Wednesday, November 30, 2011

TYLER TO PERFECTION

Manila's stylish set knows too well about the chic premium local brand TYLER (formerly owned and operated by Republic Retailers), which had its glory days as a major force in work-to-weekend fashion aesthetic and tailored looks several years back. Not that the brand died or disappeared, but TYLER gets a re-boot this time, and is back on the fashion spotlight through the acquisition of retail bigshot Golden ABC, the same company that owns Penshoppe, Memo, ForMe, Regatta and Oxygen.

Highly stylish and sophisticated, the PRA (Philippine Retailers Association) Retailer of the Year Hall of Fame awardee TYLER has attracted throughout the years a generation of working adults who, as loyal customers, were transformed into fashion-conscious trendsetters. Aside from its tasteful designs and creations with designer panache, visiting a TYLER store has always been a personal shopping experience.

Now that it is part of Golden ABC, lets see how TYLER rises again to the top, as it unveils a new collection for Holiday 2011 (the ad campaign looks classy, by the way), put together by a new creative team that remains true to the brand's distinct design philosophy.

TYLER is available at Powerplant Mall, EDSA Shangri-la Mall, Glorietta 4 and at Adora Department Store in Greenbelt 5.


Black & White Forever

Conquer the night.

Modern monochromatic

Purple Reign

Teal factor




NOTE: All pictures from Tyler.

Monday, November 28, 2011

A SLICE OF MAJA SALVADOR

Finally, our first cover shoot for HEALTH TODAY Magazine featuring local cinema's sweetheart, MAJA SALVADOR, is already out! Being the fun, lovely actress that she is, Maja was so energetic the entire pictorial, and it was fun to see her bring the house down while engaging in a dance showdown with the evenly maharot Doc Marlon Pecjo, who shot Maja for this issue.



Last seen in an independent film directed by Paul Soriano (entitled "Thelma"), MAJA SALVADOR is one of the most versatile actresses of her generation. In an interview with HEALTH TODAY, Maja reveals that she isn't actually a gym junkie. She believes that going to the gym twice a week is okay to stay fit and trim. At home, she’ll jump rope for up to an hour while listening to hip hop or R&B and won’t stop until she sweats heavily.


Outfits from Terranova & Calliope

Dress by Roel Rosal

Maja does some autograph signing while our assistant Sheila looks on.

Sweet Maja with a very sweaty me.


For more details, please read article by Joan Teotico: http://www.healthtoday.net/Feature/2011/11Nov/MajaSalvadorAheadofthe.aspx. Special thanks to Ms. Anna Gamboa-Gan. Grab your magazine copies now!



Photography: Doc Marlon Pecjo
Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Assisted by: Sheila Marie Danipog
Makeup: Mickey See (Shu Eumura)
Model: Maja Salvador

Sunday, November 27, 2011

HOT & COLD

Looking for the sexiest Yuletide present ever?

In a season that brings in the cold December breeze, share the much-needed warmth and give the ultimate holiday cheer to your partner (boyfriend or girlfriend) with none other than the best gift you can offer - YOURSELF. Wouldn't it be more enticing, more exciting to unwrap a gift and spew a li'l hot surprise while wearing only BENCH BODY's latest underwear collection?

PURE LOVE. Actress Lovi Poe gives some Yuletide lovin' in monochromatic lingerie set.

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT. Hot actor Jake Cuenca reveals the true star of the season - his Bench Body underwear.

FROST BITE. Model/VJ Georgina Wilson looks hot while feeling cold in a sexy polka-dotted number.

Speaking of GEORGINA WILSON, this mestiza stunner was last seen making a cameo appearance while representing BENCH BODY at AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL CYCLE 17 ALL-STARS in the wonderful island of Crete in Greece. She was tagged as the wardrobe stylist for the brand - I was thinking then of what happened to Noel Manapat, the true creative stylist for Bench, whom I also saw in glimpses when I watched the episode. Nevertheless, Georgina had her own pictorial and she was a spectacular sight to behold.

