So this is kind of sad. 30-something year old Aussie label Lisa Ho has just announced that it’s closing up shop. On the bright side, the entire LH e-shop is crazily marked down to clear. But still, we’re pretty bummed.

Minimalist and feminine, Lisa Ho has had its finger on fashion’s preverbal pulse since its inception. The label was especially known for its separates as well as its sleek, floor-length dresses.

So in honour of the celebrated label setting sail, here are a few of our favourite moments from Lisa Ho’s S/S 2013-14 collection. Oh, and if you do spend up at Lisa Ho’s online store- let us know what you snapped up!

Images via Vogue.com.au.

Are you ready to channel your inner dystopic road warrior? Good. 

This look was inspired by Australian film Mad Max’ motorcycling misfits. The leather, the studded diamonds, the boots – this look is badass! This winter, add a bit of anarchy to your look by investing in a statement blazer that will keep you both warm and endlessly fabulous through the chilly months. We also enhanced the look of this blazer by adding some studded cuff bracelets on top of the jacket sleeves!

Here’s how our we styled our inner biker-villain. How would you style yours? 

{ Jacket by Achea-Mpong by Mutesi, ring by Phoenix Keating, vintage dress, sunglasses and studded cuffs  by Equip, bag by Strandbags, shoes by H&M } 

The article goes on to quote that, “Over two-thirds of Chinese use the internet to research brands, but most luxury firms have pitiful digital strategies. One study found that luxury websites take four times as long to load in China as elsewhere (because most firms do not put servers inside China’s Great Firewall, which slows access to foreign sites) and rarely offer yuan prices or purchasing options. Mobile commerce is growing in China, but few luxury firms’ websites are optimised for mobile devices.” Luxury brands had better think mobile when it comes to Asian market! [Read More]

Here’s how winter usually goes:

Put on pretty dress. Proceed to cover it with 10 ugly yet warm sweaters. Get drenched in rain that seems to hydrate everything but your chapped wintery lips and hair follicles. Count down days until summer. Repeat.

Well, to that we say- enough! It’s time to make some sneaky winter investments and cure yourself of the ailments of winter dressing.

Here are our top 6 winter must-haves.

Yes, it’s lame to wear a cheapo plastic poncho when it rains, but what isn’t lame is investing in a whimsical designer raincoat that you’ll want to wear every winter. Tap into this season’s wildly popular checkerboard trend with this black on white frock and umbrella. Save your handbag from precipitation-induced death, and invest in a waterproof handbag. Medusa makes a range of engraved plastic bags that are crazy chic and crazy waterproof. Also, keep those lips moisturised by investing in a good quality lip balm like this sexy Bobbi Brown creation. Finally, moisturise your mop with any product that has argan oil in it- seriously, that stuff does wonders!

Dress by Tibi, lip balm by Bobbbi Brown, raincoat by Alannah Hill, conditioner by Organix, clutch by Medusa, umbrella by Topshop

The first Wahaha mall – Waow Plaza – opened in Hangzhou earlier this year with a $273 million investment.

Zong Qinghou, founder of Chinese drinks giant Hangzhou Wahaha Group, is diversifying his holdings. His ambitious new venture is developing China’s version of London’s famed Harrods or Paris’ Lafayette.

Named China’s Richest Man by Forbes, Zong wants to bring European clothing and accessories brands to his new shopping malls throughout China, China Daily reports.

The first Wahaha mall – Waow Plaza – opened in Hangzhou earlier this year with a $273 million investment. Zong plans to open 100 Waow Plazas across the country in the next three to five years.

Waow Plazas would provide a one-stop experience of shopping, dining, and entertainment. What you will find at Waow are niche luxury brands that are mostly unknown to Chinese consumers. The Hangzhou Waow Plaza features over 40 European brands.

UK brands like Cambridge Satchel Company, TM Lewin, and Nicholas Kirkwood are at the top of his recruitment list. “We are looking for mid-market boutique brands rather than luxury, because the percentage of the Chinese population that can afford mid-market brands is far greater,” Zong said.

[Read More on Red Luxury

Ever felt like you’re being … watched?

We are both excited and creeped out by the Summer 2013 MCM X Craig & Karl’s ‘Eyes on the Horizon’ capsule collection. Mainly because every item seems to look into our soul far too deeply.

Eyeball-adorned and distinctly Warhol-ian in its influence, this collection is the brainchild of German luxury luggage brand MCM and graphic design duo Craig Redman and Karl Maier. These kooky accessories are a definite departure for MCM, whose prints are typically quite minimalist.

We’re not exactly sure why MCM decided to take a drive down the crazy lane for this collection, but we’re kind of glad they did. This collection is an oggle fest!

Firstly, MAH stands for ‘Mad About You’, which is cute in itself. Secondly, how exquisite are these printed scarves?

