American label Bebe fashion (pronounced "bee bee") features a diverse range of designs in its Spring Fever Spring 2009 Collection

Wild Thing: Two safari-inspired outfits from Bebe's spring collection 2008

Eclectic Mix of spring fashion from Bebe

By WONG LI ZA

WHEN the theme of a fashion launch is Safari Chic, naturally earthy and khaki hues spring to mind. And since it's a spring collection, it seems only logical to include floral designs and pastel shades.

American label Bebe (pronounced "bee bee") features a diverse range of designs in its Spring Fever Spring 2009 Collection.

The line-up exhibits strong prints, neutral hues and floral designs to meet the various needs of the modern woman. Fabrics include plush textures such as high quality silk, knit, stretch sateen and rich jersey.

In keeping with the Safari theme are Kenyan-inspired creations featuring heavy animal prints and khaki suits. Shades in this range are predictably camel, beige, brown or black.

A standout piece is the leopard-face print tube dress that looks comfy and sensuous.
The design also comes in a slash neckline, waist-gathered top which, paired with a pair of pants or jeans, would make a great party outfit.

Colourful caftans and floral butterfly print dresses form the brighter side of the collection.

The tops come with feminine ruffles and slit-sleeve designs in colours ranging from fuchsia to striking blue.

For casual get-ups, skinny distressed denims are stylishly paired with short caftans or racerback tanks.

Those looking for a sharp office outfit might be interested in the vest and pencil skirt combo with fringed detailing.

The Spring 2009 collection also has some fitted and structured jackets which, matched with short pants or denim jeans, create a pared down look.

Current Bebe chairman and founder Manny Mashouf opened the first Bebe boutique in San Francisco back in 1976, filling a niche that was neither junior nor bridge, and he hasn't looked back since.

The Shakespearean phrase "to be or not to be" inspired Mashouf to choose the name of the fashion label.

Interestingly, the word Bebe means "woman" in Turkish and the Persian name for the queen in a deck of cards.

Celebrity clientele of the label are believed to include Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez.

The label Bebe entered Malaysia in September 2007 and is also found in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

* Bebe boutiques are located at Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, and 1 Utama -Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Cute and cuddly fashion - Glamorous Barbie, Jet Set Barbie, Sporty Barbie, Vintage Barbie, Rock Barbie, Classic Barbie

Cute and cuddly
Jaspal has come up with the first ever collection of Barbie-inspired women's apparel and accessories.
Stories by WILLIAM K.C. KEE startwo@thestar.com.my

IF you have always envisioned dressing up like a doll, more specifically Barbie, here's your chance to take it up a notch. Jaspal, the Thai fashion label, has collaborated with Barbie to create a limited edition line of clothing and accessories to commemorate the doll's 50th anniversary.

"For five decades, Barbie has inspired girls of all ages to dream, discover and celebrate their girlhood from fashion to fantasy, in a
world without limits," says Viseth Singhsachathet, the assistant managing director of Jaspal. "We feel honoured to be part of Barbie's 50th anniversary celebration and hope the Barbie by Jaspal collection, captures the essence of today's fashion," adds,Viseth.

"A lot of effort was put into designing this special collection. We were truly inspired by Barbie's innate fashion sWle through the years, and felt strongly about using this inspiration to design a contemporary collection of clothing and accessories for the modern woman to enjoy."

Jaspal, which made its debut in Malaysia last year, is the only brand outside the United States to do a Barbie-inspired collection. Last
February, a fashion show that paid tribute to Barbie was held in Bryant Park, New York, featuring designs by 50 couturiers including Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Rachael Roy, Betsey Johnson and Anna Sui.

The Barbie by Jaspal collection consists of six mini capsules:

Glamorous Barbie
This range includes Jaspars classic dark denim high-waisted skirts and hot pants. To be worn with black T-shirt with lace puff sleeves, the collection features a screen-printed logo and sequined graphics.

Jet Set Barbie
The nautical-inspired capsule is perfect for summer outings. Featuring red, blue and white stripes and placement prints, the pieces can be worn with a white knotted belt with a dangly anchor pendant.

Sporty Barbie
Inspired by sports, this capsule include hooded velour jumpsuits in hot pink; T-shirts with 50th Barbie Anniversary logos and grey made cotton fleece tops with colourful minia- ture prints.

