yummy hats and fascinators on women at the recent Royal Ascot 09.

this black crochet lace hat won at the inaugural ‘Who Wants To Be A Millin-aire.’ Roman is a professional milliner from London.

there’s just nothing you cannot put on a hat

I’d love to do something like this, Karl Lagerfeld designed [...]

Photos of the cupcake-inspired dress I made for my Pattern III class a few terms ago. I did this photoshoot for my portfolio. You can look at my new online portfolio here. I always update it with the better things I’ve done related to fashion.
My model is my sister and two of our dogs [...]

This was made for the Department of Environment and Natural Resource’s Night – Eco Fashion Show for the Environment. The fashion show is part of the 5th Eco-Products International Fair

We were tasked to create wearable fashion out of sustainable resources, recyclable materials and indigenous products.
I used plastic, melted and sculpted and some left over fabric. [...]

We saw the Project Runway Philippines Finale last week (thanks Sir Lev=) ) and I really appreciate the effort that the final 3 designers put into their collections. There was a bit of ‘cheese’ before the actual show, which I guess I should have expected, seeing as how everything in the country from politics to [...]

I promise myself I will update more frequently. I have such a long backlog of entries that won’t make sense to post now so my past few (super late) entries have been about the more important bits of my ‘fashion life’. This one will be not different but it will be the last of these [...]

Thursday last week, Amanda Agnes and Sari Lazaro organized a fashion show for their production class. It was one night of fashion in Morocco. Designer students from our school, LaSalle College International, showed their stuff: Athena Tandoc, Finela Gregorio, Engie Garcia, Marge Regala, Kristine Bautista, Miki Hahn, Sari Lazaro and me. It was a great [...]

Not officially over yet til Tuesday but I think last night’s the last I’ll go to. Sir Lev required us to go to the Wednesday show as there’ll be young designers showing. I was busy taking notes and Tin took most of the photos of the models as they walked up and down the ramp. [...]

So this is how my desk typically looks like after finishing sketches/drawings/fashion illustrations.. Lots of rubber bits, ripped papers I tested colours on, tissue, pens scattered everywhere (and brushes, rubbers, pencils, markers etc, although you cant really see all the mess in this photo). Only one thing relatively clean: the drawing.
That one is a seat [...]

Some of the seatwork I was able to scan for my Color Theory and Fashion Illustration classes..
Water colours, pentel pens, gel pens, water colour pencils, gouache, pencils, ink, Copic markers. It’s so fun working with the markers. If used on the proper paper, you get wonderful results. It took a while for me to [...]

Almost everyday of the past three weeks in my new school, has been so exciting and gratifying. I am learning so much stuff I need and equally love learning. And it’s even more thrilling when I get to apply them. It’s so refreshing to have no more mind-numbing English, Maths or freaking Bible Study classes [...]

I hate it when I hurry to the first class of the day and find out the prof is not going to show up. I hate it even more when we don’t find out about it until we have stayed in the room for 30 minutes already waiting for the prof. We all have cellphones, [...]

I am home sweet home! It feels good to be away from the grime and danger of the city. I love coming home.. even if it means Natassja peeing all over the place. That dog does that everytime she gets excited. And she doesn’t just do it in one corner. She half-squats and pees while walking and she ends up making a wavy line of pee wherever she goes. Lol.

Half of the term is over.. that was quick.. I am doing good so far, I think. It’s been so tiring this week. I didn’t sleep for one whole day and then yesterday I slept for 16 hours straight. I have a headache today. The city is so stressful. Not really because of school but because it’s so polluted and noisy and you always have to be on alert. Thank God it’s a long weekend.

Anyway, just one more exam left. On Tuesday for Theo. And one project left for the most demanding and worthless subject ever. It’s so worthless, we don’t get a single unit upon completion. But it’s mandatory or we don’t get to graduate.

Here’s what I made for Philippine Lit in English. It’s based on the story “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez-Benitez. (The whole story is below if you’d want to read it.) The project is to make, based on any story discussed in class, something that reflects our majors. I’m taking Fashion Design so guess what I made. Lol. There are 3 main characters in Dead Stars and I based my project on Esperanza. This is what I think she wore on her and Alfonso’s wedding day.

