Kloset

3/F, CentralWorld, 02-646-1929. BTS Siam/Chit Lom. www.klosetdesign.com
Founded in 2001 by the designer Mollika Ruangkritya, Kloset is where she expresses her obsession for handmade products and a child-like sensibility. The brand has become very en vogue with Thai celebs and the young hi-so crowd, which of course means copies are popping up all over the markets. Kloset Red Carpet, the second, more mature line has now proved a big international hit and is available in 11 countries globally. Read our interview with Kloset designer, Suphakanya Tripwatana, HERE.

4 Celsius

3/F, Mob. F, Siam Center, 02-658-1989. BTS Siam. http://4celsius.com
Thai style jewelry isn’t a yawn anymore thanks to creative young designer Kollakoch Woramuksik is turning baan baan OTOP themes into ethnic chic. The main concept of her design is all about fusing various Thai cultures, script and numbers.

Palette

3/F, Siam Center, 02-658-4696. BTS Siam. Itshappenedtobeacloset.wordpress.com
A sister brand of the longtime craft and vintage-inspired favorite It’s Happened to be a Closet, Palette is a younger and more affordable option. You’ll find a wide range of women’s wear inspired by tribal cultures, but all delivered with a twist. Cropped jackets, T-shirts and maxi dresses come in vivid colors, from shocking pink and mustard yellow to cobalt blue and rose red, underlining the concept behind the brand’s name.

Rotsaniyom

Siam Square Soi 5, 081-304-2198. BTS Siam. www.rotsaniyom.com
After its two stalls in Chatuchak proved a big hit with retro lovers, the small fashion label moved its intense vintage-bohemian style to Siam Square Soi 5. The décor of the place will certainly help put you in the mood, from the wrought iron art deco entrance to the slightly scary-looking stuffed goat. Packed on the hangers are iconic ivory t-shirts, screen printed with unique dreamy patterns, some silk romantic scarves and lots of cream color dresses that make you want to go look all wistful and mysterious on the beach.

Greyhound/Playhound

Greyhound, 1/F, Siam Paragon, 02-129-4358. BTS Siam.
Playhound, 3/F, Siam Center, 02-252-3861. BTS Siam. www.greyhound.co.th
Having just celebrated its 30th anniversary, Greyhound is synonymous with minimal fashion with a creative twist. Using black, white and grey as its main palette, their designers always add enough sharp details, blocks of color, and new techniques and materials to avoid ever being labeled bland. Those with a more fun, youthful character can turn to sister brand Playhound, with its greater use of colors and prints. Catch our exclusive interview with Bhanu Inkawat, HERE.

Painkiller

3/F, Siam Center, 02-658-1145. BTS Siam.
www.painkillerbkk.wordpress.com
The moment’s coolest men’s fashion brand, Painkiller looks to create an enduring union between fashion and function. So instead of fancy items, the beauty is found in the details, from sharp cuts and patchworks to silk screen prints combined with a use of muted colors like camel, beige and blue. Their latest “Best Friend” collection for Spring/Summer is inspired by the 1950s when Thai men were forced to dress in a European style, leading to lots of mix n’ match looks.

Theatre

3/F, Siam Center, 02-251-3599. BTS Siam.
www.theatrebangkok.com
It’s been almost 27 years since Sirichai Daharanont or Jom, a former prop maker for a couture house opened his first shop. The brand is well known among the Thai hi-so fashionistas for its sexy elegant haute couture crossed with ready to wear garments. Although Theatre’s designs seem almost impossible to work on the street, it means their runway shows have always been to die for.

www.siamsquare.co.th

Siam Square Soi 9, 087-512-0682. BTS Siam.
www.siamsquare.co.th
If you really want to go for cutting edge then www.siamsquare.co.th acts as a hub for truly new generation Thai designers to showcase and sell their work online. There are currently 31 fresh-faced designers contributing their visions to SS. The products are liked and voted for by the users with the winning designs getting made, ensuring you get a constant rotation of original goodies. There’s also a real-life showroom at Siam Square, if you just have to get touchy feely.

Asava

1/F, Siam Paragon, 02-662-6526. BTS Siam.
www.facebook.com/asavathailand
Being an ex-trainee for Isaac Mizrahi and Marc Jacobs, a former merchandiser for Giorgio Armani, past fashion director for MaxMara, then personal stylist at Siam Paragon, Polpat Asavaprapha has clearly put in the hours to gain his reputation as a fashion expert. That’s when he decided to build up his own luxurious fashion brand. Wearable, urban and elegant, collections also aim to blur day-and-evening wear and be multi-seasonal.

Garden by Flynow III

3/F, Siam Center, 02-880-0831. BTS Siam.
www.facebook.com/garden.by.flynowIII
The latest brainchild of the long-running fashion brand Fly Now, Garden features easy-to-wear items inspired by our natural surroundings. Expect to see shirts and pants in intriguing patterns with soft-color floral or polka dot prints. Though officially a female fashion boutique, several items are pretty unisex, so feel free to drag your boyfriend along if he’s a daring dresser.

Senada

2/F, Gaysorn, 02-656-1149. BTS Chit Lom.
www.senadatheory.com
Senada is an eclectic mixture that covers vintage romance, ethnic charm and savvy street style—think contemporary urbanized Indian embroidery, Chinese silks, and Thai patterns. Senada has won the hearts of Londoners, and many other fashion geeks in New York, Paris, Milan, Tokyo and beyond. Also check out its extended line, Senada Theory, for couture looks.

