Shoutout for our local designers/sponsors!

In this episode I would like to thank all the local designers/sponsors who have dressed me ^_^


alldressedup
http://www.alldressedup.com/
alldressedup is an international fashion label that embodies the free-spirited and spontaneous charm in its collection drawing inspiration from the various life experiences of the confident, stylish and urban-minded women who are not swayed by fleeting seasonal trends. 

Lovely neckline details, at ChiJazz 2010

A sharp looking A-line dress,
at SHINE Youth Festival 2011

Channelling Sammi Cheng in this getup and hair!

With Ngak, at the MDA New Talent Feature Grant launch

Amanda Lee
http://www.amandaleeweddings.com/
AMANDA LEE COUTURE creating wearable ART

Sleek cheongsam for Dick Lee's
Return of the Mad Chinaman concert 2012

This cheongsam was specially designed for my MIDEM showcase in France 2012,
but unfortunately my luggage was lost in transit and came 2 days late....
and I didn't get to wear this for my show in France...

Military chic for Singapore Hit Awards 2011

with Jim Lim & David Tan!
i paired it with knee high boots!

Caramel & Co. (Mel Chen)
http://www.caramel.com.sg/
Caramel & Co., established since 2008, is headed by Mel Chen.
It started by offering bespoke services on evening gowns and dresses for ladies who want to look have a unique look on their special occasion. The company grew and today it incorporated 3 other labels: Mel Chen Bridal, Mel Chen Luxe and Provocacy.

At the SingaPOP concert with Dick Lee, Kit Chan and Lee Weisong :)
This colorful dress was perfect for the theme of the night!

This leggy breezy dress was also
great for the outdoor concert!

This bespoke dress was specially made for my 2nd album Fallin,
and was featured in the MV with a removable shoulder piece!

Had to wear it at my album launch at Switch, Timbre! :)

Here's the dress without the shoulder piece, for simple elegance. :)
This is at the post-Dick Lee concert with dearie Alemay Fernandez and
maestro Tsung Yeh, conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra!

Episene (Lee Yunting)
http://www.episene.com/
Episene is a fashion label created for stylish modern individuals.
The word Episene originates from the word epicene, which means "belonging to or partaking of the characteristic of both genders". Our main inspiration behind the designs are the drawing of elements from both genders and blending them together, coming up with a design that's uniquely Episene.

Yunting is one of the new designers at Parco, Millennia Walk
whose designs i love!This one features an asymmetrical caped shirt
and cigarette pants, and i specially cornrows for this look!

super proud of her at the Audi Fashion Festival!!! <3

KOOPS (Keith Png)
http://www.keithpng.com/
KOOPS specializes in well-made dresses that exude comfort and confidence. Using mainly silk and cotton, KOOPS takes into consideration individuals’ body shapes and curves to create dresses that conceal flaws and enhance assets. KOOPS limited pieces are well sought after by women with style who appreciate quality.

Love this dress to bits!!!
 This was at the Hong Kong Asian Pop Music Festival 2011 :)
Both JJ Lin and I represented Singapore at this festival.

Love the neckline and the ruffles <3
This was my dress for the opening :)

Do as the Koreans do!!!
Acting cute with The Boss from Korea

This was my first dress for my song Ke Bu Ke Yi!

This is my second dress for the song Where Do I Begin :)

Perfect for standing next to Super Junior Siwon!!!!!!!

I later wore this in
Singapore Entertainment Awards 2011
with very different hair :)

Another eyecatching dress for the festival press conference

I was given a perfect 10 for the Singapore Hit Awards 2010 lookbook for this bareback beauty!!!
This was also the year I  won the Media's Choice for Local New Artiste!

This shirt dress that was had a translucent shoulder detail is a great twist on the boyfriend shirt :)
Featured in i-weekly's review of Crazyworld Cafe, my fave little nook that features local art, music, design and lifestyle :)

Satin silk and denim jumpsuit for the feature in 8 Days

Love this bold striped asymmetricla dress!

This was featured in my 3D shoot of a mini studio concert :)

Toga with detailed shoulder cut-outs,
at a performance with JJ Lin during COMPASS Awards Presentation 2010.

Presenting the big winner!

Purple gown for a private event

Noel Caleb (Eileen)
http://www.noelcaleb.com/
Noël Caleb means Christmas and Devotion combined.
With the spirit of thanksgiving, here’s a label sewn with heart and love.
As you wear a piece of Noël Caleb, may you remember to find a spark of Christmas in you every day!

