THE LITTLE PRINCE

I have never read THE LITTLE PRINCE, the most famous novella by French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It has been translated into more than 190 languages and sold more than 80 million copies making it one of the best-selling books ever.

A few months back, an ambitious assignment came, Sir Ric Gindap of MONDAY Magazine wanted a fashion pictorial revolving around the story of THE LITTLE PRINCE. George and I were clueless, we hardly had knowledge about the characters of the said book. We were given guidelines, but personally, I only knew this famous line "One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye." Ask Ruffa Gutierrez about it, she answered using those words during the Q&A portion in her bid for the 1993 Ms. World title, wherein she was crowned 1st Princess (alam ko pa di ba!).

Although we were apprehensive at first, Geo and I took the challenge of styling a big cast of characters, some of whom were already friends of ours. We played on the styling pegs initially provided by fashion editor Bon Galeng, and bahala na si batman, we interpreted everything on our own. 

With good production design, numerous props and loads of laughter, this was an awesome display of teamwork - nevermind the exhaustion. Led by the cutie Bogs Jugo, former drummer of the band Pupil, he was our modern version of a rockstar Little Prince.

BOGS JUGO (drummer) as The Little Prince.
Gold-trimmed hooded vest by ADIDAS ORIGINALS x JEREMY SCOTT; Black Nehru coat by RODRIGUEZ DE ALBA by LEVENSON RODRIGUEZ; White shirt by FOLDED&HUNG (SM Mall of Asia); Black pinstriped pants by MENTAL (SM Mall of Asia); Black patent boots by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia).

ALEX GUERRERO (model) as The Rose.
Red long gown by KENNETH CHUA (to order at 09276946323); Rose headdress by GEORGE PALMIANO (to order at 09173518646); Gold leaf earrings by PARFOIS (Glorietta 4); Red ring by SCHU (Glorietta 3); Emerald long gloves by CALLIOPE (SM Mall of Asia); Gold necklace by PARFOIS (Glorietta 4); Black feathered heels by THE RAMP, CROSSINGS.

SPACE TRAVELLER.
Utilitarian jacket by PEOPLE R PEOPLE (SM Megamall); Star-printed top by TERRANOVA MAN (SM Mall of Asia); Striped ribbon tie used as brooch by MUNDO at THE RAMP, CROSSINGS (Glorietta 3); Floral-printed scarf used as arm band by TANGO (Glorietta 3); Denim pants by FOLDED&HUNG (SM Mall of Asia); Brown boots by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia);

Photographer DIEGO JOSE's Dad as The King.
Double-breasted coat by MUNDO at THE RAMP, CROSSINGS (Glorietta 3);  Mesh shirt by RANDY ORTIZ at MYTH (Greenbelt 5); Violet skinny tie by TOPMAN (SM Mall of Asia); Scholastic brooches by SM ACCESSORIES; Gray belt by TERRANOVA MAN (SM Mall of Asia); Gray trousers by RAOUL (Greenbelt 5); Black patent boots by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia); Fingerless gloves, stylists’ own.

LEVENSON RODRIGUEZ (menswear designer) as The Conceited Man.
Suit, vest, pants, kerchief and oxfords all by RODRIGUEZ DE ALBA by LEVENSON RODRIGUEZ; White and black shirt by MUNDO at THE RAMP, CROSSINGS; Scholastic brooch (on hat) by SM ACCESSORIES; Top hat, stylists’ own.

ROMAN as the Drunkard.
Black blazer by 5CM (SM Mall of Asia); White and black loose wrap by MUNDO at THE RAMP, CROSSINGS (Glorietta 3); Black wayfarers by RAYBAN; Gray denims by FOLDED&HUNG (SM Mall of Asia); Black shoes by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia); Necklace, model’s own.

FRED PENALES (makeup artist, Hairshaft Salon big boss) as The Businessman.
Dark brown suit and dress shirt, both by RANDY ORTIZ at MYTH (Greenbelt 5); Checkered vest by JOEY SAMSOM at MYTH (Greenbelt 5); Wool trousers by MASSIMO DUTTI (Greenbelt 5); Checkered bowtie by TOPMAN (SM Mall of Asia); Brown shoes by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia).

LOUIE as the Lamplighter.
Black suit and pants by KENNETH CHUA (to order at 09276946323); Gray fedora hat by SM ACCESSORIES; Gray polo top by MASSIMO DUTTI (Greenbelt 5); Gray skinny tie by 5CM; Belt by RAOUL (Greenbelt 5); Black shoes by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia).