Mango Mojito

4/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-7777. BTS Chit Lom.
www.mango-mojito.com
The three-year-old footwear brand has quickly become a favorite among stylish Bangkokians. Their Japanese-style shoes are designed for Asian feet, so you’ll find a broader more comfortable fit than elsewhere. Every pair is made from calf skin which ensures a softer touch and an even color finish. They offer a range of timeless yet trendy designs like boat shoes or high-cut boots with a choice of classic colors. (See our interview with Mango Mojito designer Phatthara Lertsukittipongsa, HERE)

Disaya

Lobby, Gaysorn Plaza, 999 Ploenchit Rd., 02-656-1388.
BTS Chit Lom. www.disaya.com
Another Thai brand worn by Hollywood celebrities, such as Jennifer Lopez and Kelly Osbourne, Disaya is the brainchild of former Central Saint Martin’s College graduate Disaya Prakobsantisukh and follows on from the previous success of her lingerie line, Boudoir. Most of her designs are inspired by London culture and have been picked up by stockists from leading stores in over 20 countries around the world, including Harrods, and Harvey Nichols. Her collection captures the innocence of women in classy outfits with quirky and cute accessories like her popular Teddy Bear and Smiley face necklaces.

Common-T

Try Siam Square Soi 3, 02-658-1989. BTS Siam.
www.facebook.com/commontlism
After receiving young designer awards in both Thailand and Singapore, the young “Yo” got spotted by Greyhound and spent four years as one of the designers for Playhound, and later, Greyhound Original. If you remember those Mickey-Playhound projects back in the past, well, that’s him. Yo then founded his own apparel line, Common-T. Expect to see lots of stretchy fabrics in white, black, and grey, with as big a focus on comfort as on style. The biggest shop is in JJ Market, but the brand is also available at Mob.f, Siam Square, and soon at new mall, Terminal 21.

Milin

1/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9000. BTS Siam. www.milin.com
After studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins in London and FIT in New York, and doing an internship at Jill Stuart in 2008, Milin has quickly established herself as a designer with her own clear sense of style. Her collections are full of modern feminine pieces, using delicate and soft fabrics with plenty of drapes and bold cuts that create striking, instantly recognizable silhouettes.

Sretsis

2/F, Gaysorn, 02-656-1125 BTS Chit Lom. www.sretsis.com
Sretsis is “sisters” spelled backward, as this fashion brand is the creation of three sisters, who all happen to be huge fans of the classic romantic style. Their dresses always come in cute pastel colors featuring intricate touches, and their reputation has gone inter with big celebrities like Katy Perry and Beyonce Knowles sporting their outfits.

Viera By Ragazze

Try 3/F, Silom Complex, Silom Rd., 02-231-3190. BTS Saladaeng
Top notch quality leather products ranging from handbags, shoes and other accessories, all designed by Thai designer “Ragazze.” Inspired by an Italian style, the shops are pretty serene spots too, so make sure you drop by to enjoy their colonial ambience.

Zenithorial

2/F, Gaysorn, 02-656-1064. www.zenithorial.com
An accountant-turned-designer, Adisak Rojsiriphan has been the brains behind this high-quality, androgynous clothing line for more than 20 years. It carries both men and women’s clothes from casual to formal, yet even in the most casual shirt, Adisak never skimps on the quality. Every shirt under the name Zenithorial is seven stitches sewn per centimetre. Warning: quality doesn’t come cheap.

Issue

266/10 Siam Square Soi 3, 02-658-4416. BTS Siam. www.issue.co.th
Designer Roj Singhakul has turned his love for tribal arts and exotic cultures into a successful fashion brand. Inspired by communities from the remotest corners of Asia, his collections always feature plenty of colors, complex oriental prints and fine tribal details in their range of hippie chic dresses, shirts, pants and skirts. Issue’s latest Spring/Summer collection is all about earth, flowers, and natural fabrics.

27 November & 27 Friday

3/F, Siam Center, 02-658-1179. BTS Siam.
Designer Chanachai Jareeyathana has been in the fashion and showbiz industry for twenty years as both a fashion designer, a stylist and creative director for several popular artists. Each label targets different groups: 27 Friday is for young artsy professionals, while 27 November is for teens—but both feature Chanachai’s trademark style of bright hues, contrasting colors, graphic prints and crafty details. Though offering both men’s and women’s wear, it’s his outfits for guys that are most popular, especially among metrosexual types.

AB-Normal

3/F, Siam Center, 02-658-1173. BTS Siam
Established in 1999 by Taweesak “Ab” Samanmitr, Ab-Normal focuses on a minimalist construction approach for women on the go. The brand opened its arms to male customers two years later, offering both apparel and accessories. Since Ab-Normal is very specialized at mixing and matching various fabrics in one piece, don’t be amazed if you see laminated cotton and linen on the same pair of pants.

Timo

Boyy Bag, G/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-7777. www.timotrunks.com
With a focus only on men’s swim trunks (for now), designer Sappasit Foongfaungchaveng combines preppy cuts with fine microfiber fabrics, which are water repellent and allegedly dry in nine minutes. Details like tucked-inside waist cords and small air outlets at the back are designed to enable a serious swim. There are three cuts available: Prep is a boxer style, Captain is a classic cut, and Editions is a boxer-style in limited edition prints.
Read an interview with Sappasit at HERE

Tube Gallery

3/F, Siam Center, 02-676-1971. BTS Siam. www.tube-gallery.com
When two theater arts graduates tried their hands at becoming designers, the result was collections full of dramatic cuts, avant-garde dresses, shocking-colored jackets and bizarre accessories. Though some pieces seem almost unwearable, Tube Gallery has gained tremendous popularity with those who dare to stand out from the crowd.

4X4 MAN

4/F, Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-640-7000.
BTS Chit Lom. www.cmg.co.th
This relatively new line (they launched in September last year) saw its first collection inspired by the lines of the buildings around Bangkok, with a palette of grey, white, and brown. Sound familiar? While we would concede that their products might look a bit like the original Greyhound, 4X4 MAN actually offers a more professional look with fewer playful twists. The entire range promises high quality cuts and fabrics, like their 100% US cotton shirts.

