We have seen many a collaboration between renowned fashion designers with perfumes, but this is truly a first! Chivas Regal recently unveiled the highly exclusive Chivas 18 Alexander McQueen limited edition designer bottle. Alexander McQueen (if you don’t already know) is a highly-acclaimed fashion designer that has dressed everyone from English royalty to Hollywoodland. The couture bottle of Chivas Regal 18-Year-Old Gold Scotch features royal blue leather detailing topped with a Union Jack-inspired cap. Captivating and royale, the limited edition bottle is showcases good taste and luxury.

Fashion trendsetter and multi-talented Denise Keller is the ultimate social butterfly and one happy soul. She lets us in on her experiences of hanging out with Snoop Dogg, being a talk-aholic and why New York City is her heaven-on-Earth.

Denise Keller has a huge, infectious smile. She has lips that stretch wide with every happy thought and sexily pursed when she is in thinking mode. While those lips are no Angelina Jolie, they certainly have a charm of their own. If fact, those lips are surprisingly recognizable. And it is those slender, alluring lips that have launched Denise’s much-publicized career, something that she was seemingly born to do – talk.

Born Denise Lorraine Keller to a German father and a Chinese mother, the iconic face of MTV Asia got her lucky break when she was only 13 at a shopping mall. At an age where girls are experiencing strenuous puberty and acne attacks, a talent scout was signing Denise up at a modeling agency. Like the very “now” Chanel Iman, Denise travelled the world while she was a fashion model, strutting down international runways at New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

These days, most parts of Asia wakes up to the cheerful spirit of Denise Keller. In 2003, she was handpicked my MTV Asia to be a VJ. With a five-year experience in hosting and interviewing courtesy of MTV, she is now one of the most notable faces to look out for in the industry. Her travelling skills prove to be valuable, because she was intentionally sent to New York City to cover the MTV Video Music Awards for MTV Asia.

Now, at 27, Denise has taken on yet another challenging role as the host of Discovery Travel & Living’s new lifestyle series Passage to Malaysia. As a Singaporean experiencing the cultures and traditions of Malaysia, she is reminded of her ancestry and Asian roots as she films the travel series.

For someone as down-to-earth and as likeable as Denise is, it is safe to say that she has experienced far more international stardom than any Singaporean or Malaysian artistes put together – gracing the covers of illustrious magazines the likes of Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, and now Oxygen, of course. She is also sailing in the coveted titles as the ambassadors of timepiece Longines and most recently as MasterCard’s Fashion Ambassador. Needless to say, we will be seeing more of her…

Which is better or more fulfilling, modeling or VJ-ing?

Both personas demand different things from me. I’ve been modeling since I was thirteen and have not stopped ever since. It can be quite a grueling process dealing with tight timelines, hair and make-up team, fashion director, photographer, stylists, etc. Being a VJ, on the other hand, would require more wit, fun spontaneity on the MTV set, and expecting the unexpected. Both jobs, however, demand my full concentration and commitment to the set and the behind-the-scenes team to ensure that all efforts put into every shoot, every episode would be enjoyed by the audience from beginning to end. It’s been a challenging ride but very fulfilling and satisfying to be able to find my balance between both personas – which explains why I still love it!

You’ve modelled all over the world. Which is your favourite city and why?

No matter how many times I get asked this question, it’s always tough to answer because I love so many cities! I find Asia extremely vibrant and dynamic – one can witness renovation works constantly in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, almost everywhere. I have to say Tokyo rocks my world, as well as New York City. Both fashion capitals are phenomenal cities – fashion mecca, and ultra glamourous celebrities and celebrity wannabes. The fashion statement is daring, un-boring and forward. In NYC especially, the bright lights and massive career opportunities shone right in my face after winning Ford Supermodel of the Year in Singapore in 2000. Meeting Eileen Ford, Prince, and Dalai Lama, and auditioning on the famous Fifth Avenue was an undeniably awesome experience. Since then, I visit the city that never sleeps every year for an extra heavy dose of the inimitable New York City experience.

