GEOMETRIC SYMMETRY

Young, talented and emerging fashion designer NOELLE LLAVE must have excelled in Geometry subject during her days in school. 

A member of FADAL Manila (Fashion Designers Alliance Manila) and a graduate of SOFA (School of Fashion and the Arts), Noelle (or Paula, as her peers call her) was inspired by her childhood experience when denim was the main clothing choice, and during the time she was enrolled in a school wherein teaching principles were unusual, and used learning materials like shapes and geometric blocks to teach. All these resulted to the launch of her Holiday 2011 accessory collection called “GEOMETRIC SYMMETRY.”

This purely handmade accessory line utilized German leather cutouts transformed into magnificent fashionable artworks in geometric-inspired cuffs, bracelets and necklaces in various shapes and proportions. An unconventional mix of color tones abound, too, with Noelle toying with the use of oranges, light blues and browns - attuned with fashion's undying color blocking trend. Tron and other sci-fi movies also gave added inspiration to this wonderfully-thought collection.

To those die-hard fashion mongers who would want to be the first to wear these stylish must-haves, let it be known that Noelle does these accessories all by herself, therefore you should place your orders beforehand. Price ranges from P1800 to P2500, and Noelle can even customize these accessories according to your personal size. For details, email at noellellave@yahoo.com or contact 09175023617. Available at Backstage in Boni Highstreet soon.

HOLD ME. Raw-cut leather cuffs in color blocks.

BRACE YOURSELF. Leather wrist bands in neutral colors.

CUTTHROAT. Structural neckpieces in leather cutouts.

Photographed by Fold Canela

Retail Wars: DENIM NATION

An uprising is at helm. Local fashion brands have gone fearless as they launch their arsenals for the ultimate denim war.

We are a country that truly loves denim. Name a single person who hasn't tried wearing jeans in his/her entire life, specifically on a casual day when one can't think of something else to use but a reliable pair of denim pants. This piece of garment has become a wardrobe staple that Pinoys, fashionable or not, can't live without.

Jeans, be it comfort, fit, style or wearability, have evolved in terms of design and functionality. The versatile jeans can go well with almost everything - from the most basic top to the more funked-up jackets, even elaborate designer pieces.

There's always a perfect pair for everyone, and so goes the battle for denim supremacy. Either done with artistic sense, or injected with seductive form of advertising, the retail brands below are equipped, and are ready to culminate the standard for trendsetting jeanetics.

Let the bloody denim revolution begin!


BENCH
The retail giant has gone all-out with an all-star cast for its OJ (Overhauled Jeans) campaign. Male or female, you can groove to the right move with dark, fitted denim.

PENSHOPPE
Much have been said about the grand launch of international star ED WESTWICK, but the pretty boy of Gossip Girl looks pretty cool in monotone double denim (chambray top + denim pants). Notice his tatoo, as well, that says "I heart romance". We heart you, too!

SM DEPARTMENT STORE
I have already included this in my previous blog article, but this awesome denim ad campaign (that features five mouth-watering, gorgeous, good-looking, male foreign models in jeans from in-house and consigned brands) is worthy of another mention, since it gets you salivating for the new sexy. Just delivered jeans, anyone?

FOLDED&HUNG
Basketball in jeans? Sam Milby gets down, sweaty and dirty wearing only jeans (well, his underwear from F&H is also showing). Styling tip: folding the hemline of the pants is kinda sexy, too.

PLAINS & PRINTS
It's girl power for Plains & Prints with a pictorial heralding the 25th year of PMAP with local top models Samantha Lewis, Girlie Benitez, Marina Benepayo, Melissa Frye and Anna Sideco. The use of basic white tops over blue and indigo jeans  make the whole styling very crisp and elegantly casual.

MINT
This has been featured in my blog entry before, but the on-going ad campaign that highlights actor/model Xian Lim going sexy in jeans still delights kinky minds. Mint says, just fit the jeans and don't doubt their denim.

HANG TEN
The local ad campaign of Hang Ten is obviously, forever summer. Although it's rainy season already, get wet and wild with their classic choice of denim wear, or should I say, the art of seduction that lingers on?