At the Orchard Road Christmas Light Up Ceremony
with Guest of Honour our President Mr Tony Tan!

Love the unique fabric and colours!

Christmas in the Tropics,
 look forward to the lightup in Orchard Road
every year :)

A funky outfit for the MeRadio Rocks concert at the Marina :)

At the anniversary party of Noel Caleb at Parco, Millennia!

Pauline Ning
http://www.paulinening.com.sg/
PAULINE.NING is an asia designer fashion label based in Singapore. We produce urban ready-to-wear feminine designer clothing with a touch of edginess, bringing together contemporary fashion and traditional handcrafted work.

For the Christmas at the Tropics press conference!

Feature in AsiaX

This black and white cutout shirt is amazingly detailed,
and super stylish!

womb
http://www.womb.sg/
womb is a concept that comes out of the protection for women, after they have left the protective environment of their mother's womb. womb is contemporary, innovative and expressive.

Featured in Cleo,
 the structured top and bottom are great for shoots!

Understaed colours for this wraparound top
at the NEA EcoMusic Challenge 2010

Dress down chic
for my Crazyworld Cafe performance

At the Singapore Hit Awards 2010 roadshow

At the Via Ferrata Wall Challenge 2010

Young & Restless (Ashburn Eng)
http://www.young-and-restless.com/
Established in August 2010, young&restless is a womenswear line designed by Ashburn Eng. young&restless is made for the free-spirited, confident and unpretentious woman, who is sophisticated yet, bold enough to daydream. She is forever young and down-right restless. Within its first year, young&restless has successfully produced four seasonal collections and two diffusion collections.

On Good Morning! Singapore
 talking about the trip to MIDEM Festival in Cannes, France :)
It was Chinese New Year!

Signature obi belt <3

Kasaya dress at Earth Hour 2012

Sheer top with pant/skirt combo!!!
for the Channel 8 2011 Countdown Party

Flowy caped dress for the Singapore Music Showcase
 at the Asia TV Forum 2011

Zenchi
https://www.facebook.com/zenchi#!/pages/Zenchi/198511616835109
Understated luxury dresses that play on the juxtaposition of drapery and edginess, which will exude the silhouette and confidence of the wearer. Every piece is a new outcome, no two dresses are exactly the same.

outstanding colours in this sharp dress!

for the Peugeot 308cc photoshoot!

Other sponsors!!!

Surrealist Love Scene
http://www.wearto.com/
Shoes: Irregular Choice, Poetic Licence, Shito
Bags: 72smalldive
Apparel: SATURDAY, NICHOLAS
Lifestyle: Rain pumps, Rain coats
Bath & Body: Les Floralies (Made in New Zealand...Naturally)

SHOES!!! this was the very first Irregular Choice pair that I bought!
i was introduced to Irregular Choice by my stylist Dolphin Yeo,
and I bought it straightaway and took it home after the album shoot!

Wore it for the MV Shoot for Ke Bu Ke Yi as well :)

And at the Audi Fashion Festival with
Delphine Murat leggings!

quirky, cute, funky all in one

my shoes got all the attention from Daniel Ong! at Shine Youth Festival

  

picked out this pair for my Fallin album launch!

cute booties

Haven't had a chance to wear this yet, but I love them!!
All from Irregular Choice!

H&M
http://www.hm.com/sg/

at the Peugeot showroom launch

Puma

At the Puma Social Party

my pumped up kicks 

All hair featured here, by the incredible Shunji Matsuo team! :D

Shunji Matsuo Hair Studio
http://www.shunjimatsuo.com.sg/
Comb, Haruka, Gerard and Kiko and especially Elly-san and many others who have helped!

with Comb during Hong Kong promo!

with Gerard and Jyue Huey from the Makeup Room :)

with Haruka! she is now based in Taipei... miss her!

Thank you all once again for your loving touches and beautiful outfits!!!!!!!

Love,
Kewei

happy independence day! :)

Happy Independence Day!
This is dedicated to my American Boys,
one day I'll make it to your end of the world and sing for you :)
The world is getting smaller everyday!

Love,
Kewei

PS. Just settled into the new home, yet to setup my recording gear! :(
Please bear with me while I supply these limited edition artistic quality videos :p

Routine

(I scribbled this on pen & paper before transcribing it here...)

