Coral red + Jade green sophistication

珊瑚紅+翡翠綠的驚艷 

楓葉牽動了設計師們一葉知秋的愁思寂寞，遂將嫵媚嫣紅和翠綠的圓趣分別衝破墨黑亞麻秋裝系列，復將“部落”圖案躍進裙擺中於秋風起舞……好一度窩心的秋日陽光。 

     

Coral red + Jade green sophistication

This fall, new pairing of coral red and jade green polka dots along with tribal engineering print set in jet black linen will mark a very strong trend statement.

Application of green, red polka dots set in jet black linen tailoring jacket and pants enhancement are made for the lonely darkness to swift out into a tribal pattern hemline success….much applause to our brilliant designers. 

Lace power creates impact glamour

喱士能源•創意不斷

 

零八年喱士創意能源湧跨文靜、莊嫻至性感女神地帶。

 

賢嫻淑德氣派原來可順手拈來……拼棄那嘩然的輔料、飾物，欣賞喱士之靜然美態，來一個小珠驚散滿地，就能呈現嫻靜、斯文的您。

 

Lace power creates impact glamour 

Since early Spring, lace has taken the power to cross style boundaries from demure looks to sexy party delights.

To modernise lace, we can try to hold off excess accessories, understand lace is decorative enough by itself… let the tint of beads to do the wonder and shine in tranquil glamour.

Maple leaf woven in deep

秋楓紅葉•梭織重疊

紅啞楓葉的瑟蕭浪漫色調於天然亞麻交叉穿梭織染出來的面料魅力非凡。 

簡約、流水線條款式；優閒、莊重兼備悠然展開了今年初秋時尚選購的序幕。

  

Maple leaf woven in deep 

Faded maple leaf romance woven into cross-dye linen has made indeed a twist for the early autumn.Ladies, do watch out for waterfall collar jackets, fluid skirts and trousers to drive the humid summer heat away and stay in trend cool.

Evergreen Trench

 乾濕褸•服裝中的不老傳奇

 

乾濕褸三個字總是會叫人聯想到電影中英明神武的探長，口擔煙斗、頭戴蓋著凌亂頭髮的漁夫帽。

 

那女裝乾濕褸又在哪時流行起來呢？答案只有一個，不同年代流行的懸疑電影或文藝愛情片常見的煙雨迷濛鏡頭中，往往會見到該女主角披上一件乾濕褸，散發著那魅力沒法擋的瀟洒和叫人心醉的浪漫！

 

乾濕褸選用的面料，歷盡了多少面料的研發輪迴；從人造纖維到混紡，後至高級時裝設計師們吹捧下採用絲綢、混紡兩面穿著的不同設計，營造出乾濕褸成為女士們衣櫥中不可缺少的時尚。

 

個別時裝設計大師生活於不同年代的生活意識型態，總是愛創造無止境的驚奇，叫女士們爭先追趕穿上其心儀的設計師心血結晶……

從事時裝製造業四分一世紀，無論有多少誘人面料當前，我仍鍾情偶爾採購一件天然面料、造工精細的乾濕褸，堅持延續那服裝中長青的不老傳奇。 

 

Evergreen Trench 

Speaking of a Trench Coat, it always gave us the pleasure of relating to a certain movie with a tall dark and handsome detective standing in the rain.

 

So the trench coat was for men, then when the ladies trench coat was introduced? The answer is pretty simple, influenced by the lady  successfully been rescue by the detective with his trench coat wrapping around her, in the movie of course.

 

Over the years, various fabrics quality has been applied for trench coats production, from Nylon to synthetic fiber; followed by micro fiber developed double faced with silk. It is good to know that trench coat still remained as an evergreen apparel trend….and for practical use, I would highly recommend to choose a cotton twill one on your next buy.

 

Yes, a traditional silhouette trench coat is called for this autumn to wear through Spring/Summer ’09 in subtle color palette as outerwear worn over relaxed shirting and tops, please make sure not to miss out !

“herringbone”Linen

“魚骨花”穿梭“雨露”麻

非一般“亞麻”體驗    

 亞麻、天然植物纖維梭織面料一直備受歐陸設計師們青睞。 

多少年來，紡織設計師靈泉不絕要求紡織廠家開發不同粗、幼亞麻沙，編織許多美妙圖案供服裝設計師們演繹不少受歡迎的系列。   

 直至今年初春，歐美零售市場遭受大環境市場疲弱經濟影響；顧客們便歸罪新研發的亞麻面料不繼，叫她們添新裝的意欲不再。

 “魚骨花”、“雨露麻”穿梭紡織的出現好比驟雨中的陽光，配以設計師別出風格顯出“裁縫”手工風範，精緻的製作工藝，一定會讓有品味的女士重拾歡顏。

    

Unusual woven “herringbone” Linen

No ordinary linen experience

Linen has always been the popular natural fiber widely used in casual smart garment manufactory.   

