The Next Big Thing… Uh, My Penis…!?!

Every time I run into this advertisement, I think – what’s the next big thing?  What’s so big about this thing other than the size of the billboard advertisement of an oversized smartphone that looks like a brick covering half your face?  Other than that, it’s also cumbersome to be using it with one hand while you’re carrying a handful of grocery shopping bags or what not.  Unless you’d like to constantly be on your smartphone, with two hands, walking around the city look like a standing extra on ‘The Walking Dead’ as zombies – all fixated on your smartphone and miss everything that’s happening around you.  Yep, that’s great – not to mention that you’ll likely be hit by the next cab or bus stopping at the curb.

Let’s start with the ad itself first.  Whoever the ad agency who came up with this creative is please do some research before you slap on the phrase ‘The Next Big Thing…’  This smartphone is not the first ever smartphone that revolutionize how we communicate.  It’s just simply a ‘bigger’ version of its previous model with a larger screen and memory, plus the capability of 4G LTE.  How big is that?  SONY Smartphone/Xperia has water resistant capabilities.  Blackberry Z10 released with new typing recognition system.  Motorola Razr claims to be the thinest plus extended battery life.  HTC with great sound for those audiophiles.  Apple iOS gets new version coming soon…

One might argue, yeah – there’s new functions of following eye movements.  As if I would like to be so focused on my smartphone and roll my eyes back and forth to change screens.  I’d look like I’m twitching with some eye focus problems more like it.

Not to mention, it’s just another AMOLED LCD that doesn’t even match any of the Retina display that those who can see the difference is the fluidity of movement when it comes to CG’s, video and motion.  It’s more like stills on frame by frame moving along a series of pixels, it’s particularly obvious if it’s a page full of text in a very fast scrolling pace.  What’s worst is those character sets that are very complicated; it’s just a garbled lump of things moving along the screen, at least to me.

‘The Big Thing’ on this ad is that the marketing/advertising budget is huge.  It’s slapped on to every possible large billboard in major cities with the highest traffic.  Wow, with such dominance in the Asian market, there’s still a need to lavishly spend on such advertising?  Why not develop something that’s truly innovative with that budget on R&D and not basically a copied version of the very first release of another smartphone called iPhone; or on legal fees of trying to claim patent violations of so-called your technology/innovation which is all based on an some-what open source operating system called Android.

When it comes to design, architecture and construction; with the best, I think, from Apple who started it all. (Well, SONY VAIO’s in the late 90’s thru early 00’s)  If you think about it, how many smartphones no longer uses the removable lithium-ion cell?  Why does this ‘next big thing’ still stuck in the 90’s and 00’s era of calling itself the ‘next big thing’ – of the past maybe.  Or maybe it’s because they have some fixed ginormous huge contract for an extended length of time with a certain company in which country/nation?  Which probably means it’s too costly to either break the contract that makes this smartphone manufacturer to continue using the removable lithium-ion cell.  That’s just my theory – I’m probably wrong.

On this note, this makes me think of the Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.  With years of research and development, design and construction history, I highly don’t think that it’s possible that it’s the matter of the actual product that has a problem that led to the grounding of ANA’s fleet, then the FAA to also issue the same thing on United’s 787 Dreamliner fleet.  To me, it’s probably the specification of the lithium-ion cell that was not made to specification to begin with that caused the overheat and smoking danger.

Please put some standards on manufacturing for those who don’t give the shit – as long as it rolls out the damn manufacturing plant – it looks, feels, works, tastes to whatever adjective the same – who the hell cares about standards, guidelines and specifications?  Forget about Quality Control (QC) and comprehensive testing before sending it out.  By the way, reminder to include as much corners that you can possibly cut – down to the bear minimum of nothing left but only to gain on the revenue and margin.

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Photo Credits:

http://www.nycaviation.com/photo-galleries/photos-onboard-the-first-united-airlines-boeing-787-dreamliner/photo-galleries/image/wingtip-view-of-first-united-airlines-boeing-787-drealiner-photo-by-dan-kingnycaviation/

What’s Wrong…? It’s Time to put some ‘Sense + Style’ to some brands…?

I’m no fashionista, I’m no fashion designer, I’m not a trending guru/stylist.  For those of you who read my previous blog on garment manufacturing/construction, I was brought up by my mother who was in garment manufacturing where I learned bits and pieces while sitting at her office.

