Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation

Whenever I pop up the question ‘what I must do when in Hong Kong’, the majority would simply clamour ‘shopping’. Oh yes, I can’t say no to that because Hong Kong IS a shopping paradise.

Yes, thanks to the sinful tax-free shopping practice and galore of brands one could find throughout the city. But of late, Louis Vuitton has suggested me another way to have fun in Hong Kong, besides shopping – sneak into Hong Kong Museum of Art.

Hahaha, I know this sounds weird and boring, especially if you are not an art buff like I do. But wait, everything comes with a reason and Louis Vuitton has its unique reason behind its suggestion. Ladies and gentlemen, France’s renowned luxury fashion maison and malletier Louis Vuitton is proud to invite you to its art exhibition called “Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation”.

A profoundly artistic event showcasing marvellous collaborative works of art by renowned art masters of our time and Louis Vuitton, the exhibition was organised by Hong Kong Museum of Art in conjunction with Hong Kong’s 17th Le May French Art Festival.

Jointly presented by Louis Vuitton and Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Création, the exhibition, which was opened to the public since 22nd May and ends on the forthcoming 9th of August, is also held in collaboration with Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau.

A true significance to the long time correlations built between the revered malletier and world of arts since the last 150 years, the exhibition is indeed, an art and cultural exhibition anyone should not miss. Not just for Louis Vuitton die-hard fans but also for contemporary art connoisseurs. As usual, what is a Louis Vuitton event or exhibition if the town was not talking about it before day one begins?

A few days before the exhibition was opened to the public, it already drew great curiosity among passer-bys after seeing the entire museum building, which oversees the scenic Victoria Harbour, being draped in yards of Richard Prince’s famous “After Dark” series posters.

But the answer was dramatically revealed on the 21st May, when Creative Director Marc Jacobs and the likes of Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami and Frank Gehry descended the ‘fragrant harbour’ soil to officiate the event. Joining them on that historic night were 900 lucky guests and media members from all over the world, treating themselves to vernissage cocktails and of course, lots of sumptuous collaborative artworks.

Now, we move to what’s inside the exhibition. As I mentioned earlier, this exhibition is an exhibition that anyone should not miss. So, what you’ll find inside is not just a train of Louis Vuitton’s famous bags and trunks dating from primordial times to the present.

Instead, you will find yourself walking in a time machine that is more like an art wonderland, Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory-styled, starting from how everything began – the first section called ‘Louis Vuitton and Arts’ – to a special part dedicated to magnificent artworks produced by seven young and upcoming Hong Kong artistes.

Apart from the trunks, art connoisseurs would certainly be delighted to see an array of collaborative artworks crafted by renowned Japanese manga artist Takashi Murakami, the man who gave us the cutesy manga-esque Murakami and LV Camouflage prints; Richard Prince’s joke prints and his infamous joke print bags that sold like hot cakes last spring and summer, as well as the psychedelic artistic paintings and goods by the late Stephen Sprouse.

Each artiste’s space is decorated according to their respective aesthetics, thus enabling visitors to feel and experience their vibes or auras surrounding those spaces.

Enter the second section of the exhibition. Divided into three parts namely ‘The Architectural Project’, “A Collection, A Choice’ and ‘The Guests’, this section features art collections permanently owned by the Fondation and further explains about the Fondation's philosophy.

Inside the ‘Architectural Project’, the first thing you will see and captures your attention and imagination is the model of Louis Vuitton’s Fondation building, which will be located within the woods of Bois de Boulogne, Paris.

The building, which looks like a ship with glass sails emerging from the woods, is designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and boasts 3800 square metres of space. It will be housing Fondation’s permanent art collections as well as a venue for related events.

In second part of the three-part section, which is ‘A Collection, A Choice’, the artworks and installations displayed here serve as a tribute to Hong Kong’s eclectic, energetic and dynamic qualities.

For example, renowned artist Jeff Koons created a whimsical artwork featuring lyrical landscapes emerging with the clashes of time, while British photographer duo Gilbert & George photographed the city through a frontal aesthetic, the suspended momentum in a Formula One pit stop.

And last but not least, are the works of young and rising Hong Kong talents that have been personally selected by Philip Tinari, China’s renowned art connoisseur and curator.

And while art-craving visitors were feasting their eyes on the tremendously fabulous artworks, press members and selected guests were treated to a meet and greet with Mr. Jacobs himself and a book-signing by Mr. Takashi Murakami.

Of course, nobody wants to miss both for the world! So, if you are in Hong Kong at the moment and a devout Louis Vuitton follower, try not to miss the exhibition and immerse in the infectious vibe of art, through the perspective of Louis Vuiton.

*Photos by Lawrence Yu and Jimmy Cohrssen. All courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

The “Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation” exhibition is still open to the public now and will close its door on 9th August 2009. Admission tickets priced at HK$30.00 for general admission and HK$15.00 for full-time students, disabled people and senior citizens age 60 and above.

Beckham Heats Up The Traffic!

Now, there are more than one reason for ladies to subscribe men’s fashion bible like GQ and Details. Why? Because David Beckham is on the Emporio Armani Underwear ad campaign!

