Speaking of fashion illustrations, Christian Lacroix has one of my all-time favorite styles of illustrating (not to mention designing–I was so sad when he closed shop!). His sketches are flights of the imagination, colorful, whimsical, almost like doodles, and they never fail to inspire me. They’re so pretty, I could stare at them all day 
(Christian Lacroix illustrations from Luxirare)
It’s Friday! Time to poke a little fun at fashion…this was too cute not to share Since fashion is full of characters, it didn’t take long before Milan-based illustrator, Alexsandro Palombo, re-imagined some of the international fashion industry’s most influential characters into…well, Simpsons characters (from Vogue UK, more from the gallery here):
Marge Simpson as Coco Chanel
Marge Simpson as Donatella Versace
Homer Simpson as Alber Elbaz
Homer Simpson as Marc Jacobs
Homer Simpson as Karl Lagerfeld
Marge Simpson as Grace Coddington
Marge Simpson as Anna Wintour
Prom night. It’s a night worthy of horror stories, action-thrillers, dramas, love stories…countless movies have been made on this one night alone. I still remember my Junior & Senior prom back in the 80′s, when I designed my own dresses based on what I saw in magazines (a mixture of Seventeen & Vogue!).
My junior year I channeled YSL and wore a strapless, white, floor-length satin gown cinched at the waist with an over-sized black velvet bow, and my senior year I channeled Lacroix with a silver mini cocktail dress with a full skirt and white lace petticoat peeping from underneath. Thank goodness I didn’t channel Molly Ringwald’s pink prom dress in “Pretty in Pink”, haha!
So what’s your prom night style? These are the usual prom icons that Filipina girls favor for that special night (tweaked to what’s allowed in their schools):
1. The Princess – Classic, romantic, traditional full ballgown-style in rich fabrics and jewel-tones.
2. The Fashion Plate- Sophisticated, sexy, red-carpet styles plucked from the pages of fashion magazines.
3. The Rebel- Non-traditional wear for the girl who’s style is a little less glam & a little more rock ‘n roll (& usually attends an international school!).
4. The Pin-Up- Vintage and fifties inspired styles, cocktail dresses (instead of gowns) with pretty details & feminine colors.
5. The Goddess- Minimalist grecian styles that are softly draped and wrapped around the body.
So what’s the best look for prom night? These days, when everything from Vegas-nights, to Eighties-nights, to Medieval-nights have been done for prom, and when every trend from neon to new wave has been resurrected, the answer is the same year after year…the best look is always the one that looks best on you. So discover your style, know your body type and listen to your designer (we know how to take your ideas and make them work on you).
A not-by-the-book look–inspiration is everywhere! Random snapshots of things found around the city that get the creative juices flowing…
Nature is one of my favorite sources of inspiration, and we don’t have to go far to catch a glimpse of its breathtaking beauty. While buying materials in Market Market yesterday, I went to grab my usual bunch of fresh flowers for my drawing room and came upon this gorgeous local cabbage rose. I love the mix of colors, the delicate textures, and the ‘dots’ that seem to line the entire edge of the petals like beadwork…this is a dress/gown just waiting to happen! 
Mark your calendars (and prepare your wallets)! One of my favorite art events will be back in Salcedo Park this February 18, yay!
I’ve always loved Art in the Park, which is a unique event that mixes a leisurely park setting, a Saturday market atmosphere, and all kinds of original art. Meeting talented artists, picnicking outdoors on gourmet dishes, and shopping for unique pieces for myself or for our home is my idea of an ideal Saturday. Some of my favorite pieces from past Art in the Park events have been a very affordable fish mobile for our kitchen created from recycled softdrink cans by metal sculptor Ral Arrogante (see his other works below)…
…and this striped hobo bag made out of crocheted garbage bags from environmental artist Ann Wizer’s group, the Invisible Sisters (invisiblesisters.org).
Since there’s lots of great food, drinks and music to enjoy, my friends and I usually meet up later in the afternoon and stay on til evening. Best of all, proceeds from the sales of Art In the Park go towards supporting the projects of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines and the National Museum. Let’s support artistic expression and design creativity!
Here’s a not-by-the-book Pop Art/Surrealist cocktail dress I designed years ago that could have easily been inspired by Katy Perry’s show last Sundae…I mean, Sunday!
“Not by the Book” is currently available in all Powerbooks outlets, select National Bookstores branches & all Best Sellers bookstores.
It is now also available in Fully-Booked Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Edsa, Greenhills, Eastwood, Trinoma & MOA.
You may also order the book on-line. For orders please email order@notbythebook.net (free delivery via 2GO within the Philippines).
Talk about last, last, last minute…no, last second plans! Ito and I were planning to catch a movie last night, and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to catch Katy Perry’s concert instead. We met with friends and former colleagues, David & Angel (who had a spare Titanium ticket which I used) at the MOA concert grounds at a quarter to nine. I think Ito & I were the only people happy that the concert started really late, LOL!
