IT'S ALL ABOUT PORSCHE DESIGN

October 26, 2014

If you have been following me on Instagram or Facebook, you probably know I've been hinting about the biggest collaboration that I've had on iheartCrystalPhuong to date. Finally, I can now reveal what I've been working on, for almost two months. Two good months with endless amount of brainstorming, conceptualizing, and inspiration seeking. I'd like to create high quality images and unique content for respective brands and for CrystalPhuong.net. At the same time, I want you to feel personally related to what I'm sharing. Two hundred photos from the first photo shoot couldn't satisfy me. I decided to spend another week on planning, to come up with different creative ideas, and to shoot for Porsche Design over again.

This is it! I'm extremely proud and happy to share with you, the first collaboration with a high-end designer on my humble blog: It's all about Porsche Design!

Porsche Design is no stranger to fashion lovers. I've been a huge fan of their timeless, futuristic and technical inspired design for a long time. When I was invited to attend Porsche Design SS15 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, I was completely starstruck at their pure, simple, yet very feminine and sophisticated "Zen Tech" collection. I dreamt about it for days after the show. A dream turned to reality when Porsche Design asked me to share with you my most favorite pieces from the Porsche Design collection: A shift dress and The TwinBag Heart edition.

The TwinBag Heart edition is a successful collaboration between Porsche Design and a famous Berlin-based painter- Thierry Noir, unveiled during Art Basel in Miami Beach 2013. Each TwinBag Heart edition is distinguished by its unique design, expert handcrafting in Florence, and using only the finest leather. Thierry Noir added an exclusive touch with his hand-painted heart face on each of the 200 TwinBags. Each bag is a truly unique piece for that reason. Having an up-close and personal touch to this bag makes me appreciate even more the immeasurable amount of work, skill and love to be put in each bag. Not to mention the brilliant creative design concept about how this bag should be carried. Constructed to be dual purpose, the adjustable handles can transform it from a handbag to a shoulder bag in a glance. Whether I opt for smart casual or evening glamour, I know I can always count on the TwinBag.

In addition to the bag, I also have an opportunity to show you this beautiful shift dress that I'm head over heels in love with. Classic cut with high quality material and a timeless design, this shift dress needs no introduction. I love how uniquely that 3 zippers are placed. It gives me so much room for creativity and styling freedom. While the upper zipper can be zipped up for a professional and graceful look, or down for a sexy and sophisticated outfit. The lower one works in reverse, on the other hand. When all are unzipped, the dress becomes a long jacket, a perfect casual chic attire for brunch or weekend. When I first tried on this dress, immediately I knew what story I wanted to tell. The simple silhouette of the dress on soft material with modern-chic characters remind me of a woman who always lives life to the fullest. She is strong yet feminine, simple yet sophisticated, confident yet compassionate. She is a role model for all young women out there, including you and me. I'm so grateful that Porsche Design gave me the opportunity to dress like a woman that inspires me, every single day.

If you ask me about the best investments for your wardrobe, I'll have no hesitation to recommend you these unique pieces of art from the Porsche Design collection: the beautiful shift dress and the one of a kind, TwinBag Heart edition.

I'd like to end this blog post with a short video, presenting "The Heart of Freedom". A glimpse on art by Thierry Noir and Porsche Design.

Thank you so much for reading!

Video courtesy of Porsche Design.
Photographer: SY Tay
Creative Director: Crystal Phuong

Outfit:

Porsche Design Shift Dress

Porsche Design Twinbag Hearted Edition
Follow Porsche Design on Facebook, Instagram for the latest fashion updates.
Visit Porsche Design's first Asian store in Singapore:
B2-41, Canal Level
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Opening hours:
Sunday- Thursday: 10am- 11pm
Friday- Saturday: 10am- midnight.

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Crystal Phuong

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Crystalscloset NYFW travel US

{TRAVEL}: STATUE OF LIBERTY

October 20, 2014

After my 8 day stay in New York for Fashion Week, finally I could wear a non-fashion week outfit. Don't get me wrong, I love dressing up and looking beautiful. But after 7 consecutive days walking fashionably in heels, wearing tight outfits, and having full make-up on, I had a major craving for a dress-down outfit. On the last day in New York (before I flew out in the evening), I decided to visit the famous Statue of Liberty, of course, in my most comfortable outfit, with white jeans, chic sweatshirt and bad-ass ankle boots. I was ready to be a tourist for a day.

