Monday, January 24, 2011

Stepping Up

Clutch of Colour.

The long wait is over.  I was in a pre-production meeting in SM this morning that lasted for almost three hours. We were planning, organizing and finalizing details for one of their department's major summer campaign.  With me was makeup artist Bobby Carlos and we were welcomed in a room full of crates filled with bags and lines of shoes.  It was no surprise the latest collections of local brand Parisian are must-have eye candy for the new season.  The buzzworthy pieces come in an array of fashionable styles, modern shapes, and bold colors in all sizes.  Even the most discerning of taste will agree these chic pieces score high on the style meter. 


Bobby wearing a black v-neck tee by Bench, trousers by Topman, belt by Alexander McQueen,
 black  patent lace ups by Opening Ceremony and Damier graphite keepall 45 by Louis Vuitton.

The author wearing a white v-neck top by Uniqlo, blue slim fit denims by Zara,
brown boots byCarbon, sunglasses by Tom Ford and brown Marlow bag by Chloe.
On insight, the local shoe industry is stepping up and coming out with designs currently on the radar.  Satisfying the shoe fetish of the modern Filipina, the fashion forward take brings so much optimism in local retail. Step by step we are slowly envisioning a bigger goal, which is to strive for excellence and achieve global competence.  Nowadays, whether designer or retail, shoe brands are multiplying by the minute.  There is a big market out there whose wants need to be satisfied by practicality.  Although sky-high brands are very much appreciated, the margins or so called economies of scale are small compared to the multitude seeking chic affordable fashion.  Could it be that cosmopolitan Manila is catching up with the international trend pace by changing their wardrobes or looks by the season?  Either way, don’t you think it works well for the economy?  Well whatever it is, taking in all the factors to consider, it makes me wonder in excitement how locally made shoes will look like in the future.  

Shoestoppers.


Bold steps.
 It seems like we're stepping into the bright side for this chic campaign and ready to go all out under the fun sunny summer sun. Here's a sneak peak on what's coming and the hottest must-buy food for the sole.  All shoes and bags by Parisian will be coming out this February-April.

Summer's  Sole.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Proud to be Filipino





Supermodel of the World 2011(from left to right) Lithuania(runner-up), Philippines (winner), Poland (runner-up). Photo from twitpic.com.
Today the Philippines made history in the global fashion world.  Model Danica Flores Magpantay becomes the first Filipina to win the Ford Supermodel of the World 2011 Competition held in NYC.  Daughter of supermodel turned top makeup artist Lala Flores  ( who also represented the country in the same competition in 1990 and won a special award for "Best Smile"), the seventeen year old stunner marked a milestone by besting among aspiring contestants from all over the world.  


Exotic Stunner.
 A Visual Communications Freshman in UP's prestigious College of Fine Arts, the Philippines pride boasts of a body with perfect modeling proportions and standing 5'9 tall with long limbs that can walk the endless runways.  Her symmetrical facial features and astounding exotic beauty calls to mind 90's Asian supermodels' Navia Nguyen and Ling Tan who both made it in the international modeling scene.  Their distinct beauty and presence were seen walking the runways of top designers, gracing the pages of fashion magazines and endorsing numerous campaigns for retail and cosmetics.
Strike a pose.
Towering proportions.
Calcarrie's Philippines is the official franchise holder of the Ford Supermodel of the World Competition in the country since 1987 with its first winner Tweety de Leon-Gonzales.  Note that from 1994-1998 there was no local search.  The reputable agency has consistently produced some of the best in the local industry.  The following are the list of winners: 

1986: Melanie Marquez - 1st runner up & Clairol Awardee
1987: Tweety de Leon
1988: Marilen Espino
1989: Adele Go - semi-finalist, Ford Supermodel of the World
1990: Lala Flores - Crest Smile Award, Ford Supermodel of the World 
1991: Cara Subijano
1992: Abbygale Arenas
1993: Lorena Pangan - semi-finalist, Ford Supermodel of the World
1999: Nina Naval
2000: Mary Joan Santos de Mesa - semi-finalist, Ford Supermodel of the World
2001: Marjay Ramirez - semi-finalist, Ford Supermodel of the World
2002: Verns Buckley
2003: Meki SaldaƱa
2004: Daphne Galvan
2005: Charo Ronquillo - 2nd runner up, Ford Supermodel of the World
2006: Michelle Panemanglor

2007: Emerald Villahermosa
2008: Gisselle Pacqueo - semi-finalist, Ford Supermodel of the World

2009: Charlene Almarvez- Ist runner up, Ford Supermodel of the World
2010: Danica Magpantay- Winner Ford Supermodel of the World 

The new sexy.

