We Are Young

Work becomes play when kids are involved.  The look and feel of things around you becomes a decade younger.  The style team recently had a two day shoot featuring kids shoes from nonetheless but the Philippine retail industry's giant among giants--SM.  With kids there are a lot of proppings, clothes are more colorful and the mood is all in the spirit of fun.  Yes, the very young play a big role too in the retail scene, without them, the whole essence of a department store won't be complete.  Going back, one thing quite evident in these kiddie photoshoots is the overload of sweets such as candies, gums, cookies and chocolates.  Waaaaahhh all time sugar high.  The kids love it so much and they always seem to have endless energy.  The sight gives one a moment to look back and recall at one point we filled in the same shoes.  Oh well, there's still a child in each and everyone of us that comes out probably once in a blue moon. Just a thought,could it be the secret of youth? 

DPI XL Studios.

Inspiration.

The wardrobe.

The setting.

The bait.

The dolls.

Sweets for my sweets.

Adfolio's Lora Antenor, SM's Rina Bugayong and Ruth Galvez, Adfolio's Neslyn

SM Merchandisers.

Styling apprentice Alyssa Lapid and K MIranda.

Photographer Nico Villegas.

Day 1 Style Team:  Grace Caison, Donna Gonzales Lim and Mikka Velasquez.

Day 2 Set up.

Wardrobe.

The Star.

Day 2 Stylists Rudolph Leonor and Reg Rodriguez.

Niko Villegas takes the shot.

Point of Shoot

Shooting day.  Last week, the team had two major shoots one was for men's shoes and the other was for ladies bags at the Elite Studios in A. Venue, Makati. We had quite a big group and decided to take snaps of everyone since the author hasn't logged in an outfit entry for quite awhile.  There were new faces in the team and they easily blended well with everyone.  It was hard stuff and fun as usual but despite the long hours at the end of the shoot we still had a smile on our faces.  There maybe a bit of a struggle here and there, but it never felt like stress--everyone gives extra room for patience.  The goal is to produce the best creative output to meet the requirement and with this the mantra is always "All for one and one for all". Work never feels like work if you love what you're doing and you're in the company of family.

Alyssa Lapid wearing a vintage polo, shorts by H & M, belt by Forever 21,heels by
Charles and Keith and bag from China. 

Jaja Bolos wearing a top, skirt, shoes and accessories all by Jhajing Fashion,
 watch by Franchi Menotti and bag by Louis Vuitton.

K Miranda wearing a blazer from Cebu, vintage top,belt and bag, shoes by Cole Haan
and jeans by RL Jeans. 

Hannah de la Paz wearing a top from Bangkok, blazer by Zara, shorts and accessories
by Forever 21, shoes from Hongkong and bag by Chanel.

Slegna Coo wearing a navy blazer by Tomato, white tank, red skirt and belt all
by Forever 21, heels by Aldo and bag by Longchamp.

Associate stylist Mikka Velasquez wearing a printed top by Forever 21, custom
made pants, earrings by Aldo, bangle by Tory Burch and wedges by So Fab.

Adfolio's Lora Gabuna Antenor wearing a dress by Zara, scarf by Muji, shoes by
Tory Burch and bag by Longchamp.

Hair stylist Jaime Sy wearing a printed top by People Are People, pants by
Penshoppe, watch by Jeremy Scott for Swatch and shoes by Puma.

Max Factor's Creative Director Bobby Carlos wearing shirt and shorts both by Topman,
cardigan by Oxygen, shoes by Opening ceremony and bag by Louis Vuitton.

.

SM's Rina Lacia Bugayong wearing striped tee by Muji, pants by Marks & Spencer,
 flats by Scoop, watch by Technomarine and bag by Kenneth Cole.

Sm's Ricci del Rosario wearing a top by Folded & Hung, shorts and scarf both by SM,
 watch by Aldo and shoes by Kickers.

Senior Associate stylist Reg Rodriguez wearing a top from a bazaar, printed
patchwork pants from Al Devinco and wedges by Parisian.

