Now after the tinsel from the Christmas tree has settled and the clock hands have countdown the last remnants of 2011, we take a look back at the year that was – the trends that were, the new shops that have carved their mark in the retail landscape and our biggest hits of the year.
This Was the Year Of…
There were tantrums and tears in the tumultuous year which kicked off with John Galliano shoe-in-mouth controversial anti-Semitic statements. It was also a year of extremes as seen in the two biggest names that dominated 2011. The first, gender-fluid superstar Andrei Pejic, who ended the year in a war of words when he fronted a female underwear campaign, and the other, the walking self-described “decomposed corpse”, Rick Genest, who had a stellar year fronting Thierry Mugler’s campaign and strong associations with Lady Gaga.
The world bid goodbye to two icons who left an irrevocable mark on modern day style. While she may have spent the latter part of her career precariously straddling the line of Most Stylish Female British Acts and Hot Mess, the passing of Amy Winehouse undoubtedly touched every single one of us who has ever attempted a thick-winged eyeliner and beehive combo. While it’s not uncommon for men to create great legacies in fashion and style, what was striking about Steve Jobs was how big a mark he left not being directly involved in the industry. Instead it was his technological savant that delivered us this generation’s most stylish gadgets and thereafter, apps, which we cling on in great memory of.
Happy tears (or was that just me?) flowed at the Royal Wedding as Kate was pronounced William’s wife. While Kate Middleton‘s style icon status has remained a divisive topic so far, her unorthodox choices of doing her own make-up on her big day and selecting Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen for her dress has proved to be bold. Perhaps this is the dawn of a less traditional, more trend-setting monarch?
We Had Good Chats With…
It was with great nerves and high-pumping adrenaline that we had an exclusive phone interview with Scott Schuman whilst flying the flag of Team Fabulosity with Kimora Lee Simmons. Our very first featured TIC Man, Rudolph Christopher La Faber, also went on to be crowned Esquire Malaysia’s Best Dressed Man of 2011, which warranted a small little ‘I told you so’ smirk amongst the team.
Best Shopping of 2011
There was a host of new labels and brands that added much spice to the region’s shopping arena and these are the ones that have undoubtedly left a stamp on the scene, forever altering the region’s shopping arena.
1. H&M whetted the appetite of style-struck Southeast Asians; first, with the first store opening in Singapore and secondly, the prompt delivery of the Versace X H&M collaboration collection.
2. Tesco Malaysia proved to be a force to reckon with with their foray into cool designer collaborations, if unimaginatively named, with local legends. Hari Raya saw the introduction of A Limited Edition by Melinda Looi Exclusively for Tesco, while the year-end party season brought on versatile dresses ripe for styling with, you guessed it, A Limited Edition by Michael Ong Exclusively for Tesco.
3. In the local designer retail scene, a new fashion concept store, The Twelve, chronicled the best and brightest in Malaysian design by showcasing 12 upcoming designers as selected by Malaysian International Fashion Alliance. Beloved local labels Chic Yamada also finally debuted a physical location to house their signature brand of colourful fun with a new store in Bangsar Village 2 while thirtyfour introduced their new bespoke store at Publika that is a veritable wonderland of accessories galore.
4. 2011 will go down as the year the power of the people was harnessed to bring in shopping discounts in this millenium’s version of shopping coupons. Group purchasing websites like Groupsmore became international names, as thousands flocked to buy deals that included travel, food and beauty amongst countless others. The downside which I bet, we’re all realizing now, is the large amount of spam that takes over your email inbox.
5. In beauty talk, Malaysia finally received its first Sephora in a gorgeous crystal pavilion along Jalan Bukit Bintang and Singapore was the recipient of some very luxurious skincare, as Lush Cosmetics touched down in the island state.
Along the way, Malaysia also enjoyed the introduction of Spanish high street darlings, Bershka; American Wild West icons, Wrangler Jeans; budget-friendly Payless Shoes; Michael Kors, both the store and a visit from the designer himself; as well as luxury flats in French Sole.
Best-rated Style Guides
1. Top 4: Vintage Shops in Malaysia
Pack your best mates into a car and set off on a roadtrip around Malaysia as the vintage vixens from Thr5t share their best shopping tips.
2. Five Ways to Style Yourself Modestly
The rise of the Hijabnistas and a greater appreciation for conservative chic brought about these modest style guide from blogger Ami Schaheera.
3. How to Pack: Long Weekend City Trip
The only packing guide you’ll ever need for to ensure every vacation is done in style.
4. Playing Stylist: Ed Hardy
We set out to prove that a brand’s reputation is no antithesis of style in this cheeky playing stylist edition.
5. Five ‘Plus-Size’ Style Tips Debunked!
Guest writer, Jiar Hwei from famed plus-size shopping site, Trendy Confessions broke down the myths and added her tricks to embracing style with curves.
Best-rated DIY Guides
1. DIY: Accessories Rack
Using simple kitchen tools, create your very own rack to keep your accessories in order.
2. DIY: Sheer Skirt
A dominant trend in 2011, we showed you how to DIY your own sheer skirt in this simple tutorial.
3. 4 Ways to Curl Your Hair without a Curler
Have fork, pins, hair tie or rags, will curl, in this easy-breezy hair DIY guide.
4. Quick and Easy Hair Fixes from 1-20 Minutes
Whether you’ve got one minute or ten, here’s a guide to make sure that every hair strand is always in place.
5. DIY: Kimono-Inspired Jacket
Another trend that breezed into wardrobes in 2011 was the kimono jacket, and here’s a how-to guide to make your very own.
So what lies ahead in 2012? If we’re to look into our fashion crystalball, we dare call early favourites for upcoming Australian music star-in-the-making, Kimbra, the upcoming Marni X H&M designer collaboration, and the front-runner trends, the mullet skirt as well as the sexy high slit in skirts. We also swear by these 10 resolutions for the new year for self-improvement starts first from within.
What do you think?
