THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES

Lifestyle columnist, art patron and accessory designer JUNJUN ABLAZA truly knows how to throw a party in blazing style. He celebrated his birthday last October 24 with a headlining social event-cum-exhibit at The Manila Polo Club attended by Manila's elite, fashion denizens and art lovers.

Junjun's red-themed birthday party was highlighted with a photo exbihit that showcased his creations with Japanese and tribal-inspired artwear & artcessories that ranged from kimonos, obi wraps, feather capes, fur shrugs, chunky necklaces, spectacular headdresses, and other fabulous excesses that make these pieces all together an art form.

"The Emperor's New Clothes" gathered a multitude of visionary photographers and stylists that collaborated in different teams to produce unparalled, almost bizaare images with Ablaza's pieces interpreted in conceptual Japanese style - that included Raizel Dy x Louie Parinas; Ryuji Shiomitsu x Rxandy Capinpin; Jhay Layson x Arvin Cruz; Roko Arceo x Filbert Kung; Mike de Guzman + George Palmiano x Bethoven Filomeno; Rolee Umali x Mark Jacob; Edrick Paz x Sylvester Sy; Louis Gonzalez + John Damagan x Mark Ryan Alvarez; Rob Lim x Ram Mendoza + Arojo Santos; L.A. Feriols x Wesley Villarica; Mica Santos x Alvin John Adriano; Angelo de Cartagena x Christine Day Lorico; Argie Salango x Glenn Peter Perez; Michael Russell Lo Reyes x Michael Franks; Gio Gahol x Jav Velasco.

Unfortunately, my partner Geo and I were not able to personally greet Junjun and attend the event (due to prior work commitments), and lament the fact that we weren't able to see (in flesh) the actual images we worked hard for in larger-than-life print. Good thing though, our photographer Bethoven was there, and hearing from him that there were people who liked our exhibit entries was truly heartwarming enough.

Now, let me share with you all the end products of our labor, and hope you guys like these. We are genuinely proud of these images that may seem a bit controversial - and controversial is quite good. Since our team has limited resources, and wanted to deviate from the pack & create a bit of shock factor, we transformed our game male models into transgendered Japanese dowagers & Mongolian divas. We are thankful to everybody in the team - definitely an awesome job for all!

SNOW MOUNTAIN QUEEN. Model Adriel as a mystical snow goddess. Doesn't he look like actess Daryl Hannah here?

THE ART OF SEDUCTION. Model Jayjay looking like a Yakuza mistress with her tattoed man.

BARBARELLAS. Models Adriel & Jayjay as Mongolian warrior queens.

GENGHIS DIVAS. Another option layout.

Photography: Bethoven Filomeno

Art Direction, Styling & Post-production: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)

Assisted by: Sheila Marie Danipog & Darrell Justin Bautista

Hair & Makeup: Paul Refol

Models: Adriel Berwaldt & Jay Jackson (Elite Manila)

 

On the other hand, here are some fascinating visuals from several other teams:

Some exhibit sidelights...

The entralling exbihit hall.

 Photographer Betong poses with pride alongside one of our works.

 The celebrant and man of the hour, Junjun Ablaza, with one of our entries.

Congrats Junjun Ablaza and thanks again for inviting us to collaborate for this out-of-the-ordinary project that envisions fashion and art on a daring, upbeat scale.

Check out Ablaza Artwear & Artcessories at Ablaze, G/L Market Market Mall.



 

SPIKED ORDEAL: Designers Face Off

Sorry, this is coming out of nowhere - I don't mean to wage a controversy between these two designers that I super love. But after reviewing multitudes of collections from the recently held Philippine Fashion Week, I noticed that the colorful spiked caps that Louis Claparols made for his collaboration with the Markus brand of SM Boys Teens Wear (during the SM Men's Fashion PFW show) resemble those of Jinggo Inoncillo's during his menswear PFW show, and vice versa. Is this an upcoming accessory trend that daring fashionable guys (or gays, perhaps) will soon be wearing?

On the left corner, Louis Calaparols. On the Right corner, Jinggo Inoncillo. Keep the fun, creative things coming though!

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

NOTE: Pictures from statusmagonline and from the website of Phil. Fashion Week

EXODUS

I am glad that finally, our designer-friend ESTIEN QUIJANO has something new to showcase his creative talent and love for fashion. A few years back, Estien rocked the style community with his avant garde take on garter materials that he used in producing groundbreaking killer dresses, maillots and separates.

This time around, Estien shifts his focus on making edgy but wearable accessories - still with his trademark use of garter and metal chains. This collection of handcrafted and statement pieces probably screams freedom from fashion stereotypes, and is called "EXODUS". 

Check out this dark and sensual lookbook that Estien himself also styled and art directed - with an obvious message that his accessories look good when worn without anything else. Dare to go bold?

"Ptolemy" - Statement Necklace

 

"Imhotep Ressurected" - Statement Necklace

"Anek-Su-Namon" - Garter & Chain Maillot

"Jewel Of the Nile" - Arm Cuffs Made of Tropicana Bottles, embelished with Antique Glass Crystals

"Slave I" - Garter & Chain Necklace

"Slave II" - Garter & Chain Necklace

"Slave III" - Garter & Chain Necklace

"Slave IV" - Garter & Chain Necklace

"Slave V" - Garter & Chain Necklace

"Slavery" - Garter & Chain Necklace

"Slavery II" - Garter & Chain Necklace

"Batsheba" - Garter & Chain Body Accesories

"Semiramis" - Garter & Chain Body Accesories

"Nefertiri" - Garter & Chain Maillot

The EXODUS accessories by ESTIEN QUIJANO is now available at the VATICAN FASHION MUSEUM, 4th Level Markati Palazzo, The Podium Mall.




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Photography: Mark Acuña
Concept, Styling & Art Direction: Estien Quijano
Lighting Design: Estien Quijano
Model: Inyakie Contreras 

FULL METAL GEAR

Wonder Woman, for sure, would have love these! But these fierce metal belts designed by JEFFREY ROGADOR are for every woman who dare to add extra panache when it comes to their getup - very wonderful!

It all started when couture designer MICHAEL CINCO commissioned Rogador to do his metallic accessories as seen in his much-talked about Philippine Fashion Week and Red Cross shows last season. After that, Rogador thought of developing those metal accessories after getting good feedbacks, and started with belts first. He made a few pieces and posted the photos on his Facebook account.

As soon as the night begins, these metal belts are the best flashy accessories that can add glamourous edge to any simple, or solid-colored wardrobe. These are already standout pieces, and you may no longer need to add other blingy stuff. Prepare to get envious eyes staring at you while in a party, as you're headed to become the star of the night with these tough-chic belts!

Watch out for Jpoi's other metal accessories already in the works. For orders or inquiries, contact JEFFREY ROGADOR at 09172080227. Or message him at Facebook/Jeffrey Rogador. Also check out his website www.jeffreyrogador.com which will be up very soon.


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Photography: Ahleks Fusilero
Styling: Jeffrey Rogador, Pauline Macapagal
Assisted by: Zaira Abella
Makeup: Chuchie Ledesma
Hair: Jeffrey Agustin and Halley Sia (of Creations by Lourd Ramos Salon)

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.