking Forward to Looking Back for Fall

Edited by: Ann of Holier than Now

Every season begins with looking back: the designers revisit trends of yore, and we fling open our oversized Tupperware bins and dig through the back of our closets to see just what it was we wore this time last year. Despite the thrill of new trends, most of us probably feel that the first Fall shopping we should do is in our own closet (View from 5 ft. 2 and Your Saving Style inspire on this front). Next step: after considering your bank account, and perhaps the pros and cons of fast fashion (see: Consumerism Killed My Soul), a visit to your local thrift store or flea market for vintage finds might replace that mall excursion you were imagining. With a wealth of inspiration from the blogosphere, there’s never been a better time to invest in – or just be inspired by – style from the past.

Join us at IFB’s Evolving Influence Fashion Blogger Conference @ NYFW

Links à la Mode: August 26th

• A La Modest- Note-worthy Fashion in Indie Films + Shows.
• Beyond Fabric- Incorporating Traditional Local Items in Your Style
• Cloud of Secrets- Dior and decadent 18th Century Deshabille
• Consumerism Killed My Soul- The Pros and Cons of Fast Fashion
• Eco-Fashionista- Don’t Accept Diamonds from Strangers: The Provenance of Diamonds
• (Fred and) Ginger (in Prague)- Classic Books as Inspiration for Fall
• Holier than Now- 5 Catalogs to (Secretly) Shop for Fall
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Beef Up Your Blogging Biceps at Evolving Influence
• Love From Lou Lou- Vintage 70′s Images to Inspire Your Interpretation of Fall’s 70′s Trend
• Kramey Martin- What Would Nancy Drew Wear?
• Lovely & Lavish- Collegiate Cool: College-inspired Looks
• Pull Your Socks Up- Why Do You Wear Vintage?
• Retro Chick- 60′s Chic Hits This Season’s Runways
• Seven Style Notes- Vintage Family Photos for Style Inspiration
• The Column of Samantha Tyler- The Flamboyant Comeback of the Hat
• The Haute Hoosier- Personal Style Icon: How to Get Zelda’s Fitzgerald’s Look
• The New Professional – Foundations: Underpinnings for a Smooth Work Look
• The Taxonomy of My Wardrobe- A Look Back at the Style Icons Behind Fall’s Aviator Jacket
• View from 5 ft. 2- Use What You Have to Interpret Fall’s Trends
• What 2 Wear Where- Paris: Les Arts Décoratifs History of Contemporary Fashion
• Your Saving Style- Revamp: From a Dress to (An Awesome High-Waisted) Skirt

Source : http://heartifb.com/

Decoding : Christina Hendricks, Icon beyond her Will

Christina Hendricks was certainly not expected such a rise in her popularity. In the last months, her picture have been used in every fashion magazine, illustrating an article about the women proud of their curves, one on the red-haired ones, and, definitely, on one relating the revival of the 50s.
How this happened ? An actress who was mostly reduced to second roles and apparitions on TV series, suddenly turning into "the icon" ? Christina owes this to her role as a secretary in the TV hit Mad Men. The serie recounts the hazards of some New York based ad agencies in the beggining of the 60s. This role soon impelled the generous redhead into the galaxy of the sex-symbols.

Now that voluptuous women are back in the trends, the magazines are fighting over her image, trying desperately to prove that they are not "plumpophobic" and taking advantage of people's fascination for the curvy actresses. Her hair is another source of success. After centuries of rejection, ill-treat and mockery, the world have decided that the redheads were the last IT thing. Now, they are treated like any minority and have their quota in every serie.

Sexy yet chilly, TV redheads are not an usual cliché on the television panorama : the rigid Bree of Desperate Housewives, Glee's Emma Pillsbury, the surgeon Addison Shepherd of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, Miranda of Sex and the City, The Mentalist's Agent Grace Van Pelt or Castle's adorable kid, Alexis.

So, Christina is a genuine bargain for fashion gurus. And besides, she is not vulgar at all. The lady always dresses with taste, with elegant outfits that emphasize her body, yet don't willy-nilly inflict her décolleté around.

She even has a crush for retro outfits that are an extension of her successful role of Joan Harris. Her style has finally made its way into fashionistas' minds, and put 50s and 60s back in the magazines. Each of them devotes full pages to this 'new' trend, quoting Chloé, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and many more that have dived into the Time Machine. Suddenly, we are all fans of our grandmothers' clothes : long skirts, thick coats, heavy materials and strict hairdos and glasses. And if you are not happy with that, you can always blame Christina for it, even if I don't think she really feels responsible ...

That's a bit crazy, this sudden turn around in medias opinion. Things that were out of the question months ago are now acclaimed. But maybe is there a bit of hypocrisy ...

For example, the models that are now celebrated for their curves, Lara Stone and Kate Dillon - another redhead by the way- are starting to lose weight under the pressure of their employers.

