Choo Yilin Artisan Jewellery Inspirations

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shop update: sharp silhouettes by Nuboaix

Nuboaix is the latest brand we've launched on cate and on this lovely friday, we're bringing you a little q&a from the partners, Siyuan and Jessica: 

1. how did the name Nuboaix come about?  
It was very difficult to come up with a brand name, as it has to hold a certain level of meaning to us as the designers; and be unique, not being too similar to other fashion labels. "Nuboaix" is derived from a little pet in our lives, using a play on alphabets. Go figure!   

2. who’s behind the label?  what do you guys do for leisure?  
Us 2 designers Siyuan and Jess - we met in back in school and frankly in Singapore, this is just simply the only way to realise the dream and fuel the passion. Like normal people (haha) we watch movies, animes, sitcoms, dramas stay awake alot then sleep alot. We also play games on PS2 - yeah we are outdated in this part of the world :| sometimes there is mahjong, and then sometimes it's all day internet to feast our eyes on the latest and most hyped everything. I (Jess) read.. he doesn't.. Is bickering applicable here?   

3. what are your sources of inspiration?  
A mix of ideas from watching certain movies, animes or even a quote from somewhere. It's a burst of idea then you kinda forget what it was as we move forward..

4. any muse?  
He would say me! Hahaha.. We wouldn't make them if I am not going to wear them. We want our customers to feel like they are the IT girls when they put on a Nuboaix piece.. without looking like they tried very hard at it. It's an inner feeling that we are going for... so anyone with that kind of attitude is our muse.  

5. who do you have in mind when you design your pieces?  
As above.. but if you are asking who we would like to see in our works - Leigh Lezark to name one... 

Nuboaix's pieces retail between S$60 for their sassy tank tops and S$225 for their sleek sleeveless tunics, and goes up to S$790 for their altogether edgy convertible jeans and dress all-in-one (with conversion instructions thankfully part of the packaging). 

we're signing off with more pics from their fall 2010 'macht' lookbook...have a safe and happy weekend!

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shop update: enjoy 30% off dresses by Capri by Audrey

featuring classic silhouettes and lovingly embellished details, Capri by Audrey is the perfect choice for the modern woman with classic tastes, looking to step into the boardroom and out to cocktails in chic, timeless style. enjoy 30% off these structured and off-duty dresses on cate, while stocks last.

spring 2011: 3.1 Phillip Lim

comprising his trademark neutral palette and lovely experimentation with sheers – both favourites of cate's – is 3.1 Phillip Lim's spring 2011 showing in New York. here are 9 of our favourite looks, via Style.com.

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shop update: Chalk, the right mix of sweetness and chic

Chalk is the brainchild of Singapore designer Priscilla Tan, who recently had a gorgeous new haircut! we digress, but don't you think she looks innocently sultry with that fire engine red lippy?

Priscilla designed for Swirl (formerly at Singapore's Stamford House) for 2 years before making the brave move to launch out on her own at her father's encouragement. two collections on, cate brings you a capsule collection of Chalk's "Dreams of Pandora" high summer 2010 collection. drawing inspiration from fashion blogger Miss Pandora of whom she is an ardent reader, Priscilla has created a style that is based contextually on her own imagination while staying faithful to the classic look portrayed by Miss Pandora. and the result is a lovely synthesis between the whimsical, the feminine and the spirited.

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as always, Chalk's pieces boast modern, sophisticated lines with an intimate attention to fit and detail, where each piece enhances and flatters, rather than overpowers. unique prints, a salute to Priscilla’s background as a visual artist, put the finishing touches on a classy, versatile and fun look. inject the fun back into dressing up with Chalk here and at their shop at PARCO Marina Bay #P2-30K, also known as the PARCO Next Next section at Millenia Walk, Singapore.

shop update: new in! ISAWAN

ISAWAN is the brainchild of Thai handbag designer, Isawan Sutthinark. her lovely handbags fall into that special category of classic-with-loads-of vintage charm. we met up with Isawan while she was in town a month ago and just fell in love with her bags and genuine warmth! asked how she came to start her handbag business, she shared with girlish excitement that when friends and passersby alike clamoured for her sassy and versatile self-made bags that she had created just for herself and her (lucky) sisters, she realised that she was on to something!

ISAWAN handbags have since been regularly featured on countless fashion magazines in Thailand and has even been copied on the streets of Bangkok! for now, cate has told Isawan to take it as a compliment. afterall, that was the same problem Kate Spade faced when they first started taking off!

shop update: Hansel's paper dolly goodness

a collection inspired by paper dolls from designer Jo Soh's childhood, expect to find embroidered fold-over tab lines on the back of Hansel's line of fun, quirky tees, baby doll tops and dresses, a re-interpretation of the classic utilitarian safari shirt Hansel style with their signature bow detailing, and sequined polka dots adding a playful dose of sparkle to tops and dresses.

looking to inject a bit of fun and loads of style into your wardrobe? Hansel's just the thing. shop the looks here.