1. Women’s Light brown pants. B2,690 from Muji
2. Light grey pants. B3,490 from British India
3. Egg-shell-colored pants. B1,595 from Journal
4. Waist jacket. B1,790 from Theatre
5. Sleeveless white top. B2,590 from British India
6. Black and white bell-shaped dress. B3,990 from Island Shop
7. Orange and fuchsia sleeveless bell-shaped top. B2,990 from Island Shop
8. White Indian-style shirt. B4,570 from Vanilla Vintage
9. Mustard-colored sleeveless jacket. B3,290 from Theatre
10. Grey longsleeved shirt with two pockets. B1,385 from Journal
11. Light blue longsleeved shirt. B3,490 from British India
12.  Light blue shortsleeved shirt. B2,290 from Muji
13. Orange shortsleeved shirt. B3,295 from British India
14. Orange shortsleeved shirt. B1,875 from British India

Why linen?

- It absorbs moisture better than cotton anddries faster, perfect for those with healthy sweat ducts.
- Linen doesn’t collect dust so it’s good for those with allergies.
- With more elasticity and space between the threads, air can easily pass through, making it a cool fabric.
- Linen is among the strongest plant fibers; 2-3 times stronger than cotton.
One downside: it’s a lot pricier than cotton.

Essentials

British India. 1/F, CentralWorld, 02-646-1411/-3. BTS Chit Lom
Island Shop and Journal. 2/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-777. BTS Chit Lom
Muji. 3/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-7777. BTS Chit Lom
Theatre. 3/F, Siam Center, 02-251-3599. BTS Siam
Vanilla Vintage. CDC Phase 2, Praditmanutham Rd., 02-102-2269

X-Men: First Class (Now Showing)

Stars James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender

Like all great legends, there’s always a backstory; the place where it all began with the people who made it all happen. So this time around, we learn about Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) before they became archenemies and before the world knew about mutants.

Bottom line: First class in name, but whether it's first class in nature depends on whether Fassbender can top McKellen's turn in the earlier films.

Super 8 (Opens June 9)

Stars Kyle Chandler and Elle Fanning

It’s the 1970s, and in a small town in Ohio, a group of friends witness a mysterious train crash while filming a movie in Super 8. When people begin disappearing, it soon becomes apparent that whatever stalks the town isn’t human.

Bottom line: Even when he misses the mark (the latter fifty-five seasons of Lost) J.J. Abrams never fails to surprise audiences.

Green Lantern (Opens June 17)

Stars Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively

This summer superhero flick stars Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, a man who gains superpowers from a ring and becomes a member of the Green Lantern corps—known as protectors of peace and justice in the universe. The fate of the world lies in the hands of Hal, the first human ever selected to be a Green Lantern.

Bottom line: It's superhero season. Whether there's room for all of them, remains to be seen.

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon (Opens June 29)

Stars Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Tyrese Gibson

The power packed director/producer team of Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg present another high-octane summer adventure as the battle between Autobots and Decepticons continues. This time, a Cybertronian spacecraft has been discovered on the moon, leading to the possible annihilation of Earth. Join Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) and his new love interest in their quest to save the world.

Bottom line: A Megan Fox replacement? Don’t know if that’s the best move.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II (Opens July 14)

Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

It all comes down to this much-anticipated finale, where Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) faces a final battle against Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). After a decade, this is the curtain call of Harry Potter film franchise, so fans, be prepared to hold on to your seats for the concluding ride.

Bottom line: Someone’s going to die. And we already know who.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (August 3)

Stars James Franco, Tom Felton and Freida Pinto

What was supposed to be an experiment to cure Alzheimer’s disease leads to a breakthrough development in intelligence—for apes. Scientist James Franco and his team have to hold it together before a war breaks between humans and genetically-altered monkeys.

Bottom line: With visual effects said to be inspired by Avatar, this should be worth catching.

Captain America: The First Avenger (August 4)

Stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan and Hayley Atwell

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) transforms from a weak human to a superhero after taking an experimental serum. With the power he possesses, he becomes the ultimate soldier in the U.S armed forces, battling against the Nazis during World War II. Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures bring yet another exciting film, full of suspense and thrills.

Bottom line: Chris Evans loves to play superheroes (see Fantastic Four and Push)—and we know quite a few folk who love watching him.

Cowboys & Aliens (August 18)

Stars Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Sam Rockwell

From the directors of Iron Man, comes a wild-west blockbuster about a battle between Arizona cowboys and aliens. It’s 1873, and spaceships attack the town Absolution. A wanted criminal, Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig), and the man who runs Absolution, Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford), join forces to fight them.

Bottom line: E.T vs. Gunslingers – you can’t say that isn’t original.

Cars 2 (August 25)

Stars Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy

Time to start your engines. Again. Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) goes head to head with Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) to compete in the World Grand Prix to stake his claim for the title of the world’s fastest car. A fast-paced journey of friendship, difficult decisions and unfamiliar destinations with a colorful cast.

Bottom line: We just hope this means Wilson will be doing a Wedding Crashers sequel too.

Final Destination 5 (August 25)

Stars Emma Bell and Nicholas D’Agosto

A decade after the air crash in the first Final Destination, Sam Lawton (Nicholas D’Agosto) has a premonition about a bridge collapse. Once again, this nightmare becomes reality, and we get to see a bunch of people trying to cheat death…again.

Bottom line: After 5 films in the franchise, we just hope this really will be the FINAL Final Destination.

EARTHQUAKES

The Close Call

The 2007 building code stipulates buildings higher than 23 meters (about 8 floors) must resist earthquakes greater than a magnitude of 5 on the Richter scale. But the law is not retroactive, so any building that received its construction permit before that date is not built to earthquake-proof standards. This year, the BMA said that 2,700 buildings were at risk. After the Mar 2011 quake in Burma (6.8 on the Richter scale), the following buildings were inspected: Sermmitr Tower, First Tower, MBK Centre, the All Seasons building, Empire Tower, Chai Tower, the Benjinda building, Shinawatra Tower III, the Thai Military Bank building and the Sun Tower building. None had been damaged.

