Mini Revolution : The Next Phase
It started off with Visa's aggressive marketing of the new Visa Mini back in 2002. "Are You Ready for the Mini Revolution" probably had an inkling that they would kick-start the next revolution in mankind, otherwise known as the Mini Revolution.
The downsizing of debit/credit cards meant that ladies could fish it out of their tiny clutch purses to pay for their (probably just as tiny) cocktails. It meant that these cards could also be hidden in their bras, for who likes to carry something in their hands when out on a wild night of partying? Order, flash the mini, tuck if back into your bra, drink, and its party time. Very convenient.
Then came along Macintosh to steal the limelight, with 2005's Mac Mini and more recently, iPod mini with other fast-catching competitors like Zen Micro and random China products we see around Sim Lim. So small that they fit into tampon holders, iPod Shuffle (Gen 2) wins them all by morphing itself into a paper clip.
Whilst "bigger is better" back in the retro days, the revival of vintage and retro in 2006/7 only seems to emphasize the Mini Revolution before that. Bring on 'em aviator shades, with tunic tops the size of garbage bags and chunky plastic wedge heels. More interestingly, strutting the fashion arena are increasingly pint-sized girls. Be it 11 or 21 years old, most undergrads I noticed (while dining at NUS Arts Canteen a few days back) fall below my line of vision, looking startlingly alike my students who are about 13 years of age. Has the Mini Revolution taken over the physical size of our local girls too?
Hence the rise of those lovely Volks Beetles and Mini Coopers. Tiny cars for tiny people to zoom around the tiny island of Singapore. There has also been recent spottings of the new Picanto and the likes, equally mini though not as pleasing to the eye. Ah well, bring me my SUV anytime. Small ain't for me, although I still love my Mini Debit. Hah!
It started off with Visa's aggressive marketing of the new Visa Mini back in 2002. "Are You Ready for the Mini Revolution" probably had an inkling that they would kick-start the next revolution in mankind, otherwise known as the Mini Revolution.
The downsizing of debit/credit cards meant that ladies could fish it out of their tiny clutch purses to pay for their (probably just as tiny) cocktails. It meant that these cards could also be hidden in their bras, for who likes to carry something in their hands when out on a wild night of partying? Order, flash the mini, tuck if back into your bra, drink, and its party time. Very convenient.
Then came along Macintosh to steal the limelight, with 2005's Mac Mini and more recently, iPod mini with other fast-catching competitors like Zen Micro and random China products we see around Sim Lim. So small that they fit into tampon holders, iPod Shuffle (Gen 2) wins them all by morphing itself into a paper clip.
Whilst "bigger is better" back in the retro days, the revival of vintage and retro in 2006/7 only seems to emphasize the Mini Revolution before that. Bring on 'em aviator shades, with tunic tops the size of garbage bags and chunky plastic wedge heels. More interestingly, strutting the fashion arena are increasingly pint-sized girls. Be it 11 or 21 years old, most undergrads I noticed (while dining at NUS Arts Canteen a few days back) fall below my line of vision, looking startlingly alike my students who are about 13 years of age. Has the Mini Revolution taken over the physical size of our local girls too?
Hence the rise of those lovely Volks Beetles and Mini Coopers. Tiny cars for tiny people to zoom around the tiny island of Singapore. There has also been recent spottings of the new Picanto and the likes, equally mini though not as pleasing to the eye. Ah well, bring me my SUV anytime. Small ain't for me, although I still love my Mini Debit. Hah!