Since you appear on TV all over Asia, you must have a lot of fans. What’s the weirdest / creepiest experience you’ve ever encountered with a fan?

This may sound very strange to some people (well, maybe not the bomb squad) but I have always been apprehensive about opening boxes. It’s baffling to me, I have no idea why! Maybe the CSI and Heroes shows may have had their effect on me. I usually receive a lot of boxes which house lovely gifts from fans and friends. The boxes are wrapped in beautiful paper and huge bows, but the whole box concept freaks me out. Yet I love the gifts in them – what a dilemma!

Did you have to hone your hosting skills or were you born with the ability to simply chat away?

Since I uttered my first word when I was barely a year old, I have never stopped talking. Loquacious – yes, that’s one apt word to describe me. But I enjoy listening and observing when others talk too – it can tell you a lot of the person’s values and traits – such as honesty and down-to-earth quality – traits which I value very close to my heart. But I digress; back to the mic… I can say that hosting has become something I do naturally. It looks easy but honestly, there is a lot of technical aspects to look out for, on top of maintaining the audience’s attention, creating an appealing social atmosphere and accurately delivering my scripts which have to be memorized. Also putting celebrities and personalities at ease in front of the camera, and cajoling their real selves to come to life onscreen, you’ve got to be ready and think on your toes, and create instant chemistry. No one ever said it was easy!

As a veteran VJ, you get to interview and hang out with superstars ranging from pop to rock to hip-hop. Who, in your opinion, is the best interview subject?

I’ve been with MTV for five years now… gasp! Time really flies by when you’re having enormous fun on the set day in and day out. Superstars, let’s see… Snoop Dogg – I hugged and giggled like a little girl when I first saw him, which made it quite obvious that I’m a big fan! Run DMC, I remember, had really cute shoes; Beastie Boys were unforgettable since we shared a common recreational sport – yoga; a smooth ladies’ man is Shaggy and his unmistakable swagger; Interpol – we talked about netizens, specifically those who may be mentally challenged; and the list goes on.

Being selected as a host for Discovery Channel’s Passage to Malaysia must have been a breakthrough. How did you prepare yourself for such a challenging role?

Stocking up on all kinds of books on Malaysia helped tremendously. Also, my grandmother, whom I’m very close to, is Malaysian. She was born and raised in Negeri Sembilan before moving to Singapore – a blessing for me since I grew up on Masak Lemak Lada Api – spicy syiok! The tender chicken chunks with loads of chili and tumeric go down well in the tummy with soft white rice. Rice is an Asian staple which is especially delicious when eaten with coconut-based Gulai Kuning, another Negeri Sembilan favourite. Mouthwatering local dishes, kampong stories and grandmotherly love for the past twenty-over years have truly prepared me for this new role as a host on Discovery Travel & Living.

Now that you know Malaysia so intimately (more than most Malaysians ever will in their lifetime), what do you think is the “ultimate Malaysian experience”?

I’m definitely not an authority on the ultimate Malaysian experience – I’m still discovering the country and its hidden secrets. What I can definitely vouch for are the people. They are big-hearted and full of warmth and love for their environment and the community. Therein lies the beauty of Malaysia. And of course, not forgetting the homecooked Asian food, with specialties found in every city that never fails to satisfy the tummy and the palate.

What’s your most memorable experience while shooting Passage to Malaysia?
Shooting Passage to Malaysia has opened up a whole new world for me. What fascinates me is studying orang utan poop, achieving tao with leeches and drinking tuak like it’s going out of style.

If you were given a chance to meet someone famous dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Elvis – do I need to explain more?

Do you have a muse or someone who inspires you?

My soulmate. The industries we’re in are diverse – me, fashion, and him, business and finance. Yet, we share amazing chemistry and are able to find humour in daily life. He’s spontaneous, extremely funny and witty which allows me to laugh at myself and grounds me by being content in the little things in life.

