Tales from the Dark Side

Styling is at play when one is given freehand in exercising creativity.  Cinema has been one of the fashion world's great points of inspiration.  This author and his team was recently tasked to take a journey into the dark side and interpret style of the worlds greatest criminals in volume 6 of the SM Style Manual.  Conceptualized by People Asia's creative director Tatum Ancheta, the well-researched idea is an acting board in print featuring the holiday 2011 of SM Mens Fashion.  Playing the roles are SM Mens Fashion's roster of leading men headed by Hideo Muraoka, Benjamin Tang and Pedro Mulogni, while for SM Boys Teens are Robson Guaragni and Rodrigo Oliveira. Capturing the crime on film, the stunning photos are by one of Manila's sought after photographer--Frank Hoefsmit while grooming is by Bobby Carlos and hairstyling by Jaime Sy.  The Style Team for menswear include this author and associates Donna Gonzales Lim, Mikka Velasquez and Rudolph Leonor while for boys teens wear is the dynamic and creative duo of George Palmiano and Mikey de Guzman(MGP). SM Style Manual is editorially instructional as it presents menswear fashion in a range of personality types and guide to contemporary dressing.   Watch SM Mens Fashion come to life in their first ever solo show at Philippine Fashion Week on October 26, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center 730PM.  See you there!!!

Return to Glamour

People Asia magazine's latest issue featuring "national sweetheart"  Anne Curtis on the cover celebrates their "women of Style and Substance 2011". The annual list presents distinguished ladies in their respective industries who exemplify what women of today are all about.  They are the epitome of aspiration for the countless Filipinos out there who are trying to make a mark in the world.  Dressed up and glamorized for the feature, these sparkling ladies are presented like rare diamonds that glitter and shine in their up to date style and fashion.  In this issue as well is a fashion editorial styled by this author featuring a modern interpretation of one of the biggest trends of the season--glamour. Celebrity-television personality-host Kelly Misa models stellar creations from the most sought after fashion designers in the country today.  Loving how the old becomes new.

People Asia's Women of Style and Substance 2011 are Rhoda Campos-Aldanese, Mons Romulo, Charina Sarte, Annette Wassmer-Tirol, Cristalle Belo Henares, Reese Fernandez-Ruiz and Ann Puno.  This arresting photo by Sara black was styled by Gio Palimiano and Mikey de Guzman with my dearest associates Reg Rodriguez, Rudolph Leonor and Mikka Velasquez.



Actress Anne Curtis.



People Asia is available in all National Bookstore outlets and leading newsstand nationwide.

Denim No Doubt

The battle of the brand campaigns in Manila have all gone sexy.  From scents to underwear and even apparel, the move towards a more seductive form of advertising is introducing and almost insinuating a new mood of sexiness and high level of confidence.  The latest to join the bandwagon is trendsetting retail brand MINT who recently launched their denim campaign entitled "Don't doubt the denim." The idea is to encouraging the market to try and fit jeans without doubt or uncertainty.  Mint denim is comfort and fit made just right that won't leave anyone second guessing. The thrust is there's a perfect pair for everyone and any style, silhouette or cut will fit all. The stylish denim line presents a variety of denim in a range of color such as black, charcoal, light gray, brown, blue, whites and even the covetable hue in the coming season-- red(in harem).  With their groundbreaking jeans revolution comes a new endorser aside from image model Jericho Rosales, Mint welcomes to their roster of faces hot celebrity endorser Xian Lim. Xian's boy-next-door looks and preppy appeal was perfectly transformed into an image reflecting the epitome of Pinoy machismo.  His irresistible charm and stellar appeal undoubtedly compliments the look of Mint jeans in stunning, powerful and seductive attraction.

MINT is located at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Manila, Trinoma, Robinsons Place Manila, Cash & Carry Mall, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Market! Market!, Glorietta 5, Alabang Town Center, Ali Mall, Marquee Mall, Pavillion Mall, SM Southmall, SM Fairview, SM Taytay, SM Pampanga, SM San Lazaro, SM Marilao, SM Dasmarinas, SM Tarlac, SM Batangas, SM Lipa, SM Cagayan de Oro, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Novaliches, SM Rosario, SM Masinag. Check out their website at www.mintaddict.com.

Photographed by Jopet Sy, Styling by Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP); Hair & Makeup: EJ Caro.

Floral sightings

Summer 2011 is all about celebrating color.  One of the biggest trends blooming this season is the appearance of a variety of florals.  Local retail brand Shapes is flowering our neutral wardrobes with excitement.  Inspired by the runway collections of international brands such as D&G and Louis Vuitton, the new look is all about mod fluidity in 70's incantations. Free-flowing and ethereal fabrication in seductive appeal is offering more than just coming up roses.  Modern bouquets are wonderfully looking at a new direction--sexiness.  Sweet numbers have taken the back seat, as the sophisticated vamp makes a blossoming statement from sunrise to sunset.  Not just your typical garden variety, modern cuts in figure flattering silhouettes reveal a new kind of chic perspective beyond all the sweetness and dainty.  Bold femininity flourishes in the season of unstoppable prints and boldest of brights. Romanticize fashion with irrisistable floral updates that gives your wardrobe a step ahead.  After all, recession chic is already a thing of the past, it's time to move on and brave style in a whole new light.