 

 

To read my previous blog post on The Art of Tailoring & Construction – in Fashion.

Link:  the-art-of-tailoring-construction-in-fashion

 

 

My mother had an eye for colors and knows how to mix and match.  I guess I got it from her experience in the garment industry.  Probably, when I was still in her tummy – she was nitro/turbo/supercharged running back and forth between Hong Kong and New York City working with designers and buyers for her garments that made me somehow absorbed some of the energy and vibe… Just like how these days, doctors would recommend pregnant ladies to be listening to Mozart and Beethoven.

 

 

All that aside:  I’ve been doing lots of window shopping around Manhattan.  Well, not exactly at the luxury brands on 5th Avenue – but more on the mainstream consumer, mass market type of stores/brands of ready-to-wear.

 

 

I’m all about down-to-earth and value-for-money that I could and would wear on most days of the week.  With a few pieces that may or could be highlights that I would invest in on a big ticket item, a durable good, on a more prestige and luxury brand for it’s craftsmanship and particular for its known traits of legendary infamous articles (e.g. Hermes for their scarves; Yves Saint Laurent for their blazers to long coats; Burberry for their trench coats/rain gear; Bally for their shoes; Louis Vuitton for their monogram; Paul Smith for their shirts; Chanel for their timeless suit; Issey Miyake for their pleats… these are just a few that falls right out of my head.)  Of course, there are all these special occasions where I need to totally deck myself out – then, I would splurge for something probably from Ralph Lauren: Purple Label.

 

 

For most days, with the weather these days that are ever changing: chilly mornings to full-on SPF 50 sunblock to raining cats and dogs – it’s all about comfort, interchangeable, always-ready.  That is what ready-to-wear is all about with all the possibilities of mix-n’-match with a few key pieces such as starting for the jeans/slacks/trousers/pants for guys and most likely the skirt/dress for ladies to start off.  Then, I would work my way up on the shirt/blouse with or without an outer layer depending on weather and/or if I’m going to go out after work to differentiate my workday clothes with a little highlight and/or it’s just like a freakin’ blast chiller at the workplace.  Then, to the hairstyle + color and make-up (for ladies, mostly).  Followed back to the ground with socks/hosiery/shoes/stilettos with the last touches of accessories/handbag/briefcase/gym-bag etc.

 

 

Depending on your style and mood: it’s up to your imagination.  Color combinations, the color palette, I think, is the most important.  Then, it’s the style/cutting – Proportions, proportions and proportions; know your body well and know what flaunts it and what’s just screaming no, no, no – it’s not flattering but just makes me look like a huge barrel tumbling down the avenues and streets!  Followed by fabric/textures.  Well, working along with what you can afford and your budget goes before anything else!

 

 

Things that I saw that really kept ready-to-wear with quality and maintain as contemporary even if you’d wear it for the next couple of seasons are GAP, an always American classic; UNIQLO, the Japanese version of American classic; J.Crew/Banana Republic, very contemporary that lasts for years; Old Navy/American Apparel, the ever everyday basics; Ted Baker, menswear ONLY with a touch of British flare; Zara, the 9-to-5 with a social-life; Club Monaco menswear ONLY, the 9-to-5, with a social-life; United Colors of Benetton, the classic of European, slimmer cuts for those elongated legs; Ann Taylor, the suburban everyday mom; Urban Outfitters/Brooklyn Industries, of the exploring individual to personal style in their late teens to early twenties… There are plenty more, but just a few that came to mind in a few minutes – you just have to discover yourself at what price points, comes with what value that incorporates style.

 

 

With all of the above in mind, I don’t care how many pieces of garment I can get at H&M; how dirt cheap that it is to get an entire wardrobe.  As I’ve said in previous blog, it’s these giant retailers who are holding manufacturers and producers at their necks to meet production schedules with so much of so-called ready-to-wear that is, at the end of the day – large stockpile of inventory that’s stored at some warehouse that eventually depreciates to no value and not even if you donate it to developing countries would worthwhile because by then, the fabric would probably be all eaten up by maggots; the color fasting/fading of fabrics due to pro-longed exposure to air and humidity – it’ll probably be used as cleaning cloths instead.  Not to mention, at that price – i’d rather spend it at Target / Walmart /Kmart that has more value and it actually looks great if you’d know what to get.

