GSS ends 15 July!

LAST 2 WEEKS to pick up really good deals and quality handmade designs. Fashion suite is open this friday 12-7pm and first weekend 2-4 July. Also find us at Parco, Millenia Walk, P2-30D.

Glow in this blushing pink Ming Collection skirt suit

Today my customer came to my atelier and she is a gynaecologist. And she shared with me her stories of delivering babies. Cool! She has bought our designs thrice in 2 months and she is totally in love with my Ming Collection. Really sweet lady and the colour of her snowy complexion is like the blooming plum blossoms. Lovely! In my opinion, she really glowed in this nude pink Ming top and skirt. The pink is not too flashy and not too pale. Just a subtle tone of pink to bring out your feminity. Unforgettable! :)

Top $218. Skirt $158. If you get it as a set, it's special price of $299!
July is the month of Pink. Look out for our Pink Promotion.

Music and books

It's the GSS and I have not done any crazy shopping. Basically I do not have the time as GSS is one of the busiest time for us because when our customers know our handmade designs are on promotion, they basically zoom down to get the best pieces. But yesterday in the evening I devoted some time to go with G for some shopping. I bought a compilation of 1930-50s French songs from That CD Shop called " In Paris". I like their compilations and have bought a few like " Passion", "Arielle Dombasle" " Classical" etc.. Whee..I like Edith Piath and La Vie En Rose. Am lusting for their Haute compilation next. Will be playing them in my atelier when working. :)

I always like old Shanghai songs from Bai Guang, Zhou Xuan, Paramount Jazz classics and oldies. Basically I like songs from 1920s to 60s. And many people think my musical taste does not reflect my age! There was once a supplier actually came to my suite and upon hearing the music played asked my tailor " Your boss must be very old". Then he was thoroughly shocked to see me when I appeared. Then my tailor joked " My boss has a young face and an old heart" Lol.. But I find these songs inspiring and soothing. So nice to listen to while reading a book and enjoying tea.

And today is my off day. So I went to Kinokuniya. And to my delight, they are having storewide 20%. And I bought a book on interior design and some fashion magazines like Milk. One of them was featuring the archive of Dior's designs shot in Shanghai. Sweet! I always like the 1950s New Look which was revolutionary in his time. I like reading design books, lifestyle and branding and stories of famous people and brands because I hope that one day Fuchsia Lane will become an international story too. :)

Yummy Durian Ice Cream

Today we chanced upon a store that sells freshly made durian ice-cream. When I asked to have durian ice-cream, the gal asked " do you want the real thing D24 or durian flavour one" I was quite amused by the question. So I said I like the real thing. I do not really fancy desserts but I always like ice-cream and durian. At first we bought only one cone. But the durian flesh is so generous and melts in your mouth with the right tinge of sweetness, that G went back to buy another cone for himself. You can find the store WH YOGHURT at Great World City, opposite Cold Storage. One yummy cone for $3. :)

Ill bred!

Today I was quite upset with very rude parents. They came with their kids to Parco and one of the girl suddenly ran into my shop. From her size, I guess she was at least 7-9 years old. And she was really malicious for her age!!

She headed straight for my pretty lace top and attempted to pull out the lace. Luckily I was fast to react and immediately grab her hand to prevent any damage. And while all this happened, the parents were RIGHT INFRONT but didnt had any reaction! Gosh they did not apologise neither did they pull their kid out to discipline her. All they did was stare into space like they had nothing but grass in their head. I wonder what their kid will grow into.

I remembered when I was a kid I was being caned by my mum for the slightest misbehaviour and this includes crying and refusing to go to kindergarten, making careless mistakes in my tests, unruly and running amok like a headless chick(which kids do all the time). Although I was resentful then, now I think my mum's discipline had taught me well and let me handle life with the correct mentality.

And now I have a nephew Bubu which I really dote on. I will find myself rushing home every night so I can play with him as he live with my parents on weekdays. I help to bathe him, brush his teeth, feed him milk every night. But once he misbehave, I will smack or cane him hard. He is only 2 but getting destructive now like he will pull the jug, throw whatever he can lay his hands onto the ground. I love him that's why I dont want him to become a menace when he grows up.