In full bloom.

Chic flora.

Flower power.

Summer's floral tribute.



Garden of delight.

www.shapes.com.ph.

Photography by Doc Marlon Pecjo, Art Direction by Mike de Guzman (MGP), Styling by George Palmiano (MGP),Makeup by Krist Bansuelo, Hair styling by Macy and modeled by Toni & Alex Gonzaga. Shapes is available in SM Supermalls and select SM Department Stores nationwide, Gaisano Malls, as well as Alabang Town Center, Marquee Mall Pampanga, Pavillion Mall, etc. Check their website at

Bright Future

This summer, global fashion is turning on the bright side.  Majority of the international collections in Paris, Milan, London and NY presented a fantastical display of bright and bold ideas.  Name droppable brands paraded the runways celebrating a kaleidescope of endless color.  Undoubtedly the biggest statement this season is braving the sizzling days ahead full bright on.
In the Philippines, SM Men's Fashion is spot on the trend with the current global style forecast.  Their fashion forward approach is taking the department store at the forefront by breaking boundaries and exploring new parameters.  Menswear in Manila  is soaring high as it discovers the vast territories of contemporary styling.  Fearless fashion is on the bright track as it makes a style declaration in flying colors.  Evidently, the optimistic movement and mindset of SM Men's fashion is gearing towards the big leap to be the forerunner of Philippine retail fashion.

Photography by Frank Hoefsmit, fashion styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., associate stylists Reg Rodriguez and Rudolph Leonor, Gio Palmiano and Mikey de Guzman, Makeup by Bobby Carlos, modeled by Hideo Muraoka and Laxie Villar (both from Mercator).  Shot on location at Thunderbird Resorts located at Poro Point, La Union.

Island Smiles

I'm back!!!  After four days of work and super fun in the renowned island of Boracay I know I will be coming back.  The next few days will be all about my stay so please stick it out with me. After being there for the Nth time, Bora can still be quite captivating.  This trip was special because it was the first time SM shoes and bags department shot their campaign in the island.  It was a big group (23 to be exact) and with us were 13 balikbayan boxes filled with more than a hundred pairs of shoes and bags in total (men's and ladies),  and the latest merchandise to come out this summer 2011.  IN between shoots, we had our own shoot as well and with it were smiling faces under the sun against the palette of blues in the endless horizon. 

Belle wearing an oversized blouson top by The Ramp, white shorts by 50th Ave, silver and black rosette bag from Bangkok, black hat from Boracay and sunglasses by Ray Ban.

Rudolph wearing blue tee from Topman, board shorts by Ezekiel, bracelets from H & M,  sunglasses from 21men, vintage sling from Springfield and Fedora from Texas.

Ria wearing a dress by Forever 21, bikini top from Taiwan, sling bag from Boracay and sunglasses by Ray Ban.



May wearing printed tee by Mango, sunglasses by Ray Ban and hat from Nothing But Water.

 

Mau wearing a printed orange tee by F & H, board shorts by Bench, sarong and sunglasses both by SM and printed sling.

Reg wearing a stripes top and orange shrts both by Forever 21, yellow sling bag from Bangkok, slippers by Havaianas, necklace by PeaceLoveFashion and straw hat from Boracay.

Mikey wearing a vintage polka dot printed long sleeve polo, white tee by Topman, shorts by Mental and sunglasses by Aldo.

Bobby wearing a gray tee from Muji, printed board shorts by Gaspard Yurkievich, armband by Paul Smith, nylon robot bag and sunglasses both by Prada.

Pat wearing a printed tee from UNiqlo and boardshorts from Quicksilver and sunglasses by Hugo Boss.



Gio wearing a striped long sleeve shirt from Topman, scarf by Terranova and sunglasses by SM accessories.

 

Donna wearing  flowy cotton top by Topshop, printed shorts by Mango, leather fringe bag from a bazaar, sunglasses by Chanel and fedora from Bangkok.



Rina (left) wearing a printed tee by Forever 21 and sunglasses by Ray Ban and Lora (right) wearing a white tee from Giordano, drawstring pants from Old Navy, waterproff sling bag by Pacsafe and native hat from Boracay.

 

The author wearing white v neck tee from Uniqlo, bright fucshia shorts by Joey Samson, printed tote by Marc by Marc Jacobs and sunglasses by Tom Ford.

Work never seems like it when there's a lot of fun involved.  The fun in work is a different experiemce altogether.  Without it, the work life would be meaningless.  Finishing almost 56 layouts including options (atleast for ladies bags and shoes) was a miracle to accomplish.  But with a great team, a lot of sweat and endless laughs...everything was so worth it.

From ear to ear :-)