Carried the Lancel Leather Minaudiere

and hosted a Royal Gala (congratulations) for Bhutan’s Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck a few nights ago.

With Lifestyle Asia Editor-in-Chief Anna Sobrepeña

(Click HERE to read about & see photos from the Lifestyle Asia event)

Then last night, photographer Patrick Uy invited me to a more intimate dinner also for the Bhutanese Royals where I got to hear the Queen Mother talk about her charitable causes geared towards the Bhutanese youth of today.

The events of this week peak tonight with the opening of Philippine Fashion Week. I wanted to share with you peeps that I will be walking the runway for SM Ladies Fashion tonight– as a fashion blogger (hookay, let’s be clear about me walking not as a model but as a blogger, so please please don’t expect me to sashay- shante and werq it like it’s RuPaul’s supermodel song LOL).

I am very honored to be asked to walk for this show, but at the same time quite petrified because I really dread walking down the ramp–I did a runway walk once for the Mega Magazine Most Stylish event and swore never to do it again LOL. It was a very scary experience. So hopefully I don’t fall flat on my face tonight and embarrass my friends and family (who will hear about this if it happens, and subsequently disown me for the embarrassment I caused them LOL).

That said though, I wanted to mention that the 2 outfits I will wear tonight from SM Ladies Fashion are real nice and indeed reflective of my style– so I am excited to wear them  So if there will be peeps attending tonight’s show, please do come and say hello to me (and maybe offer me a glass of wine or bubbly to calm my nerves hahaha).

More on SM Ladies’ Fashion Show for Philippine Fashion Week later– I will be live tweeting/ instagramming, so please don’t hesitate to check both my twitter and instagram feeds

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TheBagHag

Zara has come up with a perspex box clutch and has quickly sold out. I wanted one because perspex clutches pose a good bag editing challenge- and you become a good bag content curator

One such bag is this Charlotte Olympia Perfume Bottle Clutch

This clutch is too cute in person– it is shaped like the Chanel No.5 bottle There are actually other versions (I’ve seen a blue one as well) of this perfume clutch but this is really my favorite piece and is not the 1st time I wrote about it

If you have been looking for a statement perspex clutch, I highly recommend this piece! It is one of the best of its kind so far

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TheBagHag

It was through one of the pillars of Asia Fashion Exchange that I saw the bag collection of CH Carolina Herrera for FW2013.

This beautiful red tote combines design with function. Like the designer herself, the fringe tote is tastefully executed.

Anyway I’m on the road now so let me blog again in a bit when I can use my laptop. I’m getting dizzy

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TheBagHag

I’ve been so fortunate to see Carolina backstage before her show (back to back show actually) to interview her and to personally congratulate her on her recent collections (more on the interview tomorrow, with photos from her recent CH collection as well). For now though, I’d like to share some images from the Carolina Herrera show last night.

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the photos.

Interesting to note too that Carolina worked on this collection after having put together the musical score for the show. She centered the collection around the music of Beethoven as she was inspired by it. And the modern superwoman of style was born, ready for Fall and Winter 2013!

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TheBagHag

But oh my, what’s up with the bags– in particular this one?

This Valentino Tegu Studded Bag just baffles me. It’s too busy. Textured and too many elements all in one bag. The studs, the side bow and those double twistlocks on the double flaps. We women can never have enough pockets on the bags but this bag is just all wrong.  :(

Even if this bag goes on sale and slashes its price further, I will not buy it. Would you?

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TheBagHag

Gucci’s Creative Director and Chime for Change co- founder Frida Giannini noted that “this is the emergency and the opportunity of today. We have reached a significant moment in the history of girls’ and women’s empowerment and now is the time for change. I think it is essential for girls and women to see and celebrate what is possible. I hope that through CHIME we can help the voices calling for change to become so loud that they cannot be ignored.

There will be a televised concert event at London’s Twickenham Stadium on 1 June with Co-founder and Artistic Director, Beyoncé as headliner. Also set to perform Ellie Goulding, Florence + the Machine, HAIM, Iggy Azalea, John Legend, Laura Pausini, Rita Ora, Timbaland.

For more information about Gucci’s Chime for Change, please do take the time to watch these videos:

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TheBagHag

Carolina and Colin McDowell, the creative director of the Audi Fashion Festival in Singapore

The gala included a series of fashion shows that showcased the finalists from the Audi Star Creation.

