A Walk in the Wardrobe

Via Modern Romantic, I learnt of "A Walk in the Wardrobe", an exhibit recently organized by a group of 7 fashion curators from the MA in Fashion Curation at the London College of Fashion. Operating under the name Glass-case, they aim to push boundaries and challenge the traditional museum approach to curation.


A Walk in the Walkrobe explores the intimate relationship between fashion and memory. Trying to go beyond the visual, it set out to trigger lost and forgotten memories through the sense of sound and smell. "A soundscape comprised of muffled noises—of what seemed to be people walking and rummaging through closets—was paired with bygone scents (the smell of moth and lilac) reminiscent of one’s grandmother’s wardrobe. "

{images by poireton, text partly from Fashion Projects}

The Orangutan House

The Orangutan House, an studio-gallery of Charles CHAM , is a landmark and a must-see for all art lovers and tourists to Malacca. It houses the contemporary paintings and a large collection of art t-shirts.

Charles CHAM started painting at the age of five inspired by the first movie he ever saw. It was a story about an artist with a magic brush and everything he painted became alive. He painted birds and they flew away. He painted fish and they swam away in the river. Finally he painted a woman, she became alive and they fell in love. When Charles came home that day after the movie, he started to draw a portrait of the painter on the floor with some cake powder belonging to his mother. That was his first portrait.

Charles CHAM’s works are based on the philosophy of Yin and Yang – the duality of life and the attraction of opposites. Just like the Yin and Yang symbol, there is no fixed top-bottom position for his paintings and can be hung in both directions.

Malacca

Am back from an amazing 5 days in Malacca. It is just impossible to describe in words the sights, sounds and texture of this oldest city in Malaysia. It is like travelling back in time in South East Asia. My favourite spot there has got to be Jonker St, a place well known by antique collectors as one of the best places to hunt and bargain for antiques. Come nightfall, Jonker St closes to traffic and hawkers on pushcarts gather to sell all kinds of delicious street food and local handicrafts.

I just love getting lost in the narrow twisted streets, discovering hidden treasures and taking in the olden day charms of the shophouses inspired by the baba-nyonya culture. I have put together some of my favourite flickr pictures of Malacca. Just click here and be transported back to this historic town you would not want to miss.

Measuring Plant Wall Decal

A fun way to track your child's height! Available at Greenergrassdesign.

Bean2bed

It's a chair, recliner AND a bed! A bean bag without beans! Made of a revolutionary CMHR™ foam filling which allows for greater support and more even weight distribution, this product moulds to the contours of your body and promises you a good night's rest. Available at Bouf.

Tropical rainforest - mood board

I will be away in Malacca from June 9-13. Will be back soon to blog about the inspirational sights and sounds of this amazing historical town in Malaysia. Am so excited!

Till then, I leave you with this collage of ideas I collected for a room I am currently designing. The client wanted a spa/resort-like feel to the room. Inspired by the colours, smell and textures of the tropical rainforest, this is a room where walls are not compulsary, wood is everywhere and earth tones are dominant.

A tropical garden oasis. A place for relaxation and contemplation...

Ketna Patel

Senses provoking collages by Singapore-based mix media artist Ketna Patel. Ketna believes that "artists have a responsibility to reflect and project the changing society we live in." For her, this translate into powerful Asian images recently transmuted through pop art. Diverse religious icons, the extremes of real life and the rigid chaos of the Asian social landscape are displayed though bold electric colours. "This is Asia, this is what I see," she says.


Her art can also be found in lifestyle products, interiors (such as a local coffee shop below) and furniture where the cultural information is re-presented to test the boundaries between Art, Lifestyle, Marketing and Design.

Crochet Chair

Presenting the Crochet Chair & Solid White by Marcel Wanders! Simply gorgeous!

Emily Chalmers

As mentioned in my earlier post, this is Emily's Chalmer's home in a rented ex-industrial space in Shoreditch (London) featured in June 07 UK edition of Elle Decor.(Sorry that the quality of the scan doesn't really do the pictures justice). Because the space is rental, Emily had no inclination for major works, opting instead for quick fixes like zoning the space with curtains made from vintage fabrics. I love the way she makes use of the building's unique features such as pipes and wall recesses to form shelving units and hang decorative objects and pictures.

When asked about the source of her style, Emily quotes the title of Paul Smith book, "You can find inspiration in everything." Well said!

{images from June 1007 Elle Decoration (UK)}

Silvina Romero

Unique works of art by Silvina Romero, an Argentinian jewelry designer who makes gorgeous, colorful, and tactile wearable works of art from recycled pieces of fabric and textiles. Silvina started working with discarded textiles about four years ago during the height of the Argentinian economic crisis. I have never seen fabric so cleverly manipulated before to form such wonderful shapes.

Sac à faire

For those sewing fanatics out there, check out Sac à faire by Marlene Liska. Basically a 100x70cm large sheet of Tyvek, Sac à faire offers ten different patterns of bags with detailed instructions on how to sew. Am not sure how easy it is to follow the instructions but I just love the look of the end product.

Squint

Eversince former painter Lisa Whatmough launched her label Squint two years ago, her antique-style sofas, armchairs and lamps covered in gorgeously clashing recycled fabrics have been a huge runway success. I just adore the old pattern fabrics and furniture she puts together. She even does fabric-covered teapots that are washable, but for occasional use.Two words. Gorgeous gorgeous!

{all images from Squint website}

Beyond Wonderland

Check out these pretty bags in gorgeous fabric from Beyond Wonderland at Etsy.

Deco Boco

I just found out about this super-cool Japanese website called deco boco which offers a selection of used and new designer furniture and lifestyle goods. The site may seem a little incomprehensible at first because of the Japanese text and odd layout. But with a little patience, you will soon find or be inspired by a few quirky treasures. There is even a section dedicated to Eames items!

Pupz_throws

Ahhhh.....With the aim of wrapping, heating, loving and providing comfort, Pups are the original puppets/cushion/furnishing accessories with very personable shapes. Nice for a cold winter's day with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Available at Top 3.

Caravan

Wonderful pieces from east London shop, Caravan. This shop, described as floral/vintage/bohemian, grew out of owner Emily Chalmers passions for fashion and home. The sources of her style can be traced back to her childhood where she grew up surrounded by textiles as her mother was a seamstress. Emily's eclectic home in Shoreditch was recently featured in June's Elle Decor, UK edition. Very beautifully done up. I will scan the pages and post it on my blog soon.


{images from Caravan}

Recaptured

This is from Recaptured, a new boutique in Singapore that stocks a kaleidoscope of great finds ranging from decadent lighting from German brand, Kare, to synthetic and natural fibre mats from Australian company Bayliss. I also spotted a lamp from one of my favourite dutch designer Nicholette Brunklaus. New stocks arrive every six to eight weeks to keep the goods fresh and current. Just what we need here on this island!