It’s almost that time of year again! There’s so much to do in preparation for this festive period – from making your house look presentable for incoming guests to shopping for new outfits! Dressing up from head to toe in new clothing has become an integral part to welcome in the new year. The Chinese believe that new things signify new beginnings. Impressing relatives you haven’t seen in a long time and the countless visits to the houses of family and friends have us all wanting to express ourselves with the perfect mixture of new AND traditional trends.

In the past, women would typically wear a cheongsam (traditional Chinese dress) to usher in the new year, or brightly-coloured clothing to bring good fortune to the wearer. The CNY Collection from LIN by Twenty3 celebrates the upcoming festive period through a collection of elegant contemporary pieces using an auspicious colour palette of reds, whites and pinks, but with a modern spin. Versatility, transformability, and the classic Twenty3 fit-and-flare silhouette all work together to make this collection eminently wearable even after the reunion dinners are done.

The Qin Cheongsam is an ultra-feminine fit-and-flare cheongsam with a unique heart-shaped neckline decorated with floral embroidery and lace.

The Mun Cheongsam is made from a luxurious wine red silky fabric, symbolizing prosperity and adding a regal touch to your festive wardrobe.

The theme of transformation permeates throughout the collection. From sleeve to sleeveless, collar to collarless, versatility lies in the form of the Xin Cheongsam with its detachable collar and sleeves.

A simple snap of some hidden buttons and the mandarin collar and sleeves are easily removed, easing the transition from reunion dinners to hanging out with friends. 

The Xi Romper Dress is the perfect day to night outfit, taking you from a classic flare silhouette to a playful romper adorned with the exclusive Xi Peony prints, via a hidden zip at the waistline.

We had a lot of fun monkeying around (pun intended) in this shoot, we hope you enjoyed the results!

View the entire LIN collection here. 

Few things are more beautiful than a pregnant woman carrying her baby bump. However, most women tend to keep their growing baby bump a secret in the first trimester but upon entering the second, it no longer becomes a secret that they can hide. Clothes that you use to wear daily don’t fit anymore as waistbands becomes tighter and zippers wouldn’t budge.

“There is nothing to wear!” a sentence that echoes through your thoughts as dressing every day suddenly becomes an obstacle with unwanted stress.  Don’t fall victim to the unflattering, boring maternity dress and don’t give up your personal style just to adapt to your growing baby bump.

So many of you enjoyed our first Baby Bump Lookbook, and we had so much fun putting it together, that we decided we needed to do a second one! We picked a few pieces from our current collections to inspire all you expectant mothers out there. Modelled by the lovely Huey Ling who is 33 weeks pregnant, here are our maternity style suggestions - with the added advantage of wearing each piece post pregnancy!

1) The classic fit-and-flare silhouette of the Diaronne Dress has an empire waistline that sits on the top of the baby bump, leaving space for your baby bump to grow comfortably.

Huey Ling wears the Diaronne Dress (size L) and the Obuwie Flats.

2) For mothers who embrace colour, the Laszlo Dress with pastel graphics is a more colourful option to decorate your baby bump.

Huey Ling wearing the Laszlo Dress (size L) and the Hamster Teeth sandals.

3) Drawstrings are a lifesaver when it comes to creating shape for those who are weary of shift silhouettes. Emphasize your beautiful baby bump with the Leda Dress. Made from a comfortable, stretch material allowing your baby bump to grow with ease from the first trimester into the third trimester.

Huey Ling wears the Leda Dress from Sher by Twenty3 (size M).

4) Have a dinner party or a wedding reception to wear but nothing that fits the smart-casual or formal theme? This romper is the go-to for such events as it portrays elegance and class. A drawstring and metal belt is provided to emphasize the waistline post-pregnancy.

Huey Ling wears the Chelsea Romper (size L) that is launching soon, and the Hakken Heels.

5) Exude a sport-luxe vibe with the Xonique Dress, whilst keeping warm in cool air-conditioned places with the reversible Kiefer Jacket.

Huey Ling wears the Xonique Dress from Sher by Twenty3 (size L) and the reversible Kiefer Jacket from Sher by Twenty3 (size L).

