Mika Ninagawa solo exhibition

At the end of the summer, I had a chance to check out renowned Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa. Her work is very visually inspiring with vivid, brilliant photogenic colors that resemblance an art film. You can check out her work at her official website or read here for the events.

What: Mika Ninagawa solo exhibition; Flower and Goldfish

Where: Taipei, MOT/ARTS

When: 08.07.2011

"What is Fashion Design?" through the eyes of Steve Jobs

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN-A8eHte1g?wmode=transparent]

4 years ago when I found this video, I have since used it as my motto in life. Life is about connecting the dot ! As what SJ had said in his commencement, for all the things that he stumbles into eventually became useful later on. Much like fashion design, a good design is about connecting the dots; the style, the fabric, the colors, the texture, the silhouette, the make up, the accessories, the shoes and every details that go into the garment, it's interconnectedness of all these things have make it a complete 3 dimensional art of its own. The craft of fashion design is about learning the fundamental of making all these dots work together so that it connects into a beautiful piece of garment. The garment does not only speak story but also reflect who YOU are and what YOU represent. The product, image make up some of the fundamental thing in what we called Branding, which is an important aspect in fashion design. The inspirations and concepts that form the detail of each garment is what make the garment great ! Therefore, as a fashion designer, we need to have an understanding of all the fundamental designing skills so we may be able to bring all these elements together and properly communicate to our clients,. This is fashion design.

Comfy at the studio

One of the advantages of working at the home studio is wearing pajamas or parachutes pants without being harassed by your co-worker. The weather in Taipei is getting really cold and at times heat is not an option at most places a la school classroom or coffee shop. I enjoy having my coffee break, mom's lunch while knocking my head with new ideas. Looking forward to more interesting creative projects in 2012, happy new year...!

The Sartorialist

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5NgG5koPZU?rel=0]

An amazing fashion blogger and photographer, listen to how his visual life is presented into the audience, there is a sense of originality and spontaneity in his quest for interesting fashion images. As a designer, we are trained to be a very visually sensitive person when designing a collection; visualizing what does it looks like walking on the street, going to work or even going to an event, it's real, it;s creative, it's spontaneous and most of all it should be beautiful wearable fashion, not always a museum sculpture, check out his website Sartorialist.com

Visiting Taiwan, in the eyes of Malaysian

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGQUUHFhOgg?rel=0]

I have shown this before in FB. This is a really well done video by a group of talented Malaysian video production house named D-1 production. It's shot with lots of happy memories that sometimes rarely caught by Taiwanese. As a Malaysian myself, I am proud of them and loving my time here even more in Taiwan. 台灣萬歲！

Beautiful Yilan landscapes 宜蘭的美

Yilan 宜蘭, is a place that I have been many times over the last 3 years since arriving in Taiwan. It is however in this most recent trip that I have discovered its raw beauty. We visited some of the rural area architectural facilities and buildings that designed by International award winning architect, 黃聲遠 and his firm, Field Office 田中央設計群. The firm, like its name, located in the middle of the rice field,  incorporated the beauty of Yilan landscapes and created an artistic and harmonized living communities that uses local resources and materials. It is colorful, refreshing and very organic. I would love to go back there again and take more pictures someday !

Texture from TEDx Crossing Tour

WHAT: Textures and patterns from the TEDx crossing tour. 

WHERE: 台北華山-->宜蘭

WHEN: 2011.1.15-19

TEDx Taipei + Best of Taiwan

In a recent TEDx event, I have an opportunity to join the rest of the Asia TEDx curators for a fun, eye-opening, and educational tour around the Taipei's best in culture, design and technology. The highlights are Flower expo 花博, night markets 夜市, VVG 好樣 , Non-zero 非零 and Canmeng Institute 肯夢. The TEDx event not only cultivated awareness among young entrepreneurs, designers, technologist, music and entertainment enthusiasts on the latest current events. It also allow all of us to share thoughts and ideas on many of the worldly issues today especially on sustainability, green economy, and business ethos. The event brought together experts in different field from the technology, entertainment and design industry. It is one of the most inspiring event that I have attended in the recent years.