27 Weeks: Back to Grunge

My mom and Dada don't particularly like it when I wear these tattered jeans, but they are just so comfy! My mom says this is something to wear to the market, or Divisoria daw. AKA as the haggling outfit, haha!

But I still often wear it out to run errands. This is the easiest outfit to throw on ever, plus this is one of two pairs of jeans I have, that still fit me. Wore this to lunch with Karrots at Basil:

grey shirt from Daley, Super Loved Destroyed boyfriend jeans from Current/Elliott, black Converse x Play Comme des Garçons sneakers

This is how I look like from the side:

I think Xavi is going to be much bigger than Berry. I was on 30+ weeks with Berry na when my belly was this size. Then again, as they say, first babies are smaller and succeeding babies are bigger. Plus with Xavi, I have a teenage boy's appetite and I am hungry every hour. Yes, up to now.

26 Weeks: Prints Please

Suddenly, I seem to have somehow started accumulating printed dresses. From graphic to ethnic, my wardrobe of mostly solids, checks and plaids has been infiltrated with loud prints. I only started with at most two printed dresses, and now I have like, five. Ehehe! Of course, I am still staying true to my vow of keeping a capsule wardrobe.

Here's what I wore at 26 weeks:

Marni x H&M dress with Marni platforms and accessories from J.Crew, Fenton/Fallon and Alexis Bittar, when Rissa & I attended the MEGA event with the theme "Global chic"...

Ran errands in this t-shirt jersey dress from Twenty8Twelve (this was my breastfeeding dress for Berry because it has snaps on the shoulder, so easy to remove hehe), Repetto BB flats and accessories from J.Crew and Fenton/Fallon

25 Weeks

With the weather getting so much warmer, it makes sense to wear dresses instead.

This is what I wore to my mom's birthday dinner:

silk printed dress from The Addison Story at SM Fashion Forum, Repetto BB flats, accessories from J.Crew, Kenneth Jay Lane and Fenton/Fallon

This is what I wore to brunch with friends:

Silk dress from See by Chloe, gold sandals from Pour la Victoire, accessories from J.Crew and Fenton/Fallon

Yes silk dresses during the summer. Not as high maintenance as I thought. And they feel so cool and soft against the skin. Then again, silk is a 100% natural fabric that breathes, and feels really fresh during hot summer days.

22 Weeks: Secret Stash

My sister-in-law Lorr has often told me about her secret place for export overruns and it was only last week that we found the chance to check it out. We went 2 weeks ago (I am actually going on 24 weeks this week) and I have gone back twice since Lorr first brought me there! That same week, to accompany my sister Dianne, and last week, to bring my Mom. Who both were so happy with their stash of clothing!

This was my find during my first visit there, a linen and jersey vest from Rock & Republic. Not bad for Php1200. Actually, I was expecting to pay less, but the saleslady said "Ma'm Rock & Republic yan!" Aba! She knows her brands. Plus Lorr said, I won't be able to find a vest of that quality for Php1200 anywhere. Ok, sold!

 

Worn with a tank from Mango, Topshop leggings, Repetto ballet flats, accessories from J.Crew & Kristine Dee/Paul Syjuco

My next visit, I scored this blush lightweight blazer by Lauren Conrad for Kohl's for Php700. So perfectly summer-y! I love it! I saw some blush blazers at Zara and Mango and OMG, they're like more than 5 times the price of this one. This is practically a steal. (UPDATE: I just got back from Zara, it's almost 10x the price of this one pala!)

Worn with a white tank from Zara, J Brand jeans, Miu Miu flat t-bar sandals (the blush stones on the sandals are the perfect complement to the blazer hee!), accessories from J.Crew and Fenton/Fallon

Prices are really amazing I tell you. Tops are Php400, dresses and blazers are Php700, and there's an area outside where you can score tops from Php200 to Php300.

Overruns are mostly from Banana Republic, Old Navy, Gap, Madras, but if you have a good eye, you'll spot various random brands with interesting designs that you won't find anywhere else. Great pieces you can wear to work, or on weekends.

