Fashionista Awards 2011: Cheer on BJ’s Fashionistas

I still remember MY Fashionista Photo Shoot like it was yesterday, except that it was TWO years ago!  Incredible how time flies in Beijing…

My title has long passed as one of Beijing’s Fashionistas, but the line of Meili Autumn‘s celebrated fashionistas continue strong. From the bright and preppy to the dark and edgy, each Fashionista’s style is unique and bold.

With 25 Fashionistas from 2010-2011, come out to cheer on and vote for your favorite CW Fashionistas as they strut the catwalk and compete for “Fashionista of the Year” this Saturday, November 12 at the glamorous R Lounge of the Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel (in ShuangJing).

“Come dressed for the red carpet and have an awesome night with your fun, fabulous, fellow fashionistas.” - Meili Autumn, Premiere Make-Up Artist & CityWeekend’s Fashionista Creator

With DJ Chozie in full effect, tunes should be perfectly suitable for Fashionistas to be in full form and the keep the dance floor rocking.

RMB 100 ticket at the door gets you 2 drinks + entrance to the fashion show walk off that happens at 9:00 SHARP and come show Beijing’s top fashionistas some love.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, November 12
• Time: 8:30PM-12:30AM *Fashion Show starts at 9PM SHARP!
• Location: R Lounge (Renaissance Hotel)
• Address:  61号 E. 3rd Ring Road Middle Chaoyang
• Ticket: RMB 100 (includes 2 drinks)

All Shiny & New: Beauty Make-Over by Meili Autumn

I am in the mood for change.  Maybe it has to do with the quick change in season, with the weather cooling down and autumn season upon us. Maybe it has to do with the fact that another year has already flown past and it’s already my birthday coming up (yet again). In any case, whatever the reason, I was after a new look, something different so I went to the only person who I entirely trust to make me look and feel more beautiful than I thought possible.

Hands-down, the most talented make-up artist I’ve ever met, Meili Autumn works wonders. She has a gift and thankfully, she is both able and willing to share this gift with others.  There’s just something about a new make-over – it’s both invigorating and re-energizing.  I’m not going to go so far as to say that a make-over can make you into something that you’re not, but it definitely helps to bring out the best in you and has a way of making you feel all shiny and new again.

Having been featured as one of CityWeekend’s first Fashionistas back in 2008 (click here for article), I got to experience Meili’s magic first-hand and was beyond delighted with the results.  Since then, she’s been my go-to-girl for any special occasion or in this case, a sudden need for a new do.

Meili is stocked with make-up brushes of all sizes and functions, eye color shades, false lashes and everything imaginable to suit any complexion, skin tone and style.

For me, she recommended a vibrant look with bold eye colors.  I really had no preference and with Meili, I always trust her sense of style and beauty above my own personal judgement. And as always, she exceeded all expectations!

Check out the massive difference with these Before & After Snapshots. Like I said before – she made me all shiny and new!

BEFORE & AFTER:

Meili is almost always booked up with various appointments for events, photo shoots, weddings and special occasions but if you are looking for a personal consultation or make-over, you can contact Meili directly to book an appointment.  She’s both professional and personable and highly recommended by both myself and everyone I have ever referred to her in my past few years of event planning, fashion shows and weddings.

Upcoming Event:

If you’re interested in a new look and better facial care, Meili is teaming up with Kocoon Spa Lounge for a Make-Up Seminar next Saturday, September 17.

They will be giving recipes for D-I-Y Facial Masks and Meili will be teaching participants how to pick and apply  the right foundation for their skin tone and lifestyle needs and bring out your cheekbones!

Call 6410-5016 to book your space asap as the seminar is capped at 8 participants.

Insight into the Beautiful World of Meili Autumn

I’d like to introduce LumDimSum readers to Meili Autumn‘s blog on fashion, beauty & style here:

http://meiliautumn.com/blog/

Invaluable beauty tips and make-up trade secrets aside, you will uncover her stories, her insight, and a little bit more of the creative and beautiful world of Meili Autumn.

Click here for the full article of Meili’s latest post featuring LumDimSum!

