tragicallychic

Pan's Labryinth Building in Waseda

2012-02-12T00:16:00.000+08:00

Konichiwa Konnyaku

2012-02-06T22:01:00.000+08:00

I am always intrigued by konnyakyu jellies... They taste good and look so so so pretty.

I Want To Run Away

2012-02-02T21:44:00.003+08:00

fashion gone rogue

InAisce Spring 2012 Campaign. Chen Shuo by Xi Sinsong.

Sometimes, I am so tired of everything... so jaded. I just want to go somewhere far away and live alone and away from the ways of the world. You know what I mean, right?

Snip and Sew

2012-02-01T11:19:00.000+08:00

This necklace reminds me of the good old times when things were simpler. I've included a fine sturdy pair of scissors to match the beautiful little sewing machine.

Available at Etsy and the shop.

Meiji Jingu (Shrine)

2012-01-30T00:06:00.000+08:00

Subway Take Me Away

2012-01-28T16:05:00.000+08:00

At first I was mind boggled by the whole subway system. Most of the time I got by through matching the Chinese characters from my English subway map to the maps at the stations. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty okay... I guess? Oh and figuring out the route isn't the hard part. Try not to get lost in the station itself because getting on to the wrong platform-wrong exit-wrong entrance-wrong whatever could mean backtracking another 400 metres and more. It really reminds me of how small Singapore is!

Green with Envy

2012-01-26T23:21:00.000+08:00

Old School

2012-01-24T19:40:00.000+08:00

This traditional confectionery shop has been around the block for a while. During Chinese New Year, they get really busy and you have to squeeze and queue to get into the shop. When I went, it was almost closing and people were literally trying to get their hands on the cakes and pastries still. While my aunt joined that brigade, I just admired the interior.

Chinatown in Chinese New Year Mode

2012-01-24T10:56:00.000+08:00

Welcome to the mayhem of paraphernalia, food, customs, superstitions and must-dos, must-haves for Chinese New Year. During this period, Chinatown will suddenly become interesting again and people will pack the historical streets for some festive shopping, or like me, just to enjoy the crazy festive vibes.

P.S. If you see lots of dragons, it's just cos this is the year of the Dragon.

Means of Coping

2012-01-15T07:12:00.001+08:00

Last I checked, my life is still running on toxic rubbish. My current means of staying afloat includes 2 daily staples: Watching Kabuki actor Bando Tamasaburo on YouTube and reading Hark! A Vagrant.

You see, this is how it works. I'll read Hark! A Vagrant first, because it's so damn witty and funny and so that obviously makes me kinda laugh and feel happy. You know I'm a history nerd, right?

Then, I'll watch Kabuki on YouTube because Tamasaburo does Kabuki SO beautifully and watching him makes me feel so calm and quiet (I think it actually helps me get some sleep).

Hark! A Vagrant

This is the real deal. It doesn't get any better than Kate Beaton. A real history lover who does witty comics. Kate Beaton, I love you and I so totally joined your fan club.

comic images from harkavagrant.com

Kabuki

2 weeks ago in Tokyo, I went to watch Kabuki and I am totally in love with it (and I'm not being flippant!). I will ramble more on Kabuki in another post. I just discovered the brilliance of Tamasaburo Bando. Just promise me you'll watch the video, okay?

Place Your Order From The Vending Machine

2012-01-14T00:37:00.000+08:00

I wonder why in Japan you order ramen from vending machines?

Serenity in the City

2012-01-11T21:50:00.000+08:00

After stumbling out of the hustle and bustle of Takeshita Street, I walked into this serene place. I think it's a craft/cultural centre? It was closed for the New Year unfortunately.

Shibuya Crossing

2012-01-11T18:00:00.003+08:00

Stand in the middle of the Shibuya crossing and take in all the people, the adverts and the energy.

A Lucky Arrow For The New Year

2012-01-10T15:35:00.000+08:00

These arrows were selling in every shrine and I just had to have one too.