UPDATE: I would have to close the request for the address aka The Secret Circle is closed (as Isabelle, one of my readers put it heehee). I received over 500 emails and I tried my best to reply to every one, including the ones in the Spam folder over the past couple of days. I hope I did not miss out on anybody's email. At this point, I cannot promise I can reply to succeeding emails any more, as it has gotten overwhelming. So sorry! 

19 Weeks: Play Date then Day to Night

Christopher Kane x Topshop dress, Birkenstocks

Audrey & I organized a play date for Berry, Gia & Georgia last week at their home - they had a "nail polish play date" and had a manicure/pedicure session with Hopscotch Kids, heehee. Even 6 month old Georgia put polish on her toes - it's water based naman! Adorbs! I wore this Christopher Kane x Topshop dress - it's comfy with a pambahay feel, but still cool enough to be worn out. AJ, their daddy aka The Graphic Designer, automatically recognized Christopher Kane's work! Galing! Had to clarify though, "Topshop lang ito!" Hahaha!

That same week, I hied off to Anthem in Rockwell to check out Anthology's new Hudson wedges. Angganda! Pregnancy friendly too ha! It's so light and so comfy! I like the grey ones the best, because it has that  nude effect, doesn't look chunky at all and just blends with the skin.

It comes in these 3 colors, and I would so get this in black too when they have it out. Soon please!

I was actually in Rockwell for a lunch meeting with Oliver of AVA (btw, thanks to everyone who supported the FEED sale on AVA! Almost sold out again as of week 1!) but I also had dinner that same evening with Dada and friends - Karrots, Chico, Jacob and Kaye, so this was my attempt at day to night dressing:

jeweled flats from Miu Miu, a dress from Hong Kong, Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, Fenton/Fallon cuff

day to night flats diba?

Blast From the Past

top: Bimba & Lola, jeans: J Brand Lovestory, bangles: Alexis Bittar & Fenton/Fallon, belt: J.Crew, 

bag: Mulberry Alexa, wedges: Chloé

Good thing the 70s are back with a vengeance. I am finding myself reviving stuff from the recesses of my closet, not that it's deep. Got these J Brand Lovestory jeans from eLuxury back in 2006. eLuxury has since been replaced by Nowness.com.

These J Brands are skinny on the thighs and flare down once they hit the knee. They're the most perfect flares I've ever had, and it's a shame I hardly get to wear them because I don't really wear heels or wedges in my daily life.

Except this day, when my friend Frances passed by for us at our apartment for our brunch with the kiddos. Which meant we didn't have to walk far, or take the bus or subway. So, I took my wedges out for a spin , and after three long years, they again saw the light of day.

Singapore Shopping: Blackmarket

Two Sundays ago, my interview with Quincy Teofisto and Jasmine Tuan of Blackmarket came out On the Radar, in The Philippine Star. In case you missed it, here it is for your reading pleasure. So inspiring (especially if you've always dreamed of having your own store), and definitely worth your time.

SINGAPORE - Blackmarket, one of Singapore’ s hottest retailers, is a multi-brand store carrying up and coming homegrown labels as well as tightly edited collections from Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (Manila’ s very own ProudRace is a consistent bestseller). The brainchild of Filipino video artist Quincy Teofisto, and longtime colleague, media designer and confessed shopaholic Jasmine Tuan, Blackmarket is actually an extension of the duo’ s reach and influence in the local media design scene. Not a bad move for two club kids who carved out their niche on the dance floor of Zouk.

The duo named their retail venture Blackmarket, with the premise of rebelling against commercialism.

While the name evokes something underground or bordering on the fringes of legality, there is nothing seedy or shady about their stores, save for the notorious provenance of their first shop’ s location on Victoria Street in Jalan Pisang- a street that was once home to 16th century pirates and drug dens in the 1990s. Simply put, Blackmarket is a hotspot for emerging talent and a showcase for thoughtful trade.

On the Radar speaks with Quincy and Jasmine about their design backgrounds, their runaway success in retailing, plans for the future, and the latest Philippine addition to their roster of regional labels.

Quincy, what brought you to Singapore?

