The Geisha Inspiration

Since the production of Memoirs of Geisha movie in 2006, Geisha have become the popular icon when we talk about Japan culture. Geisha (芸者) is traditional, female Japanese entertainer whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance. The biggest industry in Japan is not shipbuilding, producing cultured pearls, or manufacturing transistor radios or cameras. It is entertainment. The term geisha literally translates to mean "entertainer". Some prostitutes refer to themselves as "geisha", but they are not. A geisha's sex and love life is usually distinct from her professional life. A successful geisha can entrance her male customers with music, dance, and conversation. "Geishas are not submissive and subservient, but in fact they are some of the most financially and emotionally successful and strongest women in Japan, and traditionally have been so. There is currently no western equivalent for a geisha—they are truly the most impeccable form of Japanese art.

The inspiration of the Geisha couture are mainly from Memoirs of Geisha as well as Christine Dior Spring 2007 couture collection featuring Japanese culture that considered as one of the most dramatic fashion show in history. I chose not to inspire by the main character in Memoirs of Geisha, ZIyi Zhang this time, but more toward Gong Li as an antagonist, Hatsumomo in the movie. Her costumes are more glamorous, sexy and darker in tone mostly with black and red colour combination. John Galliano brilliant translation  from the kimono, obis, origami and motives of Japanese culture into the high end couture collection definitely giving me not less inspiration in certain way when designing the gown too.

It is a combination of black, red and gold colour for my Geisha couture, to give a touch of glamorous but yet mysterious. The top of the dress is a translation of obis in Kimono, follow by asymmetrical gold laces and beading from the waist to the hip area. The 3D element at the left shoulder and right hips as well as a very long train adding a dramatic and couture touch to the dress. Not forgetting the hair accessories which are one of the important elements to complete the whole look.

The Galliano inspiration couture

John Galliano has been always one of my top favorite fashion designers. I adore his creative sensibilities, his dramatic touch to the couture, his extravaganza style and craziness. He had gone through a hard time back in teenage years, frequently being bullied at the London boy's grammar school due to his difference. Recalling his early days, he once admitted: "I don’t think people here understood where I was coming from." I believe his courage to be different, to be truly living as who he is; have leaded him to be a super star in fashion design world. That is what I love about him. I took the inspiration from his Spring 2011 couture collection when he was still with Christine Dior. He called it his most technically challenging collection, but the effort was rarely obvious.

The inspiration comes from this dress, which I am fascinated with the use of light and shade colour that is done by Galliano in this collection. But I have taken a chance to try out black and turquoise toning. It is a semi transparent black lace top with beading details, with turquoise above the knee length pencil skirt embellished with black flower motive laces and beading. Of course, the dress won't be complete without a tulle floor length skirt with black and turquoise shade. I have also added a laces eye mask and head dress for a more dramatic touch. Photo shoot was done in the woods, to bring out the sense of mysterious of the look. So, without further ado, let's enjoy some of my favourite shoot for this Galliano inspired couture.

The Rose D'or Deva Doll

This is the 1st time I am holding a Deva doll in my hands, it is just unbelievable, she have the most desire feature and body with the greatest posability compare to other dolls I had before, well what could I say? She is just fabulous! I have been commissioned to create a whole new look for this Deva doll, including a new face up, hair style and of course not forgetting a NiGel.ChiA couture outfit for her. This transformation took me a few months to complete, due to my heavy schedule of school as well as my other commissions. Anyway, I really enjoy working on her and the sad thing is that I am going to say good bye to her very soon. Her face has been refined, with higher cheek bone, sharper jaw line, some nose and lips job too. I have given her green eyes, with smoky eyes and extra long eyelashes. Tibet Mohair is always my choice for the hair. Raw umber colour hair matches her slightly tan skin tone the best. Beside the face up, her whole body is fully blushed too, with manicure and pedicure. The dress is inspired by the flora, the golden rose particularly which shows in the flower pleated detail on the skirt. As usual, I always fascinated with huge volume dress to create the dramatic look, so with this dress! The doll would not be completed without a pair of heels. The molding of the high heels base took me around 1 week, and it was sent for resin casting. The heels look great after painted and some detail design. So, without further ado, I will like to present NiGel.ChiA 1st OOAK Deva Doll, The Rose D'or.

The Black Cocktail

The Pink Couture

It is pastel colour again! This is one of the couture commission of my client with the inspiration of his wife wedding gown. A similar pink colour ball gown, but I have taken a more dramatic and couture touch to the design. Corset top with laces and crystal beading, follow by a big bow as the belt to define the waist line and the very dramatic, volumise ball dress with roses. What can i say about this dress? A combination of the romance by Vera Wang and the dramatic couture touch by John Galliano. There is no doubt that both of them are my favourite designers, thus it is not a surprise to see some of their inspirations in my work, but yet I believe I still able to remain my identity as NiGel.ChiA. Sweetness, romance, fairy tale are the feelings I wish to bring out in this dress. Not much jewellery I put on this look as i want to remain it light and dreamy. Like it or Love it?

Just Fashion Illustration

Spring 2012 Haute Couture Collection

It is end of year 2011 and here come the New Year of 2012. In accordance to the Christmas and new year holiday, I have come out with my new Spring 2012 Haute Couture Collection specially design for 16' Avant Guard Dolls. I have bought a new Spring Kissed AG doll recently and with my 2 AG dolls, it makes up 3 now which are perfect to be my new collection models. I have repainted my Frame Freeze and Spring Kissed AG dolls so that they looked more like a high fashion models. This collection is all about pastel colour, which I seldom done, big volume, textures, layers and dramatic touch. The designs symbolize flowers, and blossom in the woods which bring up the mood of spring. As usual, crystals and beads won't be absent in any of Nigel Chia design, it brings up the shine to the gowns and create the glam. 2011 had been a very good year for me, I will like to send million of thanks for all the supports and without you all, I couldn't have gone so far. Last but not least, I am satisfied to end my 2011 year with this collection and wishing for all the best in coming year. Happy New Year for all of you!  

My New 16' Avant Guard Dolls

Introducing 2 recent new dolls that join my doll family. The 1st one is AG recent released Spring Kissed doll which have her body modified and it looked very amazing with more realism touch. I named her Nouvelle Annee which meant New Year in French. Another sweet heart is a Frame Freeze doll, which I bought it quite a while ago but recently get it repainted and wig. She is named Natale, which meant Christmas in Italian. I have also done a tattoo on Natale's chest with my logo motive. It looked very artistic indeed. Both of them looked amazing after the repaint and full body blushing and now they are ready to join Valentine for high fashion photo shoot.

Photos, dress, face up by NiGel.ChiA

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