Another look for Kanch!

-At a photo shoot for a new project! Top secret for now!

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

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

Oh Valentines....

What was once Saint Valentine's Day, has now evolved into Hallmark's most prized Monkey makers...sorry, I meant -- money makers. Do not misunderstand the following blog to be a bashing on the international 'love' day, I'm all for love. I am probably one of the few people who have read almost every single Nicholas Sparks novel, and cried to every sappy romance movie created. What I do however question, is the theory behind Valentine's Day and whether or not we still stay true to the nature of the day. So here I go, in hopes to educate, dictate, and advise:

Interesting ...

• The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

• In the 3rd Century, the Church recorded a Priest Valentine who defied a decree that forbid 'young men' getting married, (whims of a tyrannical empororer who was under the impression that single men made for better soldiers/fighters), however the Priest continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, he was ordered he be put to death.

• According to legend, another Mr. Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself -- while he was in prison. He fell in love with his jailer's daughter and before his death he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine,".
  

• Another idea is that Valentine's Day was used to replace the Festival of Lupercalia. Lupercalia of which, after much reading, sounded like a cruel animal sacrifice and excuse for a mass orgy. Gross. The replacement eradicated sacrificial blood smearing on human bodies for the sake of fertility, and stopped the name-in-a-hat-lucky-draw style of match making.
  

• In the Greater Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology.

The Evolution of Valentines...

For the most part, we no longer need death or martyrs to be a major actor during Valentines Day. On the other hand, women have developed wants, needs, requirements -- so to speak. What once began as an expression of love through words on paper has become a public serenade of money, flowers, chocolate, commercial cards, food, and high priced lover's packages. Once again, I do not hold a low regard on this wonderful day. But there are some things that I miss about the origin of this day. The meaningful words, the expression of feelings, the display of true love.

So Gentlemen, if you want to buy her that diamond necklace... buy it. If you want to take her out to dinner... do it. What I've been trying to tell you during this essay-esque rant is, don't forget to tell her you love her, and all the reasons why you're happy to be with her. Valentine's is not the only day you're meant to love her, but is a day that you should definitely not forget to tell her that you're happy to be with her.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone.

Email info@uforepublic.com for details on how to get your set of cards (as pictured above) for this Valentine's Season.

Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com
www.kanchancouture.com | www.kanchancouture-bridal.com | buy.kanchancouture.com

Surf, Turf, Mao & Bruce Lee

Here at Kanchan Couture, we have a relationship with the skill and art form of Printing. As those of you familiar with our brand know, Kanchan Panjabi has married the art form of hand-screen printing with modern design. When we heard that Phil Hayes, Vice President of Quiksilver & Artist, was holding his 2nd solo exhibition at UFO Gallery, we were more than ecstatic and couldn’t wait to attend. 

Phil Hayes’ current artwork is based on the move from Australia to Hong Kong. He portrays the move and the iconic differences between the two places by blending Australian wildlife, with Asian icons like Mao and Bruce Lee.  He prints this onto various sized canvases, surfboards and mailboxes. 

My favorite piece was HKD$20,000, leave it up to me to like one of the higher end pieces, which was a blend of different shades of blue, the hues, the wildlife, Bruce Lee, it all just called to me. Had it not been bought already, I would have totally wanted to rock that surfboard on the seas. 

Hayes’ beatnik style of art was under spotlight and praise all night as people mingled, sipped on drinks and ate cupcakes. Overall, THREE THUMBS UP for a great collection! 

Never fear, Hayes is still here! Exhibition running until 1st September... 

Visit www.UFOartgallery.com for details 

Artist: Phil Hayes | email phazetwo@ymail.com

Enquiries 2117 2187 or email info@kanchancouture.com 

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

A Blue and White Night

A week later and the cloud of chaos is just beginning to settle down. What a few weeks it was with late nights in the studio, worries of the collection arriving on time in the correct fabric and color, long email chains back and forth with all the people involved, the phone ringing off the hook and a great build of up adrenaline…

It always amazes me at how fast it is over and now to reviewing the new collection and seeing where and how we can take it to new heights.




For more images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8600243@N02/4051935887/in/set-72157622680842662/

Blue and White – Changing hands (A/W09)

“..a pot in order to be good should be a genuine expression of life. It implies sincerity on the part of the potter and truth in the conception and execution of the work” Bernard Leach

There are two main themes of the collection - re-cycling meddled along with tradition. I draw two topics worlds apart and fuse them together. Usually in the making and buying process (of collections) there is up to 30 percent wastage and instead of throwing this away I decided that this should be re-molded and turned into something beautiful and wearable. We are such a wasteful society and it is important for everyone to start to do their bit to change people’s attitude and thinking.

