The Falls

Last May, I was back in Phnom Kulen, for my church's summer.

The Kulen waterfalls was just lovely. I actually just sat on top of a huge rock facing the waterfalls and got lost inside my head. The sound of crashing water and the squeal of children swimming in the shallow pool sums up what summer is for me. I may be so far away from the beach I'm so used to, but this place more than makes up for it. It's one of Cambodia's must-see places.

Fashion Diary:

top - Muji

bottom - EDITED

shoes - Timberland

bag - Issey Miyake

Vintage Issey Miyake

I really appreciate the kind of designs done by iconic designers in their early years. You can't discuss Japanese fashion design without mentioning Issey Miyake and his revolutionary approach to dressing. The pleated fabric, APOC, organic sensibility and experimental, artisanal fabrication has been the signature of Issey Miyake, who has been dubbed as an 'architect of fashion'. In a fortunate thrifting expedition some time ago, I was able to score a leather backpack. The leather was so soft and the shape looked like a teardrop. It's really an unusual piece.

Fashion Diary:

top - Ksubi

bottom - DP

shoes - DM's

bag - Issey Miyake backpack

PRESENTATION

WE WILL BE PRESENTING OUR FALL/WINTER COLLECTION ON JUNE 24 AT THE FLY LOUNGE. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Breaking Of Bread

I really enjoy hosting dinner and cooking for my friends. It's truly meaningful to share food and drinks while you have meaningful conversations. I used to like hanging out in clubs and noisy places but things have changed and I enjoy more such simple moments.

I invited my friends Blady, Cielo and Ard to my house one evening and I cooked spaghettini with a sauce that's made of labahita con oliva that my friend Miguel cooked. It paired well with the garlic bread I got from Ti Amo. I also made mango and tomato salsa to pair with tortillas. Ard brought some wine and it was perfection. Nothing fancy but something hearty.

Unlayered

If I look at the series of clothing and look I wear these past couple of years, I rarely come out with just the basic of a classic button down + straightforward pants. There's always that itch of coming up with a layered look for me. It seems like I don't feel dressed-up when there isn't a third element in my look. Or if it's pared down like a tee then I have to pair it with something skewed like a dropcrotch pants or some element that would render it a little above basic. It's funny because back in college at the height of my minimalist phase, anything that was vestigial in my eyes would be edited out or i will not wear at all. Style do change with time and even with my designs I favor a more layered look. Paring down into an ultra minimalist look is a good exercise to cleanse your palate so you have breathing space to reconsider and somehow analyze the style you really want for yourself. In an age where individuality is celebrated and valued, it's how we look everyday that first defines what we want to project.

Fashion Diary:

top - Stage of Playlord

bottom - H&M jeans

shoes - Jil Sander x Puma sneakers

bag - Y'saacs

accessories - assorted bracelets

They Come And They Go And They Come Back

Karen, who left after living in Cambodia, came back again for the second time.

Henny, who lived here in Cambodia but is now leaving. She came for a visit with her friend Mayat.

We had lunch at AHA. I'm glad they have new dishes that we tried.

As an added treat, Henny brought some Krispy Kreme from Manila. Calorific!

Hoodie

There's something dramatic about hoodies. In my collections I always put a version of a hoodie because I consider it as one of my signatures.

Fashion Diary:

top - gray hoodie

bottom - Hill House

shoes - Diet Butcher Slim Skin

bag - Hermes

LOOP73 FEATURE

DUBAI-BASED, FILIPINO GRAPHIC DESIGNER, ROSARIO SOLIS, INTERVIEWS DON PROTASIO ABOUT HIS PERSONAL STYLE, DESIGN PROCESS, AND FUTURE PLANS FOR HIS LABEL.

READ THE INTERVIEW HERE

I Require Comfort And Ease

There are days when I can't defy the weather especially when it's super duper hot. The only sensible thing to do is dress in something comfortable that will allow you to do your work with ease.

Fashion Diary:

top - DP tank top with a little bit of balloon at the hem. Probably one of my most comfy design. If I can live wearing only that top.

bottom - Bo Parcon pants with spray painted details from his spring/summer 2011 collection. It's like wearing sleeping pants but more fabulous, of course. I always get something from Bo's collection whenever I can.

necklace - 'Birdskull' necklace by OS, possibly one of my favest Filipino accessories label. I simply love the concept of OS. I'm so happy they agreed to collaborate with me for my fall/winter 2011 collection and it really solidified the concept I had in mind.

bag - Y'saccs

Every Day Is Everyday

Fashion Diary:

top - Cheap Monday tee + Journal Standard vest

bottom - DP pants

bag - Porter

shoes - DM's

HARPERS BAZAAR FEATURE

DESMOND LIM ZHENGS COVERS THE FIRST CAMBODIA FASHION WEEK FOR HARPER'S BAZAAR MALAYSIA AND DON PROTASIO COLLECTION, ALONG WITH OTHER NOTEWORTHY LABELS, GOT FEATURED IN HIS ARTICLE. THANK YOU!