**Reminder:  Tuesday, December 8th (7:30-8:30pm) is the next Holiday Glamour Make-Up Seminar @ Kocoon Spa Lounge.

Together with a free holiday make-up seminar, this is your chance to stock up on Holiday Glamour Make-Up Kits featuring eyeshadow kits with golden shades and her secret smudge-proof gel eyeliner will all be up for grabs. And don’t miss your chance to grab top picks from her new feather accessories collection.

Learn Make-Up Trade Secrets: Holiday Glamour by Meili Autumn

With all the holiday parties, Christmas parties, New Years parties, family reunions, charity events, dinner feasts, and all the random excuses to throw festive get-togethers, there will be plenty of reasons you will want to look your best this holiday season.

Learn beauty and make-up trade secrets of professional MAC make-up artist & stylist, Meili Autumn at her make-up seminar at Kocoon Spa Lounge.

Mark your Calendars for Meili’s Free Make-Up Seminar @ Kocoon Spa Lounge:

• Tuesday, December 1: 7:30-8:30
• Tuesday, December 8: 7:30-8:30

Together with a free holiday make-up seminar, this is your chance to stock up on Holiday Glamour Make-Up Kits featuring eyeshadow kits with golden shades and her secret smudge-proof gel eyeliner will all be up for grabs.

Meili will also be launching her gorgeous feather jewelry/headband/accessories collection!! As this is the first time she is showcasing her new collection, all items will be available for special promotion prices.  ***This is the PERFECT Christmas presents for all your girlfriends!!

See here some photos of a few of her feather headpieces and hats:

She’s the talent behind all the Beijing Fashionistas, so come out with your girls and check out this fun make-up seminar for some quick tricks and tips and your chance to max out your make-up bag.

For reservations, call: 5208-6068

Worst Pick-Up Line EVER

Working in such popular venues like Hatsune, Karaiya and Bling, I meet a lot of people ALL the time.

And I don’t mean for this to sound pretentious at all, but it’s quite common for people to come up to me and remember me either from frequenting the venues I represent or maybe having seen my Fashionista feature in CW a year back or who knows where.

But yesterday was the first time someone shocked me speechless.

I got a random message from a stranger on weliveinbeijing.com who sent me a message that read:

“you didn’t by chance used to sing at Banana Leaf because you look like a girl there”.

WOW. Obviously this girl made such an impression on the guy that he thought to ask a stranger on the internet if she was that same girl in Banana Leaf. My immediate reaction was speechlessness followed by fury followed by irritation that someone would be so bold and mindless to even make such an assumption.

He obviously has not read LumDimSum’s review of Banana Leaf.

I probably would have taken it as a compliment if it were ANY restaurant other than the cheesy, wanna-be-Thai-food Banana Leaf who’s musicians and entertainment are the only thing worse than the food.

LumDimSum’s Words of Wisdom:

Good Sense: “You look familiar, have we met before?”

Bad Sense: Assuming someone is a singer at Banana Leaf, which is never a good thing…or in this case, flat out offensive.

First of all, if you do want to make contact with someone you find on an online networking site, then at least take ONE minute to look at their profile for background info, work info, whatever.  99% of the time, this one minute will save you a lot of time and embarrassment.

Wedding Fever

I love weddings.  I love attending them, I love planning them, I love everything from the wedding dress to the wedding cake to the beautiful floral arrangements to the music to the dancing and the all-around overwhelming amount of happiness that consumes all weddings.

And there’s something about 2009 that’s giving everyone wedding fever. I’ve personally been to 3 weddings this year and I know of over 10 weddings that took place this summer.

A fun fact that not too many people know about me: Earlier this year, I was a wedding planner and together with my wedding team, we put together an entire wedding in just under one month. Not only did we do a wedding in a month, we did a kick-ass wedding in a month.  With limited high-end wedding stores/resources in China, we decided to just do everything ourselves – our own design, our own production and presentation.  From the wedding invitations to thewedding dress & tuxedos to the guestbook to the wedding programs and wine labels and everything in between, we created it all from scratch.

