CHAIN REACTION

Hey bitches, don't hold back: today's cutting-edge cool is defined by accessories that transform into scene-stealers! Accentuate the positive and work your wares with plenty of attitude.

Upon our recent trek to the mall, my co-stylist George and I stumbled upon this statement piece - a metallic multi-strand chain necklace from The Ramp, Crossings that we couldn't resist:

Multi-strand chain necklace from The Ramp, Crossings (P850)

Now, there's never been a better time to open your wallet and spend in style. Spark up your basic getup with this chain necklace that instantly gives hard-edged chic. Check out this style photo from the recent lookbook of Helmut Lang:

(Photo from Style.com)

Steal this look by donning these similar finds, and walk the streets heads up and seeming effortlessly cool:

Multi-strand chain necklace from The Ramp, Crossings (P850); Black tank top by Freeway (P350); Blue cropped pants by Calliope (P1890); Black clutch with chain handle by Schu (P2499); Black peeptoe heels by Staccato at CMG (P3499).

PFW 2010: A BLACKBUSTER WEEK

OK the moment has gone away, but the memories of the recent Philippine Fashion Week are still fresh in my memory. I can still recall how die-hard style bitches fashioned their way to attend the series of events – mostly perky gays and some bisexuals kuno, young and old, wearing statements of their own.

Imagine if terrorists attacked and bombed the whole SMX Convention Center, half of the entire homosexual population in Metro Manila would certainly die. And all that would be left will be the parlor gays to dominate this industry... It’s gonna be like the scary end of glamour, the Armageddon of local fashion!

It also seemed that this year’s Fashion Week had been cut short of a day (6 days instead of 7). Lack of participants? Lack of government support? Lack of sponsors? Lack of funds? Dirty politics? Designers opting to do other big shows instead? No Project Runway Philippines? Hmmmm… intriguing!

Nevertheless, the recent Fashion Week did not fall short of showcasing good designs (despite of gradually losing its holistic appeal). I feel bad though, PFW failed (at a certain point) to attract a number of significant supporters for most of its shows had empty chairs, especially for those designers scheduled in the afternoon (who, in their right minds, would attend a fashion show during the time that the sun is at its hottest while stylishly clad in a cheeky getup?). Save for the likes of Michael Cinco, Tina Daniac and Bang Pineda, these big shows (with nice concepts and stage gimmickries) drew a humungous crowd of eager badings and other fanatics.

Seeing through the collections of different designers, BLACK is the obvious choice of color for fall/holiday of 2010. There are other palettes and trends present, but I will only dwell on the tried and tested magic of black. Take a peek on how the designers used the color as a major fashion backbone for the upcoming season:

1) Short and Sexy (The new LBDs)
 

        Raoul Ramirez                      Roland Lirio                       Tina Daniac                        Lyle Ibanez                     Ronaldo Arnaldo
 
 
2) Drama in Lace
 

           Jaz Cerezo                  Anna Leah Salvador          Jerome Salaya Ang               Patrick Galang                       Chris Diaz
 
 
3) Black and White Affair
 

         Junjun Cambe                Norman Noriega                      Chris Diaz                      Ronaldo Arnaldo                    Dimple Lim
 
 
4) One-Shoulder Delight
 

          Aztec Barba                   Catherine Cavilte               Boying Eustaquio                    Kat Corpuz                          Roel Rosal
 
 
5) Sheer Appeal
 

          Julius Tarog                      John Paras                     Junjun Cambe                       Chris Diaz                    Anna Leah Salvador
 
 
6) Draped Indulgence
 

      Norman Noriega                     Kat Corpuz                         Lyle Ibanez                       Santi Obcena                       John Paras
 
 
7) Lingerie Sophistication
 

    Anna Leah Salvador                 Jaz Cerezo                      Angelo Estera                    Patrick Galang                   Tina Daniac
 
 
8) Minimalism
 

       Martin Bautista                Ronaldo Arnaldo                 Veejay Floresca                       Roel Rosal                  Norman Noriega
 
