Disney Fairies + Snippets of SM Toon Fest 2013

Berry went to her Galileo session, and then to her school, looking like this:

Berry wears a Tommy Hilfiger shirt from Ninang Tots & Ninong Ches Yu, leggings from Ninang Ruby Gan, Disney Fairies skirt from SM Kids Fashion, wings & wand from H&M, flower headpiece from Auntie Leona Panutat and Auntie Charlene Carlos, Salt-water Sandals

Her Ninang Ruby asked if there was a program at school, and I said, "Just another regular day in school". 

Hahaha. Can you just imagine what she'll be wearing to Coachella?

Speaking of dressing up, did any of you guys go to SM Toon Fest? It was our first time to go this year, and it was a veritable wonderland for the kids! Berry & I attended the launch event and not only did we see fun set-ups to shop for clothes at...

there was a program hosted by Sam Oh...

plus a mini-fashion show.

With lots of fun character inspired booths to explore, and for a minimum required spend, crafty activities to enjoy, there was no way for kids to get bored.

The first thing that Berry wanted to do was to sit at the park bench that welcomed us at the entrance.

But soon enough, I found myself following her as she went from booth to booth, having the time of her life.

Getting princess tattoos at the Disney booth

Posing beside, then choosing the Hello Kitty confections she wanted to bring home

Having her photo taken at the Barbie booth

Coloring her own t-shirt at the Robby Rabbit booth

She had a lot of fun, save for that episode when she saw the Garfield mascot. She was terrified! Awwww, baby girl!

Overall, it was a novel way to spend a morning that kept Berry totally entertained. If I did not have to leave for another appointment, we would have stayed longer. But we had to go as soon as we made a respectable round of the area, taking mental notes of which clothes to go back for. And not without buying Berry's Hello Kitty chocolates, of course.

SM Kids Fashion Celebrates Toon Fest Street Style

I'll admit it. When I was 12, I wore Snoopy jeans.

Snoopy jeans!

In fairness, the fit was great, the wash was a perfect light blue that went well with my Tretorn sneakers and pastel Esprit t-shirts.  But, it had a semi-gartered waistline and by all intents and purposes was meant to be worn by a kid. A kid.

Hey, when you're 12 and you still wear Snoopy jeans, you tend to blow things out of proportion and think of it like a social disaster waiting to happen. 

But kids these days are luckier. Because their clothes are just so much sassier. They've got so many options, and they can mix and match clothes without looking like their parents played tricks on them through their closet. Yes, even if there's a wide, toothy grin on the cartoon character emblazoned across a t-shirt.

“Kids have a fashion sense all their own,” says Ms. Jo Dy Juanco, Vice President of Children’s Fashion Management Corp. “SM Kids’ Fashion gives them a unique opportunity to exercise their creativity through what they wear each day.”

I got a sneak peek of the SM Kids Fashion Toon Fest line-up of clothes, which will be celebrated via The SM Kids' Fashion Toon Fest happening on August 30-September 1 at the SM Megatrade Hall 2 in Megamall. While they are character-based, you can't help but let out a little, "ooooh".

Many pieces are seriously cute and wearable. This is because the theme for this year is "Street Style", and the toon-themed clothes are designed to be worn with our kids' favorite closet staples. Just like my Snoopy jeans, they went with my trendy sneakers (well, Tretorns are classics now, heehee) and my Esprit logo tees, and looking back, were quite chic in fact.

In line with the street style theme, SM Kids’ Fashion is also hosting a Dream Photo Shoot Contest, where kids can come up with their most creative take on cosmopolitan wear. Contestants get a moment in the spotlight, a personal photo session with a renowned photographer, and the chance to become the next face of SM Kids’ Fashion.

So parents, doting aunts, uncles and grandparents, calendar this. This year’s SM Kids’ Fashion Toon Fest will take place from August 30-September 1 at the SM Megatrade Hall 2.

The SM Kids’ Fashion Toon Fest is an entertaining trade event where kids of all ages can meet and mingle with their favorite personalities and explore current trends in apparel. Favorites Garfield, Snoopy, Robby Rabbit, and Barbie, among others, debut with engaging images on clothes perfect for kids to learn and play in. 

