Seoul Fashion Week S/S 2017 - Backstage Moments with Gayeon Lee

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show does not show how hectic backstage is at a fashion show is. I mean it does, but it's a whole 'nother beast in person.

I was lucky enough to be one of the backstage photographers for Gayeon Lee's show at Seoul Fashion Week this year. She is the absolute sweetest, and I've loved her designs since first trying to get tickets two years ago (but her show was on a weekday as the best always seem to be). Of course I couldn't attend, as back then I taught and was only able to go to the Saturday shows, but I still fell in love seeing the photos online.

Seoul Fashion Week S/S 2017 - Ti:baeg

Can a dress be anymore perfect? 

Ti:baeg impressed at Seoul Fashion Week with it's feminine style, inspired streetwear, and traditional inspirations. I might need to make a trip to Doota for their upcoming spring collection - because this dress is the definition of perfection.

Common Ground

Photos by Katherine Son

Does anyone else think they move at the most inopportune times? It seems that now that I've resettled again, I've been asked to numerous events in my previous abodes. I guess I'll just reminisce instead... and maybe mope a little.

Living out of a Suitcase

Photos taken by Jade Amy Larey.

As some of you may know, I moved apartments temporarily last week right after my trip to Hong Kong, and will be travelling around Asia and Europe before I finally head home to Canada. In other words, I've been living out of a suitcase for the last two weeks, and will continue to do so for the next three. If there's one think I hate about travelling, it's all the packing and unpacking. I packed up the majority of my things and sent them back to Canada with my parents, and left what I would need for my future travels (and probably more). I also forgot about the stuff I needed dry cleaned, so there's even more coming with me to Vietnam than I originally planned for! I'm so last minute, and sometimes it comes to bite me in the butt (I don't even know what I'll be doing in Hanoi yet besides visiting Halong Bay). 

The weather also took a turn here in Korea, and fall suddenly set in. It's sweater weather in the mornings now... and I have... nothing. A lot of beach clothes for Vietnam, but that's about it. Let's just say living out of a suitcase is hard!

On Rotation

All photos taken by Jade Amy Larey

The last two weeks have been a blur, so I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Not only did I spend a week in Hong Kong (stories and pictures to come), but I also played tour guide for my parents who came to visit in Seoul, and had to move out of my apartment (and into my friend's until I actually do leave Korea).

The Sleeveless Trench

Photos by Jade Larey

So who knew golden light was so difficult to shoot in?! Okay, it's not, or at least it isn't when you have a neutral background. Throw in this lovely cedar backdrop though... and everything is looking very golden...orange. My photoshop skills aren't that great, but a little desaturation helped a lot in restoring a normal look to my skin (and not like I ate too many carrots) while retaining that golden glow. So if you have any tips (whether editing or photographing), let me know.

Bare It All

Photos by Katherine Son

Hands up if you like dungarees (me! me! me!). Hands up if you don't like to look like you're teaching kindergarten in them (me! me! me!). I actually bought this dress for the possibility of attending London Fashion Week, as Brexit happened and suddenly the UK became a little bit cheaper. That, and a one way ticket from London to Calgary is currently less than $300 (yay West Jet!). 

Simple Is Best

All pictures by Jade Amy Larey

Another day, another off the shoulder top. Sorry, I'm like a broken record. My favourite trend is just on repeat every weekend. I swear I'll wear something different this weekend. Maybe. 

The Easiest Way to Wear the Off the Shoulder Trend

What do you get when you combine two  of summer's biggest †rends, frills and off the shoulder cuts? This dress. I originally saw a similar dress by MLM label, and while the price was fine, the customs duties would have killed me (30% why?).  So I kept searching for a cheaper version (or at least something with those duties included in the price). I was originally looking for a very colourful Chloe inspired dress when I found Shein.com. And while looking, I saw this, and immediately added it to my wish list.

Perfect Summer Makeup with Etude House's Summer Collection

For this month's pink box, Etude House sent me some of the new summer releases – including a new long lasting cushion, their new lipstick formula and a few limited edition shades of the Play 101 pencils. There are two summer makeup trends in Korea right now – matte makeup, and "juicy" makeup using vibrant, fruit coloured shades. The pink box hit both these trends, as well as a more Western one – Kylie Jenner's infamous brown lips.

Trend on Trend on Trend

Photos by Kyleigh Trott

As a general rule, I try not to follow trends too much. This summer though... that's not happening. I've been loving everything that's come out - off the shoulder tops, culottes, lace up, tassel sandals, and now crop flares, which I didn't actually think would look as good on me as they do. Here, I combined four major summer trends - cropped flare denim, an off the shoulder top, tassel sandals and my new favourite hairstyle, the half up bun. I actually kind of want to buy a neckerchief (probably the one trend I haven't wanted to jump on), because let's face it, it would look awesome with this outfit.