New York in the morning, during Fall, is cold, especially with the strong wind blowing, but it didn't stop me from going to meet Lady Liberty up close. I took a ferry to Liberty Island, walked around the National Monument, and then climbed 305 feet, all the way to Liberty's torch. Most people stopped at the crown area, only a few made it to the torch as the stair was very narrow and steep. My curiosity didn't allow me to stop, instead, it drove me forward. While standing in the tiny torch area, looking over Manhattan's skyline, I was overwhelmed with satisfaction. I felt like a hero being one of a few that made it to the top of the statue, and I kept asking myself: Where was I a week ago? I was thousands of miles across the ocean, always wondering "When will I have the chance to meet Lady Liberty for real".

It's true that Life is always full of surprises and dreams can come true before we even know it. In my case, the meeting with Lady Liberty was a dream that I never thought it would happen 2 months before this trip.

Another item is now officially crossed off the bucket list.

Have you visited the Statue of Liberty before? Did you make it to the top? What did you feel when you first met her? Please comment below and let me know.

Thank you so much for reading!

::Outift::

H&M sweatshirt- Similar here

ZARA white jeans- Similar here

ZARA chain booties- Similar here

Valentino rockstud cross body bag

Coach sunglasses- Similar here

Michael Kors watch.

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CRYSTALSPICKS SHOP

{SHOP}: HANDBAGS

October 19, 2014

Gone are the days where a handbag was only used to carry stuff. The only requirement of a bag that most people looked for was its size. The bigger, the better. Design, colors or even craftsmanship were not important.

Nowadays, a handbag is no longer treated as a carrier bag. It's an accessory, a personality, an investment, and to some people, a handbag is a friend with us through many years of ups and downs. I believe there is not one handbag for every outfit, every occasion, and there will never be. As much as brands and designers love spoiling us with many choices, we (women) love spoiling ourselves too. And so very often, we find ourselves frustrated, overwhelmed, and overly-excited at the situation of not knowing which bag we should buy (because we want to buy all of them). That happens to me all the time, and I'm sure it happens to you too.

Let make things simple by going back to the basics. I've shortlisted the most essential bags that everyone must have in their closet: shoulder bags, cross body bags, and tote bags. Thanks Shopbop for such an extensive range, speedy service and free worldwide shipping, I had my favorite shoulder bag delivered to me within 3 days. Guess which one?

Now that I have my bag, it's time to shop for yours!

1. Shoulder Bags

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium Satchel

2. Michael Kors Selma Printed Should Bag

3. Moschino Jacket Leather Shoulder Bag

4 Tory Burch Double Zipped Bag

5. Moschino Leather Shoulder Bag

2. Cross Body Bag

1. Sophie Hulme Envelop Bag

2. Rag & Bone Enfield Mini Shoulder Bag

3. Alexander Wang Prisma Embossed Biker Purse

4. 3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Pashli Satchel

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Top Schooly Jax Printed Cross Body Bag

6. Diane Von Furstenberg Rail Quilt Micro Mini Bag

3. Tote Bags

1. Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote

2. Tory Burch Marion Slouchy Tote

3. Sophie Hulme Chain Handle Tote

4. Kate Spade Phoebe Shopper Tote

5. Chanel Vintage Carvia Bag

6. Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Tote

Which one would you pick from the list above?

Do you have a favorite bag? Or do you have handbag shopping tips to share? I'd love to know, please share with me in the comment section below.

Thank you so much for reading!
P/s: CrystalPhuong.net occasionally receives Shopbop sponsorships for mentioning their
products in this blog entry.

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Crystal Phuong

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{TRAVEL}: BROOKLYN BRIDGE

October 13, 2014

Nothing feels more satisfying than crossing an item off your bucket list, especially the item that has been on the list for 15 years. In my case, "Brooklyn Bridge" is the "item" that I have been dying to cross off.

Having that plan in mind, I tried to squeeze time in between the shows on day 7 of #NYFW and made my way to this iconic place by any means. After 45 minutes traveling the underground (Subway, that's how New Yorkers call it), all by myself, changing 2 different trains, and finally I arrived at Brooklyn Bridge.