Today I’m off to listen to a series of talks about the current retail landscape in Asia as well as keeping consumers’ brand loyalty. I’m actually really grateful to be here for this festival because as a writer, it gives me an even more thorough understanding of the relationship between the retailer and the consumer as well as the role that media plays in all this. It’s all incredibly interesting and very informative!

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TheBagHag

Met the lovely Asia Fashion Exchange team as well as the representatives of the Singapore Tourism Board who had welcomed media with a very nice Italian lunch at Garibaldi on Purvis Street. Such a beautiful street this is– I had only passed by this street a number of times during my visits to Singapore, but this was the first time I had actually walked around this area

After lunch, we were taken to Paragon Mall to visit Raoul. This is a brand that has been making good with apparel of late, and I zeroed in on some bags which I find quite nice

The classic tote with an envelop pocket in neutral tones– something that would work very well for work and for the weekend!

I’m loving these pastel accordion clutch bags which also work as a cross body and as a shoulder bag. These accordion bags will make us all better bag editors

We proceeded to Parco by Millenia Walk. I have never been to this part of town and I am so surprised and amazed– Parco Next Next houses a lot of apparel and merchandise made by young and upcoming Singaporean designers! I’ve always wondered why I never see these designers along Orchard Road. It is rather sad that tourists had no way of knowing where to find these designers in the past, and I’m so glad that I’ve been given this opportunity to share the information with you all.

There is difficulty for these young designers to be in larger malls on the main Orchard Road because the malls give priority to the global brands. I can tell you this much– these designers deserve to be in a space that is accessible to tourists because they are all so talented! Here are some of the brands:

I’m so in love with this chain necklace It’s too cute!!!

I have to get ready for the Audi gala night now, but I will be discussing these more in detail when I get back in tonight! Hope you enjoyed the photos though Do follow me on instagram.com/thebaghag as I will be posting real- time photos there while I’m in Singapore

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TheBagHag

The Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Leather Top Handle Tote reminds me of the Hermes shadow birkin.

It’s not exactly the same, but it has the makings of a classic bag that is meant to last a long time.

The thing about Saint Laurent bags is, the leather is a bit on the shiny side and is more prone to scratches. However I like that this particular bag has compartments and that your things won’t get lost inside the bag abyss. Fashion editors have been toting Saint Laurent bags of late, cementing its status as an undeniably chic bag

The Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Leather Top Handle Tote is available for immediate purchase HERE. Go ahead, it’s Mother’s Day. Allow yourself this indulgence!

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TheBagHag

One of the best summer fragrances is from Acqua di Gioia Eau Fraiche. It is something that she will definitely love because the scent is very sweet, delicate, and light. Nothing overpowering but has enough staying power for all- day wear.

This also happens to be my favorite scent ever since it was introduced to me.

Why not go for something delicate, like silver bracelets brought in from Paris and are available through Accessory Lab (Accessory Lab 2/F Rockwell Powerplant Mall Makati City. *632- 8909011*)

And then there is this really striking Etro Multi- Crystal Ring

which makes quite an impact when worn

If mom loves fruits and is a health buff, then this next gift is perfect for her (I personally love receiving this because I love having fruits, especially on a very hot day):

A healthy, fruity arrangement from Fruits in Bloom! I especially enjoyed the white chocolate dipped apples (soooo good!!!). And the whole fruity arrangement was guilt- free!!

Now, fellow moms out there, if you’ve got some spare change (haha that word is subjective), here are some gift ideas for yourself– to give yourself that pat in the back on Mother’s Day because a mom’s job is never easy and you deserve to feel good about yourself!

When it comes to fine jewellery, I zeroed in on the statement deer and jade earrings by Michela Bruni Reichlin.

The earrings are really a statement piece because of the sheer size of each earring. It is very beautiful when worn! *I am in love with this piece*

The versatile Lancel L Bag
This bag is just beautiful. It is large enough for everyday use as a day bag, and the bag comes with a detachable oversized folder pouch inside which you can carry as a clutch at night! Very clean lines on this bag too and the style is very elegant. This has to be one of Lancel’s best bags in my opinion.

Still so many more things for the very deserving mother! Bottomline is, you have to show appreciation and love for your mom Give her a nice, tight hug and don’t forget to tell her how much you love her

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TheBagHag