BOARDWALK
Sorry Avel Bacudio, but I'd like to see this new pictorial to replace immediately your not-so-attractive current billboard ads with Boardwalk across the metropolis. We must admit, Derek Ramsay is more yummy and endearing, and he gives classier and stellar factor to your denim designs - which means better sales for Boardwalk. Agree?

NOTE: All photos are not mine - they were grabbed from each brand's Facebook page.

JULY 2011 COVERS OF THE MONTH: Mega, Sense & Style & Wedding Essentials

Truly Divine! That's what MEGA Magazine is all about this July, with the amazing DIVINE LEE donning big, red hair on its cover - making this issue my choice cover of the month. Looking frothy with hints of metallics while lying on the floor, Divine is the black widow (in spiked heel-less platforms by Kermit Tesoro) out to be a staunch fashion idol. See what web this stylista has spun for the said magazine this month.

Photography: BJ Pascual; Art Direction: Mica Santos; Styling: Angela Alarcon; Makeup: Leo Posadas; Hair: Jay Wee.

Second-placer goes to SENSE & STYLE with their front-worthy version of the new generation of Pinay top models. Call them cover girls, editorial chicks, runway kittens - these ladies are highly trained and are always ready to strike a pose: (top level, L-R) Pauline Prieto, Jessica Yang; (2nd Level, L-R) Michelle Panemanglor, Giselle Paqueo, Emerald Villahermosa; (3rd Level, L-R) Grendel Alvarado, Tina Marasigan & Samantha Lewis.

Images: Pia Puno; Styling: Nicole Limos; Makeup: (Mac Cosmetics) Pong Niu, Archie Valencia, Don de Jesus, Angel Manhilot; Hair: (LÓreal Professionel) Helen Egan, Ruel Papa, Borge Aloba.

The month of June is usually the month for weddings, but why not be a July bride? WEDDING ESSENTIALS has the thickest issue ever, although I am more gasping for its simple yet wonderfully different bridal styling on the cover. Its unconventional use of big, pomeranian-like hairdo makes we want to walk down the aisle while looking fierce and gorgeous at the same time. Chos!

SOME LIKES IT XL!

Don't you want it Xtra Large? As in super big, really awesome, truly gigantic! Sorry to cut your lingering imagination, but XL does not refer to humungous size at all. You filthy b!tc#&s!

But I do have big news. While handsome actor Jericho Rosales has been MINT's image endorser for several years now, MINT is staunch in promoting its denim line with the release of the new ad campaign called "Don't Doubt the Denim." The brand goes XL with fresh face XIAN LIM exclusively for its jeans.

I have to stress though, that Xian did not replace Jericho. There's another endorser coming in for the fashion label. But that will be another story.

Shot entirely on top of the Twin Towers along Ayala Avenue, George and I were tapped to do the styling for Xian's hot denim campaign, and can't wait a bit longer to see the billboard in EDSA. Greased, oiled, tanned, with facial stubbles, Xian Lim goes fleshy, rough and sexy in this larger-than-thou pictorial.

With denim trousers ranging from dark-washed navy and indigos, to slim-fitting blacks, browns, grays and charcoals, to colored pants such as red in harem cut, MINT suggests you to try out their jeans and simply not doubt their denim.

MINT is located at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Manila, Trinoma, Robinsons Place Manila, Cash & Carry Mall, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Market! Market!, Glorietta 5, Alabang Town Center, Ali Mall, Marquee Mall, Pavillion Mall, SM Southmall, SM Fairview, SM Taytay, SM Pampanga, SM San Lazaro, SM Marilao, SM Dasmarinas, SM Tarlac, SM Batangas, SM Lipa, SM Cagayan de Oro, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Novaliches, SM Rosario, SM Masinag. Check out their website at www.mintaddict.com.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD. Xian dares to expose while wearing this dark brown washed-out denim pants.

EXTREME HEAT. Xian dons nothing but straight-cut charcoal denim.

RED ALERT. Trigger the alarm in this red harem pants in denim.

BOILING POINT. Xian raises his sex appeal in this Pepsi Herrera x Mint white button-down shirt and slim cut black jeans.

WHITE HOT. A pair of white jeans is forever sexy.

LAY WITH YOU. Don't doubt wearing a pair of classic blue jeans.

MONOCHROME. A bleached light grey denim pants lend a rock star edge.

