Daul Kim: Urban Warrior Princess

Today at Hautekutu, we celebrate Daul Kim, the 20-year old Korean model who left us yesterday (November 19, 2009) at the height of her burgeoning career. At age 20, she was soulful, honest, poetic and melancholic, and spoke of contemporary life and its maladies and malaise in a way that was beyond her years.  In her blog, before her death, Daul indicated the looks she liked in the coming seasons, and it seemed she favoured the futuristic Urban Warrior look, juxtaposing armour-like rigidity with softness and vulnerability. Be well princess, wherever you are...

hautekisses
xxx

Trendkutu: Spring Summer 2010 Bag Silhouettes Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of our report on Spring/Summer 2010 Bag Silhouettes according to forecasts by leading trends researchers WGSN.

The drawstring takes on a more circular silhouette, which is a departure from the rounded rectangles we see in the current season. We can expect tote handles, with cross-body options.

Hautekutu loves the mini-grip as it fuses design with functionality. Check Alexander McQueen's Studded Glove Clutch (below).

A derivative of the hobo, the deflated balloon echoes the tubular characteristics of the drawstring with short handles and possibilities of varying detailing from leather mesh to ruching and other accents.

Handheld or low-slung, the disc and barrell again hops onto the trend for all things circular and again promotes the liberation of arms and shoulders from the large bags we have had to endure in the seasons just past. Hautekutu aime beaucoup!

hautekisses

xxx

HAUTEKUTUS ARE WEARING...

Hautekurungs today...

hautekisses
xxx

Art Imitates Life...

Art imitates life and we owe all our design inspirations to the biggest designer of them all - Mother Nature. (And, depending on what your beliefs are, to the Power(s) that made her...)

As fashion and luxurymakers around the world gear up towards sustainability and responsibility towards the earth, it seems only natural to celebrate the everyday wonders of nature that we often take for granted.

Earthly Delights by hautekutu featuring Valentino bags

Featured items:
DRESS: Jean-Pierre Braganza Purple Silk Dress, 2,124MYR (380GBP), farfetch.com
BAGS: Emerald Valentino Satin Bow-Front Clutch, 3,070MYR (895USD), net-a-porter.com; Crimson Valentino Satin Clutch, 3,218MYR (640 EUR), valentino.com
SHOES: Elevate Magenta Platform Stilettoes, 1,231MYR (220GBP), kurtgeiger.com; Crimson Patent Pumps, 1,987MYR (355GBP), brownsfashion.com
NECKLACES:Lanvin Snake Necklace, 5,255MYR (1,045EUR), luisaviaroma.com; Kenneth Jay lane Gold and Turquoise Peacock Feather Necklace, 923MYR (165GBP), zentosa.com
EARRINGS: Roberto Cavalli Crystal Parrot Earrings, 1,488MYR (288EUR), luisaviaroma.com; Pade Vavra Amethyst Quartz Drop Earrings, 816MYR (238USD), charmandchain.com
CUFF: Shagreen Cuff with jewelled Sterling Bug, 4,974MYR (1,450USD), vivre.com
RING: Rhodium Moth Ring with Tsavorites and Paraibal Stones, 108,398MYR (19,550GBP), brownsfashion.com
GEMSTONE: Rhodolite Garnet Gem, 26.32 Carats, africagems.com  

hautekisses
xxx

The Reign of the LDD

The LDD has of late become the thing we want to slip into the most on a weekday morning. Complemented by the right accessories, the LDD could also take you from day to night. Who says your LD has to be B?