Has fame changed your lifestyle? If your fairy godmother gave you a chance to turn back the clock, would you?

Fame is annoying at times, but I treat like it like another four-letter word. Focus on it too much, and you might just lose touch with reality. Ignore it, like I do, and you become the sole designer of your life experiences.

Fashion wise, do you pick out your own outfits or you’d rather depend on a stylist?
I always believe that working with the stylist produces a closer working relationship and better results, than allowing a stylist to work for you. Being closely in touch with the fashion industry, and being an avid shopper myself, I have developed my personal sense of style – classic, comfortable and chic. Less is more, so I describe my personal vision of how I would like to present my look for each public or private event, or TV show to the stylist – who is Calvin (Cheong) for this shoot, for example. With the stylist’s professional advice, we develop a wardrobe that both parties are happy to use.
What do you do to relax? Your lithe figure totally says that you are a yoga practitioner. Are you into it as well, like a lot of famous faces are?

I think famous and not-so-famous people find yoga a very relaxing form of exercise. I’m no exception, having been loyal to it for close to ten years now. Reading is also a favourite pastime of mine, as well as boxing, soothing foot rubs and body massages, and chilling out with friends.

Are you a beach babe or a city slicker?

A hybrid, most definitely! That of a country bumpkin and a city slicker.

Your cure for a hot day?

Cold lemonade soda with crushed mint leaves and a good book always calm the nerves, and put me on lounge mode. A light afternoon snooze helps in amp-ing my energy for the rest of the day. And the one thing I can never do without is Sloane Clinic’s Superlift Program which utilizes the light lift laser that tones and firms my skin without any redness – which is perfect for my crazy schedule as there is no downtime and my day goes on without a hitch.

Give us some tips on travelling / packing light.

Ration yourself to one versatile outfit per day. It really depends on your trip though – the destination, duration, activities, and who you’re going to meet, business or pleasure. If it’s for work, throw in a pair of pants, a smart shirt or blouse and a business jacket which looks serious enough in meetings, yet can be transformed into dinner wear by taking off the jacket, and adding a lariat necklace or an interesting piece of jewellery. Work with a maximum of two pairs of shoes – one for walking and heels for everything else. Add to the very short list a pair of jeans, two basic tops, a dress and bikini that can be easily rolled up and stored into the inner compartments of the hand luggage, and your cosmetic pouch and you’re all set for a summer weekend getaway!

Who would you choose as your travelling companion?

Bear Grylls – host of Man vs Wild. He makes any fish out of the water tasty. The only thing I can’t do is drink my own piss to survive.

Is there a movie or song that reminds you of summer?

Off the Florida Keys, there’s a place called Cocomo Boys,
that’s where you wanna go to get away from it all….CO-CO-MO….

Bodies in the sand tropical drink melting in your hand

we’ll be falling in love to the rhythm of the steel drum band
Down in CO-CO-MO….

You’ve come a long way in the entertainment industry. Looking back at your career, is there anything that you would have done differently?
I live life with no regrets. Life is a journey to be travelled and explored without any inhibitions. So don’t hold back – live and let live.

She has hundreds of thousands of fans all over the world. She has been interviewed, photographed and quoted in international publications. Her blog receives millions of hits daily. Fashion model she is not. What she is, however, is a teen queen who is amassing hoards of followers universally on her shoe-loving website.

At a mere 17 years of age, Jane Aldridge is nothing like your typical teen. Hailing from Texas, USA, she has killer looks that can make any heart melt and a slender figure that fills up her designer togs nicely. Her good genes come courtesy of mummy dearest Judy Aldridge, a former Japan-based fashion model and now clothing designer and vintage retailer at Atlantis Vintage. Jane is used to showing off her idiosyncrasies and original style in eccentric clothing selections and tasteful footwear.

