Sleek Chic

Men’s fashion is cleaning up their look this season as  DKNY Men Spring 2011 features their latest collection “Spring Clean”. Inspired by fashion sixties, the modern retro is crisp and a fresh reinvention of an era.  Everyday wear takes a step forward in contemporary neutrals with a hint of color.  The pieces from the popular American retail brand seem to have been taken from old movies and ads. The feel and style is relaxed, cool and quite suitable for the weather here in the Philippines.  Desert and sand tones in mix and matching separates add up to this season's wardrobe must buy.  Chic is affordable with these up to date menswear pieces that are practical investments you can carry on to the months to come.  Loving the looks put together, a summer offering from DKNY in a new perspective echoing comfortable chic.  Simple, sophisticated and unintimidatingly stylish, this forward fashion is for the man of the times.

In the Philippines, DKNY is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at, Greenbelt 5, Rockwell, Rustan’s Makati, 158 Designer’s Boulevard Alabang Town Center, soon to open Newport Mall.

Its a Wrap

Who says that scarves are just for the cold weather?  In this hot hot hot season when the heat is at its peak, scarves rise to the occasion in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes.  This time around they come conveniently in a much summer friendly fabrication and is used as an accent to an ensemble, a highlight of a certain look or even a wrap for a bikini.  Don't be afraid you might be committing a fashion crime coz you won't-there are more than a handful of ways to style the ever dependable scarf this season.  Fear not,  Massimo Dutti presents the latest must-have in a variety of amazing prints and trendiest of colors.  Florals, paisleys and even vintage-like appeal on uber soft fabrication can be transformed into a bandeau, haltered top, cover up, belt, headband or hair accessory-need I say more.  It wouldn't harm to carry a piece or two inside your tote because who knows, these handy must-buys could save you from the heat of the day.  It's a definite summer style essential to enhance your look for both fun and play. Don't be surprised, they have something cool for men too.

In the Philippines, Massimo Dutti is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 5 and Power Plant Mall.

Style Origin 6: Market Market

After having a week long rest due to Holy Week, Style Origin was on its 6th show of the series last Saturday at Market Market, Taguig City. 25 brands participated in the show with the renowned Up Dharma Down as the band playing this time.  This list includes top names in the Philippines such as Bayo, Plains and Prints, Gingersnaps, Wrangler, Jag, Levis, Folded & Hung, Addidas, Get Laud, Wade, Skechers, Merrell, Freeway, Giordano Nava, Jockey etc. who all presented the latest mid-summer collections. Aside from the fact that it was a saturday, as expected, Market Market was super packed on all levels. 

This Style Origin entry is different from the previous entries.  You won't see any models at all coz the author decided to take this one on a different angle. For every fashion show, the superstars are the clothes followed by the models.  The clothes are treated like celebrities-steamed, ironed, carefully hanged in their own racks and checked one by one to make sure everything is complete and set for their minute of stardom.  The "real stars" behind these celebrities are the production crew, stylists, dressers and store representatives.  They are the working hands that pull everything together, which brings to mind a famous line Project Runway's style guru Tim Gunn would often say "Make it work!" Without them, mounting a fashion show would be impossible.  


Hours before each show, the area backstage becomes a setting like the Oscars.  One by one, each brand or store representative arrive as escorts to the clothes as they seemingly walk the red carpet then ushered to their seating arrangement (the racks).  As soon as they go to their respective racks, everything is inspected piece by piece to make sure the look is complete and nothing is missing. The merchandise is arranged according to the sequence guide (the order of exposure) wherein clothes are grouped together per model and not per brand.  Each model will have an area on the rack and clothes are lined up accordingly based on which brand comes out first. After the checking, the waiting begins.  Everyone backstage awaits the models arrival from hair and makeup, and as soon as they are all complete-company call.  Company call is like the last minutes before the show wherein the director goes backstage and briefs everyone if there are any changes or updates.  After this, models change into their first look or outfits and start lining up behind the stage.  When all is set-it's show time. Below are pictures of the "unsung heroes" who deliver the clothes hours before the show.    

Stepping up with style-Wade.

The one and only-Unica Hija.

Not so blue at all-Blued.

As loud as it can get-Get Laud.

Bodycon collection from Get Laud.

Associate Stylist Donna Gonzales Lim is all racked up.

Quirky Maldita.

It's all in the mind-Mental.

Would you want to get your hands on this?

One of our favorite team-Folded and Hung.

Literally Folded and Hung.

Sleepwear fashion.

All boxed up.

The new iconic-Collezione.

Fashion forward Plains and Prints.

New brand Nava.

The bag says it all.

Katrina Ong of Skechers.

Watch out for the next Style Origins, the team is excitedly heading to Cebu over the weekend for the next show.   

May 2011 Magazine Covers in the Philippines

The heat is on!  Sunny days are here to stay so pack your bags and head out to your destination vacay for a quick break.  Don't forget to grab a copy of this month's favorite glossy and read on the most wanted, must-have, must-do's and season's best under the sizzling sun.

Melissa Kurland.

Young actress Kim Chiu.

Actress Iza Calzado.

TV Personality/Model Georgina Wilson.

Azkal's Phil Younghusband.

Rich Asuncion.

Model Carlo Adorador.

TV Personality/Singer/Actress Solenn Huesaff.

TV Personality/Politician Shalani Soledad.

Most wanted cover girl Solenn Heusaff.

Model taking a break under the sun.

Singer Nathan Azarcon.

Style icon Teresa Herrera.