Antonio's

i love Antonio's.

The Boutique

I love this place.

I could read my book in that chair with the sun streaming in.

Don't you just love the purity of white?

I would put chandeliers in every nook. Plastic lamps in clear plastic is so chic.

The symmetry of nuetral colors.

There's a star in the table.

Another chandelier.

Mirrors are sexy.

The view is breathtaking!

I love The Boutique in Tagaytay.

Going to Tagaytay

We had lunch at Pancake House en route to Tagaytay. We are going to Antonio's and the Boutique.

Daing na Bangus for me

Marbi and Jet Hiz

Inis!!!!

I had to take a jeep going to Greenbelt because there was no f*cking taxi and there was a hellish f*cking traffic because the politicians decided to have their f*cking caravans!!!

It took me f*cking 2 hours to get there. On normal days it's only 20 minutes.

We deserve the f*cking politicians we have!

Sino yung sa likod?

Ria Bolivar in LZ Punzalan's Citem pieces

Ria Bolivar wearing LZ Punzalan's Citem exhibit pieces.

Hair and Makeup: BOBBY CARLOS
Photo: Sara Black
Styling and clothes: LZ Punzalan
model: Ria Bolivar

http://bobbycarlos.multiply.com/photos/album/76

The Daily Tribune Review of Philippine Fashion Week 07

NOT QUITE FINALE
By Carlomar Arcangel Daoana, Staff Writer

04/11/2007

Something curious happened to me: I sailed to the first row of Philippine Fashion Week’s finale at Glorietta effortlessly. If you don’t know it yet, the first row is the “place to be seen,” the gold standard in any fashion show’s seating arrangement. Slumping beside fashion designer Frederick Peralta, I was confronted by the long runway not unlike the one used by actual planes to take off. The Glorietta crowd on the second floor encircling the stage looked like expectant relatives of homecoming folks, ready to spring for an embrace and shed a tear or two.

I don’t know if I should consider it luck sitting at the privileged spot, biding my time. First, I’d be privy to the chismis, not of my seatmates, but of the clothes—loose thread, fraying edges, sloppy constructions. Second, if a model would inevitably trip, I’d be at the receiving end of her crashing body, though I may still escape unscathed, considering how bone-light models’ bodies are. And third, I’d be the unwitting witness to an untalented designer’s failure to launch, his career beginning and ending at the runway.

Nervously, I shifted my weight from one side of my body to the other. I began wishing that I had shared the viewing deck with the mall rats instead. Clothes, washed out and made to look serious and fail-proof by the light, would appear heavenly and desirable from that distance. Relieved by the tremendous weight to make a judgment, I’d be just high-fiving whoever was standing beside me, guilt-free.

There seemed no escaping fate, however. It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it. I could just wipe the blood off my hands on my made-to-measure pants so I won’t taint the pages of The Devil Wears Prada, which I have read a dozen times to remind myself that people like Anna Wintour exist.

And then, slowly, the clothes began to trickle, like goo. The show hasn’t felt like a finale yet, which is almost always visually stunning, knocking the breath out of your lungs, like fireworks. The clothes felt they belonged to the walk-in closet of a socialite, who happens to be a serial killer by day. Weird-looking all right, but no depth. Was Coco Chanel right after all, that fashion doesn’t share the same skin as art?

But brilliance sputtered here and there, chiefly in the collection of Don Protasio, who referenced religious wear and updated it via metallic fabric. Imagine jusi and vintage barong delightfully conflicting with touches of silver, evoking worship and whimsicality. Coming in a close second was Jerome Lorico with his stitch-and-wear look using a gamut of materials: rubber, leather, metal, plastic, silicone. His ensemble was sadomasochism with a flair and looked every bit ready to rumble.

But one need not be experimental to appear current, relevant. I admired every bit of Harley Ruedas’s ouevre—simple, structured pieces of pants and shirts in neutral hues jazzed up with appliques of painted, sinuous figures. Being a model gave Carol Garcia an edge: her dresses, in breezy floral fabrics, evoked the easy-going, light-heartedness of summer. I am, however, ambivalent towards the works of Ivan dela Cruz. His play of fabrics with polar opposite textures (the roughness of cotton-knitted yarn and the fluency of satin) was ingenious, but the construction slacked in some places.