There was an opening for scholarship back in 2001, so I applied and studied video art in Lasalle College of the Arts here in Singapore.

Jasmine, you have your own labels FruFru & Tigerlily. Were you always into fashion? What got you interested in fashion? What course did you take up in university?

Fashion definitely plays a big role in my life. I'm a shopaholic and I've been dressing up since the day I embraced vanity. I travel and shop a lot, hence I understand and value the importance of a complete retail experience and learned how to spot good design based on my personal taste.

I was working with Zouk, Singapore's biggest club for nine years and it exposed me to different creatives, including fashion. I studied Visual Communications, doing graphics and majored in electronic media design. That has no relationship with fashion at all. (laughs)

How did you two meet? How long have you known each other?

Jasmine and I have common interests. She was doing the media design for Zouk, specifically motion graphics, and I am into video art, so our background is somehow similar. We started our first collaboration by playing visuals for clubs, exhibitions and corporate events under the name Achtung! Achtung! We've become prominent in Singapore via Zouk's ReadySet Glo. We’ ve been working together for almost 5 years now.

How did you end up partnering together and putting up your own store? Why did you choose Jalan Pisang as your first location? Why Orchard Central next?

We started a design collective together with our ex-partners. We love the space in Jalan Pisang for its quaint character, it really matches our own characters. We knew that the shop belonged to the area when we first moved in.

We've been looking for a second location since last year since we couldn’ t accommodate the new designers in Jalan Pisang. We wanted to showcase more designers but space constraint was stopping us from getting more stocks. We chose Orchard Central because it is far from the mad crowd in the area. We want to maintain the underground character of Blackmarket.

Did you always see yourselves going into retail?

Initially, we were planning to design tees and thought of setting up an online shop while still keeping our day jobs. But we never really ventured into it. The first thought was how to market our design works so we decided to realize our plans by setting up Blackmarket. We never really anticipated that the retail side of the business would become a full time job.

Your store is an incubator for talented and/or up and coming designers and labels. What advice can you give designers from around the region who would want to have presence in Singapore, in a well-curated store like yours?

Designing is a serious job, the work involves meticulous research and accurate execution. To gain respect from your discipline is to respect your own work first. Always remember that someone is better than yourself, there's no point in trying to overtake someone, just be contented in what you can do, and improve, collaborate, never compete.

You mentioned that the rough-hewn tables, simple racks and overall raw aesthetic of the store is a reflection of your current crop designers. Do you foresee yourselves going towards a polished route in the future?

Of course it's been a dream to reach a certain level, like Colette in Paris or Seven New York someday. We're only 2 years old, it will be conceited if we jump farther than we can offer. We're taking things slowly but aggressively. It will take time but we believe we will get there.

Cecile Van Straten's t-shirt line, Heather Miss Grey with Bleach Catastrophe, will soon be available (the line is now available in Blackmarket-MFO) in your store. What did you like about it?

Cecile is one of the pioneers in edgy and forward design. No one can deny her prominence in the Philippine design industry starting from her Defect days. I must say that she made her mark. It's exciting to know that she's creating something again after a hiatus in the industry. Even though it is a small collection, there's a strong cohesiveness in the theme, the pieces are young yet contemplative in her design.

Blackmarket
19 Jalan Pisang
Singapore 199084 (along Victoria Street)

+65 6296 8512
Open from 12pm to 9pm daily

Blackmarket No. 2
#02-10 Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896
+65 6634 5201
Open from 12pm to 9pm daily

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Background story: When Cecile went to Blackmarket to talk to them about her t-shirt line, Berry and I had the pleasure of tagging along. Cecile introduced us to Quincy and Jasmine, and it was so cool to actually be right there in the same room when this was all happening. Heather Miss Grey in Singapore. Yay!

Knowing Cecile was there to pitch HMG, I decided to wear one of her shirts. To mowdel it, ya know. Here I am wearing Heather Miss Grey's Hitch t-shirt. It's a super soft gray tee with 3/4 sleeves and a longer back. The hidden front pocket where X marks the spot is a nice touch. Love the little details. Definitely not just another regular tee. It's a statement shirt.