Red-haired people are in fact more stigmatised than emphasized, and provocations such as the video of singer M.I.A., Born Free, directed by French red-obsessed Romain Gavras, cause more uneasiness than real respect.

So, are the red hair and curves a fad ? And what about the 50s style ? At least this one is avaible for every woman ...

It is very elegant and feminine, but not suitable for every morphology. The main problem in Fashion is that, when something is trendy, you find it everywhere and it is sadly exclusive. And soon, you see women that shouldn't, wearing ugly oversized skirts, and it distorts the beauty of the retro style, because they were told to wear that, whereas they should wear something more appropriated to their shapes.

I hope this won't happen, because we have a lot to learn from past fashion, especially how to build our own style identity. It is not because we are in 2010 that we can't invent new things anymore.

Back to Christina, I hope that she will not allow TV to confine her to the role of the pulpy ginger, and force them to think outside the box. Because boxes really not fit women. Only what they contain ...

Johor Bahru - excitment at few hours from singapore

Located at the southern tip of the Peninsula, Johor Bahru is the state capital of Johor Darul Takzim.

Connected to Singapore by road and rail via a modern causeway, "JB" is also the Peninsula's southern gateway. By its diverse ethnic mix of races, JB shows the visitor heritage attractions, rich culture, delectable local cuisine, and exciting recreational activities.

Popular among Singaporeans, shopping spots abound in JB. Modern malls, arcades, handicraft centers and markets offering local or international products . Local craftwork is sure to catch the eye and they do make lovely souvenirs of a trip here. See the best shopping place of JB...

Furthermore, there is the JB Duty Free Complex located at the JB International Ferry Terminal. Known as "ZON", it is a large duty free department store and supermarket encompassing 163 retail outlets, a hypermarket, and 30,000 feet of shopping area. The complex offers a variety of goods such as branded designer wear from London, Paris, New York and the likes. Glassware, confectionery, and other items are also offered.

Another interesting side of JB can be experienced when night falls over the city. A fabulous area of food stalls and vendors appear and the adventurous tourist should delight in trying out the taste of popular local dishes such as the famous Laksa Johor, flake fish and gravy cooked with coconut milk and served with noodles and vegetables.

All you need to know about about Johor Bahru and Malaysia on Weekend.com.sg: Accomodations in Johor Bahru, Best restaurant in Johor Bahru, Flights ....

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*All the pictures of the article are not our property

Tribute : The Legacy of Alexander McQueen

I have to admitt I wasn't a fan of Alexander McQueen during his living, and that I was sceptical about the demonstration of love that everyone showed after his death. But then, I came accross his last creation, the Fall Winter Collection of 2010. And then, I started to understand.
Jewels, pure jewels. Dresses like the costume designers of TV serie The Tudors would dream about.

Amazing details, fabrics, embroderies and colours.
This last collection is the archetypal illustration of what Haute couture is. The inspirations are more classical than his previous collection. Here, you find Persian prints, Grecian drapé, Renaissance's splendour and imperial luxury.

Watching this gorgeous profusion of details and obviously huge work, I think to myself that it never have been that good to feel wrong. Those dresses are made for a museum of Fine Arts, not for a living woman. The pattern of the feather repeats itself in every model, and you would think this is a collection made for angels. It is even decadent, as it seems too luxurious for our world, like the last collection of Givenchy.

The only decent place where these dresses could be worn is an historical movie. Perhaps we need to think Fashion again. Is it a race toward the Absolute clothes, where the woman is just a way to show them, or is the real purpose a way to emphasize the woman ? For me, clothes must be a bit more discreet, to reveal women's true beauty.

So, to my mind, collections like McQueen's are Art, not Fashion and belong to our History, not to Premieres of movies or parties. And I think it is what Alexander McQueen wanted to give us, as an heritage : something to think about the price of our life, and what is important. We will never be happy because we are wearing a dress that cost a monstruous price and because it is from that designer that is so trendy. Happiness is in our capacity of believing in the beauty. In our own beauty.

Models : Fakeshake3

Jeremyn2005

Bluegreen86

Babettecouture

Two girls, two styles : Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry

The title could have been 'a girl, two styles' as they so look the same ! Both brunette with blue eyes, pale skin and similar faces, both singer : could Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry have been separated at birth ?
Zooey was born in Los Angeles 30 years ago. She is -I catch my breathe- actress, model, singer, songwriter and musician. A very complete artist.
Katy, her, was born in Santa Barbara -just 2 hour away from LA- 25 years ago, and she is a singer, songwriter and musician. Not yet an actress and a model ? I'm sure she has considered the opportunity.

