SM Style Manual Vol. 10

People Asia magazine together with SM Men's Fashion recently came out with a pre-holiday catalog of trends to surely hit Manila by storm.  Retail is picking up things to come inspired from the runways of international menswear collections of top designer brands.   Modern military and urban layering in slim silhouettes reinvent menswear through contemporary styling that define the style of the times.  Earth, blues and green tones dominate the coming season with a look of contemporary hues out of the ordinary.  There is a cool wave of understatement of dressing that creates a distinct look and statement from past seasons.  SM Men's fashion is welcoming the season with cool comfort and forward fashion as it redefines the retail scene with its current style manual.

Big and Bold

Have you had enough color overload this season?  Well, think again but this time it's the men braving the style frontiers and are going all out bold with a statement.  Catch SM Mens Fashion unveil their fashion forward collection with the season's brightest at Philippine Fashion Week to be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia tomorrow May 11 at 7pm. Trendsetting the latest must-have looks in global runway appeal, the big step to the future of menswear retail is about to unfold. Watch the style blinding presentation and don't miss this milestone. See you there! 

Photography by Frank Hoefsmit, fashion styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., Makeup by Bobby Carlos, Associate stylists Reg Rodriguez, Rudolph Leonor, Donna Gonzales Lim, Mikka Velasquez and Noelle Llave, modeled by Hideo Muraoka, Nathaniel Kiefer.  SM Mens Fashion is available in all SM Department stores nationwide.

Man of the Street

Suit dressing is all about the modern man.  Sleek, chic and all grown up, the man of the hour is all suited for gracing both formalities and informalities.  SM Men's fashion in house brand Main Street is no longer constricted to the boardroom and has moved on towards a more stylized look for every occassion. From jackets to blazers to suits, the complimentary color palette is practical for both the monochromatic tone on tone or mix matching look.  Silhouettes are moving forward with the times with an updated approach to retail tailoring.  The current slim pickings is transforming corporate fashion into something convenient for practical dressing.  For the man on the go, stepping up in this fashion forward appeal is giving more reason to rise in the workforce with style.  Today, the modern wadrobe is functional, fashionable without restrictions.  If women can be serious with what they wear, men are no longer spectators of style but are now actively taking the big leap as well from their closets to the main streets. 



Walk this way.



Chic living in with a suitcase.



The new relaxed cool.





Modern monotone.

 Photography by Frank Hoefsmit, styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., associate styling by Belle Camarsi, Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim and Rudolph Leonor, makeup by Bobby Carlos, modeled by Nathaniel Kiefer, Deny Barros and .  Shot on location at the SMX convention center parking lot in MOA.  Main Street is exclusively available in all SM Department Stores nationwide.

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.