Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Krua Thai

One of my fave resto in Iloilo is Krua Thai. There's some restaurants you're just familiar with their food that you don't even have to look at their menu to order. Krua is one of those places.

It was Jor-el who really asked that we have dinner there because he was craving for Tom Yam, the spicy Thai soup. Funny, Khmer food closely resembles Thai cuisine but less spicy and much much milder in taste, so eating here is just like eating in Siem Reap.

The spicy crispy fish stir fry with herbs is something I haven't tasted in SR or Thailand, though. Instead, it might be an invention of the restaurant using Thai ingredients.

I love crispy calamari. It's like junkfood, no? Anyway, their version has garlic bits encrusted with the batter. So you get that nice garlic flavor with every bite. Simply divine! I shall ask our helper to do that with our crispy squid one time.

Crab meat fried rice compliments all the strong flavors. I was thinking of ordering bagoong rice but I thought with all the strong flavors and spices it would be too overwhelming to taste. The crab rice is much milder in flavor which did make a good canvas for the other dishes.

I look so tired. I think this was the day when I had a whole day of ukay and found like 4 pieces of Comme des Garcons.

I was with Mike and Jor-el. They were showing me their really cute watches. I ended up buying 15 pieces to sell in Poetry.

Apres, we chilled out and chatted some more at Nothing But Desserts. Not really wanting to add more calories, I just nursed a bottle of these iced tea, each worth P120. Ang mahal ha! I like the packaging so much, though.

Fashion Diary: Cebu 09

Top: white Eairth top with plusminusmultiplydivide cardigan

Pants: n.u.

Bag: American Apparel

Shoes: Giordano Concepts

Top: Eairth

Pants: n.u.

Bag: AA

Shoes: Giordano Concepts

Top: layered 5cm

Pants: Maison Martin Margiela

Top: DP tee f/w 09

Pants: Kenki

Bag: AA

Shoes: Giordano Concepts

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

POETRY BLOG

Our little shop of all things poetic (clothes, vintage, artworks, eco bags, postcards, accessories, etc), Poetry, just got its own blog to update all Poetry lovers.

Check out the latest stuff, here.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Bleach Catastrophe

One of the shops I've been meaning to check out in Manila is Bleach Catastrophe. I got wind of it from my source of all things hip and cool, Chuvaness, of course. Cecile told me something cool will come out from 'them' soon. I'm excited! ;)

While in Cebu, I was pleasantly surprised to find Bleach in Ayala Mall.

Bleach is a cool brand with a distinct point of view that's graphic in a sort of asylum, eccentric kind of way. I hope Iloilo will have Bleach coz I think Ilonggos will love and understand its aesthetics. Love their store and the whole unfinished, found object style. The owners of Bleach own Artwork, also.

I wanted to buy a bag there but my groaning suitcase stopped me. Instead I got 2 leather bracelets. Can't wait to check out their Manila store on my next vacation.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

CEBU

Took an overnight boat from Iloilo to Cebu. Had a pleasant sleep.

Had breakfast at Red Ribbon. Their Daing na Bangus is super yummy!

And I just got to have Ube Roll, no? Wala nyan sa Siem Reap, eh. The food I miss!

Went to the malls and did ukay hunting. Random pictures galore. I like the texture of a red Philip Rodriguez dress.

Kakanins! I miss cuchinta with fresh coconut shavings.

The new wing of Ayala mall. Love the whole set-up.

My friends wanted to eat at Casa Verde. They were craving for Bryan's Ribs which is this huge slab of dead meat, este, pork spareribs slathered in tamarind sauce and grilled.

I ordered breaded shrimp, of course.

The next day, we had to try the original Casa Verde.

Reminds me so much of Afrique's, this Italian resto in Iloilo owned by my friend Miguel Cordova.

They again ordered Bryan's Ribs, of course, while I tried this Fish Fillet in White Sauce. Yum!

Had a tour of Cebu. Went to all the malls. I even visited a factory selling buttons for Japan. Of course, I had to buy. A lot! It's hard to find nice buttons in Cambodia. Or maybe, I just don't know where to look. Tita Ivy recommended the button factory to us and she's also the one who brought us to this new mall in Cebu called Parkmall.

One of the cafe's there is called HeBrews. Funny!

Biblical, much?

They've got this wonderful pond with artificial trees. I lyk it very much.

I saw this floor lamp there and I'm so happy it's available here in Siem Reap. Good thing I didn't buy there. I'l be needing that for my displays and set-ups.

We ate here. I forgot the name. It's a very popular place in Manila for drinking.

Me, very hungry already.

That's Tita Jaki, Tita Ivy and Aisha.

