SI 2006

Check out the "All-Star" 2006 issue of Sports Illustrated:

They are (from left to right) Veronica Varekova, Elle McPherson, Rebecca Romjin, Rachel Hunter, Daniela Pestova, Elsa Benitez, Carolyn Murphy, Yamila Diaz-Rahi.
Now more of them:

The ladies flew all the way to Harbour Island in Bahamas and was shot by photographer Raphael Mazzucco.

Amazing Skyscrapers

This is the Shanghai World Financial Center, designed by ShanghaiKohn Pederson Fox Architects. It is now under construction, scheduled to be completed by 2008. Rising in the Lujiazhui financial district in Pudong, the Shanghai World Financial Center is said to be a "tower among towers." The elegant 101-story skyscraper will be (for a moment, at least) the world's tallest when completed in early 2008.
"One of the biggest challenges of building tall is creating a structure that can withstand high winds. The architects devised an innovation solution to alleviate wind pressure by adding a rectangular cut-out at the building's apex. Not only does the open area help reduce the building's sway but it also will be home to the world's highest outdoor observation deck -- a 100th-floor vista that will take vertigo to new heights."

Here's a pic I took when I was in the area. I guess the SWFC still has a long way to go. Erected behind it is the 88-storey Jin Mao tower, said to be the third tallest tower on Earth (so far). It was designed by SOM. Oh, the Grand Hyatt Hotel is located also here, occupying the 53rd up to the 87th floor. It is known to be the highest hotel in the world. I wonder how high also their room rates are.

Enrique and Mini

Here's a short clip with 2 of my favorite models in the fashion world...Enrique Palacios and Mini Anden:

Happy Birthday Vogue-China

I was touring the sister of a good friend of mine in Xintiandi last week and saw this "catwalk" set-up inside the mall.

The tiny model-cutouts actually move around just like in a regular fashion show. It looked amazing but actually, nobody seemed to notice since I was the only person who took time to stop and look closely at it. The reason behind this is because the chinese fashion industry is celebrating Vogue-China's first year anniversary this month. Their first cover a year ago was supposed to be Gisele Bundchen but was cancelled in favor of western-australian gamine Gemma Ward. She was then 17 years old with 13 Vogue covers in her portfolio. The fashion bible was styled by French Vogue Doyenne Carine Rotfield and was shot by the remarkable Patrick Demarchelier in Shanghai. Of course it was a gatefold cover with Ward, together with five chinese models including Miss China 2003 Du Juan and shanghainese beauty Wang Wenqin.

Don't they just look lovely?!

Hiding the Belly

I guess they're back and I love them! Helmut Lang had them in his 2004 Spring-Summer Collection. Well at least they look like it.


And now Neil Barrett has them in his 2006-2007 Autumn/Winter Collection.

They're called cummerbunds. I love them coz they emphasize the waist but at the same time, hide the belly. So now you don't have to worry about eating plenty for as long as you're wearing them. It's like a modern version of an obi but more chic.

Mediterraneo

Last friday night, our company celebrated it's anniversary at Mediterraneo. Located at 1317 Wu Ding Xi Lu near Jiangsu Lu, the restaurant is situated down a driveway, in a beautiful old colonial house. The first time I was there was during the daytime, trying to figure out how to decorate the place for the party. I was amazed by their garden and how such a place like this could have existed along a very "local" part of Shanghai. The inside basically looks very "residential" with it's wooden floors and intricate mouldings. It has a garden with strategically positioned chairs and tables, a mix of modern and contemporary furniture. The second floor opens up to a wide terrace overlooking the garden downstairs, with a little breeze of fresh air.

Then the night of the party came. The place looked more beautiful and enticing. Of course, with the addition of my decoration, the place looked spectacular:) We only occupied the second floor but it was worth it. The food was good and even though we had everything arranged, the staff seemed very attentive and welcoming. Gazing by the terrace, the garden looked even more surreal. I could see people on dates and in groups and even kids enjoying the ambience.

It was a good night for me and for my company.

Oh My God

I just want to share this joke I read from www.smartshanghai.com:

An old man was on the beach and walked up to a beautiful girl in a bikini - "I want to feel your breasts" he exclaimed. "Get away from me, you crazy old man" she replied. "I want to feel your breasts, I will give you twenty dollars," he says. "Twenty dollars, are you nuts!? Get away from me!" "I want to feel your breasts, I will give you ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS" he stated. "NO! Get away from me!" "TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS" he offered. She paused to think about it, but then comes to her senses and said, "I said NO!" "FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS if you let me feel your breasts," he claimed. She thought, well he is old, and he seems harmless enough...and $500 IS a lot of money.... "Well, OK...but only for a minute." She loosened her bikini top and while both are standing there on the beach, he slid his hands underneath and began to feel... then he started saying, "OH MY GOD...OH MY GOD...OH MY GOD..." while he was caressing them. Out of curiosity, she asked him, "Why do you keep saying, 'Oh my god, oh my god'?" While continuing to feel her breasts he answered, "OH MY GOD...OH MY GOD...OH MY GOD... OH MY GOD, where am I ever going to get five hundred dollars?!

Bar Rouge

photos courtesy of smartshanghai.com

Last saturday night, my friend and I went to Bar Rouge, located on the 7th floor, Bund 18. We arrived there at almost 1am and it was so packed! Entrance fee was 100rmb each (w/o drinks). Expensive huh?! Then we ordered vodka-sprite which costs 70rmb.......each!!! It was way too expensive. But the crowd was great! Well if you don't enjoy rubbing elbows with strangers, then you wouldn't have enjoyed. The place was filled with mostly foreigners, drunk and dancing as they shouted words we couldn't understand. There was a terrace which they filled with white sand, the area having a spectacular view of Pudong. The weather was cool so it was perfect to stay out even though it was also packed. It's funny to see how people would try to figure out what language we spoke. As my friend and I were talking, we noticed the group beside us trying to listen in to our converstation. I think they were french or I dunno what they were. It just felt funny. I could have told them #@&%*!! without them understanding.

That night was filled with gorgoues people. Models, businessmen, athletes, transvestites, whores, you name them, they're all there. It was such a fun place but you really have to be loaded to enjoy their drinks. They had a live DJ but the music wasn't impressive. They played dance tracks which were so overdue. But still, the crowd loved them.

It suddenly began to pour so we decided to call it a night. As we waited for a taxi, we noticed somebody on the ground, all wet and wasted. People were trying to carry him and give him some TLC but I guess they just couldn't compete with the power of alcohol. Sniff!

Oh and I went back again the following night, this time with a few friends from volleyball.

LV Forever

Take a look at what caught my attention this afternoon among the many bicycles that were parked along a street in Shanghai;

Only in China.....clap clap clap!!!

Bravo Volvo

Last night was my first car-accident experience here in Shanghai (and hopefully the last). As my friends and I were crossing an intersection, a Honda car on the opposite lane was making a left/u-turn. Apparently, the driver hit the middle section of the SUV that my friend was driving (a Volvo).


The damage of the other car was pretty serious:


See what the crash did to my friend's SUV:


Yes just that. Applause for Volvo's SIPS (Side Impact Protection System).

Fashionista Test

Find out how "fashionista" you are. Click on this link:

http://www.devilwearspradamovie.com/fashion101/index.html

I got 17 correct answers. Not bad I guess.

Fashion Forward

My friend sent me this pic:


These japanese women will do anything for fashion!
Clap clap clap!!!