The Case Study

One comparable scenario is the 1985 Mexico city earthquake. The epicenter was 350km away from the city—even further than the Kanchanaburi fault line is from Bangkok—yet, like Bangkok, Mexico City sits on a water-logged lake bed. There was a magnitude 8.2 quake followed by two aftershocks of magnitudes 7 and 7.5. There is dispute on the death toll, which was officially 10,000, but some experts claim up to 40,000 people died. 412 buildings collapsed and 3,124 were seriously damaged.

If the building is shaking, do this:

• Put some shoes on. It sounds silly but running around on broken glass hurts.
• Are you on the first floor? Get out and head for open ground. If you’re in an urbanized area, that means don’t stay close to buildings.
• Are you in a building? The biggest risk is a floor collapsing on you. You need to huddle under, or next to something very resistant, like a big stack of papers (seriously!).
• Avoid things that might tip over, like wardrobes.
• Don’t try to leave the building until the shaking has stopped.
• Stay calm. It sucks to survive an earthquake only to get crushed to death in a stairwell of panicked office workers.
• Don’t use elevators.

The Odds

According to the Department of Natural Resources, there are 15 active fault zones across Thailand. Most of them are in the north and west of the country. The nearest ones from Bangkok are the Sri Sawat and Three Pagodas fault zones in Kanchanaburi, which are around 240-280km away and about 200km long. Ultimately, although an earthquake of a high magnitude in Kanchanaburi would be disastrous, it is highly unlikely. Japan is located on the Ring of Fire, where the seismic activity is very high, unlike the situation here.

The Plan

In case of a disaster, the National Disaster Warning Center will alert the population through traditional media like radio and television but also through its twitter account (@BKK_BEST) and, soon, SMS. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (who just got an B8.9 billion budget) would take operational control. Who heads the DDPM actually depends on the scale of the disaster (see right): Prime Minister for Scale 4 disasters, Minister of Interior for Scale 3, Governor for Scale 2.

1. Small Scale Disaster
Normal accidents, floods or fires that happen in a limited area in small communities or districts and can be handled by a district office.
2. Medium Scale Disaster
Disasters that cause damage which are beyond the capability of the district office but can be handled by a province’s administor
3. Large Scale Disaster
Disasters that cause damage in several areas and require support from other provinces, as well as advice from professionals and experts.
4. Maximum
Disasters with mass destruction. Several areas in the country are severely affected. PM or Deputy PM takes control.

In Case of Emergency

191
Police (crimes, emergency cases)
199
Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department (fire, accidents)
1784
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (disasters)
1555
BMA Call Center (floods, small disasters)
1669
Narenthorn Center, Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand (emergency health cases)
1646
Erawan Center, Bangkok Emergency Medical Service (emergency health cases)
1677
Ruam Duay Chuay Kan Network (emergency cases, news updates, accidents)
1182
Meteorological Department (weather forecasts)
1644
FM 91 Traffic Radio (news & event updates)
1137
FM 100 Traffic Radio (news & event updates)
1667
Department of Mental Health Hot Line (psychological consultation)

PACK THIS:

What You Need to Survive a Disaster

• Mama noodles for three days.
• Two liters of drinking water per person per day.
• A flashlight (and batteries)
• A first-aid kit.
• Your camping gear (if you have any) and clothes: wind breakers, rain coats, boots, tents, backpack, sleeping bag.
• Cash and ID in a ziplock bag.
• A radio that uses batteries. Your iPhone is not going to last very long without power.
• Emergency numbers

FLOODING

The Close Call

Bangkok’s flood walls are 2.5 meters high. In Oct 2010, the terrible flood that ravaged much of the Northeast and Central regions came dangerously close to that limit, reaching roughly 2 meters, despite Governor Sukhumband’s fears that it would reach 2.3 meters.

The Odds

Pornthep Techapaiboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, told BK: “Bangkok is at risk from floods from three sources: localized rain, floods from the North and rising sea levels. We have levees on the Chao Phraya River that can withstand up to 2.5 meters of water above sea level—that’s for floods coming in from the North. We’ve also completed seven giant new drainage systems, which can drain 155.5-cubic meter/sec—that’s almost four standard swimming pools emptied in one second, stretching around town from Phaya Thai to Ladprao. These drainage pipes are 20-30 meters below ground level and can drain off water from flooded areas in eastern Bangkok directly to the Gulf of Thailand. Based on past data and our budget, this is the most we can do. But irregular things can happen—and tend to happen more and more these days—so we don’t really know what we are facing in the future.”

The Plan

Again, Deputy Governor Pornthep: “There are three more giant drainage pipes to be built with the total project scheduled to be completed in 2016. Normally the amount of rainfall in Bangkok is at around 1,900mm per year while the system is designed for an amount of 2,500mm per year or 60mm per hour.”
Ironically, New Orleans’ levees were scheduled for completion by 2015. And there is also the question of rising sea levels. Pornthep says, ““In the last 10 years, around 5,000-rai of space have been eroded by higher sea levels and waves. For now, we’re working on the bamboo project. Sticks of bamboo are lined along our coast so when waves come in these sticks will retain soil, sand and mud before the water goes back to the sea. These muddy spaces will later turn into mangrove forests. Bamboo sticks can stay for around five years so for the long-term, we need to cast t-shaped concrete barriers to be dropped along the coast. The budget for this is now being finalized.”