Quo Vadis?

2011-12-28T23:22:00.001+08:00

Tomorrow I fly off for Tokyo.

Maybe I don't sound psyched. But I really am. Maybe because this would probably be my last post for 2011 and one can't help feeling pensive.

Not especially since 2011 is my Annus Horribilis.

And that is all I shall say on that matter. I will look forward, hope (if I still believe in hope) that the new year will be better. If you've guessed from the ~~tinge of bitterness~~ post title, yes, I do feel somewhat lost.

Aren't we all fools capitalizing on life's misery and what better way to get lost in beautiful Japan?

So I'm totally watching Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation (again) tonight. I bid all you wonderful readers a Happy New Year and I hope to share photos taken in Japan. To end this last post, I leave you with a couple of movie stills and a particularly lovely old video of Julie Andrews singing Auld Lang Syne.

With love,

Lizzie

Christmas Swap with My Thrifty Closet

2011-12-28T12:41:00.001+08:00

How did your Christmas go?

Am I not a lucky blogger with these lovely gifts? I took part in this Christmas swap started by the wonderful Lakota from Faith Hope and Charity.

I got paired with this super talented fellow-Singaporean blogger (woohoo!), Mongs from My Thrifty Closet. She made the cute wreath and the zip pouch with my name sewn on it! And as if that wasn't super enough, she even added a sweet thrifted camisole and a beautiful Paul and Joe purse!

I really LOVE the gifts! Thanks sooo much, Mongs! You should totally start a craft shop going :)

Music Monday - Let's Start From Here by Joanna Wang

2011-12-18T22:03:00.003+08:00

All I Want For Christmas

2011-12-13T17:22:00.001+08:00

.... is a nice work space...

Because right now I work quite pitifully on a breakfast table propped on my bed... And my materials are kind of stashed all over my room and not very convenient to access.

Anyway, it's impossible to create a space for my dream work space because I live in a shoebox room JAMMED to the MAX with my books, shoes and clothes (I've long run our of space for clothes and shoes). So before I can save up enough money to move to a bigger place... All I can do is dream....

Memento...

2011-12-11T22:06:00.001+08:00

One can only look back on the past.

Memories just like time, only slips through your fingers...

That indescribable feeling, that loss of being unable to hold on to permanence.

Life is transient.

May our memories be beautiful... For we cannot escape the tinge of sadness.

With a heavy heart, I look back at the memento.

It whispered...

'Remember me.....'

The Memento Necklace is available at the shop and Etsy.

Where the Wind Will Take Me...

2011-12-11T20:10:00.001+08:00

Topshop kimono jacket, American Apparel sheer dress

Christmas Is Here

2011-12-01T21:30:00.001+08:00

I've been so busy that I've kind-of forgotten that it's Christmas. I know, how sad right? *hangs head in shame* I'm making up for it by playing Christmas songs on an endless loop and going big on the Christmas decor... Including in the office since I spend so much time there.

Currently Watching - 步步惊心 Bu Bu Jing Xin

2011-11-27T22:20:00.001+08:00

credits: koala's playgound

So as you know, I'm a history geek... Imagine my glee when I heard about this Chinese drama, 步步惊心 Bu Bu Jing Xin. In short, its about this modern day girl who gets sent back to the Qing dynasty (yay!) and gets entangled in the famous 9 royal princes' battle for Emperor Kangxi's throne (woo hoo!) I'm just going gaga over the gorgeous historical sets and costumes... and of course the bevy of suave princes. By the way, my Mandarin/Chinese is really poor... I actually watch it with English subtitles :)

I'm Still Here.....

2011-11-27T21:01:00.001+08:00

Dear tragic ones, yes I've disappeared again because life has become increasingly tragic for me. Work is killing me, literally... I'm seriously overworked. Well, life's sometimes like that right? I REALLY look forward to my break in late December.

