I know, I know.

Last Wednesday ushered in another installment of the Penthouse Fashion Series, and as previously promised, you know me and my lovely cohorts were there! It proved to be another impressive fusion of r n' b, a great designer, and Cebu's best dressed fashionizers as only The Penthouse can provide. I am definitely looking forward to this week's designer, and of course, what everybody will be wearing as well.:)


Yves and me with designer Mary Ty and her oriental glamazons

The Penthouse gave rise to the charming Mary Ty and her Very Mary collection. The set definitely embodied its namesake as the designer dug deep down her roots and gave the fashionistas and partyphiles an in-depth smorgasbord of culture and colour, the very things that Mary apparently adheres to in her design aesthetics.


Top maquillage artist WenWen Zaspa working on the evening's hair and makeup du jour: gorgeous Cleopatra eyes and Ziggy Stardust-ey a la mode hair

Keeping her silhouettes to a minimum and sticking to rich earth tones like ochre, saffron, tangerine and deep browns, the designer clearly highlighted the decadence and the rich colors of the Orient. The designer knows what she does best and sticks to it, carrying uniform tones and shapes with so much flair.






Mary's collection is as timeless as it is being exquisite, and they will remain relevant in any fashionista's wardrobe now, or even ten to twenty years from now. Kudos to the designer for a collection that rings true to her personal style and colorful je ne sais quoi.

Hello dear loves, I hope you're all having an exciting weekend lined up! But whether you are going out to party, or just staying home to chill.. be happy anyway, because nothing truly beats relaxing and getting rid of the day's stresses. It's Friday night and I am still wondering on what to do exactly after work... Well, I'm really a spur of the moment person when it comes to planning gimmicks and getaways... I always love making room for surprises, as things always get incredibly boring and predictable when they are all perfectly laid out all the time, wouldn't you agree? That said, I'm up for whatever options are available tonight.:)


Anyhoo, that said... y'all remember when Nicole Richie rocked this at Marc Jacobs' last year?




I've always believed that Nicole was one of the very few who originally pioneered Style Iconoclasm. Even before today's style IT girls --Alexa Chung, Erin Wasson, Olivia Palermo, to name a few-- she was dishing out the hottest threads and fantastic styling (though I don't really like her much, but we did have Rachel Zoe to credit for that at some point) wayyy ahead of her time. She set the tone for a lot of things fashion, and for that, she'll always be a top pick for me.

I never really intended to "channel" her literally, but unintentionally I stepped out in this look last weekend:

someone had too much time under the sun... hum hum hum...



WEARING

plain white tank-Zara
belt-Primark

pleather skirt-thrifted
gladiator heels-Mario D' Boro
multipocket satchel-David Jones International


looking out the huge window of our DJ's booth... we're on the 20th floor and I'm frikking afraid of heights, but would do anything for a photo op. hehe.

I've long been on the prowl for the perfect pleather skirt since I saw this look on Nicole, as well as Ashley Olsen and various style bloggers. Yes... no actual retail store/boutique would actually have the mind to stock up pleather in their joints, so naturally I only have my favorite thrift haunts to search, and glad I found this perfectly intact piece.:)

I absolutely love the juxtaposition of relaxed and tough elements, and I think this look did it well enough.

Last weekend was such a bust. I felt like the pleather was too much for such an uneventful night. But then again, as my good friend Kristine (of www.stylecebu.com) would always say, best be overdressed.:) Hopefully this weekend will pan out better.

---ooo00ooo---

P.P.S. To those who were wondering, there IS a Mr. Eden in my life. This would be one of the very rare times I would speak of him here in the blog-- he is an absolute autocrat and workaholic who would rather spend the rest of his life poring over the stock exchange and the recession and the latest news updates and current events.. yes, he is THAT type of guy, and he HATE, HATES the fact that I'm more in the know about fashion than I do about his favorite topics. That being said, I love the guy despite being obviously from a different planet. Hahahah. However, I still can't help but feel jealous though of some of you gorgeous gals who are fully supported by your men, even encouraged... Times might change, but I'm sure he wont. But I'll be fine.:)

Please don't hesitate to leave comments. You know you make my day with them!

