What's your secret?

Fashion and style is more than just outerwear. Beneath the surface and layering is just as essential to a lady's wardrobe.  Finally, top lingerie brand Women's Secret unveils tomorrow in Manila. Where inner wear style echoes both function and form. Care to share your ultimate secret? 

Second Skin (taken from Allure, Philstar)

Nothing feels better than second skin. Nowadays, fashioning undergarments is as style forward as their trendsetting outerwear. The look of lingerie has evolved into the forefront of contemporary dressing as seen in recent seasons of designer retail collections on and off the runways, covers and pages of top international glossies, and on Hollywood’s most stylish celebrities.

This season, the world of lingerie unfolds a new age of style with something extraordinary.  Where fashion and luxury is redefined into the contemporary, classic undergarments such as bras, panties and shapewear come in seamless and amazing fabrics that mold the sculptural curves of the body. Adding highlight to the appeal of modern fabrication are delicate touches of lace trims and luxe accents that create an overall feel of sophistication. New shapes and forms with contour-like attractions create figure-flattering statements to celebrate the beauty of heavenly bodies. Unique and distinct pieces sizzle in perfect silhouettes that never go out of style.

Modern advancements have taken the look of women’s underwear into progressive directions. The current no-sew technology has made the underwear virtually invisible under clothes. Soft fabrics have become elastic-free as they beautifully mold with the body and eliminate the unwanted presence of panty lines.  The outstanding soft and sheen feel that caresses the body creates perfection. Other features include up-to-date lightweight materials that lift, shape and support the figure at exactly the right places. Furthermore, functions are realized in distinct collections to provide waist reduction, rear lifting and thigh slimming benefits. These modern masterpieces give the wearer a renewed lifestyle of dressing.

Beyond fashion, great underwear is measured by the high quality of comfort it offers. The world’s most comfortable underwear embraces the body with a natural and easy-fit feel that is perfect for everyday use. The best lingerie is all about ease, softness and smoothness.

Today’s underwear adopts the concept of modern luxury. It has redefined the aesthetics from the traditional to the now, creating comfort that is second skin.

(The Comfort Devotion, Dream and Flexees and Shapewear collections all by Maidenform are exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Corp.)

Photography by Mau Aguasin, styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., makeup by Ria Aquino for MAC Cosmetics, hair styling by Mycke Arcano for TRESemme and 1721 Hair extensions, associate stylist Mikka Velasquez, modeled by Ann Umali(Mercator).

Luxe Celebration

Triumph, a household name in the undergarments industry celebrated is celebrating its 125th year and in the Philippines.  Highlighting style through innovation, the legendary brand participated at the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Week at the SMX Convention Center and presented an exhibit and fashion show. This author and his team was fortunate enough to participate in this milestone event by styling a 90 piece collection of contemporary underwear in their most alluring incantations.  From the boardroom to the streets and into red carpet activities,   these basic everyday essentials have become a serious statement.  Triumph showcased pieces  that aren't just simple underwear but through the years their forward approach have reinvented the classics into relevant fashion. From fabrication to colors and styles, the celebrated name has definitely created a mark of distinction in the gobal undergarments industry.  Ending the show was celebrity/beauty queen/TV host Ruffa Gutierrez wearing Triumph and a tulle skirt by Look of Style 2010 Designer of the Year Pablo Cabahug.  

The new corporate.

Fitting form.

Pastel perfect.

Mod seduction.

Reinventing style.

Underwear as outerwear.

Purple reign.

Emerald attraction.

No turning back.

Modern glamour.

Faux fur in jewel tones.

The new sophisticate.

All luxed up.

Bringing sexy back.

Sophisticated sexy.

Color of the season.

Ruffa Gutierrez and her court.

Runway queen.

Stellar stunner in Triumph and Pablo Cabahug tulle creation..

The scene backstage.

Accessories by Koket.

Ruffa Gutierrez with designer Pablo Cabahug.