Launched only a few months ago, MAH is the creative project of Singapore designer Ondina Montgomery. What is really unique about MAH is the amazing collaboration that underpins the label. For example, the latest prints were devised in collaboration with wildlife cinematographer Dr. Jim Frazier, and feature an almost extra-terrestrial looking array of fragmentary, nature-like prints. Cray! We had a sneaky chit chat with Ondina herself

Here’s the sneakypeek.

{ How do you select the artists you collaborate with? }

Our concept is ‘science meets art meets fashion’. All the artists we are collaborating with need to have designs somehow science related

{ What techniques do you use to incorporate the artworks into your scarf designs? }

We use digital programs such as Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. We also do colour analyses of current trends before we decide on the final look.

{ What is the Quaintrelle collection all about? }

It’s all about style above fashion!

{ Plans for the rest of 2013? }  

We are starting an interesting collaboration with Japanese artist Naoko Tosa . She will be having an exhibition at the museum of Art and Science Singapore August t0 October.  A limited edition scarves run will be part of the same exhibition and only available via the museum shop

{ What’s your favourite way to wear a scarf? }  

I love to wear it as a head scarf!

We know you spend disgusting amounts of time online shopping. We do too. So we thought we’d fuel your unhealthy addiction with a new shop on the block. Introducing the SNEAKYPEEK SHOP!

Visit our little (yet fabulous) e-shop and snap up creations that we’ve hand made with love!

]]> http://sneakypeek.360fashion.net/458/feed/ 0 http://blog.360fashion.net/2013/06/01/3d-printing-3d-glasses-and-new-promotional-methods-to-disrupt-the-eyewear-industry/ http://blog.360fashion.net/2013/06/01/3d-printing-3d-glasses-and-new-promotional-methods-to-disrupt-the-eyewear-industry/#comments Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:21:57 +0000 admin http://4.112 Continue Reading »]]>

Anina with Chinese Government Chairman, Mr Du, trying on Augmented Reality Glasses at the CHIC 360FASHION TECH ZONE.

Lately it seems that everyone is getting a 3D printer, which the higher end models range in price from 3500 Euro and up is not a light investment, but it seems the perspective (so to say) is that it is a good investment for fashion designers.

“3D printing opens up a whole new range of products that I can develop, bring to market, and increase my revenue stream,” says Aurelien Lecour from Le Divan Studio in Beijing. “The things I can make with a 3D printer are things that would normally be too expensive to create due to the heavy costs in making a mold. Plus I can create whole new designs that were previously not possible due to the limitations in handwork by the casting companies. Eye wear is on the top of my list of designs I want to bring into the market and print myself.”

The BOF has a great article about how 3D printing can disrupt the eyewear market asking the question of how will this affect the traditional manufacturers if new designs such as Lecour’s are popping into the market. They open the article with “As 3D printing systems become better and cheaper, the designer eyewear market may soon start to feel the effects, with potentially wide-ranging implications, from product development to counterfeiting.”

Also a new evolution in eyewear is using Augmented Reality such as Trylive solutions from the web for customers to try on the frames using any webcam. Limitations apply if the customers is already wearing funky glasses and by removing them, cannot see the Augmented Reality version on their eyes–it’s a funny effect for sure.

3D printing differs from using the Augmented Reality 3D methods in that they can create physical objects, and combined with home 3D scanners, the idea to scan your favorite pair of glasses and re-print them should you bend or smash them, is highly attractive. How then, to protect against counterfeiting? Will the eyewear industry go down the same rabbit hole as the music industry, meaning that if you have bought the object it is your right to print the object? On purchase = many devices so to speak? How will China embrace this concept considering the Chinese government is cutting down on the fake products market starting in June 2013.

“Using unique multi-material technology, customers can now even print the rigid plastic frame along with the clear transparent lens all in a single build — requiring no assembly — in just a matter of hours,” added [Andy] Middleton [Refernce BOF].

3D Printed Glasses

3D Printed Glasses

Middleton’s point of view is unique and points the way to one of the directions that the eyewear market could quickly evolve to in that the designs are sold as a download to 3D print strategy, selling their glasses design for multiple paid downloads. Will this lead to a new iWear App store for 3D objects which is one of the fast growing trends for 3D printing object shops popping up across the web such as Brooklyn-based Matkerbot Thingiverse and  South Carolyna-based Cubify.

“A team at Virginia Tech University is experimenting with embedding quantum dots into 3D printed materials to help companies tag products with identifying markers in order to help prevent counterfeiting, but it may be years before the technology is widespread.” concludes the BOF article. However items including tags such as Thinglink may become a hobbyists way of protecting their designs. Combining the 3D printing together with a DYI mobile app, allowing users to create their own glasses, try them on with Augmented Reality, and the pay for the 3D printout according to the designs parts seems like a natural evolution from our point of view. And yes, we are wearing glasses.