Summer Stylin'

In this horrible weather we've been having lately but I've been very optimistic about the summer and sunshine so I thought i'd blog about your summer must-haves.

Last week I bought a couple of dresses online and having them arrive is exactly like Christmas, except you know exactly what you're going to get. Unfortunately I haven't been able to wear any of them due to the weather but that hasn't stopped me from buying more and coordinating outfits in my head- haha.

I've complied a list of things that you can build on that a perfect summer styles. Start with the basics and go from there!

The first of course is sunglasses, whether you're on the beach or you're just having a walk about. Sunglasses look great and they offer good protect from the sun so pick a pair that match your face shape.

Summer shoes used to consist of just flip flops and sandals but now there are Toms, Espadrilles, Jelly Sandals, or Grecian sandals so pick a pair that a ideal for your day. 

Summer dresses of course are ideal because they come in all shapes and sizes, prints and fabrics suited for where you are. Wear lighter breathable fabrics such as jersey or mixed fabrics to minimize the heat. Wear a maxi dress or sun dress for different occasions and choose some fun prints or bright colours to bring out your skin tone.

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 3741 0107 | info@kanchancouture.com

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Whats Trending?

Hong Kong has some of the strangest weather I've ever come across and usually it's really cold during this time but I'm finding myself writing this in just a t-shirt.

For the first time since I can remember, I am desperately looking forward to summer. Usually I'm dreading the season because it's so hot and humid and hardly stylish because you want to wear as little as possible (without looking risque) to avoid melting under the sun.

But...... This year my outlook has totally changed and I think it might have something to do with this years trends or maybe I'm just becoming less cynical about HK weather.

So I picked out a top trend for 2013 that absolutely relates to us- Asian influence.
Kanch's design aesthetic is influenced by her heritage and Asian influences are very prominent in her designs. Even textiles are sourced from Thailand and India and lots of gems and jewels from from India, China and Hong Kong.

I picked some of my favourite Asian influenced pieces from our collections. The first, a Cheongsam Collar top with side detail embroidery. I especially love this top because of its soft silk cotton mesh fabric and minimalistic but beautiful hand stitched detail.

The second, an Ikat print dress our most viewed item on our E-shop has a Indonesian tradition print in a cotton woven fabric.
The next piece is a blue silk skirt that is hand silk screen printed in India.  Kanch's prints usually consist of family images that are manipulated on photoshop to create a better effect for the silk screen print process. I adore the colour combination of this skirt, the gold really pops on top of that vibrant blue silk and the shape is fun and flirty but perfect for a work event or outing with the girls!

This year, the jewellery trends are getting chunkier and brighter! 

We created a collection of charity bracelets in which 50% of proceeds go to charity! These collections are our brightest yet and the proceeds go to a great cause to help children and young adults get an education in India.

Recently we got our Valentines collection!! I love it when we get new stock sent in, its like Christmas!
For this special addition we used different centre pieces, gem covered crosses, lips and hearts with new hamsa hand pieces.

The great thing about these bracelets is that they are first and formost, for charity but secondly, they are totally versatile and a conversation piece! Pick the colours and centre pieces that suit you best and rock it out with a casual outfit or a glamourous ensemble.

They are on sale now on our e-shop so get them now in time for Valentines! Check out all the styles and email us if you'd like to purchase 3 or more at buy@kanchancouture.com ! 

 Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com

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Summer Ad Campaigns & Editorials

I’ve been doing some research on banners on successful e-commerce sites and fashion editorials for our brand, Kanchan Couture.

Slowly I’ve been assigned to take over most of Kanchan Couture’s web projects from facebook, to helping create our new shopping website. We’ve almost reached the end of this now but there is still a lot to do, tiring, but exciting.

Because summer is approaching and our website goes live at the end of this month, we need a couple of fabulous summery banners. I’ve been looking for ideas while trying to link editorials to e-commerce.

After the shoot with our models last month we had a ton of photos to choose from. Although they were great we have to think about each market and the types of models that appeal to different countries.
Hong Kong is quite the international city and everything works here because Hong Kong is made up of hundreds of nationalities.
As for China, Chinese models and Chinese mix models are really popular. I remember going to Pan Yu with Kanch and Shivani and seeing billboard after billboard of ads featuring mainly Chinese models & few mixes.

I remember when Karl Lagerfeld used Blake Lively for a Chanel Mademoiselle Campaign and there was some controversy about Ms Lively not being the right candidate for the European market.

I adore summer editorials, the vibrant and contrasting colours and glowing dewy skin, it actually brings to mind the Gucci Summer ad campaign.

I had the ladies of Kanchan Couture pick out their favourite pre summer editorials 2011, check them out!

Shivani's pick

Flavia de Oliveira by Marcelo Krasilcic for Elle Italia

My Pick
Isabeli Fontana for Vogue Paris by Mert & Marcus

Annie's pick

Shelia Marquez by David Roemer for Marie Clarie Spain

I asked Kanch which ads she liked or disliked and she mentioned the Esprit sunglasses ads that have taken over ad spaces at Hong Kong bus stops.
Even though i asked for Kanch's opinion we all agreed that it was super boring, yawn, not surpised that i can't find it online hahah!

Dreaming of summer holidays……

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com

www.kanchancouture.com | www.kanchancouture-bridal.com

Summer Trends

So summer is finally here in Hong Kong and it’s got the office crazy for summer wear!

We’ve all been to check out H&M, Cotton On & Zara quite a few times (1 trip is certainly not enough) and we’re all really excited about the summer trends like maxi dresses, bikinis, shorts, prints, stripes, maxi skirts, gladiator sandals and wedges.

It all started with the Bikinis we went to look at during our 3 day photo shoot. I swear we were in that section for a good 15 minutes running around yelling “OH MY GOD LOOK AT THIS ONE!” holding our arms up above avoiding other shoppers to show each other our finds. I guess that’s one of the great things about fast fashion, of course, you

could end up on the beach with a couple of clones, beware!

The other day after work, Shivani and I went to H&M to do some research for our Merchandising Mix for our new web shop and spotted a lot of great prints and accessories. Shivani actually ended up getting a pair of stripy high waisted shorts and I got a printed flower tank dress.
With research in mind of course!! - Ah the wonderful world of fashion!

This entire summer shopping epidemic has got me thinking about trends for our new website and we’ve been talking about creating new styles for the brand.
We’ve also been redressing the mannequins into their new styles ready to turn the heat up.

Since we got tons of new scarves, we were experimenting different ways to tie them and we came up with some really chic fun ways to tie them

Here are our top picks for the summer!

Shivani's Pick

(Maiden Print dress)

My Pick
(Mahel Print Dress)

Kanch's Pick
(Skinny Pink Neon Belt with our Slant Print Tee)

Annie's pick

(Cheeky back top with our Choc Shorts)

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com

www.kanchancouture.com | www.kanchancouture-bridal.com