6) Graphic prints and the shift silhouette adds a splash of cheer to your baby bump.

Huey Ling wearing the Andie Dress (Size L).

Go on, then, rock that bump in style!

We won the Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin Entrepreneurship Award at the Alliance Bank BizSmart SME Innovation Challenge 2015! It is the most prestigious entrepreneurship award for SMEs in Malaysia, and we are absolutely honored to have won it from an exceptional field of SMEs this year. And with 30% of the final score based on public voting, we could not have done it without YOUR support and YOUR votes!

After months of training on leadership and all aspects of running an SME, and after three pitches to a panel of judges of senior business leaders including Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin of EcoWorld and Malek Ali of BFM, we were humbled when Tan Sri Liew announced our name on stage, and said, “This year’s winner showed the most passion and took the biggest risks, without fear – that’s what defines an entrepreneur.”

To be honest, we were wary of joining the competition. Just a week before we were invited to participate, another organization had approached us to take part in their own SME awards – only we were required to fork out over RM15,000! So I think we can be pardoned for feeling sceptical when we received the call.

In the end, I’m glad that we took part. Though the cash prize would go a long way to raising Twenty3 to the next level, it’s the training and the people we’ve met that have made this experience absolutely invaluable. Entrepreneurship is a long, lonely journey – having worked almost solo for 2 years and singlehandedly elevating Twenty3 to the size it is today, it’s been hard to keep friends. I never had the time for anything other than my business, and my friends could never understand the struggles I went through.

That’s why it’s so great to meet other likeminded peers in the Bizsmart Academy! For the first time, I finally had a group who were going through the same challenges, and who could speak the same language as me. Meeting Tan Sri Liew was an eye-opener, as well: I recognized the same fiery drive and determination in him that I possessed, and to hear his story of success and rebuilding, and to still see that passion after so many years, continues to push me to realize my own dreams.

A year ago, I was interviewed on BFM about my then-budding business, where I expressed my desire to grow Twenty3 from an online store to a proper brand, to debut at KL Fashion Week, and to be the next Jimmy Choo. I was mocked online for my pipe dreams, but this year, we have already achieved two of those goals!

This train doesn’t stop at winning this award; we’re going to grow Twenty3 further, to continue to break our limits, and to share our vision with the world: The Beauty in Perseverance.

Love,

Sherlyn

Congratulations if you’ve just got engaged! Planning your perfect wedding day can be both fun and exciting, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the different options available. “Where do we start?” is a common question for every newly engaged couple that doesn’t have a clue besides wanting to tie the knot.

The one thing that is always present at weddings are flowers. Let Mother Nature inspire your wedding theme and hold a ‘Spring Garden’ themed wedding infused with the essence of spring and the Easter holidays. The symbolic nature of springtime and Easter is of rebirth and new beginnings – which echoes the idea of a couple starting their married lives together.

Below is our guide to planning a wedding filled with colors and florals:

1) Many brides want to create some form of consistency throughout the bridal party, but how do you pick dresses for your team of bridesmaids when they all have their own individual styles? Not to mention the added dread of choosing the right colors!

Convertible dresses like our Marilyn Dress and the Monroe Dress are perfect for occasions like this as they give your girls the freedom to showcase their own individual style while keeping uniformity through your entire bridal party. They are also available in many different colors to suit your themed wedding.

Bridesmaids wearing the Marilyn Dress, the Monroe Dress, and the Hakken Heels. Sherlyn wearing wedding dress from Annie Loiseau Bridal.

Roses are the most romantic of flowers and are always associated with love and passion. How about dressing your bridesmaids in rose-print graphics?

Bridesmaids wearing the Fronna Dress, the Fronna Skirt, the Fronna Sherlyn Dress, the Venetia Dress, the Venetia Top and the Hakken Heels.

Bridesmaids wearing the Signature Rose Dress and the Hakken Heels. Sherlyn wearing wedding dress from Annie Loiseau Bridal.

2) Infuse some whimsical elements and be cheeky with the invites. Quote one of the most famous quotes from Alice in Wonderland, “Please don’t be late for this very important date,” with your wedding details to notify guests of YOUR very important date!

