Surprise! It's a new post... on time!

How are you enjoying the holidays so far? I've been stuffing my face full with Pig's Stomach soup, and it's been simply splendid.

Samsung kindly lent me a NX200 for the NAPBAS trip, and as a result, I've been neglecting my D90. Some of you may recall the mini-review that I did for the NX100 last year, and I've decided to do a more indepth one for the new model. So without further ado, here's my take on the NX200!

The Technical Overview

• 20.3 Megapixels with APC-C size CMOS Sensor
• ISO 100 - 12,800
• 1080p HD Movie Recording
• Weight: 220g
• 3.0" AMOLED Display

In English, it means that it's a really light mirrorless 4/3 camera with a spectactular ISO (film speed/light sensitivity) range, "true" HD and a crystal clear display.

Flash vs No Flash

Chiffon Blazer: Global Citizen

As you can see, the flash doesn't make much of a difference in the day, lol. It's fantastic at night, though. The NX200, like its predecessor, does not come with a built-in flash. My set came with an external flash (SEF8A). I believe that the previous flash I reviewed ran on batteries, whereas this one is "powered" by the camera itself.

My opinion regarding the external flash hasn't changed- It's one of my favorite things about the NX series, as it makes your complexion look really good. Just take the photos in this post for instance. All the camwhore photos were unedited!

(And this is also why they don't usually ask shallow women to review cameras...)

Read the rest of this post »

Adam and Jaime over at PR Communications graciously allowed me to bring this Tila March bag out for a test run during Women's Fashion Week. The lighting there was pretty awful, so I grabbed the opportunity to photograph the bag along with my fav Topshop dress!

Dress: Topshop
Accesories: Topshop
Bag: Beige Zelig Cabas Plat by Tila March

Quite a number of people were disturbed by my earlier alpaca-related outfit post, so I took a number of creative liberties this time. I hope you guys feel better now.

Isn't this face worse? Anyhoo, here’s a little backstory of Tamara Taichman (the ex-fashion editor of Elle France, I believe!), the brains behind Tila March.

"The brand came about during Paris Fashion Week in 2006 when she couldn’t find any handbag that would fit her. So, being the well-connected lady that she is, she got a bag custom-made to her liking. Other editors and buyers fell in love with her tote and spurred her on to launch her own line and.. tada! Tila March was born."

All my bags that can fit my D90 are pretty hideous, which is why shooting at fashion week results in posts like these, and massive headaches. Not sure why (read: sarcasm), but heels and camera bags just don't seem to go together.

So when Adam offered to send this over, my response was a very Singaporean "Huh, this one can fit DSLR not?"

And the answer, my dear readers, is a resounding "Yes. Really can."

It may not be a camera bag, but it managed to house my D90 (with 50mm lenses attached), 18-105mm kit lenses, purse, makeup bag, notebook, and my heavy embarrassment-inducing water tumbler. I, for one, was impressed!

How do you guys feel about the bag? Or my new face? Or the really bad pun-intended post title? Let me know!

Tila March is currently available at Robinsons @ MBS, and its flagship boutique opening in Scotts Square next Monday! More information here.

Last week, Esprit Singapore brought some of the local bloggers down to Liat Towers for a shopping spree (!!!). A huge thank you to Melvin and Shumin from Vibes Communication for inviting me :D

Remember when Esprit was cool? Back when I was in secondary school, Esprit was one of the most covetable brands around. My classmates (I'm looking at you, Marjy) and I loved their blazers. Half my wardrobe consisted of ~artsy~ Esprit tees that used to go for something like $14.90 or $17.90.

I'm not saying that the brand has deteriorated since then, but Esprit's been off the radar (or at least mine) for some years now. However, judging from what I saw at the store, I think it's safe to say that Esprit's back, alright! ¹

The staff were really lovely. The changing room auntie, in particular, left a really strong impression on me. SHE WAS SO NICE. You know what else is nice? Esprit's Fall collection fronted by Gisele Bundchen.

Here are some of the images I snapped at the store:

I still love Esprit's outerwear pieces!

 

I nearly got these, but YY pointed out that all the shoes I own are variations of brogues and this is no exception... On a happier note, this pair of heels are gorgeous and crazy comfortable.

 

At the store, I predicted (very violently) that the lace pieces would be hot favourites with the bloggers.

 

This blogger looks familar... I wonder who she is?

 

Outfit of the day! It's mostly what I wore in the Female/Mandarin Gallery feature that I didn't tell anybody about.

 

Esprit also has a special treat lined up for ÆTIENNE.NET readers! (Who are you guys, anyway?)

Simply quote "AETIENNE - I LOVE ESPRIT"² to receive a 10% discount at any of the following Esprit stores: Esprit Liat Towers, Esprit Raffles City (#02-20), Esprit Tampines 1 (#01-16), Esprit 313@somerset (#02-28) and Esprit VivoCity (#01-73).  This promotion will be valid from 10-31^st October only.

Remember to come back next week to find out which pieces I picked to intepret Fall Holiday Fashion! In the meantime, here's a preview~

(Photographs of the store by Lenne; Photographs of me by YY and Venetia)

¹ Please tell me somebody got the (really bad) reference?

² If you can't decide on how to pronounce aetienne, spell it out. That's what I usually do because I'm not quite sure either.

The series, which aired on Channel 4 earlier this year, uses a fly-on-the-wall approach to capture the best bits of all the fits.

The show opens with a montage of interviews, mainly with models talking about the extravagant sum they earn in a day's work.

Oh my god it's the ASOS girl!! Who is apparently loaded.

Some new girl getting her polaroids done.

Premier's Wunderkind of the season, India Farrell~ And the cause of all the drama in episode one.

Premier's represented all of the Supermodels at some point!

Stereotyped by the show's editing as the Queen Bitch within the first five minutes.

The Nice Guy.

How can a show about fashion be complete without a shot of Anna herself?

This is why I became a photographer.

The first episode revolves around India, who wants to pull out of NYFW in exchange of a real life. (The audacity!) The bookers are outraged because she's the new face of the season that they've invested so many calls and so much time in.

I'm sure that people who aren't into fashion will find the bookers' reactions bloody ridiculous, but I can kind of see why they're mad. I think that India's gorgeous and I'd totally book her. Does this make me as appalling as the TV critics made the bookers out to be?

Anyhoo, I find the show pretty interesting! I've said time and again that I'm a complete sucker for fashion-related documentaries and this is no exception. Besides, I've always wondered if bookers literally assign models jobs for a living, and now I finally get to find out.

One thing I don't understand, however, is why anybody would ever allow something they represent to be part of a reality show? The show seems pretty terrible for an agency as reputable as Premier's.

Still not complaining though. This definitely beats the crap out of that mess known as The Janice Dickinson Modelling Agency.