It seems the older I grow, the more I sometimes crave routine.

The same beauty routine every night,
going to bed with warm milk and a book (okay, I drink water and read off my iPhone),
no hanging out,
late night greasy suppers.

Maybe this is also a sign of aging of the mind,
it closes itself off to new wonders or excitement,
it filters new ideas,
hear what it wants or likes to hear,
shuns the new.

As opposed to a young fresh mind that will absorb anything with a wide and open heart.

(It feels liberating, and vaguely reminscent of my school days (yes in my uni days we still used pen and paper) that I am now writing physically.

My brain has clicked onto a more pedagogical past and I am writing fluently, my brain churning out words at writing speed instead of typing speed. It feels just right. I also lack the urge to relook what I just wrote because I can't delete it cleanly and neatly so I just don't. 

Somewhere I think the reason why I stop writing and creating words is because there is toomuch to read. Too much more interesting and more intelligently, or at least earnestly written material out there I can't even begin to learn/absorb.

 How then can I add on to this information overload before I make sure what I say is perfectly crafted?

Why are you reading this instead of other better writing?

Back to Routine.

I have always been a right/left brain personality and as much as I love spontaneity and freedom,
I have begun to crave regularity/discipline and routine - a surefire route to success.

Practice = routine = makes perfect.

I have always picked up guitar,
strummed a few chords,
as casually as I sip my coffee (oh wait, I don't drink coffee),
and then put it back on its seat as my Muse flits off my shoulder.

This is a surefire way to sucking at guitar.

So excuse my abrupt ending as I better stop procrastinating to practice now!

Support Original! Support Original!

This song is written by three 15-year-olds from Cedar Girls Secondary School, who won The Originals IP Champion Music Fiesta 2011, and it's my honour to cover it :)

It was inspired by the theme of "What it means to be Original" and why one should support Original.

The least I can do is to credit them -
Lidiya Hidihir, Sita Rajagopal and Cheng Hoi Ting -
and to help spread the word/ beautiful song they have written. 


Here's a message I received in my Facebook inbox a few days ago:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi kewei,

I was shopping at HMV intending to find a suitable song for my wedding march in. I look through all the wedding albums but couldn't find any song that I like rather than the usual cannon d or my valentine. So I walked pass the display rack with your Fallen album on the rack. I looked at your album, thinking:" this girl, great voice, appear on 新光大道before, used to be the accapalla for ah mei and 陶喜喜. Finally album is out, proud Singaporean."

I picked up the headphones, not intending to find any songs suitable but just want to listen to your voice.. Then I listen till track 6 where you sang 'I'll stand by you'

I was mesmerize... Your clear bright voice with a unique feel singing: I'll stand by you.... I'll stand by you.....

I closed my eyes and fascinating that me and my husband walking into the ball room with your song in the background. The atmospher will be excellent! It's gonna be perfect!

I want to make sure my choice is right. So I asked my fiancé to listen. At first he was reluctant, not very sure who you are. He put on the headphone and I repeat track 6... He gave me a puzzled 'are you sure' look and I smiled back to ensure him.. 5 seconds into the song, he smiled at me and nod his head... We know we found the perfect song for our wedding march in...

We were about to buy your album then realize the song is too short for march in... We really liked your version of singing I'll stand by you. But we want a longer version. I search online, YouTube, blog everywhere for a longer version but couldn't find...

I really wish to play your voice on our first march in. Is there anyway I can buy or download the full version of that song..?

I can only get original album as there are copy right issue for hotel...

I seek your help and hope for your favorable reply...

*you made Singapore proud. Pls continue to share your beautiful voice..

Regards,
XXX

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


My first response was,
I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

I was very touched by her long message and sincere appreciation of my work,
and also honoured that she would choose it for one of the most important moments in her life,
as her march-in song for her wedding night.

But CD buying is no longer anyone's lifestyle nor habit.
Even to contemplate buying a CD seemed like a far stretch,
no matter how much you liked a certain track.
There was always somewhere you could download it from,
or you could satiate that bugging earworm on YouTube.

It seems silly to want to buck this trend of non-purchase
by screaming "Support Original! Support Original!"
because it's definitely not going to happen.

This lovely message also screamed loud and clear -
no matter how much I really love your track,
and actually want to use it for a specific purpose,
I'm probably not going to buy a $20 CD.

