Street Style Sovereignty + Freebie Giveaways !!

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Sidenote: Read till the end to find out how you can win FREE Pantene hair products, sample perfumes from local avant-garde perfumer Code Deco & Exclusive Dead Sea Salt Skincare product packages!!! If you're interested in the freebies, skip the beginning and go straight to the giveaway section.
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So far, blogging has had its ups and downs. I’m either suffering from severely mind numbing writer’s block or totally overwhelmed by a frission of inspiration and as you can tell from the lack of updates, I haven't had any lately :( With the passing of time, I've learned to pace myself without churning out mindless articles about useless trends or pictures of "street style sweethearts"

 There’s a lot of information sourcing and back-story coverage that goes behind every article. After all, you’re only as good as your last cover story! I guess what I'm trying to say here is that this takes a lot of effort. Personally, I'm starting to feel as though the local street fashion scene has gone through "Botox(it feels plastic)" The integrity of bloggers have long been compromised by those who seek only to expose themselves for publicity instead of sincerely appreciating fashion without falling for the “facade”. 

StyleXstyle.com calls it “being a style influencer”. I’m quite tickled by this since it’s implying that anyone is entitled to such an accolade by just being well dressed. Maybe I'm just“ old fashioned ” but doesn't this criterion seem a little too low for something a lot of people hold in high esteem?
 How does dressing up pretty make you one of the elite? Do you have any idea who Nicola Formichetti is?(don't bother googling ) How good is your critical eye when it comes to spotting Rei Kawakubo' recurring influences for Comme Des Garcons? Is the prerequisite for being a Style influencer set so low, such that you only need to be good at posing for street style shots? This isn't some mindless gamplay. It's a US$30+ billion industry. Even Tommy Ton knows better. 

I can't blame everyone aimlessly though. Fashion does look like an easy world to mould into. 

I’m not trying to be an elitist but this basically says that anyone can jump on the fashion bandwagon and ride the tidal wave of success. If so, then its a slap to the faces of people like Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington who've worked so hard to take this industry out of the 20^th century and in to the new era of chic. Suzy Menkes was the only one to see through the smoke and expose the fact that fashion has now become a circus; one that is infested with "obnoxious peacocks" that flaunt without first “paying their dues”. All this may sound angsty and blunt but hey, its been on everybody's minds so I might as well come out and say it. 


About 3 months ago, I attended the luxury fashion segment of Social Media Week and what struck me as offensive was when one of the speakers at the dialog said that bloggers are easily bought over ( with free stuff ) and aren't reliable enough to make informed judgments when it comes to marketing a brand. At first, I wanted to rip his head off with my grubby little hands . The urge to jump out of my seat and slit his throat with my mastercard was overcome by the realization that sadly, bloggers have lost their rep. Take a good look around and you'll notice we no longer embody that intuitive side of fashion anymore. It isn't so much about the passion for fashion but rather, the usage of fashion to maintain a certain status-quo or street cred.  Maybe I'm overly sensitive but don't you think we're selling ourselves short here?  

While I adore well-dressed OOTDs (outfit of the day)  as much as the next person, when does this get out of hand? It's starting to be all about the clothes they wear and nothing about their "fashionistic" opinions. I know saying this is like preaching to the choir but it pains me to see how people idly throw this title( style influencer ) around ; a title that previously held so much more substance and prestige. I guess it’s safe to say that Chivalrous style has died and it’s going to stay dead for a long long time. I'm just glad we still have writers like mymomhatesfashion.com and onesixtynotepad.com who actually have sensible views on fashion. It also helps that they have immaculate taste when it comes to dressing up :)

a round of applause to you my wonderful "style influencers" 

So for those who think that having "street style" makes you an Alber Elbaz, I applaud you.   Nevertheless, somewhere in the grand scheme of things, the powers that be will eventually side those who serve as a beacon of excellence over the rest who merely prance around in their new Giuseppe Zanotti sneakers and Nudie Jeans (no offence if you own a pair. I'm guilty myself).I admit that sometimes, I resort to these tacky tactics too.Fashion is visually oriented but that doesn't mean it's all bark and no bite.We all want to express ourselves but just because I walk around with a Leather Gucci wallet doesn't make me filthy rich.If you understood where I was going with that analogy, this article has done its job.

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March is jam-packed with fashion events that sometimes I have 3 events in one day that I have to hop back and forth from!! It's quite the adrenaline rush really ! Some of the fashion gigs that have recently happened were Pantene's New Hair product line showcase, Guess' Bag show , Code Deco Fragrances' Exclusive Press Release and Aveda's Catwalks for Water amongst other things.  Here are a few picture to help you visualize what I've been up to !


