You may think you know all you need to know about fashion. But really, fashion is more than just knowing how to differentiate Alexander Wang from your Alexander McQueen. It's more than knowing how to pair your tops and bottoms, and knowing which colour, prints and fabrics should never be worn together.

Having been part of this extremely fast-paced industry for the last couple of years, I’ve learnt that in order to fully comprehend my line of work, knowing the correct terminology  is an absolute necessity.

Are you feeling lost? Then allow me to elaborate further. I’m sure by now you’ve seen or heard your favourite high fashion labels such as Chanel, Christian Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier. They release two different collections every year -  the prêt-a-porter collection, and the haute couture collection. I'm pretty sure you've seen these terms in fashion rags - but do you know what it means? Here's a crash course on some important terminologies:

Prêt-a-porter: Also known as the ready-to-wear collection. All items in this collection are available in standard sizes and are ready for sale to the masses.

Haute couture: A high quality and exorbitantly priced made-to-order outfit using only intricate fabrics. Though only available to private clients, to qualify as a haute couture brand, strict regulations such as presenting two collections every year, and having a workshop – with a minimum of 15 full-time workers – in Paris are to be followed.

Bespoke: A British term coined to signify custom-made men clothing.

Black tie: A formal event that requires a man to don a tuxedo, and a woman to wear an evening gown.

White tie: More conservative and extravagant than the former, men attending this event are to be dressed in a coat, waistcoat, shirt, and after 5pm, a white bowtie; while women wear ball gowns.

Semi-formal: During this occasion, men have to wear black jackets and a pair of patterned pants (pinstripes and checks are preferred), and women, no less than a cocktail dress.

Smart-casual: A combination of wearing your formal work clothes with your casual yet chic weekend outfit.

Vintage: Clothing or designs that are from or inspired by the bygone eras of the ‘20s to ‘70s.

Call me old fashioned, but I’ve always liked the idea of having my favourite literary read printed on paper. Yes, there may be an influx of high tech stuff readily available for the masses right now (ie the iPad and Kindle), but if you’re a magazine purist, like all of us here at CLEO, then nothing beats the crispy texture of processed pulp wrapped around your hands. Not to mention the smell! We are not freaks; it’s just an occupational hazard.


Print media is not dead, folks. Truth is, I think technology just makes its content more accessible for all of us. But I’m not here to talk about the wonders of technology. Instead, I’m more keen on knowing what you guys love most about fashion magazines.


I’ve always had a passion for writing and fashion – which is kind of the reason why I joined this industry in the first place. Because what’s better than doing the two things you love most in life, right (yes, I’m lucky like that)? But so as to not seem biased, I won’t rave about what makes CLEO such a great read. Rather, I’m going to share with you what I love most about other glossy fashion magazines. You know, the kind of stuff that makes my heart flutter and proud that I, myself, am part of this exciting industry.


My favourite magazines are usually from London (like i-D and Dazed & Confused) and the U.S. of A (Interview and Nylon). Not only can you always count on a good read (their editors are always dripping with wit!), the trends portrayed in every issue are also savvy, cutting-edge and relatable. I mean, how many of us want to see stuff we can’t mimic in real life, right? Being in the publishing line myself, I know the time and effort it takes to dissect runway trends and make them wearable for mere mortals, so in my opinion, these people are certified geniuses.


As a fashion editor, it’s probably no surprise that I love fashion spreads. These pages are always colourful and have very little text. I have a short attention span, so it’s great for when I need a quick wave of styling inspiration! I love reading juicy industry scoops and interviews as well, but sometimes the texts just bores me! But every now and then, I would stumble across lengthy articles or features that’ll just resonate with me.


I remember reading an article on Alexander McQueen shortly after his passing. Though it was apparent through his designs that he was a master of his craft, no one really knew him. That particular article had a lot of words and very little pictures yet it kept my attention the whole time. In a way, it was inspirational because although pictures sometimes do speak a thousand words, reading the life of one my favourite designers put so eloquently by someone just proves that sometimes fashion is more than just skinny models strutting down the runway. That’s what publishing is all about, isn’t it? Being able to strike a firm balance with our passion and the things that truly matters.


Likewise for us here at CLEO, we are all for balance. With that, we are most interested in knowing what you readers feel about us. What do you love most about our magazine, and what do you hope to see more of in future?

Do let us know what you think!

Till next time,
Dianna

First things first: Greetings! I know it sounds a little sci-fi-ish (without the hand gestures), but yes, hi you! In case you haven’t noticed the bylines on my articles, I’m Dianna, CLEO’s newest fashion editor, and lucky for you, I come equipped with a mean arsenal of style knowledge. Fine, so I exaggerate a little, but I promise to try my hardest when answering any of your fashion questions in the weeks to come. Sounds fair?

All right, enough formalities and mucking around, let’s get straight down to business. As we all know, the one shopping event we fashionistas wait for all year has finally arrived. Coined as the best thing to happen to shopaholics, the Great Singapore Sale (GSS) is often looked upon as a time for us to reinvent our wardrobe with new threads that are not only good for our image, but wallets as well. But really, is it really all that good for us?

Let’s face it: as humans, we have a tendency to over-indulge. Be it food at the buffet table, or snagging up free glo-sticks from your favourite new rave club, that’s just part of our DNA. So before you start on a shopping rampage, hold up and take time to practise these four simple rules. Who knows, you might even surprise yourself this year!

1. Reassess Your Wardrobe Status
Because hoarding (or cluttering) can be a real serious issue, check out what you already have in your wardrobe before hitting the stores. This way, you won’t end up with another floral sundress you’ll never wear and you will have a better idea, when looking at a sale item, of what other items in your wardrobe can go with your brand-new purchase.

2. Make Room For New Stuff
You know how your mum always bugs you to clean the mess in your room before the new year starts? Well, this is the same thing. GSS spells the start of a new shopping year. With that said, trash out (better yet, donate them to the Salvage Army!) items that are too small, too worn out, and things you don’t wear anymore (things you bought but never wore goes out as well). There, there, it may be hard at first, but I promise it’ll get easier after a while.

3. Cut Down On Basics
I admit I was once a victim of the “back to basics” theory. But seriously, how many basic T-shirts, tank tops, tube tops, leggings (you get the idea) can a girl own?! Limit yourself…wait, I take that back. DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT GETTING BASICS THIS GSS! Opt for stuff with prints or texture instead. Not only will it add variation to your wardrobe staples, it also adds character to your daily styling.

4.Buy Only What You Need
It’s a sin to buy on impulse. No, really, it is! Don’t buy an item just because it’s a bargain or solely because you think it’ll look good in your wardrobe. Think if you absolutely need them, and if not, step away from the garment! Should you be two minds about it, put it back on the rack and take a day or two to think about it. If it’s not there when you next visit the boutique, you know it was never meant to be.

I’m sure you have other tricks that’ll keep you from overspending this GSS. If so, I’m definitely keen to know what they are. Tell me: What is your favourite GSS-survival trick?

Till then,

Dianna