It's a Trunk Show and I'll Buy All I Want to!

Filip+Inna, one of my favorite brands in the world, is having a rare trunk show here in Manila. I can go on and on about how much I adore this brand because of it's distinct Filipinoness but I won't because photos will do a much better job.

 

Len Cabili, the designer of Filip+Inna, believes so much in the power of Filipino creativity that she's tapped indigenous Filipino people to make her clothes. These are handmade by female weavers in Lake Sebu. The clothes are so beautiful up close because you can see and feel every meticulous stitch. I can't wait for this Saturday! I hope to see you all there ;) 

FILIP+INNA is coming home to Manila for an exclusive event with Maria.Maria!  Please join us for the FILIP+INNA Trunk Show and Private Sale on February 4, Saturday, from 1:00 - 6:00 pm at the poolside function room of the Ritz Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.  

Part of the sale proceeds will be donated to Maria.Maria's beneficiary, the Payatas San Isidro Feeding Center.  Join us on February 4 and help feed a hungry child!

RSVP by replying to this email, or by sending us a text message at 0906-6669590.

Filip+Inna in Lake Sebu

The last couple of weeks of 2011 zoomed right past me. Slowly, I will absorb the impact of all that has happened - a lot of which were very sad. My lola passed away. Typhoon Sendong ravaged CDO. My bag was stolen on Christmas day. All of those things didn't really leave much room for Christmas. But that wondrous feeling is inching its way back to me. Late night talks with my mom. Being with friends. A hug. A happy thought. Seeing ideas come to life. There is hope yet. And today, I stumbled upon this wonderful new video from one of the Filipino fashion brands I truly admire. Filip+Inna.

The effort they put into designing the clothes and having them made by the marginalized ethnic groups of Lake Sebu is admirable. But what I love more is that the clothes are amazing. This kind of passion lights me up. I'm happy that they finally have a site up too! So now, you can easily contact and order from them. Check out their website and their latest collection here: Filipinna.com

We aim to revive and preserve hand embroidery and beadwork as a means of income generation, preventing it from becoming another lost art. We work with an amazing group of talented artisans, mostly women who have had traditional weaving techniques passed down through their families for generations. 

From our hands to yours, may the beauty and depth of each garment bring a profound appreciation for what is distinctly Filipino.

HIDE it Under the Christmas Tree

I got my first big present this Christmas! 

Check out my snazzy new iPad case from HIDE Leatherworks!

 

Ok, it's not really a big present. I worked hard for this iPad leather case. It's part of my new advocacy where I help friendly startup businesses and social entrepreneurs with their advertising. I do copy consultancy and I also hook them up with willing ad collaborators. 

For HIDE, I came up with the brand name and also wrote their ideology. It came easy for me because I was there when it was conceptualized and I understood the aspirations of the makers. They wanted to bring modern leather bag design to Manila, while using Philippine leather and Filipino craftsmen. It's a very commendable idea and I'm hoping the brand flies. If so, I'll get to do more than smize (See photo above). I'll get to work on some direct marketing effort and videos. Exciting times! 

So do check out HIDE for sleek and classy, genuine leather sleeves/cases that are form fitting and specially tailor-made for your iPad, Macbook Pro 15" and 13", iPhone and Amazon Kindle 4.

Photographs by the multi-talented Marlo Ongpin

Soleil Ignacio Fashionista Portraits

I stumbled upon Soleil Ignacio's work on Mega. She's a Filipino illustrator with a penchant for drawing beautiful topless girls with big hair. Her words, not mine. Check out how she styled Pinoy celebrities in glamorous high fashion. It is pure eye candy- the perfect kick to get me out of my fashion rut. 

The Eugene Domingo in Alexander McQueen

Sweet Anne Curtis in Louis Vuitton 

Fab Jinky Pacquiao in Chanel (At first glance, I thought it was Agot Isidro though)

The young Imelda Marcos in Christian Dior. 

Judy Ann Santos in Lanvin (Also a dead ringer for KC Concepcion.)

A strikingly skinny Kris Aquino in Valentino 

Last but not least, Nora Aunor in Prada. Ate Guy never looked chicer.  

Check out Soleil Ignacio's portfolio on Behance!

Sartorial Independence: Blog Feature on Inquirer

This came out this weekend on the Inquirer. Ooohlahlah. 

The fruition of all my kikay moments: 

My Grand USA Picture Story

I’m back in Manila and after posting all my vacation pics, I remembered how many times a random American stopped me to ask where I got my duds. Of course, I make it a point to wear something Pinoy everyday so that got me beaming. I would tell them proudly but politely, “I got this in the Philippines!”. So in honor of all the stuff that got me great compliments, here’s a collage of all the things they loved. It just goes to show how Pinoy craft stands out everywhere in the world.