If anyone is going to be crowned the “Teen Queen of Shoes”, then Jane would win hands down. As an author and creator of her blog “Sea of Shoes” (http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/), she has single-handedly collected a wide mass of computer-literate fans, who religiously follow her fashionable travels (most of the time with mum), bargain-hunting experiences and of course, new shoe purchases, through short story-telling paragraphs and photo essays. Grown women, teenage girls, and even a few men have dropped comments on her posts – all combining bliss, agony and envy for a sweet, young thing who has accomplished so much, all for the love of shoes.

A peek into Jane’s shoe closet will have any shoe-lover turn green with envy. She has what one would call a “Sea of Shoes”, literally. In here, one can find styles that are exotic, vintage, avant-garde and always chic, ranging from brands like Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Stella McCartney, Givenchy, etc. Her collection of shoes is artfully parked in their own showroom – her bedroom closet and awaits her daily selection.

Jane’s obsession with shoes will definitely lead to one very obvious and very promising conclusion – her very own fashionable shoe line. Though she has confirmed that she is working on it, she remains tight-lipped about her plans. Her idea of “not getting too dressed up” is of herself wearing a MIU MIU lace skirt and delicate Chanel bowtie ankle-length booties. Talk about a fashionista! In this e-mail interview, we speak to Miss Jane Aldridge herself on what inspires her and to also get a few pointers on what it takes to be uber-stylish like her…

What was it that made you obsess over shoes?

I’ve always been a collector of beautiful objects-not just shoes. It’s a behavioural habit! Shoes appeal to me because each shoe has a life of its own – its personality is communicated in its form.

What is your general style preference?
To look dignified without taking oneself too seriously.

What is your most interesting or most loved fashion purchase to date?

A pleated Dries van Noten skirt my mom bought at Stanley Korshak in Dallas in the eighties. Dries is one of my favourite designers and the skirt is from one of his first collection. It’s a piece with sentimental value and integrity.

What are your favourite fashion brands?

Martin Margiela, Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Threeasfour, Rodarte, Henrik Viskov, Bless, Undercover, Hussein Chalayan…

How many pairs of shoes do you currently own?

Probably around 70 pairs. My favourite is a blue and white ombre Martin Margiela cowboy ankle boots.

Who is your style icon and why?

Tina Chow – she was a passionate collector of vintage couture and had an incredible collection. I’ve never, ever seen someone as regal or sophisticated as she was. It’s sad that she is no longer with us.

At such a young age, most teens are balancing school work and boys but you’re focusing on your passion for fashion instead. Is fashion any different from regular teenage pastimes?

Not to me, it isn’t. But then again I guess I wouldn’t know – I’ve never felt like I fit in with friends my age. I just feel lucky to have a passion that is inexhaustibly interesting to me, and has so many viable outlets of expression.

On your blog Sea of Shoes, you are seen wearing shoes from fabulous designer brands – from Givenchy to Stella McCartney to Balenciaga. Not many can afford such luxury. Is money not an issue?

I’d rather not answer this J

Does it take up a lot of time to maintain your blog? It seems that you update it on a regular basis.
Yes, it takes up an enormous amount of time mostly because of projects that I’ve taken on in connection with it, along with the never-ending barrage of e-mails. But I enjoy it very much!

What fashion item do you think is a classic?
Levi’s 501’s for sure.

If we happen to be lazy to traipse the malls, tell us where to hunt for good bargains online.
Yoox.com – such good deals from designers who are hard to come by!

Being picked to be featured on TeenVogue must be a dream-come-true. What were your thoughts then?
I was way nervous – excited, but nervous. I found it hard to believe they were actually going to come to my house. But when it happened, it was so much fun and my nerves went away immediately.

How did your friends react when they saw you in TeenVogue?
Needless to say, they were very excited for me.

