iWanna

Japan Shopping Highlights: Tokyo and Kyoto

Posted on Jun 13, 2013 in Featured, iWanna, Muses, Travel Adventures | 0 comments

When I was planning for our Japan trip, I made sure that we were going to hit shopping spots in Tokyo, especially the ones recommended in Pen Real Tokyo Guide. The Omotesando shops, Barneys New York Tokyo at Ginza, Shibuya shops, and a whole lot more planned. But walking around Tokyo have been so mesmerizing that we ended up spending time concentrating in much fewer areas (and even came back to the same shops for more!).

We were really happy encountering so many cool shops in the back alleys while marveling at the vibrant fashion sense of Japanese men and women, and we simply just took our time enjoying every second.

We did the same for Kyoto for the short amount of time we were there, whenever we’re not busy buying sweets or souvenirs from the many temples, shrines, and castles. It was truly worth it.

The Art Wold of ILJA Couture and Ready to Fish

Posted on Mar 6, 2013 in Fashion Reviews, iWanna | 0 comments

In a very saturated world of fashion, one of the biggest challenge is to be memorable. I think the fashion weeks happening right now can silently speak volumes to that.

About one and a half month ago, I received ILJA lookbooks from THV PR, which just announced that Ms. Visser joined the roster. So when I remember AND raving about most (if not all) of looks from a Dutch designer Ijla Visser’s ILJA Couture and absolutely loving the shoes worn on all the looks of Ready to Fish RTW collection, Ms. Visser’s works are truly memorable for me.

SUCCARRA 2013 Lookbooks Favorites

Posted on Feb 18, 2013 in iWanna | 0 comments

To be honest, I’m not big on accessories. A couple of rings here or there, and maybe a necklace. I rarely wear bracelts or bangles, let alone earrings. My accessories collection is really limited, which is kind of ironic since I really like doing Accessories DIY Projects. But looking through all the SUCCARRA 2013 lookbooks earlier this month, I feel tempted to expand my accessories collection.

SUCCARRA’s roster of designers are solid, and it’s no surprise Hollywood’s celebrities have been sported wearing pieces SUCCARRA feature. My personal favorites from the 2013 rosters (so far) can be viewed below.

The Celia de Flers’ wishbone bangles are stunning, Gypsies + Debutantes’ bracelets and cuffs are so much fun, Jessie Lane’s snake rings are charming, Melanie Auld’s bangles and earrings are edgy and sophisticated, and Samantha Faye’s closet necklaces are quirky and sweet.

One Hour at Ruti Boutique

Posted on Nov 16, 2012 in Featured, iWanna, San Francisco Bay Area fashion events | 0 comments

When I first stumbled upon Ruti Boutiqueseveral months ago at 2119 Fillmore St. and came out with a pair of Alembika pants with oversized pockets near the bottom sides, I knew that I’m going to love this boutique so much.

Finally on Sunday, November 11, the plan was realized. Thanks to Camila Casanas (Ruti Boutique’s brand ambassador), I got to chat with the owner Ruti Zisser one day after she touched down from her latest trip to Israel.

The Fillmore store was the second store she opened after the successful Palo Alto store debut.
“It took a while to launch the first boutique, mostly because I’m very picky about everything.”
“But everything went smoothly after it opened.”

And looking at customers come and go at the boutique, it’s not hard to see Ruti Zisser has great handle of the fashion pulse of the boutiques are located. Subtle, effective designs with focused accents keep the clothes from looking too basic. These are clothes that do not focus solely on hanger appeal, but how they look and feel on you.

Time to SNOBSWAP: Interview with Emily Dang

Posted on Oct 16, 2012 in Fashion Start-Uppers, Featured, iWanna | 0 comments

Chatting briefly with Emily Dang over the lively crowd at Fashion+Tech Expo & Social Media Panel during San Francisco Fashion Week was a pleasant experience. She’s very smart, charming, and passionate about her business SNOBSWAP, the new online marketplace for luxury consignment bartering and purchasing. SNOBSWAP invites fashionistas to swap, sell, send counter offers, or purchase its listed items in order to “refresh” their wardrobe without continuously piling out stuff.

The marketplace movement has become more popular nowadays, so I am curious to know why Emily decides to start her business with her sister. After our chat, it becomes absolutely clear that I need to feature Emily and SNOBSWAP on fafafoom. So please enjoy our short Q&A below, with topics ranging from the SNOBSWAP origin to Emily’s shoes addiction. Oh, and warm welcome to Emily to San Francisco Bay Area! I hope you love it here and stay for a long time :)

Last Two Flamenco Shows at Lalola

Posted on Oct 10, 2012 in Dance, Featured, iWanna, Muses | 0 comments

All good things must come to an end. Another beloved San Francisco local spot is closing and it’s heart-breaking. Lalola, one of my favorite San Francisco hang-out spots with great food (and dessert) that features monthly flamenco performance at its basement Cava Baja is closing its doors soon. Make sure you don’t miss out on the last two flamenco shows at Lalola!

A little bit of sharing: I just recently discovered Lalola early this year; several good friends recommended this place highly for its great tapas selection and yummy dessert. It was a great hang-out experience, and before long, we came back again to enjoy one of their monthly flamenco performances.

Simon Fashion Now Fall 2012

Posted on Sep 26, 2012 in Featured, iWanna, San Francisco Bay Area fashion events | 0 comments

Simon Fashion Now Fall 2012 arrived at Stanford Shopping Center on September 21 and 22 to celebrate mall shopping. Partnering with various retail brands available at the beautiful outdoor mall, special in-store offers and runway shows were held to drum up Fall 2012 excitements and entice customers to shop looks they see fresh off of the runway.

Sounds similar to Fashion Night Out? Yes, but one that’s tailored to mall shopping. Simon Fashion Now program originated from Indianapolis and it has been producing mall shopping events for the past 5 years. Each Fall and Spring seasons, the core production team goes from city to city to raise customer awareness of new collections in their favorite brands and shop immediately. This Fall season, Simon Fashion Now tours starting from Houston, TX on September 6 – 8, then goes to Palo Alto, CA, Boca Raton, FL, White Plains, NY, Garden City, NY, and finally Charlotte, NC on October 19 – 20.