If your home is sinking, do this:

• Shut off the electricity at the main circuit breaker.
• Collect a survival kit (see box).
• Don’t drive, don’t try to escape. Just move to the top of your building.
• Avoid water. Swimming in flooded water puts you at risk of electrocution caused by damaged electric wires.
• Beware of animals like snakes or scorpions which will also try to move to dry areas.

The Case Study

In the August 2005 Hurricane Katrina, the levees protecting New Orleans broke, flooding the city with as much as 4.5 meters of water in some parts. 1,464 people died and one study estimated the total economic damage at over US$150 billion. Although caused by a hurricane, it does give some notion of what damage a massive flood in a densely urbanized area can wreak.

SIX CLASSIC APOCALYPSE FLICK

Screw Roland Emerich’s (2012, ID4, The Day After Tomorrow) relentless destruction of the world. Here are more classic options you should BitTorrent right now.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
Rarely do sequels improve so dramatically on their predecessor but Mad Max 2 defined the gritty post-apocalyptic future for generations to come. And guess what, the future looks a lot like Pirates of the Caribbean without the water or the kid-friendly rating.

La Jetée (1962)
The inspiration for the 1995 film Twelve Monkeys is a slideshow of black and white pictures showing a terrifying post-apocapytic underground world. The most gripping, arresting, unnerving slideshow in the history of slideshows. (And they didn’t even have Powerpoint back in 1962.)

Dawn of the Dead (1979)
Long before 28 Days Later brought the prospect of a world dominated by zombies to a kind of almost medical hyper-realism, zombies were just riotous symbols of punk anti-consumerism. If you were stuck in your condo during the May 2010 protests, you’ll probably relate to this one.

Dr. Strangelove (1964)
In the sixties, there was no HIV or global warming, but there was the constant threat of instant and utter annihilation. It took Stanley Kubrick’s madcap movie to really expose how “Mutual Assured Destruction” (MAD) was not a very inspiring guarantee for world peace.

Planet of the Apes (1968)
It takes this movie’s final shot to realize that it isn’t about interplanetary travel but is actually about time travel, to a future where apes rule men. A huge cinema classic, we can’t help but see it as a vestige of sixties America, where white men fear they may no longer be the country’s ruling class.

BK ASKS: If you had to abandon your home, which object would you take with you?

Suwanna Julpansak, 21, design student
I would grab my fake-eyelashes collection. I just couldn’t live without them for they bring me confidence in any situation.

Warat Tongbunsing, 23, student
A stuffed-Snoopy that the girl who lived next door gave me when I was a kid. I’ve been hugging it every night and it would feel weird not having it around.

Wanna Tipphitakchoke, 59, housewife
A photo album of my around-the-world trip with my brother in 1973. We went to India through Israel, Turkey, Iran and all the way to America. We stayed only one night in each country. It was darn tiring.

Decha Pongpundecha, 27, industrial designer
My first car sketch of a BMW series 3. I would keep it with me and when everything is gone, I’d put the sketch in a museum so that the next generation could know what a cool car looks like.

Q&A: Design for Disaster

Noppadon Tueksuban, architect, university professor and co-founder of Design for Disasters

What is Design for Disasters?
It’s a group of architects, professors and others who are aware that disasters are a big issue. We want to warn the masses about this risk and we’ve started with students.

What’s worse, floods or earthquakes?
Look at Hat Yai. When it was flooded last year, people had no electricity, fuel, and clean water. We really need proper emergency life-sustaining systems to secure these supplies even when everything shuts down. For earthquakes, high-rises are designed to resist strong winds, which is similar to earthquakes. Low-rise condos are actually more at risk.

What should we do?
We need a community building that could host displaced people for a few days. The building should be a building that can produce its own electricity, water supply, grow food and stock supplies. I am also designing a house that could float when submerged.

Should we be scared?
We should be worried about disasters but we shouldn’t be panic. Planning is the most important factor that would help everyone survive. People will die from disasters if we don’t study them, behave like know-it-alls and no one cooperates

DJ Tigerstyle Showcase
Who: The UK-based DJ of Punjabi blood is the holder of three major world titles from 2003: DMC Battle for Supremacy, Allies Allstar beatdown and ITF Advancement Class. Notable for his experimental "live" sets and creating beats on the fly, this globetrotting DJ is a one man army with an arsenal of bass, synths and riffs.

Music: Expect scratching, looping and experimental beats. Almost leftfield, very trip-hop-laden with hip hop sensibilities.

Crowd: There's a reason why it's held at the Esplanade rather than a club setting. We're talking less ravers and more discerning appreciators of his technical abilities.

May 27, 11pm. Esplanade Park, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377. $35 from Sistic.

DJ Shiftee
Who: The professor (yes, the academic kind) spends most his days teaching at New York University. At night, the Harvard grad is a top-notch turntablist with two DMC World Champion titles, probably shelved right beside his gold Technics turntable—representing his induction to the DMC DJ Hall of Fame.

Music: If someone teaches the art of DJing, one can expect some technical mayhem on the decks when he performs live. With hip hop grooves as his preferred beats, we're looking forward to some extreme attacks on the vinyl.

Crowd: Phuture in Zouk. ‘Nuff said.

May 28, 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $25-30 includes two drinks.

1. Bobbi Brown BB Cream
SPF 35 PA+++

Price: $50

Features: Skincare and makeup all in one tube with three shades available. It also helps tighten up pores and reduces wrinkles and the red bruises caused by acne.

We feel: We like how it’s oilfree and works like a BB cream or makeup foundation. Although the skin initially shines with a celeb aura, a follow-up application may be needed since the sheen dims after a couple of hours.

2. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream for Face
SPF 50 PA+++

Price: $46

Features: Oil-free broad spectrum protection, applicable even on sensitive skin. Helps moisturize for up to 8 hours.

We feel: The texture is watery smooth and we like the relaxing aromatic scent. The skin feels a little oily at the application stage and complete absorbtion takes about 10 minutes but it leaves no residue or streaks.