The story is set in post-colonial Philippines, around 1920’s, I think, so naturally, even the way of dressing is heavily influenced by the Spanish. I got inspiration from Elena (Catherine Zeta Jones) in the Zorro movies. Also from dresses by Charles Frederick Worth (the English designer who dominated Parisian fashion in the latter half of the nineteenth century) because Esperanza is an elegant woman and I know she’d want something ‘current’ and classy for her time.

My eyes literally bugged out when I saw the marquee announcement scrolling across the screen as I was watching Beauty and the Geek last night on ETC. I really really really want to join but I’m too suspicious as it will be another local adaptation of a foreign reality series. As I was envisioning how [...]

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Although honestly, I think I was more bothered about the silly watering can.

Old uniforms, old shirts, old gowns and costumes.. A catalogue of childhood fashion faux pas. What to do with them?

I like to just keep them. It’s fun to open suitcases full of old clothes.. they all remind me a bit of something in the past. One of my dreams was to show my future children [...]

I misplace a lot of things. Not that I’m proud of it, it just always happens. And of all the things I lost, there are some that I just cannot forget.
I’ve been missing this wristwatch for around two years and have accepted (although reluctantly) that it’s forever gone; either left somewhere, got lost in [...]

I saw these pictures at missvintage.com. These women are the most celebrated and admired icons- none of which were born perfect. (No, Audrey Hepburn didn’t come out of her mother’s womb wearing a black shift dress and pearls.. or with that name at that.) And as hard to imagine it is, some of them were [...]

..to a lot of things this weekend. :s
But before that, some random updates, photos and thoughts.. For instance, how come I never knew that the Fashion Institute of the Philippines was just at the One San Miguel Bldg. in Ortigas when I lived there for a year? I’m thinking of taking lessons there now. While [...]

A commissioned illustration. Copying, distributing, sharing, editing, altering and commercial use of this image is not allowed.

I found out yesterday that I won the Candy Magazine Blog Awards 2007, in the Best Over All Blog category. So that was really pleasant.. =) A lot of thanks are in order: the judges Mimi Tiu, Macy Alcaraz, [...]

Dahlings, it’s summer, and it’s getting hot! So for your next challenge, you’ll be designing outfits for a week in the Alps! It should be be able to function in outside at a ski resort, and inside for the cabin. Remember, you can design outfits not just ski wear. Also, keep in mind function as [...]

Been meaning to post this for some time now.. just never got around doing it. An image-heavy guide to fall/winter ‘07-’08 trends. (Plus some entertaining extras at the end.)
BELTS
Still wide and high and used to really cinch the waist. (Balenciaga, Christian Lacroix)

KNITS
Lots of knits for this season.. mohair knits, cable knits.. worn loose, draped, [...]

Is what I’d love to know..
Because unless the the national costume literally is Coral Reef and Two Dolfins, then I don’t understand why anyone would wear this:

And this is by far the least “French” costume I’ve ever seen:

Why is Miss Philippines holding a Venetian-looking masque?

The little bits of animal fur patched together for the skirt [...]

Everyone knows not to make these fashion mistakes…but everyday someone does. Your next challenge is to design an outfit that is based around a fashion faux pas that I will assign to you. These things rarely work on people, and it’s your job to make them work.
I was assigned “a humongous weekend bag” and [...]

I was out all day with hun. We went to the Mall of Asia to see Spiderman 3 in the iMax. There was a cosplay event there too I think because we kept seeing Sasukes, Narutos, Final Fantasy characters and bloody *literally* people milling around the place. Anyway, when we got to the [...]

The most recent challenge for Project Designer is to design an outfit that can be worn to P. Diddy’s annual white party. It must all be white, including the accessories and must be inspired by our model’s nationality. I got Willemina and since she’s of English descent, I got inspiration from the boned corsets of [...]

I played around with my sister after she downed one of my cupcakes in record time. This is one of them:

That’s my sister, Nikki.. or her mouth, to be specific. Photography and styling and everything else by me.. lol.

Just a rendition of myself (as a fashion sketch).

I got two this week.. Both from People are People and at least 4 inches high. One stack heeled and another with raffia braids. Is it too obvious I like tans and gold? They’re actually really comfy. But it’ll be even better with Foot Petals..

Oh that’s a tip, guys: use Foot Petals to feel [...]

Project Designer Competition First Challenge: Sweet Tooth.
We were told to design (1) a couture outfit and (2) regular underwear (as opposed to lingerie) to go with it. Each designer was assigned a model and a sweet. I got Ivanka (med. length dirty blonde hair, green eyes) and LIQUORICE. I hate liquorice. Anyway, this is my [...]