Photo taken from www.bridesmagazine.co.uk

3) When snow melts and spring slowly creeps in, Mother Nature clearly knows what she's doing. She always assembles her best blooms during that time of the year. A dramatic bouquet of eclectic blooms consisting of larkspur, delphiniums and sweet peas are the perfect accessories to complement your special dress.

Photo taken from bridesmagazine.co.uk

4) For table centerpieces, fill pastel jugs with fresh blooms and foliage for an effective springtime feel. Tulips and daffodils are the most iconic blooms of spring. Freesias, irises, peonies, roses, and snapdragons are a few other options. 

 Photo taken from happydayout.tumblr.com

5) If you prefer a rustic look, display those flowers in vintage milk jugs and jam jars.

Photo taken from flickr.com

6) What about your cake? Keep it simple with a white color base and add decorative florals such as peonies for a dramatic flair.

 Photo taken from bridalguide.com

7) Spring is also the time when animals awaken from hibernation. The sound of birds chirping fills the air. Nestle an origami bird amongst scrumptious chocolate eggs representing a place name and favor in one cute nest!

Photo taken from www.bridesmagazine.co.uk

8) Let Easter inspire some of your wedding details. Expose the competitive nature of your guests both young and old by asking them to partake in an Easter egg hunt challenge and egg painting challenge. 

www.wedding-venues.co.uk 

9) A simple game of ring toss with bottles painted to your wedding colors would also fit in your ‘Spring Garden’ theme. Keeping the kids occupied whilst the grown-ups have conversations over sangrias will keep all of your guests happy, young and old! 

Photo taken from purelyher.com

10) Spring is a plethora of colors. Keep your aisle fun and exciting with rainbow stripes!

 Photo taken from bridesmagazine.co.uk

11) Gift your guests with the token of life in the form of seeds, the perfect representation of springtime. The plant could be a living memorabilia of your wedding day! 

 Photo taken from weddingphotography.com.ph 

12) Last but not least, rose petals confetti to shower the newlywed couple!

 Photo taken from etsy.com

Annie Loiseau Bridal:

95, Jalan SS 2/75, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

+603-7865 1942

Check out our other wedding ideas:

• Valentines Themed Wedding
• Frozen Themed Wedding
• Fitness Themed Wedding
• Bridesmaids Dresses Inspiration

Three years ago, I started Twenty3 as an avenue to pursue my dreams of being a singer and a dancer. With only RM5000, I bootstrapped all the way to turn Twenty3 into the largest single-brand, non-Muslimah online fashion store in Malaysia. And it’s all been made possible by the support of every single one of you beautiful ladies who believe in the brand!

 

I’m proud of the relationship we have with all of you. We try to keep open all lines of communication with you, in order to better understand you, and to deliver exactly what you expect and deserve. In fact, every single step of the journey to where we are today came from conversations with YOU.

Without you, we would not be where we are today.

 In return for your support, we’ve tried to give back to you in our own little ways.

 We cast you in our first fashion show at Publika two years ago instead of runway models, to help you achieve your modelling dreams. Some of you still continue to model for our bridesmaids shoots – you would have grown up with us!

 We invited you to attend our show at KL Fashion Week instead of the usual celebrities, and pushed you to break out of your comfort zone to turn up in a strong look that most of you were uncomfortable with – in the end, we all had a blast together.

We continue to write your stories in The Sparrow, stories of hope, strength, and perseverance that most would never get to hear.

We send you surprise gifts, sometimes for your birthday, sometimes to cheer you up, sometimes for fun, but always to thank you for being awesome.

My old dreams of being a singer and dancer continue to be just dreams, but I want Twenty3 to be a platform to push people to chase their own dreams. From raising young, talented designers who would normally never be given a chance, to pushing our talented Art Director to pursue her singing ambition, to empowering our wonderful customers with the strength and ambition to break their own limits – that’s what “Beauty In Perseverance” means to us.

 So thank you for being part of this wonderful journey. If you’ve had a great experience with us and would like to help us grow even further, please vote for us in the Alliance Bank SME Innovation Challenge. With your help, we’ll continue to break limits and make you proud.

 Love,

Sherlyn.