United Colors of Benetton Spring 2014 Trunk Show

When I think of Spring, I think bright, happy colors.

That's pretty much what comes to mind too, when somebody mentions United Colors of Benetton.

Tessa Prieto-Valdez hosted UCB's Spring 2014 trunk show in  showstopping colors, wearing a Benetton dress underneath a geometric print skirt

United Colors of Benetton recently celebrated the launch of their Spring 2014 Collection via a trunk show at their High Street store.

Four fun and colorful looks were put together by celebrity stylist Alyanna Martinez, and I loved how she playfully put together the super versatile pieces from the collection to come up with practical outfits to wear during casual days.

Loved the reasonably priced pique polo shirts for guys, and the neon dresses for girls! I ended up bringing home a piece from the collection, thanks to Johanna and Rina of Benetton - a pair of super comfy and stretchy fuchsia UCB jeans that hugs at the right places but doesn't make me sweat in this heat!

Love. Love. Love.

Stock up on your spring and summer essentials at United Colors of Benetton at:

UCB Trinoma
L2,2035 Trinoma, EDSA Corner N Ave
Quezon City
Tel: +632 901 3545

UCB Robinsons Galleria
G/F, Ortigas Centre
Pasig City, 1605

UCB Megamall
2nd Level 205, SM Megamall
EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Ave.
Mandaluyong, 1550 Tel: +632 6347952

UCB Robinson's Ermita
1st Level Midtown
Robinson's Place
Ermita, Manila
Tel: +632 2320051

UCB High Street 
Bonifacio High Street
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Tel: +632 8562551

UCB Cebu
Level 1
Ayala Center Cebu
Cebu City
Tel: +632 22320051

Tod's Spring/Summer 2014

The Spring/Summer 2014 women's collection at Tod's is designer Alessandra Facchinetti's first ever collection for the label, and there was plenty to love this season.

The iconic Gommino driving loafer, rendered in pony hair, now comes in stripes and spots.

The Ballerina Gommino comes in bright red, pink and cream...

even criss cross with ankle straps!

But what I love the most are their fringed flats and sandals. Love. Love. Love.

This is very cute! I am actually seeing a lot of styles coming out that are similar to this shape from Carven to Christian Louboutin, when it was like the sole territory of Marni back in the day. This is a must have.

Of course, the bags, the bags. The Tods D-Cube Bag comes in four sizes, with contrasting side panels, in a range of leathers including exotics. I've seen them at the @tods Instagram account and they are gorge.

Of course, the Bauletto gets the fringe treatment and some bags were more embellished than most, but I gravitated towards this sleek boxy Morsetto that incorporates the Tod's textured pattern, which is inspired by the Gommino and imprinted onto the leather.

Another milestone to this season is an extensive ready-to-wear collection which debuted in a runway show back in September 2013. There were gorgeous separates such as this crisp, cotton shirt and skirt below, as well as buttery soft leather capes, shirts, skirts and dresses. 

There's just an ease and refinement to this collection that lives up that casual elegance that Tod's is known for.

I loved the belt on this outfit. It makes the outfit and subtly attract attention with screaming, "Look at me!". Understated but still eye catching.

Meanwhile, the Spring/Summer 2014 men's footwear collection is built around their famous Gommino style, each shoe sporting a rubber pebble sole. 

Betcha you didn't even realize that without me telling you!

These oxfords, brogues and monk straps feature a complex construction wherein a leather sole is treated with rubber injections and rubber Gommini details. They are extremely elegant, and I can imagine, comfortable as well.

Tod's Double Stripe, as the name suggests, is distinguished by double stripes of leather going down or crossing a bag, wallet or shoe. 

It got its start in the Spring/Summer 2013 Collection and has now become a signature motif of the brand, seen here on blue, brown and grey base leathers.

There's a Double Stripe selection of document holders and iPad cases too!

There is in fact a customization service for customers, where a client can choose their own color combination for stripes. There are 12 colors available, with an option to add a monogram that is set on a leather label and hand-stitched inside or outside the bag. 

Ask a Tod's SA about this service, if you're looking for something a bit more special.

In the Philippines, Tod's is exclusively distributed by Store Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and are available at Tod's boutiques in Greenbelt 4, Rustan's Makati, and Rustan's Tower Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

Valentino S/S 2014

I swear, by the time I am a donya, I am going to wear nothing but Valentino!

Yes, kahit sa grocery!

pang cocktail reception

for a fundraiser with an "indigenous couture" theme

for a casual evening gathering at a friend's home

pang sundo sa school. These espadrilles, OMG

pang grocery

for brunch with the junior matronas

for "I'm just lounging at home while my house is being shot for Town & Country or Elle Decor"

for an ancient civilizations themed party

pang grocery ulit

simple but with drama! To a wedding reception

 too short for anywhere really, maybe for the beach house sans jacket

 again, the simplicity! the drama! For another formal evening soiree

to the Met Ball. Eat your heart out Gwyneth. Ahihihi

to a cocktail party

 to a costume party? Haha!

