MARCH 2009

A VERY DIFFERENT COLD

A certain friend (James Brown Director of Golf at SheShan) told me the weather up here was, and I quote, "very nice indeed". I took this literally and packed nothing more than t-shirts and summer wear. The day after landing and the night after the awful Adidas party I found out just how cold this place can be. Maybe being surrounded by Ferrari deliciousness, watching the opening F1 race and presiding over his fancy golf course keeps the sun shining in his neck of the woods.. but there wasn't a hint of warmth to be found in the city.

Later in the day I found out how expensive seemingly inexpensive things can be and am still baffled at how some stores can stay in business at all. At just under US$16 for a box of Oatmeal Squares and over US$10 for the rest, I wonder who on earth is buying this! Milk not included by the way..

So cold it's chills the marrow in your bones





Eat your cereal sparingly! Especially the Oatmeal Squares

Shanghainese taxi drivers rarely spotted without their beloved flasks of tea


A little trip to visit our friends at the Source - Shanghai

ADIDAS 6009: SHANGHAI

To say that Hong Kong delivered a solid event for the Adidas 60th anniversary would be an understatement. How then could you possibly consider betting against Shanghai (more space, assumed bigger budget, bigger market) to host something to blow every other leg of the party out of the water?

The theme of the Adidas celebrations was HOUSE PARTY. So it should be casual, relaxed, cool, good crowd, drinks, ice cream, popcorn.. you know, house party stuff. Well in Shanghai there was no house in Shanghai and there was no party. HUGELY disappointing and a good few people we knew that had made it through the cold and rain were not impressed. Even if you put the cringe-inducing broadway style performance by a group of highly embarrassed looking models and dancers out of your mind, the fact remained there was NO STAN SMITH! NO Stan Smith or anyone else for that matter. Massive opportunity wasted here. I'd heard rumblings that there was supposed to be some sort of outdoor things going on but the weather went against. I would like to refer said rumblings to the agonizing dance number that went on for what seemed like at least 45 minutes. It would have been more productive to just get a bunch of girls in bikinis throwing out t-shirts from the stage. Seriously. That's something people will remember :D

There were no t-shirts in the deal but guests were rewarded with a polyester carrier bag. The one good thing about this event is that I now know the importance of making sure we host a memorable one when we have our turn.

THIS COULD BE IT!

A last minute flight to Shanghai probably wasn't the best idea even if we ignore the fact that I missed the flight and was charged a more than a few pennies to take the next.

Naturally the rain has made an appearance and I can see from here that the runway is looking a little too slick for my liking. With all the crashes and planes falling parts falling out of the sky in the last two weeks this could be the last flight I ever take! If it is to be, I'd jolly well better go out over land. Crashing into the water and being eaten by very annoyed sharks (annoyed due to the shark fin soup consumption in China) would really put a dent in the planned weekend activities.

A note to American Airlines and all you other carriers who have the audacity to charge for things onboard... If China Eastern can give meals AND Haagen-Dazs on their short haul flights and stay in business... SO CAN YOU, YOU GREEDY MOTHERF*CKERS!!!!!!!

ANGELS LOOK LIKE THIS??

If so, I am repenting and hoping for a spot up in the clouds.

Today we began shooting a little something of a little something for a little something. Got it? All will be revealed soon enough.

ALL HAIL THE FASHION PRIEST!

Bow down ya bitches! Sean.K is back in town and this time he came equipped with a camera! Luckily for me, an invitation to get my mug onto Sean's Lazy Snaps was also in the mix.

The shoot, as always, was interspersed with various tales of misdeeds and debauchery. This is the only way to shoot! Fill my mind with filth and ply me with glass after glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and I will happily work all day long. My partner in crime Riccardo Ulpts came along and got in on the action.

As Sean.K is not a camera whore, his current heartthrob Rob Pattison is stepping
in to fill his place. ha!


Semi-delicious kebabs all around after the shoot

Nasty ass chips with nasty ass sauce makes a nasty ass snack

Sean's Lazy Snaps @ Fashion Priest

WHAT WE DONE DID

What with the fashion market being suspiciously quiet, we've had a bit of time to mess around in the studio whilst laying plans for a new project.

Here is snap we took earlier today. A quick look reveals there's a respectable amount of space on the right shoulder. With space now at a premium, it won't be empty for long. Either that or I stop letting them draw on me!

Filling up those pesky blank spots slowly but surely

60 YEARS IN THE GAME - ADIDAS HOUSE PARTY 6009

After over a decade of loyalty to Nike, consorting with what has always been considered the opposition always feels a bit treacherous. However, with our own label in the works it's time to bury hostile feelings and celebrate a sportswear legend turning 60. Adidas were kind enough to throw a massive house party to celebrate the occasion and delivered on all fronts. With an appearance by living legend Stan Smith on the cards, who could possibly refuse?

On arrival it was clear to see few realized they were standing in the presence of a tennis legend. Clearly boozing and partying it up was on the mind of most. No matter, shaking the hand of a man who has been privileged enough to hoist the Wimbledon trophy above his head is always an honour. Nice one Stan!

Trying to convince Stan Smith to ditch Adidas £$€ in favour of GUNN..

His mouth said "no, no" but the eyes say "yes, yes"

With parties thin on the ground right now, the entire town turned up for this one..

Busted while allegedly gazing over at Shu Qi! ALLEGEDLY!

THIS IS IT!

The world could end this month and the biggest news would still be MJ returning for the final curtain series of concerts. If I had the option of getting a second wind enabling me to qualify and storm through the main draw of Wimbledon to capture the title... I'd pass for a front row ticket to see MJ live.

Maybe the last one was a slight exaggeration, but if you were born between the year 1901 and 2002 and you have even the slightest chance of seeing a genius live, sell everything you own, beg, borrow, steal and find yourself a ticket to see Michael Jackson LIVE.

In case you somehow forgot why this is the ONLY place to be in July..