Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Marni x H&M This Spring 2012!


I am normally not a print person, but I always give Consuelo Castiglioni of Marni a free pass. I often find myself longingly browsing at Marni, wishing I could buy everything in the store. I mean, I don't even wear heels and wedges, but her chunky take on shoes convince me I need one in my wardrobe. Now if only I can snag one on sale, because you know, these things when they do, they go fast!

So when I saw in my inbox that the next collaboration with H&M would be Marni, I was almost hyperventilating with excitement! This I personally feel, is the best one yet! The dream team!

Here's what Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director of Marni says about her collection for H&M: “I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”. 


Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M enthuses.“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring“. 


Available from March 8, 2012 in around 260 stores worldwide and online (in countries where they do sell online), the collection features both clothing and accessories for men and women.








For women, expect all Marni staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knits, while fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. To complete the look, the collection also includes jewellery, shoes, bags and scarves.


For men, the colours and fabrics are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that are truly Marni. The use of print is subtle, often as a lining or as a contrast detail for shirts, the silhouette a modern and relaxed take on masculine classics.

To get you more excited, I leave you with the teaser! Consuelo promises "everything has the same quality, craft and attention to detail that Marni is known for". Eeeeee! This is one collection I am seriously contemplating lining up for!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Three Dots Promo


Get 55% off for every SS Crew T-shirt purchase at Itsie-Bitsie! Sale ends this Sunday, November 27!

Toms Style Your Sole


Happening this weekend, 10 am to 7 pm in Rustan's Makati!

Adorbs!

Planking, owling and all those silly poses have never looked this chic!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

By George!


My friend Belinda got me to look at leather shoppers with a fresh eye since she told me about hers, and I feel like jumping into the trend, teehee. While satchels are the hottest bag shape these days, leather totes in the shape of grocery bags are going to be hot, I can feel it. With versions ranging from Margiela to Baggu, there's a leather grocery tote to suit every budget. 


If a stylized tote is more your thing, and you don't want something too literal, then consider the Givenchy George V Shopper. They've been around for years now, but when I saw these on the window of Givenchy in Paragon, I admit I did a double take.


It's quite nice no?

Go Green Sproutlets


Michelle of My Mom Friday recently brought in Green Sproutlets, a line of eco-friendly children's clothes that her sister-in-law designed and developed in the US. 

Hypo-allergenic and perfect for kids with sensitive skin, Green Sproutlets are made from natural fibers like certified bamboo, organic cotton, and other sustainable fabrics such as soy or hemp, they also use water-based ink and low impact dyes for printing.

According to Michelle, "They're all cute and reasonably-priced, and hope parents will want to have it for their kids."

With sizes ranging from 0 to 5T, and priced from Php495 to Php899, these do make wonderful presents for the little ones in your life!

Boys Reversible Blanket Php720
Boys Kimono Set with Beanie Php899

Girls Long Sleeves Tee (polka) Php695

Boys Long Sleeves Tee (dusk blue) Php695

Buy Green Sproutlets at Mothering Earthlings Shop  and get more updates via their Facebook page.

For orders, interested resellers, inquiries, email: mymomfriday@gmail.com

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Stay Active with Respirez Apparel

Ion Actif Prima Tank and Fitted Jean Capri

It seems that a lot of my good friends have switched careers and have gone into yoga these days. 

Pat Ramos, a Kellogg MBA grad/business consultant, is now an instructor who also blogs about yoga. Ivy Melchor moved back to Manila from NY and became part-owner of green yoga studio Urban Ashram. And now Jenny Yu who has worked in advertising and banking, has brought in yoga wear from the West Coast.

Her newly launched company, Respirez Apparel Co. is the authorized distributor of well-made, enduring performance apparel brands like Ion Actif from Los Angeles, California and Silver Icing from Vancouver, Canada. Both brands are versatile enough to be used when working on your asanas, running  a 10k marathon, or simply just treading on that treadmill.

Ion Actif Cargo Capri and Pocketed Halter Tank

Silver Icing Julia Tee in Cobalt and Serena Tank in White

Jenny decided to merge her two passions: fashion and staying fit after arriving from a vacation in the West Coast. She was inspired by how people from California and Vancouver, including Hollywood celebrities, dressed up in comfortable and fashionable activewear that could take them straight from the gym to running errands around town. But to be decked out in Lululemon isn't too kind on the pocket, so she thought of bringing in high quality brands that did not break the bank.

Of course, what is yoga without mats? Jenny also brought in YogaRat from Santa Monica, California, which specializes in eco-friendly active accessories such as non-toxic mats and non-slip microfiber towels designed with fun colors and eye-catching prints that would surely brighten up your yoga practice and fitness activities.

YogaRat non-toxic yoga mats

YogaRat non-slip microfiber yoga towel

Look for Ion Actif, Silver Icing and YogaRat at Toby’s Arena located at the 1st Floor of Shangri-la Plaza Mall and Beyond Yoga located at the 3rd Floor of Il Terrazzo Building in Tomas Morato.

