Young Holywood

Portrait photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank comes out this season with a new book- Young Hollywood.  A visual documentation of portraits, the artist's vision is to capture the essence of more than 60 up and coming women to watch in modern Hollywood.  Iconic American designer Michael Kors celebrates beauty, fashion and glamour in collaboration with Frank. Aside from contributing the forward of this book, the designer's brand will feature an exclusive look at the book, engage in Claiborne Swanson Frank online, and actively promote on all social media. Kors shares and supports the visionary endeavor of the artist in showcasing a glimpse of what life is behind the global spotlight.

Art in Fashion

Creating fashion takes inspiration from almost anything.  For Spring-Summer 2012, Gucci digs deep into a significant era called Art déco. Strong, powerful and sophisticated, graphic charm redefines the maturity in elegance. According to creative director Frida Giannini, the entire collection is all about fusing elements from the brand's DNA to design history and photography.  The whole look and feel showcase a display of chromatics, jewel details, and animalier prints.  No gray areas this season as the silhouette unfolds a study in contrasts--mannish and ultra femme, flowing and fitted accentuated with high wattage Deco jewelry such as frog latches, jewel buttons, golden chains and enamel tiger heads. Color is striking with richness in emerald green and mandarin as they work their way into a palette dominated by white, black, and gold playing with the rules of animalier, changed into a geometric degradé, with an almost optical movement. Luxe prints were evident in their captivating sense of excess. Rich detailing raises the standard with an outstanding statement as seen with a pavé of architectural embroidery, hand made metal elements, carved plexiglass, prismatic crystals and baguettes overlapping for decori-sculpture. The ultimate art attack from the runways to realway, Gucci's high mark this season brings back style with the art of substance.

In the Philippines, Gucci is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center and Rustan’s Tower Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

The Yummy Trail

One of the best pleasures on can get from traveling to a new place is to try out the local cuisine.  The recent trip to Davao for the Style Origin series wasn't all about the show.  Half of the time was really hopping from one restaurant to another and checking out the best of what this province has to offer.  Driving through the city, one can't help but notice that there's just so many restaurants everywhere--from hole in the walls to the super restos.  The famous Torres Street shouldn't be missed--the area is filled with a variety of dining havens to satisfy any food craving. The author asked recommendations from close friends Pam Gonzales and Chef Tina Pamintuan where they serve the best food in town and the following are some of their recommendations:

The once hole in the wall Ahfat is now a colossal structure with four restaurants under its name known for their excellent Chinese seafood cuisine.

Kiss of the dragon.

From left to right:  Steamed Pampano(fish) in hoisin sauce, slipper lobster in garlic and shrimps in garlic and butter sauce.

Leche flan and mango float for dessert.

The legendary Harana on Torres street.

Lato(seaweed) salad.

The mouth watering barbeque spareribs is to die for.  Make sure to stay away from rice and just have the ribs.

Eat all you can crabs for such a reasonable price is a sensation.  Don't forget to bring your hand sanitizer.

The perfect afternoon delight place Swiss Deli is like Santis and Mikey's deli in Manila.

The wine cellar is always fully booked for intimate dining.

Cheers.

Can't seem to have enough of these sausage platters.

Cheese whiz.

Proscuitto and salami Milano anyone?

The best in Tuna is here.  The owners are exporters to Japan's Tsukiji Market.

Proof of the truth.

Sashimi that literally melts in your mouth.

Asparagus with garlic.

Shrimps ahoy.

The famous crispy "buntot ng tuna" is the best on the menu--you won't believe me but it unbelievably tastes like crispy pata.

Hot and Sour seafood soup is filled with the ocean's best.

Baked scallop in butter and garlic is orgasmic.

After three days of pigging out, the author completely forgot about watching his weight and realized that his clothes started to feel tight at the end of the trip.  A gastronomic adventure one shouldn't really miss out on doing while in Davao.  the food is reasonable and seafood is really good and fresh.  Definitely a place where you can go eating with no regrets.  And yes, the idea of getting food coma used to be a myth until this trip made it so possible.