The weather was incredibly beautiful that day. The sky was blue, the air was crisp, and the leaves started changing color for Fall. It was the perfect time for me to visit the bridge. Seeing the Brooklyn Bridge many times in the movies, I thought I should be familiar with it by the time I got there. But the truth is, no movie can tell how it feels when I get a chance to touch, feel and see the bridge up close, with all my senses. I looked up to the bridgehead, looked down to the busy street, and looked over the Manhattan skyline. I couldn't help but have a selfish thought: "If only I could stop the Time Machine and enjoy this beauty all by myself, a little bit longer".

I was not only magnetized by the beauty of the Brooklyn Bridge, but also greatly inspired by the true life story behind this Gothic-styled bridge. Just in case you don't know, Brooklyn Bridge was an initial idea of German-born engineer John Roebling. In 1869, he wanted to build a spectacular bridge to connect from Manhattan to Brooklyn. There was no other bridge at that time, thus everyone (even the experts) thought it was a crazy and impossible idea. They advised him to forget his plan. But Roebling's passion and intuition kept telling him that he was right, he did not give up. The only person who supported him was his son, Washington Roebling, was an upcoming engineer. Together, they prepared the plan, hired people and made things happen. Unfortunately, John died in a tragic accident only a few months after the bridge was started. His dream vision was then transferred to his son. Washington carried on with the project as he did not want to disappoint his father. However, he was also suffered from paralyzing injury that left him brain damage and immobile. The only person he could communicate to was his wife- Emily Roebling, using his fingers and codes. Everyone thought the Brooklyn Bridge plan would fail, but the Roebling family proved them wrong, once again. Emily spent 11 years assisting her husband to communicate with the engineers and to keep the project going. On 24th May 1883, Brooklyn Bridge was completed and opened for 150, 000 people crossing over.

How many people have crossed the bridge today? I don't know the number, but I do know that the Roebling's determination, dedication and sacrifice have changed the lives of so many people in New York. They were the true life examples of never giving up, even when the whole world seemed to be against you.

If that story is not inspiring enough to make you visit the Brooklyn Bridge just once in your lifetime, I don't know what will.

I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity that brought me here. Not only was I able to witness the Brooklyn Bridge in reality, but also, I had this golden memory captured in photos, by a talented friend and photographer, Funmi Arjie. Thank you so much for being a part of my wonderful story with the Brooklyn Bridge!

Photos by: Fumi Photos

Thank you so much for reading!

::Outfit::

Topshop Scallop Hem Crop Tank

Topshop floral midi skirt- Similar here

Sophia Webster Electra Sandals

Michael Kors watch

Gorjana lariat necklace

Topshop rings

Bracelet various from Shopbop

Dior sunglasses.

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Crystal Phuong

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fashionweek NYFW PORSCHE DESIGN

{NYFW}: PORSCHE DESIGN SS15

October 09, 2014

If somebody was to ask me, "How does sleek style look like?", I will never hesitate to say "Please watch Porsche Design SS15 fashion show and you'll know the answer". I felt so incredibly lucky and grateful that I was able to watch the show live on the runway, during New York Fashion Week (Thank you so much, Christian Weiss!). Trust me when I say, these photos (by Style.com) are already so beautiful, but still they don't do enough justice to the actual collection itself. As sleek as its title "ZenTech" sounds, the Porsche Design SS15 collection focuses on simple and smooth silhouettes on many neutral color palettes such as white, black, beige, and dark blue. Suddenly, I felt like I have just cheated on my other vibrant colored outfits for "ZenTech". I couldn't keep my eyes off the futuristic collection that Thomas Steinbruck, Creative Director of Porsche Design, brought to the audience on that day.

For the men, Thomas worked his magic on baggy shorts with collared shirts, blazers and even a cargo jacket with ribbed knit sweaters, to create a relaxed-but-polished look. For the women, Thomas emphasized simplicity, sophistication and chic throughout his collection. From the plunging neckline, shiny bandeau top, deep V-neck jumpsuit to the asymmetrical dress, obi belts and shiny leather dress, every piece on the runway portrays a modern woman. She is strong, confident, successful, and yet she is still elegant, feminine and beautiful.

I had a very strong connection with this collection. It felt as if Thomas communicated directly to me via his beautiful designs. Since 20 years old, I've been trying to figure out what type of women I want to be in the future. I wanted to be an independent woman who is successful in anything she does, but never forgets who she is and where she comes from. I always want to know how does she look, and Thomas has overwhelmed me with so many answers from his collection.

Saying "I'm completely head over heels in love with Porsche Design SS15" would be an understatement.