Purple Fantasy

nyone who knows me would know that I love purple. It swings both ways as the only colour that can switch from cold to warm. From royal to lilac or plum to lavender, purple is such a versatile colour that can work in variation depending on the mood you want to achieve. Deep, dark purples suggest sophistication, richness and regalia. Pastel shades of purple evoke romance; feminine and delicate. Purple is mystical but it can also be whimsical depending on the colours you pair it with. For today’s Wedink Style, we’ve decided to combine royal purple with a tinge of pink for an ultra feminine wedding that is stylish but not over-the-top for an outdoor wedding.

The Globetrotting Bride – JLoVe Style

Styles inspired by Jennifer Lopez in her new video, I’m Into You from her latest album JLove.

1. The iconic Gucci GG 2909/S double-bridge aviator as featured on Jennifer Lopez’s I’m Into You video features an 80’s retro sensibility with its slender elongated lens shape and metal Gucci script logo on the lower left portion of the lens.
2. Capri Luxe bangles that come in a set of 9 assorted bangles in assorted sizes from Accessorize.
3. Beautiful triple disc beaded sandals in gold with leather finishing from Accessorize.
4. Making a statement with Lanvin’s a python-printed sheer silk halterneck gown, available at Net-a-Porter.
5. Knuckle-duster clutch in ivory-lace-covered satin and gold Swarovski crystal embellishment from Alexander Mcqueen, available at Net-a-Porter.
6. Sign your papers in style with these limited edition world monuments architectural masterpieces, a collaboration between S.T.Dupont and Philippe Tournaire.
7. For a one-of-a-kind bespoked wedding catered to your whims and fancies, check out Pangkor Laut Resort, a privately owned ‘slice of paradise’ located three miles off the West Coast of Malaysia along the Straits of Malacca. Photo by June Khoo.

Engagement Rings: Modern Through and Through

1. Dior Fine Jewels ‘Oui’ Ring in white gold and diamonds
2. Philippe Tournaire Eclipse Ring (France)
3. Philippe Tournaire Marélie 4 Diamond Ring (France)
4. The Mezzaluna Ring by Al Coro (Italy)
5. Cartier Lanières Solitaire Ring
6. Lily Diamond from My Diamonds (Australia)

Glamorous Fairytale Bride

1. Cartier Tiara, 1905, platinum, seven pear-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 17 carats in total, old and rose cut diamond, millegrain setting. © Cartier HO09A05
2.  Bottega Veneta’s signature style knot mosaic-effect  off-white leather and snakeskin clutch, available at Net-a-Porter.
3. Oscar De La Renta’s floral drop earrings, available at Net-a-Porter.
4. Marchesa‘s fairytale tulle dress from the Spring 2012 collection. Photo from Instyle.com.
5. Christian Louboutin‘s sexy strass 100 Swarovski Crystal Peep-toe Pumps.

“I Love You” by The Unicorn Kingdom

Here’s a seriously sweet way of reminding your other half how much you love her everyday. Zach Graham of The Unicorn Kingdom designs “I Love You” illustrations daily, dedicated to the love of his life Tiffany. It started as images that he would text her everyday, which eventually turned into a whole Tumblr site fondly named Love You Daily. Isn’t that sweet? May this inspire your love life too. Happy Friday!

French Kiss

rech Kissing is a slang of which all of us are familiar with. But what happens when you take that phrase, toss it to a planner and tell him, translate this theme and make it ‘out-of-the-box’? I’m utterly thrilled to share this piece of illustration by Yeow of The Peak Xperience.  He took it literally, exaggerated and made it whimsical, almost nonsensical to a fantasy-like portrayal.

Strictly for the off beat brides with a capricious sense of humour. We suggest you invite a ragtag bunch of misfits with an equal appetite for the road less travelled and it’ll be mayhem. Ahem, cool people only..boring guests not allowed. Now, that’s what a wedding should be like!

Vintage Love

is reserved for the love of vintage-inspired finds. All these items are just so pretty they are worth a mention here. Check them out for your vintage-themed wedding or party. Do check back for colour theme options in our up-coming posts.