Not that she wasn't supportive,
she was already really sweet in dropping a long message,
and I'm thankful for that.
Buying a CD is really no longer something that most people do,
except me and all my musician/singer friends who buy each others' albums.

Having said that, i want to thank EVERY SINGLE PERSON who have bought my album.
Because you could have repeated my songs
off Youtube,
off www.taykewei.com,
off taykewei.blogspot.com
but you bought a piece of CD just to rip it back into file format,
because you  bothered to.

This is for YOU  

矛盾

車壞了。
又不了解發生了甚麼事，很擔心。
打電話求救，

一位uncle來幫我換電池。

一向來不喜歡讓陌生人開我的車（所以有時也會抗拒valet parking)

,看到他試駕，test gear，感覺有點心痛。

可是他是expert,只有他懂得怎麼救我的車。

就好像心愛的人生病了，被推進手術室。

醫生在心愛的人身上開刀，也讓我很心疼，

很想保護屬於自己的，不讓別人碰。 

但卻只有醫生才懂得該怎麼做。

好矛盾哦。

2011 Lookback

Perhaps this comes a little late,
but hey, punctuality has never been my strength :p



My 2010 had been an amazing year,
with the release of my debut album "Come Closer with... Kewei".


In 2011,
it brought me to places I've always dreamt of going to,
not just for vacation, but for work!

I promoted the album in Taiwan (超級偶像)



in Hong Kong (Asian Pop Music Festival)

Representing Singapore together with JJ Lin

                        Siwon from Super Junior!

and in the heart of Mongkok at Langham Place


on various stations

 

at a sell-out showcase at Backstage

Barry Tam on drums/guitar, Ram Cheung on guitar, Jan Ho on bass!

with spontaneous guest artistes Diya Tan, Jonathan Wong and producer Taz Chen Taizheng!

and even got the opportunity to be part of the Hong Kong Artistes 311 - Love Beyond Borders charity theme song recording for the Japanese tsunami tragedy.

This really opened my eyes to the amazing organisation of the Hong Kong entertainment industry, led by Jackie Chan, Alan Tam, Eric Tseng, in their effort to make a difference and to lend their influence to help those in need.

Also, had the chance to work with the awesome Kevin Ou on a beautiful charity fundraising photoshoot Because We Are One for the Japan 2011 disaster.

Played erhu and sang at The Singapore Entertainment Awards at the Singapore Indoor Stadium :)

This year also marked the end of my touring days with JJ Lin and Wang Leehom
T__T
Click on their names for past blogs on their world tours :)

This is really an end to an era in my life!
As blogged here, at the finale concert of Music Man Tour,
I travelled to so many cities, made so many friends from around the world,
toured with the best musicians, the most famous superstars,
and learnt so much about myself, about music, about what I wanted, about life.

I've been touring for about 6 years thus far,
and am now focusing on my own career as a solo artiste...
I'm also thankful for the fans of David Tao, Wang Leehom, JJ Lin and Amei for loving me in an 爱屋及乌 way :)


I also had the good fortune to meet Dick Lee and work with him as IPOS ambassadors :)

and later again at SingaPOP!

with some of the most talented and established artistes/producers, Kit Chan and Lee Weisong! :)


Somewhere along the way, I went to Maldives

 
and took Korean lessons :)

and then started prepping for the next album :)

i also tried Wednesday Wideos on Youtube, I lasted about 2 weeks LOL

at the launch of www.youtube.com.sg,
i wrote a song for them! :)




Also collaborated with the super cool Manhand from Malaysia in a song with Einein! :) 
ManHanD慢行 - 空杯子 feat.可為&盈盈




The year wrapped up with Singapore Hit Awards
where I performed with the 2 most talented and funny artistes Jim Lim and David Tan,
whom I toured with on Amei's tour and had a ball of a time with :)

and the Orchard Road Christmas Light up with the President! ^_^

and my first Countdown show with Channel 8! :)




Thank you for following me thus far,
for reading this blog in this times of fragmented attention spans,
when reading 140 characters or a few lines of status updates are the norm,
thank you for allowing me to write/sing for someone like you
when i could have been writing/singing to a void.

To quote myself in 2010 -
Thank you for listening to my songs,
for buying the album,
for your Youtube views,
Facebook likes and comments,
spreading the word about my music,
and for every single little thing you have done which ennobled my 2010, and 2011.