FUCHSIABOY

Family Matters

2012-01-28T22:15:00.000-08:00

The main reason I went to Bangkok was to meet my family.

Don't you think my nephew Gino is so cute?

Le Look Bangkok

2012-01-26T23:33:00.000-08:00

I went to Bangkok for a week and here's a few of the outfits I unleashed there.

Top - OAK zipped hoodie, bottom - DP pants, shoes - DM's, bag - ArtBerg.

Top - Eairth, bottom - Y-3 pants, bag - ArtBerg, shoes - DM's, necklace - Il Nodo, cuffs - assorted.

Top - Lasala by Jian Lasala, pants - Muji, shoes - DM's, bag - Maison Martin Margiela. cuffs - assorted.

Top - DP 'Baray' top + DP tank + Zara leather braces, pants - H&M jeans, shoes - DM's, bag - Maison Martin Margiela.

Top - H&M tee, bottom - A Lab A Laboratory pants, bag - Maison Martin Margiela, shoes - Soule Phenomenon x DP, necklace - OS 'Birdskull'.

Top - Helmut Lang tee + The Alchemists vest, bottom - Muji pants, shoes - DM's, bag - Maison Martin Margiela.

I must admit I feel more comfortable wearing my clothes in an urban environment. But it doesn't mean I do change my style when I'm in Siem Reap, which is more like a small town. Before my Bangkok trip I edited more of my clothes and chucked more than half of it. Lots of bright colors went out. I realized I'm going back to the neutrals more and more these days so I guess I'm in my dark phase. Strangely, I've been making colorful clothing designs now.

Cocktails Ala Amansara

2012-01-14T23:35:00.000-08:00

I've already missed many Amansara events because I was either out of the country or it coincides with a previous event I've scheduled way ahead. Of course, I always feel sad not coming because the Amansara family sure knows how to treat their guests to a party that simply exudes elegance but totally fun and laid back. It's like coming to a friend's party but more chic. Well, luckily just before Christmas, I received an invitation for an intimate cocktail party from Amansara. This time around there was no way I'm gonna miss it so I sent my confirmation asap and started thinking of what to wear.

Our meeting point was at Amansara and we were transported to the venue either by a vintage Mercedes used by Jackie Kennedy Onassis or black army jeeps. Guess which one I choose? We were handed mini bottles of champagne to sip while on the way to the secret venue.

More champagne upon arrival. It was overflowing! And the yummiest nibbles to go with it.

Me with Sally, the general manager of Amansara.

Faith, Becks and Berenice were my buddies that night. They only invited around 15 people for the party.

It was in the village called Phsar Srang (or soemthing like that) and Amansara has this Khmer style old house there. No electricity so only torches, which made the whole place really atmospheric.

I was wearing my gold DM's x Raf Simons shoes. It's always a conversation piece.

Apres, Becks and I had a light dinner at Il Forno. We initially wanted to try Tangram, a new restaurant, but we couldn't find it.

I ordered a Caprese because I was already full from the food at the Amansara cocktail. It was nice catching up with Becks whom I haven't seen for a long time. I've been seriously living a hermetic life whenever I'm in Siem Reap so I often don't see a lot of my SR friends.

I ended up wearing a Rick Owen-ish jacket my friend Daniel gave me, a Whereabouts tank top, Uniqlo jeans, DM's x Raf Simons shoes and Y'saacs bag.

Having Two Dinner Dates

2012-01-12T23:54:00.000-08:00

A few moons ago I had dinner with my besties Faith and Loven at The Indian, one of our default dining places of choice. We love it there that we don't even have to look at the menu to know what we like to order.

Loven usually gets lentil curry soup and garlic naan. Faith would have a chicken curry thali set. I often order fish biryani. Predictable but our own version of Indian comfort food. Apres, we had coffee at Art Deli.

Later that evening I met up with my highschool classmate, Macon Canlas, who was in town for a mere two nights. It was a whirlwind trip for her but she promised to come back and bring her family with her. It was nice to meet her once again after all these years. Our last meeting was still in highschool! Glad to know she's still the funny yet articulate friend I've known before.

She brought me pasalubong, a copy each of Garage and Preview, a very welcome treat from back home.

Little Shop In Amansara

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Everytime I visit Amansara I always take a photo of their flower arrangement in the reception area. I think it's superbly chic, elegantly understated and tastefully minimal. I would love to have that in my house!

I was there to deliver some new designs for their shop. I've been selling there quite recently and I'm so happy my designs have been warmly patronized by their guests. I'm doing an exclusive selection of designs for them which I don't sell in my shop. You would be surprised it took me two years, from the time they invited me, to actually produce a collection for them. I'm so happy I'm doing it now and I get a different source of inspiration when I'm conceptualizing a collection for them. I just finished my 3rd collection for them and it's all in white and cream pieces. Right now I'm on research mode for the 4th collection and I'm leaning towards making a full 'Perfect Imperfect' hand dyeing collection. I also checked out this organic dyed cotton from this weaving organization and I hope to use it for this collection.

The shop is tiny but it's well curated. I read an article recently written by a Philippine fashion magazine editor where she wrote that she get reminded of places because of the things she shopped from there. Sadly, she mentioned that she didn't buy anything when she visited Siem Reap. The shop of Amansara stocks the best products from artisans of the country and only the price (yes, exclusivity comes with a price) might deter people from buying. Also she might have visited years back but quite recently a lot more labels have been cropping up and I can tell you they produce exciting products. Just the other night I discovered a jewelry brand that recycles old decommissioned bullets and metal from Khmer Rouge guns turning it into cool jewelry. I will blog about cool shops here in Cambodia next time.

Two Bags And Three Shirts

2012-01-12T07:46:00.000-08:00

In my previous post I mentioned I went thrifting at Phsar Krolayn. Here's the stuff I found:

Prada sling bag.

Prada backpack.

Ralph Ralp Lauren shirt in a mix wool and cotton. I figured it would come in handy when it's cold and I love how minimal and basic it was. I'm not really into RL preppy stuff so this one can definitely blend into my clothing style.

Toraichi shirts, a Japanese workwear label. No, I'm not wearing this but I collect it to study the details of the shirt. This inspired the exposed stitching I've been doing on my designs as of late.

This Little Piggy Went To Market

2012-01-12T07:25:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since we had this cool weather here in Siem Reap. I'm taking advantage of it so I can wear some of my clothes which I don't get to wear when it's terribly hot. The jacket I'm wearing is by Tsumori Chisato and the last time I remember wearing it was in Singapore. I paired it with a wide leg pants from United Colors of Benetton, shoes from Vans and a backpack from Prada. Even though it's sunny I was able to thrift shop in the market without breaking into a sweat. At 10 in the morning! The market I'm talking about is Phsar Krolayn, a local market off the tourist area, where it's mostly locals and long-time expats only know. I go there for thrifting because it's super cheap and I usually find really cool designer stuff. I took some photos of the fish area and a local eatery in the market. I can't stand the smell of the market before but suprisingly I've gotten used to it by now. It goes to show how local I am already, LOL!