At Long Last... The Beach

Photos by Kyleigh Trott

How lovely is it to live an hour and a half away from a beach? I've been craving some relaxation time, and it's been showing in my shopping – off shoulder tops, sundresses and coverups galore. When I saw this top on the Zara website I had to have it. It didn't matter that it was an extra $20 here in Korea compared to Canada (usually the exchange rate and duties tacked on to Zara pieces are pretty reasonable, but this top... hot damn!). Either way, I had to have it (along with a few other super trendy pieces you'll be seeing soon) since I knew I'd be going to the beach for Memorial Day.

Review: Etude House Bubble Tea Sleeping Masks

How cute are these? Etude House launched their Bubble Tea Sleeping packs in three different "flavours" meant for different skin types. Black tea for firming, strawberry for moisturizing and green tea for oil control. There's boba capsules that contain the main hydrating ingredients and a little straw/spoon to scoop everything out hygienically.

So, as cute as they are, how did they perform?

Not "Real" Summer

Work has picked up. It's now halfway through the semester in Korea, and everyone has been super busy. There's a lot more work under my new coteacher and with my new schedule (I don't know why as I teach the same number of classes but at different times, and my coteacher doesn't make me do that much extra, but it feels like I have no time at all!).

Scandalous

Photos by Kat Son

 Want to know how to get a boy slapped  by his girlfriend in Korea? Or have little, old ajusshi's talk amongst themselves in hushed voices? Show some shoulder. PS. Both of these stories are true, thanks to this top. It's the last weeks for cherry blossom viewing though, so obviously looking cute for photos with pretty flowers is worth the gossip that comes with shoulders.

Spring

Photos by Subomi Bankole

 Spring is finally here! Actually, it was here about two weeks ago, when the first blossoms were coming out. Right now, everything is actually in bloom, or green. It's awesome! So much better than the greys and browns of winter (Gongju is looking beautiful again!).

R. Shemiste Runway Review - Seoul Fashion Week F/W2016

This fall runway season was all about the 90's, and R. Shemiste made sure to include that theme in their signature grungy aesthetic. 

Known for it's oversized sweatshirts and sukajans, R. Shemiste included wide-legged denim, bohemian silhouettes and some amazing colours in their fall collection to bring a cohesive collection onto the runway. The show was inspired by 19th century anarchist, Emma Goldman, a perfect muse for the show's distressed and layered looks. While I'm not a big fan of grunge (I'll leave the plaid at home, thanks), I loved the amount of layering going on at R. Shemiste. My favourite look? A distressed slip camisole over a ruched sleeve blouse. A trendy wrap skirt gave the illusion of a jacket or shirt layered and wrapped around the waist to add to the illusion of multiple layers. The idea of layering a loose camisole over a shirt has been very popular in Korea this winter – I've seen oversized, v-neck camis everywhere – and while most have been in suede (last seasons textile of choice), I have a feeling R. Shemiste's take on the trend will be making it's way to storefronts soon.

Why won't I be in Korea by the time this jacket comes out?!

Etude House Berry Delicious Review

Another month, another cute Pink Box from Etude House! For February's Pink Box, I received the new strawberry themed spring collection. Not only does everything look adorable, but it all smells delicious too (like strawberry candy)! An added bonus? It's probably my favourite collection of products from Etude House I've used thus far.

Etude House Big Cover BB Review

Happy belated lunar new year! February 8th marked the start of the year of the monkey, which means I’m getting old. It will be my second monkey year, which means I’m getting old. And to think, I could have celebrated it in Taipei too, if my co-teacher had remembered it was a holiday and instead of telling me I had to be at work that day (I got back a week ago, and spent a very boring new year binge watching Face Off and Master of None). Not exactly pleased with him.

But enough with my grievances. For the lunar new year, Etude House has launched a new base makeup line, as well as limited edition (super cute) eyeshadows. 

Etude House sent me the new Big Cover Concealer BB and Big Cover Cushion Concealer to review, along with three shades of the limited edition eyeshadows. Compared to the Play 101 multi-sticks, I’m loving everything about this line.

Black, White and Grey

Photos by Michael Masulli

You know you have an addiction when you're almost entirely in Asos. It’s one of my favourite stores to shop (online) at normally, and it’s really the only place I’ve been shopping at in Korea (besides checking out Zara when I go to Seoul).