 

 

I don’t know what designers that some retailers/brands are using?  I hope that Mr. Michael Kors and Ms. Heidi Klum with all the Project Runway designers that went all the way to last-2 in every season to put some sense into some of these so-called ready-to-wear.  (Please jump to end of article for reference.)

 

 

They are literally polluting the entire fashion industry down to its core with the theory that cheap and more is better, which pushes the mentality to shoppers to just keep buying and buying pieces of clothing because of its price.  Some of these brands/retailers are so big and have gained so much market share that they can do whatever they want.  Not to mention that because of their price point, they are the magnet for the younger generation who’s really working on a budget that are trying to score as many pieces as much as possible to maximize their wardrobe.  However, I’m worried that what type of styles are we carrying forward down the road!

 

 

Some have no comprehension that a good piece of garment takes A LOT of effort from it’s initial design to finding the selection of fabric that goes with the style; to the merchandising of whatever that comes with the design like zippers, buttons, laces, lining; down to the color and thickness of threads that puts the garment together.  Not to mention: the amount of back and forth from the sample garment being usually butchered up by the designer until it’s up to specification while working on its construction and quality with constant debates over the price/cost between the manufacturer and the designer.  Let me repeat myself, back in my mom days when she was still active in garment industry – no matter how complex the design was, there’s only about a dollar or two (USD) per piece of garment (that’s mainstream ready-to-wear, with probably evening gowns much higher due to hand sewn sequins, embroidery and complex construction of all the layers and ruffles…)

 

 

THEN, it goes to production line of many many columns/rows of sewing machines with seamstresses that work countless number of hours at almost minimum wages NOT in developed countries/nations like us – but countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam and (China – well, it’s not that bad these days I suppose when compared to the 80’s… that’s besides the point when the government are trying to kick out these industries that are not ‘value-added’ to its domestic consumer markets.)  Completed garment heads on down to Quality Control and then packaging, onward to containers.  Fingers crossed, hopefully, meeting shipping schedules, which is a couple of months before the actual season/garments being sold.  If not, air-freight would basically break the arms and legs of the entire production and would come down to a HUGE loss for the manufacturer.

 

 

I thought service/hospitality industry is tough.  I can’t even imagine how my mom did it… Whew! Way beyond my understanding.

 

 

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1.) How does the stripes and plaid go-together.  Yes, it’s do-able, but hell no – not a wide horizontal stripes with a neon-like plaid.  What should be is a very fainted-background narrow pinstripe that you could hardly see the stripes that is darker in colors to complement the shocking neon plaid, maybe – not sure.

 

 

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2.) What’s up with the sleeves?!? Not even the gay-est gay would go out on that sleeve WITH a cutting on the waistline that’s so narrowing.

 

 

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3.) This is my mother’s evening nightgown gone Gothic and Heavy Metal – not in a nice way – wear the fabric is too over washed that looks like drab more than fab.  What’s up with the mini-shirt with the knot?  It’s making my hip/waist look 2-inches wider and it all looks just going back to the 80’s, but not even gone-wild but gone-very-wrong sense.

 

 

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4.) Blurry photo with the window reflection.  However, look at both long-skirts carefully.  The one on the left is  more like there’s not enough money to buy the rest of the fabric for the skirt.  So, just cut the inside so that we can make more of these skirts.  Not to mention the chiffon-like synthetic nylon is not even hemmed at the base of the skirt.  Again, goes to one on the right – let’s save money on fabric and make more pieces with fabrics that’s more like for table cloths or drapes.

 

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5.) You gotta give a round of applause on who’s putting this together.  If I got boobs and want to show it off with this piece, I might as well just wear a bra top or even nothing and walk out on the streets.  The so-called outer piece:  with a pair of scissors and some thought to a Hanes or what not undershirt – anyone could do a better job.  Excuse my language here: not even escorts… you got my point.

 

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6.) It’s actually ok – but fabric, fabric, fabric – color, color, color… WTF!?!