The new print and general feel of the collection comes from the famous Blue and While Porcelain. Fashion and this fine art of ceramics are alike in that they adapt and integrate ideas from other disciplines molding into a new form. The passing down of family porcelain, it is this traditional aspect that interests me. It is all about a families legacy, and most families have something they pass down whether it be a scarf, ring etc in my family there has been a feud for a long time about who my grand father’s tea set belongs to – this all fits in well with the idea of re-using as generation upon generation pass down this very treasured item, almost admired as it is “old" but “new” at the same time. My inspiration is derived from my intricate Asian roots which I elegantly blend with the simple, classic and bold shapes of the 1980’s western world.

Oh Oh and the new website is up and running…so please do check it out:

www.kanchancouture.com (designed and creative by uforepublic)

This is what I really love about the fashion world it never stops….what we got brewing next is the question?

Two Years On

In the last week or so I have been waking up with a feeling of butterflies in my stomach, it is a cross between excitement, nervousness and just plain exhaustion as the day to the show gets closer. It’s a crazy world wind of coordinating the arrival and feedback of samples for the new collection, casting models, planning the show and event logistics etc.

All this would have not been possible without the great people in my life. So I just want to say a BIG thank you to them all. Holger and Jane from uforepublic (www.uforepublic.com) for the amazing job they have done on the re-branding and unconditional hours of work. Danni from Guanxi for organizing the event, Tatler Magazine, Sarah from Sweet Secrets from the yummy cupcakes, Paul Gerrard for the time and energy in planning the hair and make-up for the show, PLAY for the venue and Sashay for the hats to go with the collection.

Last but not least Sharon for all the late nights, hard work, love and laughter…and off course my uber supporting family and lovely friends.

Hope to see you all at the show, please do RSVP.

For more details : http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWhHYY9U4gHkZGN0a3R2M3pfMTZnbXRwbWZkeg&hl=en

Co-Hosted by Hong Kong Tatler Couture Magazine, Kanchan Couture celebrates 2 years birthday with a visual re-branding by uforepublic, eco fashion show organized by Guanxi Connection at PLAY....bringing you a glamorous night to remember.

www.kanchancouture.com

I want a surfboard….

Having dear friends who own an art gallery in town always keeps me up to date with the art scene, we often spend long dinners discussing why there is not more art and sub culture in Hong Kong?

Well there are definitely a few galleries in town trying to do something new and fresh, one of them happens to be – ufoart gallery. Owners Jane and Holger traveled over from Germany to show Hong Kong the meaning Lowbrow – street art.

This particular exhibition caught my eye as the artist Phil is multi-talented, not only does he create works of art but he’s also part of the fashion world designing for many great labels.

Phil Hayes has been making and exhibiting art for more than 20 years now. He has exhibited in well over 150 group shows and this exhibition in Hong Kong will be his 10th solo exhibition. His work is held in public and private collections all over the world from Japan to USA, even in Lithuania.

Australian born and bred, Phil worked as a teacher and then lecturer in fine art before moving into the surf industry where he became an artist, then head designer for Surf Company Rip Curl. After 5 years as the head designer for Rip Curl he moved to the company Quiksilver. At Quiksilver he was head designer for many years and has recently made the move to live in Hong Kong and work in the Quiksilver global sourcing where he is the Product and Sourcing Director.

The move to Hong Kong is clearly seen in the new body of work. Indeed the works are all about the move from Australia to Hong Kong and the cultural and iconic differences between the two countries. “This is why I have titled the show Australese - a mix of Australia, Hongkongese and Chinese” Phil says.

Intricate Chinese designs are seen placed with a classic old Australian car or some Australian wild life - the juxtaposition of these images creates a tension of sorts but also the end result is quite beautiful.

My favorite is the surfboard on auction right now.....…..12,800 HKD

Umm where could it sit at my house??

http://www.ufoartgallery.com/auction/

www.kanchancouture.com

An exercise in re-branding

They say time flies when your having fun, and that is definitely true when running your own fashion business. This September will mark a big 2 years for Kanchan Couture, but it feels like yesterday when the first collection was launched.

With lots of sweat, love and labor Kanchan Couture has build up a reputation for designing luxurious women’s wear, participated in fashion shows around the globe, worked with high profile media / corporations and played an active role in the Hong Kong’s fashion scene….what an exciting two years its been. People tend to ask about the experience of running a business. And boy all I can say it that it is an incredible journey - no matter how much experience you have, I don’t think one can ever fully be prepared for the ride.

Before taking the brand to the next level, we have decided to do a bit of re-branding of ogo, website, printed materials etc so that the third year starts off with a big bang. Holger and Jane from uforepublic (www.uforepublic.com) are working on giving Kanchan Couture an awesome new look!

Apart from all the difficult decisions on what text looks best, what logo best represents the brand, it been a great exercise for me to reflect on what Kanchan Couture really stands for and what I want the world to see. After an intensive interview with Jane she came up with different ideas as to what it will all look like.

A creative brainstorm lunch and its all moving ahead in full steam…..I cant wait to the whole package together. That’s the beauty of the creative process….never static, always changing, wonderfully surprising!

Left: Jane from uforepublic

Watch out for Kanchan Couture this Septemeber!!!

A big thank you to uforepublic

www.kanchancouture.com