During the little time I spend in the comfort of my room, I made some random jewellery to keep myself sane and happy while watching my everyday 30 minutes of therapy-drama (currently a historical Chinese drama, Bu Bu Jin Xi 步步惊心)...

I love Botticelli's painting, The Birth of Venus... I also found a little shell locket like the one Venus emerges from in the painting to go with it...

Botticelli Said Venus Was Her Name Necklace

Shop

Etsy

Remember the post I did on my childhood crush, the Duke of Windsor? I got inspired and made a necklace...

The Man Who Gave Up His Throne For The Woman He Loved Necklace

Shop

Etsy

And awhile back I finally found a portrait that I thought could go well as Elizabeth Bennet form Pride and Prejudice. I still use the painting of Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in the 1995 BBC version. So I can finally pair them up!

Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet Pride and Prejudice Necklace

Shop

Etsy

and some

Fancy Cake Rings - Floral, Chocolate and Cherry

Shop

Etsy

Oh dear... at this point I'm starting to mumble incoherently... I need to sleep... Sigh.. I'll be back!

Lots of xxxx, Liz.

Giveaway Winner - Jem from Beautiful Clutter

2011-11-27T20:54:00.001+08:00

and the winner is....

Jem from Beautiful Clutter!!!

Woo hoo! Congrats, Jem! I'll be contacting you shortly on mailing the jewellery to you :D

My Teenage Crush - Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor

2011-11-19T09:11:00.000+08:00

Who was your childhood/teenage crush? I had a major crush on the Duke of Windor when I was 12.
Bad boy, dandy and diehard romantic.
He did after all, give up his throne to be with the woman he loved. Fairytales are made of stuff like him and his dreamy eyes.

Tragicallychic Giveaway! Patty Porcelain Tea Set Earrings and Necklace

2011-11-13T20:34:00.000+08:00

I am massively excited because this is the first ever Giveaway I've done!!! *Squeals*

I'm giving away the above Patty Porcelain Tea Set Earrings and Necklace (worth USD$38) from my shop tragicallychic // tragicallychic@etsy

Dainty miniature porcelain tea set made into a set of matching earrings and necklace. The earrings are made of the little teacups and saucers. The necklace is made of the teapot, sugar pot with lid and a cupcake! Necklace chain is adjustable.

This giveaway is open to EVERYONE internationally and item will be sent via registered shipping (Yippeeee!)

All you need to do is LIKE tragicallychic's facebook page HERE and leave a comment in this blog entry that you've done so with your name and email address.

The winner will be randomly picked by me, so stay tuned to the blog for the result :)

This giveaway closes on 12 am/midnight (GMT+8:00), 20 Nov 11.

Ziegfeld Girls

2011-11-05T14:20:00.000+08:00

So all I want now is a fingerwave perm, crimson nails, a long lustrous strand of pearls (it has to be only pearls and like uh at least 3 feet long). I will also need fur boleros, heavily embellished sheer fabrics (again, the longer the better), a fringed kimono and perhaps, a feathered fan.

Oh! and a chaise lounge to recline on and look infinitely dysphoric.

Girl With A Pearl Earring

2011-10-31T21:22:00.002+08:00

I love Vermeer's masterpiece and I'm really happy to be able to make them into wearable art. The Girl With A Pearl Earring is available at the shop.

Music Monday - Chaiyya Chaiyya

2011-10-31T02:24:00.001+08:00

*click on the 'cc' logo for English subtitles.

I didn't think it was too polite (mayhap boring) to keep jamming you dear tragic ones with a vintage music clip every Monday, so today I share an alternative music genre that I also listen to: Bollywood movie soundtracks!!!

I grew up watching Bollywood movies and this particular song, in my humble opinion is one of the best Bollywood songs/music video. Chaiyya Chaiyya is from a Hindi movie called Dil Se and honestly, I didn't really care for the movie 'cos it was a tad too serious for me (at this point, Bollywood purists would have started throwing rocks at me) BUT, it has a pretty kickass OST which I still proudly own.

