Would You Wear Maxi Pants?

So my spider sense tells me maxi pants (or extreme flares, ballgown pants even) are going to be a thing.

This was the look that got me thinking. If Jenna Lyons lets it out for J. Crew's presentation for Fall 2015, it must mean something right?

via style.com

Then Leandra Medine actually wears a pair by Delpozo from Spring 2015 out on the streets. Which to all followers of fashion, pretty much means these pants are as good as gold.

via nymag.com

Then I remembered this look I absolutely loved from Sacai Spring 2013. And when Chitose Abe dreams it up in her head and makes an article of clothing real, it pretty much sets the tone and gets the ball rolling.

Or in this case, pant hems sweeping.

That said, would you wear voluminous pants such as these?

My Style Profile on Preview

It was a thrill to be asked by Tina Carillo of Preview Magazine to be part of their December 2014/January 2015 issue. Yup, that same issue with the radiant December bride, Marianne Rivera, on the cover. Plus, here's a FUN FACT: Berry had a cameo in the Style Profile too!

Of course, because Berry & I were so excited for this to come out, Dada was able to buy early. But my family had trouble finding this issue as most stores are already sold out. I hope you can still get a copy before January ends. 

For a digital copy of Preview, you may still download the December 2014/January 2015 issue via buqo on your iPad or iPhone!

Original Penguin x Pepsi: Live for Now

In a global first, Original Penguin and Pepsi have collaborated in creating a capsule collection, Live for Now. 

For the Manila launch, Original Penguin has put together today’s local talents, who are the movers and shakers of the generation, to bring to life the design and character of the collection. 

Gathering some of today’s most renowned and admired personalities in their respective fields, the event was graced by Tweetie De Leon, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Maxene Magalona, Maggie Wilson, Kelly Misa, JM Rodriquez, Victor Basa, RJ Ledesma, PBA Players Christ Tiu and Gabe Norwood, and Team Azkal’s Simon Greatwich, Carlie de Murga and Antonio de Murga. 

The festive affair showcased the exhibit of the eclectic designs of the six street artists who evidently did not hold back in making the collection lively, youthful and nonetheless original. The collection is a party all on its own, guests were enveloped in decorative colors and playful thematic set up, in which showcased how every piece in the collection is truly a work of art. 

It was an awesome night to say the least, the fashion show being the highlight of the event, captured everyone’s attention with the parade of colorful fashion pieces on your not-so typical set up of a ramp. 

Between breaks during the fashion show were the breathtaking stunts of the “Futkaleros".

For sure, there was no dull moment, no corner unturned and all were enjoying the energy emanating from the collection that is truly a breath of fresh air from today’s common trends. 

The Original Penguin x Pepsi Collection is available at the following stores: Glorietta 2, Greenbelt 5, Bonifacio High Street, Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, MarQuee Mall and Ayala Center Cebu

H&M in Manila, Very Very Soon!

Now it can be told!

Sometime back in December of last year, just a few days after H&M officially announced their entry to the Philippines, I got an email from Amirul Shah and Lisa Chai of H&M Singapore, telling me they had been wanting to talk to me, because they were looking for PR agency recommendations here in Manila. 

I had met Lisa years ago in Singapore, when I covered the H&M Singapore opening for The Radar in The Philippine Star and we soon reconnected via phone where she confirmed that H&M really was coming to Manila! OMG.

It was one thing reading it on a press release, and another hearing it straight from the source. I had waited years for this, and it was truly, finally, finally happening! 

The excitement continued to build up when I found that a friend of mine from high school, Gigi Mathay, was in charge of HR for H&M Manila and was keeping us all updated and entertained with her H&M training adventures on Facebook.

Fast forward to yesterday, and I finally got to see the H&M Manila showroom. 

I am also happy to share that Lisa chose well from the list of PR agencies and contacts I shared with her because well, apart from the fact that my list was carefully handpicked with only the names of the ones I have worked with and/or I know will not disappoint, she chose Bridges, one of my personal faves, because they are always the nicest! PR peeps, it pays to be nice to MFO. Just kidding. Hahaha.

And with my little role out of the way, haha, here's a sneak peek of what to expect when the store opens very soon, sometime during the 3Q of 2014. I am guessing that's by August at the earliest. Fingers crossed.

patent leather mules, very on trend

delicate slip dresses, sheer tops, knits, faux fur

a matte chain necklace, which also comes in a glossy taupe/gray

crystal flowers on grosgrain

ultra strappy sandals

real cashmere

silk crepe, chiffon, sequins, leopard spots

crystal embellished top

cropped poodle sweatshirt

sequin top

a bright knit

faux leather shorts, influenced probably by the Alexander Wang for H&M line (worldwide drop is in November, and yes, it will be launched here too!)

slip on sneakers in python and mock croc

priced at a fraction of my Celine skates, not bad!

The H&M Manila flagship, a 3,000 square meter store which dedicated followers of fashion and retail know will be at the Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall, will be a full concept store and will carry everything from the kids line to men, women and teens. Sadly, there will be no home section. For that, you'll need to get that from Europe or the US for your fix for now. Hee.

footwear for kids

cute cat leggings for kids

not your usual sweatpants, it's for men, but I want this for myself

nylon bomber jacket, mesh, leather, wool blended shirts for men

boat shoes in tweed, camo slip ons

I missed Lisa  who was in town, and Gigi who was just back from H&M China at the H&M Open House, as they were inside, working at the office, but it was a treat to see another friend, Chef Florabel Yatco who catered the event. I enjoyed her salted caramel tartlet...

...and I wished I could down these mojitos, but had a glass of refreshing dalandan juice instead, which was just as perfect.