J. Crew Looks I Love: July 2013

Must haves:
- pencil skirt
- cute flats
- ankle strap sandals
- logo t-shirt
- short-sleeved button down
- ankle length pants/jeans
- white blazer

GOOP Spring Edit 2013

How I could I have missed GOOP's Spring Edit 2013? I never fail to post my favorite looks here in the blog and this year should be no exception.

For more looks from Gwynnie's Spring Edit 2013 with Net-a-Porter, click click!

Summer 2013 Sunnies: Miu Miu Culte Collection

The amazing Pentagon sunnies from Miu Miu's Culte Collection - comes in brushed metal, chamoise and black frames

Of all the sunnies I loved at the BLI showroom in Makati, I went home with the light-colored, suede framed sunnies in the middle (see above photo) from Miu Miu. Most of my sunglasses play around black, grey, dark brown and tortoise frames so lately, I've been on the lookout for lighter colored frames to add to my collection.

It was actually a toss up between these and classic sunnies from Oliver Peoples (which is also love!) but the BLI girls made it easier for me when they said, go for the Miu Mius! So ok, that's settled! Tadaaaa!

When I got home, still giddy with joy because I had new sunnies for this sweltering summer, I started Googling about them and realized, OMG. I am wearing celebrity sunnies! Haha. Check out Miranda Kerr, Rihanna, Diana Agron, Leighton Meester etc all in the brushed metal version (top of topmost photos above) of my sunnies, which incidentally, is also exclusively available here in the Philippines at Adora in Greenbelt 5.

They're definitely cute, and the brushed metal frames have a rockstar/celebrity quality to them. Except the metal frames are also quite heavy, pare. Here are other whimsically designed sunnies from the Miu Miu Culte Collection, which if I am not mistaken, are from the Apple line (notice the slight curve on the lens?):

This is just the Miu Miu collection! Wait for more of my posts on the hottest shades of summer from BLI. In the meantime, for updates, follow LuxuryEyewearPH on Twitter and Instagram and Like them on Facebook!

Branded Lifestyle Inc. (BLI) is the distributor of luxury & fashion eyewear in the Philippines.  Brands in their portfolio include Coach, Tory Burch, Polo Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Prada, Versace, Paul Smith, Oliver Peoples, Bvlgari and Tiffany & Co.

Longchamp S/S 2013

For Spring 2013, Jeremy Scott welcomes the season with a flourish, via Leopard Flourish, his new limited-edition design for Longchamp’s legendary Le Pliage® holdall. There are only 2,500 worldwide. You can get yours here in Manila at Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-la Plaza.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for a stylish travel bag, look no further than Longchamp 3D.

Why 3D? Embellishing the line’s casual chic totes and duffle bag, are two vertical bands of leather which are joined together by a horizontal label discreetly embossed with the Longchamp signature. This graphic motif stands out from the bag, creating a striking 3D effect, which is accentuated by outsize black nickel eyelets. 

Longchamp 3D duffel bag

Longchamp 3D tote comes with handles and a removable shoulder strap

But here's what makes this line particularly special - the soft and supple leather, made from the finest quality young bull hide with its unique natural grain and creases.

The bag comes in three chic neutrals: warm Honey, pale Ecru and Black as well as in Lime, a stunning acid bright.

The Longchamp 3D line all feature multiple interior pockets and a jacquard lining with Longchamp’s legendary racehorse motif. The bags also come with a small cylindrical pochette which can either be carried as a clutch or used to stash away personal essentials.

In the Philippines, Longchamp is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-la Plaza.

J. Crew Spring 2013

"All these pictures of insects and flowers and trees that were super-saturated and just really beautiful. It was, like, the original Instagram." 

- Tom Mora, head of women's design at J.Crew

I still am not over pajama dressing, after all, I still have that Marni for H&M pajama top and shorts that Lou Doillon has, that I have yet to wear. So imagine my happiness when I still saw plenty of pajama inspired pieces for J. Crew's Spring 2013 Collection. Plus the flora and fauna prints? Gorgeous and quirky. I love me those skunk printed pants! Before I ramble on, let these pictures do the talking:

 

J.Crew Looks I Love: S/S 2012

I love espadrilles with shorts, the striped button down shirt, bright yellow pants and the pointy nude flats. Those printed trousers.

The striped dress with pointy orange flats, the unexpected twist of an embroidered dress and snakeskin flats, and the freshness of a white dress with gold "sandelles"(as Berry would say)

These looks make me want to wear a cropped jacket. The one in the middle is my fave.