So, back to this music video. Reasons why Chaiyya Chaiyya rocks:

#1 It was composed by A R Rahman.
A R Rahman is probably like 20th century Mozart. Prolific and a music genius (most of the popular Hindi movie soundtracks come from this dude). Oh my I can't stop gushing about A R Rahman.

#2 It has the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan.
Its SRK. Need I say more?

#3 Malaika Arora is in the music video too.
Just watch the video and you'll see why

#4 Everything happens on top of a moving train.

#5 The choreography by Farah Khan is amazing.
Especially since its on a moving train.

#6 Talk about waxing lyrical, Bollywood lines and lyrics are ALWAYS poetic.
Check out the lyrics to this song

This is Beauty

2011-10-30T11:10:00.001+08:00

Lost Splendor

I love this arresting photo from the Ziegfeld Follies so much, I must print it, frame it and place it somewhere in the house where I can admire her beauty everyday.

Breakfast by the Beach

2011-10-24T16:35:00.000+08:00

Music Monday: These Boots Are Made for Walking by Nancy Sinatra

2011-10-24T10:42:00.003+08:00

P.S. I've been super caught up with work and other nonsense and promise to get back to your comments soon!

P.P.S. Check out those killer dance moves in the video!

Music Monday: Moon River by Andy Williams

2011-10-17T20:33:00.001+08:00

The past week has been just CRAZY at work. My job is as crazy as it is and every now and then it goes a notch higher. I've been working like an energizer bunny on steroids. Except I'm not on steroids and I'm no energizer bunny. So everyday I crawl to bed at 2 am with a headache and eyeballs that feel like they are going to pop and wake at 7 am to go through the same routine ALL OVER AGAIN.

At this juncture I'd love to shout a couple of expletives to express myself but I'm so damn tired I'm just going to shut up and shut down. So here's some Moon River by Andy Williams (it can only be him) to calm down my freaking frazzled nerves and help me unwind and hopefully sleep a bit better tonight.

David Garrett at Avalon

2011-10-15T20:31:00.000+08:00

Pride & Prejudice by Marvel Comics

2011-10-13T04:45:00.002+08:00

Have I mentioned how much I love Pride and Prejudice? Well anyways, I got this Marvel Comics version and I thought the comic covers took a really wicked modern spin on such a Jane Austen classic!

Pretty Packaging

2011-10-10T12:56:00.000+08:00

I really have this obsession with pretty packaging. I hand stamped these recycled kraft boxes for the shop.

Pedder Red Studded Brogues

2011-10-08T14:50:00.000+08:00

Day of the Dead

2011-10-04T21:06:00.000+08:00

All About Eve dress, Valleygirl slip, MNG clogs, God Save the Queen bracelet, Day of the Dead clutch.

Candy Box

2011-10-02T01:31:00.000+08:00

I ~~know~~ think I have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I love things neat... Anyway doesn't it look pretty? Like a candy box!

He's a Pirate

2011-10-01T19:19:00.000+08:00

So if you had no idea who that dishy bloke I was raving about....

More Dresses, Please

2011-09-30T22:34:00.000+08:00

Tragic Ones, I am once again on the verge of spending money. I've recently come across some pretty Ellos dresses...

Ellos pink dress

Because I love the simple cut for office-wear and how well the pink goes with the black stockings.

Ellos peach ballerina dress

It looks so ballerina-ish and once again, so simple.

Ellos white crochet dress

You know me and the whole crochet-thingy. This is super cute!

David Garrett

2011-09-30T00:14:00.000+08:00

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

I won tickets to watch David Garrett's showcase in Singapore!!!

I don't know which is more more exhilarating, winning something for the first time or being able to watch this incredibly eye-candyish violinist perform live. Probably BOTH!!!

