TORY BURCH REVA

One of the best things about being Pinoy -- pasalubong from balikbayans!

My current loot is something from my dear Tito R, Tita E and cousin K: a pretty pair of metallic snakeskin Tory Burch Reva ballet flats (Does this make me a Simple Girl now? Haha.). I can live on ballet flats (have more than ten pairs at the moment.). So I was ecstatic! 

My cousin P warned that Revas need some break-in before they become comfortable. Well, I'm confirming that now: I've worn mine twice at ang sakit nga! My pain: pinching on the sides. It may not be the shoes, baka my feet are too wide (and fat) lang? LOL. But really, I've heard so many "time for band-aid" stories so I'll be patient, mega break-in on its way. Haha. 

My shoe size vary between 8 and 9,
depending on the style.
These are 8.5.
Perfect na sana!

LADIES IN RED

After my red, black and gold entry comes the red trend that hit the Emmy's red carpet. Red gowns are so now.

Photos from the Red Carpet Fashion Awards.

Which red gown was the hottest for you?

My vote goes to Nina Nobrev's (The Vampire Diaries) Donna Karan number. Fabulous!

WHAT I WORE 091011

Here's what I wore to a recent Chinese-themed wedding. (Yes, "themed" lang because the couple's not Chinese. But they're so into everything Chinese.) The red gown was a must. Black and gold were my chosen accents (para very Chinese prints).

Red, Black and Gold.

A similar print?
Photo from Red Carpet Fashion Awards

My Red Dress: a department store find. It's actually a repeat. The super cheap find is now super sulit. Yey! (See, I'm no shopaholic. I can control my shopping. *wink*)

Almost Black Nails: c/o the Nail Spa, Shangrila Mall

Gold Shoes: Forever 21. I think it's almost 5 inches high. But very comfortable. I'm in a wedges phase these days.

Gold and Red Ring: Forever 21

Gold Bangles: Gift from my dear Papa and Mama

BEAUTY TORTURE

What's your biggest tiis-ganda effort?

High heels? Rebonding? Waxing?

Mine has got to be eyebrow threading. It's way too painful! Been having the service done for years pero di pa rin ako sanay. I still end up crying. Always. But I have to go through it. Or else ma-be-Betty La Fea ako. None of the salons reco eyebrow waxing for me. My eyebrows are too thick, pang threading talaga sila.

Where do I have the service done?

1. My top reco would be Ms. Jessica of Salon de Timog (along Timog Avenue, QC). She used to be with Piandre. She's among the best in shaping brows. Works with the stars. Around Php300.
2. Next reco: Anyone from Piandre. Any branch. They do it well. Around Php300.
3. For budget trips: Lay Bare Megamall (5F). Only Php100! Maayos naman. Expect more of grooming than shaping. (Shaping is the big plus from Ms. Jessica and from the Piandre technicians.)

Above:

My brows one day after

a Lay Bare threading session.

(I'll try to photograph a before and after next time.)

I go to Piandre's Sgt. Esguerra and Trinoma branches.

I go to the Lay Bare Megamall branch.

MS. UNIVERSE 2011 GOWNS

Did you notice a trend in the Miss Universe 2011 gowns? Whites, silvers, nudes, and para hindi bridal -- see-through. Love it!

The lines in Ms. Puerto Rico's gown made her look even taller! 

Ms. Puerto Rico was among the Top 16.

Ms. Venezuela's version of the see-through gown is more sensual than every one else's. This style is for the voluptuous. Bawal ang Spanx. LOL.

Ms. Venezuela is also among the Top 16.

Ms. Philippines is 3rd runner up but she'll always be Miss Universe to every Pinoy. Her version of the white see-through gown was more lady-like, more demure than Venezuela's.

 Shamcey Supsup is a winner!

Ms. Ukraine's Grecian Goddess-inspired white gown was breezy. She looked like she was floating on stage.

1st Runner Up Miss Ukraine

Ms. Angola's version of the white gown came with feathers. In fairness, she took flight. LOL.

Ms. Angola was crowned Ms. Universe 2011.

My favorite: Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navareette's silver version of the see-through gown. Hers was very regal. Hope I find a better photo of it. This pic is way too small.

Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrette
crowing 2011's winner.

Makapag-white maxi dress nga bukas. Hahaha!

SEPTEMBER IS THE JANUARY IN FASHION

My September afternoon delight...

I got my The September Issue DVD from HMV Singapore last year. I'm watching the docu for the nth time (para mas feel ko basahin ang magazine. LOL). Finally found me a Vogue September 2011 issue, thanks to the Edsa Shangrila Hotel gift shop (Yey!). It's out of stock in all the bookstores I visited.

Time for beautiful things.

"Because September is the January in fashion."

MEET THE MENTORS Series 1

As a former student of the Designer Fashion Workshop (DFW), I got invited to the Asian Institute of Fashion's (AIF) very first "Meet the Mentors" event yesterday, Saturday, September 3, at the AIF, iAcademy, Ayala Avenue, Makati City. (DFW is among AIF's projects, FYI.)

Top Local Designers Lulu Tan-Gan and Robi Lolin shared the ins and outs of the fashion process -- from where they get their inspirations, to the actual creation of their designs, planning fashion campaigns, building their brands, reaching their target markets, managing the business side, keeping their creative juices flowing, etc.  

I think it was a very smart choice to have Lulu and Robi together -- while Lulu manages her own brand, Robi heads the creative team of Folded & Hung. They're proof that there is no one formula to a fashion professional's success. If you have the capital, then by all means you can build your own brand. If not, do not lose heart. There is an option for you to create via an existing brand. 

Since they talked about the fashion process, they got to touch on fashion careers. It was inspiring to hear (yet again!) that designing is not the only job for people interested in the fashion industry. One could also get into styling, the marketing / promo side (fashion campaigns), fashion journalism, or buying / merchandising (bringing the creations to the market). Yey!

I love how the truly talented are truly generous of their knowledge, skills, experience, and time. It was a fab way to jump start (the talk started at 10am on a Saturday!) my first "freedom" weekend. *wink*

Above:
Scenes from the Talk by Lulu Tan-Gan and Robi Lolin.
Photos taken from my lowly Nokia E63, sorry.
For better photos, check out DFW's Facebook page.

Above:
WHAT I WORE
3/4-sleeved black blazer with gold studs, Taipei tiangge
Black shirt, Gap
Blue jeans, Topshop
Black flats, Zara
Black bag, Fino
Gold loops, tiangge find
Gold bangle, F21

Above:
After the Talk, they allowed us to see the rooms
that will be used for Project Runway Philippines' new season.
AIF is this season's partner school (Yey! Proud student!)