Style Narratives: Lope Navo

Showing posts with label Lope Navo. Show all posts

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Salon de Ning

Recently had a shoot for a wedding magazine at the current toast of tinseltown--Salon de Ning. Located at the ground floor of one of the best hotels in the Philippines--The Manila Peninsula--this new must-go haven is the place to be seen. Social butterflies, stylesetters and industry insiders flock to this chic kitschy habitat with no uncompromising restraint. Style is a tall order as lingering eyes spot the latest personalities in the news, fashion and society lounge and toast to a night of fun, gossip and relaxation. The setting is a chic tapestry of finery inspired from 1930's Shanghainese Art Deco echoing the glamorous world of Madame Ning. Old world made modern, the distinct habitue is the epitome of salon chicness that was then and so now.

Lounge luxe.

On stage.

Talk of the town.

Not your ordinary Cinderella story.

Seat of power.

Frame fillers.

Crystal clear.

Designer Louis Claparols wearing a top by Dansen, pants by Diesel, high cuts from
Puma, watch by Technomarine and sunglasses by Chloe.

Designer Ivar Aseron wearing a top designed by him, pants by Topshop, shoes by
Neil Barett, watch by Cartier and sunglasses by Tom Ford.

Photographer Lope Navo wearing a striped tee by A/X, black blazer by H & M, denims
and sunglasses by Zara, belt by Diesel and silver high cuts by Topman.

Makeup artist Bobby Carlos wearing a v-neck tee by Muji, pants and belt both by
Alexander McQeen, shoes by Nike, bag by Prada and watch by Swatch.

Behind the scene.

Up close and personal.

A song to remember.

Hold on to the light.

Where fashion sits.

Tailored suiting.

Junior associate stylist Donna Gonzales Lim wearing top from HK, vest by Massimo
Dutti, shorts by Zara, necklace by MAngo, bangle by F21, ring by H & M and shoes
bought online.

Jewelmer's Penelope Uy wearing a top by H & M, vest and jeans both by Zara, belt by
Gap, heels by Aldo and bag by Longchamp.

Metro Wedding's creative director Trish Chua Juico wearing a dress by Dorothy Perkins,
aviators by Ray Bann, Nightingale bag by Givenchy and animal printed flats by Zara.

Ysa of Metro Weddings wearing a paisley printed tunic by Massimo Dutti, belt by
Zara, ring by H & M, bracelet by Tiffany & Co., watch by Tag and Skagen and flats
from HK.

Tinee of Metro Weddings wearing a blouse from Shanghai, leggings by H & M, watch
by Philip Stein and flats from SM.

Designer Mikka Velasquez wearing a blouse by What A Girl Wants, denims by Jag,
clogs by CMG, watch by Technomarine and bag Longchamp.

Senior associate stylist Reg Rodriguez wearing a jacket by Dorothy Perkins, top by
Topshop, skirt by SM , rings by PLF and necklace from BKK.

Designer Noelle Llave wearing a dress by F21, sleeveless parka by Tomato, bag by
Bench and clogs by Kim Raez.

Associate junior stylist Rudolph Leonor wearing a top by Topman, blazer by Mundo,
trousers by Bench, belt by SM, shoes by Urban Outfitters and bag by Marc by Marc
Jacobs.

Model of the moment Pauline Prieto wearing a top and maxi skirt both by F21, sweater
by Sparkle and Faith and shoes by Bakers.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Mod Menswear

Rajo Man is launching in a few days (March 19, 2011 to be exact at House of Laurel) and here is a sneak peek from the awe inspiring collection. Fantastic tailored pieces modernized with hints of color in forward silhouettes is making a statement look that's a league on its own. Men with discriminating style will adore these design wonders channeling mod-vintage chicness. History repeats itself as fashion reinvents the classic. These up to date pieces seem like they're fresh from the runways of the recent global menswear collections. No doubt Rajo Laurel has come up with an outstanding forecast up his sleeve that will surely make headlines in the scene to be seen. A must-buy for the modern man's wardrobe, these style-worthy ensembles is making a breakthrough in the local landscape and an insight on the shape of things to come.

Bright ideas.

Style ad-vintage.

Into the blue.

Check republic.

Tonal quality.

Bow bright.

Classic reinvention.

A man-ner of style.

Black canvas.

Stye savant.