During the month up to the wedding date, I was a crazy woman.  I was super stressed, I barely slept and when I did sleep, I was dreaming wedding stuff. But in retrospect, as much work and time-constraining this project was, I learned a lot, it was a great experience and it was a lot of fun too. It’s fun to spend countless hours researching for the perfect wedding dress for Hannah, finding the most elegant floral patterns, and pulling all nighters with my wedding team finishing up last minute designs, etc.

One of my proudest days of my life was Alan & Hannah’s wedding day – an extravagant, beautiful, perfect wedding day that I was proud to have planned.

And it’s a great feeling to have been a part of such a special celebration for people that I love on a day they will always cherish and remember.

Here’s the BIG NEWS:

Most recently, I have learned of a few new happy couples.

Congratulations to Kat Don & Dan Touff, Fashionista’s ‘IT’ Couple!

Founder of Riviera PR company and PR socialite, Benoit Thebaut,  just got married in LA!

And just two days ago, I was asked to be a part of the planning for another big Beijing wedding day:

Love Birds Ken Li (owner of Bling & All-Star) & his beautiful bride-to-be, Julia Li have decided to tie the knot!  Tentative wedding date: May 2010! (Thank goodness I have more than a month this time around)

Love Birds Julia & Ken

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL YOU LOVE BIRDS!!  I wish you a lifetime of happiness and love.

Quintessentially Chic candy&caviar

If you don’t know Candy Lin and you’ve never heard of candy&caviar, I’m about to give you the inside scoop.

A fellow Fashionista and my very best friend, Candy (founder & designer of candy&caviar fashion label) is someone I can relate to in a lot of ways – she’s also from California, she’s super positive, bubbly and she’s always excited…all the time.  And she’s got a lot to be excited about with the release of her 2010 lookbook and the launch of her new webstore on candy&caviar‘s website.

will.i.am sporting candy&caviar Oliver vest

candy&caviar is Candy’s fashion label and what she likes to call her ‘labor of love.’ Thoroughly attached to every aspect of design and production, from picking out the menswear tweed for a signature hooded vest, to defining the particular fit of a cropped swing coat, Candy spends countless hours poring over lush fabrics, glossy buttons, and colored thread in a never-ending quest for the perfect combination. Her unique design sensibility leads to the fusion of classic pearls and retro bow ties with take-notice bold leggings and heavy-duty metal zippers, for looks that are contemporary and free-spirited, yet luxurious and always gracefully pulled together.  An entrepreneurial USC communications major with a creative streak, Candy’s love for the fine arts, media, and all things fashion-related led to the creation of her clothing line, candy & caviar, in January 2008. Within just two years, candy&caviar is a fashion label already recognized by distinguished publications and international celebrities with Will.I.Am hooked on candy&caviar’s signature hoodie vests.

Will.I.Am wearing candy&caviar Christian vest

And just last week I was behind-the-scenes with Candy’s most recent photoshoot for the launch of her online webstore.  Utilizing the factory-chic setting of 1949 – The Hidden City, Candy featured her top picks from her 2010 Collection of candy&caviar. From the girls’ collection, we shot the trend-setting Madison – a tuxedo vest with black silk lining and double-zipper pockets, Edie – a hooded velvet blazer with front and sleeve zipper closure, and my personal favorite: the Hudson – a windbreaker with grey satin lining, thumbhole detail and cotton hood. From the men’s collection, we also featured the Hudson windbreaker along with the Preston – hooded zipper cardigan and Nathaniel – hooded double-layer blazer.  See here some behind-the-scene photos:

And for the final product, check out candy&caviar’s webstore:

candy&caviar Preston Cardigan & Hudson Windbreaker

*Shout out to my ‘assistant’ Christian, models Brandon & Monica & photographer Matthew Niederhauser

Now that you’ve got the down-low on Candy’s very own candy&caviar fashion label, I encourage you to check out the candy&caviar webstore where you can place orders online or visit the candy&caviar Beijing showroom at China Central Place. When you find yourself hooked like me, you’ll be happy to know that this is just the beginning for candy&caviar.