Phnom Penh Holiday

2012-01-08T20:01:00.000-08:00

There's so many new things going on everytime I'm in Phnom Penh. New buildings, new restaurants to try and so many events. It's like going to another country and having a mini-vacation. My last visit was indeed a vacation since I didn't have any business to take care of. It was a self-imposed break since the last time I was there it was Cambodia Fashion Week. Nine days of shows and shoot left me drained and tired. Coming to Phnom Penh for a break this time was refreshing.

On the way to Phnom Penh we always have a pit stop at Kompong Thom, half way between Siem Reap and the capital. It's always at Arunras restaurant if you take Mekong bus. I always have lunch of fried noodles with a can of Coke. It has become a ritual and I sorta look forward to it.

It was fortunate that I got the chance to attend the fund raising event for the flood victims of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the night when I arrived. It's amazing how Filipinos can band together and help our fellow citizens back home. The event gathered a sizeable donation so it was heartwarming. There was a mini-concern and someone sold cupcakes, proceeds of which were donated, too!

I stayed at Franco's apartment and he had another guest staying. Meet Piscin, the diva feline who I wanted to steal. I never realized I'm a cat person. Our family had only one cat before and we never had a pet cat again.

I ate a lot when I was there. I don't want to put it all here but it was a LOT. I gained a few pounds I'm sure of that. But let me share some highlights, if you will.

Nod had this velvety rich mango float and I think I ate half of the 12 inch pan size he made. Hands down it's the best mango float I've tasted so far. It's not too sweet so it's deadly when you're dieting because you can't help but have seconds and thirds, like I did.

Sharon gave me biscocho from Biscocho House so it was a nice thing to have. It made me miss Iloilo. I used to go at the kitchen of Biscocho House because my former boss was friends with the owner. My favorite is when they allow us to pick our favorite part. I like the thin slices of crust with lots of clotted sugar than the thick slices without the brown outer layer. It's not complete without buying biscocho when you visit Iloilo.

Also, Sharon was selling smoked boneless bangus and I was excited so much for it! I pestered her to sell to me and good thing she has one left. It's one of those things I miss in the Philippines. You can go to any restaurant and you can have bangus. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Nod hosted lunch Christmas day and I bought some sweet confections from The Shop. It's really festive to have a selection of sweets when you have a party, non?

Of course, we always have our fave steamed red snapper. My friends put a lot of butter and garlic and it's just so aromatic when your steaming it.

Mikey gave me his fried squid called 'Squid of Love and Devotion'. It's his speciality and everyone just love it. I was the one who suggested he bottle it up when he asked me what gift I want from him. I do hope he makes a little business out of it because I'm surely buying from him. I will hoard because it's really yummy!

I've been a frequent diner at Parkway Garden for this visit and it's always with Nod and Franco. It's an al fresco area with several stalls selling grilled and Cambodian dishes. There was a time when it was all about Sam Do and Xiao Xiao but we had too much of it during fashion week. Parkway Garden is convenient because it's in front of Nod's apartment so it has become a favorite.

We always order grilled red snapper, no surprise there. I can finish one whole fish just by myself. I do tend to regret it now because I consume so much rice with it. Carbo-loading to the max! Those are red and green chilli sauce on the side. I tend to favor the sour salty green chilli over the sweet red one.

Romyr treated Franco and me at Korean Grill in Naga World. I've eaten there quite a few times and they always have wonderful service. Leave it to Romyr to update you with what's the latest in Philippine and Cambodian showbiz. It's a fascinating world I know nothing about so it's always refreshing to know the gossips. The fashion world, at least the one I know, is quite dreary and boring compared.

I had Dolsot Bibimbap. I know, rice again!

New year lunch was hosted by Mikey and there was so much food prepared. Yes, my holiday was all about eating. It can't be helped and I can't escape it. They prepared slow cooked pork, porkchops, grilled chicken, buttered shrimps, calamares, stir fried wild forest mushrooms, fish soup, grilled mackerel and so much more! A Filipino table is really a fiesta. I attend parties by Western friends and usually they only prepare around 2 to 3 dishes the most. Sometimes it's just over risotto and wine! Oh, but you know it's a Filipino party when it's prepared to feed a battalion of soldiers, hehehe.

In the evening that day, Vane celebrated his birthday on a river boat cruise. I was so stuffed I can only muster eating fruit salad. What a way to end my last day in Phnom Penh.

Can't wait to go back to Phnom Penh and discover more of it, hopefully, not only its gastronomic charm. I have some exciting project to unveil real soon.

Trying Tepui

2012-01-06T19:16:00.000-08:00

My tres charmant, workasonic friend, Arnie, treated moi and equally workasonic but blooming, Franco, for drinks and dinner at Tepui, a Venezuelan-inspired restaurant, when I was in Phnom Penh a few weeks ago for my Christmas holiday. I've been wanting to go ever since my friends raved about the food saying it's simply divine and mouth-watering. I was intrigued given my bitchy friends don't mince words when it comes to their grub because they have the bodies to show that they've eaten around (joking!) and know good food, hahaha! I had a taste test during Maan's birthday when they served some gazpacho on a shot glass, ceviche and savory barquillos. I was impressed by the ceviche so I wanted to try the full meal experience.

Sir Arnie ordered some salmon croquetas, empanada with goat cheese, a spiced baked mashed potato, tuna escalavada and a grilled mackerel with pomegranate sauce. Their food is really delicious and it's a bummer we forgot to talk to the chef to say our compliments of his delish food. I had a potent tamarind martini, if you like your booze on the sweet side, and a deceptively simple looking brownies & vanilla ice cream, which proved the BEST finale to the meal.

Tepui is on the second floor of The Chinese House in Phnom Penh. I suggest you reserve a table.

My Christmas Costume

2012-01-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

I thought black would be so usual for a sit-down concert dinner so I opted to wear blue. When I inspect my clothes I don't see a lot of electric blue although it's one of my favorite colors. I do see a lot of red and I think it's funny coz I don't often wear red. Anyway, I designed this suit because I wanted to promote my latest designs for Poetry. I'm using a lot of the same linen material for that collection. The shape of the jacket is a classic pattern I've used before. It's unlined and not padded because I don't think it's sensible to have in a tropical climate. Much of the stuff I'm interested now when I'm designing is how to deconstruct traditional forms of construction to suit the weather. I'm much more drawn to how it's made rather than how it looks. So, lately I've been going back to my old patterns and testing it out in different fabrics and finishings. The pants is a new pattern we call Agra because it reminds me of Indian pants. You can't see it in the picture but we added pockets on the side based on Christopher Nemeth's design detail. I love Nemeth and I hope to collect more of his designs now that he has passed away. I wore the suit with a vintage Helmut Lang mesh shirt and gold DM's by Raf Simons. I don't look drearily formal but I think the holiday mood calls for something festive and light.