But do the similarities stop here ? Do they have the same style ?
At the beggining of Katy's career they did. Both were wearing pastel and retro clothes, girly dresses and loose hair. But then, Katy noticed the existence of the discreet Zooey and had evolved toward a sexier, catchier and more contemporary style, changing her hair colour and chanelling her inner sci-fi heroine and pin-up.

So, she left the romantic, wise and classic outfits to Zooey. But maybe they could sometimes pick in each other closet.

For the moment, the girls are succeeding in different careers, but perhaps their universes would collide in a common project, singing or acting. Who knows ?

Wouldn't it be great ? What do you think ? Do you prefer Zooey or Katy ?

Paradise escape at one hour from singapore...

Bintan Island is like a dream...

With its pristine beaches and unspoiled natural beauty, it has everything you could ever wish for in a picture-perfect tropical holiday destination – and more.

Virtually undiscovered until just a few years ago, this idyllic retreat has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, particularly amongst Singaporeans who, due to the island’s close proximity, have made it their preferred spur-of-the-moment getaway.

The largest of 3,200 islands in the Riau archipelago and the third largest of the 27 provinces in Indonesia, Bintan Island covers an area of approximately 1,140sqkm, fringed by a coastline measuring 105km. With a population of less than quarter of a million, the island has an interesting, eclectic mix of different cultures and ethnicities, including Malay, Bugis, Chinese and a unique tribe called the Orang Laut (sea nomads).

A trip to Bintan’s two main towns, Tanjung Pinang and Tanjung Uban, is a great way to learn more about the island’s people and local culture. Both towns are filled with tasty local-style dining options, bargain shopping opportunities and traditional villages, giving visitors a glimpse into the locals’ lifestyle.

All about Bintan Island on Weekend.com.sg : Tour Package, Best resorts, flights...

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Trend : At the drop of a hat

I hate to sound pretentious, but I do have announced it months ago : the hat is coming back.
This summer already, it bloomed on the women's top, as a real sunflower.
In cloth or in straw, it smelled good the return of the retro, the time of Coco Chanel or the impressionists. They were all stolen to the old wardrobe of European men. As yes, the contemporary headgear of women are all men's. Boater, Panama, Borsalino, Stetson : they left the historical movies for the podiums of the women's fashion. From Galliano to Antonio Marras, every designer have made his models wear something on top of their head. The fashionistas had the choice : Western or Countryside.

The trend persists this winter. Not a head could be bare, which will assure us to stay warm and trendy at the same time. How good is that ?
The hat will play on the extremes : micro hat which will drive us back to the 50s and which will transformed us into Mad Men's actresses, or, for the boldest, try the enormous, extravagant model. Copy Lady Gaga or Sarah Jessica Parker and crush on British designer Philip Treacy's creations. His hats are inspired by the unfamous ones of the British aristocrats, who rivaled with each other in boldness and elegance at Ascot.

The choice is now between Posh and Rock. On one side, you can look ingenuous and deliciously old-fashioned, with ribbons, pearls, veils and other cute details. You will match those discreet yet refined hats with elegant outfits inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Virginia Woolfe, Brigitte Bardot, and Dita Von Teese. The woman of the winter will be half pin-up, half Parisian bourgeoise.

So, don't be afraid to dip your mother and your grand-mother's wardrobe. It will never be too kitch and too faded.

But if you prefer something wilder, opt for a hat which will be more rock'n'roll, even gothic.

Choose it black, in leather or in other materials : plastic, feathers, lucite, and preferably really crazy. You will be sure to be the center of attention, and the sensation of the party.

I think we can really rejoice of the come back of the hat, as it is one of the most beautiful accessory a woman can wear. You can always find some pretty ones at very affordable price, and every shape is timeless.

So, as the Queen could say : God save the hat !

Pictures :

Chanel

Agyness Deyn, Moschino, Sarah Jessica Parker

Philip Treacy, Lady Gaga

Philip Treacy, Oscar de la Renta, John Lew

Mischa Barton, Philip Treacy, Daphne Guinness

http://www.philiptreacy.co.uk/

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Since Taipei 101 opening in 2004, Taiwan is the place to be ...

Taipei 101 also known as the Taipei Financial Center is the Pride of Taiwan, a must to see during your Taiwan weekend. How to get to Taiwan ?

The skyscraper is located in the business district of Taipei.
The building ranked officially as the world tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Buri Khalifa in Dubai in 2010.

The Tower received the 2004 Emporis Skyscrapers Award
The Tower clearly became the icon of modern Taiwan ever. At its opening. Fireworks launched from Taipei 101 feature prominently in international New Years Eve Broadcasts and the structure appears frequently in travel literature and international media.

Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. The name of the tower reflects its floor count. The building was created as a symbol of the evolution of technology and Asian tradition.

The tower is designed to withstand Typhoons and earthquacks. A multi-level shopping mall adjoins the tower houses to hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants and clubs. see more about Shopping in Taiwan here.

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