Atelier Swarovski's Autumn/Winter Private Preview

I seriously have no idea what's going on with my face. 

  

Guess' Spring/Summer 2013 Private Bag Showcase! 

More pictures available at my Guess-centric Instagram account @samybonbon :D

Pantene's Press Preview Event! 

Again, I have no idea what is going on with my face

Code Deco's Exclusive Media Meet-and-greet!

Backstage at Aveda's Catwalks for Water!

  

Along the way during these events, I've picked up a few freebie products given to me by the wonderful PR teams to take home and try out but by now I think you guys should know that I prefer to give them away to my readers who mean the world to me. Without you guys, I wouldn't be here blogging or continuing to do what I'm passionate about ! ( and also because I'm fabulous with or without stuff, but it doesn't mean i don't like getting them :3 ) This is why I've decided to do a little giveaway and since I don't like difficult quizzes , I'll make this really simple. Every Week , I'll be announcing the winner of each package and Since there are 3 packages to give away, it'll be a 3 week affair ! For each package, there will be a question attached to it and the most quirky answer wins !! Here's whats up for grabs!  Don't worry if you don't win! There are (hopefully) a lot more giveaways in the future so don't throw in the towel just yet!

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PACKAGE NUMBER ONE) A full Collection of Pantene's Colour and Perm Protection Products that are formulated to help maintain your hair's colour and perm for up to 6 weeks .This includes Shampoo, intensive daily conditioner, weekly conditioner and leave-on cream for those aggravatingly humid days. Also, as an added bonus, I'm throwing in 3 bottles of Aveda Rosemary scented Bodywash, shampoo and conditioner!



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PACKAGE NUMBER TWO) A complete set of Premier's Dead sea Salt Quartz Crystal facial wellness collection. This product line harnesses the energy in Quartz crystals( commonly used in watches as power-sources ) and uses it to re-energize the skin from within. These products currently retail from anywhere between $230-$450. The package includes a customized Premier Cosmetics Bag, 2 concentrated eye creams, a dead sea salt facial mask set and a set of 5 quarts based creams that are to be used daily for maximum effect. 

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PACKAGE NUMBER THREE) This is something I'm sure you'll appreciate :) As a parting gift, The gracious people at Code Deco presented me with a sample kit of their perfumes before I left their media meet-and-greet. Code Deco is an up-and-coming avant-garde fragrance brand that has all the makings of an international success and it's very affordable considering the quality and craftsmanship they offer . 

It was love at first sniff when I took a deep breathe of their Masculine "B-Minor" fragrance . The warm sandalwood left a wonderful after-smell while the immediate hint of pepper was enough for me to proclaim my everlasting devotion to the brand. It resembles the famous fragrance  "Terre de Hermes" but much better ! Inside the sample kit are 6 vials containing a mix of my personal favorites from their collection.

The smell ranges from sweet notes of rose to light-hearted hints of Citrus. I know I'm a blogger and people think we bloggers immediately support a brand that gives us stuff but I'm dead serious when I say I think this brand is sensational. Definitely something I will be patronizing in the near future :) You can visit their website for info on their product range !!

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And the questions are.....

For Package no:1) How many Mini burgers are there on the refreshments counter during the Pantene event *** refer to the pictures above ***

For Package no:2)  What's the name of that royal-blue tube of facial cream in the pictures above ***hint: it starts with the word "instant" ***

For Package no:3) Who is the founder of Code Deco Perfumes? *** hint: Visit the Code Deco Website to find out ***
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And Btw .... Earlier this month, I was invited to shop at H&M's Exclusive Sample sale and look at what I nabbed for just under $10 !!!! I decided to grab a truckload of shoes and since I can't keep them all, I've decided to do a giveaway for a pair that I can't fit.

These size 41 Maison Martin Margiela for H&M ivory painted leather boots worth $399 could be yours if you answer this simple question about Dream Of Dior correctly !

Question ) Out of all the articles I've ever posted on dreamofdior, which post do I consider to be my Magnum Opus ? ***hint: it's in the "Popular Posts" section*** 


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 Email your answers to dreamingofdior@gmail.com stating clearly the package prize your interested in as well as your answers. Winners will be announced every wednesday ! The response from the previous Toni&Guy Giveaway was really great so I'm hoping this time around will be even better :]

 All in all, It have been quite a ride for me especially since I've started writing for Poachedmag but that doesn't mean that I'll forsake my blog completely. To be honest, the one advantage that you have when you write for yourself versus writing for a bigger publication is that you have complete control over everything. At times, I feel as though I don't have an individual voice and that's when I depend on DreamofDior as an ego booster. PS: A big shout-out to Singapore's infamous style sensation Bryan Gohey !!! It truly is an honor having people like you tell me how much you like what I do.  

