WEAR MY DESIGN

How would you to like see a dress you designed being featured in ENSEMBLES stores nationwide, with your name credited as its designer, and to be worn by Carmina Villarroel in her next photoshoot? 

Local feminine brand ENSEMBLES is having its first ever Design Competition open to all designers and aspiring ones. ENSEMBLES is giving you the chance to break into the world of fashion through its WEAR MY DESIGN Contest where winning pieces will be produced for the Spring/Summer 2013 Collection.

Wear My Design Competition is looking for original yet smartly flattering creations! No experience necessary, just a love for Ensembles’ style. Just submit a dress prototype creation together with the Application Form. Can’t sew, but full of ideas, you can even have someone else sew it for you. All approved submissions will be uploaded to Ensembles Facebook Page for voting which is 10% of the criteria. There is no limit on the amount of designs submitted. Five (5) early birds approved submissions will be rewarded with Php 2,000 worth of Shopping Spree from ENSEMBLES!

The winning designers will not only receive the satisfaction of seeing their garments produced by ENSEMBLES and worn by others, but they will also receive cash prizes, gift certificates, generous gifts from our partners including a full make-over by Piandre Salon, great coffee from Bo’s Coffee and a huge gift pack from VMV Hypoallergenics. 

In addition, ENSEMBLES will feature a write up about the winning designers and their designs that will be featured on our website, in broadsheets as well as various social media outlets. 

In the meantime, here's the current S/S 2012 ad campaign of ENSEMBLES featuring actress/TV host Carmina Villaroel:

Learn more about ‘Wear My Design’ Competition Mechanics and complete set of rules in Ensembles website www.ensembles.com.ph.  Application Form can be downloaded from Ensembles Facebook page (facebook.com/EnsemblesOnline).  Follow Ensembles on Twitter (twitter.com/EnsemblesOnline) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/EnsemblesPH).

VALENTINO ROCKS THE BARONG

We've always thought of the Barong Tagalog as our National Costume, and have come across various creative and palatable renditions done by our local designers in jusi, piña or banana fabric. But how about this - the Barong seen catapulting its iconic status (as strictly Filipino) on international runway via Italian fashion powerhouse, VALENTINO for its Spring/Summer 2012 RTW collection?

In spreading news, fashion insiders (who are quick to notice) saw two pieces from VALENTINO's runway show resemble the Barong very closely. It is not known, though, if the said garments were derived from our National Costume, or just coincidental. However, VALENTINO took this to another level (with the sheer trend probably in mind) and made the Barong look so chic and modern on women by pairing it with lacey, see-thru skirts.

Photos from www.style.com

More enticingly, these two very elegant looks also made its way on VALENTINO's S/S 2012 ad campaign:

Although the Barong is usually intended for Filipino men in formal occasions, it is quite refreshing to recognize it being worn in such a delicate, ladylike manner. When VALENTINO cut it slim, romanticized it with thin belts and skirts, we all must agree that the global brand rocked the Barong - if that's the case!

ALL STARS

Hey PENSHOPPE, why are you doing this to us?

You tapped a dashing heartthrob from Hollywood as an endorser, created a big buzz, and transformed every Pinay into local versions of Gossip Girl with dapper ED WESTWICK.

Then we've fallen prey to Asian sensation and super cutie MARIO MAURER of Thailand. We are all feeling The Love of Siam!

Just when we thought two are enough to heat up our summer, you are bringing us the ultimate hottie of all, ZAC EFRON, and can't help but feel like we're The Lucky One.

Although this was the big trending news last week, I have to include Zac, the greatest crush, in my blog. No way I am letting this pass! To tell you all, Geo and I, as stylists, were fantasizing long ago about this Hollywood A-lister as an endorser, until PENSHOPPE got him (his first-ever international endorsement, would you believe) and made our - and other swooning fans' - dream come true.

Isn't it exciting that this hunk has penchant for something Pinoy?! He has Pinoy friends, his dad has profound memories of the Philippines, even his Highschool Musical co-star and ex-girlfriend (Vanessa Hudgens) is half-Filipino.

According to an article written by Ricky Lo for Philippine Star last Sunday, Zac will probably visit the Philippines after he finishes promoting his latest movie, “The Lucky One,” in Australia and Japan. PR Asia Worldwide head Joyce Ramirez, who closed the deal between Penshoppe and Efron, told Lo that more foreign stars are set to join Penshoppe’s “All Stars” campaign. Meaning, there's more? I so cannot wait! But I'll take Zac anytime, anywhere!







NOTE: Pictures were grabbed from Penshoppe, philstar.com, inquirer.net

ENDLESS BORACAY SUMMER NIGHTS

We all know that the coolest thing about Boracay (as a favorite getaway) is that life doesn't end when the sun goes down. The energy is just freakin' intense, and partying at night seems endless and incredibly insane.