Silver Icing Wilma Zip and Cameron Pant in Black

Now, here's the best part. A giveaway! Jenny and MFO will be giving away YogaRat accessories and Ion Actif activewear for your workout wardrobe! To join, here's how:

1) Like the Respirez Apparel fan page: http://www.facebook.com/RespirezApparel

2) Go through the albums and share the image of the item you like on the Respirez Apparel wall and indicate what activity you would most likely use / wear the item. Tag Manila Fashion Observer and Respirez Apparel in the post.

e.g. “@Manila Fashion Observer: I heart @Respirez Apparel’s (item name)__________ because it is perfect to use / wear while I (activity) __________.”

When the Respirez Apparel group hits 300 “likes”, we will be giving away a YogaRat non-slip microfiber yoga towel. 

When the group hits 600 “likes”, we will be giving away a YogaRat non-toxic yoga mat. 

And when the group hits 1000 “likes”, we will be giving away an Ion Actif top.

Note: Shipping of items within Metro Manila only. Winners will be announced on MFO and through personal message.

Friday, November 18, 2011

the gentlewoman


Sarj said she instantly thought of me when she saw the maiden issue of The Gentlewoman with Phoebe Philo on a magazine rack back in 2010. So she bought me a copy and I have been hooked since then.

I have religiously collected all 4 issues, each one as delightful as the last. Even though it says Fabulous women's magazine under the title, on the cover, there's nothing cringe inducing about the self-appointed fabulousness. It's no Kimora Lee "fab". Fab here is honest to goodness. It truly is all that. And more.

Never have I read a magazine as effortless and as thoughtfully written as this title. No hard sell. Each girl featured is a class act. A gentlewoman through and through.

What sets The Gentlewoman apart from today's magazines is that it focuses on "the women of the future, on women who live extraordinary lives". Penny Martin, the magazine's Editor in Chief says in her own words:

The Gentlewoman welcomes you to a new decade of inspirational, international women: stylish, intrepid and often hilarious ones. Remarkable subjects: contemporaries (not celebrities) who are setting new agendas, solving new problems and forming new opinions...

...The Gentlewoman champions the optimism, sincerity and ingenuity that actually get things done...

...The Gentlewoman delights equally in discovering new, surprising characters and in reminding us of the ones who have been quietly being brilliant for years.

The women here, although established in their own fields and stars in their own right, are still all very much relatable. Maybe because the portraits and interviews present the women as they are - "how they actually look, sound and dress." Save for the famous faces that have graced the covers, inside you will meet in various instances - the artist Jenny Holzer, the hardworking royal Princess Mabel, the remarkable Poilâne heiress, Apollonia and more. They may be little known names outside their circle but all worthy of being profiled.

Maybe its the genuineness that resonates with me. Sometimes reading magazines can be exhausting. The way you get barraged with products and dictated on what's in or who's hot. Featuring people, the same people, every time. Even if you don't really want to read about them, but they're there because they sell. 

The Gentlewoman would have none of that. But still, it is one magazine I read from cover to cover, and something I can imagine building a collection on. Thank goodness it's a biannual, I only have 2 to store each year. Kind of sucks that it does not come out as often as I would like, which then again makes it all the more precious to me. The release of each new issue is an event I look forward to.

I am pretty sure I won't see the likes of Kimora or Kim K. here.

WHERE TO BUY:
Singapore - Kinokuniya
New York - Barnes & Noble, newsstands

SUBSCRIPTIONS:
US - Amazon and ExpressMag
UK/Worldwide - Magazine Cafe

Accessories on AVA!

Accessories sale ongoing over at AVA!



And! After seeing Kristine's pieces for Deux Yeux, I can't wait to see what's in store for us on Nov 23!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

MFO Shoe Series: Monique Buensalido, Manila


I first knew of Monique Buensalido from The Philippine Star's Young Star section where she writes a column. But it was only over Twitter that we "met", when her friends AC and Joni told me that Monique was super into shoes, and that I should feature her here in the blog.

Monique describes herself in Twitter as someone who "Loves coffee, writing, sunblock and fat animals." But it looks like she forgot to mention another love, shoes. What's special about Monique is that she's proof that one doesn't have to spend a fortune in order to indulge a shoe habit. Here's her account:


I LOVE shoes. I love unique-looking shoes and I love heels—the higher, the better, just as long as they’re comfortable. While I love crazy high shoes, I have to be able to actually walk in them. That’s why I love shoes with chunky heels or high platforms on the soles.


These bootie wedges from Monica Fig are like five inches high but super comfortable!

I classify my shoes according to how long I can wear them. I have only-for-affairs-that-I’m-mostly-seated shoes, two-hour shoes, four-hour shoes, and dugs-dugs shoes (which I can wear until the wee hours of the morning without having my shoes scream at me).

When I have a lot of errands or running around to do, I switch from my heels to my trusty flats. (Clockwise from top left): Animal print flats from Hong Kong, snakeskin sandals from SM, strappy flats from The Ramp at Crossings, black and white flats from Schu, gray ballet flats from SM, espadrilles from Casa Hernanz in Madrid.

