Backstage

It's where all the dirty works happen.

It's easy to criticize a collection while you're sitting pretty reviewing each looks as it walk on the runway. If you're backstage, the effort of each designers presenting becomes magnified. Yeah, sure, there's really seriously ugly stuff being conjured up. It all boils down to taste and style, I guess. But it's all hard work for everyone and I can't help but be sorry for some who just misses the point about their collections. Not that I'm saying I have the best collection, no, it's just basic knowledge of trend, proportion, fabrication and a little bit of being humble what one can achieve in terms of constructing clothes, non? I don't think there is anything remotely haute couture in Pinas.

Hair and make-up takes a lot of time. Models get so bored but that's work.

A runway rehearsal.

Just minutes before the show designers showing gets so nervous and the air feels electric.

There's always last minute changes and adjustments. I had to re-style my own collection myself. Was Boy Scout so I was one of the first backstage during my show date like 6 hours before. Designers who were late were scrambling to organize their line-up while I was sipping Starbucks frappe. I even squeezed in buying a vintage Vivienne Westwood bag. Lol!

Fasyon Pips

Mowdel, Ria Bolivar, sure knows how to rock the Model Off Duty look. Love your style, paka!

Of course, we watched Project Runway season 2 finals. Sad to say I wasn't impressed with the collections of the 3 finalists, unlike the first season. I got bored, honestly.

Season 2 contestant and kabogera, Patrick Galang. I was hoping he'd be on the top 3 but got booted out (twice!).

Season 1 finalist, Veejay Floresca, lends his support. He's wearing his own designed jacket, seam side out, paired with a Dior Homme shades I love. He won a special jury prize in a Japanese design contest just recently.

PRP season 1 winner Aries Lagat, flanked by Veejay and moi.

Jerome Lorico's show was a refreshing change of directing style. His collection reminded me of Mihara Yasuhiro. Lot's of wearable pieces to acquire. Love the degrade denim wash.

Got invited by Ben Chan to watch their show. Wouldn't have dared showed without reserved seats given that Bench shows are always full. Rey Lanada was so nice in assisting me and my friends to have prime seats. I snapped Deither Ocampo who watched the show. Half of the models were Bench stars, like Richard&Lucy Gomez, et al. Aljur Abernica rocked the place. So as Kim&Gerald. There was this Coco Martin guy who made the ladies go shrieking like banshees. Half of the time I was pestering my friend Mikki and askinghim who the hell were on the runway. Lots of new faces for Bench.

There were oldtimers, too, icons if you may. Elizabeth Ramsey is such a darling.

Tessa Valdez was so...Tessa! lol!

I really had fun.

We also watched the Marlon Rivera show (one of my fave show) and bumped into the glam, chic, fab, insert-chica-word-here, THE Darryl Chang of Preview Magazine. Love her YSL-esque look. Very Stefano Pilati, non?

If DC is there, could AC be far behind? Andre Chang looking rather minimal in shades of gray. Earlier that week he was sporting a one shouldered jacket with a hude spider brooch.

And, lookey, lookey, what is he wearing?! Yup, it's the DP gladiator boots from s/s 2008

My friend Peer was such a big fan of AC so I NEED to post this for him. Early Christmas present my dear.

I also got to meet Toxic Disco Boy, finally, during my show day! See how we think alike? Margiela, much?

Fashion Diary pose: Top by Margiela AIDS tee, drop crotch pants, Mihara Yasuhiro sneaker/boots and Shinee bag (?). I hope I got it right.

Backstage I snapped Dimple Lim and Lizanne Cua rocking the requisite all-black ensembles.

Martin Bautista looking cute as ever. His collection was very Alaia, bodycon bitches.

Another cutie, Ziggy Savella, a young designer with a very focused aesthetic.

Always fun Madame Ciege Cagalawan, Toxic Disco Mike and Ava Paguyo who told me her collection was inspired by her baha experience.

My gang who watched and was there early: Peer, Mikki, Jerson, Jaki and Marichel.

Apres, we went to A.venue to have some drinks and food.