A Christmas Feast

2012-01-05T17:43:00.000-08:00

Let me share the food we ate at the Christmas dinner in NagaWorld.

We started with a trio of savory custard, baked oyster with cheese and a cheese ball. My fave is the oyster although I wish they gave more, hahaha!

Then we had a salmon salad. It was very tasty and I wouldn't mind having more of it, too. I don't know if they have this in their ala carte menu? I would surely eat this again.

The wild forest mushroom was creamy and earthy for me.

A raspberry sorbet to cleanse the palate.

Since I don't eat turkey I passed it and had this white fish dish, instead. This is my fave! The pea mash complimented the creaminess of the fish. I asked for a second and I was happy they obliged! Kudos to NagaWorld staff.

We had a series of desserts and had sugar overload! First was this butterscotch made from aged alcohol. I totally forgot the name but it was like 15 years old or something.

Then some ice cream and a whole lot of other chocolate thingamagigs.

AND a tower of other sweet confections like French macaroons, opera cake, little pies, chocolate ganache, truffles and sugary rose petals. There was also a plate of cheese and crackers.

That's what I ate during Christmas eve.

A Surreal Christmas

2012-01-05T03:41:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson was there. Along with Tina Turner, Rod Stewart and Frank Sinatra at NagaWorld's Christmas sit-down dinner. Another first for me and it was strangely fun and surreal despite my usual lack of enthusiasm for such affairs. I was more excited about the dinner and it did not disappoint. It was my friends who dragged me for this dinner because they don't want to prepare food in their houses anymore. I do think it was a great idea and it gave me a reason to have a holiday vacation in Phnom Penh.

With Nod.

With Nod and Franco.

Toefi and Eng.

With Oak and Nod.

It's funny I didn't have any photo with Romyr. He was the one who organized the concert for NagaWorld.

In Celebration Of The Year That Was And Is To Come

2012-01-05T00:06:00.000-08:00

There was no plan on what to do to welcome the new year of 2012. It was my first time to spend it in Phnom Penh and I was just going with the flow on what my friends decided.

It was dinner at Tepui, courtesy of our loaded friend Adi, but when we got there it was fully booked and the staff who assisted us wasn't so flexible in arranging a table for us even though we were five people. We ended up at Rahu, a nice alternative and much more festive in my opinion.

Nod and moi.

Toefi, Eng and Adi.

Later on Franco and Ciaran joined us.

We had the countdown at Naga World with drinks and amazing fireworks display. It was fun and different than my usual Siem Reap new year celebration. I hope you had fun with yours, too!

Hyper Minimalism

2012-01-04T23:29:00.000-08:00

It takes a certain discipline to achieve a lifestyle that embrace hyper minimalism. Certainly it is an ideal for me to reach the rigor and control Klaus Biesenbach has achieved, based on his apartment above, where most may think as bleak and barren, but to me a space of light, air and place to think without distraction. The more I look at the images, the more I get inspired to simplify my lifestyle.

House Envy

2012-01-03T16:58:00.000-08:00

I like houses that look futuristic but at the same time primitive. I get drawn to spaces that are simple, brutalist and seems un-finished but mixed with wood and some white walls. It's always about the harmony of sleek and rough, brutal and soft, modern and deconstructed that gets me. This house in Ghana by artists Carsten Holler and Marcel Odenbach fits the kind of space I want for myself.

via W

First Day

2012-01-01T03:25:00.000-08:00

Happy new year!

I greeted 2012 in Phnom Penh. I had dinner with friends, watched the fireworks and had too much wine and champagne! I had fun.

Today I had lunch at the house of my friend and celebrated the birthday of Vane on a river boat cruise.

Hope you had a good one!

2011

2011-12-28T16:15:00.000-08:00

There are so many things to be thankful for in 2011 but it's the new friends I've made that truly makes it meaningful.

When A Simple T-shirt Is All That Matters

2011-12-19T01:36:00.000-08:00

Not all t-shirts are the same. But when you find one that works for you and makes you feel good wearing it, buy tons and use it everyday.

Some of my favorite t-shirts:

A thrifted 'concert tee' with holes, rips and lovely discolorations. It does make me feel like, what else, a rocker when I wear it. Worn with Gap jeans, DM's and Via Demizon bag.

Ouki tees from Bangkok is one of my staple basics. It's simple and cheap, around 100baht each, and they make it in several styles and colors. I also buy a lot of tees from Another Place and Seven Heaven when I'm there. I paired my Ouki tee with DP pants and Converse shoes.

Another one of my fave is this oversized 5CM pinstripe tee. I like my stuff oversized, actually. I wore it with DP pants, DM's, Y'saacs beltbag and cuffs from Mango & Robotang.

Other favorites:

1. Maison Martin Margiela AIDS tee - I buy whenever I can and I have roughly 20 pieces from different seasons.

2. H&M Divided basic V-neck tee - I often end up buying the boxers and basic black tee from H&M.

3. Oxygen tees - If you want something not so basic but very affordable.

4. Rick Owens tee - Sadly, I can't afford it but lucky to have generous friends.

5. DP tees - Of course, I love what I designed, right?

Make The Old New

2011-12-16T02:13:00.000-08:00

I've always liked using materials from used clothing because it has that unique quality that only time and wear can truly create. It can be replicated in an industrial process, yes, but where is the romance in that? Isn't it more chic and cool when it's really made from discarded materials?

For my line called PAID, I create pieces made of such discarded materials, usually from vintage clothing I buy cheaply in the local market. This drapey vest I have on is one. It's made of two tank tops fused together and reconfigured into this weird pattern. A friend saw it and bought it off my back. It can be worn several ways so I'm sure he had fun playing with it.

Top - PAID vest + DP top, Bottom - Fadthree jeans, Shoes - DM's, Bag - DP

Kindred Spirit

2011-12-12T23:18:00.000-08:00

Helmut Lang x Jenny Holzer

via dapperkid

GARAGE

2011-12-09T03:51:00.000-08:00

IF YOU ARE IN THE PHILIPPINES, KINDLY GET A COPY OF GARAGE MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2011 ISSUE. THE TEAM OF PHOTOGRAPHER ONIN LORENTE, STYLIST FRANCO DIONCO, MODEL LIAM TARPEY AND ASSISTED BY NOD DEL ROSARIO PRODUCED THIS FASHION EDITORIAL SHOT IN PHNOM PENH. DUBBED AS 'KINGDOM OF WONDER', THE CITY IS THE BACKDROP OF FASHION FRESH OFF CAMBODIA FASHION WEEK 2011. SOME OF OUR PIECES WERE INCLUDED IN THE STORY.