MODEL-TURNED-STYLIST. Georgina Wilson as seen in ANTM Cycle 17 All Stars while talking to one of the contestants.

BODY BEAUTIFUL. Georgina Wilson in all her glory in this teaser underwear shoot by Bench Body for ANTM Cyce 17 in Greece.

On a side note, I am truly amazed on how BENCH continues to revolutionize itself as a local brand gone international. See this another steamy ad campaign by BENCH BODY starring American hottie MICHAEL TREVINO of The Vampire Diaries fame. I can almost sense you drooling, bitches!!!

SEXY & I KNOW IT. I wouldn't mind being bitten by Michael Trevino, who plays as a werewolf in the hit US TV series, The Vampire Diaries.

STOP & STARE. Glorious body in Bench Body underwear.

RED HOT. Michael Trevino in red boxers is truly to die for!



NOTE: All photos from Bench

Monday, November 21, 2011

SIGN ON WITH SIGNOR

Something 'sneaky' is going on with SM Department Store.

This Holiday 2011, SM MEN'S SHOES officially launches the first ad campaign of SIGNOR, the department store's latest in-house shoe brand, which was shot entirely at the famed Ronac Art Center in Greenhills. Cool, casual and functional sneakers (at unbelievably affordable prices) comprise the latest collection that comes in classic lace-up hip shoes and mid-cut designs in forever-reliable gray, white, beige, brown and black colors that can have a dude walking on the street all the way to the dance floor.

SIGNOR is definitely a footwear brand to watch out for, targetting the hip and happening young males who walk in style without compromising comfort. SIGNOR is available at SM Department Stores nationwide.


SNEAK IN. Black mid-cut sneakers instantly give a cool, edgy vibe into your wardrobe.

STEPPING UP. Styles may vary per store.

MAKE A STAND. White sneakers can go along with almost any casual get-up.

SNEAK PREVIEW. Take your pick in a variety of hip designs and colors.



Photography: Nico Villegas (Edge of Light)
Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Assisted by: Sheila Marie Danipog
Grooming: Edwin Calingasan
Model: Hamed (Reco Models)
Agency: Adfolio

Sunday, November 20, 2011

ABLAZE OF GLORY

Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. For JUN-JUN ABLAZA, he likes to make something beautiful with wearable, nature-drawn art in the form of excessive, extravagant fashion jewelry. He likes to make people stop in awe and say, "It’s more than just a design, it’s a style... It’s being creative.” 

Being known as an events designer in social and art circles, JUN-JUN ABLAZA, who admits being drawn to excess, has crossed over into artful accessory design. "Fashion jewelry should be worn as ornamentation," Ablaza as quoted in his latest style catalogue. He considers natural forms like birds, flowers and stones as his departure point.

"Too many people think of jewelry in terms of gold, silver, pearls and diamonds," says Jun-jun. He wants to show people that contemporary jewelry, though experimental, can still be commercial. "My jewelry isn't only about prettifying, but about shifting the idea of preciousness away from an object's material value to the experience of wearing it," he adds.

Showing this passion for fashion and the arts, JUN-JUN ABLAZA recently had an exhibit entitled ABLAZABLAZE held at the National Museum of the Philippines. His works, featuring a bountiful of feathered headdresses and accessories, as well as wooden beads, reptilian skins, animal skeletons and fur, are represented in an epic tale of mythological and mythical Filipino folklore during primitive times. See Jun-jun's ethnic masterpieces below as he sets fashion married with historical art ablaze.


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

BEST PFW DESIGNER COLLECTIONS: Spring/Summer 2012

Breathing fashion and transforming imaginative ideas into life are never too easy to do. It has been weeks now, but I salute all Filipino designers who toiled hard, and showcased their design and artistic talents in a bevy of exciting collections for the PHILIPPINE FASHION WEEK Spring/Summer 2012.