Photography by Lope Navo, styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., Makeup and hair styling by Gella Laurel. All clothes by Rajo Man, available in House of Laurel.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Rajo Man: Purveyors of Style

Menswear in Manila is celebrating fashion. In the last decade, the number of retail labels seem to have multiplied by the minute and so has the number of designers. No longer playing second fiddle to what used to be the bigger market for clothing(women), these tell-tale sign of the times is giving equal style attention to both men and women. Chic and forward pieces are visibly growing in great numbers and is no longer limited to something custom made or merely settling with boring items on the rack. For the modern man, style is no longer a lingering accessory but an essential. Making a trademark in the expanding world of local menswear is Rajo Man. A brainchild of Rajo and brother John, the brand is the answer to the growing demands of fashionable men in Manila. What gives the brand the edge is their uniqueness in designed, distinct high level of taste and limited number of pieces. Rajo Man is fashion forward and aesthetically deeply rooted in the masterful art of tailoring. The mix of tradition and contemporary design with current detailing creates a whole new perspective and interpretation to menswear in the Philippines. Sleek and dashing with a hint of vintage, the old-new look is undoubtedly spot on the radar. With his brimming artistry, fashion expertise and sharp business acumen, Rajo Laurel is set to pave the way in creating and broadening the expanding market with no style restrain. Here is a glimpse of the latest collection of Rajo Man coming out this coming March and is available at the House of Laurel. Will be posting the entire set of pictures of this shoot after the launch.

Modern dandy by Rajo Man. Photography by Lope Navo, fashion styling by Luis
Espiritu Jr., makeup by Bobby Carlos, hair styling by Jaime Sy associate styling by
Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim, Rudolph Leonor, Mikka Velasquez, Noelle Llave
and modeled by Hideo Muraoka(Mercator).

For more inquiries call T: (02) 895-5688 / (02)890-1686. F: (02) 899-9946. E: info@houseoflaurel.com. House of Laurel is located at 6013 Villena St. cor. Mañalac St., Poblacion, Makati City.or visit then online at http://www.rajolaurel.com, http://www.houseoflaurel.com and http://www.stylebible.ph/rajosblog

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The artist called NAVO

I have once dreamed of becoming a fashion photographer but destiny led me to something else. Started collecting magazines since1986 until I finally gave them all up at the start of this year ( I distributed all of them to my kids). My collection included almost all the major international titles and having a library of them was so difficult to keep.  Name it, I had it even some of the titles which no longer exist. These magazines were my roots in fashion and I was always thrilled reading every single one of them page by page from front to back cover.

Great fashion photographers have been one of my soulful inspirations. Names such Avedon, Herb Ritts, Ellen Von Unwerth, Peter Lindberg,Craig McDean, Nick Knight, Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Solve Sundsbo, Mert Allas and Marcus Piggott, David Sims, Greg Kadel, Camilla Akrans and Mario Sorrenti have brought out the life of fashion in me. Their masterful works as seen through their brilliant eyes and talent are visual stimulations igniting the magic of creativity.

In the Philippines, astounding works of Jun De Leon, Neil Oshima, Wig Tysman, Lita Puyat, Ronnie Salvacion, Ricky Villabona, Raymund Isaac, Raymond Lontok,Toto Labrador, Francis Abraham, Lilen Uy, Xander Angeles and Erik Llongoren filled the pages of glossies when the magazine publishing empires were in its infantile stage adding color and life to their pages. Almost a decade after came the rise of the new wave of talented fashion photographers namely Sara Black, Mark Nicdao, Joan Bitagcol, Paolo Pineda, Jake Versoza, Pat Dy, Tommy Zablan and Kai Huang. Photography at the time was rising in popularity and as a result became one of the more lucrative profession among the young. Thus paving the way for a new breed of photographers and one of them is Lope Navo.

Almost 5 years ago I met Navo through a good friend and renowned stylist Noel Manapat. He just started taking pictures and came back to Manila from working in Singapore and Dubai as a graphic designer. Armed with a beginners portfolio, as creative director of Metro magazine back then,we decided to give his talent a shot. Impressed by his work, he had quite a stint with the magazine doing fashion editorials and special features. In a short time, everyone was already putting a face to the name and soon he was working for most of the top glossies in Manila. But Lope had bigger goal in mind, to try it out in the international market so he decided to pack his bags and left for the US.

Fast forward to today, its been four years since he's left and back with him is an extensive portfolio of his works in the international arena. Still making a name for himself, the artist is known for his sexy imagery of both men and women. His works display a certain point of view with a mood and feel that's refreshing to the eye. His expertise lies in capturing the human anatomy is sculpture like appeal.  After shooting for campaigns, fashion editorials, magazine covers, lookbooks, model's portfolios, catalogues, and coming out with an international book entitled "Stark", he's now back for a brief stay in Manila. Lope Navo is humbled by his exposure and opportunities to work in the global scene. He admits he still has a long way to go and is challenged to face whatever's instore fo him. Thinking big, the artist is starting his second book entitled "exotica" which hopefully comes out next year. Proud of his roots, Navo is dead set to follow his dreams and make a name for Filipinos in the world of fashion photography.  No doubt in his own little way,  the artist will make his country proud.

   His first international book entitled "STARK" by LOPE NAVO.