Ivan was there, too! I love tsika moments with friends.

Before flying to Iloilo, Dante, treated us for breakfast at Rockwell.

Manila is fun but I always miss Iloilo more.

Fashion Diary: Manila Iloilo 09

Lazy Day

Top: McQ Alexander McQueen tee (given by Bo)

Bottom: DP f/w 09 pants

Bag: Jeremy Scott x Longchamp

Shoes: Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto

Love the tee!

Adore the Y-3 sneakers! My first Y-3, yay. Thanks Bo ;)

Bo's Opening After Party

Top: Y's Yohji Yamamoto shirt

Bottom: Street Couture pants

Shoes: Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto

Bag: Jeremy Scott x Longchamp

I just love white Yamamoto shirts.

This Street Couture thing reminds me of Junya Watanabe.

All Soul's Day

Top: printed tee

Bottom: DP pants

Accessories: Havaianas flip-flops, Vivienne Westwood hip bag

Fashion Show Rehearsal

Top: A.P.C. tee

Bottom: DP pants

Shoes: Muji

Bag: Jeremy Scott x Longchamp

Fashion Show of Aisha Pe�alosa

Top: Zucca

Bottom: DP pinstripe pants

Shoes: Muji

Bag: Jeremy Scott x Longchamp

In Citadel

Top: Margiela Aids tee s/s 2010

Bottom: DP pants

Bag: Vivienne Westwood hip bag

Shoes: Muji

Shopping in Makati

Top: BC Heather Miss Grey x Cecile Van Straten ribbon tee

Bottom: DP pinstripe pants

Shoes: Muji

Bag: JS x Longchamp

Neckpiece: DP found objects, soda tabs & chains necklace

My new pose, lol!

at Jojie Lloren and Barrio Fiesta

This piece of artwork intrigued, moi.

And so is this sculpture. Both pieces at Jojie Lloren's atelier. I forgot to ask the names of the artists, sayang. Gosh, the place looks chic. Didn't have the chance to explore it thoroughly. Maybe next time, non? Reminds me of the house of my grandparents.

Jojie was so nice to welcome us. We were there to pick something he's given to Bo.

Apres, Sherwin and Ria invited us for dinner at Barrio Fiesta. We were craving for something Pinoy, especially moi. I was just dying to eat bangus!

We got crispy pata, daing na bangus (TDF)...

kare-kare...

and pinaputok na tilapia sa dahon ng saging (that's grilled tilapia wrapped in banana leaf, for my non-Filipino friends). It's so yummy-est! We ordered like 3 bowls of rice. That night I welcomed obesity back into my arms.

I often wonder if this bahay kubo look best represents the Filipino culture. Is this Filipino? I wonder what my non-Pinoy friends would say if I bring them for dinner at Barrio Fiesta. In our barrio, the houses sure hell doesn't 'feel' like that. Whatevs...

We were so hungry we've grown fangs. Very New Moon, non?

Let's just say we wiped the table clean. I swear we inhaled the food. Thanks Ria and Sherwin for the treat ;)

Meeting Gibo

While in Manila, I was lucky to meet my jetsetting friend, G, fresh from his trip in San Francisco and Hong Kong. Let's just say it's hard to fit in my schedule with his schedule. Alam naman natin ang buhay socialite (sya), book opening here, feeding program there, circumcision of indigenous kids now, wine&dine tonight. Mabuti na lang at pinaunlakan nya na kitain ako. Add to that his obsession now with his apartment. He recently moved to a new one and once the decorating bug hits you, hay naku, it's hard to stop nesting. Actually, after our meeting he's going to the grocery to stock up on some important stuff like gerber, cerelac, diapers, tiki-tiki etc. I presume he's got a baby hidden somewhere, non?

Let me just say the Starbucks chocolate cake (Faith's favorite) tasted sinful as it looked. Thank goodness, I shared a slice with Bo and Jerson. Anyway, the first pic is of G wearing the DP shirt I named for him. I also named a tee for Kiks, a cardigan for Kawadjan, a shorts for Khaz and a deep V-neck tee for Lyka. The hoodie top of the G shirt features an extended collar so when not worn as a hoddie it sits on the neck like a regular collar. I'm really glad G loves my design for him. I really thought it's very him.