With trends to look forward to, and runway looks that fashionable ladies can adapt in their wardrobe, here are my favorite 12 designer collections (in alphabetic order) that personally wowed me, and hopefully will wow you, too:


ALBERT ANDRADA
If Pocahontas becomes fiercely chic and goes to town, she'll be thrilled to wear this haute collection of Albert Andrada inspired by the Mohican tribe. The well-themed couture pieces with fringe and feather appliques, the right amount of beadwork, as well as pattern cut-outs, are Albert's artistic take on American Indian fashion, making this collection as one of the stand-outs in PFW with its distinct concept. Clearly, Andrada's tribe has spoken!




ANTHONY RAMIREZ
Of all the sheer dresses that proliferated and dominated the runways of PFW (making transparency as a major trend - again), Anthony Ramirez's gossamer-light, frothy numbers are so delectable - women who would wear these would definitely feel pretty and sexy! Soft-colored bodysuits lined underneath daintily-embellished see-through fabrics are very refreshing - although risque - for those breezy summer evenings.



DAX BAYANI
This designer is having sepia dreams with an all-neutral, cohesive collection that looks very earthy, very organic. Modern cosmopolitan women will love Bayani's body-hugging short dresses that are made out of natural fabrics, made more interesting with geometric cutouts that are carefully placed on the bodice.




EZRA SANTOS
Although the Black Swan concept is so last year, one could not bypass Dubai-based Ezra Santos' couture prowess and his purely dramatic creations. Just looking at those intricately beaded designs in austere black and immaculate white, all I can say is that I am awe-inspired big time!



GERRY KATIGBAK
Seeing this roster of realistic, no-fuzz ready-to-wear designer pieces that rightfully hits the PFW theme with a bulleye - which is obviously summer - Gerry K's designs will make you want to go on a chic holiday cruise. Cool, comfy & casual pieces (swimsuits, column dresses, onesies and airy coverups) dominated by stripes in black & white and pastel hue combinations will have you thinking of warm, sunny days and the big, blue sea this early. And the bags look amazing, too!




JULIUS TAROG
While his penchant for androgynous designs remain, Juluis Tarog raised the bar with a strong wearable collection in neutral colors. Tarog's tailored separates with sheer applications will take any urban woman looking polished from day-in to day-out. His evening dresses are extremely covetable, too.



LOUIS CLAPAROLS
Everything about this collection looks fun, flirty and playful. Louis Claparols toys with sorbet-colored swimmies layered underneath see-through lace dresses and coverups accessorized with colored thin belts and socks. Yes with Louis, summer of 2012 looks bright, cheerful and girly!




MICHAEL CINCO
Nobody does a sparkling couture show like international Pinoy designer, Michael Cinco. Not enough superlatives can even describe his glorious, well-crafted creations. Nothing more can be said about the couture master - indeed, coming from a diehard fan.




NORMAN NORIEGA
Norman Noriega is having a gliteratti moment with his glamorous take on anything shiny, shimmering and metallic. These collection of long, columnar evening numbers will certainly put any dashing diva on the fashion headlines.




PABLO CABAHUG
Evening romance describes best these beautiful, elegant and feminine showstoppers by Pablo Cabahug that are highlighted with sheer applications, peek-a-boos, some color infusions, lace and crocheted trimmings. His Leg Love stocking designs worn by some models are also stunners.




RAOUL RAMIREZ
Turn to the brighter side of summer fashion with Raoul Ramirez' take on the bold and the beautiful. Long, fluid dresses and onesies in striking crayola colors accented with patent fluo belts will surely grab all the attention you need under the sun's sweltering heat.




RUSSEL VILLAFUERTE
This is the collection that appeals most to me, upstart designer Russel Villafuerte's dangerously sexy, edgy, glam streetwear creations are runway killers with its funky, rockstar & youthful vibe. An assortment that incorporated leather, sheer fabrics, studs, buckled straps, fringes and even camouflage prints, partyphiles have found a reason to party harder this coming summer.






NOTE: Photos from stylebible.ph