SM Mens Fashion Holiday 2011 Campaign

Menswear retail in the Philippines is undergoing a style transition moving in and out from reality to fantasy and vis a vis. Inspired from cinema's iconic films, SM Mens Fashion's Holiday 2011 Ad campaign showcases modern tailoring incorporated in mass retail.  Soft and hard lines work silhouettes and form in up to date layering.  Bespoke transcends into style adaptations whethere in silhouette, cut or form.  The cinematic appeal displays a certain feel, emotion or moment in a refreshing presentation of real fashion.  Truly something visually new for the industry pillar, traditional local retail is currently stepping out of the convention into a more future forward direction. SM Mens Fashion is braving the look and feel of trendsetting fashion and moving into global mainstream.  

Photography by Frank Hoefsmit, styling by Luis Espiritu Jr. Makeup by Bobby Carlos for Max Factor, Hair styling by Jaime Sy, Associate stylists: Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim, Mikka Velasquez and Rudolph Leonor.  Models:  Hideo Muraoka, Benjamin Tang and Drew Rivera.  All clothes by SM Men's Fashion

Made to Measure

SM Mens Fashion recently shot their holiday campaign featuring three gorgeous looking models namely Hideo Muraoka, Benjamin Tang and Drew Rivera who all represent the different style personalities and characters defining the brand.  Gearing up with the season's stylesetting trends, the must have pieces are definitely something to look out for in the months to come.  The focus is on the new take on modern tailoring in refreshing silhouettes and on the radar hues.  Lots of suits, jackets, blazers and knits to fill one's wardrobe. Retail fashion is raising the bar and fearlessly moving up in fashion forward appeal.  Here are the BTS of the shoot photographed by Frank Hoefsmit and makeup by Bobby Carlos for Max Factor.

MENage a trois.

Donna Gonzales Lim reaching for Hideo.

Associate stylist Rudolph Leonor.

Beauty department.  Hairstylist Jaime Sy and makeup artist Bobby Carlos.

Mau de Leon.

K Miranda, Slegna Coo and Hannah de la Paz.

Associate stylists Rudolph Leonor, Donna Gonzales Lim, Grace Caison, Mikka Velasquez and reg Rodriguez.

Lights. Camera. Action.

Fun House.

Stepping Up

A movement currently happening in the Philippine retail industry is the rise of visual imaging for one of the most basic style essential--shoes.  This author and his style team recently worked on an exciting project which was a campaign for two local shoe brands.  The new direction for shoe ads is gravitating towards trendsetting style and high fashion.  It was a whole day shoot with two of the most popular Brapanese (Brazilian-Japanese) imports in the country--Akihiro Sato and Fabio Ide.  These high profile professional models turned t.v. personalities were very nice, cooperative, unassuming, warm and quite funny.  With so many layouts to do, work turned out to be fun play in the studio, out under the sun and even running under the rain. Both who have modeled in the Asian region for quite sometime showed their admirable expertise and experience in this glamour filled profession. Here are some behind the scenes of the campaign shoot.  Will definitely post the final ads here as soon as the material comes out.  

Fashion flash.

Designer's rack of plenty.

Color correct.

Modern hues.

Akihiro Sato air brushed by makeup artist Bobby Carlos.

The scene before the shoot started.

Associate stylist Donna Gonzales Lim and the author prepping up Akihiro Sato.

Akihiro Sato, the author(in glasses) with apprentices K Miranda, Jaja Bolos, Slegna Coo and Hannah de la Paz.

Face painter Bobby Carlos on canvas Fabio Ide.

Hair stylist Jaime Sy and Associate stylist Reg Rodriguez touches up on Fabio.

Cast of characters.

Photographer Vince Salumbides call the shots.

Channeling Dior.

The author wearing white v-neck top and denim drawstring both by Uniqlo,
vintage sunglasses by Firma and shoes by Cardams.