Muahahahaha........ I'm super psyched!!!

Sydney Snowglobe

2011-09-25T15:13:00.000+08:00

Got it at the airport in Sydney while waiting 4 hours for the transit flight back to Singapore. Just for the lovely memories there.

The Ronettes - Be My Baby

2011-09-25T12:09:00.000+08:00

Hair for F/W 11-12

2011-09-24T21:36:00.000+08:00

Centre-parted

Looser braids

Ponytails

I think I can be certified handicapped when it comes to hairstyling. I am told that one of the things people remember me for is my messy hair. Trust me, they don't mean it in an artful-out-of-bed-tousled-look compliment way. So while I was in Australia, my vanity told me to buy a ghd straightener. Which I did and it kind of looks like this:

A nifty little gadget that I wish someone had made me buy WAY EARLIER! For perhaps the first time in my life, my hair resembled something that like came out from my hairdresser. So I'm pretty stoked and I'm going to try to attempt something like the pic below.... with the ghd straightenter (cause-you-need-straight-hair-for-this-look-damn-it) and hairspray. You can check out more of the ghd straighteners at the ghd website.

photos via here and here

Surfers Paradise

2011-09-21T13:14:00.000+08:00

Gold Coast

2011-09-20T23:05:00.000+08:00

Man I love Gold Coast! Stayed at the new Hilton which I cannot stop raving about it. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to visit any of the theme parks or do anything else other than stay near the beach. All that occupies my mind now are schemes of how to go back there SOON.

Sydney and Brisbane

2011-09-19T13:51:00.000+08:00

I had an amazing week on a whirlwind trip to Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast. The weather was just perfect, cold yet sunny with lovely blue skies, unlike the year-round sweltering heat in Singapore. Pretty much did a lot of walking around on my own. Stayed at the Sheraton near the Darling Harbour which was fab because every night was walks to the harbour and eating conspicous amounts of super seafood that sadly did not make it for picture-taking before being devoured. Oh and shopping at the harbour - more on that later. Met so many wonderful people with such infectious sunny dispositions. Its hard not to love Australia.

G'Day Mate!

2011-09-19T12:14:00.004+08:00

Just got back from sunny Down Under!

Fancy Wallpaper and a Modern Shower

2011-08-31T22:15:00.000+08:00

thehousehome

I LOVE IT.

Vintage Gaga - New Coming Soon

2011-08-29T12:40:00.000+08:00

vintagegaga

Misty Miller x Burberry

2011-08-20T18:28:00.000+08:00

Isn't she just perfect?

Vogue Italia's In the Mood For Love

2011-08-14T11:33:00.000+08:00

eclecticflies

Steven Miesel's interpretation of In the Mood For Love for Vogue Italia Oct 01. Amber Valletta looks mighty fine in the bouffant-do and qipao-style dresses.

Lazy...

2011-08-12T06:53:00.000+08:00

In Love With... Burberry Spiked Bag

2011-07-23T14:29:00.000+08:00

Its a man's bag. But who cares, really. It looks like it can fit the whole world in it and still bite you back. Its so fierce, I completely heart it.

The Supremes - Baby Love

2011-07-19T22:32:00.000+08:00

Music those days was just so good

Off the Wall - The Forbidden City

2011-07-18T23:45:00.000+08:00

Miu Miu A/W 2011

2011-07-11T14:32:00.000+08:00

Yes. I would also love to lie splayed on the floor, surrounded by beautiful glitter shoes by Miu Miu.

Keane x Burberry in Beijing

2011-06-29T21:44:00.000+08:00

singing Somewhere Only We Know at the Great Wall of China:

This is Awesome

2011-05-10T17:01:00.001+08:00

If I had a wedding, I NEED to HAVE cherry blossom trees.

Shoe Woes

2011-05-01T14:08:00.002+08:00

Uh oh.

Yeah, like the Leaning Tower of ~~Pisa~~ Shoes.