IN BOTH PAGES, LIAM IS WEARING OUR HALF-JACKET, TANK TOP, PANTS AND LACED SANDALS, IN VARIOUS SHADES OF BLACK. THIS WAS SHOT IN FRONT OF THE RIVER NEAR THE ROYAL PALACE.

ON THE LEFT PAGE, LIAM IS WEARING A BLACK BUTTONDOWN SHIRT. THE WILLOW HOTEL WAS THE LOCATION FOR THIS SHOT. ON THE RIGHT PAGE, HE IS WEARING A WHITE PINSTRIPE BUTTONDOWN, A BLACK HALF VEST, FISHERMAN SHORTS AND OUR CLASSIC DP GLADIATOR SANDALS. THIS WAS SHOT IN FRONT OF THE ROYAL PALACE.

ALL THE FEATURED PIECES ARE FROM OUR SPRING/SUMMER 2012 COLLECTION.

MARIO MAURER, A POPULAR THAI ACTOR, IS ON THE COVER. THANK YOU GARAGE FOR INCLUDING US IN THE FASHION EDITORIAL.

Tonle Chatumok

2011-12-08T03:38:00.000-08:00

There's a lot of eat-all-you-want buffet here in Siem Reap but not all are really good. One of my fave, though, is Tonle Chatumok. They serve mainly Vietnamese dishes mixed with classic Khmer dishes like amok and boklahom or pounded papaya salad with fermented fish sauce. I love their sugar coated fried rice balls with sweet white beans center. I can eat a bunch of those. Their pho is quite flavorful and I like that you have different choices of noodles, I really don't like thick noodles so usually I get the bihon type. I always look forward to eating their banh xeo, the crispy fried Vietnamese pancake stuffed with vegetables and your choice of meat.It's good when it's freshly off the frying pan and you drizzle it with sweet vinegar and crushed peanuts on top. Unlike most buffets, Tonle Chatumok has free drinks like cola, fresh sugarcane juice, iced tea, etc. Their dessert selection has fresh cut fruits, lots of Vietnamese desserts, ice cream, and shaved ice fares. It can be a bit chaotic like most buffets of its kind so it can be daunting at times to select the food you like when there are hoards of other people with you. It's not going to be an intimate, quiet dinner. But if you like variety and the option to try new dishes (steamed escargot, perhaps?) with leverage, then it's really fun. I like going every now and then when I don't feel fat. That way I can stuff myself silly and not be guilty, LOL!

Leave Horses Unbridled Or Their Spirits Die

2011-12-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

My way of dressing is always about instinctual of-the-moment affairs. I seldom plan what I wear because I would still change my mind according to my mood that moment of dressing. Usually, the weather dictates the choices I make and also the stuff lying around that I can grab instantly.

Here I'm wearing my DP vest with my fave 'langaw' (flies) pins. I love insect accessories and I was spurred in collecting when I read that Stella Tennant liked collecting creepy crawling-inspired accessories, too. I like her personal style and I'm always inspired when I see photos of her.

My pants is Eairth, one of my favest label! I like honest, unassuming and individual labels and the way Mellisa Dizon Ramsey is steering Eairth is simply quite inspiring. I actually regret not buying more pants when I was there last time at their workshop.

My tee is from Rotsaniyom, a Thai label that churns out bohemian-esque pieces and prints in soft, washed-out, vintage-y colors. I got this shirt with cropped print of a horse. See the eyes peeking out, looking straight at you? It reminded me of Ann Demeulemeester how she used one of Steven Klein's horse photograph as a print on her fabric. Maybe, that's the reason why I used an Ann Demeulemeester fabric bag, too.

I'm wearing patent leather DM's.

The Smell Of Things To Come

2011-12-07T04:14:00.000-08:00

I am not really a perfume person. There are days when I don't wear one because I think a scent can be very powerful in conveying certain signals of what you are as a person. By not wearing a scent then it limits the chance of you being read. That is why I'm very selective of the scent I wear. I tend to favor a unisex kind of smell. Atlantis by Bench was a cologne that somehow mimicked the androgynous scent of cKOne. It was the cologne that defined my highschool years. In college, when I had a little bit of money I was into ck One and ck Be. Minimalism entered my conciousness and I was enamored with the whole reductionist lifestyle. This was the phase where I was wearing almost all-black everyday. The green tea infused scent of ck matched the whole minimalist phenomenon of the mid 90's. By early 2000, I switched to Gucci Rush, the one for women, because I liked the fruity, spicy notes. I would only wear it during night time because it was too strong for daytime use. This was when I was working already. Rush smells like you want to have fun and I guess it matched my lifestyle of partying almost everyday.

I had other scents like Acqua di Parma, L'Eau D'Issey Miyake, Benetton Tribu, Gap Grass, Perry Ellis 360*, and others, but I'd often give it away after several use or use as perfume for the toilet.

Today the scent I use are Helmut Lang's Eau de Cologne and Cuiron Pour Homme. The former has a very masculine, old-world smell. When I use it I feel very grown-up and I like wearing it for special occasion because it has been discontinued. The latter has a bursting, after-shave smell that reminds me of modernist buildings and metals. I don't know why Cuiron is like that to me. I've been using both scent for a good 6 years already.

I also use Higher Dior Energy, a sporty, energizing scent. It's my day scent because I like how it reacts to my sweat. It's a very easy scent to wear and I like that it smells less powdery than the original Higher Dior.

When I want to be avant-garde then I wear Comme des Garcons Odeur 53. It's a very heavily layered scent that changes with time. The first burst smells of rubber, alcohol and nail polish. Then it gradually becomes floral and woodsy. The effect is quite fascinating for me because it'll be a week and I can still smell it on my skin. Powdery butter is the finale notes I can discern.

Recently, I had a sample of Maison Martin Margiela's (untitled), a leafy, woody scent that reminds me of vintage leather seats and intimate dinners.

I think I found my next scent.

Farewell And See You Soon

2011-12-07T03:21:00.000-08:00

Our friend Linette relocated to Istanbul and before she left we had a farewell dinner with her at Pho de Paris.

Linette, in blue, with Olive and Granny.

The Ramos family.

Me and Inal.

ELOQUENCE MAGAZINE FASHION EDITORIAL

2011-12-07T02:18:00.000-08:00

KOREA BASED, INTERNATIONAL CREATORS MAGAZINE, ELOQUENCE, FEATURED CAMBODIA BASED LABELS IN A FASHION EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHED AND DIRECTED BY VINCENT SUNG, STYLED BY DESMOND LIM ZHENGS, HAIR BY RYAN TAYLOR AND MAKE-UP BY OAK CHAN. ONE OF CAMBODIA'S IN-DEMAND MODELS, KOUY CHANDANICH MODELS THE CLOTHES FRESH OFF THE RUNWAY FROM SPRING/SUMMER 2012 COLLECTIONS.

