Day 2: Singapore Menswear Fashion Week 2011

Image model.

picture picture.

Went to Marina Bay Sands Convention Hall mid-afternoon to check out designer Joey Samson if he needed help with his collection. After waiting for almost an hour for a cab from Paragon to MBS, Joey was almost done with repairs and was already set on having a snack. I was lucky enough to bump into the three Filipino male models participating in fashion week namely Laxie Villar, Christian de la Cruz and Oliver Sands.  I couldn't help but take snaps of them to give you an idea of how they look like.  Directing some of the major shows in this inaugural event is our very own Ariel Lozada. Finally got my production i.d. for tomorrow's dress rehearsal and on the show itself. Am thrilled and excited with what's about to happen.  More than anything, am so proud to be Filipino.

Joey Samson's sequence guide.

Garments.

Laxie Villar.

Christian de la Cruz.

Oliver Sands and fashion show director Ariel Lozada.

Ariel's Associate Joel Acebedo(in the cutest green pants) with one of the event's crew.

Joey Samson's display in MBS.

Day 1: Singapore Menswear Fashion Week 2011

It was a really long day for the "Pinoy" team participating at the Singapore Menswear Fashion week.  We arrived at Marina Bay Sands convention center early in the afternoon and started fitting the models at 7pm.  Joey Samson's team (including the author) did preparations and final check on the collection prior to the fitting.  We had a total of 20 models of which will all wear two sets to complete the 40 piece collection. The fitting was a bit chaotic not because there was lack in organization but there were quite a handful of drop dead models.  Fortunately one Filipino model--Laxie Villar (Mercator)--currently trying the market made it to the lineup. Two other Filipino designers namely Jerome Llorico and Jasler Ubaldo (Singapore based) are also participating and will be part of the group shows. The shows are all slated on April 2--Jerome and Jasler will be part of the 3pm show while Joey will be having a solo show at 5pm.  The venue is huge but still being set up, but am looking forward when everything is all ready for the opening of the grand event tomorrow.  Singapore Menswear Fashion week is from March 30-April 3,showcasing a range of menswear designs from the best of the region.  

The main entrance.

Room assignment.

The collection.

Up close.

Fabric play.

Neutral landing.

All line-d up.

An experiment on texture.

Designer Joey Samson with his sea of shoes. 

Not so little red riding hood.

My mother in the industry, fashion show director Ariel Lozada.

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.

Let them eat cake

If you think fashion and food don't mix, well think again. Yesterday we had a show for the Baker's Fair held at the World Trade Center(ongoing until Feb. 20) located in Buendia near the CCP Complex and Golden Shell Pavillion.  We started in the morning with a 10am call time.  We had to come in early because some models who weren't able to go to the fitting had to try the clothes for the show.  When we got there, the opening ceremonies was about to begin. It started off with an energizing dragon dance followed by welcoming remarks. Then instead of the traditional ribbon cutting, onstage was a 36 foot French bread to be sliced by the guests of honor which i found quite interesting.

The lucky dance of the dragon.

The French like it more than a foot long.

The exhibition was filled with booths of all sorts to bring out the baker in you.  From latest kitchen and pastry utensils, equipments, packaging and business opportunities for those who love to bake, I think this is the fair you shouldn't miss out on.  There is overflowing coffee thanks to UCC and a variety of food stalls where you can taste test what's new or to be launched in the market ( can you believe there's Gluta(glutathion) ice cream ha ha ha).  At the center of the World Trade Center is an exhibition of wedding cakes (take a hint for those soon to be brides) from the most simple to elegant, ordinary to colorful and fantasy, they are the sweetest sin ever.

Romantic interlude.

Baker's delight.

Classic tribute.

Where is Bugs Bunny.

Piled up hat boxes?

Fruit frenzy.

Cakes rock!

My favorite major calorie counter.

Sleep on your sweets.

We had a great time just hanging out and checking out everything there with a lot of waiting time.          Was catching up with one of my older babies--Grace Tagle Arigo and Girlie Benitez who both did well in the Asian modeling circuit. Girlie has ventured into the design business as one of the young successful jewelry designers.  Below is the model roundup for the Bakery Fair.

Grace Tagle Arigo wearing a tube top by Topshop, pants by People Are People and
wedges by Parisian.

Laxie Villar wearing a top from Topman, pants by Viktor jeans, shoes by Kickers and
watch by Technomarine.

Marie Ann Umali wearing a black jumpsuit by U of Rustan's, sandals by Zara and
speedy bag by Louis Vuitton. 

Grendel Alvarado wearing a gray spaghetti strap top by Tomato, printed trousers from
a thrift shop, belt from a bazaar and laced up booties by Parisian.

Karina wearing a black tank from Topshop, tiered kirt by Forever 21 and booties
by Janylin.

Girlie Benitez wearing a top and pants both from HK, flats by Stella Luna and
accessories designed  by her.

Melanie Angeles wearing a dress by Massimo Dutti, black flats by Charles and Keith
and watch by Rolex.

Giselle Pacqueo wearing a black top by Topshop, pants from Bangkok and
shoes by Toms.

Ornussa Cadness wearing a top designed by her, gray dress by Topshop, shoes by
Zara and bangles from Kuala Lumpur.

Nathaniel Keifer wearing a white top given as a gift, jeans from Bangkok and
sneakers by Converse.

Jessica Yang wearing a plaid coat bought online from Taiwan, shirt by Zara and
slips by Ipanema.

Chatting with renowned fashion show director  Jackie Aquino is so inspiring.  For someone who has been in local fashion for quite awhile and has taken great part in the industry's growth is something to look up to.  Only a few will be fortunate enough to achieve longevity.  I love listening to his stories of Philippine fashion's past, and the words of wisdom that comes with it.  Truly one of the great handful I admire. The fashion show was held around 8pm in the evening right after the awarding ceremonies.  The night ended well all in one sweet day. 

Erin always is in full headset control.

Music engineer Yoshi is in tune with the times.

Style and model watchers BJ Santos and designer Pablo Cabahug are the forever dynamic duo.

The styling Team of-the-moment.

Queen bee director Jackie Aquino.