Help! Where can I find another shoe rack that fits???!!!

P.S: DO NOT ask me to give/throw away my shoes! Out of the question! :(

Random Japanese Food Display

2011-04-20T17:14:00.001+08:00

If you didn't already know, I LOVE Japanese food big time. I could probably eat it every single day of my life without getting sick of it. I have a fascination with these plastic/resin? Japanese food displays. This one here amuses me because they must be pretty old since the rice in the sushi rolls have yellowed. Check out the cucumber ones! Tsk tsk.

Recent Gold

2011-04-18T04:47:00.001+08:00

Necklaces: Pearls (gift from mum), Marc Jacobs Daisy Clock Necklace, 3-chains charm (gift from friend)

Bangle: Lions Roar (shop in Cineleisure)

Earrings: Mum's vintage Chanel.

Rings: My Pet Goldfish ring, Dior Heart and Key ring, ASOS tiara pinky ring, Spiderweb ring (gift from friend).

Furla Candy

2011-04-08T23:04:00.001+08:00

Aaron Carter's song "I want candyyyy".

Yeah, it was really really really tough deciding on the colour. I finally decide on the lime because the colour is so neon, so fluorescent, so schizophrenically happy. And how cute is the matching USB thumbdrive?

Hello Tiger

2011-03-29T11:43:00.001+08:00

Well someone at Pedder Red decided that the following equation rocks socks:

Furry tiger prints + Metal Studs + Rad red tartan lining = pretty awesome flat shoes.

Yay for that!

Tsumori Chisato - CATS

2011-03-27T13:36:00.002+08:00

I love japanese magazines and the cute freebies!

And I'm totally obsessed with those cat sunglasses by Tsumori Chisato.

Chicken Rice Balls

2011-03-19T21:10:00.000+08:00

Vintage Furniture

2011-03-19T21:04:00.001+08:00

I was all hyper and excited at Lorgan's. Its like hello, candy shop! Lorgan's stocks authentic vintage furniture and contemporary copies. Sadly, I wasn't there to buy anything because I don't have my own home and the dough (the things were rather pricey). Anyways, everything was so niceeeeee! I was semi-in love with the kitschy red / blue plastic chandeliers going at $450.. but I really have no more space to fit that thing in my room :(

100E Pasir Panjang Road
#01-03 Century Warehouse, SG 118521

Ge Lan - Jajambo

2011-03-05T21:37:00.000+08:00

via MrHuangHK

Jajambo... Is that how you spell it? I thought it was along the lines of C-h-a.... But anywho, I heart Ge Lan. She's one of my favourite vintage screen goddess. Love this super cheerful-make-you-smile-and-do-the-jig routine.

The Chinese Banquet Painting

2011-03-03T22:22:00.001+08:00

Singapore Places

2011-02-28T13:59:00.001+08:00

Thank You, GQ Korea...

2011-02-24T20:25:00.001+08:00

clockwise from top left: Lee Byung Hyun, Kwon Sang Woo, Song Seung Heon and Jung Woo Sung.

Seriously, I want to kiss the peeps at GQ Korea for this March spread. And perhaps for making me stop in my tracks during work today with all this handsome goodness. It was hard to concentrate getting back to work. Erm, at this point I'm start to babble incoherently. Throw cold water at me. You continue enjoying. 안녕!

photo credits - Dramabeans

Virgin Suicides

2011-02-23T21:26:00.000+08:00

stills from The Virgin Suicides

At Night

2011-02-22T18:57:00.003+08:00

Pufferfish Dreams

2011-02-09T04:37:00.001+08:00

I ♥ aquariums.

Its one of my hobbies.. And I have this obsession with PUFFER FISH pets. Aren't they super cute? Have you seen the way they eat? They have sharp teeth and they bite. Mmm. Strangely, I've also had nightmares of mutant puffer fish trying to kill me.

