Versace Spring 2010 Fashion Show

Versace’s Spring 2010 Fashion Show was hosted last night at D-Park in the 798 area.  The all-black venue was packed with a very diverse crowd with sightings of a few Chinese actors in the front rows (I only recognized a couple faces, one being actor Russell Wong from Joy Luck Club).

Most attendees go to fashion shows to critique and check out the brand’s newest collection pieces, but I found myself paying closer attention to the production of the show and who was in the crowds. After the candy&caviar fashion show last week, I was much more fascinated by the logistics of what puts the show together than the show itself. From the lighting to the music, the opening and the closing and everything in between, I could not help but take mental notes of everything that was going on, least of all the clothing.

Last year, Versace’s fashion show was hosted in the center courtyard of the Legation Quarter aka Ch’ien Men 23 where the show’s production alone cost something crazy like RMB 25 million and their list of guests included A-List actors like Jet Li and even Donatella Versace herself was there.

This time around, the show seemed much, much smaller in production and scale. The guest list was random, if not non-existent with people bringing their kids, students wearing their track suit uniforms, no dress code at all.

You can also imagine my reaction of sheer horror when one of the models in the first runway show lost her footing and stopped THREE times in the middle of the runway to adjust her shoe. The poor, poor girl. It was painful to watch to say the least. Not to mention, an event manager’s worst nightmare.

Luckily, I got an extra close look at the collection with front-row seats the second time around as they ran the runway show twice (the first time for real and the second time for movie filming purposes).

Overall, Versace’s Spring Collection is very vibrant and youthful. The women’s collection screamed Spring with pieces in colors like bright neon green and teal, pastel purple, and bright yellow. The collection’s pieces mixed spandex with plastic, geometric prints and completely open back tops .  There were also a few black and white print dress suits featured in the mix, but of course they ended the show with their gorgeous high-slit, flowing signature gowns.

Check out Stylites.net for Nels Frye‘s photos from the Versace Show here.

Versace’s Spring 2010 Vibrant and Youthful Collection:

While the women’s collection was very strong, the only image I can remember from the men’s collection were the long tunic flaps hanging out from the backside of the suits. A strange and unflattering look for men.

Overall, Versace’s gowns stole the show!

LumDimSum Discovery: Element Fresh’s California Hippie

A lot of people love to hate Element Fresh.  To be honest, I am not their biggest fan either. I think it’s overpriced and I’ve found so many other places with better sandwiches (Sequoia, Panino Teca, Bocata, the list goes on..)  At one point last year, I even boycotted them after several unpleasant dining experiences due to service and ordering issues.

Element Fresh in Lido

But Element Fresh recently opened a new branch in Lido (just across from Spin ceramics) and I was in the area and craving one of their heaven-sent smoothies.

To accompany my Delicious Mauritius smoothie- pineapple juice, bananas, coconut milk, aloe (RMB 22), I ordered the California Hippie Sandwich (RMB 45), which is by far one of the best dishes on Element Fresh’s menu and thus now a LumDimSum Discovery.

Served on whole grain bread, the California Hippie Sandwich features thick chunks of avocado, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and greens with Herbed Farmer’s cheese and dijon vinaigrette. If that isn’t enough for you and you’re one to crave more than just veggies in their sandwich, I’d recommend ordering a side of grilled chicken (add additional RMB 28 or add salmon for RMB 58).

See photo below – check out those chunky chunks of AVO!!

**Please note: The photo below only features 1/2 of the sandwich. I had already eaten the other half before I remembered to take a snapshot. My bad.

Element Fresh's California Hippie Sandwich

*LumDimSum Discovery Explanation: Whenever I find a dish worth sharing, I will post this find as a LumDimSum Discovery.  Stay tuned for more to come!