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.

counting our blessings

today is International Women's Day! a high-five to the ladies : )

so what might this day mean to you? cate suggests:

1) taking time to count your blessings if you live in a country where women are treated as equals
2) giving mum a hug and kiss for raising you
3) appreciating your girl pals in some crazy cheeky or sweet huggy way
4) giving to a cause that seeks to redress the imbalances faced by women who are disadvantaged in rights and opportunity, be it in education, healthcare and/or voice...and the list goes on.

Go on, do something!

lovely blooms via Claudia Kay Photography.

fall 2010: richard nicoll

soft tailoring and modern separates by Richard Nicoll for AW10, via trendland.

man and woman

 

by Paperwhites Photography via once wed.

the karen artisans at work

i won't be the least bit surprised if you've never given a moment's thought to what goes on behind-the-scenes in the production of your jewellery pieces. these days, jewellery is most often casted as opposed to being handmade. in this post though, you'll get to see the Karen artisans at work with their metal of choice - 99.9% silver, also known as fine silver:

fine silver has an extremely high silver percentage, though after working with it, there is a slight contamination with the elements which brings the actual silver content down to between 95-97%. In comparison to the international 92.5% sterling silver, fine silver is very much softer and more malleable, and also more tarnish-resistant. the nature of the artisans' handmade work is also such that no two pieces are completely alike.

 

doing this series on raising awareness for the hilltribe community's way of life though, has brought back a long ago memory of my maternal grandfather as a silversmith. on our once to twice-a-year school holiday visits back to the sleepy Malaysian township of Seremban, the curious child that i was would often stand at his side watching him work at his desk, firing up the blow torch, pumping with his feet, and heating and hammering away. then the hiss of cooling metal, and the process repeats. of course, i'd get bored and head off to play, and sometimes, if i was lucky, i'd come back to him again and get to see the finished product : )

lovely belts

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young designer Adam Lippes' fall 2010 show in New York caught our attention for their outfit-anchoring belts, via Style.com.