3. Jurlique Sun Lotion
SPF 30+

Price: $50-101

Features: Applicable on both face and body, the product goes beyond SPF and PA (see Lotion Lowdown), and also filters UVC rays as well. Containing vitamin C, anti-oxidants, avocado, and jojoba oil, the cream promises to sustain your skin’s youthful appearance and prevent moisture loss during the day.

We feel: Requires several rubs to get the cream in fully and might turn your skin a little bit oily. The lotion gives off a gentle floral smell and is a good skin moisturizer.

4. Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Daily Face Shield
SPF 40+

Price: $72 for 30ml

Features: “Adaptogens” allow the skin to adapt to extreme heat or cold. The cream combines the preservative paraben, a fragrance, and is oil free.

We feel: Due to its light and milky texture, the lotion absorbs easily and helps smooth the skin just a few minutes after application.

5. Anessa Perfect UV sunscreen
SPF 50+ PA+++

Price: $57

Features: Powerful sun blocking system with skin rejuvenating ability that helps reduce the wrinkles caused by sun exposure, while the Hyaluronic acid works to moisturize the skin. The product is water-resistant so good for outdoor sporty types.

We feel: Very watery and great instant absorption. The skin feels a tiny bit oilier and powder-coated, but also a bit brighter, which gives the face a nice shine.

6. H2O+ Face Oasis hydrating lotion
SPF 30

Price: $62.10 Features: Water-based and oil-free sun protection with the brand’s signature seaweed extracts that help moisturize the skin.

We feel: The texture is very watery adding plenty of moisture to the skin. The gel might make your face feel a little sticky at first but it vanishes as it’s absorbed, leaving a soft and oilfree skin.

7. Burt’s Bees Radiance Day Lotion
SPF 15

Price: $38

Features: Contains royal jelly and eight other essential ingredients: amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B6, C, D and E along with niacin and folic acid which help nuture and maintain young looking skin.

We feel: We love the smell and how it’s easily absorbed, but it may leave a slightly oily and sticky sensation after application for a few minutes.

Get it from:
BHG Bugis Junction, 230 Victoria St., 6223-2222.
Bobbi Brown, #B2-45 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-6575.
Isetan Orchard Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, 435 Orchard Rd., 6235-8177.
Robinsons Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Rd., 6216-8388.
Tangs Orchard, 310 & 320 Orchard Rd., 6737-5500.
True Colours, #B1-13A Ngee Ann City Tower B, 391B Orchard Rd., 6736-2973.

With the weather soooooooo unpredictable these days (rainy one moment, and supremely sunny the next), we don’t know whether to dress up or down anymore. But one thing’s for sure—you can’t ever go wrong with a pair of shades. They go with just about everything (except perhaps a thick wool jacket in the middle of the night), and they make fun accessories too. Here are our picks of the latest and most stylish sunglasses on the market.

Karen Walker Eyewear
Since its launch in 2005, the inaugural Karen Walker Eyewear collection has been worn by numerous celebrities including Beth Ditto and MIA. But star power aside, the pieces are naturally contemporary, mod and likeable. Plus, they really are well made. The shapes are never predictable, fused together with the highest quality acetate, hardware and lenses, and completely hand crafted for that artisanal touch (apparently, each piece passes through 200 pairs of hands before it’s completely finished). Never mind that they may look like props straight out of The X-Files or Josie & The Pussycats, each of these babies is made using a mix of both standard and spring hinges, and all are actually more comfortable than they look. Modern luxury has never felt so good. $350 upwards from Front Row (#02-09 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6224-5501).

999.9
Those who are looking for something even more premium must not miss out on cult Japanese eyewear brand 999.9’s latest Spring/Summer drops. While the focus here is craftsmanship, the brand does not compromise on design. Pieces are specially made to fit more Asian features, such as lower and smaller nasal bone structures, and crafted using lightweight (and sometimes bendable) titanium ($680 upwards)—available in a myriad of colors, including hot pink, leopard print and sensual turquoise, exclusively at Shinagawa Optical (#02-15/16 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Rd., 6735-5665). But if you’re looking for that perfect piece, check out the deliriously durable $6,000 version, handmade with carbon fibers and available in a classic shade of dark blue.

Frency & Mercury
While its full collection may not be here yet, hot Japanese sunglass label Frency & Mercury’s piece to beat is its collaboration with the estate of Michel Jackson. Available between $450- 550 in very limited quantities exclusively at Front Row, the collaboration, dubbed “Story Teller,” features six color variations of its original Bar Belezza model—based on the signature teardrop shaped model made from pure titanium and acetate that MJ himself sported when he was still alive. But what makes this special is the exquisite packaging, which comes with a special signature black case and box bearing the image of the great man—a must for hardcore fans. Plus, the deceptively simple design of these shades is cool and accessible to just about anyone. This could actually give Raybans a run for their money.

House of Harlow 1960
For no-frills sunglasses with a touch of glam, head down to Inhabit The Other Store (#02-16 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd., 6836-8441) for your fix of Hollywood heiress Nicole Richie’s sunglass range for her label House of Harlow 1960. Specially created for the budget-conscious fashionista who dreams big, the collection evokes vintage LA glamour for just $209. We especially like the Cassie model, which comes with a gold necklace embedded onto the rim of the shades. For something more classic, try the Cary version, reportedly a personal favorite of Richie herself. Who cares if these plastic sunshades are a little flimsy, if you’re star struck all the same?

We hate it when good, cheap eats go commercial. So we set our taste buds on an expedition around Singapore to find hawkers who aren’t hot on the radar, just yet. But these places are too good to stay hidden much longer. So eat up, before they hit the guidebooks.