Do your mum and sister share the same tastes in clothes and footwear?
My mum does, absolutely. She has her own blog (atlantishome.typepad.com). I often say that my mum is my only fashion friend. We’ve bonded so much over our love of clothes and shoes. I got my collecting habit from her. My sister has great style but she’s much more conservative than I am, but she ALWAYS looks extremely well put-together. She is not as interested in fashion as my mum and I are, but she still loves to shop. She has her own hobbies – she’s a fantastic cook and a scrupulous organizer. I always wish I had her work ethic – I don’t know anyone as task-oriented as Carol.

What would you be found doing if you’re not shoe-hunting?
Looking for cool stuff on the internet, hanging out watching Dynasty with my mum and my sister, going to shows on the weekends… boring things!

We’re positive many young girls your age would be so jealous of your trendy personality. Does this bother you?
I’ve never experienced jealousy over my clothing with my friends. None of my friends are interested in fashion and if anything they’re a bit embarrassed to be seen with me when I’m all dressed up. But if someone was jealous of me, it would bother me. Jealousy is a repulsive personality trait.

Do you get guys falling head over heels for you? Have you ever encountered a nasty pick-up line?
Oh my god, no! I hardly ever have guys hit on me where I live, and most of them think I look like an alien anyway. Haha!

You’ve found fame in your own small way. If given the opportunity, which designer would you most like to collaborate with?
Haha! I wouldn’t be so bold as to think I’m worthy of collaborating with my favourite designers… this question is so hard to answer!

Many thanks to Jane for her photos and interview

As Oxygen shot Ana R for the August cover, the ever cynical Nabila Nasir discovers why it’s really hard not to like the Hong Kong based supermodel over a conversation of fashion, sugar rush and the reality of modeling.

It was a hot scorching day enough to make a dessert out of KL and there I was circling Shamelin Perkasa in Cheras, over and over again, desperately looking for the studio they were shooting Ana R at for Oxygen’s August issue’s cover. By the time I found the shoot location, I was sweaty, grumpy and so thirsty I could out-drink a camel.

Prior to that, researching on Ana R led to a bunch of articles – all gushing about how she is beautiful, smart, and oh-so-sweet. I thought, right, they were probably written by male writers looking for points. I also pondered the fascination of these model types with one word last names, coming up with a few nasty possibilities of my own to what R could probably stand for if it wasn’t Ana Rivera. We just love to hate the beautiful, don’t we?

As I sat and probed the Spanish-Korean tall drink of water and got past the initial stage of introduction, I realized that all those articles were indeed, true.

She really was all that, and perhaps a little bit more.

Born into a family of a Spanish US military father and Korean homemaker mother, Ana and family moved around a lot every two or three years from one army camp to another. As a kid, Ana was shy. But a seemingly yet another normal day at her dance school when she was just 14, where she was discovered, would prove to change the rest of her life, taking her on a jet-set life of fashion and modeling.

With over ten years of experience as a fashion model, she started her career in Europe working the runways and various print fashion spread.

When asked about the competition between fashion models in Milan, she answered, “I wasn’t really competition to the rest of the girls. Cause I had a different look altogether. The rest of the girls had blonde and blue eyes. We weren’t in the same category. We had looks that appealed to different markets and we all went to different casting. So they didn’t really pay any attention to me, like, they didn’t really see me as competition.”

“But is it really bitchy though, the modeling world?” I explored the question further. Her reply was simple and sincere. “It is a little bit bitchy, a little bit not. I am mostly nice to people, so people tend to be nice to me too. Other models have an aura about them. You know, they walk in and they go like, look at me, I’m a model kind of aura. Not me, so probably that’s why people are less bitchy to me.”

“Tell me about your best modeling job ever,” I queried.

“Hmm, I was a model guest and dancer at Andy Hui’s concert. I had to dance for one of his songs, the same song that I did a music video for. It was a really huge stadium, and there were god knows how many thousand people, and I was very nervous. But he was so nice; he said just keep looking at me, look at me and you will be fine. And that’s what I did. That has got to be one of the best ones,” she replied.