Haute couture was delivered in strong doses by Gener Gozum, who offered a velvety and rich collection of ball dresses in taffeta, underscored by paisley designs and metallic tulle lace, foaming to the brim with ribbons and lace. Philip Torres, meanwhile, offered a two-pronged collection: flowing, immaculate dresses in the lightest of fabrics on one hand and upbeat, delicious gowns in the richest shantung silk on the other. The designer is a master at fabrication, articulating nuances of luxury and opulence.

The big-name designers did not make an appearance, or perhaps they were not made to appear. The show threatened an ending on a flat note. The models sashayed in a single file, signifying that the show would be over. But wait! Fashion Week’s main forces, brothers Audie and Joey Cordero, were called on the stage. The models, the most expressionless lot, broke into tears. The whole Glorietta was droning with applause, like baby firecrackers simultaneously being lit. The atmosphere was heavy with achievement.

Philippine Fashion Week, on its 10th year, had arrived.

My house

I wish! hehehe It's the all-glass house at Rockwell. I passed by it and I couldn't resist taking a picture of it. Super nice! Super beeeuuuatifuuullll!!!!!

I fancy all the furnishings. How much should I withdraw from the bank to have it?

Coffee with Narnia & Shahani

While checking out the stuff at Marni's Room in Rockwell, moi and Narnia bumped into stylist par excellance Shahani Gania. Shahani has been responsible for some thought provoking images we have recently seen in the pages of Mega Magazine and other publications. His most recent editorial for Preview was sublime. He is now connected with Lifestyle Asia. We talked about fashion and all. He invited us for some refreshments at Starbucks and he ended up treating us. Nice guy. Norman Noriega is a fashion designer whom I've admired long before I really got serious with fashion. He was a finalist of the Mega Young Designers Competition. I remember distinctly his orange collection of re-imagined and re-invented common house dress ( duster dress). It was my fave. I think he represented the Philippines in a fashion competition in Japan. Mukahari yata. Recently he made fashion news by being declared in Paris by Concours Internationale des Jeune Creatur du Mode as Best Entry from the Philippines. Maldita ang lola! Taray! Norman is dear to my heart because we exchanged bags before. Mine was a non-label bag. He exchanged it with his Vivienne Westwood bag. Di lang talented, galante pa!hehehe

Shahani Gania

Norman 'Narnia' Noriega (ibigay mo na sa akin ang Helmut Lang na bag!)

moi

Spa Bridal Shower at Spa Riviera

Babes Rivera of Spa Riviera recently invited friends for a Spa Bridal Shower at Spa Riviera. Being the spa junky that I am, I could not refuse Babe's invitation. The food was catered by Afrique's and Pancake House. There were several pastas, meats, and other delicious dishes. We had games like we have to guess what things are inside the basket, not looking into it but just touching the stuff inside. We also designed tissue dresses for some guests. I did Kathy's gown and we won Best Design. They gave us free spa certificates (yipey!). Apres, I just had to have some body massage. I also had some foot massage. Thanks Spa Riviera!

Babes Riviera and daughter



Marichel, Joanne Combong and Kathy Villalon

Kathy Villalon in the tissue gown I designed

Marichel in the tissue gown Jaki Penalosa designed

cupcakes with alex, babe's dog

foot spa!

jaki penalosa

moi

Tsika at Bourbon St.

It's seldom Crofter, Nene and moi meet up and go for some tsika. We met at at Bourbon to discuss some important matters regarding Joan and Fred's coming wedding. It was fun. We three worked together before.

Nengneng and Nene

Fred and Joan

Crofter

Nene and moi

Ardee and moi at KFC

My college buddy Ard and moi went to KFC to have some snacks. It's been a long time since we've seen and talked to each other. Miss him so much. May pagkalokaloka din kasi eto. You wouldn't I understand if I tell you. Basta...

Coffeebreak, yet again

Cofi lang ng cofi if there is nothing to do. Funny thing, I go to coffeeshops to drink iced tea...

Charo Ronquillo newletter

Tina Herrera of Calcarries sent me this e-mail about Charo Ronquillo, a newsletter about her and some info about her. The girl is making us proud! She modeled for me last Phil.Fashion Week 07. I find her quiet and nice.

'At Home Ka Dito' shoot at BACKSTAGE

ABS-CBN's 'At Home Ka Dito' show with Charlene Gonzales featured my metal tab and bottle cap necklaces for their show. They shot at BACKSTAGE at Serendra where you can buy my stuff along with other fashion designers and labels. The store is one of those unique and forward thinking shops in Metro Manila.

My necklaces