XOXO

Hello lovelies!

I hope you're all having a great week so far. I'm sure you're all busy snapping up shots of your gorgeous sartorially-forward selves, or finding the next big thing to blog about... and on that note, I would love to thank all of you for still finding the time to drop by and leave comments! I may not answer your posts and reactions in real time, but do know that they are deeply appreciated and will be reciprocated in kind.:)




As i have previously mentioned, I skipped and hopped over to the uber luxe Penthouse (from the same people who brought in the equally impressive Loft) for the Preview Party of The Penthouse Fashion Series, a hot fusion of the best young designers+great clubbing. My expectations were certainly met-and more. Here's what I wore:


WEARING

lace and mesh top- vintage
custom Dhoti pants- Yves Identify
belt-Primark (UK)
open-toed slingback booties-Janilyn


playing around with the saturation settings... looks and feels vintage



Being close friends with a stylist/designer definitely has its perks, one being indefinitely "borrowing" their designs. Hehehe. These incredible coral Dhotis that he designed has been on my watchlist for quite awhile, and I made sure to rock it for the occasion.:)


Chillin' out with all the lovely people: my BFF/stylist Yves, lifestyle writer Vanessa Balbuena, and the Penthouse's top PR honcho, Angela Emphasis (thank you very much for accomodating!)


The show was a great success in my book, and that's not just saying it-- the styling was impeccable, the maquillage flawless, and the models selected couldn't have been more perfect for the outfits they rocked.. most definitely a great show, one made possible by its talented director, fashion impressario Dino Lloren. **claps claps

Here's a few looks:



a gorgeous pleather bodycon dress by my friend, the uber-talented Mique Yapching.. this is on my watchlist too!! hehehe... Hiya Mique..


my good friend Harvey Cenit's piece de resistance for the night: tres chic, tres flouncy, tres Parisian minidress.. tres adorable!


the models looking statuesque in the ubiquitous final group pose

And of course, where the show is at, expect the fabulous partyphiles to be there:


Spotted the sexy Rockell in a simple ensemble with a tinge of rocker chic. Wearing a vintage cardigan from YSL, liquid leggings from H&M, grandmother's vintage Hermes Birkin (how jealous am i?!!), and custom made shoes


with the city's local Alexander Wang and Olivier Theyskens combined, and one of my personal favorites, Mique Yapching. love his aesthetics!


the adorable and talented Harvey Cenit, spotted here canoodling with his boyfriend, in wrist bijoux pieces by the seriously rad Mark Anton Masa




Kudos to everyone who jammed at the Penthouse for another great party in the metro. An extra special thanks once more to The Penthouse's gorgeous PR gal Angela Emphasis for being extremely kind, and top Cebu designer Dino Lloren for filling us in on the deets.

Expect to see more of The Penthouse Fashion Series only here at Chic in The Tropics... bringing in the metro's best seen over to the global scene. XOXO.:)

I'm a changed person after coming home from my trip. No, it wasn't exactly a spiritual or meditative journey (too many parties, too many friends, too much alcohol [sorry!] and too many distractions for that, though i fervently wish to go to one soon), but it made me reflect on a lot of things while in the comforts of the tranquil beaches. it also made me appreciate my friends better (well, at least my REAL friends), seeing as it was a loooong week spent with them. It really was a welcome journey.. a bit costly for me, but it was well worth it.:) Bantayan was certainly a dream, and i would do it all over again in a heartbeat.:)


I did promise you pics from my vacay.. my own pics are still with my camera, and my camera is in the service center, and they say it will take a month for me to get it back. now how crappy is that?!!! but well, thank God for friends who all have cameras as well.:) as expected, every day was an opportunity to fashionize!

first off, here are some of the [various] looks i pulled while beaching. basically just cover-ups and stuff, and my DIY grunge shorts were omnipresent.



WEARING

oversized shirt-thrifted
DIY ripped shorts
purse- Tommy Hilfiger
lace-up spats- Leaveland
woven cloche hat and beads-Yves Identify



i found this oversized shirt in one of my thrifting haunts. I wish i really took a shot at the details, but if you look closer, its a girl making various faces. and props to my aunt for this cute Tommy Hilfiger! and how incredible is the sea?!