The pants below got a lot of attention too. In one day, I got stopped thrice by women of different ages who wanted to know where they could get it for themselves. I'll let you all in on the big secret- I got it at the Ramp for P300. That's just $7 dollars! 

 

The great thing about Pinoy crafts is that it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg. Most of the stuff here I got at Kultura with the price ranging from P200 - P1200. Except the cyan cuff (Php 550) and ring (Php 350) which I got from Maria Pilar Menendez, a designer at the Salcedo Market.

I shot it against the stuff against an American landscape just for fun and it turned out better than expected. While on the trip, I reconnected with an old friend,  Michael John Sison, a registered nurse by day and a budding photographer on his off days. He edited the pics and gave it a High Dynamic Range effect. I'm really tripping on HDR- it makes all the colors pop! Thanks again Michael! 

Rogue's Modern Barong

I bought Rogue's June issue which had a very extensive feature on our President Noynoy Aquino. I'm reading the article now but I found this informative as well- A page dedicated to the Modern Man's Barong. This is a good guide for anyone wanting to update their wardrobe with a new Barong Tagalog.

Independence Day Fashion: The Barong Pambabae

Over the weekend, I was collaborating with a fellow Inquirer contributor on an Independence Day article on fashion that's Filipino. Unfortunately, our article didn't make it in time for the weekend run. But I'm glad I got to clarify my thoughts on the importance of taking inspiration from your own backyard. The reason I started blogging is because I believe that we take our own culture for granted by following styles and trends from other countries. We have to love our own. We have to create a distinctive Filipino aesthetic.

With that, I present the Barong Pambabae.

This is the first time I've ever donned a Barong Tagalog. I must say, I felt empowered. And chic. Maybe, it's because I'm wearing something traditionally made for men. Maybe, it's because this slim-fit barong belongs to the fashion forward Sib Sibulo.

Barongs are made of lightweight, translucent material. It dates back to Spanish colonial times and was derided as Indiowear. Some historians believed that the Spanish stipulated the barong as the outfit for native Filipinos because you can see through the fabric. It made it easier to spot concealed weapons. (Now it's good for hiding jabar.)

 

I'm happy it became all the rage again in the late 1950s when President Ramon Magsaysay made it his daily uniform. I'm definitely going to have my own Barong made someday. I'll get the expensive one made from Pineapple fiber. I think this one is made of Banana or Abaca which is reasonably priced and less prone to tearing. I imagine wearing it to a wedding while everyone else is a long gown. Snazzy.

Outfit: Sib's groomsman Barong Tagalog; My grade school Doc Martens;  

Pocket watch, antique cane, and woven hat from Chris Yambing.

Photo credits: First one by the foxy Mr. Chris Yambing. 

The rest from the lovely Ms. Kaity Chua.

Styling credits: Deng Tee and Cay Kho

This is My Modern Baro't Saya

Taken by Cars is one of my favorite Filipino bands so when I heard they're releasing their sophomore album I was psyched. I haven't had time to go to one of their gigs or get their album so it was awesome stumbling upon their new video for their single, "This is Our City" directed by music video auteur  Quark Henares.

I love the idea of having Intramuros as a backdrop with the girls styled in modern baro't sayas. It reminded me of the shoot I had with Kaity Chua in Intramuros. I was experimenting with the idea of creating a fashion blog solely dedicated to modern Filipiniana fashions. But I realized how logistically difficult that would be. The main problem being I don't have enough Filipiniana clothes to modernize. While I'm slowly building up my wardrobe, my goal is just to wear something Filipino made or designed every single day. Just a little way for me to support our Filipino designers and retailers.

Here are the shots of that shoot. My interpretation of a modern baro't saya.

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These photos were taken on the sly because the Intramuros Administration doesn't allow photo shoots (fashion editorials or wedding photos) without a permit. But, but I'm just a blogger! I think it's silly because the more beautiful photos of Intramuros out there, the more people will be curious to see it. A lot of our countrymen are not even aware of our walled city. Start charging when the tourists are flocking in by the hundreds of thousands. For now, let us help you promote it.

Third Wave of Electromagnetic Tentacle Shirts

For friends who have been asking me how they can get their hands on tentacle wares, you can order through their blog: electromagnetictentacle.blogspot.com and their Facebook page. The shirts are also available at Sputnik Comics in Cubao X, and Dragon's Keep in Shoppesville Plus, Greenhills. You'll also be able to visit their booth at most of the toy and comic conventions. Here's a showcase of their latest mutations:

Ice, man

Pac Out

Rondalia Devil

Tahooooo!