ON THE LEFT, A DON PROTASIO HALF JACKET AND TAB ENCRUSTED NECKLACE IS FEATURED.

ON THE LEFT, A BIB-STYLE BUTTON DOWN SHIRT AND THE GOLD DOT X DON PROTASIO X KARL LEUTERIO 'CEREBRUS' SHOE ARE FEATURED.

ON THE RIGHT, THE MODEL IS WEARING A TARNISHED SILVER DRESS.

WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO BE PART OF THIS FASHION EDITORIAL.

PHNOM PENH POST FEATURE

2011-12-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU PHNOM PENH POST FOR FEATURING DON PROTASIO: EXPERIMENTS. THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TO FLY LOUNGE ESPECIALLY THE SHOPPERS WHO SNAPPED OUR SPECIAL PIECES.

EXPERIMENTS

2011-11-29T03:18:00.000-08:00

A FASHION SHOW OF DP PIECES UNDER 'EXPERIMENTS', A SERIES OF CLOTHING DESIGNS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MAIN COLLECTION BUT MADE TO TEST NEW SHAPES AND FABRICS. MOSTLY ONE-OF-A-KIND. WE WILL ALSO BE SELLING PIECES FROM THE SPRING/SUMMER 2012 COLLECTION, ACCESSORIES FROM OS, BOSQUEJO BY PAOLO MIGUEL CELESTIAL AND GOLD DOT x DP x KARL LEUTERIO SHOE COLLABORATION. IT WILL BE LOTS OF FUN! EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME.

Work In Progress

2011-10-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

On OCTOBER 29, Don Protasio will present their collection for spring summer 2012 as part of Cambodia Fashion Week.

DON PROTASIO S/S 2012 COLLECTION FASHION SHOW

'DISSECTION'

ROMEET GALLERY

NO. 34, STREET 178

PHNOM PENH

Please check out the DON PROTASIO BLOG for more updates.

I Pick things Because It Reminds Me Of Something

2011-10-23T02:03:00.000-07:00

Things can trigger a memory. You can associate someone to a particular thing.

My mother used to have bags like this. Gucci was popular in the 70's, I guess, and I have a mental picture of chic girls in bell-bottom denims, tight button downs and big shades carrying this sort of style. Those were what I saw in old magazines in our house. Of course, I grew up loving minimalism and didn't really appreciate the logo-laden aesthetic of those bags. Actually, even now I can say it's not me. But I love looking for such pieces to sell. It would have been nice if I saved the ones my mom used.

I wasn't familiar with Celine until Michael Kors designed for it. It's amazing what Phoebe Philo is doing there now. Lately, there has been quite a demand for vintage Celine so I'm always on a look-out for cool styles. I got an envelope style recently and I've used it to some events where I needed something to hold my wallet, phone and keys. It's the right size for those things.

Lately, I've been collecting military and utilitarian stuff. This buckle is a vintage military issue with zig-zag teeth that can snap to the belt. Very Helmut Lang.

Helmut Lang had a memorable collection where he used military uniforms as inspiration. I don't know why I liked it so much. I still remember the fatigue wool jackets with bold red stripes and the layered knit pieces in olive. It's one of those images that I always remember when I design. The military jacket above could be one of Helmut's.

My friend Daniel works at the Gap. Great selection of covers, too.

At first, I thought this Toga Archives sweater was torn. Then I realized it was really intentional. It reminded me so much about the reason why I love progressive Japanese labels. Small details like those often kill me.

How can you not love a bag with these words on it's tag: 'Finding For Freshness. LESUE. Come On. Feel Rich. Produced by Ace'?

It's black, big and light. Most of my bags fall into that category so another one to add wouldn't hurt.

The Simple Days Are The Best Days To Enjoy

2011-10-18T01:20:00.000-07:00

I only like complicated things when it comes to the patterns of my clothes. But I don't want a complicated life. I'm thankful life here in Siem Reap is devoid of unnecessary stresses like traffic, pollution and noise. That's the price I pay for losing a bit of urbanity and embracing a more rural life. One luxury I really enjoy is spending a lot of time savoring a simple meal. When you get awfully busy you lose that because there's so many things in your head. I think it takes a different frame of mind to appreciate the simple things in life. To me it has become more important. I'm happy to have that choice.

Biker Tee

2011-10-15T00:02:00.000-07:00

I went to Angkor Wat with friends to help them film a video. It was hot so I decided to wear my reworked biker tee. It was so oversized that I had to make it my own. Besides, it's much more Margielic that way.

There are folded details on the sleeves and I let the hems raw. I also tapered the sides to look loose but not super oversized. I think the original size was an XL.

I paired it with Gap jeans and PAID draped apron. The apron was a reworked piece, as well. I think it sorta makes the whole look a bit elevated from the usual basics. My tote is Comme Ca Ism and my sneakers from Converse.

North and South Korea

2011-10-14T23:36:00.000-07:00

I went out for dinner with my friends and since I was craving for Korean dishes we decided it's gonna be a Korean night.

First stop is North Korea and like in the communist side, the servers at Pyongyang didn't allow us to take pictures of our food. Such a bummer since you know me I like to document what I eat. We had some squid, bibimbap, omelette, cold noodles and chicken for my friends. It was a bit expensive than you would normally pay for Korean food here in Siem Reap but the novelty sure makes up for it. One thing I noticed in Pyongyang were how really pretty their servers.

I did manage to take a photo of the kimchi but after I was asked to refrain from doing anymore.

Apres, we went to Ti Amo for desserts. And like the modern and westernized South, Ti Amo represented the international side of Korea. This coffee shop has the usual pastries plus truly Korean ones like Baby Chu, Mamoth and sorta like hopia bread. Everything is yummy! I decided to get Afogato because I've never tried it before. They serve it to you with vanilla ice cream plus red tea.

You pour the red tea on the ice cream and, voila! I love the ritual and presentation.

We had that hopia thingy and a slice of cheese cake, too.

I was with Linette, Faith and Loven.

It was raining that day so I wore my hooded vest from my fall/winter 2011 collection.

Fashion Diary: top - DP hooded vest with H&M black tee under, bottom - EDITED pants, shoes - DM's.

Kawaii

2011-10-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

Just some cute stuff I got from the thrift shop:

A black rat I'm giving to my nephew, Gino.

Really cute button pins and key chains. The art on the key chains remind me of Galaga, an old Atari game.

A leather flower brooch.

Stitch in black&white!

I'm such a sucker for useless stuff.

Friends Visiting

2011-10-14T01:07:00.000-07:00

A few moons ago Franco met up with his friends here in Siem Reap.