Featured Items:
FASHION WEEK: DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Dégradé silk-crepe dress
1,570 MYR ($460) - net-a-porter.com; 3.1 Phillip Lim Floating Shrug Border
1,348 MYR ($395) - lagarconne.com; Gold Gladiators - zimbio.com; Christian Louboutin - Cache Coeur Clutch, 5,293 MYR (1.048 EUR) - luisaviaroma.com; Rick Owens - Cuff Bracelet 2,692 MYR (533 EUR) - luisaviaroma.com; Alex Monroe Feather hoop earrings 990 MYR ($290) - net-a-porter.com
THE AUDITION: Asymmetrical Drape Dress - Just In, 3,037 MYR - kirnazabete.com; Charlotte Olympia Leather Platform Shoe with Suede Toe
3,249 MYR (575 GBP) - brownsfashion.com; Quilted Shoulder Bag
6,753 MYR (1,195 GBP) - brownsfashion.com; 18K White Gold 'Bypass' Ring with Geode and Diamond 46,366 MYR (8,205 GBP) - brownsfashion.com; Rhinestone Star Brooch by Kenneth Jay Lane
305 MYR (54 GBP) - my-wardrobe.com
MEETING THE MOM: Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress 1,831 MYR (324 GBP) - matchesfashion.com; Acne Patent Court Shoe 1,611 MYR (285 GBP) - brownsfashion.com; Miu Miu Leather clutch bag 3,054 MYR ($895) - net-a-porter.com; Ghost Ring with Diamonds 29,130 MYR (5,155 GBP) - brownsfashion.com; Erickson Beamon Blade Runner crystal earrings
1,297 MYR ($380) - net-a-porter.com
TEA, SHOP, CHATTER: Haute Hippie Jersey tutu tank dress 1,519 MYR ($445) - net-a-porter.com; Lalita Shrug 354 MYR (70 EUR) - coast-stores.com; Balmain Punk suede studded bag 13,394 MYR ($3,925) - net-a-porter.com; Mistrey By Melissa Rubber Gladiator Sandals 170 MYR (30 GBP) - farfetch.com; Glitter flower necklace 3,730 MYR (660 GBP) - brownsfashion.com

Hautekisses
xxx

Trendkutu: Spring Summer 2010 Bag Silhouettes Part 1

According to leading UK-based trend forecasters WGSN, here are some of the bag silhouettes we can expect next season.

We can expect the cross-body trend to continue, influenced by the 70's but with sleeker, slimmer outlines in leather. (I'm hoping mum has kept some of her old cross-body LVs...)

The formal backpack is back, but where Prada vinyls and Vuitton's bucket-based shapes used to dominate the last time the backpack reigned, we can expect a slouchier silhouette this time around, or in alternative styles(e.g. the brief case/satchel shape in right) in soft leathers and fabrics, with pouch pockets on the exterior.

Hautekutu looks forward to the top-handled tote. Wrist it or handhold lovingly, or cross-body strap it as the need arises. Again, buttery leathers rule the day and textures will vary from tans and whiskies to patent or snake.

Meanwhile, although the trend isn't new - Paul Smith has made a signature out of the Union Jack, while Chanel and Kate Moss rocked it two springs ago, and Gucci's Sloaneys commemorating the opening of the flasgship store on Sloane Street kind of left a lot to be desired - as a tribute to London Fashion Week's celebration of its 25th Anniversary this year, here are some yummy bags bearing the Union Jack.

Go Brittania! by hautekutu featuring Monsoon bags

Items in this set:
Alexander McQueen clutch, $1,575
Angel Jackson clutch, 257 GBP
Butlerandwilson.co.uk bag, 37 GBP
Monsoon clutch, 30 GBP
Monsoon clutch, 30 GBP

Look out for Part Two of our SS2010 bag silhouette rundown...

hautekisses
xxx

Streetkutu : It's a Blue Summer

Yes- we are still talking about the colour blue. In fact, at Hautekutu today, we're wearing blue dresses.

Two weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to catch a cute Indie flick, "500 Days of Summer", starring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. Such a fresh movie and besides the brilliant execution of the story- I must say I loved the styling for Summer (played by Zooey Deschanel). Always dressed in different shades of blue, Summer's style was a clever mixture of anything vintage and kitschy. A splash of blue and a sprinkle of neutral tones like black,beige or grey-- and she was ready to break hearts.
Spotted in Singapore, sporting a 'Summer' ensemble was 26 years old, chemical engineer, Mariam. Mariam, who admitted to copying Summer's style after watching "500 Days of Summer" said it isn't difficult to pull off the 'Summer' look. Just think blue! Mariam opted for a white blouse with printed blue heart shapes from FCUK and dark blue wide legged pants from Cue. To complete the look, Mariam added a brown leather bag from Charles & Keith....and these were items that she had already owned!

Rummage through your closet and you are sure to find something blue. If you insist on getting something new, here are some pieces Hautekutu have picked for your 'Summer' look. All of the items shown are available at Forever 21.


haute hugs ooo