It’s always a relief to be able to get away from my desk to check out what’s happening across town. After all, my grandfather used to say, “If you stare at the computer screen for too long, your eyes will pop out.” So when the invites to preview the Spring/Summer 2011 collections for Mulberry and Marc by Marc Jacobs came my way, I jumped at them. Not that I’m the biggest fan of these brands (smaller, more underground labels are much preferred), but hey, whatever it takes to serve my readers better.
The Mulberry selection is a dream come true for any young tat-tai: Tiger prints in shades of pink embellished all over their signature Bayswater bags, coupled with classic tones like oak, black and chocolate. But the centerpiece is undoubtedly the Jeweled Lily in Camel Suede evening sling bag, which is so meticulously studded, it costs $9,000 (we suspect some endangered species are employed to stud these babies, but we could be wrong). So the design is a little OTT, but it will look fantastic paired with a black evening dress. Plus only two are available in Singapore, making this a true rarity. More updates on the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection in next week’s column.
I also managed to catch the brilliant art show Art Stage at Marina Bay Sands last week and boy, do I wish I was a millionaire (make that billionaire) as there were so many artworks from the likes of Yoshitomo Nara, Robert Watson, Banksy and Takashi Murakami that I wish I could acquire (not while I’m still stuck with this job, though). My best option for now: The Andy Warhol Pop Art screen-prints from Pop and Contemporary Fine Art (#03-12 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd., 6735-0959). Not only are they having a markdown on selected prints like the Neuschwanstein ($36,000) and Committee 2000 ($13,500), I will also get a complimentary bottle of the limited edition Andy Warhol Dom Pèrignon if I purchase any one of these works. Woo-hoo! More reasons to splurge!
More markdown deals to check out: Many multi-label boutiques like Asylum, Inhabit, Front Row and Surrender are still offering discounts of up to 80 percent for past season collections of great labels like Alexander Wang, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, Thom Browne, Cosmic Wonder, Common Projects and many more. Go get them before these sought-after pieces fly off the shelves. I’ve already done my rounds.