Time to travel

THE holiday season is finally over and we’re all back to business as usual. And, about time too. For this is going to be a mammoth Year Of The Dragon, for me, at least. Looking at my calendar, I already have eight shows lined up, held all over the world. This suits me just fine as it means lots of new places, new experiences, new cultures and new inspiration!

I know it’s going to be super hectic, but I think of it as a blessing to be selected to showcase Malaysian creations to the world.

As you read this, I will be at my first stop – Manila – a city I’ve never been to before. I was invited by the Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF).

Since time didn’t permit the design of an entirely new collection, I am showcasing my ensemble of 12 soft-toned outfits called “The Paradise Within”, which was inspired by the beautiful beaches of Malaysia. I used silk chiffon to represent the soft waves and emerald hues to capture the deep, clear sea. The embellishments on the outfits embody the richness of corals and other marine jewels. The collection also displays Malaysian art through batik which has been carefully entwined in the designs.

Three days after the Manila show, I will be leaving for Islamabad, Pakistan, another new city for me. There, I will have only two days to prepare two totally different collections from the Manila show. I have been invited by the Islamabad Fashion Week to present a solo show with 30 outfits in two different collections. I decided not to show my Islamic wear, but instead, two couture collections: “The Flight Of Life” and “The Enchanting Edo Era”.

The former was inspired by the recent natural disasters and violent conflicts, personifying my empathy for the suffering and pain in the world. For that, I have used images of birds to represent peace, harmony and happiness. I have added some new looks to my initial collection to make up the required 15 outfits. The second collection reflects Japanese fashion history, paying special attention to the complex yet elegant Edo period symbolised by the shogun, samurai and geishas.

I hope I can steal some time off from work during this trip as I’d love to discover some of the rich culture of Islamabad and explore PUTTING on a pair of false lashes can really test your patience. Maybelline has developed a mascara that saves you the hassle – Maybelline New York Volum’ Express The Falsies. It gives a new unprecedented volume. In just one swipe, you get lashes that are fuller and two times more visible, thanks to its exclusive formula and one-of-a-kind patented Spoon Curler Brush which delivers better press, curl and impact. It contains gel matrix to give generous charge and buildability, multiwax blend to help maintain curl, setting polymer for a lifted look and lasting hold, and pro-keratin fibres to fill in the gaps for fuller lashes. Removal is It’s going to be a super hectic year for our columnist as she jet-sets all over the world. its colourful markets. If I can, I’d like to bring back some exotic accessories and textiles as inspiration for a future collection.

From Islamabad, I hop over to Perth, Australia, where I’ve been invited to participate in the opening show of the Perth Fashion Week. I’m really excited about this as I will be showing together with top designers from Australia and other countries. Again, this will convenient as it comes off eas-easily with a make-up remover. To go with the mascara, there’s Masterliner, a creamy kohl eyeliner that glides on smoothly for easy and mistake-proof results. For a stand-out look, opt for Maybelline New York Hyper Sharp Liner, which will bring out the intensity of the Falsies. Price: RM42.90 (Falsies). Available at leading pharmacies and department stores. be my first trip to Perth, and I’m hoping to be able to make some useful contacts to establish links with people in fashion from outside of Malaysia. Some of my Malaysian clients are now living in Perth and I will definitely invite them. This show will not be technically challenging as I will be presenting The Flight Of Life and The Enchanting Edo Era again. However, the schedule is very tight as I have to leave Perth right after my show, giving me one day to unpack and repack for my next stop, London.

This is the second time we have been invited by IFF to showcase in London, which to me, is the most exciting fashion capital. The British are always pushing the envelope. Take the venue this year – the Natural History Museum – imagine having models sashay amid dinosaur skeletons! In keeping with the historical aspect of the museum, I will be taking The Enchanting Edo Era. I feel the vintage element of the collection will complement the breathtaking environment. I just hope they keep the original displays in full view of the audience, and not cover them up with a big backdrop … I wish I could take my son Max along to show him the museum exhibits. I just know he would love it.

After London, comes Stockholm, Sweden, another first for me. And already I’m very excited as everybody has been telling me how fashionable people are in the country that gave H&M to the world. As the show is an IFF event, all the designers will be presenting Islamic wear, which will probably be new to the market. But I am sure they will be very impressed by how modern and wearable, yet modest the different creations are. I am making a totally new collection for this, though I have yet to decide on how and what. I’m still waiting to be inspired!