Part Dr. Seuss, part Willy Wonka, part sex-kitten-Vegas-show, the concert was all-out fun! It most definitely wasn’t just a teenage dream, but was every little…and big…girl’s dream with all the outrageous, sexy and colorful costume changes, the fun visual effects, and the naughty, catchy tunes. To be honest, I don’t think the guys minded at all either
Katy’s candy dress swirled as she sang…so cute!
We looooove glitter, feathers AND a tiara all in one outfit! This is the naughty “Pea-cock” number…
Katy sings “The One That Got Away” perched on a swing high above the candy-covered stage
Peppermint candy-cane stripes on a glittery gown
Sundae dress with cherries on top!
While Katy Perry sang onstage, “KC Perry” sang along behind us
Happy to have welcomed the new Dragon Year singing along with Katy Perry to “Fireworks”! Kung hei fat choi!!!
*Photos by Ito Ocampo
Last night, Ito and I were invited to watch the premier show of the second-run of “Love, Loss and What I Wore” at the RCBC Theater in Makati by Toots Tolentino (thank you, Toots!). The critically acclaimed off-Broadway show was penned by Nora Ephron (of “When Harry Met Sally”, “Sleepless in Seattle” & “Julie & Julia” fame) and her equally talented sister Delia Ephron (screenwriter of the hits “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” & “You’ve Got Mail”).
The play mixes fashion & theater and centers around five women and their life stories interwoven with the clothes they received, bought, gave, threw, wore… and that basically carried them throughout their lives. It was funny because I could totally relate to remembering significant moments in my life solely based on the outfits that I was wearing! I guess this is a universal female truth which is why the laughter didn’t stop throughout the play. (Unsurprisingly, Ito couldn’t relate to much–except for the experiences he had with me & my clothes, LOL!)
The writing was brilliantly Ephron-esque. Nora & Delia Ephron know female quirks and idiosyncrasies like no other–it’s no wonder they’re the queens of chick-flicks. And Bituin Escalante really kept everyone in stitches. This show would be extremely fun to watch with your girlfriends or sisters on a girls night out
Of course I had to take note of what I wore to “What I Wore”: a sporty royal blue top, sateen pajama pants from my past collection, lavender suede platform pumps, semi-precious natural-stone choker, junior men’s watch
Catch “Love, Loss & What I Wore” this Friday, Saturday & Sunday at the RCBC Plaza in Makati.
(Image from Chinese Zodiac)
2012 is the year of the Water Dragon, which is touted to be a year of major transformation and change. Now fashion is all about transformation and change, so what are some of the ways we can improve our luck (and design our life) on this auspicious year using fashion? Here are a few things to do before we enter the Year of the Dragon on January 23:
1. Space clear your closets – Space clearing is not only for your home. Clear out old fashion (read: clothes & shoes you haven’t worn in the last 6-8 months) to make space for new items that reflect the current version of you. Freshen up musky smells by airing your closet and placing satchels of sandalwood in closet corners.
2. Get a haircut – The best time to get a new haircut is before the new year. Get rid of tired, old ends and literally lighten up with a fresh style. The Dragon Year brings in confident, vibrant energy so reflecting that in your hair is an easy start. And while you’re at it, go ahead & color your hair a fiery (& lucky) shade of auburn.
3. Try something new – Why not try something new everyday? Whether it’s something small, like a new (dragon inspired?) accessory, or something significant, like a fiery new career, trying something new gets us out of our old rut. By the end of 2012, that would at least have been 365 new things that you’ve experienced.
4. Wear your colors – Different colors affect our energies in different ways. This season’s love affair with colors makes it easier to have fun and experiment with the different hues and how they enhance our moods. Fiery shades like this year’s fashion favorite, tangerine (red-orange), as well as other hot colors like red & pink attract luck in the Year of the Dragon.
5. Do something creative – Fashion is not just for those special ‘dress-up’ occasions. Everyday fashion is a way of expressing yourself, so try wearing a t-shirt…as a dress. Or wear a tailored printed long-sleeved shirt…bought at the boy’s department. Make the ordinary extra-ordinary with a little added creativity.
These are just a few ways to bring on the positive transformation and luck this 2012…if you have any fashion rituals that invite good vibes into your life, feel free to share them with me!
The fashion (art deco dresses)…ooohh!…, the era (roaring twenties)…aaahh!…, the romantic comedy (need I say more?) …siiiighh!… “The Artist” is one film I’m just dying to see! I can’t wait!!! Here’s a clip of the film that I hope they bring into theaters soon(est)! The Artist
Bérénice Bejo is beautiful, but Jean Dujardin…oooh la la! Thank goodness it’s a film that needs no translation. All the same, time to study up and pratiquer la langue française. Alliance Française, here I come again! :-p
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