I’m also very cheap so I don’t have a lot of expensive pairs. I scour through department stores, bazaars and local retailers for great-looking shoes. I’m slowly learning to grit my teeth and pay more money for better quality (I’ve had horror stories of cheap but painful shoes, or pairs that fall apart) but as much as possible I like the challenge of looking for gorgeous pairs that don’t cost a lot. More than just the aesthetic of the shoes, I love announcing the good prices I get for my shoes!

I love how lovely this pair from Charles and Keith looks and how sexy my legs look in them too. I wore them to a work event and the hours of standing were totally worth all the compliments I got (my favorite: “Honey, those shoes just paid for themselves!”).

A lot of my shoes have stories behind them too—how I waited months for them to go on sale, how I tracked down a specific store abroad to buy them, how I bought a pair online only to have SM Parisian release the same pair a year later. The funniest was when I went on a self-imposed shoe embargo from January 2009 to my birthday in May, and it drove me insane. On my birthday, I bought eight pairs on the get go. I’m never going on a shoe embargo again!

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Let’s just say around 50-70. I’m afraid to actually count, haha.

What's your shoe size?

8.5 to 9

Which pairs are your favorites? 

1) My animal print wedges from Forever 21. I love how animal print shoes never go out of style and provide a perfect BAM! to your outfits. This particular pair is so comfortable too, I’ve worn them to concerts where there were no seats and my feet never complained.


2) Printed pumps from Aldo. Funny story: I really wanted this pair for my birthday, but it was over my budget, so one of my friends offered to buy it for me and gave me three months to pay him back, without interest, as his “birthday gift” to me.


3) Black wedges from SM Parisian (bottom left). This pair is CRAZY comfortable. CRAZY, CRAZY, CRAZY comfortable. I could literally run in these shoes.


4) Oxfords from Renegade Folk. It’s a beautiful pair that goes from classic to quirky, depending on the outfit!


5) Printed pumps from Schu. Came across these in a sale and scored them for P799! When I saw them I knew I couldn’t leave the store without them.


If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be?

What a difficult question! It would either be my glitter heels from Schu because they’re so comfortable and pack a glittery punch...


...or my glitter oxfords from Schu (bottom right) for the same reason. I’m not really into glitter, but if I’m going to be wearing the same pair of shoes for the rest of my life, they’d better be comfortable and eye-popping!


What are your favorite shoe brands?

SM Parisian!

Cream studded booties  (3rd from L) and brown boots (2nd form L) from SM Parisian

What's in your shoe lust list?

Heel-less shoes from Das shoes.


Rajo! For Parisian. I’ve only seen the sketches, but I really like the one on top!


Kermit Tesoro’s Skull Heels!

Where do you buy shoes?

Department stores (especially SM!), shoe stores like Janylin and Charles and Keith, small local retailers that I can find in The Ramp by Crossings or bazaars, and local online sellers like Monica Fig and Gold Dot.

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out?

My blue shoes from SM Parisian. They’re so worn out already but I love the shape and the shade of blue. I also love my strappy blue pair from CMG, which I’ve worn out so much but I love to death. Got them on sale for P999!

Actually, I’m notorious for wearing out shoes and not wanting to throw them away. I always try to get them fixed, re-glued, re-sewn or re-painted in Mr. Quickie. (Again, I’m cheap like that.) Recently, my Mom and I had a Save-or-Throw session with my shoe collection. She kept pulling pairs out, begging me to throw them away because they were peeling or broken or what not, and I kept reasoning out “But they’re pretty! But they can be fixed! But I’ve had them since forever!” In the end, I was able to clean out a third of my collection. It hurt, but it also meant I had space to get more shoes!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

White CdG x Cambridge Satchel

Spotted at Comme des Garçons in Hilton Shopping Gallery. Gleaming white Cambridge Satchels made in collaboration with CdG! It comes in 2 sizes. You like?

And speaking of the Hilton, maybe you'd like to know more about what is in there! I wrote about Hilton Shopping Gallery in a post entitled Heaven at The Hilton for MegaStyle.ph:

























I have been blogging weekly for MegaStyle.ph since October, with a column called This Side Up, where I dish out on everything that's up and about in the cities where I am at. From the H&M Showroom here in Singapore to the modern and impressive shopping malls of Kuala Lumpur, you can explore them all with me, there! See you at MegaStyle.ph!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Unarosa Holiday 2011

UNAROSA has been consistently churning out great pieces season after season and their holiday campaign for 2011, called The Neo-Noir Collection is no exception. I am feeling a Gucci/70s/Studio 54 vibe here! See for yourselves what's in store:









For the complete Holiday Lookbook with prices, click HERE!

To start shopping for the holidays, visit Unarosa at Shangri-La Plaza, SM Megamall, The Block at SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, Shoppesville Greenhills and Marquee Mall in Pampanga.
Related Posts with Thumbnails