There are so many things one can be in life.
When i think about it, there are so many roles i play which simply cannot be defined by one simple word (unless you’re willing to accept Fairy).
As a child being asked in school what they wanted to be when they grew up, i consistently answered ‘pramugari’ (stewardess) cos at the time, it was the only role i could think of that was associated with beauty, glamour and travel. Back then the role of stewardess was way more exciting, and there was no internet for me to discover what other POSSIBILITIES existed. (Can you imagine? There was a time when the internet didn’t yet EXIST. Wow i sound old saying that.)
Throughout the past 16 years of work experience (i started odd jobs when i was 16), i tried all sorts of roles and unconsciously carried out a process of elimination to grope my way towards what i would deem the best career i could have.
I was a make up promoter, events usherer, graphic designer, photographer, writer, managing editor, marketing exec, digital strategist, copywriter, emcee, i tried all sorts of jobs that came my way!
The mostly unlikely role that i came to play occasionally was model.
I never felt i was model material, i mean, i still don’t think i am!
For one, i’m fairy short.
Another thing is, i felt really awkward in front of the camera.
I didn’t know where to place my limbs, and what’s my good side.
I just happened to start being asked to model for interviews (cos of the blog) years ago and got thrusted into having to model.
Shot for a L’Oreal feature inNUYOUmagazine
Shot by Marcus of Lensworks Studios for a Louis Vuitton travel feature in Style mag
After posing for dozens of photoshoots; i got less awkward, learnt some lessons, and even tried to challenge myself to pose as good as possible so i could be done and out of the studio quickly.
Some tips i would tell people who are afraid of the camera:
1) Keep making small movements
I learnt this from watching more experienced models/personalities at shoots. They constantly made tiny changes to the angles of their body / face and placement of limbs. It helps everyone on set so much cos there are more different types of shots to choose from.
2) Lengthen lengthen lengthen!
Be conscious of your neck, fingertips, feet, and where legs and arms are angling toward. Making yourself look as long and tall as possible is imperative!
3) Confidence is key
It’s like the camera just KNOWS. If i’m not feeling my best for the day, my facial expressions just wouldn’t go towards the direction i’m asked of and it’ll suck. *I* will suck and then feel even worse after. It’s so important to have some real faith in oneself and abilities till you hack it. It’s about accepting you’re going out of your comfort zone while being scrutinized, believing the camera LOVES you, and playing the role you are given that day.
4) If you don’t have confidence, then make believe
I know it’s hard for some people to be confident in front of the camera. They’d say ‘oh it’s so easy for you, you do it all the time’. Hey, i had to fake it till i made it! I’d play pretend in my head on this persona that i momentarily am while the shots are being taken. Practise the power of your imagination!
5) Being positive
While having make up done, i usually take that time to visualise how AMAZING the shoot is gonna be and how much FUN i’m gonna have with it. You can fake confidence, but you can’t fake vibes.
Cuevolution’s new showroom in Publika has an edgy touch of industrial chic to it. I managed to catch the mastermind behind the brand, Ai Chiin, to learn a little about her new space. She shared that she has kept the setting minimal, to allow the space to be flexible for change and transformation, to suit different themes. We spoke a little more about how the whole idea came about.
How did Cuevolution first come about?
I was formally a scientific researcher in London, focusing on prostate cancer research. I started Cuevolution when I returned to Malaysia and officially launched the website in January 2015. I wanted to share my love for the designers that I had found and I believed there’s a niche to be filled.
Why did you feel the need to expand offline so soon after launching the website?
The point of having the showroom is to enable clients and future designers to experience Cuevolution personally and to see the direction we are heading towards.
What was the idea behind the minimalist approach?
My idea of the showroom was to have it stripped down to its basics, to fully showcase each of the designer’s story and artwork. I wanted a workable space that could host clients, house current and future designers, as well as morph into a studio for work, such as photography. Notable features would be the grills and the lights. Everyone’s ultimate favourite is usually the feature wall 🙂 My fave however, would be the centrepiece (where Melissa, the mannequin, is placed) in the showroom along with my lightbox signage!
The Cuevolution showroom currently hosts 10 designers and artists, based locally and overseas. On the day of my visit, two of the featured designers were around, so I had the absolute pleasure of meeting them.
Shana of AZOOI creates clutches, most which are painstakingly hand-painted by Shana herself. Her collection incorporates a variety of materials including leather, wood, metal and stones. One of the most striking pieces is a luminescent-dyed abalone shell, that comes in a variety of colours and designs. I found the acrylic hand-painted clutches really pretty too, some of which were inspired by the Sakura blooms, fused with abstract art.
The day after i returned from Singapore, was a Longchamp event where KinkyBlueFairy helped out with the PR for by managing some influencers in attendance. This happened two weeks ago btw. Things have been a bit mad cos projects have been back-to-back but i’m rather pleased that i haven’t fallen sick (touch wood!).
Bernie Chan hosted the event, which was to introduce Longchamp’s Spring Summer 2016 collection which will be in stores from February 2016 onwards.