Structure and Form

The latest in global bag trending since early this year is all about structure.  Both classic and new shapes are the current offerings defined by style forecasts in colors, textures and hardware.  The up to date change of the season look is unmistakably chic simple with a twist with nothing frilly, fancy or over embellished. Hot on the list are clean frames, linear equations and geometric-like forms creating practical pieces to compliment one's everyday wardrobe. These refined and understated extras come in plain or faux exotics skins making them the next style setters without screaming out loud.  High on both purpose and style, these covetable fashion are no "IT bags" but are simply must-buys and must-haves.

Photography by Nico Villegas, styling by Luis Espiritu, makeup by Bobby Carlos, hair styling by Jaime Sy, associate stylists Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim, Mikka Velasquez and Rudolph Leonor, modeled by Fatima Rabago. All bags are available at SM Department stores nationwide.

Color Coded

After more than a week of rain the sun is finally out and despite the gloomy weather, the past season's color trending is here to stay.  From summer brights, the new color coding comes in bold jewel like and daring shades that will surely make an impact.  Hot hues have been spotted in the Autumn-Winter 2011 international runways Prada, Haider Ackermann, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Chloe, Versace, Jill Sander, Hermes, Michael Kors, Giambatissta Valli in a seemingly optimistic direction in highlighting up our wardrobes.  The latest in modern elements of style such as bags and shoes are adopting the trendy brights under control. Note that last season's eye-popping sensations have been toned down and is walking tall with the most alluring combinations. Exquisite colors are marking the new standard with elegant creations moving local fashion forward.  Embrace the new season with a new palette of haute style and step into the fabulous mood of the months to come with the up to date colors of glamour.

Photography by Nico Villegas, Styling by Luis Espiritu, makeup by Bobby Carlos, Hair styling by Jaime Sy, styling associates Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim, Mikka Velasquez and Rudolph Leonor, modeled by Fatimo Rabago.  Shoes and bags are available in all SM Department Stores nationwide.  

Rajo Man: Purveyors of Style

Menswear in Manila is celebrating fashion.  In the last decade, the number of retail labels seem to have multiplied by the minute and so has the number of designers.  No longer playing second fiddle to what used to be the bigger market for clothing(women), these tell-tale sign of the times is giving equal style attention to both men and women.  Chic and forward pieces are visibly growing in great numbers and is no longer limited to something custom made or merely settling with boring items on the rack.  For the modern man, style is no longer a lingering accessory but an essential.  Making a trademark in the expanding world of local menswear is Rajo Man.  A brainchild of Rajo and brother John, the brand is the answer to the growing demands of fashionable men in Manila.  What gives the brand the edge is their uniqueness in designed, distinct high level of taste and limited number of pieces. Rajo Man is fashion forward and aesthetically deeply rooted in the masterful art of tailoring.  The mix of tradition and contemporary design with current detailing creates a whole new perspective and interpretation to menswear in the Philippines.  Sleek and dashing with a hint of vintage, the old-new look is undoubtedly spot on the radar.  With his brimming artistry, fashion expertise and sharp business acumen, Rajo Laurel is set to pave the way in creating and broadening the expanding market with no style restrain.  Here is a glimpse of the latest collection of Rajo Man coming out this coming March and is available at the House of Laurel. Will be posting the entire set of pictures of this shoot after the launch.

Modern dandy by Rajo Man.  Photography by Lope Navo, fashion styling by Luis 
Espiritu Jr., makeup by Bobby Carlos, hair styling by Jaime Sy associate styling by 
Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim, Rudolph Leonor, Mikka Velasquez, Noelle Llave 
and modeled by Hideo Muraoka(Mercator).

For more inquiries call  T: (02) 895-5688 / (02)890-1686. F: (02) 899-9946. E: info@houseoflaurel.com. House of Laurel is located at 6013 Villena St. cor. Mañalac St., Poblacion, Makati City.or visit then online at http://www.rajolaurel.com, http://www.houseoflaurel.com and http://www.stylebible.ph/rajosblog