 

 

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7.) The one on the right:  again, my mother’s night robe went to a freakin’ rave party!  What is wrong with the combination of that outerwear with such a LARGE amount in NEON?  Not many people can wear that amount of neon and look good.  It should’ve been an accent color.  On the left, needless to say, see above on item #4.).

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Carrie Lam – What do you know about “illegal structures”?

For the investigation of illegal structures of the HKSAR Chief Executive’s home at the Peak.  I believe that there should be some transparency of how the government is handling this particular investigation due to the importance of public interest.

From recent news report, the Chief Secretary, Mrs. Carrie Lam stated that she did not interfere with the investigation of the Buildings Department.  Approximately a day after her statement, the Buildings Department addressed the public with reassurance that the department treated the investigation objectively without any bias.

Prior to the position of Chief Secretary, Mrs. Carrie Lam was the Secretary for Development and she was notified on the initial site inspection by the Buildings Department at the end of June, 2012.  What a coincidence that it was approximately 2-3 days before the 2012 Chief Executive election.

It may be true that Mrs. Carrie Lam did not interfere with the investigation, but she may have exercised her authority in withholding parts of the initial site inspection from the public.  Why did the Buildings Department took another 4-5 months from the initial site inspection to discover the additional illegal structures and unauthorized building works?  If Mrs. Carrie Lam insists her stance in no interference, she should release internal correspondences and communication records between all involved personnel within the Development Bureau to an independent investigation team, for example, the ICAC for further investigation.

The ICAC must focus their investigation on Mrs. Carrie Lam.  The direction should target on whether Mrs. Carrie Lam – herself,  and/or her network of contacts have received any type of benefit or gain that constitutes a violation in the code of conduct for a government official and possible cases of corruption.

Furthermore, Mrs. Carrie Lam’s rapport with Mr. C.Y. Leung should be analyzed not simply on the surface of everyday meetings and conversations.  For the years she’s been in public service, in what context that she had contact with Mr. C.Y. Leung.  How did Mr. C.Y. Leung choose or appoint Mrs. Carrie Lam to be the Chief Secretary?  What was the criteria of Mr. C.Y. Leung in candidate selection for this position?

Let’s compare the previous and  current Chief Executive’s attitude toward the role of the Chief Secretary.  For the previous term, former Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang liked to be in the spotlight of media and public.  He likes to address the public in person and seldom gives his subordinate, Mr. Henry Tang any opportunities.  By comparison, current Chief Executive, Mr. C.Y. Leung is a bit more reserved.  He is less out-spoken and he empowers the Chief Secretary, Mrs. Carrie Lam to address the issues and concerns of the public.  The role and the importance of  the Chief Secretary is significantly different.  Maybe it is management style of the Chief Executive, but I see Mrs. Carrie Lam as a person who has a personal agenda.  How she secured her position from Development Bureau to the Chief Secretary position is for you to discover yourself.  Whether or not she played a role in the ‘illegal structures’ of Mr. Henry Tang, while she was in Development Bureau; or in the current case of Mr. C.Y. Leung as the Chief Secretary.

I do believe Mrs. Carrie Lam is strategically positioning herself in the next Chief Executive election.  She is a person who likes having the authority and being in control of power.  There’s nothing wrong with that; but the intent behind the authority is what I question the most.

Mrs. Carrie Lam has the ability in managing the Government of HKSAR and implementing policies that is beneficial to Hong Kong.  My only concern is on the integrity of government officials.  How their actions and words correspond to the fact of the matter.  Do they mean what they say or are there more to it?

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Ms. Carrie Lam, here’s a few questions for you – since you’re such an expert in ‘illegal structures’.  You might like to convene with the Chief Executive; or should you consult the Buildings Department – that might not be sufficient.  You probably want to find a few structural engineers and/or architects to tell you a few things about these:

HKG (VHHH): Hong Kong International Airport – Departure Hall/Passenger Drop-Off Area

HKG (VHHH): Hong Kong International Airport – Departure Hall/Passenger Drop-Off Area

Adjoining Structural Beams 

HKG (VHHH): Hong Kong International Airport – Departure Hall/Passenger Drop-Off Area

Rivets/Screws Adjoining Structural Beams to Exterior Shell Frame

HKG (VHHH): Hong Kong International Airport – Departure Hall/Passenger Drop-Off Area

Exterior Glass Facade Structure