Ridduan Ismail aka TTFGA, Deborah Henry, me, Jonathan Putra.
I look so small next to Deb. I couldn’t be bothered to wear heels to the event cos my body was still aching from It’s The Ship, and i consoled myself that it’s an afternoon event at any rate. I never learn.
JP has been painting a lot these days (besides his acting gigs) which he sells IF he thinks the piece is meant to be owned by you.
I feel like i unlocked a life achievement.
I am now MANY steps closer to being a My Little Pony!
Just before It’s The Ship, i hadn’t found made the time to do my hair for a couple of months… and it was starting to look straggly. My roots were growing out and i thought, “I CAN’T go around in public like this anymore!”
Pushed for a last minute appointment with Centro Hair Salon, where Celine (my usual stylist) wasn’t available, so Han was assigned to me instead. I wasn’t worried, but couldn’t help asking pesky questions on what colour he was going to dye it, and what he was thinking about.
Han and Carson painstakingly divided my thick hair into thin sections to bleach evenly…
Fairy Vader.
It was really heavy by the way! Heaps of people have asked me how long it took to do my hair.
The answer: 8 hours and two stylists.
I never fail to bring my laptop every time i need my hair done, i just pretend the salon is my office for the day; and let them do their thing while i, mine.
Han patiently explained how Centro is using some new products that aid in hair bleaching/dyeing with minimal damage being made to it. There are a myriad of steps that stem from the science of dyeing hair.
Gone are the days where steps were 1) bleach 2) dye 3) wash.
Now they bleach, apply treatment to strengthen hair shaft, tone hair by applying an ash dye so the vivid colours will appear brighter and last longer, treatment, apply dye, heat hair up, etc. I’m probably mixing the steps up but i’m just trying to give you an idea of the amount of WORK that goes into RAINBOW HAIR (it was all worth it tho. Not that i did much).
When i did a bunch of hiking in the States last summer, i was fortuitously offered a pair of Palladium boots right before the trip.
The timing couldn’t be any better.
I was about to go on lots of hikes, and all i owned then were a pair of light running shoes (which i didn’t want to imagine might cause me to slip and plunder to my death off a cliff).
Thank you to Jeremy from Palladium for thinking of me when gifting a pair out.
These shoes were fantastic to me throughout my entire trip.
Not only were they hardy and practical, they weren’t keterlaluan heavy AND came in PASTEL PURPLE.
After my long trip, i was so into the brand that i told myself i’d blog about it so everyone would know about these awesome shoes too! I got the team to compile some information on their AW collection, and attend the KL launch which happened 10 days ago. I unfortunately couldn’t make it to the launch, tho i really wanted to… Am still waiting for a cloning machine.
Palladium was founded way back in the 1920s in Lyon, France, as a manufacturer of aircraft tyres. They were the first to introduce next-level technology at the time which made them the largest supplier of these tyres in Europe. It was only after World War II that they put their expertise in canvas and rubber into creating the iconic Pampa boot. Not long after, Palladium boots became the official footwear of the legendary French Foreign Legion. Their ultra comfy and durable boots soon became the favourite of explorers such as French volcanologist and geologist Haroun Tazieff who wore them throughout his volcanic expeditions!
Palladium maintains its timeless, classic designs with modern twists, incorporating the use of new materials like leather and suede and introducing a wider range of colours. The brand’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection, City Equipped, is designed for the urban explorer. Drawing inspiration from major urban epicenters across the globe including Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles; the classic designs were given updated silhouettes and interesting accents.
Secret bars, underground parties and durable shoes to party in… Who wouldn’t love em’?
The launch of Palladium Boots was hosted at Under9 KL, hence bringing me to the Ming Annexe building on a rainy Thursday evening. It was dark and dingy, and the stairway leading downwards was heavily covered in graffiti.
For a moment there I thought to myself, “What has Joyce gotten me into?” *small flutter of panic*
I went through the door at the bottom of the stairs where loud music was heard playing, and breathed a sigh of relief when i spotted a few guests helping themselves to beer and the DJ just starting to spin.
Around me, there were campaign videos moving on the walls and a whole installation of Palladium’s Winter collection on display. The team did an amazing job! As Palladium was founded in 1920, they used to make tires for the aviation industry. Tires were made by layering canvas bands underneath vulcanised rubber. Years later, the brand has since evolved into creating footwear that is as hardy as their tires were.
As DJs Indiego & Co dropped their beats, I looked around to see a few known faces walking about in their own pair of Palladium Boots – I have selected some of the best worn styles of the night, below! There were also some delicious canapés for us to munch on while waiting for the night’s entertainment. Check out the cute brownies and chocolate cones which has the Palladium branding (edible!) on it. I need to admit that while the chocolate cones were not very easy on the teeth, the brownies were so so good.
These three ladies rocking some of my favourite pairs: Magdaline Wang, our badass emcee of the night; Kittie Yiyi (her mint green boots are my fave!); and Patricia Knudsen in her sporty getup.
