A DRESSY RESOLUTION

New Year, new clothes, new look, new you!

Part of every girl's resolution for 2012 should be sprucing up their personal style and updating their wardrobe. Who would want to be caught looking ugly when you welcome the New Year, anyways?! With grandiose festivities, gatherings, reunions with families, friends and loved ones as soon as the clock strikes at 12, here are ten of the best fashionable party frocks and casual get-ups that I recommend from the latest collection of topnotch local brands BAYO and MISSY that will have any girl starting the year right - and more importantly, fabulous!


RED FOR PROSPERITY

A dash of red in your outfit symbolizes bountiful new year. Blouse (Lenci): )P1395; Shorts (Ronda): P695; Shoes: P1499 - all from Bayo

GO FOR GOLD

Wear gold or something gold-like for a rich-looking 2012. Shorts (Minnie): P695; Shoes: P1499 - all from Bayo

LUCKY IN CIRCLES

If you don't feel like donning a polka-dotted dress, try putting on a polka-printed scarf to bring in some good luck. Cardigan (Kathleen): P945; Tank top (Trudy): P345; Shorts (Dessa): P795; Scarf (P399) - all from Bayo

GET SPOTTED

The round leopard spots on this mod-inspired dress signify coins - which means more money for this honey! Dress (Micailla): P1295 - from Bayo

COLOR DASH

Channel girl-next-door charm in this eye-popping yellow dress with circle prints combined with a dainty striped blazer and striking fuchsia bag. Jacket (Chante): P695; Dress (Dulce): P795; Bag: P1495 - all from Bayo

SHEER ELEGANCE

This flesh-toned pleated dress is pure class and sexy. Dress: P1495; Bag: P1495 - all from Missy

CHECK IN

This checkered tailored dress is definitely high on the style radar on a cold weather. Dress: P1095; Shoes: P1395 - all from Missy

MINIMALISM

This simple, geometric yellow dress says it all. Dress: P1095 - from Missy

SHE-MALE

A dash of teal in a mannish wardrobe has never looked so refreshing! Blazer: P995; Blouse: P795; Pants: P945 - all from Missy

NEUTRAL APPEAL

This beige satin top paired with dark brown pants and with the right accents will work best for elegant, casual evenings. Blouse: P895; Pants: P945; Necklace: P499 - all from Missy

For more info about the brands and current lookbooks, please check out www.bayo.com.ph. Or visit Bayo and Missy branches nationwide.

YEAREND STYLE BONANZA

To all stylish bargain-hunters, the much-awaited YEAREND SALE of sibling fashion brands FREEWAY, ENSEMBLES & SOLO is still on-going! The sale event started last December 19 in all stores nationwide. Check out your fave branch for loads of great markdowns plus new arrivals.

Shop and get a hold of their great holiday deals and promos, as well. It's never too late to score on great fashionable finds that you can give away as gifts to your beloved ones. For more details, check out www.freeway.net.ph, www.ensembles.com.ph and www.solo.com.ph.

Happy Festive Shopping!

A BITCHY HOLIDAY

I remember my partner, George Palmiano, telling me that he loves Christmas Day because everyone makes an effort to dress up - from the stylish down to the ultimate jologs - with their newly-purchased Yuletide outfits. So true!

Not to be outdone, my 1-year old toy poodle, VIVIENNE, wanted to create her own fashionable statement, steal the spotlight and spread some glad tidings by dressing up as a Santa dog. She even had her own pictorial, and asked me to do a graphic layout starring her newly-groomed self with her very direct, super bold Christmas message dedicated to the bitches of the entire world! Well, lo and behold...

Don't you just love her? Happy holidays to all!

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas, and my spirits are soaring high.
People talk about amazement, just look at these delights!
The most wonderful time of the year is almost here,
There's no reason to fret or shed a tear.
While everybody's gushing, rushing and turning,
I drove around the metro for some sight-seeing.
When, what to my wandering eyes would appear,
In these hard times, we hope to spread some Christmas cheer!
While I look forward to our Noche Buena feast tonight,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a fabulous night!


A. TAGUIG

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT. The stars are out with these fabulous display of acrylic lights at Boni High Street.

GLEAMS OF HOPE. Bonifacio Global City sparkles with ornamental balls of light.

B. MAKATI

TURNING GREEN. Ayala Center Makati is all-green with this giant Christmas tree.

FLOWER POWER. Greenbelt Park livens up with red-and-green poinsettia lanterns.

FAB AS USUAL. Rustan's Makati beams up with its walkway with well-themed, conceptual window display.

CARE FOR THE RARE. Rustan's Makati goes eco-chic with note-worthy window theme that promotes animal protection and awareness.

ANIMAL LOVE. Nothing can be grander than promoting protection of endangered species like this.

STARCAPADE. At night, Ayala Avenue lights up Makati as the city of stars.

LIGHT PAINTING. While driving at Buendia Avenue, I took a photograph of the road at cruising speed, and I am quite amazed with the motion trail effect I got. 