When he passed by HK, he had the heart to bring the stuff I've been dying to get from my HK BFF, Kiks. The first issue of Vogue Hommes Japan with Ash Stymest on the cover...

and the 3rd issue, all hand carried from Japan. That completes the 3 issues of Vogue Hommes Japan that's published so far. I plan to collect.

Add to that Kiks also got me this red Muji sneaker when he was there a couple of months ago. He totally enjoyed Japan so much that he plans to go back again. I haven't been there but I hope someday I get the chance to see it.

G didn't come empty handed. He hand carried this Marc by Marc Jacobs rain boots for moi from San Francisco! It's mental, right? I'll wade in flood water in style, non? Love, love, love the stuff guys!

To G and Kiks, I really appreciate all the gifts and that you really know what I like.

Bleach Catastrophe G5

At Bleach. I'm wearing this black dotted top and tee from Bangkok. I got it from a street vendor outside Central World. The pants are mine from the fall/winter 09 collection. My shoes are from Muji and the bag, a Le Pliage Jeremy Scott for Longchamp. I think the print is called the 'stomp'.

You should check out this store. I visited their Cebu store before and really liked their whole style. I wouldn't buy all the stuff but there's at least something quite interesting about the pieces they make.

These series of fake and real doors remind me of Maison Martin Margiela.

I wanted to buy a piece of Heather Miss Grey, designed by Cecile Van Straten, and it was my lucky day because the style I wanted was available, and only one left. Grabbed it and left the store really happy.

At Puey's show and other stuff

While in Manille, I had the chance to go around the malls. Greenbelt seems to be a sensible area to hang around if you've got nothing to do.

We checked out the different stores there like Myth, which sells RTW pieces by Jojie Lloren, Louis Claparols, Joey Samson, Ivarluski Aseron, etc. There weren't many styles, though, which defeats the purpose of venturing into ready-to-wear, non? I also liked Adora with a more eclectic and international offering like Dior Homme, Comme des Garcons perfume (!), Missoni, etc. At least meron ng ganun sa Manila. The picture above was taken at Firma's window display. Cute, isn't it?

Greenbelt 5 is nice in the evening. We passed by a Paul Smith event but we're too shy to crash.

This latest Philippine fashion week saw the appearance of many celebrities on the runway. That's actually Robin Padilla for Lee. We also saw the runway of Bench with a bunch of stars from ABS-CBN and GMA 7. Penshoppe had Victor Basa and Akihiro Sato. There was another brand that had other action stars, basketball players and the requisite teen stars. Even M Baretto had Jake Cuenca and other male heartthrobs. I don't know if it's good although it brings in the crowd. It rather distracts from the clothes, I think.

Bumped into designer Ralph Ng outside Puey Q.'s show.

Also, Angel Buenaventura...

Stylish sisters Kimi and Boop Yap...

and sat front row with Philip Tampus, Yasmin Kurdi and her really nice friend.

See the collection of Puey's collection here.

One of my newest is Lucille Dizon who wore my hoodie/cape and tank from spring/summer 2010. She wore the cape inverted and I just love it!

I always find it interesting to see my clothes being incorporated into individual styles by those who buy it.

Bo Parcon and Eric de los Santos, Ilonggo designers par excellance.

Stylist Shahani Gania.

Stylist RXCY Bautista with Bo.

Oh, and what a perfect way to cap the day than by devouring a box of Royce*, di bala?

Veejay Floresca's Design Class

Fashion designer Veejay Floresca teaches garment construction in a design class in St. Benilde. The Ed Calma designed building of the school looks amazing. Just goggle it. In the chaos that is Manila urban planning it actually juts out like a sore thumb. Anyway, Veejay invited moi and Bo to critic the works of his students. In an earlier class Philip Tampus was the guest critic.