Although various weight and texture in finishing have been developed to serve designers choice season after season yet fading desire to spend on linen appeared as there is no radical change of exciting linen weave inspiration.

Forever Shirts

襯衫不可缺!

某位時裝大師曾經說過，早上一覺醒來若為挑選一件稱心服裝猶豫不決之際；任何一款白襯衫會是不錯的選擇……若然衣櫥備有不同條子襯衫的話；穿著起來便讓妳顯得更神氣了。

A fashion guru has once said, “in the morning when you wake up and not knowing what to wear for the day, work or play, just put on a white shirt … and stripes will always do casual smart wonders.”

Autumn/Winter ’08

秋、冬’08

湖水藍、綠系列告別春、夏”小女孩” LOOK！

今年秋、冬，歐陸設計師們紛紛為仕女們獻上成熟款式設計導向。

永恆的絲綿風衣，帥氣小背心不失其優閒時尚。

呢絨洋服，剪裁得體；衣領及袋口的釘珠手工精美配上玫瑰金線刺繡鈕扣，盡顯高貴大方的溫柔。

 

Turquoise Blue Story bids farewell to a girlish Spring look.

In this forthcoming Autumn/Winter, there will be more directional looks to be seen on the High Street.

With the in season color palette turquoise blue – the forever Trench Coat, Gilet presented in cotton velvet, beautifully beaded Wool Jacket with rose gold embroidery button – surely serve your choice of an under statement of glitz and glamour.

Chinaware Elegance

多少年来，谈到优质骨瓷总叫人联想到英国的精制陶瓷。

年初得挚友盛情安排，前往广州参观依祺瓷酒店餐具厂，一家拥有祖传三代制瓷技术的企业，亦为国内陶瓷餐具十大知名企业之一。

参观当天，叫我喝采的除了接触到琳琅满目我国优质陶瓷制品外，更欣赏该厂对外学习的精神，与日本制瓷专家合作逾十五年；在中、日双方技术研发上获取骄人成果；成功研制独特配方，产品瓷质坚硬、超薄通透，媲美欧、美品牌陶瓷工艺。

最叫我感动的是眼前一位年轻人，依祺瓷第三代传人，三十岁出头，有礼、耐心地对我这位陶瓷门外汉，介绍其祖业的传统文化、技术及与时并进的营运理念。

面对这位第三代传人郭文峰胖子，看来老诚持重，表现大方得体；但眼神中却不经意地流露出承受着那三代祖业的传承重担；落在仍带点儿稚气的脸孔，叫我内心不禁对文峰产生惜才赞叹：『祖传三代的包袱太沉重了。』

近两个月，由于经常往返广州公干，有机会便跟文峰碰面、交流国际市场拓展机遇，他亦坦然道出意欲走出广州，闯出中国；向国际市场进发。

难得年青人心怀大志，我老人家亦乐意扶持，祝愿文峰努力为依祺瓷闯天下，前途锦绣。

Speaking of fine China, it was only like natural for us to relate to the Royal China from England until the late 70′s when Japanese Department Stores were gradually introducing into Hong Kong.

I enjoy visit to these Japanese Department Stores. It is unwinding and exposing myself to the amazingly unique packaging of anything on display. To be precise, I was attracted to the tranquil beauty of their ceramic, porcelain and bone china.

It has always sat at the back of my mind, knowingly ceramic was made 8,000 years ago in our motherland … clay was used for making dishware and cooking utensils … while wondering where this interesting history of such civilization gone and or evolve .. to my heart’s delight, I was introduced to meet with a pleasantly plum young man in his early 30′s, the 3rd generation in charge of fine ceramic, porcelain and bone china manufactory inheritance.

Meeting with Sam in his factory is indeed an eye-opening learning experience. By listening to his introductory of basic technical progression about ceramic, porcelain and bone china was like asking myself: “are you prepare to dive into the history of this civilization?”

Well, on a happy note, Sam has decided to participate and present his work online with us, please stay tune for the continuous story to be told on the “making of ceramic, porcelain and bone china” – Eqichina.

Rock Chic and Silk Road

珍妮接觸中西文化、藝術始於幼年時父母半世紀前從英國遠渡重洋涉足香港工作。

某年初中暑假一個偶然機會，被母親引薦到一家高級時裝創意研發、生產工廠當暑期見習生。

首天上班，珍妮被安排剪來年季節布片的機會而接觸到從沒有見過那麼多的色彩繽紛面料，叫本來就醉心設計工作的她，樂不可支，視此份工作為優差。

及至暑期工作到尾聲，珍妮充滿不捨離情中又帶著一顆期待明年再來的心情跟工廠各同事話別。

重返校園後，課餘時間珍妮腦海中總浮現出昔日見到海外時裝設計師們在廠內跟技術、採購部門同事洽談工作的影像，那一切設計的款色、剪裁上線條和面料顏色的運用，種種的工作上耳濡目染的點滴，竟在她的心海播藏一顆”要從事設計”的種子……完成學業後到執業當老師的她仍不斷利用空餘時間自學設計手工藝，取材半寶石和東方玉石；創製出獨特中、西文化交融的純手藝限量版飾物，以供愛好優質時尚飾物女仕們一個另類的選擇。

Rock Chic and Silk Road
Limited Edition Handcraft Jewelry collection
Originated by Jenny Francis

Jenny Francis was exposed to both Western and Oriental culture influences from her early age.