I want to go back to Cebu this coming October. :)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Fashion Diary: The Great Asian Pose

Haaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy...the things I do for friendship. Anyway, my friends Lyka and Kawadjan got influenced by this craze happening in the net called Asian Poses. The trying hard copycats that they are, made their own versions here and here. Gawa din daw ako.

Have you checked their versions? Well, either it comes off as some Khao San shebang gone bad or a porn-ish rendition of the Men in Black. What to do aber? I love my friends but sometimes I don't know why we're even friends in the first place if they can't even do a decent Great Asian Pose! And they call themselves ASIANS! Bah!

So dear friends, loyal readers, detractors, Kawadjan and Lyka, I give you my fashyon version of the GAP:

One for Ann Demeulemeester.

Two for Issey Miyake.

Three for Comme des Garcons.

Four for Maison Martin Margiela.

That's how to do it, tse! ;)

Monday, July 20, 2009

YDI at FLOW

The Young Designers of Iloilo had a fashion show at Flow and I was lucky to attend it when I was there. I'm quite pleased of how things are going and I really felt proud because I mentored some of them. Here's some of the pieces they showed and my thoughts on their collection which I hope they would take constructively:

ANGELICA TAN

She was into dots, bows and layering of raw fabrics. Still very much Angelica when it comes to color and fabrication. She was successful in giving a vibe of this certain girl who's quite girly but a rebel. I wish for her to refine this look and really evolve the whole concept because I think it's wonderful. The quality of construction is very important and not just the whole aesthetic of the look and I felt that she should also focus more on that because she's one of the few young designers I know who can really sew.

Chic, no?

The chartreuse top sure pops out and mixed with blue is simply perfect.

Another fave of mine from her.

PEER LYNELLE BANAS

Androgynous, rock and monochrome are the preferred catchphrases usually described for Peer's signature looks. His consistency to explore this aesthetic and to be able to churn out successful looks that are wearable but at the same time edgy is something people really have noticed from him.

This sort of minimalist look is quite tricky to pull off and I suggest to Peer that he should be mindful of using better fabrication in some of his pieces to give it more luxe. I felt that some pieces, although quite amazing in pattern, lacked that certain richness and sensuality of feel. Also, one bane for minimalist designers is that a small mistake is quite glaring in a stark design. So keeping the construction clean, clean, clean is the way to go.

His style is something I can relate to since it's quite similar to what I do.

The combo of strict button down shirt with garter jeans pushes this look far from boring.

You can never go wrong with an all-black ensembles which you can separate and mix with other pieces in your wardrobe.

DODIE VRIL TAN

Dodie told me he was inspired by lingerie and ruffles and that's exactly what he did. His collection was most fun because it wasn't overthought.

I can't stress how important it is to look at your collection with an editor's eye and you really have to force yourself to say no when everything is overwrought with elements that simply clutter your whole vision. It's also wise to re-invent elements that you are comfortable using. Like think of other ways on how to use ruffles. This purple dress with the belt is one of my fave simply because it's commercial, wearable but at the same time chic and styled right.

MARVIN BANAAG

Among the set who showed that night it was Marvin who had a gamut of styles and looks. I think he was successful in showing a lot of ideas and really pushed what can be done: tailoring a soft fabric, draping, accessories, sheer, floral, etc. It reminded me so much of some London designers from the 90's. My only concern is that each ideas of his were never fleshed out to come up with a strong statement that would resonate to be memorable. It's important that a designer's collection should appear as cohesive as possible to make an impact. I suggest he works on one concept to really mine and explore. That way he can slowly develop his signature look and build more strong pieces.

One of my fave from Marvin.

Another one of his interesting looks.

JOR-EL ESPINA

Glam is the alley of Jor-el and he delivered that night. His collection was sensual, sexy and energetic. His mix of jersey in electric blue and ribbed gray exudes the style of Halston during the disco era. His pieces also have lace inserts that amps up the textural factor. I like how some pieces have safety pin beadings. There were feather accessories, and other twined add ons which in my opinion have been signatures of other designers.

There's always that danger of using elements that may deduce people that you've copied from other designers that's why it's important for one to be very conscious of how each outfit is styled. If you've seen it somewhere then I guess it's much better not to use it at all. Of course, nobody can claim originality nowadays but there's a thin line of being inspired and being a Xerox copy of something.

Jor-el's pants is currently the en vogue cut. The ribbed lines gives it a very textural and graphic feel to it.

One piece which mixes lace and draping in electric blue jersey.

All in all, the fashion show and the clothes of the members of Young Designers of Iloilo is more than promising. It's one of their best, so far! It simply shows talent abounds in Iloilo and I simply can't wait to see what they will offer next.