1. Bohemian Butterfly Pillbox from Teaspoon Vintage French Chic [Singapore]
2. Shabby hearty-shaped cake tray from Teaspoon Vintage French Chic [Singapore]
3. Pretty pink paper garlands from Talking Tables [London]
4. Decorative Vintage Love Plates from NotOnTheHighStreet.com [London]
5. Three-tiered cake stand in vintage patterns from Talking Tables [London]
6. Vintage Letterpress Montage from NotOnTheHighStreet.com [London]
7. Owl Pillow from Pill Love [Sweden]
8. Cupcake wrappers from Talking Tables [London]
9. Hand Printed Textiles from Ink & Spindle [Melbourne]

Striped Tease

Looking to add a pop of colours to your wedding? How about a dash of sugar and spice with stripes? From multi-coloured stripes to monochromes, vertical to horizontal or thick bold stripes to fine thin lines, incorporating stripes to your wedding adds a distinction of style that separates you from the rest of the cookie-cutter weddings. The key is not to overdo it and keep the stripes to a specific colour theme or design theme. You can easily incorporate stripes to your engagement party, engagement photo shoot, bridal party style or wedding day ceremony and reception by pairing stripes with a singular colour or working with a specific design theme such as candy-striped red, French noir, nautical and more. Alternatively, you can add just a touch of stripes for a chic finishing. For example, use stripe ribbons for your bouquet instead of a solid colour. Here are a few more suggested ideas on ways to add some fun stripes to your wedding.

1. Colourful cubes bow tie dog collar from SillyBuddy
2. For the Groomsmen: Striped shirt from Slowbaba, South Korea, available at Yes Style Hong Kong
3. Wristlet with stripe fabric and metallic leather finishing, from the Poppy Collection by Coach
4. iPhone 4 cover in Kate Spade‘s signature colours
5. Whimsical but classy striped heels by Tabitha Simmons, Spring Summer 2011 collection.
6. Dome Ring from Marc by Marc Jacob, available at Zappos Couture.
7. Stripe Cushion Pillows from Ikea
8. Silk Stripe Scarf from Top Shop
9. For the Bridesmaids: Candy-striped headband from Bambako
10. Retro-striped popcorn bags from Lovely Little Parties
11. Mix patterns – cupcake flags, cardboard cupcake stand and cupcake wrappers from Lovely Little Parties
12. Wedding Cake in stripes of blue, green and  purple-ish pink by Richard Festen of Baking Arts
13. Simple table setting can be enhanced with a striped table runner, decor idea from Martha Stewart
14. DIY paper links wedding decor ideas from Martha Stewart

Flight of Fancy

is for Flight of Fancy, featuring three (highly) imaginative moodboards inspired by the underwater sinkholes of The Bahamas. Yes, you read me right. It came about during one of my conversations with an old friend as we were discussing about diving. After a little research about tiger sharks, one site led to another and I was instantly mesmerised by this image below. I am a firm believer that inspiration comes in many forms. The process of materialising the conception is one of the most gratifying feelings. That’s why I love my job so much!

The Cascade Room, some 80ft beneath the surface. Photograph by Wes C. Skiles of National Geographic

Of the more than one thousand blue holes believed to be in The Bahamas, less than 20% have been probed, and Brian Kakuk, one of world’s best cave divers, estimates that three quarters of those contain passages never seen before. Dean’s Blue Hole located in a bay, west of Clarence Town on Long Island is the deepest blue hole in the world measuring 663 ft (202m) deep and one of the seven Wonders of Nature. Only one person, Jim King, has ever reached the bottom (in 1992).

According to Andrew Todhunter of National Geographic, “inland blue holes are the scientific equivalent of Tut’s tomb. From a diver’s perspective, they’re on par with Everest, requiring highly specialized training, equipment, and experience. Even more than high-altitude mountaineers, cave divers work under tremendous time pressure.”

Here’s the first Flight of Fancy moodboard.

