Shirley Lenz, wife of the Swiss ambassador, Princess Dr Becky Leogardo and Kee Hua Chee with the world's most massively marvellous necklace.
Walking the red carpet like the megastar that I am though sadly few realise this fact
I must say my killer heels look a little lethal
Dr Suzanne and Roland Folger, CEO and boss of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia who announced Stylo is now called Mercedes-Benz Stylo Fashion Grand Prix
The breathtaking view of Petronas Twin Towers from Mega View openair terrace of KL Tower
Arrival of Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah Hamidun
Roland Folger, CEO and boss of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad, HerMajesty the Queen of Malaysia and Dato Jimmy Choo
THE MUCH AWAITED STYLO FASHION FEST WAS LAUNCHED DRAMATICALLY, HISTORICALLY AND SPECTACULARLY BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF MALAYSIA, TUANKU HAMINAH HAMIDUN WHO IS ALSO THE SULTANAH OF KEDAH.
THE GALA WAS HOSTED BY THE MAYOR OF KUALA LUMPUR AND PRESENTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ, THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE CAR OF THE RICH AND SUCCESSFUL. THE THEME WAS 'FASHION FANTASY IN THE SKY' AND KL TOWER CERTAINLY PROVED THIS!
Held at KL Tower, one of the 4 secret venues which are now no longer secret, the first night as usual heralded the start of Malaysia's most fabulous, flamboyant, fun and fantastic fashion festival!
Stylo 2012 starts on 19 March ahead of the Formula One weekend and ends on 25 March after which Dato Nancy Yeoh, founder and president of Stylo will probably pass out from exhaustion and excitement. For those living under the coconut shell ---macam katak dibawah tempurung---this PR queen was struck by uterine cancer and underwent a successful operation on 2 March at Prince Court Hospital.
Due to my prayers to Buddha and including Ruby Eye Buddha and Kuanyin and Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, Dato Nancy Yeoh, the operation was a success and she made a miraculous recovery. The best news is that the evil cancer cells did not spread from inside the uterus walls! So she is now out of the woods and into the sunny meadows.
KL Tower was an excellent location as it was unique and unsual. Like all Stylo venues, each has to be different and extraordinary. Last year it was Chinwoo Stadium and Dato Nancy Yeoh even annexed a Chinese hall in unglam Sentul one year to hold Stylo and that occasion was graced by the then Queen of Malaysia too, Tuanku Nur Zahirah the current Sultanah of Trengganu. Fancy Her Majesty the Queen traipsing to Sentul! But then again, Tuanku Nur Zahirah is Queen to all Malaysians, regardless whether they live in normal, boring neighborhoods or wealthy enclaves.
KL Tower had certainly never seen anything like Stylo in its history. A traditional Malay musical troupe played all night at the entrance. Princess Becky, Shirley Lenz the wife of the Swiss ambassador and I took the lift to Mega View where the ribbon cutting ceremony would be held.
It was my first time and the view was so stunning I almost had an orgasm there and then as KL Twin Towers loomed nearby and KL was lit like Van Gogh's starry, starry night...
Mega View offered 360-degree view and I vowed to return very very soon for another mega dose of adrenalin.
Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia arrived and cut the ribbon with Roland Folger MD and boss of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Soren Ravn MD of Carlsberg Malaysia, Stuart Tomlinson MD of Visa, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur and Dato Jimmy Choo the shoe designer.
They stood in a row with their backs facing the city landscape but as the width of the openair, open deck terrace was limited and under 20 ft, we could not take any photos as we would be standing in front or more likely standing ontop of the chairs of the royal party! We could not ask them to step back lest they fall off KL Tower but emcee Doreen wisely requested they re-arrange themselves 90 degrees to face the photographers!
There was a brief fashion show of just 10 outfits as a foreplay, I mean foretaste of things to come and we all we trotted downstairs to the enclosed hall. Stylo occupied some 180-degree of space but due to the circular shape of the room, it seemed awkward but Stylo and Dato Nancy exploited the unusual lay of the land so to speak and turn it into a triumphant setting!
The catwalk was not straight but curved and meandered. In addition some portions of the catwalk were higher than the rest. Best of all, wherever you sat, be it right in front, at the back or sideways, you were guaranteed a great view of the models! All models appeared from the changing room behind me and walked everywhere to give every guest a close-up view.
I thought the artful seating arrangement was sensational and everyone agreed since there was no such thing as a bad seat as there are bound to be in a theatre, ballroom or conventional hall where those at the back would not enjoy the same views as those sitting near the stage.