My t-shirt: Heather Miss Grey, Jeans: J Brand, Flats: Lanvin, Bag: Alexander Wang Rocco, Cuff: Fenton/Fallon
Berry's shirt: Gingersnaps, Shorts: Ralph Lauren, Sneakers: Converse Chuck Taylors
Berry's stroller: Philippe Starck for Maclaren

(Photos taken by Chuvaness)

Whatta Day!

It was such a hot day today, it felt like we could do Bikram Yoga out on the streets! So excuse us for our sweaty appearance!

But, even if the chances of suffering from heatstroke were pretty high, nothing could stop us from going out to meet with my friends Sarj & Happy! Today, Berry, my SIL Les and I went to Bryant Park to meet with Sarj!

While waiting for Sarj, we let Berry run after the pigeons in the park! Just when I was about to collapse from the heat...

Like a knight in shining armor, Sarj called us to say she was waiting in a cab. And we dashed out to 42nd Street, the cab waiting by the curbside, just thankful to escape the heat into the welcome arms of the cab's a/c! We then headed off to Schiller's...

But I was so hungry, I didn't bother to take photos! (Well, Happy did!)

After a yummy lunch of nachos and fish and chips, we then went to Maryam Nassir Zadeh across the street to ogle at pretty clothes and shoes and stuff! So mad at myself for having low EQ and buying an Isabel Marant sweater dress at full price! It was on sale there! Boo hoo! Plus, I saw these Dieppa Restrepo oxfords in camel, which I love. Uh-oh! I am afraid for what will happen next!

(Photo from Maryam Nassir Zadeh)

We then went to get "dessert" at Doughnut Plant!

Here's Les and Happy enjoying a strawberry jam filled doughnut (L)  and Tres Leches (H)!

I would post a picture of Sarj, but I think she'd kill me if I did! Hahaha! I finally got to try the Blackout too! Omg! It was yum! This photo does not do justice!

As if that wasn't enough, we went for more dessert aka eye candy at Fenton Fallon:

Berry loved it there! You know how she loves accessories! See, she was pointing at something already!

The pieces inside were gorge! Too hard not to leave the store without something! Promise!

I swear, if it wasn't insanely hot earlier, we could have done more and gone to more places!

Oh-bama!

Michelle Obama really does have great taste and an eye for the sublime! Because she's wearing the Carrington Necklace from Fenton/Fallon for J.Crew that I've loooong wanted!

Here's how it looks from the front, in all it's sparkly glory!

As if the thought of purchasing one isn't agonizing enough, now there are two colors to choose from!

Antique Gold: Gold and copper ox-plated brass chains with hand-set cubic zirconium, Swarovski and Czech stones 

Dark charcoal: Gold and copper ox-plated brass chains with hand-set glass, Swarovski and Czech stones

While it would be nice to get both and make a Carrington your signature piece, wearing it with tees &  jeans for day and something fancy for night, the reality is, most of us can only spring for one, if not at all (sigh!). But let's pretend we have disposable funds, enough to get one. If you could only pick one, just one, which of the two would you choose?

J.Crew Rocks!

In one episode of season 7 of Project Runway, I saw Nina Garcia wearing a triple layered crystal necklace that just looked so gorgeous! Got me all convinced to one day spring for a crystal necklace.

J.Crew in my opinion, has the best selection! Ann Taylor has some, Anthropologie at one time had crystal cuffs (or was it glass?). Of course, Forver21 has lots of rhinestone accessories. My beef with cheap accessories though, is that they well, look cheap. And they start disintegrating after a couple of uses. So you just end up throwing them out. Which is such a waste of money.

Now these ones from J.Crew are heirloom quality!

(FENTON-FALLON for J.Crew, Carrington Crystal Bow Necklace $295.00)

(Crystal Lattice Necklace $325.00)

(Crystal Symphony Necklace $98.00)

(Tiered Crystal Libretto Necklace $98.00)

These would look so cool with a plain t-shirt, and glamorous with a lace dress or something dressy. So you see, it can be worn from day to night! Hopefully, one day, I can call one (or some. Hmmm, why not all?) of these mine!!!