1. HONEYMOON IN THE BAHAMAS
The attractions of the Bahamas sun, sea and sand have been beckoning the rich and famous, divers, lovers and beachcombers for decades. Shakira has settled in Nassau and Johnny Depp has found his heaven on earth on a 45-acre cay in the island of Exumas. From the reclusive paradise for honeymooners to dancing in the moonlight with locals, there is definitely something to suit your whim and fancy. Do your research well, as honeymooning in the Bahamas is expensive in US dollars and everything you consume will cost double from stateside prices.

The picture above shows the unassuming Dean’s Hole at Long Island from a bird’s view. It is very safe to dive and snorkel but non-swimmers should stay away. The drop-off from the sandy beach into the hole is extremely sudden and eerily spooky (watch the VIDEO). If you are a scuba diver, the best way to explore Long Island is by getting friendly with the natives. There are a lot of very good divers there and they will be interested in what you are doing. The natives are fantastic people, but the culture takes some understanding. Bahamians don’t like to tell you ‘no’. Often, ‘yes’ really means ‘no’. For more travel tips and information, check out the Bahamas Tourism site and Lonely Planet.

2. FREE-DIVING IN DEAN’S HOLE, BAHAMAS
This picture is the backbone of our first moodboard. It features world champion free-diver, Guillaume Nery, in one breath, base-jumping from the underwater cliff and falling through space with a head-first decent in a breathtaking fashion until he reached a surface . He then sprung upwards and scaled the hole’s walls like a rock-climber in zero gravity. You must watch the VIDEO! The video took four days to film and was taken with just one camera by his girlfriend Julie Gautier (a French model, recordholder in free-diving and underwater performer) with the aim to shed light on the artistic potential of this extreme sport.  You may have seen Julie Gautier from the acclaimed Ashes and Snow Photography Exhibition which was widely circulated via e-mails as she was the underwater model for the project.

3. AGAPANTHUS
Agapanthus is also known as Lily of the Nile, but it is not a lily and all of the species are native to South Africa. They come in various shades of blue and white. Check with your local florist and floral designer for more details.

 

4. CUTTING EDGE FURNITURE
Designer Dror Benshetrit’s Cappellini Peacock chair features looping folds of felt with minimal metal frame to create a comfortable lounge chair. The Peacock chair is produced by Cappellini who is famous for cutting edge modern furniture and is available in most parts of Asia including Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok. Check out their site for more details.

5. PEACOCK WEDDING DRESS
A US$1.5 Million wedding dress made from 2,009 peacock feathers from a factory in Nanjing, China which took two months to make by eight craftsmen. The wedding dress also includes a bodice featuring brocade and Suzhou embroidery.

Enthusiasts of the deep blue ocean may consider an unconventional engagement photography session. The photo below features Guillaume Nery and Julie Gautier by Paris Match.

Here’s the second Flight of Fancy moodboard for beach bummers.

1. BELIZE, HOME TO GREAT BLUE HOLE & MORE
Belize is not located at The Bahamas but it is a part of the Caribbean zone. It is probably the least desirable getaway destination among Asians, perhaps due to limited flight connectivity and distance from Asia but it’s time we explore away from Bali, Phuket, Maldives, Mauritius, Guam or even Hawaii. For more information on Belize, check out Belize in Love.

To help you narrow down your search, The Condé Nast Johansens 2010 Awards for Excellence has awarded Mata Chica Beach Resort for the ‘Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway’, Victoria House for ‘Most Excellent Beach Resort’ and Chan Chich Lodge for the ‘Most Excellent Lodge’. According to Conde Nast Traveller, the Meso-American barrier reef that runs along the coast of Belize is second only to the one off Queensland in terms of size and marine life it supports. The best time to visit Belize is between September and May.

2 & 6. PRADA SPRING/SUMMER 2010 COLLECTION
The fashion may be last season but for weddings, it’s evergreen. For the modern bridal party with a cool sense of fashion and charisma, these styles are perfect for a beach wedding.

3 & 5. FLORAL DREAM
If you intend to host a destination wedding in a remote island, remember to include the Flora Guru, Razak of Flora Etc (Malaysia) as your must-have wedding companion. As a celebrity floral designer whose clientele include the whose who of society and royalties alike, Razak and his team will transform any given space into an amazing room full of artful floral creations.