Also, don't forget to mark your calenders for15-19 of may for Singapore's Annual Installation of the Audi Fashion Festival! Instead of its usual locale, the event will be hosted at the Marina Promenade! ( its about time! Orchard was getting derivative!) How Chic is that!  Some noteworthy designers that will be strutting their stuff include Carolina Herrera, Raoul , Ashley Isham and Zardoze. Victoria's Secret angel, Erin Heatheron will also be gracing the catwalk for the Raoul show. For the entirety of next week, Paragon will be having their seasonal fashion shows with regulars like Guess and Mochino showcasing their latest collection and I'm gonna be there to catch all the action !!!


Follow me on instagram @samybonbon to see live pics of the fashion shows as well as some backstage action with the models and stylists ! I really can't thank you enough for sticking with dreamofdior after all this time. It really means a lot to me that people continue to read my insane rants & for that, I am really grateful. To all the Polytechnic students out there, happy holidays! Spend your time wisely but don't forget to let loose and have fun! As for my Singapore Poly readers, don't forget to catch Theatre Compass at their next theatrical performance of "Inside out 2.0" in April where I'll be acting as an old maniacal Pak Cik( malay Man ) plotting to overthrough a Community Centre xD

Once again, I thank you for reading Dreamofdior . Here's to a great week ahead!

Fashion 101 part 2: Get a leg up!

Before I continue with the main article,  a big thank you to Annemarie Iverson for her amazing book “In Fashion”; my personal Chicken Soup for the Fashion Obsessed soul. Let me warn you in advance that this article is super ultra LONG! Viewer digression is advised ! For Part 2 of fashion 101, I’ll be dishing the dirt on how to drive your style career forward. From tips during an interview right down to what you should wear,  DreamOfDior’s got it all !!! Now ,Let's start with the baby steps. 

Education

 It’s natural that people who care for you want you to do the “Safe” thing for your future. Typical Schools is “what they know”. Parents think more school equals more money and security. But what they don’t understand is that it doesn't translate like that in fashion. 

 To be a great designer or photographer, you’ll need to be in the right design school. If you’re intentions are to be a model, stylist or makeup artist, you probably shouldn't concentrate on school because the WORLD is your education! Is your dream to be a fashion buyer or writer? College is your answer then. That’s why it’s EXTREMELY important to know what you really want. 

If you’re a fashion fanatic but confused with what you want, take the fashion aptitude test in my previous post to find out what type of fashionista you are so that you're more clear on what you should study! :D

How about fashion schools for Creators (designers)?

As a creator, you will need to really assess what you want. Dig deep and reflect on things like where you see yourself 5 years later. I have friends who want to do fashion communications so they ended up going to Lassalle. Eventually, all of them wanted to quit because they couldn't “tahan” the design modules. You need to accept the harsh truth that some people are just more gifted than others.

 If you weren't naturally gifted in sketching or fabric manipulation, fashion design might not be for you. If your heart is really in to it, you’ll find a way around this issue and hopefully come out on top. If you’re not 110% committed, you WILL suffer greatly. 

How about Journalism School for Critics (Writers)?

Personally, I have a slight prejudice against those who think going to journalism school will make them a better writer. They do, however, get great exposure and learn about the different facets of journalism. After all, nothing is a bigger turn off than having bad grammar/spelling! 

If you're especially keen on being a word smith , keep your hands in journalism through the school paper or better yet, start a blog like your's truly! 

 The next logical step is to up your game and take up an editorial internship or write for a bigger publication. This exposure is crucial because it will teach you to develop your reporter's nose and balls (yum!) to get the story plus the research skills that will prove invaluable over time.

How About Degrees for Sellers (Business of fashion)?

 I'm a fashion fanatic and yet, I study Business. It all makes sense though because Business related courses are useful if you’re interested in becoming an executive for large fashion giants like LVMH, FJ Benjamins, Jones New York, Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. These brands may find a business background useful in tabulating data or working on mergers and acquisitions. 

 Someone who’s purely about Business all day and doesn't explore other creative subjects like theatre or Music will never survive . Think of it this way. Why would they want to hire someone who's just a mindless businessman when they can hire someone who is creative, fashion savvy and has killer business acumen?  Diversify yourself.