“What about embarrassing moments on the job? Was there any?”

“Oh my god. There was this one job, it was SO embarrassing. My best friend and I still laugh about it till today even though it happened a few years ago,” she said, laughing.

“So tell me about it!” I said, curious.

“Okay, it was at this catalog shoot in Taiwan. The photographer was coming to me really near with the camera and he kept saying no problem, just relax, just relax. And he kept telling me to relax. So I relaxed. And then I farted. I turned red immediately and everyone laughed, especially my best friend who was doing the shoot with me. I could hear some people whispering oh my god, was that really her?”

“Okay, that was really funny. I can’t believe you farted in front of everyone,” I smiled, appreciating her honesty and zest.

Broaching the subject of reality TV shows in the likes of America’s Next Top Model, Ana believes that they disillusion girls who are aspiring models as the modeling world is much more strict that what is portrayed on the screen and ironically, very unrealistic.

Ana is also a little bit of a style guru, helping her friend with a little bit of styling at a boutique in Hong Kong and plays dress up with her best friend Lisa S, model and Channel V VJ. “I do have a lot of really random and different things in my closet that I collect bit by bit. And I mean a lot. So my girlfriends love coming to my place before an event to pick something out.”

She is the model with a soul, musing her travels instead of the clichéd glossy pages of fashion magazines so many hail as their style bible. When she travels for shoots or leisure, she takes inspirations from the flea markets and off the beaten path of the cities she visit, citing Barcelona as one of the most beautiful, moving places she has ever been.

In terms of style development, Ana admitted not having much money growing up, so she had to be creative with her choices of clothes, mixing and matching whatever clothes that she could afford in her size. If the clothes did not fit, her mother, who was also a seamstress, had to alter them for her or make a new one. Now that she could afford to splurge, she indulges in shoes, saying “I love gladiators. I just bought 2 pairs last week, so they better not be on their way out anytime soon! I have over 120 pairs of shoes. I even had a cabinet made especially made from China to fit into my wardrobe. I was so excited about it when it arrived.”

A self-confessed sugar addict, Ana doesn’t go anywhere without a packet of candy with her. Naturally, it wasn’t a surprise when she tells me that someday, she wants to own a coffee lounge with a chilled out ambience, serving delicious cupcakes. Although her mother wants her to take over the family dry-cleaning business, Ana has already started looking at lots to make her coffee lounge dream come true but have not found a suitable location due to Hong Kong’s price of properties.

“If you had a daughter, would you encourage her to become a model?” I asked.

“No. I would prefer for her to get an education first before anything else. I did it because I wanted to help my family. We didn’t have that much money so I did it because of that. And I could continue studying now, but it’s really hard to go back to school after you’ve done a whole bunch of other things. I tried to, but it didn’t work out. So if I had a daughter, I would make sure she would get an education before she wanted to do anything else.”

“What about your advice to aspiring models? What would you tell them to get to your level?” I said, closing up the interview.

“Be nice. Be confident. Always walk into a room with a spark. And don’t forget to eat. And eat healthily. It’s not healthy to not eat. You get really cranky. Most of the models I’ve met are moody because they are not eating, and they are hungry. So if they get bitchy with me, I always tell them to have a Twinky or something.”

“A hungry woman is an angry woman?” I quipped.

“Exactly,” she concluded with me.

As the interview ended and the shoot proceeded accordingly, I finally figured my own alternative for the R in her last name. Evidently, in the fast moving, often-dubbed superficial world of fashion and modeling, Ana Rivera remains grounded and real. That’s what the R in her name stands for, she is Real.