The face of the Future. Black and white photos from CalCarries
by BJ Pascual, styling by Patrick Galang.
The future is bright for Danica as the dawning of the Filipina beauty unfolds.  She has re-opened the doors of opportunity for local models to aspire in the global scene and for  the international market to look into the Philippines as a breeding ground for the next supermodels.   Once again, we are back in the map and truly proud to be a Filipino.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Versatile Blogger



Hey guys i received this award from Reg ( visit her blog heyrocketgirl.blogspot.com) and am quite honored to get something out of my blogging.  With this award comes a few sweet things and they are the following:


Please accept the award simply by:
1. Thanking and linking back to who gave you the award.
2. Sharing 7 things about yourself.
3. Passing it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy.
4. Leaving your recipients a note, telling them about the award.

7 things about me:
1.   I love the sun so much and I really don't care even if it hurts.

2.   Fashion and food is a passion I cannot live without.
3.   The true essence of being stylish is having a personal distinct look that's not a mimic or     clone from a glossy magazine.
4.  Comfort dressing is an imperative style essential.
5.  Trash can never look class.
6.  I'm a firm believer of  the man wearing the clothes and NEVER the clothes wearing the man.
7.  Life is so much fun in everything crazy beautiful.

Passing the award to these 7 bloggers:



thesoultrain.net
gourmet kitschen
tanyaescaler
TRY.Believe.LOVE
Passports and Prada
Mrs. Eggplant's Chronicles
http://thekabog.blogspot.com/

Thank you my dearest!!! 

Friday, January 21, 2011

New Beginnings

Thank you to my good friend, former boss, sister for life  Katrina Holigores for featuring me on her blog.  One of the handful who kept on pushing me since about a year ago to start writing online. She is one of my inspirations and driving force in life that keeps me grounded and has helped me understand my creative insanity.  I truly appreciate her kind gesture.  Check out her site thesoultrain.net, a window into understanding the world and definitely worthwhile soul food for everyone. Happy reading!!!


Style Narratives-New (chic) kid on the Blog!

I love discovering new blogs to follow, but nothing makes me love a blog more when written by a good friend; especially one who I feel should have started this kind of "design denizen" write up years ago!


Luis Espiritu, finally online!
Premiere stylist, designer discoverer, personal shopper and dearest friend, Luis Espiritu has FINALLY embarked on a virtual compendium of all-that-is-aesthetic around him. From documenting people, places and plates (of food) Espiritu has definitely got an eye for what gives our lives an extra spin on chic.
Stylenarratives.blogspot.com is full of clean, crisp images, accompanied by concise and sincere storytelling that allows the reader a "view" into Espiritu's design drenched world.
Not quite the sartorialist but certainly far away from the usual fluff and puff pieces that evolve around the author as sun in a small Manila Universe, Espiritu being the former Creative Director of Metro Magazine as well as the incumbent Creative Director for the Philippine Star's Allure section (where he has a bi-weekly column on trends and trendsetters) stays within design lines by "captioning" those he deems fashionable with full-on editorial credits.
I could keep on going with why I find this blog  an ideal place for a little online heel-(or stiletto) cooling, but best if you experience it for yourself!
http://stylenarratives.blogspot.com/

Thursday, January 20, 2011

In the Mood

Weather weather weather.  What ever it is, it definitely sets the mood for the day.  Today, Manila was gloomy with a bit of rain here and there.  The darkness enveloping  the endless skies made me feel blah and sluggish.  Blame it on the weather as they say but it really dampened my spirits.  As the hours passed the weathered feeling wasn't getting any better.  I wasn't feeling ill or sick, neither was it negative, its just so pfffffffffftttttt (am sure you've had your days as well).  Day was slowly turining into night but had to make a quick stop to Poweplant Mall to meet up with a good friend before heading home. When I got to the mall, lo and behold a fascinating display of lights.

Light and Shade.

 
Orange and lemons.
 Spherical paper lanterns hanging in symmetrical patterns brought light at the end of my seemingly dark tunnel.  Bold oranges and yellows ( immediately brought to mind the Spring-Summer collection of Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander and Gucci) transformed my colored gray mood into bright.  Chinese New Year is coming up in a couple of weeks (February 3) and am quite excited to welcome the year of the Metal Rabbit. 


Luck luster.
  And with the new calendar here's goodbye to gloom doom mood swings and wishing a lot of optimism, joy and luck to all.