Vacay Chic

Summer is just around the corner and all is ready to hit the beach in the sunny side of the season.  Retail brand Cinderella presents Seventeen's vacay-chic collection for 2012 in the most wanted hues to beat the heat stroke. Cooling off under the sun are pastel, bold and neutral tones in relaxed and effortless manner.  Sorbet and muted hues is taking all the sweetness with a hint of sexiness.  Whether the beach or poolside, the look comes in wearable and easygoing seperates that can be mixed match to create a wardrobe full of season worthy ideas. Silhouettes range from figure flattering pieces to loose comfy ensembles.  The young and free spirited displays modern fashion in its most uncontrived and unstructured manner of dressing--just the way summer should be. Bring the look of "cool" back into the pool with mod retail fashion. Leave the frills behind, it's all about the basics and adding a modern twist to it. 

Shot on located at Sulu Riviera in Quezon city.  Photogrpahy by Sara Black, Styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., Associate styling by Reg Rordriguez and Mikka Velasquez, modeled by Petra of Mercator.

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

BTS Cinderella Holiday 2011 Campaign

History will always be a glimpse of the past and the stories that come with it.  The Paco cemetery is almost a century old and has become a historical landmark.  It is here where the remains of National Hero Jose Rizal lies(or as they say) and the place has become a tourist spot and setting for field trips.  No cadavers and hauntings in the area don't worry since the dead have been transferred already to the North Cemetery.  The beautiful landmark is now a park sprawling with greens and at the heart of it all is the famous church where a lot of weddings are held as well.  
For us, it was the backdrop of Cinderella's Holiday 2011 Ad campaign with actress Rhian Ramos.  The theme revolved around luxury and history to give it a fusion of new-old feel.  Loving the setting that seemingly transports one somewhere in time when fashion was on an all time high.  The look is modern grunge--glamorized into modern street wear which somehow reminds one of a popular global series.  Here are the BTS of the shoot, despite the humidity and bi-polar weather, a day spent in Paco Park was definitely worth it.

Note from the past.

Vanishing point.

The tree must be more than a hundred years old.

The former catacombs.

Symmetrical.

No fountain of youth.

No tomb raiders here.

Poison ivy.

Just the right curve.

The sign.

General cleaning.

Structure and form.

First layout.

The merchandise.

Photographer Sara Black.

Light on.

It started to rain.

Protection.

Associate stylists Mikka Velasquez and Donna Gonzales Lim.

Marielle Santos Po with her Cinderella team.

Shades of green with makeup artist Precious Medina.

The author with photographer Sara Black.

Cat's Eye.  Actress Rhian Ramos with road manager.

Pillar of stone.

Cemetery for babies?

Life.

Associate stylist Rudolph Leonor with model Alex Pain for Pierre Cardin.

Stone rest.

All for Luxe

Luxury is finding its way into real fashion for the holiday season.  Cinderella recently came out with their Holiday 2011 Campaign featuring actress Rhian Ramos.  Shot at the historical landmark Paco Park, the young ingenue transforms into a glamorous, enchanting beauty under the backdrop of old world charm.  The bewitching stellar appeal presents chic Parisienne style as seen in animal prints, soft fabrication and range of modern neutrals such as camel, bone, grays and blacks.  Pleats and drapes captivates in sheer sophistication as the brand creates a style interpretation of luxe for everyone.  Precious and soft, dress up in high style with seasonal offerings in a variety of chic tops, skirts, pants, shorts and jackets. The look of sophistication was inspired from the trendsetting A/W 2011 collections of top designer names in global style-setting. Cinderella's celebration of all the finery in elegance was captured by top fashion photographer Sara Black, makeup by Precious Medina and fashion styling by this author and his style team namely Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim, Mikka Velasquez and Rudolph Leonor.  Modern times hail the comeback of luxury as it  transcends the look of exclusivity into mainstream.

Sugar and Spice

Kids are the epitome of sugar and spice and everything nice.  One can't help but find them so cute and adorable one cannot attest the joy they bring into the lives of many.  Kids like adults, have their own take in the world of fashion too.  Yes, it may be a whole new world for others but wouldn't anyone want their kids to be style-setters too? 
SM Department Store's in house shoe brands Sugarkids and Toughies has taken the look of these bright young things into fashion forward style.  Presenting their latest catalogues, theses must-have shoes for the holidays will make kids look their cutest best.  The variety of prints, styles and colors are definitely not leaving the young ones behind the trends.  Kids and fashion combined via Sugarkids and Toughies are putting their best foot forward. So proud of the Style Team (my kids) namely Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim, Mikka Velasquez and Rudolph Leonor for redefining the look of children's fashion for the brand through extensive research, clothes editing and forecasting.  Styling kids is no easy task but with a very supportive agency, brand and merchandising group, the collective effort steps up into the forefront of trendsetting style.  Cheers!

Sugarkids and Toughies are available in all Sm Department Stores nationwide.