I'm becoming too accustomed with my weekly schedule crunch.

Ever feel like there's so many things to do, yet so little time to accomplish them? Yep, I'm following that certain pattern. Being a DJ/lifestyle writer/event host/charity worker/party meister/girlfriend/fashion blogger sounds fun and all that (i do enjoy it, sleep deprived and all), but to squeeze all that in a week... whoa. stress much?

But you know that I never complain.:) I live to tell the tales of my weekly styleventures, and heading over to Penthouse Wednesday nights has become quite the perfect respite in my frenetic week.







Headlining last Wednesday's revelry was famous young designer BARBIE ALVEZ and her effortlessly chic take on one of this year's key trends, that of sensual fetishism. I felt a particular inclination and fervor for this collection, because as you all can tell, its quite near to my own aesthetic preferences.





Just like her namesake, Barbie loved flirty, frivolously feminine pieces and oft channeled this in her previous creations. Her current collection, she says, markedly diverges from that direction, and I believe it is rightfully so as Barbie outfits the modern-day "dominatrix" with such aplomb.





I enjoyed the pieces and their craftsmanship, opening with the designer's all-obsidian version on the ubiquitous bandage dress, as well as the corset and tulle combo, and other minute details. One can observe the designer's range and depth of perspective as she played with various silhouettes, and we can all only hope to see more showstoppers from this talented female. Oh, and I've also just found out that Barbie also bagged the award for Best Evening Gown in one of the province's most illustrious pageant competitions. Double kudos!






Barbie Alvez and the top girls of AD Models Femme

And of course, the party is not complete... well, without a party! Count on DJ Carlow to bring on the beats, and that will get everyone started!


Barbie flanked by friends and colleagues in fashion


..just fooling around. an outfit post in the works!

**Photos are provided by the adorable Paul Gotiong, a certified Chic in the Tropics favorite. Do drop by his site and show him some love! http://paulgotiong.multiply.com

On to another week, another hectic frenetic week!

Let's just say that I'm swamped. I have a shoot for a local newspaper to style and write about, a few meetings, me man's business, radio work, the blog...egad! Do you feel like you need a breather/escape as well? Oh, if only the sounds of the waves hitting powder white shores could wake you up every single frikking day... now I know I'm dreaming on!

Then again, when a day of beach frolicking is out of the question, the local stylistas and partyphiles can certainly count on Wednesdays @ The Penthouse to provide that much needed dose of fashionizing and partying picker-upper.








Last Wednesday, up-and-coming designer NORMAN ASPIRAS took us back to all the colours, the thubthumping beats and the pompous mania of the 80's through his incredibly inspired capsule collection of tres chic origamified structural sheath dresses and separates with the most vibrant of jewel tones. And the verdict? I was absolutely floored by the designer's subtle take on the powerhouse era. You know I live for the 80's!






Norman's collection marks his first successful transition into a more architectural discipline when it comes to his design aesthetics. Previously noted for his frothy and feminine creations and his juxtaposition of soft and hard elements, the designer finally comes full circle in these most streamlined and carefully crafted pieces de resistance. Falling in love with today's power woman (he absolutely loves Heidi Klum!), the designer obviously knows his clientele--sexy and ambitious urbanites who knows how to up the oomph factor in their own way.

the effervescent Norman and his glam squad

All of that said, I enjoyed chatting up with the designer, and I most definitely enjoyed tonight's collection. And I wasn't the only one! Some shots of those who came to party: (oh, and i'm making a separate outfit post for this, hehe. vain much?)

These photos are courtesy of Paul Gotiong, one of the city's top lensmen. Do visit him and his works at http://paulgotiong.multiply.com .

Again, wrapping up with tons of kisses and hugs for visiting Chic in the Tropics. You have all been so kind, some since day one. Do know that I'm here for all of you not just cuz we all love fashion and all that, but because I believe in deeper friendships, even more than what the internet could give us.:) Wuv u all!

Oh, and a Happy, Happy BEERday to this hottie right here, who turns 19 today:

By eden_pvp at 2009-05-04

Happy Birthday Brylle! U rawk!

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 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.:)