Ruffle sleeve dress, strappy heels and Roccia Karung print shoulder bag, all Gucci

Shopping tote with baguette sleeve, Fendi

Dress with layered ruffle sleeves, strappy heels, Bright Bit patent shoulder bag, necklace and earrings, Gucci

Leather trench, mesh top, high-waisted skirt, suede boots and Kamelia bag, all Salvatore Ferragamo

Leather necklace, silk shift dress, leather belt and Papillon bag, all Bally

Dress, fur slippers and Trapeze bag, Céline

This demure satin evening bag has been seen worn by Carla Bruni, Kate Moss and Princess Diana, with the Duchess of Cambridge – Kate Middleton as its latest fan. It sports a frame handmade in the oldest purse frame workshop in England. What’s truly special about this relaunch are the customisation features: a monogram or initials can be embroidered on the front and the inside can be embossed with a covert handwritten message.

Starting 15 May 2012, you can order one from a choice of six exclusive ‘Jubilee’ colours with either pale gold or silver hardware from Anya Hindmarch stores at KLCC or Parkson Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur. A short wait of 4 – 6 weeks will find you the proud owner of this unique and beautifully crafted bag.

Every girl has a dream: to grow up and be like the women they look up to. We all have our role models, a strong figure in our lives - some of them we know personally, and some we admire from afar. And then we grow up to be the woman we were destined to be, forgetting that we’ve become one of those strong figures that we once, as a young girl, dreamt and aspired to be.

The time has come once again for all women across the globe to celebrate International Women’s Day 2012 by connecting and inspiring one girl, one woman, at a time. Under the global theme ‘Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures’, Capri Communications Sdn Bhd is organising WOMEN:girls, a 10-day campaign aimed at inspiring girls with a variety of activities, highlighting role models, successful figures and also unsung heroines.

The WOMEN:girls campaign was launched last Thursday by Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir at Pavilion KL. She said, “Young people are the most optimistic and hopeful about the world, always eager to contribute to society, and I’ve met plenty who are bright with sparkling new ideas. The WOMEN:girls campaign to inspire an aspiring girl is indeed what the younger generation needs. And it works both ways, as we, the experienced ones who can inspire, it is always inspiring to be in the presence of a younger, enthusiastic energy ready to take on the world!”

The WOMEN:girls campaign kicks off with a mentor-mentee programme where several lucky girls will be paired with a well-known personality as their mentor, who will personally guide them for a collective duration of 10 hours over a period of one month.

Spearheaded by campaign spokeswoman Low Ngai Yuen, the WOMEN:girls mentor-mentee programme teams up with international TV Host, Asha Gill; well-known fashion designer, Melinda Looi; Managing Director and one of the Founders of Rumah Jagaan Kanak Kanak NurSalam, Dr. Hartini Zainudin; founder of Helping Angels, Poesy Liang; advocate on women’s issues and Executive Director of Women’s Aid Organisation, Ivy Josiah; and many others to work together in inspiring the next generation of girls for the future.

“We would like to thank these wonderful celebrated women mentors for supporting and participating in WOMEN:girls,” Ngai Yuen smiled, adding, “The mentorship programme is open to girls and women aged 15 years and above. Those who are interested in participating can even submit a proposal on who they would like their mentor to be at the campaign’s Facebook page and website.”

In addition to the mentor-mentee programme, there will be a photography exhibition on the ground floor of Fahrenheit88 featuring local celebrities such as Datin Paduka Umie Aida, Anne Ngasri, Cheryl Samad, Dira Abu Zahar, Dynas Mokhtar, Julie Woon, Kartini Kamalul Ariffin, Sharifah Sofea, Susan Lankester and Low Ngai Yuen.

There will also be outreach activities such as daily inspirations to women and girls on the streets through the sharing of inspirational words around the Klang Valley at shopping malls, LRT stations, bus stops, schools and universities. The WOMEN:girls campaign will close with a grand finale on the 16th of March 2012 with an exclusive session of networking between mentors and mentees as well as the sharing of ideas and experiences through inspirational talks.

For more information, head to http//:mentor.dosomething.gd or www.facebook.com/WomenGirlsinspire or #WomenGirls2012.

Marie Claire attended the exclusive preview and launch of Louis Vuitton’s new Island Maison and invites you on the grand tour

TEXT Mindy Teh

Southeast Asia’s first Louis Vuitton Maison—a glass and steel Moshe Safdie architectural wonder surrounded by the Malacca Straits and a view of Singapore’s burgeoning cosmopolitan skyline—is indeed a sight to behold. An air of exclusivity and sophistication surrounds the flagship—one enters the maison via an outdoor bridge; a travelator through the world’s first nderwater mini art gallery and specialist bookstore; or if one so wishes, via private boat charter. The interior, conceptualised by longtime collaborator and famed architect Peter Merino, bears intricate details such as shipbuilding timber, port holes  and ship masts to create the atmosphere of lounging in a luxury cruise liner. Inside lies a multifaceted haven filled with art and luxury—lower decks present the well-heeled with fine jewellery and a men’s universe while upper decks feature a women’s universe, women’s accessories, a private lounge and an outdoor loggia. A mural by Ruben Toledo and sculpture by British artist Richard Deacon remind patrons of Vuitton’s commitment to art. Stunned by the grandeur of the flagship, legendary actor Chow  Yun Fat—a surprise guest at its in-store press conference and whose own photography is featured in the gallery—playfully remarked that the flagship’s feng shui must be very good. Take a closer look and you’ll agree.

… lv by night

The fanfare surrounding the Maison’s evening launch proceedings was realised by a spectacular evening that had 1000 guests and glitterati paying a visit to the flagship. Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett looked resplendent in a black Vuitton outfit as she took her place in a ribbon cutting ceremony that included Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Malletier Yves Carcelle eforeattending a star-studded party at One On The Bund at Fullerton Bay Hotel where a pop-up Vuitton hotel was set up in tribute to the event. Blue bloods and the cream of Asian society mingled with the likes of Chow Yun Fat, Japanese footballer Hidetoshi Nakata, models Du Juan and Zhao Lei, Chinese actresses Zhao Wei and Zhang Jing Chu as well as Bollywood star Deepika Padukone—all of whom were seen partying it up as DJs Antwone and Falcon from France spun a selection  of dance hits before Grammy winner Estelle took to the stage and got everyone belting the words to American Boy with her. Mixologists kept the party flowing with specially-designed cocktails and revellers stayed till the  wee hours of the night. C’etait un bonne soirée!

Loulou spent more than three decades designing jewellery and accessories for Yves Saint Laurent before launching her own fashion business, with ready-to-wear, costume jewellery and accessories sold in the US and Paris.

This year, the supermodel has outdone herself yet again, turning herself into an autopsy, complete with two doctors in blood-spattered white coats to wheel her into the party. Watch her step-by-step transformation below, courtesy of her Twitter account. Happy Halloween! – FHA

* All images courtesy of Heidi Klum's Twitter.