C. MANILA

CENTER OF ATTRACTION. This elegant Christmas tree stands proud and tall in the middle of a toy village inside Robinsons Place Manila.

D. ORTIGAS

ALL STARS. Ortigas gathered the stars and placed them in this all-white, giant Christmas tree.

CURTAIN OF LIGHTS. SM Megamall is dreaming of a White Christmas.

WONDER, YONDER. Robinsons Galleria impresses with hanging stars.

E. PASAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND. A giant Christmas tree that stands in the center of a Christmas village attracts shoppers at SM Mall of Asia

BIG TIME. This Christmas tree standing just outside SM Mall of Asia (at San Mig by the Bay) looms large at night.

BEYOND THE STARS. Star City decorates this tree with a giant pinhead spaceball.

THE FIRST NOEL. A trade hall just beside the PICC Complex looks classy with a direct and significant Yuletide message - NOEL - the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

WAX & WATER

My partner George Palmiano and I are very supportive of our dear, close friends from the same industry that we breathe in, although at most times we get to miss out on each other because of the tight work schedule. After skipping the recent Philippine Fashion Week, we're glad to know that young designer JEFFREY ROGADOR remains productive and pro-active, and we're eager to see his Holiday 2011 collection which he'll unveil on December 22 at Prive Luxury Club.

This event is part of MEGA Magazine's Prive Style Series. Jpoi, as his friends call him, stretches out his creative talent with a collection called WAX & WATER. Handmade prints from candlewax and paint producing abstract effect are imposed on colored jackets - I truly like! There are brightly-colored pieces, too, and of course Jpoi's trademark denim designs.

Check out this teaser pictorial (literally, with a lot of "tease me" effect) that summates Jpoi's colorful design vision for the holidays. Presented by Ideal Vision, Bose, The Manila Clothing Company, Storm London and Mejia. Congrats in advance, Jpoi!

Photography: Rxandy Capinpin

Styling: Ryuji Shiomitsu

Associate Stylist: Raizel Dy

Makeup: Tippi Destacamento and Cola Saavedra

Models: Jonathan Norder and Krystal Espiritu

Headphones and Speakers by BOSE

Eyewear by Ideal Vision (Marc Jacobs, Emporio Armani and Michael Kors for Ideal Vision)

On Jonathan: Shoes from SOLE SERVICE and Sandals from Oxygen

On Krystal: Shoes from SCHU and Yong Davalos

IN HIS SHOES

After having to talk much about PARISIAN, SM Men's Shoes takes centerstage this holiday season, moving a big step forward with another in-house brand, MILANOS.

Taking design inspirations from the hottest and classiest men's runway footwear trends in Milan, MILANOS - just like its namesake - is ultimately targetted for the stylish male urbanites.

MILANOS takes into consideration the comfort of having a shoe that protects your feet from the daily wear and tear. With casual and formal shoes suitable for every occasion, choose from a variety of classic and affordable styles that can have you walking from the street to the workplace, even to your office Christmas party.

Check out the ad campaign and style catalogue we've done for MILANOS and step into your most stylish Holiday getup with these nicely-designed footwear:

PARTY MODE. Dress up or dress down with formal lace-ups or slip-ons.

WITH FORMALITIES. A bevy of classic formal shoe styles with very Italian flair.

FLATLINERS. Head for a stylish Holiday getaway with driving flats and textured loafers.

TOO HIP. Classic hip shoes with sneaker appeal are the kind of shoes that can be worn with anything. They come in basic, low-cut lace-up without any extra adornments that fuses in an insurmountable understated style.

MILANOS is available at SM Department Stores nationwide. Also check out their Facebook page (Milanos Shoes) for more information.



Photography: Nico Villegas (Edge of Light)
Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Hair & Makeup: Edwin Calingasan
Model: Robson Guaragni (IM Models)
Ad Agency: Adfolio

STARCROSSED

When I was in elementary, I used to look up the mysterious wonders of the night sky and gaze at the stars with awe, hoping and wanting to be an astronomer someday. That didn't come true, you know.

But I am glad that there are fashion movers in the industry who share the same inclination, and who are greatly inspired by the universe and the stars that compose it. This holiday, top clothing brand FOLDED&HUNG is seeing stars via its new collection thru a collaboration with the edgy design talent, JEROME LORICO.

With an ad campaign that stars hunky actor SAM MILBY, Jerome says this about his F&H collection, “I have been completely in awe with the universe and how it actually stares at us. But like everyone, the stars signify so much dreams, joys and style."  

According to the young designer, the whole premium line plays with strong monochromatic colours of black, white and gray with slim silhouette that emphasizes a man’s true form. Jerome also reached for the stars and placed them as graphic prints on tees and polo tops, giving each piece some tough-edged, military feel. There are also slim pants, jackets and knit cardigans that complete the holiday look for the modern F&H man.

For more details, check out www.foldedandhung.com. Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/foldedandhung; or Facebook .