Then, our sixth stop, Bali. As much as I love Bali, the last time I was there for a fashion show was seven years ago, in 2005, when I was five and a half months pregnant with Max. We’ll be there under the IFF again, and I will probably bring out the same collection as the one in Stockholm. I’m looking forward to having a bit of R&R after the show, to HERE’S another reason to love avocado. Crabtree & Evelyn introduces its new Avocado, Olive & Basil Collection, carefully blending selected ingredients drawn from nature to deliver an ultra-moisturising benefit.

The avocado fruit has long been hailed for its natural healing and beneficial properties, particularly the ability to moisturise and soothe the skin while olive oil, often dubbed “liquid gold”, offers moisturising properties and numerous other benefits. It is the combination of these two fruits with the restorative and aromatic properties of basil that has resulted in a new ultra-moisturising body and hand care range.

Central to this collection is a luxurious Skin Nourishing Body Butter, which has a unique fresh green herbal fragrance that captures the scent of avocado and olive blossoms, basil, sage and Mediterranean herbs, making it suitable for both men and women, all skin types and is formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, propylene glycol, and mineral oil. Price: RM130. Available at all

Crabtree & Evelyn stores. enjoy the beaches and the yummy food (my favourite soto ayam and satay) and, of course, shopping.

From Bali, I return to Kuala Lumpur for the annual IFF showcase here. The theme this year is “African”, which gave me the urge to fly to Africa to source for crazy materials and get inspired. Of course, I can’t afford the time, but I’ve still managed to create an African story by letting my imagination run wild. Check out my new collection photos, to be uploaded on my Facebook fan page in November.

My last stop, for now anyway, will be Abu Dhabi. The dates for this show have not been fixed yet, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed … because this is probably the most appropriate and potentially most lucrative place to showcase our Islamic collection. I once did a private show in Dubai, at a palace belonging to a socialite. The family also owned a jewellery store in Abu Dhabi, and we discussed the possibility of a jewellery designing deal. But that didn’t work out. That trip was in 2009 when Abu Dhabi was booming with crazy-designed buildings in the middle of a huge desert. Somehow, I think now it would be quite a different story, and probably an eye-opening trip.

I will most probably showcase my latest African-themed collection. I’m really looking forward to being able to go on a camel safari into the desert where there will be an elaborate BBQ – like a scene from Sex And The City 2! Just imagine the sight – all the designers wearing their beautiful kaftans having a fabulous party in the desert – under the stars, singing and dancing all night...

But back to reality. In addition to my heavy travelling schedule, I will be working hard to keep my clients happy. And I will still have to produce my prêt-a-porter collection. But I like being busy; it’s a great feeling. I just put the stresses aside and think of the bright side. The only down side to all of this is not being there much for my kids. I will be taking Maya to Manila with me, but I wish I could take them on more of my foreign travels, to broaden their minds and let them see what I do when I’m away. One day, perhaps, when they are a little older…

Meanwhile, please wish me luck for all that I’m doing. I do really need it! And my best to all of you too! n Award-winning fashion designer Melinda Looi tries to marry consumerism and materialism with environmental consciousness, and believes her greatest creations are her children. Follow her on Facebook or write in to star2@thestar.com.my. UNILEVER has launched a line of luxury products for skin and hair called Aviance. The brand is formulated with high grade ingredients, developed by a team of over 6,000 scientists and experts from different fields and nationalities in partnership at Port Sunlight, Britain; Global Technology Center in India; China; the Netherlands and United States, as well as Regional Technology Center worldwide.

There are a few signature variants customised for Asian skin. There is the Resilient Complex Ultimate Smoothing Double Caviar range, a luxury skincare range which harnesses the power of the exclusive Caviar Boosting Complex to help fortify, restructure, hydrate and regenerate the skin.

The Collagenic Lift is touted to be the solution for firmer and more youthful skin. Key ingredients micro-collagen and elastin are said to improve skin’s elasticity while white tea, an antioxidant agent, protects skin from free radicals and stimulates blood circulation.

There’s also the UV Expert range to protect against free radicals from UV radiation and pollution, Men’s Solutions Double Action range, Dermaceutical Acne Target Correcting Serum and Dermaceutical Pore & Shine Correcting Serum. Aviance also has high performance products to manage hair and scalp needs. Available at the Aviance showroom at PJ8 Building, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. For details, call 03-7951 9888.