1. Ban Mian at L.32 Shou Gong Mian
Stall 32, Lorong 32 Geylang, 558 Geylang Rd.

The stall: The youngest of the lot, Benjamin Xia, 30, and Shirley Ng, 28, actually used to sell drinks before they took over the previous ban mian stall owner. They now make their own noodles daily.

The dish: These homemade noodles have just the right thickness and are soft and supple (plus they don't stick to your teeth). The soup is light yet flavorful and complements the fresh and slightly sweet prawns and extremely crispy fried anchovies. But the best bit is the chili, a mixture of blended and chopped chilies, which is delightfully spicy.

The damage: $3-5.50

2. Black Carrot Cake at Le Yi Shi Fried Carrot Cake
#01-38, 93 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 Hawker Centre.

The stall: In the heart of residential Toa Payoh, Tan Choi Mui and her elder sister fry up both black and white carrot cake.

The dish: The carrot cake here is chopped thickly, so those who prefer chunky cuts will be pleased. Fried until slightly caramelized, it's evenly coated with thick, dark soy sauce. It’s not cloyingly sweet and is balanced well with the somewhat fiery and sour chili.

The damage: $2-3

3. Briyani at Ali Nachia Briyani Dam
Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, 30 Keppel Rd., 9389-2615.
Come May 31, the stall will move to #02-04, Blk. 5 Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

The stall: Owned by ex-butcher, ex-wedding caterer and ex-football manager Mohamed Ali Latif, who just so happens to be the father of Singaporean footballer Rafi Ali (who occasionally helps out) since 2003.

The dish: A combination of Northern and Southern Indian influences, the briyani here consists of raita, curry with eggplant and potato, mutton and achar. The rice is fragrant but not too oily, and is topped with a generous chunk of mutton that’s amazingly tender when bitten into. The raita is also different from the standard, watery types and is rich and satisfying.

The damage: $6

4. Char Kway Teow at Heng Huat Fried Kway Teow
#01-36 Pasir Panjang Food Centre, 121 Pasir Panjang Rd., 9735-5236.

The stall: Here since 1984, Peter Tan’s the third generation cooking up a storm with his family recipe.

The dish: It’s surprisingly vegetable-heavy, but in a good way. Tasty yet not scarily oily, the crunch from the vegetables (we reckon they'e about 60 percent cooked) mingles well with the softness of the kway teow.

The damage: $3

5. Chinese Rojak at Stall 11 Economic Bee Hoon – Nasi Lemak – Rojak
Stall 11 Sembawang Hill Food Centre, 590 Upper Thomson Rd.

The stall: This 7-year-old stall is hidden in a quiet residential area, but it's worth the hunt.

The dish: Portions here are generous, so come prepared to eat. The fruits and veggies are chopped into large chunks and tossed with you tiao, tao pok and rojak sauce. The toasted you tiao is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a mildly-charred taste, while the tao pok is softer than the you tiao and absorbs the sauce nicely. We particularly liked the zestiness of the sauce, a great contrast to the flavor of the chopped peanuts and the sweetness of the pineapple chunks.

The damage: $3-4

6. Fish Ball Noodles at Da Zhong Meatball, Fishball, Kway Teow Mee
#02-196 Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, 116 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 9646-2094.

The stall: Owner Lim Hoo Kim has been selling yong tau fu since 1975, but stopped in 2009 because of his deteriorating health. He now specializes in meat balls and fish balls, making about 500 everyday.

The dish: The stars here are the springy and firm homemade fish balls, but fish cakes and steamed and deep fried meat balls are also in the mix (all full of flavor). The meat balls are just delish, with a tantalizing pork flavor and slightly chunky texture.

The damage: $2.80

7. Hainanese Chicken Rice at Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
#01-15 Alexandra Village Food Centre, 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1.

The stall: Joseph Seah's been around for 21 years doing what he does best, but it wasn't always easy. He had to borrow money from others to start this stall. Well, it certainly paid off.

The dish: If you’re a lazy bugger, you’ll be thrilled with this find: Fluffy, fragrant rice with moist and juicy chicken flesh. Don’t forget to pile on the delicious, finelyground chili. The soup is also slurp-worthy and has a slight herbal taste (although only chicken stock is used).

The damage: $3

8. Herbal Mutton Soup at New World Mutton Soup
#01-55 Bedok Interchange Food Centre, 207 New Upper Changi Rd., 9181-8037.

The stall: This forth generation family business started out in Kitchener Road at New World, but moved to Bedok in 1998. Current man-in-charge Thomas Ng started helping his father out when he was just 12.

The dish: We know folks who won’t even go near mutton because of the smell. But they haven’t tried the mutton soup here. The broth is both hearty and comforting, while the meat’s not tough at all. The chili has a slight Thai-style sweet and spicy tang.

The damage: $4-10

9. Hor Fun at Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty
#02-33 Mei Ling Food Centre, 159 Mei Chin Rd.

The stall: Open since 1969, Fong Pak Thim and his wife Tham Wai Yee started this back in their thirties to earn a living. They're now in their late seventies. You do the math.

The dish: Chicken hor fun done just right. The gravy has just the right amount of salt to be flavorsome yet isn’t too thick, while chicken slices are tender. But what makes this a real winner are the mushrooms—large, sweet and juicy.

The damage: $3-5

10. Kway Chap at 138 Kway Chap & Porridge
#02-138 Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, 116 Upper Bukit Timah Rd.

The stall: Veteran owner Lee Cheng Chua has been making kway chap for over 30 years.

The dish: This is a tribute to all things porcine, served with tender pork slices, pig skin and pork intestines. The mix of textures is great when eaten with the slippery noodles, salted vegetables and a braised hard-boiled egg all swimming in savory dark soy-based sauce.

