Ganguro Spotlight: One Shoulder Dress

This lilac one shoulder dress totally hits the mark with a refreshing design! The black satin trim works at accentuating a beautiful neckline, while the self-tie bow is great for cinching your waistline. The banded hem hugs and completes the curvy/sexy look. Hmm..can't wait for the weekend club hopping!

Click on photo above for more view.

On sale now at Desperate for Fashion

Intruducing SLY of Japan

The Shibuya 109 building houses many boutiques that carry the most sought-after clothing labels. These labels pretty much sets the season's trends for the most fashion-forward ganguros. Consequently the trends get carried over to Taiwan.

One notable label is "SLY", which recently opened two flagship stores here in Taiwan. SLY credits the Hollywood rock styles for inspiration, but I also find plenty of sexy mini dresses, rompers and jumpsuits at its store.

Stay tuned as I will be introducing pieces from the label "SLY" to my webstore.

Shopping for Photo Shoot Makeup

One of my favorite places to shop in Taiwan is the beauty supplies retailer/drugstore chain, "Watson". It's like the Walgreens in the US, but stocked with a more dazzling array of cosmetics.

Not only you'll find the familiar L'Oreal, Revlon, and Maybelline, well known Japanese brands such as Shiseido and Kanebo have created makeup lines exclusively sold here. Prices of the exclusive makeup lines are amazingly reasonable compared to their department store siblings, and the quality/selections comparable.

For our photo shoot makeup needs (hmm..I'm thinking of going the smoky eye look), I stocked up on 2 eye shadow compacts (one by Sheseido's Integrate, and another by Kanebo's Kate), 2 eyeliners, 2 lipsticks, and a colorless lip gloss (by Maybelline). The eye shadow compacts are great because each compact includes up to 4 or 5 designated matching shades so 1 compact is all you need if you're doing a gradient look.

I'll update you on the smoky eye look achieved at a later date.

Trend: Jumpsuits

A few fashion-forward fashionistas were already seen sporting the jumpsuits last year, but this year more have caught on with this trend. There're so many jumpsuits on the Spring 2008 fashion runway that it's hard to keep track of.

My personal favorite is this Twisted Plunging V Neck Bubble Bodice Romper Jumpsuit. I love its long bell-shaped sleeves! The hip is form-fitting, while the lower waist is a little bit loose, such a sexy contrast!

Favorite Find: Quilted Shoulder Bag

We all love the classic quilted bag made popular by Chanel (and the hollywood stars of course!). BTW, Paris Hilton days ago was just spotted leaving a club carrying a shinier, metallic version of quilted shoulder bag.

But truth is very few of us can really afford a pricy designer bag.

This buttery soft pale/muave pink quilted shoulder bag looks every bit as gorgeous, and at $110 does not break my bank. It's made of 100 percent leather. The color is a very pale pink, almost ivory - just perfect - because the shade matches with any color of clothing.

It's my most recent fab find that I thought I'd share. Tell us your favorite find by leaving a comment.

Trend: T - Shirt Dress

A ganguro fashionista's closet isn't complete without a T-shirt dress.

A plain, simple T-shirt dress speaks volume if paired with the right accessories, such as what Kate, Rachel, and Mischa did with theirs! T-shirt dress is easy-to- throw-on, comfortable, and best of all it goes oh so well with your gladiator sandals.

Flag-inspired graphic tunic/T-shirt dress is a must this season.

And this 3/4 sleeve T-shirt dress has an asymmetrical hemline that is very figure flattering.

Ganguro Spotlight: Lace T-shirt

Rarely a tunic T could catch my attention like this one! High quality cotton lilac crew neck T. It has printed graphics on that made it look like a lace cami is layered over the T. The supposedly cami straps are made of black ribbons, as is the bow at the center front. The bottom add-on is true lace. Short shorts or a mini skirt paired with this tunic T would be gorgeous and would really make this fun T pop!

On Sale now at Desperate for Fashion

Fashion magazine and some iced bubble tea!

Nothing beats reading a good fashion magazine and sipping a tall glass of iced bubble tea! For fashion tips and inspirations, I sometimes turn to the many Japanese imported fashion magazines popularly sold on newstands and bookstores here in Taiwan. "Lucky" remains my favorite American fashion magazine though. What's your favorite fashion magazine?

Retail Therapy Ganguro style

After weeks of work related stress, I needed some retail therapy. Armed with my newly accquired muave pink quilted shoulder bag and my huge adorale sunnies, I headed to Taipei's trendiest shopping district.

The pedestrian-only streets were jammed with the fabulously and fashionably dressed young crowd, as on any given weekend. Over a mere 4 - 5 blocks space, Japanese & Korean fashion boutiques and American teenage clothing line imports vie for attention with the shops each blasting their own respective tunes.

While there I couldn't resist trying on this summer's hot trend - the wedges. My photos are really blurry because we managed hard to have them taken even though photographing isn't welcomed by most boutiques.

Going Hippie Bohemian!

Stars like Ashley Simpson, and Kate Hudson have taken to the new hippie/boho trend this season. I'm quite liking the idea of a light airy embroidered boho mini dress for running errands during day-time, after seeing these 4 hippie looks. Click on each of the photos to see more details.

So which of the above is your pick for the July 4th BBQ picnic?

One leopard print, 3 different looks!

These 3 different hot leopard items are all made from the same super soft, luxurious, stretch fabric. With a little creative twist, each of these 3 is sexy on its own, pretty amazing huh? First is the Lace Accented One-shoulder Long Sleeve Leopard Top: The left sleeve is detached from the top and needs to be put on seperately like a glove. Throw on a pair of your favorite dark denim, and you're ready to hit the club!

Then comes the Spaghetti Empire Bubble Banded Hem Leopard Mini. So hot this is like the absolute must have clubbing arsenal. Lace trimmed ruched empire bust, bubble bodice, fitted hem. One sale now.

Finally the Zipper Halter Half Sleeve Leopard Mini. Halter style with a big gold zipper that you can adjust for cleavage. Off shoulder, very form fitting, very flirtatious!

So which leopard style is your pick?? Let us know by leaving a comment.

Ganguro Spotlight: I need a pair of sunnies!

I need a pair of sunnies! This hip hop sunglass print mini dress gives me that, and many many more! How cool is that! These's even a pair of gold glasses attached, which you can remove or keep on. The stretch banded hem really flatters and hugs. Dolman/kimono style sleeves.

Hip Hop Sunglass Dolman Banded Hem Mini on sale now.

Ganguro Spotlight: Color Block Dress

Quite unexpected, fun, and sexy is my first impression of this adorable color-block mini dress. The white-color ruched bust puts a very girlie/feminine spin on this mini. It's complete with invisible/built-in bra. Dress is very form fitting, slightly stretchy, with a side zipper to help you slip into it and out. One size only fits like XS. If you already got florals or solid-colored dresses, consider a color-block version.

See the dress on a model.

Ganguro Spotlight: Fashion rescued by Batman

Who knew Batman would return and make this sexy little dress that much more appealing?? All over Batman comic prints (complete with dialog just like a real comic page!), trimmed in Indigo Blue. The shoulder straps are adjustable. Has an open back. Super stretchy cotton/poly fabric gives a form-fitting look. It's so sexy on! Batman comic mini dress on sale now.