Pro Active

The battle of underwear ad campaigns continues.  Renowned fashion retail brand Bench unfolds its latest Bench Body campaign featuring no less than Philippine Azkals' captain Alexander Charles Luis Borromeo.  More commonly known as "Aly", the towering 6'1 hunk who's gorgeously gifted with stunning looks and sculpture-like physique sizzles in the most fashion forward underwear collection.  One the oldest and strongest members of the team, this modern day sports icon redefines a new meaning to sexy. 
Sexy today is all about looking good and feeling good--getting into sports becomes a platform and channel for healthy living.  At this day and age where this activity has become part of the contemporary lifestyle, athletes have become living icons of the youth.  Bench, the leader in the local retail landscape, present this outstanding and aspirational campaign of Aly Borromeo which hopefully inspires everyone to get into the active lifestyle.  This fusion of sports and fashion pioneered by Bench Body is currently creating an movement of optimism that goes beyond the parameters of style.  The collection boasts of the latest colors and prints in a variety of cuts and styles suited for everyone.  What's great is the fit and comfort it offers with high a standard of quality.  The complete ad campaign channels the change in lifestyle as the current call of the times.  The arresting images was photographed by top fashion photographer Ronnie Salvacion.  

Bench Body is available in all Bench outlets and leading department stores nationwide.

Private Eyes 2: Neil Etheridge for Folded & Hung Campaign

Temperatures rise at a high point this weekend in Manila as the latest underwear campaign unfolds.  Renowned fashion retail brand Folded & Hung presents their current endorser--Philippine Azkals Neil Etheridge with their up to date "Pinoy Heritage" inspired collection. The half English-Filipino athlete is one of the icons of today's youth that symbolize the modern "Pinoy" athlete. The ultimate heartthrob showcases the aspirational body of perfection in the most fashion forward underwear pieces from one of the most respected retail brands in the industry.  Folded and Hung introduces to their market the "pouch technology" which is something similar to the "wonder jock"-creates a look with a fuller package.  These pieces come in modern classic styles in masculine colors such as black, white, grey and royal blue.  Neil Etheridge is the perfect endorser for the brand as the new inspiration-aspiration for the Filipino male of the times.  The stunning visuals were photographed by no less than one of the top fashion photographers in the country-Ronnie Salvacion.  

Heavenly Bodies

After appearing on the billboards more than two weeks ago, Bench's recent sensational underwear ads featuring the most sought after athletes has exploded on the headline news with monumental proportions.  The awe-inspiring imagery call to mind iconic global campaigns such as Calvin Klein, Ambercrombie & Fitch, Dolce & Gabbana and the likes taking local advertising scene to international standards.  One may probably recall or be familiar with something seen on the pages of Vogue, GQ, Details, Vman, Harper's Bazaar, Numero, W, Elle or as visuals displayed on the streets and show windows of department stores in New York, Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo and even nearby HK, Singapore and Bangkok. The hottest and most sizzling to hit the Manila, the fearless and inspiring imagery marks another milestone in the Philippines as it promotes fitness, sports and health in a non-traditional and refreshing perspective. The shoot was a fusion of artistic and portrait-like execution which created a stir the moment the images were flashed all over the colossal Mandaluyong billboards. Evidently, the heavenly bodies are a sight to behold and caused more than just a commotion. 

Arnold Aninion and Darran Centillas Seeto.

Kenneth Capinpin Stern, Patrice Ortiz Olivier and Chris Alamil Everingham.

Jake Robrigado Letts.

Patrice Ortiz Olivier.

Ned Plarizan Stephenson.

Chris Alamil Everingham.

Michael de Guzman.

Francisco Bagis Guerra IV.

Terrence Javier Carrol.

Nicholas Ergina Perry.

Darran Centillas Seeto.

Arnold Aninion.

Oliver Joseph Abalos Saunders.

The lone Azkal bench endorser Aly Borromeo.

Either way and more importantly, one's personal reaction to these visual expositions remain subjective because anyone is entitled to their own opinion.  There are two sides of the coin but whether pro or con, we all fall back to the century old cliche "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". And whatever points of view, in a democratic and developing country such as the Philippines, lies one of the greatest values fought for through the passing of history which we should never forget--freedom of expression. 


All photos from Bench