HP SPACE, the most anticipated pan-Asian reality television series set to debut on Star World and Channel [V] in November, flings open its digital audition doors on September 1 at www.hpspace.com to begin its hunt for Asia’s most exciting up-and-coming creative talent. For a shot at fame and fortune, the chosen candidates must use the latest, cutting edge product innovations from HP to battle it out over eight episodes. The winning contestant will walk away with a grand prize of US$50,000 as well as a fully paid job on the production team of Bubblegum Crisis – a blockbuster remake of the cult anime classic.

The new reality television series is the latest platform for Asia’s aspiring talents to cultivate, nurture and showcase their passion for creativity and the arts. Through a series of weekly creative challenges, contestants will be tasked with sharing, learning, working and competing together, supported by a platform that offers an avenue for individuals to express themselves.

To be on the show, applicants must submit a one-minute long video pitch at www.hpspace.com and showcase their creative flair, articulate their passions and achievements and demonstrate their area of expertise. Leading industry authorities will then shortlist 36 contestants, who will be asked to attend live auditions in China, India and Singapore, from which 12 lucky candidates will make it to the finals.

In China, contestants will be drawn from HP’s “My Computer My Stage” (MCMS) youth campaign, an existing program now into its 3rd wave allowing youth to express their inspiration to create and desire to connect and share. Short listed winners from MCMS will be invited for live auditions for HP SPACE and stand the chance to compete in the reality show.

The final 12 contestants will be flown to Singapore for the filming of HP SPACE where they will work with well-known creative gurus from the world of design, film, advertising, music and art to bring their creative expressions to life.

David Searl, STAR’s Senior Vice President of Content Partnerships and the Executive Producer of HP SPACE commented, “The auditions for HP SPACE offer a truly inimitable chance for creative talents across Asia to step up and shine on a regional stage. If chosen, they will have an opportunity to work with their highly skilled peers and gain valuable insight from mentors, who are assembled from among the elite in their respective creative fields.”

Contestants must be over the age of 18 and submit their application at www.hpspace.com by midnight on Sunday, 27 September.

Press release by Hill and Knowlton

Great-looking and radiant skin is a top priority in today’s lifestyle, where first impression matters. The condition of the facial skin is a dead giveaway on how well one maintains his / her skin. Also, the skin is exposed to all kinds of negative elements such as dirt, grease, germs and pollution which are the root for the appearances of wrinkles and lines. It’s no wonder that the skincare industry is booming!
Joining the ranks of the skincare business is iS Clinical® from America. iS Clinical® is the ultimate skin rejuvenation and anti-aging product line, with unique treatments that repair and revitalize the skin. By using the power of antioxidants and effectiveness of hydration, iS Clinical® produces visible results. It is reported that Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlize Theron, Renee Zellweger, Kristen Stewart, Will Smith, Ryan Seacrest, Zac Efron and Kevin Costner are users.

All iS Clinical® products are designed to promote healthy skin function and durability. With ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid to bind moisture, Glycolic Acid to resurface and renew, and Retinol to boost skin density, iS Clinical® proves that skin can look picture perfect. A best-seller for matured skin is the Youth Complex which is clinically proven to simulate the production of collagen and elastin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

iS Clinical® products are strictly available by prescription only. For a list of clinics that carry the iS Clinical® range, log on to www.innomed.com.my or call 03-79659198.

At a recent beauty show held in Bangkok, members of the media got to preview the upcoming Fall/Winter Czarinna collection by Swedish brand Make Up Store and writer Nabila Nasir managed to sneak a few questions to the founder and CEO, Mika Liias. She was delighted to discover his social awareness, his love for diversity and his commitment in creating an alternative world of colours.

How involved are you in the formulations and developing the tools and packaging of Make Up Store?

I am very involved in creating the colour palettes, as well as everything else. I do research from all my travels around the world, try to take in what ever that I see from women I meet and infuse that diversity into Make Up Store products when I talk to our manufacturers.

What do people ask you most about beauty and what is it about beauty that you cannot stress enough, even if you have said it a thousand times?