Shot in black and white by renowned photography duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot at the renowned Malibu beach of LA, one of the famous Californian beaches where celebrities are known to have their multi-million mansions there, the campaign features the sexy and world-famous Brit soccer player working out in nothing but scanty Emporio Armani men’s undies.

To officiate the campaign, Macy’s San Francisco was chosen to be the venue with 6000 curious crowds flooding the storefront area. But amongst the sea of humans, particularly his die-hard fans, only hundreds who bought the Emporio Armani undies were given the money-can’t-buy privilege of meeting the man on the giant billboard himself – the supreme David Beckham.

Dressed in crisp grey Giorgio Armani suit, the event that took place on the recent 18th June saw Beckham addressing his opening speech in front of the anticipating and cheering crowd.

Alas, the moment of truth has arrived and the billboard was revealed. Of course those who didn’t witness the ceremony could imagine how hysterical his female fans could be during that period.

Apart from the US, the Emporio Armani Underwear ad campaign featuring David Beckham will be made available in other major chic cities around the world including New York, London, Milan, Rome, and also Paris.

In Asia, Tokyo, the Japanese modern-day capital where Beckham-mania thrives among its fashion-forward women and youth, will also be included in the list.

Besides being positioned in high-traffic areas where women drivers (and gays) would stop in the middle of the beeline just to gaze at his precious crotch, the new ad campaign too is schedule to grace glossy pages of esteemed fashion bibles worldwide. In the US, the autumn/winter campaign featuring David Beckham will debut in the August issue of Vanity Fair.

So, the big question here is – will DBKL allow Mr. Beckham flaunting his asset in the scintillating Armani undies ad campaign on Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers or Pavilion’s façade? Oh dear, unless the mayor is me, then just keep on dreaming!

Emporio Armani Underwear Collection Fall/Winter 2008 collection is slated to be in stores starting July onwards for Europe and August in United States. Price starts from 18.50 Euros / $12.50 USD onwards.

*Photos by Armanipress.com.

People are talking about ... Sex and the City The Movie

The world is talking and patiently anticipating. After ending its last episode four years ago, leaving fans in pools of tears, cult series Sex and the City (SATC) is back but with a twist ... they're heading for the silver screen!

Oh, I still remember those good old days when Sex and the City series were aired on the TV screen. Contrary to what we have thought, SATC successfully reached Malaysian TV households despite of its cheeky title and the nature of the series - sex, love, and ... yeah, sex. I was 15 when the series first shown on HBO so I missed quite the first three seasons. Only after I turned 18, I instantly devoted myself to the series.

Love stories and sex escapade aside, it was no other than the on-screen fashion parade that caught my attention and led to my conversion into one of SATC die-hards.

Be it Carrie, Charlottte, Samantha, or Miranda, I bet most women around the world would envy these girls for having a wardrobe filled with immense choices of designer clothes, shoes, and bags. But of course, it's always Carrie's wardrobe that seduces me the most.

To say it in my own words, Carrie's wardrobe may not look like what Sarah Jessica Parker had in her real life (probably a room that is as big as a Chanel boutique or something) but it got everything inside it.

Balenciaga? Check. John Galliano newspaper print cowl dress for Dior? Check. Chanel dress with oversized flower brooch worn as headpiece during baby Brady's christening? Check. It bags? Check. Lines of Manolos, Louboutins, and Choos? Also checked.

And the best part is - whatever she wears, it'll turn into a fashion must have and ladies around the world would scramble to the nearest Prada or Gucci to get whatever they saw clinging to her petite but svelte body.

The same goes to the other girls - Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. Did you know that Birkin orders soared after it was featured in one of the SATC episodes, where it was one of Samantha's craving. Too bad the wait list was long and that prompted her to use Lucy Liu's name just to cut the line.

Now lets move to the movie. Touted as one of the must watch movies of the year, Sex and the City Movie is no less different than the serial version.

In the movie, Carrie is now a successful author with her own assistant Louise (played by Jennifer Hudson), Charlotte lives the life she always dreamed of - a good husband and an adopted daughter whom she loves so much, while Miranda too is happy with her life.

But there's something awkward about this movie. Samantha has shifted to Los Angeles with her live-in boyfriend Jarod Smith and of course, Samantha is always Samantha - SATC's pragmatic resident whore that we all loved.

So Carrie is no longer looking for love since they have made it official while in Paris (remember "An American Girl in Paris - Part Une and Deux"?) and is going to get married but as usual, there's always twists here and there that makes me wondering "what will happen next?"

And dear, always look forward to the eclectic fashion offerings that will make you green with envy, probably greener than the Hulk.

Amidst the liberal flow of Cosmopolitan, spotted in the movie are Prada bags, lots of Manolos, Chanel fine jewelries, Diane Von Furstenberg printed dresses, and lots and lots of vintage pieces, thanks to the superb stylist Patricia Field.

Oops, looks like I already have my eyes on Carrie's vintage Eiffel Tower bag and please, don't expect to see a sight of Bitten by SJP in this movie. Anyway, here's the common question that we all got in our mind - "Will Carrie marry the love of her life - Mr. Big?" Well ladies, let's just cross our fingers, go to the cinemas, and see for ourselves if she gets married in the end or not.

Sex and the City the Movie will hit cinemas in Malaysia by July 2008 while the movie will be debuted in the US on May 30th 2008.

*Photos by Yahoo! Movies.