Good morning from NYC!
It has been seven long years since I packed my bags from Manhattan to Singapore. As someone who lived there for a year, I always felt inspired by the city's air of individuality, authenticity and creativity. Not only did I get to discover myself through style, I also made some of the most greatest friends who are my Soeng Signature muses/#SoengSisters during my first and only year in the city. Although I wished I had more time to live my Asian Carrie Bradshaw dreams, it wasn't the time for me to build Soeng Signature seven years ago.
Coming back to the city with a half-empty suitcase, warm banana bread flavored matcha latte and cool autumn breeze flowing through my hair, I realized that something was missing.
During the weekend, I decided to explore Manhattan. As I went uptown and downtown, I walked past by tents with slip dresses and racks of leather jackets. Rhinestones shined against the sunlight as they were encased by the sidewalk. Finely cameos faced me as I stared into its delicate beauty. Two of my friends, who accompanied me to source on Saturday, helped me to pick out some costume jewelry. Not one to miss an opportunity, I had to get the dresses and jackets on Sunday. Like the Japan haul, the NYC weekend haul was also unplanned. I sent a text to Hallie, my go-to photographer from my early fashion girl days in NYC.
We met at West Village on Sunday afternoon, which was literally hours after I sourced my dresses and jackets. We left our things inside an Italian cafe, then we shot the lookbook inside there and continued shooting across the street. It was the first time I ever shot a lookbook abroad, which was one of the goals I had written down earlier this year.
Executing a shoot and sourcing on the same day was a feat I am proud to accomplish. When you're a creative, the process isn't linear. Some ideas just come to you spontaneously like this one did. (Thank you, ADHD!) The day after, I continued sourcing for more clothes, which will be debuting in our second drop.
While this drop has fall-friendly leathers and velvets, the former isn't too bulky to wear in Singapore and the latter is lightweight enough to wear to a nice dinner at a heavily A/C'd restaurant or on a breezy night at MBS.
Out of all the drops I launched this year, this collection is the most personal one to me since I felt myself grow from the brand's early conception to where it is now. I hope you love this collection as much as I do and treat yourself to a little slice of Roberta's after you shop here!
xoxo
Michelle
Michael by Michael Kors Leather Jacket , Miriam Haskell Brooch and '00s Masquerade Prom Gown
'90s Brown Miu Miu Style Leather Jacket
Coach Suede Blazer and '60s Slip Dress
'90s Tan Blazer and '60s Red Slip Dress
'90s David and Johnny Gown and Rhinestone Star Brooch