Arya Stark takes Charles & Keith bag to Emmy Awards
Local brand 'pleasantly surprised' after Game Of Thrones actress Maisie Williams carried its bags over star-studded weekend
Who needs thousand-dollar crystal-encrusted accessories for red carpet events?
Not Maisie Williams, that's for sure.
The English actress, best known for her role as Arya Stark in the award-winning TV series Game Of Thrones, ditched the glamorous cliche as she paired her entire weekend's worth of outfits with bags from Singaporean fast-fashion brand Charles & Keith.
Actress Maisie Williams poses at the BAFTA Los Angeles TV Tea Party. PHOTO: AFP
The bags she carried, which hit stores as part of its Fall/Winter 2016 collection early last month, have since been flying off the shelves.
In a statement to The New Paper, a spokesman for the local label revealed that the bags "are already sold out on our e-commerce site", but are still available in retail stores.
That is what happens when an international star as famous as Williams pairs Charles & Keith bags with all of her outfits for a weekend of publicity-heavy events.
The 19-year-old's personal stylist, Harriet Byczok, told The Telegraph: "The bag is Charles & Keith, which is still an unknown brand.
"At the Emmys, the Bafta Tea Party and the Emmys after-parties, all of her bags were from Charles & Keith.It does cool shapes and triangle boxes, which are a quirky touch, and also make her look a bit more grown up."
The spokesman for Charles & Keith told TNP that they were informed by their PR agency that the London-based stylist had come across and picked the bags during one of the "seasonal press days held in the UK" .
They showcased merchandise to the media, stylists, celebrities and fashion influencers.
"However, it was a pleasant surprise to see our products being featured in those three particular looks.
"These bags complemented her look well," the spokesman said.
OUTFIT PAIRINGS
Kick-starting the weekend's shebang at the Bafta Tea Party last Saturday, Byczok dressed Williams in a frock by English designer Henry Holland and paired it with Charles & Keith's $39.90 Evening Wristlet in Bronze.
Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams donned Singapore's Charles & Keith bags throughout the Emmy weekend Charles & Keith Evening Wristlet triangular handbag in Bronze. PHOTO: CHARLES & KEITH
The next day, Williams turned up at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles clad in a custom-made Markus Lupfer dress and ruffled Louboutins, which were paired with the Black version of the triangle-shaped evening bag that features a chain strap and has a gold tassel attached to the zip.
Even though Williams, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 8th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, did not end up bagging the accolade, she turned up all smiles at the Emmys after-party where she rocked the local brand's $89.90 Prism Minaudiere clutch with an Alexander Lewis top and skirt.
While this pegs a milestone for the local fashion industry, it is not the first time a Singaporean brand has made it to the international stage.
Local label Depression saw US performer Adam Lambert wear its Transformer Creepers to the MTV Video Music Awards in August 2013.
That year, Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi wore the label's dresses for two promotional events in China for her film My Lucky Star.
Raoul, a home-grown brand, has seen its fair share of superstar representatives too.
Oscar nominee Viola Davis wore the label's gown to the 2011 Governors Awards, andreality TV star Kourtney Kardashian showed up in the same piece at Elton John's annual Oscar viewing party in February 2012.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton - arguably the brand's most famous customer - was also spotted in a Raoul outfit during her visit to Singapore in September 2012.
Charles & Keith said it was thankful and excited by the exposure.
The brand started out from a single store, which brothers Charles and Keith Wong opened in 1996 in Amara Shopping Centre, and has since expanded overseas.
The spokesman said: "We are thankful for the opportunity to dress Maisie Williams and that our work has been recognised.
"This shows the potential and endless possibilities for our brand to grow further and we are definitely excited for that."
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