The damage: $3

11. Laksa at Wei Yi Laksa & Prawn Noodle
Stall 20 Tanglin Halt Market & Food Centre, 48A Tanglin Halt Rd.

The stall: The food speaks for itself, as it's the most popular dish among diners at this hawker center. Almost every table had Wei Yi Laksa & Prawn Noodle's distinct red bowl.

The dish: The gravy is rich without being too thick, with just the right amount of fieriness. The serving of chicken strips, prawns and sliced fish cakes is generous too. If you’re all about the heat, just throw in more of their yummy sambal.

The damage: $3-3.50

12. Malay Chicken Rice at Lorong Limau Muslim Chicken Rice
Stall 1, 56 Kim Keat Rd., 8400-2206.

The stall: Tucked away at a quiet spot in Balestier, Mohamed Noh has been serving up fab grub for the last five years.

The dish: The serving of fried chicken is generous, the batter light but very crispy, and the rice fragrant and moist. With suitably spicy chunky chili paired with fresh cucumbers and lettuce to cool your mouth, we’re willing to forgive the mediocrity of the soup.

The damage: $3

13. Mee Rebus at Rahim Muslim Food
#01-02 Ah Seah Eating House, Kovan Centre, 9 Yio Chu Kang Rd., 9786-7362.

The stall: Here for the past 12 years, Rahim Haji Saian used to help out at his parents’ stall before taking it over. His winning recipe is a formula passed down from 50 years ago.

The dish: It’s the only hawker we know of that puts satay sauce on mee rebus. The thickness of the gravy is balanced with the nutty taste and slightly chunky texture of the satay sauce.

The damage: $2.80

14. Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle at Lai Heng Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle
#01-62 Ngee Huat Eating House, 51 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, 9620-2074.

The stall: A family business that's been running for 29 years, they moved to their current location about 10 months ago.

The dish: The minced pork is not too soft and has a perfectly chewy texture, while the succulent mushroom slices introduce a rich, savory element into the dish. Top it all off with sinful, scrumptious pieces of pork lard, which melt beautifully in your mouth when bitten into.

The damage: $3-5

15. Nasi Ayam Penyet at Nur Indah Kitchen
Stall 007 Bedok Corner Food Centre, 1 Bedok Rd., 9389-4301.

The stall: Relative newbies, Hajjah Roziah and husband Sakuwan BJ have only been doing this since 2006 but now get through roughly 30 kilos of chili every two days.

The dish: The crunchy yet tender chicken is a winner, and it goes wonderfully with the rice cooked in chicken stock. The chili is both sweet and sour with a kick, but not overpowering.

The damage: $4.50

16. Nasi Lemak at Sheikh Najib Nasi Lemak
18 Rowell Rd., 6245-7134.

The stall: Blink and you just might miss this spot in a small shophouse in overcrowded Little India.

The dish: Start with fragrant and plentiful rice, topping that with some chunky and slightly sweet sambal. The chicken drumstick and wing served alongside are fried to crisp, golden perfection; there’s also fried egg omelet and ikan bilis, served atop a banana leaf-covered plate.

The damage: $3.50

17. Nasi Padang at Hajjah Mona Nasi Padang
#02-166 Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre, 1 Geylang Serai, 8282-6902.

The stall: Maimoonah Mamud has been cooking since 1985. Originally hailing from a stall in Orchard, Lee Kuan Yew personally handed her a place in the old Geylang Serai Market when her husband died.

The dish: It’s a mixture of textures and flavors, both fragrant and colorful. The ayam bakar was especially tender with a smoky flavor, and a perfect match with the power-packed chili padi paste. The urap—fresh, raw vegetables tossed with bean sprouts and grated coconut—is a favorite among customers, and we can certainly understand why. The crunchiness coupled with the coconut flavor is hugely addictive.

The damage: $5-6.50

18. Or Luak at Riverside Good Food
#01-21 Zion Riverside Food Centre, 86 Zion Rd.

The stall: While Zion Riverside Food Centre is better known for dishes like char kway teow, duck rice and fried carrot cake, don't let the lack of an obscenely long line at this nondescript stall deter you.

The dish: Expect a scrumptious eat that’s notable for its excellent execution. We’re talking about an omelet that’s fried to perfection; its crisp, savory exterior is a lovely contrast to fresh, succulent oysters that burst with juicy goodness in your mouth, plus there's pork lard. It almost doesn't need the tangy chili sauce. Almost.

The damage: $4-8

19. Roti Prata at Riyadh Muslim Food
Stall 12 Soon Soon Lai Eating House, 32 Defu Lane 10, 6281-2664.

The stall: Located in a coffeeshop in an industrial part of Hougang, Abdul Azeez sells about 500 pratas each day.

The dish: Just slightly bigger than your palm, the prata’s not too thick or thin. With a golden brown coat that’s crisp and insides that are still soft and fluffy, we could easily wolf down two or more. Have it with their full-flavored chicken curry.

The damage: $0.70-1.30

20. Sup Tulang at Al Kader Restaurant
#01-534, 820 Tampines St. 81, 9004-7030.

The stall: Although most go to the outlet at Golden Mile Food Centre (visited by Anthony Bourdain), residents of the far east know that this one's better—it’s quieter, less hectic, and the more generous portions here make it worth the trek.

The dish: Don’t let the deep red gravy put you off, this is a fab rendition with a strong tomato taste. The meat it comes with is tender and unlike other sup tulangs, there’s lots of marrow in the bone just waiting to be slurped up.

The damage: $6-12

1. Water Front, B795 from Zeen Zone
2. Water Front, B795 from Zeen Zone
3. Water Front, B795 from Zeen Zone
4. Orange umbrella, B695 from Muji
5. Um Cool fan umbrella, B1,190 from Zeen Zone
6. Clear-plastic umbrella, B60 from Daiso

Essentials

Zeen Zone. 7/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-7777
Muji. 3/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-7777
Daiso. Siam Square Soi 3, 02-654-6303