* Written by Weng Yee *

One Friday Joyce and I had the pleasure of attending Cuevolution‘s Official Launch Party at The Studio at KL in Publika. Cuevolution is a online boutique founded in July 2014 by former scientific researcher Lim Ai Chiin. The launch party was an opportunity for everyone to have a look at some of the pieces being brought in from around the globe; as well as meet the designers behind them speak about their collections.

Cuevolution brings in international designers Christina Sabaiduc and Rory Hutton from the UK, and Maricel Pamintuan from Brunei. The platform also teams up with local designers Shana Azooi of AZOOI bags, Cassey Gan, and Valerie Yap of Valkyerie Jewellery to produce pieces exclusive to Cuevolution.com.

Joyce, Ai Chiin, and I. Ai Chiin is wearing one of the scarves as a top from Christine Sabaiduc’s collection.

Christina Sabaiduc (on right) caught our eye right away with her mesmerizing silk piece.

Christina shared with us about how she collaborated with photographer Jo Holland, who specialises in light based dark room photography, to create images which consisted of close up shots of seemingly average objects around.

The process involved using an enlarger in a dark room to expose the pattern straight onto photo film without the use of a camera.

The artwork on this dress was created from frozen contact lens solution. As they were ‘taking’ the photo, the solution was slowly melting thus creating movement – something that can’t be recreated thus giving more life to it.

Christina aims for versatility in her pieces, and exemplified various ways in which one could wear her silk robe. Cleverly-placed loops, and drapes in sheaths allows the piece to be worn long and short, tied to look casual or formal, and even into a pseudo playsuit with shorts!

This lilac silk top is based on crustaceans found along the shores of England, and can be worn as a different silhouette with the use of a hidden zipper inside. Ingenious!

The same print artwork is replicated into a scarf, which is so much more beautiful when appreciated in person. The pure silk piece carries a certain weight that gives it a soft voluminous shape when draped on the body.

Part of the scarf collection, where each one has its own story to tell.

The AW14 Collection.

I LOVE this dress. It has such a fiery feel to it.
Would you have guessed that it’s actually a close up of balsamic vinegar?

Website: cristinasabaiduc.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CRISTINA.SABAIDUC
Instagram: @cristinasabaiduc
Twitter: @sabaiducstudio
Shop on Cuevolution: cuevolution.com/collections/cristina-sabaiduc

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Rory Hutton‘s quirky bowties were one of the most eye-catching accessories in the room that afternoon.

After completing his course in Fashion Design, Rory decided to venture into men’s accessories. Having fond memories of his grandfather wearing bowties, Rory decided to pay a nod towards his family’s heritage, including the usage of Irish linen for all his bowties.

His unapologetically chirpy bowties feature different prints or designs based on season, and have even been picked up by London’s oldest shopping establishment Fortnum & Mason.

Honestly at first look I had no idea what those adorable little pompom like things were until I asked Rory who very kindly told me that they were lapel pins (he must have thought I was a Neanderthal -.-). Oh if only more men/boys in the world would wear them (or maybe it’s just the people I know who don’t wear them). I think they make a change from the usual suit and tie.

Bowties are just the beginning of Rory’s venture into the fashion world as he wanted to start small but he is planning to come up with apparel designs in future, so keep a lookout for him!

Website: www.roryhuttonlondon.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/roryhuttonlondon
Instagram: @roryhuttonldn
Twitter: @roryhuttonldn
Shop on Cuevolution: cuevolution.com/collections/rory-hutton

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Cassey Gan is a Malaysian designer who serves as an inspiration for everyone to never give up on their dreams. The Australian degree holder in Engineering decided to break away and pursue her passion for fashion by starting all over again from the bottom. She realised that the only way was to return to her studies, started her fashion journey from enrolling herself in Foundation year in art. She graduated from London College of Fashion where her graduate collection was one of 25 collections selected by LCF for its external press show.

Cassey’s “Onyx-themed” Samurai reinterpretation of her Series 5 collection is exclusive to Cuevolution.

An unusual selection of fabrics sourced from Japan, Indonesia and other parts of the world were used for some of the pieces.

Cassey will be opening a new showroom in Taman Desa at the end of February.

Website: www.casseygan.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/casseyganstudio
Instagram: @casseygan
Twitter: @casseygan
Cassey Gan on Cuevolution: cuevolution.com/pages/cassey-gan

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Prior to this launch, Cuevolution partook at Seek & Keep at Bangsar Shopping Centre and one of the first things that caught my eye were the clutches. These exquisite works of art are by Azooi bags, the brainchild of Shana Azooi.

Most of their clutches are one-off pieces that are fully hand-painted. Shana explained that the clutches were pieces of art in their own right, so much like how paintings speak to people, her clutches too would appeal to each individual differently. 

A closer look at their latest clutches. SO GORGEOUS!!

Azooi also has a line of clutches made from seashells (ref: black clutch in background above). The brand has also started producing hand-carved wooden clutches, and is in the process of producing leather bags.

Website: azooi.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/azooiofficial
Instagram: @azooiofficial
Azooi on Cuevolution: cuevolution.com/collections/azooi

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Valerie Yap of Valkyerie Jewellery is a graduate of Sir John Cass School of Arts, London; where she studied jewellery design and silver smithing. Her current fan series is inspired by the traditional Chinese fan dance and its movements, and designed exclusively for Cuevolution.

Their largest piece is made from gold plated brass and perspex.

Valerie showed us how the jewelry’s fan ‘pieces’ could be adjusted to be worn facing up or down, or even as a single entity. Its flexibility gives the wearer the freedom to style the necklace as they see fit.

Valerie designs custom pieces, so if you have a preference in different metals from gold, she’s willing to oblige.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ValerieYapJewellery
Instagram: @valerieyap_jewellery
Valkyerie on Cuevolution: cuevolution.com/collections/valkyerie-by-valerie-yap

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Last but not least in the line up of designers is Maricel Pamintuan from Brunei. We didn’t manage to chat with her as we were rushing back to the office (work is never over =S) but she recently made her debut at the 2014 Mercedes Benz STYLO Asia Fashion Week, and captured the attention of British Vogue online.

Maricel’s line is coming soon to Cuevolution.com and I can’t wait to see what they’ll be bringing in. The fashion scene in Brunei is still young so Maricel is set to pave the way for more talent.

Website: www.maricelpamintuan.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialmaricel
Instagram: @maricelpamintuan
Maricel Pamintuan on Cuevolution: cuevolution.com/pages/maricel-pamintuan

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Other pictures from the event >

Cuevolution founder Ai Chiin being interviewed by NTV7.

Joyce and Ai San who is also wearing a scarf from Christina Sabaiduc‘s collection.

Jeremy Teo, Joyce, and Calvin Chong from Tatler

Amy of The List mag

Joyce with Hubert and Ken of Ken’s Apothecary

Joyce, and Ellie of My Apparel Zoo.

I’m excited for Ai Chiin and what she has grown Cuevolution to be in such a short space of time. Bringing new talent in and giving them a space to grow and emerge is no easy feat. Looking forward to seeing what else she has in store for us =D.

Website: cuevolution.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cuevolution
Instagram: @cuevolution

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