We didn't really spend so much time together because I wanted him to enjoy more of his time with his friends who are just visiting. But we did manage to bond and even met up with Nod and Ardin who came also to Siem Reap.

It was Ardin's first time in Cambodia and he was visiting Nod in Phnom Penh.

We went to the usual places after they toured Angkor Wat.

If there was more time I would have brought them to places outside the Pub Street area. Their trip was very short so we ended up just going around near.

I brought them to AHA for desserts.

AHA's honeycomb ice cream never fails to impress.

Stripes

2011-10-12T03:56:00.000-07:00

I can't remember when I started loving unusual patterns and drapes in clothing. Back in college it was minimalism that really caught my fancy so it's probably when I started discovering my style in designing when I really appreciated the construction of a garment.

Nowadays, it's really normal to see complex patterns in clothing being sold in your regular clothing stores and malls. Back in the day when I was growing up you will be hard pressed to find anything that is unconventional or not preppy, unless you go to Hong Kong or Japan. There must have been a few stores in Manila selling edgy clothing designs but in Iloilo there was nothing at all. Thanks to thrift shops you can also find a lot of interesting looking clothing that goes beyond the normal cuts.

When reduced what I'm wearing here are basically a layered tank and shirt paired with pants. But this stripe top from Bo Parcon has unusual seaming with asymmetrical drapes on the sides. The front is also longer than the back. Underneath I wore a 2xist tank for contrast. My pants is plus minus multiply divide, a very unusual style that seems to marry a skirt and pants in one pattern. I tried looking for a website for this Hong Kong brand but I couldn't find any. This label has always been fun to wear because they make really interesting patterns using very comfortable fabrics like cotton jersey. My bag is Ann Demeulemeester that I got from the thrift shop and my shoes is DM's.

Bags, Wallets and Pouches

2011-09-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

I think I've mellowed quite a bit when it comes to my thrifting although my friends would argue that. I do manage to gather quite a number of stuff and more than half of it I don't even use. I end up selling it, giving it to friends or mostly I keep it for design reference. Early this year I managed to edit my clothing archive, not a huge number really, but still a handful. I also slashed my regular clothing pieces, shoes and accessories. I've also sold some of my bags to friends though it's quite difficult for me to do that. So there is effort on my part to tone down. It's quite funny though to be talking about that since I'm about to share with you some thrifted stuff I got recently. Oh, well, I guess there's no cure for me.

I first got wind of this brand from Make It Easy when he blogged about it. Tsumori is not the Paris based Japanese designer, Tsumori Chisato, but sort of a Muji-esque market site. Sort of... ummm, if you've seen Koreanovelas, you're probably familiar with how e-retailing has been huge in Korea. They have e-malls where virtual shops sell all sorts of stuff. I think Tsumori is like that. I like the tote I found from them especially the printed graphics on it.

I also like this very Muji-esque canvas tote bag with no print or label. Very Margielic, too. What I love about it is the thick canvas fabric which makes the whole thing sturdy. I hate those flimsy basic totes that can't hold a shape.

Some assorted stuff: leather Arnold Palmer pouch, Le Sportsac printed beltbag and 3 small pouches. So kawaii, don't you think?

There's something ugly cool about this rag bag that I just need to buy it. It reminds me so much of Dover Street Market where they sold all these artisanal bags from different places like Thailand, Africa and China. They also have a section there called World Archive, and it would fit in there naturally. From the very start, Poetry (my shop) was inspired by DSM and its modern souk inspired concept. So when I see stuff that I find interesting I buy it and sell it there.

15 Looks

2011-09-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

1. John Varvatos tee with Bo Parcon vest, DP pants, DietButcherSlimSkin shoes, H&M x Comme des Garcons bag

2. DP tank, Ralph Lauren shorts, Nike bag, New Balance shoes

3. Top Engine tee, Gap jeans, DM's shoes, Via Demizon bag

4. Muji tank, Ralph Lauren shorts, New Balance shoes, Prada backpack

5. DP shirt, Levi's jeans, Nike shoes, vintage bag

6. Ouki tee, DP pants, Converse shoes

7. 5cm tee, DP pants, DM's shoes, Y'saacs Homme Yohji Yamamoto beltbag, Mango & Robotang cuffs

8. DP hooded wrap, H&M balck tee, EDITED pants, DM's shoes, Y'saacs Homme Yohji Yamamoto beltbag

9. PAID draped top, 2xist tank top, EDITED pants, vintage boots Margaret Howell bag

10. EDITED tee, EDITED pants, DM's shoes, Cordura bag

11. Eairth top, Levi's denim cut-off shorts, DM's x Raf Simons shoes, Hermes bag

12. Levi's denim vest, H&M tee, Levi's jeans, DM's shoes, thrifted denim 'Birkin' bag

13. H&M tee, Izzue shorts, DM's shoes, Y'saacs Homme Yohji Yamamoto beltbag, Mango & Robotang cuffs

14. Mercibeaucoup, top, Bo Parcon pants, DM's shoes, Cordura bag

15. Marc by Marc Jacobs tee, DP pants, Nike shoes, Cordura bag

de Gran

2011-09-18T05:12:00.000-07:00

One of nicest looking salon I've ever seen in Phnom Penh is de Gran. Run by Japanese stylists, it offers the best of what beauty expertise Japan is known for. I haven't tried their services yet since I usually don't fuss too much about my hair. A trip to the local barber is enough but I'd probably try it out when I'm in the mood to change my current undercut style. If you're in Phnom Penh check it out, info here.

Phnom Penh

2011-09-18T03:13:00.000-07:00

I've been going to Phnom Penh quite often lately for some projects. It's a mere 6 hour travel by bus but it feels like I'm going to another country. Phnom Penh's mood is so different from Siem Reap that I always consider it sort of a vacation when I'm there. Here's a few of the places I went to in Phnom Penh:

Sophy&Sina. Doesn't look like this building is in Phnom Penh, non? This shop sells original designer bags and items plus an atelier for made-to-measure needs of Khmer fashionistas. On the 5th floor is also the office of F Magazine, the best fashion magazine in Cambodia.

Bistro Lorenzo. A Filipino restaurant serving delicious sizzling squid adobo, paksiw na isda, seafood valenciana and other famous Pinoy dishes that I don't eat (you know, the meat dishes, hehehe).

Blue Pumpkin at the riverside. Stunning view of the river while you indulge in sinfully delectable ice cream, pastries and cakes. They also serve meals based on Khmer favorites but done in a Blue Pumpkin twist. Lovely place to relax especially with an all-white interior and huge comfy daybeds.

Rahu. From the same group that manages Metro comes this charming and chic place for Japanese nibbles and continental small plates while you enjoy a bottle of wine. The moody place is perfect for gossips with friends while you secretly eye the who's who in the crowd.