 
9) Body Conscious
 

      Odelon Simpao                    Julius Tarog                        Tina Daniac                         Jaz Cerezo                   Shannon Pamaong
 
 
10) Power Sleeves
 

          Roland Lirio                     Patrick Galang                Catherine Cavilte             Frederick Policarpio            Junjun Cambe
 
 
I also have personal favorites and some things to give recognition. If I may, the awards go to the following:
 
a. Top 5 Outstanding Pieces
 

       1) Kermit Tesoro              2) Michael Cinco                     3) Jan Garcia                   4) John Herrera                 5) Enrico Carado
 
 
b. Runway Queens
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





              Ria Bolivar               Jasmine Maierhoffer
 
 
c. Comeback Queen
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


                    Marina Benipayo
 
 
d. Miss Photogenic
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

                            



                                             Michelle Panemanglor
 
e) Fierce Award
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                  (Too bad, I don't know her name)
 
  f. OK Ka Lang Ba Teh? Award
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                                             (Anuvah?!!! Peace mga sisters!)
 

 
 
(CREDITS: All pictures from Stylebible.ph)
 
 
 
 

METROWEAR 15

This is only the second time in a row that I attended SAMSUNG METROWEAR, and I felt it’s going to be this fashion addict’s habit from now on! The buzzworthy annual event held recently at the NBC Tent celebrated its fabulous 15th year, with joint efforts by designers from YDG and FDCP.

Going better and stronger at 15!

Mela de Luna, METRO Magazine’s Fashion Editor, told us that this year’s show would be spectacular (as usual). Geo and I found it more stellar – we were both awe-struck with the whole production value the creative team poured onto the event, just as how we adored Mela’s fully beaded killer dress by current fashion darling Michael Cinco.

Mela dazzled in a Michael Cinco frock while Mayone B. strutted in a Topshop ensemble

Speaking of stellar, the stage design looked like a million bucks as the audience were treated to a state-of-the-art stage-cum-ramp that felt like going thru an intergalactic, outer space sort of dimension. There were twinkling stars on the background, as well as a big wallscreen that changes background graphics, and the much talked about dome-like figure at the center of the stage. Add to that the edgy, wonderful music they played and brilliant choreography only from Direk Robby Carmona.

Intergalactic drama with direction by Robby Carmona

  

Introduction number with futuristic-clad dancers donning Samsung mobile phones.

Jet Pangan rocked on stage.

The jam-packed event looked even more marvelous with left-and-right fashionistas, celebrities, stylists, designers, models, icons, wannabees and other people who dressed to the nines.

Of course, the show’s highlight was the collections made by the designers. What’s good about METROWEAR is that instead of competing with and upstaging each other, the designers seemed like one big happy family all out to promote local fashion and creativity. I also love the MTV that played before showcasing each segments by YDG and FDCP – the designers were dancing around, looking very candid and very human.

Designers Regine Dulay, Reian Mata and Louis Claparols showed that YDG can dance (in their MTV).

Designers took a bow during the finale.

The vanguards of Philippine fashion in one momentous event.

Since it’s METROWEAR at 15, I listed below the Top 15 designer pieces/looks that I personally like. Kudos to METRO, the designers and the whole production team! We also thank Mayone Bakunawa and Francis Balbarin for sticking with us after the show (von voyage Francis!).

1) OJ Hoffer

Fierce long gown in snow leopard spots with cutouts and power shoulders! Grrrowl!

2) Ferdie Abuel

Ferdie's super back with this ethereal, drapey modern-day Roman warrior princess.

3) Ivarluski Aseron

Love this chic and elegant  Audrey Hepburn-ish LBD with shredded fabrics.

4) Mitzi Quilendrino-Bustos

Mystery and drama heightened in this high funnel-necked long dress.

5) Avel Bacudio

The new Metro man in a relaxed short suit.

6) Regine Dulay

Ethnic-inspired beadwork and knots on this dress have never looked this sexy!