Aquarium at Sunset Way.

Decadent Decay

2011-02-09T04:25:00.001+08:00

Chinese New Year

2011-02-09T03:32:00.001+08:00

I know what may seem like a sequence of headless bodies is really just my attempt at showing you some of the chinese-themed fashion that went on during the festivities.

I was super psyched that my Mime Vintage dress came just in time for CNY. Its vintage circa 1970s.

Lastly, I leave you with a recent infatuation - pimped up acrylic nail art. Love love love.

The Living Sisters - Double Knots

2010-12-29T16:39:00.003+08:00

Currently on my favourites' playlist: Double Knots by The Living Sisters.

Happy, laidback and quirky. What's there not to like about them?

Fika

2010-12-24T00:47:00.004+08:00

A current favourite eating place, Swedish cafe - Fika

Fika

257 Beach Road / Arab Street

Tony Leung in Lust Caution

2010-12-16T21:48:00.001+08:00

Twist it like Fanny and Margaret

2010-12-10T22:09:00.001+08:00

Now aren't these two cool. Fanny Fan and Margaret To doing the twist.

photo credit: soft film

Japanese Make-Up

2010-12-09T23:53:00.001+08:00

Wow.

Kasut Manek Project (I need to finish it damn it) and a (very) brief history on Peranakans

2010-12-06T12:49:00.001+08:00

I really just wanted to tell you I've got the above thingy I really want to complete. But I realized I can't without explaining a bit on the Peranakan culture. I am half-Nonya from my mother's side and I love the rich and colourful peranakan culture. The above pictures are my miserably neglected Kasut Manek (beaded shoes)

read the complete Wiki article

Peranakan and Baba-Nyonya (Chinese: 峇峇娘惹; pinyin: Bābā Niángrě; Hokkien: Bā-bā Niû-liá) are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Nusantara region during the Colonial era. This community in Melaka, address themselves as Nyonya for the ladies and Baba for the gentlemen.

It applies especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who have adopted partially or in full Nusantara customs to be somewhat assimilated into the local communities. They are the elites of Singapore, more loyal to the British than to China.

Most have lived for generations along the straits of Malacca.They almost always have the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became assimilated to the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.

read the complete Wiki article

Peranakan beaded slippers, also known as kasot manek,literally meaning shoe beads, is a type of shoe that dates back to the early twentieth century. It refers to beaded slippers worn by a nyonya to complete her Sarong Kebaya outfit, together with chained brooches (kerosang) and a silver belt (tali pendeng).

The slippers are made of Peranakan cut beads (manek potong), which are treasured as these beads are no longer available. Vintage kasot manek are intricate and finely stitched, a testimony to the fine workmanship of yesteryears. The intricacy and fine workmanship of a pair of beaded slipper is also a hallmark of highly accomplished Peranakan women, also known as nyonyas, whose skills in embroidery and beadwork are highly valued.

Obviously my handiwork is like shit and I'm actually using a 'cheat' version to sew the beads. The original method of doing it would be PAINSTAKINGLY laborious and blinding. There are no grids to guide your beading and you literally free-hand count out and stitch each 1 mm bead according to the elaborate patterns. My aunt still uses the old method - RESPECT.

Now if I were back in the old days and my handiwork were shown to my prospective mother-in-laws (as they would have in those days), the grand old dames would probably have choked at the abomination of my skills and I would be left an old maid on the shelve. Ha ha ha ha.

So there it is, my project kasut manek. I selected a design of floating lotus on water... Not too fancy and complicated for a novice. I hope to take photos to capture its development and hopefully it'll motivate me to not take 10 000 years to complete it.

And just to give you a bit of an idea of nonya fashion and other beautifully stitched kasut manek...

credits: sasha bashir, fiveprime.org, artimages, john ong, raymond kwok, choo yut shing

Some Vintage Vogue

2010-11-28T17:53:00.001+08:00