Vintage Barbie
The vintage-inspired capsule is romantic and glamorous. Fabrics are printed in multi- colour designs using a wet-on-wet technique. When dry, it is reprinted again with different coloured designs ranging from diamonds, stars to ribbon-inspired graphics.

Rock Barbie
This essential 1980s punk rockinspired capsule include a black tank top and a white printed cropped off shoulder T-shirt, worn over bleached jeans and finished off with a classic studded leather belt and heels.

Classic Barbie
Featured in this capsule is a short sleeveless, cotton satin puff-ball dress with pleated folds at the bodice. It is worn with a crystal encrusted bow belt.

Besides the clothes, there are also Barbie accessories. Choose from handbags made of mock crocodile skin and colourful shiny leather, or casual shoes with Barbie's signature logo.
Any which' way yeu desire. (Clockwise from left) Top with lace sleeves matched with denim skirt; T paired with white overalls; short sleeveless, cotton satin puff-ball dress with pleated folds at the bodice worn with a crystal encrusted bow belt; and nautical inspired ensemble in red, blue and white, worn with a white knotted belt.

Fashion Shoes under the spotlight - All shapes, colours, materials and designs showcased at competition

Shoes under the spotlight
All shapes, colours, materials and designs showcased at competition

By Jade Chan jade@thestar.com.my

SHOES of all shapes, colours, materials and designs took the spotlight at the Malaysia Footwear Design Competition (MFDC) 2009 award presentation held during 1 Utama Shopping Centre's annual fashion week.

The MFDC was created as a platform for young and upcoming designers in Malaysia to express their thoughts and design capabilities through the creation of their masterpieces, from the conceptualisafion to realisation of the actual footwear.

MFDC 2009 featured five categories: Men's Leisure Shoes Design, Men's Fashion Shoes Design, Ladies' Leisure Shoes Design, Ladies' Fashion Shoes Design and Ladies' Evening Shoes Design.

The top three winners of each category received RM3,000, RM1,000 and RM500 respectively and a plaque each.

There was also a Most Creative Grand Award whereby the winner would be rewarded a free trip to visit an international shoe fair, while
three individuals were presented with a Most Promising Award certificate.

The entries were judged based on their innovation, creativity, practicality, functionality, popular appeal, material selection and safety.

The winners were selected from a total of 270 entries received from 112 participants,85% of whom came from design institutions.

Most Creative Grand Award and Ladies' Fashion Shoes Design Award winner Tan Yen Yen appeared stunned yet thrilled by her double Win.

"My concept was of graphic pop art With the use of picture elements to create a mischievous and playful feel. I wanted to give a new twist to boots, hence I came up with one that had dual function so the wearer can mix and match it with her outfits.

"The base has a funky black-and-white design, along with a jacket that has colourful graphic motif," said the 22-year-old SML Fashion Academy Fashion Design student.

Tan said her win would motivate her to itake up more contests and even design more shoes to Xo withher clothing designs.

In his speech, guest of honour Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said: "This competition is timely, judging from the performance by the industry of an estimated RM1 billion business with exports surging to RM657 million in 2009, compared to RM612 million the previous year.

"The performance by the industry augurs well for the country as the government is also encouraging Malaysians-to buy local products.

The emergence of DatukJimmy Choo, who carved his name in the international shoe design Itarena, is proof that Malaysians can excel in this field. All we need is to create more Jimmy Choos from our pool of talented designers."

Organising chairman YS Leow said: "This competition is aimed at promoting and upgrading local footwear design, and its standard for the
development of the industry."

Leow, who is also Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Shoe Industry Association president, urged participants to take the opportunity to network and offer to design shoes for the celebrities and guest,s of honour that were present at the event.

Local songstress diva Ning Baizura noted that Tan's design stood out because of its creativity, and chic yet edgy look.

"The boots are original, stylish and funky. Tan made it clear when She said she wanted something that was multipurpose, and it's something that can be worn to day or night functions," said Ning.

The self-confessed shoe fan who values comfort admitted that she Would wear Tan's boots, and looked forward to getting Tan to design shoes for her collection.

Ning, along with fellow competition judge and jazz singer Noryn Aziz, also enthralled the crowd with their powerful performances.

The other judges comprised Anita Sarawak, Sonny San, Jimmy Chia, Hazel Lui, Jonathan Cheng and Stanley Chong.

The event included a fashion show by Malaysian designers like Key Ng, Jonathan Cheng,. Scott Chu, Bill Keith and Alvin Tay, some of whom personally designed the shoes to go with their outfits.