Adfolio's May Sta. Ana wearing a top from Bangkok, pants by Her Bench, watch by
Tomato, flats by Ipanema and bag By Burberry.

Fashion Photographer Nico Villegas wearing a jacket by Team Manila, top by Affliction,
pants by Pepe Jeans and shoes by Vans. 

Associate stylist Rudolph Leonor wearing pants by Oxygen, top and shoes both
 by Zara, watch by Swatch and bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs. 

Associate stylist Donna Gonzales Lim wearing a top from Hongkong, printed
patchwork pants from Al Devinco, scarf by Mphosis and shoes by Ichigo.

Fatima Rabago in action.

Male attraction. 

Drew Rivera a.k.a Pierre Roxas.

The next generation of stylists.

The author wearing top by Eairth, printed patchwork pants by Al Devinco, scarf by Zara,
 glasses from Firma and shoes by Opening Ceremony.

Parisian Summer 2011 Lookbook

After more than a month since my Boracay entries, our shoot is finally on print.  Fashion forward shoe brand Parisian presents its 2011 Summer lookbook.  The latest and hottest in both bags and shoes are trendsetting the local retail scene in front row style.  Spot on the trend detailing and a kaleidoscopic spectrum of the most wanted hues display an irresistible global appeal to tickle your excitement.  Touch the color from neutral tones to the boldest of brights and there's no mistake this time, it's all a matter of choice. Satisfy your shoe fetish in an array of must-haves such as flats, wedges, platforms and towering heels that will keep you parading the days of summer. The shoe fits perfectly in a variety of prints, braids, cutouts and fantastic wood works. Wonder in delight with these cheap chic items sure to make a bold statement to compliment your updated wardrobe.  Parisian has definitely made a mark in local retail landscape by raising the style bar to international standards.  More importantly, with their new and improved comfort, you can keep on walking all day and night worry free.  Step ahead of the pack and strut your style in stellar confidence because it will never be the same without a Parisian.

Shot on located in Boracay Island.  Photography by Pat Dy, Styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., associate styling by Belle Camarsi, Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim and Rudolph Leonor.  Makeup by Bobby Carlos, makeup assistant Ria Aquino, hairstyling by Felicity Son. Parisian is exclusively available at all SM Department Stores nationwide.

For Your Eyes Only

Have you ever wondered how an excellent Ad campaign is made?  Those beautiful billboards you see along edsa, store window displays, posters in the malls, catalogues and on the pages of glossies and broadsheets are all products of meticulous hard work.  From concept brainstorming to pre-production and production to printing, "the process" is like putting pieces of a big puzzle together.  It is no easy feat creating  an image of a brand or product.  For the consumer, all they see is the output which is left to their personal judgement. But for the team who's hands get all dirty to achieve this, the objective is to sell the image, promote a look or make a statement. With it comes heavy research, product development, buying, sourcing and the list goes on and on. Everything is planned well and it's not something you think of out of the blue or for the moment.  For the greater majority, it's just a matter of liking it or not.  To give you an idea of what happens behind the scenes, here is a sneak peak behind the smiles of SM's Shoes and Bags Summer Campaign shoot in Boracay.

Jack in the box?

This was the set up since 5am.

Rolling stones at 7am.

Retouch. 

A stone throw away.

Clipping on.

Gio and Rudolph with clothes in line.

Peter's instant set up.

Pat and Laura's smile check.

Formal setting.

Each shoot is different from one another in terms of looks, style and proportion but the effort put into it is all the same.  No shoot is greater or lesser than the other because they are all a result of collaborative efforts from each member of the team.  Professionally, everyone is integral and important from the client, agency, photographer, stylists, makeup artist, hair stylists, models and assistants.  Based on experience,the real key aside from what I've mentioned earlier is chemistry.  With no walls to be broken down,the invisible ties that bind us makes every shoot faster, lighter and easier. 


Rudolph wearing 21 Men.

Bobby wearing SM Wayferer.

Belle wearing Ray Ban.

Ria wearing Ray Ban Wayferer.

Donna wearing Chanel.

Rina wearing Ray Ban.

Reg wearing Anne Klein.

The author wearing Tom Ford.