Fashion Diary & Interview for TNT

Fashion Diary

Opening of Angkor Children Hospital's visitor center

Shirt: Wangwonu
Shorts: thrift shop find, no brand
Belt: Giordano Concepts
Shoes: leather gladiator by Don Protasio Spring/Summer 2008

Opening of Lucky Seven fastfood (the Jollibee of Cambodia)

Shirt: Y's Yohji Yamamoto (top), Giordano (under)
Belt: f&h
Pants: Balenciaga
Shoes: Converse
Eyewear: Spy red Wayfarer
Bag: Prada nylon back pack

Day-off look

Shirt: Jil Sander button down
Pants: True Religion
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Shoes: Muji sneakers

At the office

Shirt: Claiborne
Pants: Givenchy Homme
Shoes: Litmus

Night-out, casual look

Shirt: DKNY tee
Scarf: from Backstage
Pants: ONLY jeans

Watching a magic show

Shirt: Hermes
Jacket: Muji
Pants: bespoke pants
Shoes: K-Bond

Answers to Questions:

Most Admired Designer: A lot! But I'm still constantly obsessing over Helmut Lang - his past works, his philosophy, his move into the art world, everything about him. If he releases a book I'd be the first one to buy but I think it's unlikely because he is too cool for that, but who knows.

Whose closet you'd like to raid: Nobody comes to mind...maybe Johnny Depp's closet. Or the closets of Hedi Slimane or Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga.

Scent of the Moment: Higher Dior by Dior Homme, my scent for years now.

Design Philosophy: Quality over quantity

Fashion extravagance: Fashion to me is never extravagant. I buy only what I like to wear and I keep it for a very long time.

Fashion Icon: 'Elegance is refusal' - Coco Chanel

Fashion Must have: A good bar of soap. Even though how fab you dress if you don't smell nice I don't think you will ever be fashionable.

Best Dressed: Locally, I think Joan Bitagcol (model, photographer) and Cecile Zamora van Straten (writer, fashion designer) are best dressed. They both have that certain quirkiness I find intriguing.

Best Dressed: Internationally, I think Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester is very well dressed. I can imagine myself wearing what she's wearing. Fashion writer Martin Webb looks very dapper to me.

Fashion No-no: I really don't like rules especially in fashion. I don't want to limit myself to what I can wear.

Fashion Cheap thrills: Thrift shopping is my kind of thrill. I once found a Comme des Garçons tee for less than a dollar. I was ecstatic. Everytime I find something I like I get a natural high.

Favorite Destinations: Thrift shops in Phnom Penh, ukay-ukay in Iloilo, bookstores in Singapore, shopping in Hong Kong, getting lost in Bangkok, etc.

Current Occupation: art gallery director by day, clothes designer by night and freeloader during days off

Fashion Advice: I don't like dispensing fashion advice. I like the diversity of style that people come up with. I guess, being true to yourself is some sort of advice, I don't know.

Street Patrol for TNT

STREET PATROL comments for The News Today

Get a good haircut, a good sandals, a good bag (so juvenile) and the red top with denim mini could be hot. Pinays love the long hair but in this case it really doesn't work for her. It reminds me of 'santos' hair, the ones you see in old churches. The wide belt also emphasizes her mid-section which is not her best quality. A big mirror is advised.


Generally Pinays have a casual chic sensibility when it comes to dressing. Cecile Zamora van Straten call it 'T-shirt Weather'look. I can live with her graphic tee and skinny jeans but I really advise that she throw away her sandals and opt for a better pointed shoes that will elongate her and make her look taller. And chicer, too


I don't really mind her look. But I wouldn't put her in the Best Dressed List either. Maybe her hair is kinda flat for her face (Asians tend to have very flat hair at the top) but then again it could be a statement. I like her shoes, casual yet elegant. She can use that for evenings also. Cropped skinny shorts tend to be shortening but she carried it well by pairing it with a tailored top. Casual and easy look for doing errands.