WEARING
swimsuit- Sassa
mesh top and Zebra-print hat-- Yves
DIY ripped shorts
flip-flops-Havaianas

as you can see, the heat was incredibly intense! you can so see it in the pictures... you most def need at least SPF 50 to hit Bantayan. at least.



WEARING
graphic cover-up- George UK
Havaianas

Walking with my good buddy Brylle along the beach. I mean seriously. how incredible is that white sandy shoreline? Bt srsly, the cloche hat is nowhere to be found since i got back from the trip... must've frikkin lost it in one of the drunken days, but shhhhh.. don't tell Yves. hehehe. i'll just get you a new one luv!


WEARING

oversized cardigan-Aeropostale
Leaveland spats

This oversized cardi is genius. Its incredibly light and comfy and just long enough to cover the lady parts. But I swear, my friend Judee made this trip seem like a weekend in the Hamptons rather than just bumming around in the beach. Give her outfit a check. Pilin' on the bling, baby.

Some more fun shots:


a white hot afternoon in the water+the right swimsuit=perfect


Mayan, Jett and I enjoying a lazy afternoon on the trisikad


a shot of my gay BFF/stylist Yves against some cheap, pink blow-up children's toys. thought-provoking no?


finding the perf spot for some drama shots... coolness


an insanely cool picture of Jett in the water




with the adorable Qia Ingrid


Yves and Brylle


the group enjoying the day's first rhum and cokes... 1st among the many... not proud!


As the pictures show, it was most certainly the best time had by all. Parties, fedora hats, tequila, and too many wayfarers later, we were all able to develop the thing we all treasured... no, not just great outfit posts, but our friendship.


P.S. you guys already know how your comments are deeply and sincerely appreciated. going through my other friend's posts (eeli, some other blogger... rusty memory) talking about unwanted mean comments also made me think about how I would deal with it when i do get one (haven't just yet, fortunately)... i do tons of media work both as a radio DJ and an events host, and trust me, I do get my share of flak every so often (thankfully not too much). I normally just shake it off and I do know that its all a part of being in the public eye. However, i am extremely new at blogging and as much as i would like to just shake it off, i just want a pleasant experience with all of you that petty and insecure "anonymous" posters just can't provide.

that said, i am moderating my comments effective immediately, with the hope that its not too much of an inconvenience to you or whatevs. so please go ahead, leave your comments!


Till next, xoxo.:)

Just this Wednesday I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the collaboration of local fashion and upscale clubbing at its finest. Presenting The Penthouse Fashion Series:



Presented by Loft's The Penthouse, Cebu's newest premier destination for the most illustrious of partyphiles, the Fashion Series aims to give rise to the region's fastest-rising young designers and maquillage artists, allowing direct appreciation for the clothes and at the same time bringing in an intense partying experience for all. Definitely can't get any better than that.

AD Model Anna in a Jonas Navarro creation
MUA: Cris Baguio


To be held every Wednesday night for the whole April and May, The Penthouse Fashion Series will bring in and will have an individual weekly feature on designers Mary Ty, Harvey Cenit, Mique Yapching, Barbie Alvez, Jonas Navarro, Norman and Manuel T. They will be keeping fashionistas abreast with the trends through an in-depth look at their designs and their forecasts for the upcoming seasons.. us stylephiles certainly can't afford to miss that!

AD Model Van
MUA: GariSon

AD Model Divine in a piece by Mary Ty
MUA: GariSon



Directed by one of the most notable names in Cebu fashion, Dino Lloren, expect to see twists and turns never seen before and grand presentations as the series continues to unveil in the coming weeks.. and I will definitely be there! Expect to be in-the-know and in real time only here at Chic In the Tropics.


AD Model Trish with designer Harvey Cenit


Sharon in a design by Norman
MUA: GariSon


AD Models Ericka and Divine in Mary Ty; together with the designer herself
MUA: GariSon and Cris Baguio


a creation by Barbie Alvez
MUA: Gari Son


photo credits courtesy of the series' official photographer, Joseph Ong. His site is definitely worth a visit. http://josephongphotography.com