Aside from an exciting selection of toon-themed clothing, booths at the affair exhibit charming attractions. Young visitors can take a stroll around a thrilling Toon City populated by famous faces with various exhibits, games, and merchandise for both boys and girls. 

Parisian Chic

WWD EyeScoop today trains its eye on the effortless chicness of Parisiennes. So inspiring, I couldn't resist a commentary. I picked out my favorite photos to show you:

I think these girls embody that natural, laid back, haphazardly thrown together (but not really) look that inspires the way I dress to this day:

 Ballerina flats

 Navy blazers, that scarf! Rolled-up denim. Pretty flats!

L - Love the sequin anchor detail on the girl's top.

R- Neutral color palette. The ruffle top is adorable.

 Love how these girls look slightly disheveled w/ a bit of shirt tucked in or the neck of a tee askew

A neutral palette, and that huge scarf!

This is the sort of "real Parisian girl" style that I love:

- barely there make-up
- tousled hair
- denims
- flats
- slouchy tees
- navy blazers
- scarves!
- neutral colors with bursts of blue

Study how uncontrived they look. There's nothing forced and pretentious about the way they dress. No crazy heels. Minimal accessories (I notice that Filipinas tend to equate style with over-accessorizing). You see the girl and not the "fashion". And once you look closely, you get how special her look is. It's how she mixes colors. It's in the way her scarf is worn. Or the way she tucks her shirt. Or how she cuffs her jeans. She doesn't look trendy, yes. But she just looks so at ease with herself. 

Even the French Voguettes have these in them. They're just like the souped up, high octane version of these "real girls". Natural tousled hair, check! Denims, check! Blazers, check! They do wear crazy heels though, but I think they were the first editors snapped by Tommy Ton to wear flats to Fashion Week. Ha!

J' adore! Vive le chic!

PS - I have been studying French style since I was 13, so if you want a crash course, you might want to get Ines de la Fressange's book Parisian Chic: A Style Guide. I bought mine from Amazon. Much cheaper there (then again, we have Amazon Prime - so we get free shipping).

(Photos from WWD.com and Amazon.com)

Top Bun

Two years ago, I would often bump into a Korean mother-daughter tag team while out shopping. Like, I'd see them at least once a week, almost everywhere. I knew it was them because they were the only mother-daughter duo I would see walking around town with their hair up in a bun, their maxi skirts sweeping the ground even while wearing platform sandals.

Who knew those two were style psychics or something (well, maxi skirts are back, took a long time coming!). Seeing a hair trend here on Amlul and Chic Muse:

Would you put up your hair in a high bun like this too?

(Photos from refinery29.com)

MFO x New York Street Style for Metro Magazine

I am so excited to share with you all that I played street style photographer (with Berry, my assistant, in tow of course) for Metro Magazine and roamed the streets of Manhattan back in February (it was NY Fashion Week too! So lots of stylish folks around!) in search of subjects for my New York Street Style story!

Please get a copy of the May Issue of Metro Magazine and see what New Yorkers have been wearing. I know it's steaming hot in Manila, but with a two month lead time (the norm in magazine publications) my subjects were still dressed for winter. But whatever, I'd like to think I captured the essence of New York style in my photos.

I know it's still April, but yes! May issue of Metro Magazine is out now! Show some love to your budding Garance (Hahaha, hey it wasn't easy approaching complete strangers ha. You know how busy and/or neurotic some New Yorkers can be). It was hard work (taking photos and carrying Berry in a sling) and I was a jangle of emotions - friendly (Hi! I love your style, may I take your photo?!), anxious (Please? It's for a fashion  magazine back home.) and ecstatic (Really?! Yay! Thanks so much, can you stand here please where the light is better?). Hahaha! What a rollercoaster. Fun and tiring, but made with lots of thought and love. So I hope you enjoy it.

PS - Thanks to my SIL Les for carrying Berry's baby bag while I was running after people. Thanks to Celine aka The Chiconomist too! Couldn't have done this without you girls. Hahaha!

(Photo courtesy of Marie Lozano aka @iammarielozano in Twitter)