(MURUA top, moussy bag, Romwe pants, Topshop tanktop, Topman hat, Zara heels) Hype this look on Lookbook here. Thanks Kristin for helping me with these photos!

Say hello to what I call my ultimate dyslexia top! Some of the letters are flipped, making it almost impossible to understand at first glance. It would take you a good few seconds (given you have perfect eyesight) to take it all in and realize what the message is. If you don’t want to go through the effort, I’ll just type it out. It says, “Don’t you think now is the time to be adventurous while we’re still young?” While I think we can be adventurous at any age, I do feel that I’m in the prime of my youth and that it’s the perfect time to try out new things and have fun, without all the serious stuff (like health problems and physical limitations for example) that goes with growing old. 

I don’t have a lot of graphic tops but I just felt drawn to this particular one as soon as I saw it on a mannequin in the MURUA store at Parco (same place where I bought my EMODA dress from my previous entry). I guess I thought it would be a good reminder to my ever-so-introverted and conservative self, to dare to go out more and not be so anti-social like I always am. Note to self: Be more adventurous, meet new people, be open to more opportunities, have fun, etc. 

Anyhow, it’s not the first time I’ve mentioned MURUA here before. As with EMODA, it’s one of the most popular MODE brands out there, if not one of the pioneers of the movement. Recently, they got Kate Lanphear to style their fashion show, as well as to collaborate on some exclusive designs for the brand. How cool is that? MODE is really going global these days. I’m still waiting for the day when MURUA decides to open a global webstore just like EMODA. T_T

On another note, my bag is also from Japanese brand moussy. Got it from their Canal City store. Their recent campaign features Charlotte Free (and her fabulous pink hair), and I remember them also getting Agyness Deyn a few years back. I absolutely love visiting them specifically for the bags and shoes. This one that I have here is such a gem with its classic design with a hint of edginess, studs and all. It can also fit so many things inside, including my camera - my primary requirement for everyday bags. 

P.S. Thanks to SNSD I Got A Boy, I am OBSESSED with flat brim caps! I need more!

(CECIL McBee sweater, EMODA bag, Romwe skirt, Forever 21 necklace and socks, FashionCookie ShoeAvenue shoes) Hype this look on Lookbook here. Thanks Kristin for helping me with these.

“My Own Fashion Week” is back, and this time, I’m featuring Japanese brands! I wear them regularly, even when I’m not explicitly promoting them, but for this particular series, I’m going to be wearing my new purchases from my recent Fukuoka trip last December 2012 (so it’s still MOFW 2012). I couldn’t be more excited for this, really. Totes right up my alley because my personal style is deeply rooted in Japanese fashion. Well, I can say that my style at this point in my life is also mixed with Western high street fashion, but I still follow ViVi, etc. like bibles! 

Speaking of Japanese magazines, this sweater was featured in a recent JELLY issue and worn by one of my fave models Miyagi Mai. Perpetually a fan of black and white, I couldn’t take my eyes off it when I walked into the CECIL McBEE in Tenjin Core. These are the kinds of sweaters that anyone can always wear regardless of trends. Classic. But for this look, I went all-out trendy for a change! I paired it with black and white items too, since black and white (together) is going to be huge this spring/summer. Good for me - I always wear them anyway. 

CECIL McBEE is a brand I *always* go to when I’m in Japan. They sell stuff relatively cheaper and more affordable than most gyaru brands, and they usually have huuuuge store spaces with the widest variety of styles to choose from. I’m sure they’re one of the highest-selling gyaru brands because of this! They also sell cosmetics, bags, etc. So much love. Paired the color block sweater with my EMODA bag (which I ordered online some time last year) that is super popular in my Instagram, haha. Because they think it’s a Phillip Lim. :))