Style Origin 5: Alabang Town Center (clothes selection and fitting)

My team and I had to go to Alabang Town Center (ATC) early this week to choose the clothes for their Style Origin series.  From Makati it was a 12 minute drive via the new skyway( until Alabang-thank God) and as soon as the mall opened, it was like a 50 km race to the finish line.  The show will be participated by 36 brands (both foreign and local) in a showcase of their latest collections. We got a direction from the organizers who specifically wanted a cohesive "weekend wear" look geared towards the malls customers.  Nothing too high fashion or flashy, everything in style is fittingly super laid back.   Everything on this side of town is a bit slowed down compared to the pumping pounding pace of the city.  It was a good feeling realizing that once in a while it's nice good to take things slow.  But time passed quickly and we had to speed up things because we needed to rush back to the city for a shoot for Philippine Fashion Week.  So there you go!!!  


DAY 1:  Clothes Selection

Mikka wearing a long striped dress by Get Laud, bangle by Tory Burch, shoes by
CMG and bag by Longchap.

Rudolph wearing a white tee and belt both by SM, blazer by Mundo, pants by People
Are People, shoes by urban Outfitters, sunglasses by Emporia Armani and bag by
Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Paula wearing a top and necklace both by by F21, dress by TPRHP and clogs by
Kaye Morales for Schizo.

Donna wearing a white tee

Reg wearing a vintage top, shorts by Peace Love fashion and wedges by Parisian.

Erin wearing at top by F21, jeans by Lee, bag by Vieta and flats by Parisian.

The author wearing sunglasses by Balenciaga, white v neck top and linen trousers
both by Uniqlo, white shoes by Everybody Needs A Pair and forest green lambskin
bag from HK.

Day 2:  Fitting

Back to ATC for all of us for model's fitting which started at 1pm.  We had to divide ourselves because the stores were all around the mall.  To make things faster, we had 6 brands each and made sure the stuff to fit were right.  So far this is the biggest cast of models for the series with a total of 40 and this doesn't even include the kids.  It was unusually humid that day and running like headless chickens didn't make it easier--ended up having ice cream to make us fee better--ha ha ha! Here is a glimpse of how things went during that day.

Jasmine Maierhofer at the Collezione store.

Lance Howard in perfect fit.

Miko Raval wearing print on print.

Marx Topacio at the Ralph Lauren store.

Fatima Rabago and Marie Ann Umali stops for a shot.

Strike a pose with Dindi de Leon, Girlie Benitez, Irish Ong and Ana Sideco. 

Style associates Donna, Noelle and Mikka at work.

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.