Little Bubu

Here is a picture of my nephew cute little bubu!
He is wearing my favourite hat. But he looks like a jamaican singer and suddenly I feel like eating Nachos and singing Amigos!

A relaxed evening

Double Bay restaurant interior. Nice lanterns they have.

Seafood Cioppino $10.90

Caparcio Pacific Tuna $12.90

Fish and Chips $24.90

Today G and I went for dinner at Double Bay restaurant-Australian dining at Raffles City. It's been a long time since we can go out for leisure dining on weekends as I always tend to my shop on weekends when they are the busiest. And I am a workaholic.

While I have the fashion sense, G has a superbly acute food sense both in cooking and ordering nice food. So I always leave the ordering to him. We had the Seafood ciopino, caparcio pacific tuna and fish and chips. But Fish and Chips seems no ordinary dish in this restaurant, you can choose between 6 different kinds of fish from grouper, atlantic salmon to other fish types which I have not heard of. They even analyse the fatty levels of the fish for you and you can choose the type of batter. Interesting.

Actually I was so hungry that I ate them then realise that I havent take the pictures. So the pictures I took may not do the dish justice. :)
There was very fine homemade bread that came with the seafood soup. And when I took this picture, it had already ended in my tummy. Although I prefer the soup thicker, it does becomes tastier with each spoon. And the seafood is really really fresh.

I like the carpacio as it tasted really fresh and flavoursome. But will prefer them thinner.

Although the fish and chips look little at first, they prove very filling. The batter was crisp and the fish meat firm. But will have preferred it softer.

We concluded this restuarant serves very fresh seafood. There are other starters like mussels and clams which I hope to try again. The food was decent and the ambience cosy and the food is medium expensive.

And after this we took a slow walk to Intercontinental Hotel for some drinks at a lounge while the pianist and flutist play. It is my ideal of a nice weekend to relax and spend time with G. And it has been many many moons since we had the time to go to a lounge. Happy and the warm and fuzzy feeling is still in my tummy! :)))

Cute Mamma...

I have a new customer who I really like alot. She is always smiley and kind and comes with sugar cane juice for me. But when I first met her, the feeling was quite the opposite. When she first came to my shop 1 month ago, she was asking alot of discounts and freebies till I was quite appalled. I then had to explain to her our items are priced higher because they are designed and handmade in limited numbers with Peranakan embroidery at our atelier. And she left buying 4 tops.

Then the second time she came, I just arrived at Parco to find her at my store. What affinity! And this time she fell in love with our pleated black dress and white crochet top. While trying, her husband and son will be patiently waiting and giving comments. Never once did I hear them complain. Lovely! I wish I can grow old with a husband and son like this:)

And this month was her birthday and she came the third time bringing her 2 sisters with her. Despite her mature age, she looked very elegant with very smooth skin and her smile and laughter always seems to light up the room . Today she came and I asked "where is your son" And she joked " I have to sell my son to buy your clothes." And I always say " Your husband is really nice and patient. He waits without grumbling. He must have chased you hard when young?" And she will laugh " Yes he always chase me before we get married. After we get married, we walk together. And now he always walk in front and I am chasing behind. " :)))

Nail Frustration

It was 845pm- one of the EARLY days I manage to knock off and I am trying to get a manicure and pedicure. But it seems that even if you are willing to pay, no one wants to serve you. I was at Centrepoint Nail Palette, and at first the lady told me we only have time to do a mani. There were 2 gals serving their customers and another gal who is tidying up the place. The gal then murmured something to the lady who spoke to me initially, after which, she said "sorry we cant even do mani for u cos this girl is going back home" Geesh!! It is not yet 9 and the staff is more concerned going home than serving a ready customer.

Then I hurried to Orchard Central as I vaguely remember there should be some nail shops. And when at last I found one in B1, I saw them closing the lights. And it was still before 9pm. And they saw me and said they are closed. I asked them do they know of any nail shop that is open now. Honestly, to me I think 9pm is pretty early for nail shops to close when that is the time most people finish dinner after their OT. And the lady told me "I think no where is opened now" and with her last sentence she locked the shop and hurried away.