MARK MULDER (photographer) as the Geographer.
Brown blazer by RANDY ORTIZ at MYTH (Greenbelt 5); White dress shirt by FRANCIS LIBIRAN at MYTH (Greenbelt 5); Animal printed scarf by TERRANOVA MAN (SM Mall of Asia); Khaki pants by RANDY ORTIZ at MYTH (Greenbelt 5); Brown boots by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia). 

MARX TOPACIO (model) as the Pilot.

Aviator cap by PEOPLE R PEOPLE (SM Megamall); Aviator shades by SM ACCESSORIES; Nylon jacket, faded gray shirt, military bag and utility pants, all by TERRANOVA MAN (SM Mall of Asia); Gold skinny tie by 5CM (SM Mall of Asia); Brown boots by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia); Red fingerless gloves, stylists’ own;

NINYA FLAVIO as the Snake.
Snake-printed wrap blouse, pants and clutch, all by TOPSHOP (Greenbelt 3); Silver dangling earrings and choker, both by PARFOIS (Glorietta 4); Faux python pumps by SCHU (Glorietta 4).

KAYE VILLASENOR (stylist) as the Rose Garden.

Left: Red and black cutout dress by NOEL CRISOSTOMO at MYTH (Greenbelt 5); Assorted bangles by PARFOIS (Glorietta 4); Gold and silver bracelet by SCHU (Glorietta 3); Black feathered heels by THE RAMP, CROSSINGS (Glorietta 3). Center: Red dress by VANIA ROMOFF at THE RAMP, CROSSINGS (Glorietta 3); Assorted bangles and gold leaf earrings, all by PARFOIS (Glorietta 4); Petal shoes by SCHU (Glorietta 3). Right: Rose-printed dress by ROLAND ALZATE (to order at 09178744600); Assorted bangles by PARFOIS (Glorietta 4); Gold & silver bracelet and brown strappy heels, both by SCHU (Glorietta 3).

CHRIS YUHICO (assistant photographer) as the Railway Switchman. 
Newsboy hat by SM ACCESSORIES; Striped blazer by MUNDO at THE RAMP, CROSSINGS (Glorietta 3); Vest by FOLDED&HUNG (SM Mall of Asia); White dress shirt by MASSIMO DUTTI (Greenbelt 5); Striped ribbon tie by MUNDO at THE RAMP, CROSSINGS; Distressed jeans by TERRANOVA MAN (SM Mall of Asia); Brown shoes by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia)

BRIAN FONTANILLA (assistant photographer) as the Merchant.

Plaid blazer by MUNDO at THE RAMP, CROSSINGS (Glorietta 3); Plaid top by JOEY SAMSON at MYTH (Greenbelt 5); Belt by TERRANOVA MAN (SM Mall of Asia); Gray trousers by TOPMAN (SM Mall of Asia); Brown shoes by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia);

YONG AFABLE (writer) as the Wise Fox.

Gray blazer by TOPMAN (SM Mall of Asia); White dress shirt by RAOUL (Greenbelt 5); Gray trousers by MASSIMO DUTTI (Greenbelt 5); Brown shoes by TRAFFIC (SM Mall of Asia).

Now I understand why Sir Ric (EIC of MONDAY) was persistent on producing this pictorial. This fashion story was intended for the Travel Issue, and the travails of The Little Prince thru time and space make him the ultimate travelling man. Thanks to the whole MONDAY team (Sir Ric, Bon, Chars, Marlon, etc.), as well as to photographer Diego (also check his blog http://blog.diego.ph/2011/05/across-universe.html#more) and the Hairshaft team.

 ONSTAGE. Me, Bogs and George.  

 HUGGABLE. George gets a hug from Sir Ric Gindap 

 URBAN OUTFITTER. Me working on Bogs'outfit.

 KODAK MOMENT.  Our assistants Abby, Sheila and Joan with Bogs.

 HAPPY DAYS. Fun fun with the guys from Monday - (Backrow L-R): Diego, Geo, Bogs, Alex, (Front row L-R) Kuya, Marlon, Bon, Chars and me. 

Photography: Diego Lorenzo Jose
Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Hair & Makeup: Fred Penales & The Hairshaft team
Models: Bogs Jugo, Alex Guerrero, Dado Jose, Levenson Rodriguez, Roman Roxas, Fred Penales, Louie Jay Moises, Mark Mulder, Marx Topacio, Ninya Flavio, Kaye Villasenor, Yong Afable, Chris Yuhico, Brian Fontanilla