papillion_

Being an over zealous shopaholic, I have resorted to browsing online lj shops to source for possible great bargains that could not have been gotten without a trip to Bugis village or Bangkok. Then I discovered a trend in the web posts.

Viv mentioned that I enjoyed highlighting  fashion faux pas of people but I am indignant and will reiterate that I am in  fact playing an important role of educating the fashion-ignorant . We should all do our part to minimise the number of eyesores in Singapore.

I quote a Hong Kong soap drama, "There is no such thing as bad press, just no press. " I maintain that while I may be explicitly dissing some pictures, they do have some nice stuff at great bargains lar.

While I'm fully aware that some of the sellers are on a tight shoe-string budget for publicity, it is pertinent that they become aware of how pictures of their wares can be tweaked to become more appealing. As it is already, although they claim otherwise, they do not have a competitive edge over one another because their clothes are really from a)the same location or worse b) the same supplier.

Problem #1 Some of these ads have models who distract you from the garment lelonged. While the lack of make-up on some may lead you you to wonder if they had an acting part in "Ghost Whisperer"; there are also some models who over -do it. I don't see how a chignon and bold red lipstick can complement your A. McQueen inspired outfit when you look like a fright yourself. And NO, that pair of over-sized sunglasses will hide no ugliness.

The cure?
You don't need to hire a model with barbie doll proportions. You dont even need to have a model with perfect measurements, but make sure your mannequin is easy on the eye. Yes, by this I mean, being remotely aesthetically alluring. This, however, should not be mistaken with being the socially acceptable height and weight. Simply put, a girl who is size '0' may not necessarily be drop-dead gorgeous, while a winsome plus-sized might rock your boat. It is easy-peasy to earn a girl's money. I think, to a certain extent, what we buy is based on our envy factor. Let me paint you a scenario.

Girl flips popular Jap fashion magazine.
(pointing to an ad) "This girl looks hot in these boots. (thought #1: This girl is damn pretty lar) It accentuates her long tan legs. (thought #2: It might not accentuate mine, but she is damn pretty lar.  It might just go with my outfit. )
OK! Me want these fur boots(even if it is impractical in sunny Singapore) too!"

Ahem ahem. Ladies, ladies, you can hardly deny that a pretty lady has more influencing power than someone less attractive.

Word to sellers: You don't have a chio-bu friend meh?

Then, this leads me to problem #2.
Like me, some of these sellers have non-existent Photoshop skills. I have gawked at some pictures that suffer from overexposure and others where their nondescript models need a life-saving touch from the photo editing software. Don't know what I'm talking about? Please refer to Xiaxue's blog. Read it, and it might teach you a trick or two.

The cure?
Do or do not, there is no try. We is humans. Humans no 100 % sui sui or perwhack vun la. Go learn some Photoshop skills. The vast I checked, vits not werry diwiicult. Just don't get a grumpy teacher.

Oh.. but i digress.. next on to problem # 3.
Posing and set of photo-shoot. Yea, yea, the whole reason for an online shop is to reduce overheads and increase profit margins. However, this does not justify shots taken at your condominium pool or car porch. Seriously, where is the lure factor in your picture?Your garments are only befitting of a walk by the pool or a stroll downstairs, possibly to get your car cleaned? Ok, I am being harsh here but  I'm now looking at the hula hoop in your hand that you are prancing with by the pool in the supposed spaghetti dress that I am cajoled to buy.

And, er.. no. The dress is not good. (clicks next page)

This is perhaps not as bad as taking photos against the white-washed walls of your room , with the same poses again and again.

Blue dress. Model with right arm on hip, hips slightly thrust forward.
Black dress. Model with left arm on hip, hips slightly thrust forward.
White shirt. (Read two lines above.)

Urgh.

The cure?
Purchase inexpensive mannequins. Ok, even one will do. I have seen some at City Plaza that are really dirt-cheap. Snap the photos, apply your photoshop skills and replace the boring distasteful background of your HDB flat with a swanky one from the internet. Not too difficult.

OR.. if you really insist on using human models, go to Kinokuniya (Level 3) at Ngee Ann City( y'know.. the maroon building at Orchard road) , look for the design section and you will find many coffee table books/fashion design books that will save your shop from going bust. (Psst. Browsing is free at this wonderful bookshop.)

The final no-no.
Last but not least, while names make it easy for orders, unnecessary taglines can be given a miss.

Seen on a certain website.