People like to ask me women’s common mistakes when applying make up. And I can’t stress enough that all these women, they are not wrong, they just don’t know how. That is why Make Up Store strives to be a teaching brand. We want to be able to give the knowledge to women about make up, not just sell it to them. Also, I would advise women to be more open minded and not be afraid to experiment. Learn the techniques. It’s free. Go to several make up counters and ask questions. Never be satisfied with just one answer.

Environmentally and socially, what are the ethics of the brand?

Our products are made in the same process and thought that are put into pharmaceutical pills. We are very sensitive to the needs of women. So our products, the Microshadows for example, can also be used by women with sensitive eyes and those who wear contact lenses. Our colours don’t lie. What you see on the product is what you get against your skin. We don’t do animal testing. In Sweden, we pay for the recycling of our packaging. Of course we want to do much more in the future. Everything is still in planning; they should be able to firm up by next year. We will have more in store by next Spring. I can’t reveal any more than that. Just wait.

Who is your favorite international beauty icon and why?

I would have to say, Madonna. She has a very strong personality, she is constantly reinventing herself, she redefined the word “beauty” altogether. She has opened many doors for women and she is also a shrewd business person. All those time people think she is crazy, but all the while she was playing with them.

What is your favourite part of the job?

This part is clichéd, but it’s true. I love meeting people from all over the world, people of different cultures. Seeing the way their cities work and the way they live. It gives me inspiration to make the brand better for everyone and not just people from my own country and culture.

Aging gracefully or Botox?

Let’s face it; we all don’t want to be old. But I love to see older people. I think lines are wonderful. They signify all the experience people have gone through in their lives. If it is so important to them, then people must start taking care of their skin from young. But it is not my place to tell people what they should or shouldn’t do. This is just my personal opinion.

Double eyelids or not, the eyes are the windows to your soul. These watery pools are the most important of the five senses, allowing us to see beautiful things in our surroundings and to express various emotions. This is particularly why ladies (and some gentlemen) pay so much attention to their eyes whether in cosmetic or aesthetic form. Mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadows in an assortment of textures and colours are invented to beautify the eyes and to create a stunning gaze for the wearer.

Before this, many shun away from wearing glasses as this gives an impression of a nerdy personality – thanks to Clark Kent and his Superman alter ego. In this day and age however, eyewear has taken an interesting turn, with many fashion designers providing their personal touch to designing eyewear. One such designer is our very own Melinda Looi. Melinda recently launched her first eyewear collection under her diffusion label MELL.

MELL offers a colourful range of fun and surprising casual tops, bottoms and accessories. The diffusion line of the pricier Melinda Looi couture garments has been a vehicle for the designer to offer fashionable designer wear at an affordable price. The eyewear collection follows MELL brand ideas characteristics and offers innovation and quirky design fundamentals. Rather than boring black, white or silver that is often seen in on eyewear, each optical frame is offered in six interesting colours. “Colours that are used properly have the ability to complement skin tones and completely brighten up your features,” says Melinda.

The very unique colour, dubbed “MELL green”, is an iridescent, metallic, moss green shade and can be found in the eyewear collection. Another unique feature are the holes located at the ear-rest, created for the wearer to hang small accessories or earrings from it as a new and fun way to get creative. Right now, the collection focuses mainly on eyewear and plans to include sunglasses at a later stage.

MELL’s adorable eyewear can be dressed up or down and can be worn to work, school or play. The eyewear will be available in optical boutiques nationwide and will come packaged in a chocolate-brown hard-cover case with an embossed MELL logo with a fun, printed micro fibre bag inside for glass care.

Come to think of it, glasses nowadays go beyond just functionality. They create a statement and an identity of the person who wears it. Through eyewear, we are able to express our individualism through a simple but distinct blend of plastic, metal and glass. It’s time we learn not to resent the fact that we have to wear glasses but to embrace it as a fashion statement that moulds and frames your personality.

We look forward to see what Ms. Melinda Looi has in store for us in the coming months.