I love the challenge of mentoring young designers. I'm a self-taught designer and I really valued the lessons I learned from senior designers like Frederick Peralta who give nuggets of wisdom culled from his experience. I have mentored some of the more exciting young designers in Iloilo and I'm happy that most of them are doing great in designing.

Project Runway Philippines season 1 Bo Parcon and Veejay Floresca.

I truly felt Veeejay's passion to teach. Baka sya na ang susunod na Dean of Philippine Fashion ala Mang Ben Farrales?

It's so funny how the students feel so nervous presenting their designs that they made themeselves. It has to represent their own style, also. It's really obvious though who has a grasp of 'fashion' versus those who are not sure of their own style. But it's expected that young designers should experiment and explore at an early stage. That way they'd be able to discover what style they have an affinity with. One lesson that helped me greatly is to learn fashion history. It's also important to discover how garments are constructed so you can develop your own technique later on. I enjoy the process of creation when I'm designing more than the presentation and actual product, actually.

One designer that stood out for us was this student who did a feathered skirt. She needs to polish more of her construction technique but it's unmistakable that the skirt she made has potential, non?

It was indeed an enriching afternoon sharing our thoughts to Veejay's student and I hope we were effective in communicating some lessons that they can apply in their quest for greater fashion design. Hope to be invited again.

DP at Style Anywhere

I would like to thank Onin of Style Anywhere for supporting me this latest Philippine Fashion Week. He posted a preview (was his idea actually) and my collection (photographed by the generous Mr. Bruce Cassanova). Salamat po! ;)

Going to that charming resto

Bangkok - After boarding a taxi on one end of Central World and, thirty minutes after, just right in front on another end of the same mall, Kawadjan and moi decided to get off our taxi (nice guy because he initially didnt charge us full for the fare but Kawadjan insisted) and took the BTS. I honestly didn't know where we are going except to this special restaurant owned by K's friend.

Fashion Diary commercial first: my fave Maison Margiela AIDS tee, DP pants, Longchamp bag, Giordano Concepts sneakers from Kiks, Wonder Anatomie pin from K and Marc by Marc Jacobs snake bracelet from Liz. See, I really use the stuff my friends gave me.

After going to the last BTS station, we had to ride a taxi for about 30 minutes more before arriving to this little labyrinth street where at the end of waits a tuktuk. By that time I had to check my bag for my passport just in case we had to go through immigration. Medyo, it felt very close to the border na, actually.

We passed by rows of shanty houses and other clusttered buildings, to finally arrive at Baan Rabiang Nam, which roughly translates to River Restaurant (yata?). Anyway, the resto is beside the river. And no, don't ask me what river it was. I do remember K telling me we could have taken the riverboat cruise going there but then again he knows I'd have to change outfit for that, non? Prada Cruise 2009, perhaps?

For my Ilonggo friends, daw Villa Beach or Roxas Beach lang kami. It reminds me of Mang Inasal, actually. Hehehe!

Except there's little cute touches like that banca effect tableu.

Here's K with his good friend Fred who owns the place. Such a charming and generous guy. He totally gave us the best area and lots of freebies. The service was prompt and efficient. Not to mention we had a wonderful chat with Fred. Was that Germany that they're opening a branch with his partners?

The food was typical Thai but not overly spicy. I guess they know we couldn't take too much heat. The thing about the resto and what most gourmands and foodies recommend is to go to places where the locals frequent. It is such a place, fully packed with locals, when we arrived around 10pm. We started with pomelo salad loaded with dried chillies (!) and garlic. Sharap!

For soup we had this coconut seafood medley, winning the best in presentation award.

Now this fried fish coated with garlic was such a revelation for moi. I could have eaten only that. This sealed the deal for moi and I wouldn't mind the epic trek just to taste it again.

And K's fave, Somtam, a papaya shrimp salad. I initially resisted eating the raw string beans because I hated the sulfuric aftertaste but was pleasantly surprised that it's different. More like singkamas or guava, honest!

This is their kitchen area. Looks like a set in some cultural village, non?

Do check out their site and please try it sometime when you are in Bangkok. It's an adventure you shouldn't miss.