At last I found a nail shop " Nail Bar" which is opened in Orchard Plaza. When I entered I asked are you closed. There were 3 ladies and they said in unison " No No we are still open. Welcome in" I said I wanted to do a mani and pedi and asked what time they are closed. It was 910pm. They said they close at 930 but it is not a problem at all. And with that, they escorted me to their massage chairs, asked me if I needed a drink, gave me a magazine and tried to make me comfortable. I heaved a sigh of relief. I didnt mind paying additional for such service. And in the end I left about 10pm and the mani and pedi turned out cheaper than the last 2 shops which rejected me.

My philosophy in customer service is never reject a customer. I always wait for my customers even if they want to come after my closing time. And even if I was severely lacking of sleep, and someone makes an appointment at 9am on sat I will still say yes. I remember going back to my fashion suite during new year eve's as a customer was interested in getting my designs. And last week, I had 2 customers coming into my Parco shopfront at 930pm when Parco close at 930. They tried on stuff and left at 10pm without buying anything. I smiled and said hope to see you again. At least I believe they have experienced Fuchsia Lane's customer service and will tell their friends about us. We are open anytime you like to shop :)

Men who shop at Fuchsia Lane

There are an increasing number of men who shop at Fuchsia Lane. But rest assured they are not wearing for themselves! Today I met a second guy this week who shopped at my fashion suite. He popped his head in and asked if we were open. Although we are officially open on Fridays, I was in the suite so I asked him to come in and have a look. He said he was shopping for something for his partner.

And the funny thing was I had a male friend with me and after hearing that, he too said maybe he should get something for a female friend as well. So I have 2 males looking thru the racks and looking earnest but lost. Somehow I felt it was a touching sight. Not sure why but I just felt touched for their partners.

They asked me for my opinion on what to buy. So I asked them for their girlfriend's height and weight and one even show me an image of his partner on his phone. Sweet! I picked up a few pretty stuff and the guy said ok "I will take them ALL." I am quite sure his partner will melt upon seeing them. I asked him to bring his partner back for alteration if any piece does not fit. Wheee... so now Fuchsia Lane is winning male customers as well.

Previously we have males who come to buy pressies for their partners and even mums. We can also personalise our scarves by adding their partner's initials in Swarovski crystals. And we can alter/exchange if the items bought are not right size. I think males now are becoming intelligent, with an eye for detail and increasingly thoughtful when choosing gifts. They like to get gifts that are exquisite with a touch of surprise. Gone are the days when our dad bought mum a washing machine and she squeals with delight. And when even diamonds become predictable(but of course 1 or 2 doesnt matter :)).

A long time supporter :)

Today I was so happy that a long time supporter since the day I started, sent her daughter in law to my suite to fit a gown she had bid for in my ETERNITY showcase. I felt touched that they are genuinely warm and friendly with no airs despite being famous and rich. The daughter in law had the same name as me and she was polite and all smiles when I see her-like a big sister.

She bought my pleated black dress with button obi belt and my georgette embroidered top which you can go over simple black dress or top and pants. :)
Pleated habuthai black dress. Free size. $360
Loose Georgette Embroidered Top $168. Obi belt $89. Both Free size. Black shantung poly-silk strap dress $228. Also comes in white, blue and fuchsia.

Interviewed on Razor TV

We are interviewed on Razor TV today. Was told that it will appear next week. It is the 6th time we are interviewed on TV. The first time was on Arts Central 3 years ago and last month we were interviewed on CTV (China Television) marking our first international coverage after appearing twice on the cover of The Star Malaysia fashion paper.

Shiseido Artistry

Fuchsia Lane is featured on Shiseido Artistry on facebook as upcoming designer. :) Thanks Shiseido and also my customer Eunice for linking us up! I have been using their products for more than 10 years!
Join us on our facebook too. Just search for Fuchsia Lane.

I like their The Skincare Purifying Mask. I find that it helps to control your breakout for the time of the month. And seems to de-pore your face of dirt. And you can apply the Pore purifying warming scrub first to get rid of the irritating blackheads. Arghh..