Photography: Jopet Sy
Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Hair & Makeup: EJ Caro
Model: Xian Lim

JUST DELIVERED JEANS

Growl if you want, drool if you should! Just mention a well-chiselled guy wearing nothing else but his sexy denim is enough to send women - and gays, of course - in commotion, what more if there are five handsome, luscious hunks with sweaty, oily bodies in jeans delivered hot and fresh just right enough to satiate you?

THE NEW SEXY. L-R: Drew, Samir, Hideo, Duane & Abs - pick your choice and defy your hunger!

I'll say it again, "So many men, so little time!" After seeing these gorgeous male bodies get exposed as if being served on a buffet table, this yummy denim ad campaign by SM MEN'S FASHION gives new meaning to sexy, and provides us multiple jean choices to munch on - from soft grays to charcoals to blacks to indigos, and even whites.

It's quite unusual for SM to shoot topless men, but with jeans as focus, this is the most sensible time to release relative amounts of heat, and to level-up amongst its competitors. With different brands to choose from, get your sexy, contemporary fit as SM Men's Fashion goes all out denim from July 1 to September 30, 2011 with the promo release of JUST DELIVERED JEANS.

Don't you just love to grab one of them? I mean, a single denim pair? Head to the nearest SM Department Store, or visit and like their Facebook page  to get more updates.

YOU LIFT ME UP. Fave model Hideo shows off his form while donning a pair of relaxed-straight smoke gray Baleno jeans.

ABSOLUTE ABS. Look thru the eyes of model Abs while showing his washboard abs in a low-rise pair of jeans by Jag.

BOY NEXT DOOR. Cutie Samir makes his mark in dark charcoal Markus jeans.

INTO THE TRIBE. Handsome Duane goes for gray skinny washed-out jeans by Tribal.

DOUBLE DUTCH. Abs in a classic denim design with contemporary fit by Von Dutch.

INTO THE BLUES. Hideo gets a style plus wearing indigo jeans by V+ Jeans.

BLACK VS. WHITE. If you are to choose, is it Drew in black Wrangler jeans or Samir in skinny white denim by Anti-fit?

TAKING OFF. For Abs & Duane, it's better to show some skin and just wear jeans - either the soft gray Dickies or a darker Hibaler pair.

Photography: Frank Hoefsmit
Styling:
For Hideo, Abs & Drew - Luis Espiritu & his team (Reg Rodriguez, Rudolph Leonor, Donna Gonzales-Lim & Mikka Velasquez)
For Duane & Samir - Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Grooming: Bobby Carlos (Max Factor)
Hair: Jaime Sy
Models: Hideo Muraoka (Mercator), Abs Abdelkader (Ideal People), Drew (Reco), Samir Ayeb (IM Models) & Duane Stagoll (Reco)
Ad Agency: IMX

A RIVER RUNS THRU IT

Great, fashionable things are shaping up this midyear season, and that includes SHAPES joining the other retail brands with big billboard ad campaigns.

Unlike the previous summer pictorial done in long, colorful and flowing outfits, the new campaign takes the other route in non-dressy, neutral clothes with soft but mannish undertones. The Gonzaga sisters also get an androgynous updo that go well with the simple styling.

Shot on a remote location somewhere in Pampanga, a majestic river provided a picturesque background that reminded me of my all-time favorite Korean romantic movie, "The Classic" - a major inspiration why the post-processing I did looks vintage, slightly sepia, almost sad, bit emotional, quite dramatic and nearly cinematic. Everytime I see this work of ours, it feels like looking through an old picture that tells an underlying love story. Don't you think?

See SHAPES billboard sites in GMA-Kamuning, Cubao and C-5. Also checkout their website at www.shapes.com.ph.

VESTED INTEREST. Alex and Toni get reinvented with androgynous styling.

LADIES WHO RUN THE WORLD. Add aviator shades to your cool, printed, casual get-up for a hint of military appeal. 

WEAR THE PANTS. Dress down in comfy trousers, then take command.

FAR & AWAY. When in doubt, turn to neutrals.

Photography: Doc Marlon Pecjo
Art Direction & Post-production: Mike de Guzman (MGP)
Styling: George Palmiano (MGP)
Makeup: Kryst Bansuelo
Hair: Macy
Models: Toni & Alex Gonzaga