To aid you in your style education, Here is a list of noteworthy fashion literature and a few movies worth watching, all of which are aimed at honing your “critical eye".

• Must read Biographies: "D.V" by Diana Vreeland,   "Chanel and her world" by Edmonde Charles-Roux , "No Time to Die" by Liz Tilberis & my personal favourite "Grace, a Memoir" by Grace Coddington.

• Daily Fashion Fix:  Women's Wear Daily (WWD) ,New York Times Style section , Vogue.com, Style.com ,Streetpeeper.com & of course DREAMOFDIOR.BLOGSPOT.COM !!!

• Fashionista Movies: "The September Issue"- this documentary tracks Anna Wintour orchestrating the team as they build the biggest Issue of VOGUE ever!   ,"Valentino: The Last Emperor" & "Vogue: The Editor's Eye". 

Internships

 Now that you’re all prepped up and ready to rumble, the next step would be to feel around before you're actually ready for the big leagues. A good way to start would be a part time job or an internship. The difference is that an internship ties you down and "makes you more loyal" to the company you’re interning for. 

You'll also get to learn the inner workings of your employing company .That's where sh*t gets real. Good internships, however, are hard to find, especially since Fashion is an industry that's uber crowded . The key: remain competitive and persistent.  

 Here are the Six Sacred Rules you should follow when searching for that Dream Fashion job.

1. Know who you know:  Your contacts are a lot more powerful than you know. Utilize everyone you've ever met. Be it your neighbour’s hot daughter, a friend's parent or a senior from your previous school. As an intern, send frequent emails to assistants of the “atas” people and ask if there's ever an opening. In this industry, the best advocate for yourself is you!
2. Your Resume is your Life! : Make sure your resume reflects clearly who you really are. If you’re a flamboyant guy who loves pink , make the borders pink. Express yourself. Check your emails and voice mails daily and remember to maintain a neutral voice mail message. Nothing too bitchy or "naughty".
3. No little White, Red or Blue lies: Everyone I've ever asked has confessed that they bloat their resume by adding extra months of experience on their resume. These small little lies ARE TRACEABLE! Do not say that you interned at FJ Benjamin for 3 months when you couldn't even last a week. The industry is a small one and everyone knows everyone (no joke). Sooner or later, you're bound to get caught and trust me when I say you're not going to want to be there when they do…
4. Be part of the community you’re trying to join: I don't know why but nowadays a lot of people feel that they're entitled to everything without any effort.  Nobody in this industry is going to entertain any of this bullshit. Show your face and get a feel of what Where you're going.  This initiative will set you apart from 80% of the people who have done nothing substantial for their interview.
5. Possess Unyielding optimism:  Fashion is about change. Believe that your situation can change within the next 24 hours. When the opportunity presents itself, grab it and run! Once that window of opportunity closes, it might never open again!
6. Find your Fairy godmother &/or Fairy godfather:  Get in touch with someone in the industry whose work you strongly admire. Be humble and honest and if you're lucky, these people will feel your enthusiasm. I've read somewhere that a Boy once saw Anna Wintour on a plane. Since he was an aspiring designer, he wanted to ask Anna Wintour to hook him up with Micheal Kors, a designer he idolizes. He didn't want to disturb Anna and so he slipped a note in her bag. Lo and behold, the Boy is now a Man apprenticing with his dream designer. Dreams really do come true :)
7.  Don't be afraid to make cold calls when you're desperate and don't know where else to turn. Swallow your pride and phone them up. Confidently, state what your intentions are without sounding like an introverted 10 year old girl. TRUST ME, THIS WORKS! When I set my sights on Gucci during the School holiday Season, I phoned their office for 2 days straight just to get on the line with their Human Resource Manager. Long story short, I became the youngest employee Gucci Singapore has ever had! Don't be that kind of person that expects these brands to phone YOU up and offer you a job. You're Not Kaiser Karl or Grace Mirabelle. You want that position? EARN IT!

Interviews

YAY! By following all these tips, you've managed to land yourself an interview for your first big job after going through your internship!  Remember; Everything you say or do will be used against you. Make full use of each second during that 15 minute chat session you'll be having with the interviewer.  Here are some pointers you should keep in mind

• Show them a Spark, A passion:  Make sure they notice that sparkle in your eye. Many times, bosses are looking for young and insanely passionate versions of themselves- before they were successful. Don’t fake that spark. Show them you really want it.