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shop update: presenting AL&ALICIA®

AL likes tailoring with a masculine edge.
ALICIA likes all things flirty and feminine.
the two of them combined is, AL & ALICIA. a luxurious street wear label that explores the contradiction between boy and girl, bringing the two together into a look entirely its own.

what are you waiting for? shop the looks here.

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shop update: pieces from Glor's luxuriant evening-wear label on sale now!

entirely cocktail and gala-worthy, the glor sale starts today!

sale prices range from S$339-S$679, from S$689-S$1,699 previously. while stocks last. 

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shop update: ck jewelry spring/summer '10 just arrived!

shop update: saturday is coming your way!

we couldn't resist putting up some styles we just shot of the label, saturday. these items will only go up on cate.com.sg come monday. meanwhile, enjoy your saturday!

accessories: vice and vanity, shoes: irregular choice via surrealist love scene

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shop update: Capri by audrey brings you classic silhouettes that'll take you from boardroom to cocktails!

just in! 6 classic silhouettes comprising work-appropriate pieces that can transition seamlessly into evening. limited pieces so get yours now at cate.com.sg!

shop update: enjoy 20% off selected items for hansel's robot girl collection

the hansel sale starts today for these items!

the restello project

just chanced upon these dreamy images of a luxurious residential block that is about to begin construction in Kolkata, India. we love that the Restello combines elements of traditional Eastern architecture with innovative sustainable practices - the steel structure apparently allows for a balance of flowing open living spaces and private rooms, and its perforated steel shutter facade filters sunlight and provides natural ventilation. would love to see more of such architecture in place of glass and concrete!

 
by UK architects Piercy Conner Architects via dezeen.

fashion double take: gallo silk wrap dress and lanvin silk draped front dress

in the style of lanvin's vert (green) silk draped front dress, is our gallo silk wrap dress in molten silver with insouciantly knotted sleeve detail, available for ordering at cate.com.sg.

shop update: yu's zoe tube dress IS multi-wear glamour

we've just added 5 lovely cocktail options by Yu. these nylon jersey dresses are all luxuriously double-lined. and we had lots of fun thinking up ways to wear the Zoe tube dress, shown below:

shop update: song now available on cate.com.sg for ordering!

here's our versatile best seller, Song's pinched dress in 100% cotton. saved from being shapeless by its strategically placed tucks, wear it as-is as laidback loungewear, or cinch it at the waist with a classic belt and channel european chic. available in black and piquant green.

shop update: introducing song

so, we've been busy getting things set up for the launch of eco-chic label Song on cate.com.sg as well as for our upcoming tea party. here's a little introduction of what the label is about, plus a first look at a couple of pieces.  we'll be offering a 20% discount at launch right up to Earth Day on April 22.
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prices range from $59 for silk scarves to $229 for silk dresses. cotton/linen tops and jumpsuits start from $89 and $139 respectively. all quoted prices are before discounts have been applied.

shop update: See you at The Metz on March 27 for an early start to Earth Hour!

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Earth Hour comes on at 2030 hrs on Saturday, 27 March 2010 and we thought to start it early with a tea party. Join Cate and sustainable luxury jewellery designer Choo Yilin for a day of expressing your own love for the earth.

We will be giving 50 sgd cash vouchers for your five best pieces of unwanted office-wear in mint condition. These items will go to young ladies participating in a mentorship and career programme run by Beautiful People. Separately, Choo Yilin Artisan Jewellery will also be giving out 50 sgd cash vouchers for five pieces of sterling silver jewellery or 50 grams of sterling silver scrap. The designer will bring back the silver to the refinery in Bangkok and have it refined and reused for the label's silver work.

We're also unveiling a new ecologically and socially responsible label, Song. Discerning customers will love their design-driven and sustainable fashion pieces with friendly price points. And Choo Yilin launches the Bezel Series, a collection of stackable and layered coloured-gemstones pieces. It’s also an exciting swap from 50% to 99.9% reclaimed sterling silver.

Both collections are going for special prices on Saturday. In addition, there will be lots of other goodies as seen on our website. The details:

DATE: 27 Mar 10
TIME: 1100 – 1800 hrs
VENUE: The Metz
83 devonshire road
#05-01
singapore 239864
RSVP: 26 Mar 10 for catering purposes.

The Metz is accessible via Orchard Boulevard and River Valley Road, and is within walking distance of Somerset MRT Station.

For more information, please contact:
Cate – sharon@cate.com.sg or 9742 8178.
Choo Yilin Artisan Jewellery – info@chooyilin.com or 9451 1010/+66 849 026 409;


Looking forward to meeting you & your friends over tea!

wallpaper double take

 

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lovely wallpaper to transform a room or create a mood with. first three sets are by Turkish wallpaper company Studio Nommo, and the final set of whimsical masterpieces that would perfectly suit your nursery are by textile designer Lilli Cowley-Wood, via decor8.