Korean Grill at Naga World. Lovely food at this Korean restaurant in Phnom Penh's biggest entertainment complex. The most memorable part of the dish was the rice porridge starter. Sublime flavor! The bibimbap was also good and I would go back just for that.

Some Pinoys from the Maldives who are friends with my blogger friend wanted to take a photo with me. It was embarassing but what the heck! It's so nice meeting them there and quite a funny coincidence, don't you think?

Nod's Moist Chocolate Cake. One of the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted. I think he accepts orders so if you're in Phnom Penh and you want to try this you can contact me and I will give you his number.

Franco and moi.

Eng and Toefi.

Noodle House. This hole-in-a-wall place serves that smoky, wok fried noodles you can only get from authentic Chinese restos. You can tell the noodles are also freshly made because of the texture and taste. Yummy! We also got some fried tofu with vegetables and it was a perfect compliment. I think we also had some vegetable dumplings, too. Very affordable place to eat although it's not really chic.

Arte Povera

2011-09-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Newly stocked in Poetry is this little gem of a label called Arte Povera Creazione ricuperare. What's so lovely about the pieces of hats they produce is that it's made of vintage, recycled materials with bits of leather, some touches of imperfection, a random button, stitches here and there - it's rustic chic! You know me I love something perfectly imperfect. I own 3 pieces of Arte Povera myself and I've been wearing them a lot, lately. There's a lot more that I want for myself but I gotta share, too! LOL

Running

2011-09-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

Running in Angkor Wat again. I'm so happy because I missed it so much. There's something fulfilling after finishing the route, all sweaty and tired. I was a bit sore all over the next day but I felt I achieved something great. It's really the first few runs that's going to hurt but after your body will adjust.

Fashion Diary: top - Muji, shorts - Ralph Lauren, bag - Prada, shoes - New Balance.

Birthdays

2011-09-14T02:59:00.000-07:00

A few moons ago, two of my friends celebrated their birthdays one day apart.

Romyr had an 80's theme.

I was evoking Banana Rama so pardon the hair and denim.

Franco went into the colorful, sporty look.

Adi, Mikee, Arnie and Dave.

Everyone just chilled out at Naga's Darling Darling.

Eng and Toefi.

Vane

Dave

Franco and Nara.

We surprised Toefi with a little cake the midnight of his birthday.

He celebrated at Maan's place.

It's basicallt the same pips, lol!

The birthday boy and moi.

Two Years

2011-09-12T23:56:00.000-07:00

I was in Phnom Penh last Friday to attend the second anniversary party of F Magazine, Cambodia's best fashion magazine. All my friends were so excited about it especially what they are going to wear.

As for me I decided to mix a vintage Comme des Garcons top with pieces from my collection for spring/summer 2012. The pants is a gift from my friend Daniel and it's from FadThree that he bought in Japan. I wanted to wear the ponyhair shoes Toxic gave me but it was raining hard that night I didn't want to ruin it so I wore my trusty patent DM's, instead.

As part of the celebration, F Magazine invited 20 designers to create white outfits for the runway.

I showed this layered dress with feathers on the sleeve.

It was also the launching of their September issue featuring Cambodia's superstar, Preap Sovath and Sim Solika.

Inside the issue they also featured the 20 creations in individual spreads. I shot mine in a boat while it cruised the Mekong river.

Backstage, Franco, the magazine's creative director, was busy with the event. With him is Sina of Sophy&Sina, and Sophy, the editor-in-chief of F Magazine.

My friend Toefi wore a hooded piece from my fall/winter 2011 collection.

Here's a group shot with Toefi, Nod (wearing a DP vest), Franco (in a Leon Franco suit and OS necklace), and Eng (in DP pants).

Me with Nod and Franco.

I came to the party with Nod and Finn.

Finn's sister Heather was visiting from the UK, here with model, Sros.

Mylene also wore a DP draped dress, Arnie in DP suit and Anne Marie in a DP skirt from s/s 2011.

I was so surprised and happy when a lot of my friends and clients wore my designs for the party. The celebration continued at Fly Lounge where everyone had time to catch up and chat.

Congratulations F Magazine on your 2 years!

Saturday

2011-09-11T02:06:00.000-07:00

Usually, if I'm just here in Siem Reap, I go to the Raffles Garden to pray during Saturdays.

Raffles Hotel is one of the most sought after place to stay when you are in Siem Reap. I usually go there for some high tea or cocktail in their lobby bar.

A little bit of fashion diary first: tee - from Hong Kong, jeans - Levi's, shoes - Converse, bag - Margaret Howell.

MHL Margaret Howell sling bag 'inspired by function and utility'. Lovely, non? It's one of my fave bags to use lately.

Apres, I had breakfast at a local market near my place.

Got some delicious egg noodle soup. Reminds me of batchoy but I know it's totally different.

I also got the wickedest iced coffee with milk. Pure love! So yummy and the kick sure hits you.

Usually, after this I go thrifting.

Helmut Lang x National Geographic

2011-09-06T01:36:00.000-07:00

My obsession for anything Helmut Lang extends up to collecting old issues of National Geographic magazine. Wait the minute, what?! Yes, National Geographic didn't escape the subversive imaginings of Mr. Lang as he unleashed his iconic ads on its pages. When asked the reason for such a trailblazing move, the first fashion label to put an ad campaign in the history of the magazine, he explained that no one ever throws National Geographic. I think I have around 10 pieces now between 1998 to 2001. Most of the copies I left in the Philippines but I luckily found 3 copies in Phnom Penh at Boston Bookstore.

March 2001

May 2000

September 1999

See Right Through Me

2011-09-04T20:22:00.000-07:00

Plastic bags has a long history with fashion and it keeps coming up in cycles every now and then. Recently, the Jil Sander clear grocery totes has been one hot item for the fashion crowd.

Here's a few of my faves from other designers:

Alexander Wang

Prada

Chanel

Hermes

In my case, I find it strange to carry a bag and all its contents for everyone to see. In a way you really have to be very neat, organized and minimalist to pull off the look. Imagine strangers judging you because they can see all the jumble packed in your bag. A clear one is perfect for someone I met recently who tends to forget things she puts inside her bag. One time she pulled out a stick of pork barbecue she bought a week before.

I got this Gucci clear tote recently and I love the shape and simplicity of it. The black leather bordering the frame makes it ghost like. It's like carrying a phantasm, a floating bag. I got it for $3 from the thrift shop, not bad for something Gucci, non? I'm guessing this was during Tom Ford's time designing the label.

Here, I'm using the bag paired with an all-black outift: Calvin Klein tee, DP pants and DM's shoes. My attempt in evoking 90's minimalism.

Normal

2011-09-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

If I can have my way I'd dress up looking like this everyday.