Her Majesty the Queen wore a dark gown while Dato Nancy Yeoh donned her favourite Roberto Cavalli couture animal print gown that showed off her hourglass figure to perfection. She was unable to accompany the Queen of Malaysia during the ribbon cutting ceremony in the openair Mega View as she was suddenly unwell with sharp pangs of pain in her abdomen and had to sit quietly in the loo till the pain subsided.
She managed to join Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia and sat next to her while the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur sat to the right of Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong. She seemed fine to me as I watched her intently just as the Queen and she stared at my super high heels and massive bling. I wore two antique tribal necklace, one in front like normal folks do and another on my back as only I would do.
But I knew Dato Nancy Yeoh was not her usual chirpy 100% as for the first time in the history of Stylo, she did not go onstage to give a speech! She looked a million dollars but perhaps felt like $ 700,000!
Roland Folger, main sponsor of Stylo gave a speech where he announced Stylo Fashion Grand Prix would now be officially known as Mercedes-Benz Stylo Fashion Grand Prix. I suppose Mercedes-Benz has bragging rights since they are the biggest sponsor. If I were, I too would name it Kee Hua Chee Fashion Week and ignore Stylo Grand Prix completely as I don't like to share the limelight.
The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail also made a speech where he reminded everyone KL generated RM 7.7 billion from shopping alone annually and Stylo, oops, Mercedes-Benz Stylo Fashion Grand Prix 2012 would reinforce KL on the international tourist radar and bring in more tourist dough.
The show opened with 'Art for Food and Food for Art' consisting of fantasy fashion only for show and not recommended wearing when going grocery shopping in Selayang. Most were made from edible materials like bread, corn, dried fruits, preserved vegetables and ice cream cones. The model who opened the show was Atika, last year's winner of Ford Supermodel Malaysia contest who wore a dress (if you can call it that) made of popcorn! Yes, you have heard of ASTRO's Pass the Popcorn promotion. Now you have Pass Atika promo!
The Queen was highly entertained and clapped for all the weird and wonderful designs. Her Majesty even consented to pose with the young, up and coming designers during the finale. And again with established designers who showed their work in the second round.
The second batch of designers who showed highly wearable and coveted clothes were members of Bumiputera Designers Association under president Mahani Awang.
It was an amazing night as expected and the Queen was seen congratulating Dato Nancy Yeoh for a job well done, more so when Dato Nancy was still recovering from her uterine cancer operation. After Stylo is over, I am bringing this PR queen to Shwedagon Temple in Yangon, Myanmar for thanksgiving and especially to Ruby Eye Buddha.
The royal party
Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia was the epitome of grace and kindness
Soren Ravn, MD of Carlsberg Malaysia taking the lead to cut the ribbon with the Queen of Malaysia
Scissors being offered to the Queen of Malaysia. Notice Petronas Twin Towers at right as they were quite near the ledge
A quick snip and it was over!
The Queen and VIPs had to re-arrange their position to face the pixmen as we could not move forward to take photos of the ribbon cutting due to narrow, restricted space
Roland Folger of Mercedes-Benz and Soren Ravn my favourite MD from Carlsberg flashed a brillant smile for me
No, really this was her actual hair style and not blown by the wind in the openair Mega View deck!
A model showing off her creation
Same
I like this ghostly model
This mat salleh model knew Malaysian royal protocol---well done!Handsome in looks and beautiful manners to boot!
Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia leaving Mega View for one floor down for the main event
Larger than life mannequins
Tunku Meriam, daughter of the Sultan of Pahang, her Lebanese husband Dato Seri Mohd Ozier, guest and Soren Ravn of Carlsberg
With the addition of Kee Hua Chee
Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia, Tuanku Haminah Hamidun arriving
One for my album
Roland Folger announcing Stylo would now be called Mercedes-Benz Stylo Fashion Grand Prix
The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri ahmad Fuad Ismail looking at me so I took a photo
Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur making his speech
Kee Hua Chee and Indhra of Pierre Ledent chocolates which were placed on the Queen's table for her enjoyment
You have heard of popcorn girls selling pop corn? Now this is the ultimate Popcorn Girl! Her outfit was composed entirely of popcorn, some of which fell as she walked!
Popcorn I mean photocall
Another photo call
I love drummer boys!
So did everyone else!
THE FASHION SHOWS
Note the delicious chocolates from Pierre Ledent on the Queen's table!
The perfect way to end the first round of Fashion Fantasy in the Sky!
THE END
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