4. COOL COASTERS
These cool coasters are designed by Parliament of Owl (New York).

7. STALAGMITE FOREST AT STARGATE
The Stalagmite Forest is a wonder of nature, a fragile thing of beauty and of danger, such that it necessitates precision diving. Our second moodboard is inspired by this picture, taken by the late Wes C. Skiles, a renowned underwater photojournalist, cinematographer and explorer who was killed during a marine life scientific research expedition off the east coast of Florida. In his 27 years career, Wes C Skiles “escaped from a collapsed ocean cave off the Australian coast and was among the first people to set foot on the largest iceberg in Antarctica. At one time, off the coast of South Africa, a shark jammed itself into his protective cage. The burly photographer beat the creature back with his heavy, waterproof camera, taking pictures throughout the episode, and had close-up photos of the great white’s jagged teeth as a token of his survival.” James Cameron’s new 3D action thriller movie Sanctum is dedicated to Wes C Skiles, of which the movie plot is based on one of Wes C Skiles’ expedition experience.

8. ‘GRAVITY DEFYING’ OBJECTS OF DESIRE
Preston Bailey’s  approach to every event is an inspiration for many planners and event designers. As a celebrated designer, he is renowned for his ability to translate his clients’ visions into awe-inspiring artistic installations.

If you haven’t noticed, our Flight of Fancy moodboards showcase amazing people whose work defy the impossible. Our third Flight of Fancy moodboard is inspired by Bacteria Colouring in the Blue Hole of Abaco Island, The Bahamas, yet another superb photo taken by Wes C Skiles.

Who would have thought that bacteria can be so fun to ‘play’ with! Bacteria colour the water at 30 – 36 ft in Sawmill Sink at Abaco Island and expedition divers descend into the bacterial layer of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas to gather data and to study life on the universe with the absence of oxygen. “If we can understand precisely how these microbes are making a living, we know what to look for on oxygen-free worlds,” says Jenn Macalady, an astrobiologist in an interview.

Not to sound shallow, I like the colours in the picture and used it to build a colour theme for this moodboard. If you want a dream wedding beyond imagination, do check out the work of Razak and his team at Flora Etc (Malaysia).

p/s: I was told that I am too long-winded in my posts, and at best, should try to keep it more wedding-friendly. So, should you be interested in some bed-time reading, visit these sources: Wikipedia; National Geographic

Everlasting Love (Part 1)

verlasting Love is the theme for today’s moodboard, inspired by (one of the) greatest rock bands on planet Earth – U2. Although many artistes have sung the song, I still prefer U2’s version over the rest, apart from the original version by Robert Knight.  Besides, no one can deny that U2, to-date have sold more than 150 million records, placing them amongst the best-selling music artistes of all-time. So here’s one for those who breathe Brit Rock music.

It is not every bride’s dream to have pretty pink peonies and white doves for their wedding. So for brides with a rocker chic edge, we turn to the Guru of gurus, the quintessential fashion icon, the authentic rule breaker, the real deal who makes it all look so effortlessly chic and edgy – Kate Moss.

1. DINNER MIX OR AFTER DINNER LOUNGE
Bryan Ferry’s latest album Olympia showcases his collaborations with Scissor Sisters, Groove Armada and Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. Olympia has been described by Ferry as “a labour of love” and sees him return to reclaim his throne as the undisputed ‘King of Cool’, with a little help along the way from Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, Chic mastermind Nile Rodgers, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The cover is graced by iconic model Kate Moss.

2. CAKE NOUVEAU
Three-tiered black and white cake by Eva Liu Confectionery Artistry (Hong Kong).

3. SEXY SIREN
Vixen Red and Hollywood Red lipsticks from Bobby Brown. Read here for tips on choosing and applying red lipsticks.

4. & 5. GLAM ROCK STAR
For this moodboard, red rouched tube dress and black oval stud ring from Miss Selfridge.

Check out Part 2 for more music playlist.