A summer job working with an Original Design Manufacturer has inspired Jenny of her future may enter in the creative world of accessories and jewelry design.

It did not take too long for Jenny came to realization of her creative capacity after she finished her studies. While she was engaged in her teaching post, a private workshop was incorporated. Her creations have been display in Hong Kong as well as sold to an Oxfordshire Arts & Crafts Centre in England that has won a Best Shopping Experience Award from the Magazine Vogue followed by her work being highlighted in another lifestyle magazine, Oxfordshire Living.

Jenny has her passion working with traditional Asian materials. Her signature silk cord and semi-precious stone lariats represent her most recent sought after creations and many more East meets West collections are continuously evolving.

Vintage Style Teddy bears

可愛的小熊跟人類共存超過了一個世紀，跨越不同國界，為我們帶來了無限的温馨喜悅。

自20世紀，無數畫家，手工藝術家們都先後創作不同意識形態，尺寸大小不一的小熊兒；分別以卡通人物選用不同針、梭織羊絨面料套入天然木碎，一針一線精心來製作每一款小熊兒。

猶記80年代我過訪當年一位成功地產物業顧問英藉友人瑪莉亞的家中，就曾欣賞過她珍藏的一頭小熊兒，出自一位著名的藝術家手筆設計。

最近跟瑪莉亞重遇，得悉她自我90年代末搬離清水灣後，她亦相繼退休，還選擇留港長住並遷入石崗，為可見將來會收留更多的被遺棄狗兒跟自己家人有更大的生活空間。

彼此話舊中，說當年，話今朝…跟着她悠然地送上一本製作典雅的照片冊，不看由自可，一看便愛不釋手了。

照片中，有8張不同臉容和服飾的熊兒，手功精緻，栩栩如生。沒有待下午茶喝罷，便嚷着要前往她的手藝工作室去。

瑪莉亞手工藝室裡目前只有8頭熊兒，均滿臉幸福地相處一室，讓我可以細心去認識，欣賞到一位成功物業顧問的另一面才華。

每一頭熊兒製造需要整整一個月時間，獨一無二。

熊兒情深款款的眼睛及由”口吹”玻璃珠組合，四肢皆用傳统優質金屬針扣相連，活動自如；身內除了化纖和天然木碎充實外並配以鋼珠加強熊身質重感。

最誘人的是每頭熊兒都有瑪莉亞為它們度身訂造的時尚服飾，配件；細心欣賞附照後，你可有心動？

逗人喜愛的熊兒不少是我們孩童時代的玩伴，隨着年齡增長；未曾讓我們忘却它那忠心相伴成長的温馨。

於1969年，著名演員Peter Buff還出書大談其四出搜集熊兒的樂趣，曾幾何時掀起了一陣”兒”風。

及至1985年，世界知名的拍賣行Christie’s 更出現了古舊熊兒收藏品的昂價成交…時至今天大小的熊兒仍為老少咸宜樂意選購收藏，甚至成為在家庭成員中世代相傳下去的寵兒。

Maria Francis started making teddy bears in 2004 whilst contemplating the arrival of her first grandchild.  She realized that happy childhood memories could be recaptured and brought to life in the form of the Teddy bears who had been our companions through childhood.

Wanting to share her own memories and to help create new ones for the next generation she decided that each bear should bring with it its own story. Maria has been making things since she was a child and her first sewing efforts created elaborate wardrobes for all her dolls.  A convent schooling instilled in her a love of fine quality and detailed work and a fondness for old fashioned neddleworking skills. This is brought together in the creation of each bear and the outfits they wear.

Maria’s ‘Storytime’ Teddies show her preference for the 1950′s bears of her childhood. She designs and handmakes them using the best quality mohair fabric and in the traditional way with cotter pin jointed limbs. They are filled with a mixture of polyfibre, occasionally excelsior (wood shavings) and she often adds stainless steel beads to add weight.  Once assembled the bear is clipped and trimmed to suit its character and its head and face are needle sculpted to enhance its expression. All of Maria’s bears have handmade glass or ‘shoe button’ eyes.   Each bear wears a handmade outfit and has accessories to suit its theme. The bear’s story and accessories accompany it to its new home. It is hoped that Storytime Teddies will be treasured and bring happy childhood memories back to Collectors. Because of the materials used these bears are not intended as children’s toys although Maria is happy to report that her 2 granddaughters each have a Storytime bear on display to accompany them through their childhood.