It’s my dream to visit the US. My must-travel list includes traveling to New York for fashion week, visiting California and rubbing shoulders with the stars and even swinging by Texas to try and spot some well-heeled fashion bloggers or oversized steaks. So whenever I meet up with a friend who has just been to America, I literally strap them down (ok, maybe not literally – that would be strange) and get all the nitty gritties from their trip. Surprisingly, not all of them would rave about NYC as one would expect. Instead, they eyes lit up the most as they reminisced about their Vegas adventures. Naïve little me didn’t know that there would be anything else to do in there except to participate in shotgun weddings or waving goodbye to one’s precious savings, both of which are not all that appetizing to me. “But there are so many other things to do in Vegas! Like shopping, watching shows, visiting museums and galleries, fine dining…” they would tell me with a gleam in their eyes. Perhaps it’s because there are not many places in the world like the famed resort city.

Although I would never visit Las Vegas for its casinos, one cannot refute its over-the-top glamorous reputation and therefore, high allure.  A little while back I styled a photoshoot with my dear friend Karen. The theme was ‘Glitz and Glamour’ and I must admit I looked up ‘Vegas fashion’ for inspiration and I discovered this: seduction through sequins and shadows. Something I never dreamt would happen happened: Vegas became a reluctant muse for me.

Cathleen Jia Dress  / Olivia Marcheline Earrings & Necklace (worn as bracelet) /Stylist’s own mask /Model’s own tights / Keilana Skye Shoes from Gusto & Elan

Olivia Marcheline Necklace / Kathryn Beker Top from Gusto & Elan / Constance Roe clutch / Sequinned pants from FameAgenda  / Karen Millen shoes

El And Tino Cape / Mijanou swimsuit from Gusto & Elan / Karen Walker skirt from Fame Agenda / Mettle Pyramid Bag from Fame Agenda /Keilana Skye Shoes from Gusto & Elan

Olivia Marcheline Earrings & Bracelet (worn as hairpiece) / Hopeless Lingerie Harness Bra / Stylist’s own Sophia Kokosalaki skirt / Keilana Skye Shoes from Gusto & Elan

Location // SHU RESTAURANT

Photographer//KAREN WOO

First Assistant//LEVON BAIRD

Second Assistant//ARLENE CALMA

Stylist//CECYLIA KEE

Hair & Makeup Stylist//SIMON BULL

Model//VAN-ANH NGUYEN

Never would I have imagined that working with the gorgeous Van, an accomplished pianist, producer and globe-trotter (She spends more time swanning on boat cruises as an entertainer than on land) would inspire me to play the piano after a decade of abandonment. I have dusted the keys and started to wriggle my fingers once again. I miss being able to read music fluently and play anything that my memories fancied. It’s taken a decade to finally embrace my old favourite past-time, and I have my stunning model to thank for reigniting that old flame. Now I just need to find a venue to create a vlog post for you playing some Bach-contrapuntals. Any suggestions?

[spoiler title=”中文版”]

访问美国，这是我的梦想。我“必去的”旅游行程清单包括纽约（最好是时装周），访问加州，与明星擦肩，并去探访克萨斯去认识一些我所爱的时尚博客小和品尝那里著名的超大牛排。因此，每当我遇见刚去过美国的朋友，我必会问他们行程的详细信息。令人惊讶的是，并不是所有去纽约的旅客最爱这个闻名的现代城市，相反，他们最深刻的回忆一般是在拉斯维加斯的时光。因为我对这所城市不怎么了解， 我以为在拉斯维加斯人们唯一做的事就是堵或结婚。当然，这两件都不是我会去参与的。 “但拉斯维加斯也有许多其他好玩的！你若喜欢购物，看表演，参观博物馆和画廊，品尝精致的美食….你一定得去拜访.”  他们会兴奋地告诉我。也许是因为在世界上没有任何像这位著名的度假城市一样的场所。

虽然我永不会前往拉斯维加斯赌场，但没有人能反驳这所城市迷人的声誉。几个月前，我于一些朋友设计了一些照片。相片的主题是“浮华和魅力”。我立刻想到拉斯维加斯的风格。我从来没有想到这所城市竟会成为我的灵感启发之处。

我也万万没有想到，与这为漂亮的模特，一个多才多艺的钢琴家（她经常游览在世界各地在游轮上弹奏钢琴）竟会激励我再一次弹起十年被遗弃的钢琴。琴键的灰终于被摸走了，又一次开始扭动我的十只手指。我想念以前的我能够流利地读音乐，并靠着记忆力， 想弹什么，就弹什么。等了整整十年，我终于再一次拥抱我原来的爱好，我要谢谢，VAN使我老火重燃。现在我需要找到一个场地能为你们弹奏一些巴赫的曲子。你有什么建议吗？[/spoiler]