Mother and Daughter

Ming inspired outer wear-stylish jackets for the freezing office! Pair them with jeans or work pants.

I always stress that my designs are not only for a particular age group. They are designed for intelligent ladies with depth, self confidence and sensuality. So whether you are 25 or 45 is not as important as how you think and carry yourself.

And this is proven further when my long time customer (for 2 years!) brought her mum to my atelier at red dot. She has bought her mum a nice nude lace dress from us as a surprise and brought her down today for alterations and we dont charge for alterations as part of our customer service :) When her mum saw my classic and sometimes quirky designs, she was totally in love with it. While my customer looked stylish in the design, her mum looked regal and elegant in the pieces.

Guess what. Both mother and daughter went back with more Fuchsia Lane pieces. :) And also like to add this customer of mine was so supportive that she also recently modeled for my latest Ming Collection. Thanks and Hugs Alethea!

P.S And also like to thank my dear friend Aaron and Gelainza for being my hair and make up stylist plus my dear bf Gary for being the photographer for this entire series of Ming Collection shoot.

Ming Inspirations

Shantung Poly-silk spaghetti strap dress with embroidered obi belt

People always ask me where I get my inspirations from. Well I am actually very much inspired by Orientalism and Peranakan Arts. I am proud to have Chinese blood and I believe that as a designer you should have a niche and something you believe in.

And it helps that I chose to study Chinese and English Literature and took up Chinese History as a cross faculty module in university. Dreams of Red Chamber, Strange Tales of Liao Zhai, Tang poems are classics which I grew up fascinated with. I love studying Chinese poems and painting a picture in my brain.

My current collection is inspired by the fine blue and white porcelain from the famed Ming Dynasty. The porcelain features dainty lotus, peonies and plum blossom motifs with delicate gold paint at times. I have used strong palattes of blues, whites and blacks with soft pinks and a tinge of gold. And lotuses in painstakingly embroidered obis and tops. Not to forget our signature mandarin buttons for an added edgy vibe.

Mascara

When it comes to cosmetics, I like going for Japanese brands as I believe they are better at understanding Asian skin. I have been a fan of Shiseido for years and even my childhood idol is their spokesperson-Vivian Chow.

And in recent years, having discovered the wonders of Mascara in making your eyes appear bigger and less sleepy, I was on the look out for really good mascara. Because most of the time, I bought over the counter mascara and when I remove them, they made my eyelashes drop. And the thought of balding eyelashes is really scary as I have few to begin with. Another irritating thing is your pretty eyelashes "droop" after few hours. Plus some mascaras make my eye tear!

Then I found RMK Mascara. It is at a whopping $50 when over the counter mascaras cost only $10-$20 plus. But with that mascara, it really make my eye lashes stay UP the whole day plus when I remove them, I dont see dropping eyelashes. Thank God.. my eye lashes still intact and I use them everyday now. :)

Loving husband

Today I met a new customer. It was a quiet Monday evening. But I saw a guy intently examining the white crochet lace camisole with nude lining hung on my Parco rack and I was wearing the same design. When he saw me approaching, he smiled and said I have really nice designs here.

The crochet lace top is one of my best sellers. When I told him about the price of $248, he asked why is it so expensive. I explained that firstly all our designs are handmade in my atelier in less than 12 pieces. They are not mass produced in factories. This particular design requires alot of hand-stitching labour and takes about 2.5 days to complete. Thirdly, the white crochet lace is a rare fabric which cannot be found elsewhere. When paired with nude lining, it looks really sexy but elegant. And lastly, the design specialty is the top does not have any side seams.

Up till then, he was still listening intently. So I asked is he shopping for a gift for someone else. He replied yes was for his wife. And so I said when shopping for your wife, most importantly is not the price but whether it is something unique and exquisite. And he said " I will have this top then". I smiled and said " Thank you for your support" :)

Back to blogging

Hi all,

After my hiatus from blogging for 6 months, my customers have been telling me that they miss my blogging and life's little comments. So here I am back again. Afterall I love writing. With my new official website, I will be writing about my daily thoughts and happenings/encounters in this blog instead of fuchsialanemusings. So do read my blog regularly :)