But here's the better treat. Prices will not be too far off from pricing in other markets. As with all H&M markets, there are great deals to be had. This slip dress for instance, according to H&M Showroom Manager Nikki Verzo, will retail for just Php899. Imagine that!

H&M will surely rock our local retail scene. And with this taste of what's to come, will only make us wait with bated breath when it finally opens in just a few months time. Exciting!

The H&M Philippines flagship store will be occupying three floors insde Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall, and is slated to open Q3 of this year.

My Finds at Suiteblanco Mall of Asia

Spanish fashion brand Suiteblanco opened it's second branch at the Mall of Asia this month, and it's a treasure trove of fun & trendy as well as chic & classic finds.

From skater dresses in Spring's florals...

To boho chic drop waist dresses with delicate embroideries, there's something to suit every taste!

I am sharing with you my top picks from the store opening. But at the rate with how girls flock to Suiteblanco, I am afraid most of these would be gone by now.

I fell in love with this dress at first sight

Then I spotted Kim Jones wearing it! I told Kim, "I love your dress!" and she said, "It's Suiteblanco!" Then helpfully pointed out to the white dresses on the rack. Such a sweet girl! Love her!

Love this embroidered skirt as well! I initially thought these were shorts, and I eagerly got this and the matching top to add to my shopping pile. Too cute! 

Nuts about Hawaiian prints? These shorts are the dressed up version of the all too common cotton beachwear in tropical prints

 

Love the boho vibe of this guipure lace dress. Just imagine this with Isabel Marant's Dicker booties. So festival ready!

More than just clothes, they've got accessories and swimwear as well.

Did I mention these bikinis are just Php999? No kidding! Marked down a further 20% off during opening weekend too!

For updates and inquiries, like Suiteblanco on Facebook, follow them on Instagram at @suiteblancoph or better yet, visit Suiteblanco at

Suiteblanco SM Mall of Asia 
G/F Mall of Asia (near Kultura)
Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City

Suiteblanco SM Aura 
Upper Ground Level, SM Aura Premier
McKinley Parkway corner 26th St.,
Bonifacio Global City
Taguig, Metro Manila

MANGO Rocks it Up! The Fall/Winter 2013 Fashion Show at MOA

When I was fresh out of college during the late 90s, I can clearly remember the first MANGO store here in the Philippines which opened at Robinson’s Ermita on 1999. All the girls who cared about fashion were crazy about MANGO. Even the boys seemed to enjoy hanging out there, even if they pretended hating to be dragged there by their moms, girlfriends or sisters, because let’s face it, a lot of pretty, stylish girls made MANGO their de facto shopping place. 

With the fun, trendy clothes, the upbeat Spanish music playing in the background like it was the soundtrack of our lives, and the gorgeous girls milling about, MANGO is seriously the place to be. 

Fast-forward to today, and MANGO has not only grown with us girls, it has happily embraced the guys as well, with the line H.E. by MANGO, probably realizing that they had a captured market in store anyway. 

Not only that, those same couples who sauntered arm in arm into MANGO in Robinson’s Ermita 14 years ago? Well they have kids now, et voila, MANGO Kids for the kiddos. No kidding! 

So, it was simultaneously a walk down memory lane and a revelation of how big MANGO has grown, watching the MANGO Rock It Up Fall/Winter 2013 Fashion Show at the Main Mall Atrium of SM Mall of Asia last October 28, 2013. 

The fashion show served as a sort of ceremonial kick off to the opening of the MANGO flagship store at MOA, with a presentation of the current Fall/Winter lines for women composed of Suit, Casual-Sport, and Jeans collections, H.E. by MANGO, MANGO Touch as well as MANGO Kids and MANGO Sport&Intimates. 

Hosted by Borgy Manotoc and Nicole Andersson,

Guests were treated to a run through of the best looks for Fall/Winter 2013 for women:

Inspiring workout looks from the MANGO Sport&Intimates collection, which made me want to ditch my ratty old gym clothes:

MANGO Sport&Intimates is all about premium active wear and undergarments suitable for any fitness regimen 

Great layering ideas for when we travel to cooler climes:

As well as the cutest kids clothes, both for boys and girls alike:

Berry was thrilled to discover that her classmate Hunter walked the runway with his parents Aubrey Miles & Troy Montero

As if the cute little kids clothes, which were adaptations of pieces from the main lines, weren’t enough to make parents want to make the trek to Mall of Asia, 

MANGO Kids offers fun, fashionable choices for children from 3 to 12

MANGO has artfully, or shall I say slyly, come up with a “Mini Me” line, which are actual miniature versions of pieces from the women’s line. With this, moms & their daughters can totally dress up in matchymatchy outfits.

It’s like the MANGO designers dug deep into the psyche of a mom, knowing how we would just love to make our little girls wear something we would love to wear ourselves. Ugh, too cute. 

“Our flagship store showcases a lot more than women’s fashion,” says Kelly Santos, country supervisor of MANGO. “With the arrival of the much-anticipated MANGO Kids and Sport&Intimates, it emerges as the perfect fashion destination for people of all ages and lifestyles.” 

Honestly? I cannot agree more.

The MANGO Fall/Winter ’13 collection is currently available at all MANGO stores nationwide.

In the Philippines, MANGO is available in 25 stores in Metro Manila and key provincial cities. H.E. by MANGO and MANGO TOUCH have four and six stores, respectively. Meanwhile, Kids and Sport&Intimates are housed in the flagship store in SM Mall of Asia.

Follow MANGO! 
Facebook: http://facebook.com/mango.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Mango
YouTube: http://youtube.com/mangofashion
Instagram: @Mango
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mangofashion