Late last month, my partner Geo and I returned to this favorite summer hotspot with the SM MEN'S FASHION squad and a 5-man smorgasbord of male model hotties (that composed of Hideo Muraoka, Zaydan Timpani, Drew Rivera, Pedro Mologni and Nat Kiefer) - all itching to party with FHM Bikini Heaven Year 2. Luckily for Geo and I, this is also the second year that SM MEN'S FASHION turned the heat on as one of the main sponsors of the said event, with us doing the styling for their fashion segment.

With FHM holding the event (at Epic front beach), girls showing skin and parading in bikinis were the gold standard, and hormone-filled males lined up to see these babes that were headed by FHM favorites Sam Pinto, Ellen Adarna, Daiana Meneses, Regine Angeles, Aubrey Miles, Ornussa Cadness, Sanya Smith, Jill Yulo and March cover girl Bela Padilla. Sam Gogna of Boys Night Out was the "manyak" guy who hosted the event with Sam Pinto.

Males - and some females - queue for a hot summer night party with FHM.

Onstage at FHM Bikini Heaven Year 2.

Brazilian model Zaydan Timpani dominates the stage for SM Men's Fashion segment.

Pedro Mologni in another look from the latest collection of SM in-house brand, Main Street.

Nat Kiefer does tropicana with SM in-house brand Coco Republic.

Drew Rivera looks summer-ready in SM in-house brand, Tee Culture.

SM Men's Fashion's main face, Hideo Muraoka, steals the show in sexy swimming trunks by SM in-house brand, Coco Republic.

Even girls paraded in clothes by SM Men's Fashion.

A sexy view from behind.

The crowd goes on frenzy mode as the models of SM Men's Fashion give away free T-shirts.

Sam Gogna vs. Sam Pinto

Regine Angeles in an alluring number.

March cover girl Bela Padilla channels Wonderwoman in an unlikely cowgirl-ish boots.

Daiana Meneses shows her glorious bikini form.

Best model pals Sanya Smith and Ornussa Cadness as the Angels of Darkness and Light.

Blonde Ambition.

FHM Babe Kristine Santanamena is as bright as a rainbow.

White lady in a swimsuit.

Justice served in a two-piece.

Model Kit Barraquias reveals in a cleavage-baring silver number.

Green with envy.

Sam Gogna gets surrounded backstage with FHM bikini goddesses Daiana Meneses, Jacq Yu, Regine Angeles, Aubrey Miles, Sam Pinto and Ellen Adarna.

More bikini madness.

Sweaty me and oily Geo with black laced Ayen Florendo of SM Men's Fashion.

Me, stylist Belle Camarsi, Geo and Ayen Florendo party the night away.

Summit Media's Cha Clarino with actress Aubrey Miles and model Nat Kiefer.

Ayen Florendo, Zaydan Timpani, Drew Rivera & Belle Camarsi are having fun.

Hunky Hideo Muraoka towers over Belle Camarsi.

Me with SM Men's Fashion family - Jeff Lo, Yeng Ardiente, Sil Bayle and Joy.

Ayen Florendo and Cha Clarino are spotted with hotties - Hideo Muraoka and we-wish-we-know-his-name gorgeous guy.

Me, Geo, Ayen & Belle chill out with refreshments to cap off a hot, humid summer night in Bora.

The fun went on even after FHM's event with more dance, more booze, more noise. Then heavy rain fell suddenly on the island, I thought the party was over. People danced under the rain to cool down the heat, and till the wee hours, you could see them walking, running and enduring the nightlife. It's crazy, totally crazy!



NOTE: All photos by Cha Clarino

ON FIRE, BABY! The Boys of SM Men's Fashion S/S 2012 Ad Campaign (Part 2)

There aren't many young males out there who can pull off and look scorching while donning the dreaded Double Denim fashion trend.

To tell you the truth, I wasted several valuable hours in search of somebody who could, and unless you're the iconic cool guy like James Dean (think of the movie Giant), I'm truly lost in oblivion.

Then here comes the latest summer ad campaign featuring THE BOYS OF SM MEN'S FASHION - all looking steamy, wild and delectably sexy while being clad in an abundance of rugged denim wear by in-house brands MARKUS and TRU DENIM. Now, these boys have redefined the meaning of hotness!

The denim trend this summer is at its peak and it’s not coming down anytime soon. Summer has revealed so many options from pants, vests and denim tops. While the double denim look debate goes on, get into the blues this season and check out the latest denim collections of MARKUS and TRU DENIM available at The Boys Teens Wear Section of SM DEPARTMENT STORE nationwide.



________________________________________________________________________
Photography: Jo Ann Bitagcol
Styling & Art Direction: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Grooming: Ria Aquino
Models: Robson Guaragni (IM-Models), Pedre Dutra (Reco) & Nat Kiefer (Mercator)
Ad Agency: Adfolio