• Demonstrate a Sense of Humor:   Only take the chance when the opportunity presents itself.  Showing that funny side will make you seem more relatable and dynamic. 

• Give Evidence of your hunger and ambition: The best way to show this is to come prepared with your resume and all other qualifications. 

• Convince them that you'll work hard (nobody likes lazy egocentric dickheads) : Make it clear that you're not some demanding & bitchy Prima Donna . Ensure them that while the job looks glamorous on the outside(all fashion jobs do), you are fully aware of all the donkeywork that goes behind it. 

• Know your stuff and prove it: Research research research. Find out the company's mission statement, who their current CEO is, Where their headquarters are based and all that jazz.

• Show that you’re a team player : Team players love to be included in press meetings, Ideas pitching and concept building. Its a bit tricky for an interviewer to tell whether someone is good as a team member before he actually enters the team. This is where your previous experienes come in handy. Ever volunteered at a hospice/children's home with a group of friends? Use that & everything else you've ever done to your advantage. 

• Show that you have a "critical eye": A fashionista's most basic asset is his/her critical eye. This skill will set you apart from the general public and put yourself in the mindset of crafting words, pictures and editorials that would pull in your targeting viewers.

• Say why you want the job as well as why you're the best person on Earth for it! : This is actually a code for "say your last words before you get out" and at times, it's the most important question of all. If you haven't made it clear that you're mad for the job, do so now. Don't forget to maintain eye contact when you shake hands on your way out.  Stop talking. Breathe. You made it. 

Outfit

EVERYTHING & anything you wear will be heavily scrutinized. “Trivial” issues like the colour of your shoe laces to the buttons on your shirt could very well make or break your chances. Your weapon of choice should complement the type of position you’re gunning for. Here are a few cardinal style sins you should avoid committing as well as some useful pointers you should follow if you wanna dress to impress.

DON'Ts for Guys: 

• Don't wear sneakers unless you're sure it's super casual. 
• No grungy T-shirts with distracting designs or writing . 
• No sports jerseys, caps, flip flops, sweats or shorts.  

DON'Ts for Girls: 

•  Don't wear a suit to a creative interview. 
• Don't wear anything that isn't well ironed
• Don't carry multiple bags/shopping bags. You'll end up looking shallow.
• When it comes to jewelry, less is more.
• DON'T wear one singular designer from head to toe or multiple luxury designers all at once. Mix and match yours highs and lows. You'll instantly be labelled a fashion victim . I can assure you that you're resume will be flying out of the window way before you even leave their office.

.....And finally, a few tips during the actual interview , just to be safe :)

1) Don't be arrogant about where you studied or where you came from. Nobody wants to work with someone who's nose is up their ass. In-fact, never be arrogant about anything! Yuck!

2) Don't explain why you need the month of June off for your family vacation. You're interviewer honestly doesn't care. These follow up questions are meant to be asked after you've accepted the post

3) Keep your answers Crisp and Concise  Babbling on and on about nonsense will only make them think you're all bark no bite.

4) Don't be late & 

Never wear a blank facial expression

5) Confidence is all you need. 

Now wasn't that a mouth full of nonsense. I hope you've managed to learn a thing or two about breaking in to the fashion world. Different people do different things. Some get in through their own blood, sweat and tears. Some have "powerful friends in high places". Others are just naturally talented and breeze their way through. Whatever the case, it never hurts to try and plan you way to success. I know this isn't a very Visual article and I haven't done that in a very long time. Hopefully, with all this free time on my hands, I'll be able to churn out more visually inclined mindless writing! & BTW, A big shout out to Singapore's infamous style sensation Bryan Gohey !!!! It truly is an honor having people like you tell me how much you like what I do.  Be sure to visit his quirky Singapore Streetstyle Blog http://wtfywt.tumblr.com/ . 

Ps, don't forget to mark your calenders 15-19 of may for Singapore's Annual Installation of the Audi Fashion Festival! Instead of its usual locale, the event will be hosted at the Marina Promenade! ( its about time! Orchard was getting derivative!)How Chic is that!  Some noteworthy designers that will be strutting their stuff include Carolina Herrera, Raoul ,Ashley Isham and Zardoze. Victoria's Secret angel, Erin Heatheron will also be gracing the catwalk for the Raoul show.

 It's nice to see the local fashion scene come to life after its long hibernation since Fide Fashion Week.  Also, Blueprint; SG's leading fashion trade show will be happening very close by the festival. Sounds like a lot of fashion in one place doesn't it?  The only issue now is picking out what to wear!