7) Bryan Leyva

This lone, shiny entry (made of coins) from Bryan is worthy of an applause.

8) Vic Barba

Gilded cocktail + street style = new city glam

9) Dong Umaga-Diaz

Gray matters in this structural long dress.

10) JC Buendia

Simple yet sleek - my kind of man!

11) Randy Ortiz

This evening stunner is definitely for the tall and sexy.

12) Louis Claparols

Create impact in this super heroine body suit with colorful geometric patterns.

13) Eric delos Santos

Whimsical piece with touches of blue.

14) Gerry Katigbak

Dark Age gothic beauty with vampish appeal

15) Jerome Ang

I really love the shoes!

WHEN FASHION HAS A HEART

Part of what’s good about being Pinoy is helping others for a good cause.

Throughout history, Filipinos have learned to struggle and survive during hard times and calamities, and reach out to those who are in need.

Even local fashion, surprisingly, has found its way to bring good deeds. We’ve always known this industry as cold, numb, irreverent – a dog-eat-dog world of full of cunning bitches. Good thing fashion still has a heart in designers like Rajo Laurel (who engaged the women of Payatas to produce environment-friendly and fashionable products by weaving bags from scrap cloth) and Puey Quinones (taught prison in-mates how to earn extra thru dressmaking, hand painting and some beadwork).

Last May 20, KULTURA FILIPINO of SM found its niche in giving light to the poor when it launched Crafts for a Cause, a program that puts the heart into retailing with products from livelihood programs from non-profit organizations. These products are made by underprivileged members of society trained by various foundations through livelihood programs aimed at enriching their lives and making them self-sufficient.

When you shop at Crafts for a Cause at the Kultura Filipino store at SM Makati, you will not only support these livelihood programs, but also discover wonderful items from all over the Philippines.


Channel your inner Filipino vibe and be amazed with ethnic-inspired crafts from cultural minorities: woven mats, colorful fans, and accessories by the sea-dwelling Samal Bajau tribe of Basilan through the Claret Samal Foundation; Ifugao inspired accessories and trinkets made by livelihood programs by Cordnet in the Cordillera region; and carved wooden items from the Palawan NGO Network, Inc.

When it comes to innovative but eco-friendly ideas, there are wristlets and coin purses made from tetra packs as well as candles and rosaries made from recycled magazines from Gawad Kalinga; and stylish bags also made from tetra packs by families of Baseco, Tondo through Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran.

Endless creative possibilities are also derived from old telephone directories and newspapers fashioned into bags by the street children and women assisted by the Gifts and Graces Trade Fair Foundation and the Kabisig ng Kalahi Foundation.

With the help of the Isla Para sa Kaunlaran Foundation, tin cans are transformed into novelty items by the marginalized community of Maribacan, Pasay. Tab rings from soda cans, on the other hand, make wonderful bags by poor families from Smokey Mountain, Tondo with the livelihood programs of the Philippine Christian Foundation.

Bags and home items made from recycled materials, as well as wax products made by newly released prisoners and inmates of Philippine jails and prisons were also highlighted during the event.

Crafts for a Cause brings together products from livelihood programs all over the Philippines: driftwood sculptures by the flood and typhoon stricken farmers and fisher folks of Banglos, Quezon; carved candles made by women involved in the livelihood programs of the E. Zobel Foundation; resin jewelry with butterfly accents by the butterfly farmers of Boac, Marinduque through Isla de Bila Bila; and macrame bags by the women of San Andres, Bukid, Manila through the Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation.

There are also antique finish religious icons from the Ginto Foundation and wooden bead jewelry from the Holy Family Home Foundation’s livelihood programs.

So fellow fashionmongers, help uplift lives by supporting Filipino products. Shop with a heart in KULTURA FILIPINO’s Crafts for a Cause beginning May 20 at Kultura Filipino’s store in SM Makati. Other Kultura Filipino stores are located at SM Megamall, the Block at SM City North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia and SM City Cebu, as well as selected SM Department Stores nationwide.