“I live to inspire and be inspired. What Andy Warhol has done for pop art, what Frank Gehry has done for architecture and what Run DMC have done for hip-hop is what I want to do for fashion.” – Candy Lin

Not only is this little bundle of energy a pleasure to know, Candy’s got a heart of gold, she’s brilliantly creative, incredibly hard-working, and driven by her passion for fashion and to make her mark on the world, starting with candy&caviar.

Fashionista: Project Runway

What’s on the catwalk?  CityWeekend’s very own Fashionistas taking their turn to strut their stuff on the runway.

Hosted by the beautiful and talented Meili Autumn @ Scarlett Wine Bar + Restaurant in Hotel G, this was such a fun event! For the first time, all the fashionistas got the opportunity to get together, get dressed to the nines, and have a ball.

As one of the previously featured Fashionistas, it was such a privilege to be among Beijing’s Fashion Superstars and see first-hand each Fashionista’s unique style and ingenious creativity in putting together every last detail and touch of fashion flair and finesse. From Allie Weisberg‘s high-waisted skirt, mini crop top and layers of jewelry to Candy Lin wearing her very own Candy&Caviar Fall Fashion Line’s Madison Hooded Tuxedo Vest and LinLin‘s denim work-of-art gown, it’s not hard to see how each fashionista earned their title to be on that runway.

Congratulations to Mo & Linlin!  (Mr. & Ms. Beijing Fashionista!)

Some Hot Shots of Beijing’s Fashionistas:

**Thank you to Meili, everyone at CW, & Hotel G for putting together such a fun and successful event!  And Happy Early Birthday to Meili!!

25 and None the Wiser

25 is a pretty intimidating number. As a kid, I always associated the number 25 with being an adult – someone with a career, who is financially independent, at a prime age to get married and start a family.  Ok, I’m 2 for 3.  As a kid, I also wanted to be a Disney fairy-tale princess and meet Prince Charming at the age of 16.

I realize age is just a number and age is absolutely relative. But just I don’t feel 25; I feel like I’m still 16.  Maybe that’s because the last time I had a birthday party was when I turned 16.  Due to the awkward timing of having a birthday in early September, my birthday always coincided with the start of a new school year, when everyone is still sorting out their new class schedule and their new circle of friends or in most recent years, my birthdays have coincided with vacation time – which was nice to be celebrating in an entirely new, exotic setting, but also away from my friends, my family, my home.

So for the first time in almost a decade, I have reached the quarter century mark and I was ready to go BIG.

My Birthday Week Break-down:

Monday: Pre-Birthday Home-made Dinner & Movie

Tuesday: Birthday lunch & Birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant Kagen Teppanyaki followed by birthday drinks @ d. lounge

Wednesday: Post Birthday Dinner and Pre-Birthday Party @ GOSSIP Pour Femme at [Touch] The Westin Beijing Chaoyang

Friday: Post-Birthday dinner & drinks @ none other than Hatsune @ the Village

Saturday: Birthday Champagne @ Riviera’s Pool Party

Birthday Make-Over courtesy of the beautiful & talented Meili Autumn (CW’s Fashionista Editor)

Birthday Dinner Party & Drinks @ Karaiya Spice House

‘Bling-isine’ Champagne Limo Ride courtesy of BLING (Can be booked regularly through BLING)

After-Party @ BLING

Sunday: Birthday Recovery @ Capital M’s Opening

By the same people behind M on the Bund in Shanghai and M on the Fringe in HK, Capital M launched its official opening this Sunday, September 13.

Best Part:

• The bright & colorful painted artwork that runs along the walls of the venue
• The pointed roof-top lounge area
• The spectacular view from the spacious rooftop terrace of the Tian An Men Area
• The boxed fireplaces throughout the space really warms and illuminates the venue for a very romantic and intimate lighting in the evening
• Fabian, the restaurant manager, was very welcoming, attentive and a perfect host
• The food was fantastic – I particularly was pleased to be served fresh oysters, and some top picks included the beef bearnaise and smoked salmon with poached egg and spinach. WOW, gave a really great first impression
• Capital M will bring more attention to the Qianmen area
• The location is a great destination for afternoon tea or dinner after a day of sightseeing around heart of Beijing’s history and culture
• They are bringing Danish Smørrebrød to Beijing!!  (world-famous piled-high, open-faced sandwiches from Denmark!)