I love drapes and layering. I love elements in clothing that droop, wrinkle, fold and crease. Lately, I've preferred wearing clothing that bore the effects of time. In my mind those elements make the pieces solely unique and in my world highly desirable. Even the permanent stains, holes and tatters are cause for celebration in having a truly personal collection of clothing items. There's a mindset that the new, sleek and perfect is the better choice. I say, it's more modern to create looks with pieces that look worn and used. It's more poetic!

Living in Siem Reap where it's generally sunny and hot, it's absurd for me to layer and pile on drapes all the time. There will be days when the only decent thing to wear is a tank top and shorts because it's too humid to even wear a t-shirt. But I always grab the chance whenever it's abnormaly cool, although, the most I can do is Layer Lite. Here I'm wearing a DP draped top with a Rococo vest and black Banana Republic tee.

The back of the Rococo vest has a deep scoop making it shorter than the front. It has a long sleeve before but I decided to cut it because it'll be to warm to wear. I tend to like vests because I get the layered look without my arms covered. I rarely use my jackets when I'm here in Cambodia.

This look encapsulates my idea of a uniform for myself. I feel normal when I'm wearing this kind of look. Actually, I wore this when I was about to go out and do my errands. I went to the bank, did my grocery, went to the wet market and bought vegetables, etc.

My pants is from EDITED, the rtw line I front with my friend Jaki Penalosa. The patent DM's I bought from my last trip in Bangkok proved to be the most practical buy since I've been wearing it non-stop! It's Cambodia friendly where it's dusty and muddy and all kinds of tropical terrain you can experience. Just wipe the patent surface, and voila!, it looks decent again! I'm planning to buy the classic 8 hole black leather and probably some gray ones, too.

My beltbag is from Y'saacs Homme Yohji Yamamoto, a thrift find from Japan Thrift Shop. I think I got it for $2.00 and it made me very happy

Work Scene

2011-09-02T01:02:00.000-07:00

This work scene images featuring Yohji Yamamoto ( from Francois Baudot's book of the designer published by Assouline) has been a constant source of inspiration for me.

There's something poetic about it. That sense of anticipation before the show. The intense concentration while cutting fabric. Some indecisiveness editing the pieces for the runway.

It's a process all the great designers go through. It's a process designers go through.

That led me to find more work scene images of some of the designers I admire.

It was extremely difficult to find Rei Kawakubo's picture but this backstage photo, from one of her early presentations, shows her looking tensed but at the same time trying to hold the emotions bottled up.

Damir Doma scrutinizing one of his designs in a fitting. What could he be thinking?

Magazines editors sometimes get a sneak of collections. Miuccia Prada shares a moment with Anna Wintour, possibly the most powerful of all magazine editors.

Helmut Lang directing the exits of the models in his early 'work in progress' presentation.

This photo of Ann Demeulemeester in her studio fascinated me so much when I started designing. I still have the copy of W Magazine where it appeared.

I seem to be drawn to designers that are extremely private and rarely reveal much of themselves. It feels precious to see rare images of them in their environment doing the most mundane of things. Here's Ann Demeulemeester having a smoke in her studio.

I expected Hussein Chalayan explaining one his complex patterns and you can see how at ease and passionate he is in doing so.

Limi Yamamoto looks lost in her thoughts. She's probably thinking of a solution to a design dilemma.

Rick Owens is seen dressing one of his models. That intense, confident look on his face is of someone who is fiercely individualistic.

One of fashion's quiet genius, Azzedine Alaia. Look at his work space and tell me if this man isn't passionate about what he is doing. The chaos and clutter speaks volume of the amount of work happening.

Assorted Looks

2011-08-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

top - Calvin Klein, bottom - EDITED, shoes - DM's, bag - vintage military pack

top - Izzue, scarf - Izzue, pants - from Japan, bag - Moschino, shoes - DM's

top - DP, pants - EDITED, bag - Maison Martin Margiela, shoes - DM's

top - Hare, pants - Gap jeans, shoes - Raf Simons x DM's, bag - Dior Homme

top - McQ Alexander McQueen, pants - SM Collections, shoes - Nike Air

top - from JJ market, pants - Gap jeans, bag - Dior Homme, shoes - DM's

top - Eairth, pants - EDITED, shoes - DM's, bag - Dior Homme

top - EDITED, pants - Levi's, shoes - Raf Simons x DM's, bag - Dior Homme

top - vintage, pants - made-to-measure from Hong Kong, shoes - Raf Simons x DM's, bag - Dior Homme

top - Eairth, pants - EDITED, shoes - DM's, bag - Takeo Kikuchi

top - DP layered tank, pants - DP, shoes - DM's

top - Marc O' Polo, pants - from Japan, shoes - DM's, bag - Dior Homme

top - Neil Barett tee under DP gray vest, pants - Fadthree jeans, shoes - DM's, bag - vintage woven leather clutch

top - Another Place, pants - Dries Van Noten, shoes - Converse, bag - canvas Hermes

Many Heads Are Better Than One

2011-08-30T04:46:00.000-07:00

Paradigm Shift x OS x Enzo Mondejar x Eric Poliquit = Sublime Imagery.

Chrome Hearts

2011-08-30T02:19:00.000-07:00

There's this thrift shop here in Siem Reap selling all sorts of stuff from Japan. Aside from the usual clothing, homeware, bags and shoes, they also sell random things like furniture, fabrics, toys and something that the Little Mermaid would call 'whootzits and whatzits galore'. Discarded random cd's, books, souvenir items, chains, ribbons and stuff in all sorts of colors and sizes from different people. In the thrift shop they usually put them in huge plastic bins because it would be too tedious to segregate it one by one. I love going through those bins and finding little trinkets that I use to make accessories.

One lucky find that I'm so happy to find was this Chrome Hearts bracelet. The luxury brand is known for items with fleur-de-lys, dagger and floral cross motif designs in silver. It was founded in 1988 by motorcycle enthusiast, Richard Stark, hence the gothic rock mood of the wares they are selling, aside from jewelry, includes leather clothing and furniture. I know Karl Lagerfeld is a fan, piling loads of pieces together and wearing it like stacked coils of metal.

With a little bit of patience and $1 after, I now own a piece from Chrome Hearts.

Comme To BLACK

2011-08-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

Comme des Garcons lovers will always love black and the CDG line called BLACK. Visit their blog for more black and CDG BLACK.

Helmut Lang Ads

2011-08-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

Luxirare's thoughts about Helmut Lang's enduring genius through his ad campaigns here. Among his trailblazing marketing ploy was being the first designer to show his collection via the internet, the first major fashion label to place an ad in the National Geographic Magazine (I obsessively collect copies), credit perfumes in fashion editorials, using taxi cabs for campaigns, etc.

Helmut Lang will always be an inspiration to me!