BLONDE AMBITION

Supermodel extraodinaire RIA BOLIVAR is the new face of SHAPES Holiday 2012 Billboard Ad Campaign.

One of our favorite models of all time, La Bolivar is having a "Starships" moment, as she channels a skinnier and safe-but-fashionable version of Nicki Minaj with her long blonde straight hairdo. As you would notice recently, SHAPES has turned to Pinay supermodels (Pauline Prieto, Catriona Gray and Jessica Yang were the models last summer) to star in their billboard ads. Isn't that good news for our home-based mannequins?

With a simple concept, basic styling and a plain background used, the primary objective of the ad campaign is to transform Ria into a platinum blonde beauty while stirring everybody into thinking (who sees the billboard when passing by EDSA-Cubao), "Is that Ria Bolivar?" Very simple yet there's something that differs. Nevertheless, Ria has been styled so many ways in her countless pictorials & fashion shows, and this is something that my partner George, I and the whole team believe in to deviate from the others. So whether other people like the look or not, the important thing is that there's a reaction and it's better than none at all. Tama?

This is also the first ad campaign pictorial for our Bossing Richard Romero who also happens to co-own SHAPES with another bossing August Virray. Thanks bosses, as well as to Amphie - working with you all has always been a pleasure.

See the new ad campaign shoot we did below and check out SHAPES branches nationwide. Log on to www.shapes.com.ph or find them at Facebook & Twitter. Also watch out for my next blog feature on their other brand, Chemistry, and the wonderful holiday billboard campaign that we are all raving about.

 

________________________________________________________________________
Photography: Richard Romero
Art Direction & Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Assisted by: Sheila Marie Danipog & Darrell Justin Bautista
Hair & Makeup: Bobby Carlos
Model: Ria Bolivar








SUNNY DISPOSITION: Shapes S/S 2012 Ad Campaign (Part 2)

Lately, the summer heat has become more intense, making all of us feel quite uneasy, and oftentimes hot-headed. For SHAPES, it's all about keeping your composure with easy, relaxed clothes that retain your cool while looking great even in the sweltering heat. Without much talk, here's Part 2 of the ad campaign we did for the brand, and take note of some comfy, effortless but fashionable looks that will aid in maintaining your sunny disposition:

Check out the new collection by visiting SHAPES outlets nationwide. Or go to www.shapes.com.ph for more details.



____________________________________________________________________
Photography: Jo Ann Bitagcol
Art Direction: Mike de Guzman (MGP)
Styling: George Palmiano (MGP)
Assisted by: Sheila & Alang Danipog
Makeup: Bobby Carlos (Max Factor)
Hair: Jaime Sy
Models: Catriona Gray (IM-Models), Pauline Prieto & Jessica Yang (Mercator)
Shoes by: Parisian

FRESH CHANGE: Shapes S/S 2012 Billboard Ads

Alright, I'd been away from the fashion blog-o-sphere for quite some time. With most of us having been drenched under the heat of the summer sun during a much-needed Holy Week break, I am hoping that everyone is freshened up and back in good shape like I do.

And speaking of "fresh" and "shape", our MGP team is so thrilled about a FRESH CHANGE happening for local fashion retailer, SHAPES. The new billboard ads feature a transition or renewal this summer, with the brand celebrating its 10th Anniversary while opting to use realistically-fabulous and classy, young, in-demand female models (Pauline Prieto, Catriona Gray & Jessica Yang) to highlight its campaign this time.

With summer still at its peak, the new collection of SHAPES focuses on various basic but classic looks with refined feminine twists. Various prints dominate the assortment ranging from florals to animal prints to stripes to geometric patterns that all come in bright, warm hues. On the other hand, there are also vivid summer whites that hold true to the sentiment of the ad campaign, FRESH CHANGE.

Our work with SHAPES is something that the whole creative team is really proud of. My partner Geo and I had been doing its ad campaigns for several years now, and this latest pictorial is a testament of our strong bond and loyal relationship with SHAPES, no matter what the challenges are. We are grateful to its staff and owners (whom we have become very good friends with), not just for another oppotunity, but also for allowing us to choose the team we desire to work with. The end result is pretty amazing, the models look like gorgeous hacienderas - very GL ang peg (GL = ganda lang)!

SHAPING UP. The whole creative team with Jo Ann Bitagcol, George Palmiano, Bobby Carlos, Louis Claparols, Jaime Sy, Pauline Prieto, Catriona Gray, Jessica Yang, Amphie Henson, , Sheila & Alang Danipog.

OK, the scoop: I am sure that many of you would ask what happened to sisters Toni & Alex Gonzaga, the original brand endorsers. Their contract with SHAPES expired when the year started, period. The brand needs to move on, if you know what I mean.

Please check out SHAPES outlets nationwide and visit www.shapes.com.ph for updates.


____________________________________________________________
Photography: Jo Ann Bitagcol
Art Direction: Mike de Guzman (MGP)
Styling: George Palmiano (MGP)
Assisted by: Sheila Marie & Alang Danipog
Makeup: Bobby Carlos (Max Factor)
Hair: Jaime Sy
Models: Catriona Gray (IM Models), Pauline Prieto & Jessica Yang (Mercator)