Felines both big and small have been making frequent appearances in recent high fashion ad campaigns. Take for example Bulgari’s F/W10 ads which feature Julianne Moore and a pair of adorable lion cubs selling both bags and baubles for the luxury Italian house.

And before Bulgari, there was Louis Vuitton’s safari-themed spread that features a lion cub as well.

It is not an entirely new phenomenon though. Lanvin also had felines; in this case black cats in their F/W09 campaign, albeit a little on the scary side. Think along the lines of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and I think you know what I’m getting at.

At around the same time, Loewe had Gisele Bundchen and a grumpy brown ginger cat posing up a storm for their F/W09 ad campaign as well. And while I’m not exactly sure if using felines in ad campaigns actually makes any difference in sales, I do appreciate the trend. After all, I’m a cat lover myself. Here’s hoping to see more of our favourite feline friends in more campaigns to come.

Images: Bulgari, Lanvin, Loewe & Louis Vuitton

Last night saw the launch of the new Bulgari MAN which saw society glitterati and media turning up in full force. Bulgari MAN is the masculine counterpart to Bulgari’s existing portfolio of scents for men (the formal Pour Homme and the sporty Aqua) and very fittingly, they’ve picked gorgeous British actor Clive Owen to the be face of the ad campaign.

An accomplished actor in his own right, there’s something about the way he broods that makes ladies go weak in the knees. Masculinity personified? Indeed.

The fragrance, a woody-oriental scent with top notes of pear, bergamot and violet leaves, with additions of white wood and vegetal amber is something Clive himself actually enjoys. He tells Esquire, ‘It’s fresh and elegant, very tasteful. I have a problem with a lot of men’s fragrances because they are very strong. Somebody somewhere thinks that masculine means powerful smells, and I find them overbearing and not very pleasant’.

Images: Bagaholicboy & Bulgari

Here are my picks from some upcoming F/W10 collections.

From Burberry Prorsum, the versatile indigo wash denim shirt (USD275) that will look good under a trench coat, a bomber jacket and yes, a smart slim-cut blazer (shown above). Fortunately (or not), this particular shirt will not be available in Singapore. In other words, get it online instead.

Anything Dr. Denim. What’s not to love? Especially since now that they are available at both Very Wooooderland (ION Orchard) and TANGS Orchard.

I’m also a sucker for anything in a check/plaid/madras print. And at just SGD59, I really need to check out the upcoming F/W10 collection from adidas SLVR.

Besides clothes, I’m also a fragrance junkie. Favourites now include Chloé’s Capucine, Dior Higher and 2 Man by Comme des Garçons. And hopefully after tomorrow night, I won’t mind smelling like Clive Owen as well, the face for the newly launched Bulgari Man. Or smelling him, for that matter.

Images: adidas SLVR, Bulgari, Burberry & Dr. Denim

Each bag is also priced differently, depending on the materials and finishes used but in my opinion, they are all beautiful in their own way. And once I get updated on the availability and pricing in Singapore I’ll definitely be doing another post.

Image: Bulgari

Didn’t I just say rose gold is going to be big in 2010? Presenting the Bulgari B.Zero Ceramic Rose Gold Ring, the four-band beauty which comes in 2 colours and topped off nicely on both ends with 18 karat rose (or pink) gold.

Retailing for SGD1360 a pop, they are currently available for purchase at Bulgari’s boutique within Ngee Ann City.

I lust!

Images: Bulgari

Besides the lovely black satin Chandra, she was also decked out in Bulgari jewels, including a yellow gold, mother-of-pearl and diamond Serpente bracelet (see wrist) that’s absolutely gorgeous!

Here’s a close-up of the new Bulgari Chandra. I better find out what the differences are soon.

Other celebrities who showed up at the event in Milan included Claire Danes, Clive Owen and Rachel Zoe who has been all over the place lately and I frankly don’t get the hype. Am I missing something?

Images: Bulgari

Inspired by Bulgari’s first advertisement, the Spring-Summer 2010 Womens Bulgari collection sees new pieces added to the Bulgari 1910 collection. If you look closely, you will see the art-nouveau (a style that was all the rage back then) advertisement embossed/printed on the surface of all the bags in the collection. The initial ‘S’ you see before the brand Bulgari references Sotirio Bulgari, who along with his sons opened their first store at 10 Via Condotti in Rome in 1905 which is still operating till this day.

5 years later they did their very first advertisement, which is how the collection came to be named. On the ad it simply lists the the address of the main store, along with the locations of its 3 other shops. You can even see their telephone number listed, and way back then it was just 4 digits, 89-28. No lounging model, no product placement, just the locations and a telephone number. Life was so much simpler back then wasn’t it?

Besides totes in various sizes and differently finished handles (rolled/braided/flat), it also comes in wide variety of colour combinations and materials. Canvas, leather, suede, you name it, they’ve got it.

Boys, you need not feel left out either. There will be 2 briefcases in the S/S10 collection, one of which is this canvas/leather creation that’s easy on the eyes. Now I just need to find out how much this will set me back by.

Images: Bulgari

Charismatic, feminine and elegant, Julianne Moore has always been one of my favourite actresses. Shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggot the Oriental-themed campaign also features the Bulgari Chandra, one of the House’s more recognisable icons. Meaning ‘moon’ in Sanskrit, the Chandra is a hot favourite amongst society ladies and the like.

A classy bag, for a classy lady. And just for fans of Bulgari who missed out on reading about the Bulgari Dahlia the last time round, click here to check them out.

In Singapore Bulgari is located at Paragon and Takashimaya Department Store.

Image: Bulgari

And speaking of gorgeous women, I think I finally understand why French women are all so svelte and trim. If you take the Metro or the RER on a daily basis and need to connect between different lines, you’ll be slim too; all the walking up and down of stairs and through tunnels can be quite a workout in itself. Most of the population also stay in apartments of up to 6 storeys with no lifts. You do the math.

Image: Fame Pictures

Part of the Doppio Tondo collection, they are distinguished with the double Bulgari logo in the front which acts as a fastener. The pleats are also a nice touch, though I really need to see it for myself in person to attest if the buffalo leather used for this bag is as soft and smooth as it looks.

Here’s the money shot, a close-up of the double Bulgari logo fastener. If this one is too big for you (just look at the ones the celebrities are carrying), there is also a smaller version which retails for SGD2550 in Singapore. And if you set on the larger one, it retails for just over SGD3000 or so. Check them out for yourself at their boutique in Paragon (#01-08/09, 6836-6911), or online at their portal here.

Images: Bulgari