Comments:

• WARNING for girls with high heels: Taxis can not reach the venue and you must walk quite far to catch one home.
• With a massive space that fills over 400 seats both indoor and the outside terrace, it will be interesting to see who their regular clientele are and their incoming business post-launch period
• It will also be interesting to see how Capital M will compare and compete with the Legation Quarter’s supreme dining outlets.

This past week I have been living in a cloud of BIRTHDAY BLISS – birthday lunches, birthday dinners, birthday e-mails, birthday text messages, birthday FB wall posts…I’ve been down-right spoiled with love, it makes me wish every day was my birthday!  I truly feel blessed to have had such a happy and loving birthday week – Thank you to everyone for making me feel so special, this birthday exceeded all my expectations. It was better than I ever could have imagined or asked for.

Here are some of my favorite birthday shots:

My 15 Minutes of Fame Just Got Extended

Not everyone gets the rare opportunity to relive their 15 minutes of fame. Hence, the reason why it’s only 15 minutes.

But tonight I was called upon to come back into the limelight.

Let me rewind:

Back in December 2008, I was featured as one of City Weekend’s Fashionistas.  This was by far one of the coolest things I’ve been lucky enough to partake in.  Not only was I featured in a full double-page spread in the magazine, I got a full make-over courtesy of the beautiful and talented Meili Autumn, who has a gift of making you look and feel stunning.

You can check out the final product here (City Weekend, Issue December 4-17):

FASHIONISTA: Beauty and the Bling

Kristen Lum lights up any room she occupies with her electric personality and 1000-watt smile. I just can never feel down or bluesy around her. She makes me want to giggle like a sixth grader during a sex-ed talk. Another thing Kristen has got going for her is a super cute figure, which often sports the shortest, brightest dresses I’ve seen in Beijing: trés sexy. As the PR girl for hot spots like Bling, All Star and newbie to the scene Domus, Kristen has her plate full of venues she has to look stunning in on a nightly basis. How does she do it night after flawless night? “The trick is to have a ‘go-to dress,’ something you can slip on and look great in no matter what the occasion,” she confides in me. Kristen finds these little numbers at Zara, in the Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park or American Apparel. For mini dresses and high heels, her secret place is LingLing’s shop in Jiayi Vogue Square stall #712. As a born and bred Cali girl, Kristen loves the summertime look: “beach wear, bright colors, being tan, sundresses and flip-flops.” Since coming to Beijing, she has had to learn to adapt to the cold, and while you’ll still find her at Bling on the weekends wearing tiny skirts and dresses, she’ll compensate for the length with thigh-high boots. “China’s really given me an opportunity to express myself through fashion. I love knowing that I can go out and never feel over-dressed.” Kristen leaves me with some parting words: “Now that I work at Bling, I’m all about the bling.” With that bright smile, and glittering jewelery, I consider Kristen one of Beijing’s fashion diamonds.

MeiLi Autumn

Name: Kristen Lum

Nationality: Californian

Occupation: Marketing and Media Director for Alchemy

Fashionista by MeiLi Autumn For more style analysis or fashion insight, visit MeiLi’s website,

www.MeiLiAutumn.com

Photographer: Tao Zi Hair and Makeup: MeiLi Autumn

About a year since I did the photoshoot for my Fashionista feature, I received an e-mail invitation tonight to participate in the upcoming FASHIONISTA Party, featuring a fashion show with all previous CW Fashionistas, for a chance to win the title Mr. or Ms. Beijing Fashionista and a VIP card to Hotel G for a night’s stay in this fabulous boutique hotel.

Save the date- Saturday, September 19, 2009 because I have a feeling that with all the Fashionistas together in one show, this event is bound to go down in the books…or at least go down in the next issue of CityWeekend.

See?  The fame is already getting to my head. And I can’t wait.

Come out and show your support and vote for your favorite fashionista.  Or just come out to Hotel G and take advantage of their 25rmb drinks and awesome tapas/cheese platters.