I’m one of the final 14 in the competition Project Designer Cycle 6 over at DeviantART! It’s a mock up version of Project Runway show on tv. Instead of having to sew the clothes, we will just have to design them. Here’s the link to the competition: Click Me. I’ve just been assigned my very [...]

Mom and dad arrived today and we went… shopping. Lol. FCUK had this sale at Rustan’s and I got 3 skirts. I’m so happy. and then we got presents for my ninang and uncle.. It was tiring.. And then we ate at Alavars again.. yummy. Diego of course cleaned up all the plates lol.. I [...]

Lots of prints. Corseted strapless gown, quilted wrap with sheer print hood, bunched up bustle/train.
Keywords: fashion design, illustration, fashion croquis

..is how I feel. Which is good… very good.
This is the still life watercolour plate I made in Freehand class last Thursday. Watercolour is very annoying.. Lol. It requires a lot of patience (and tissue) and you have to keep in mind that you must preserve the translucency of the watercolours. Some people just lather [...]

I had a burst of inspiration this afternoon and started making sketch after sketch.. This is a little teaser. I still have to colour everything. How is this one?

Keywords: fashion sketches, illustration, fashion croquis

First of all: I am NOT talking about SARS. (Ate Trixie is telling me people might think that and that, anyway, to call this a flu would be wrong because none of us got fever and it should be called respiratory track disease infection something.. So I made an Oopsie. So what. That just confirms [...]

Lol. What an inane title.. but there you go. These are headshots of models Abbie Almasco and Erika Tanaka that I’ve practiced different makeup looks on. They are both already beautiful to begin with, though.. =D
Yes the makeup is not real- it’s digital.

I was experimenting on putting on makeup on pictures. I used a macro shot of my eye for this. Also I made subtle changes on the pupil’s colours.. see if you notice =)
Yes the makeup is purely digital.

Which one do you like best? =)

At Antonio Miro’s fashion show at Barcelona, Spain..

The boat prop in the background is called a cayuco. Cayucos carried about 30,000 Africans to Spain’s Canary Islands last year alone. Many of the boats are believed to have sunk, drowning thousands of people. Antonio Miro’s employment of illegal, undocumented Senegalese migrants for his fashion show [...]

Dad had dinner here last night of Cebuano dishes he has not had in a long time (I think). He brought my watercolour pencils which I left. Then we went to La Marea at Crossing to have coffee with Tito Rudy, Ninang Loy, Tito Luchoy & Tita Carla, the latter two just arrived here from [...]

Before everything else, here is my latest illustration:

I used Artline drawing pens and colored in PhotoShop.
I left all the other pictures taken from the holidays back in Manila, I’m waiting for my sister to send them to me, so I can’t post new pictures for now. I’m back here, will finish classes by March. And [...]

Another drawing. This one inspired by DJ Gigi D’Agostino’s I’ll Fly with You. The look is a skyblue minidress beneath a corset in shades of pink paired with gray boots with lacy socks. Who said lacy socks are just for little girls =p. The idea is you can go dance at a club to the [...]

Ok that title was incredibly literal. I really am sleepy. Lol. So yeah, here are the products of the time I’ve spent practicing on my new tablet:

For more details, view the photoalbum they belong to right here: Click Me.

Keywords: christian louboutin, gucci, donna karan, juicy couture, bottega veneta, lacoste,tretorn, quilting, pumps, slingback, peep toe, wedge, stiletto, platform, bootie, laced up, rubber, mohair, flats.

L-R: 1. The pink boots.. really brought all the colours together. (I’d really want a pair of those) 2. The embellished kickers worn over pants… meh. Haha. Sort of made her look shorter and dumpier.. And the dark-colored pumps didn’t help: just cut off her silhouette rather than elongate it. 3. And the [...]

So yes I’m still alive.. I’ve been incredibly busy the past days working on my entry for the Coca Cola contest thing. I’m not done yet. I will be before I sleep tonight and will *maybe* post my design here.. lol. *is shy* Anyway. I’ve been itching to have my hair cut again and I [...]

keywords: checks, stripes, socks, knee-high socks, canvas sneakers, buttons, kitch, helsinki, finland, harajuku, japan, pink kitten pumps, layering, bolero, vest, Elsewares, pendant, eyeshadow, mint green, Joseph Cartright

So from now on I’ll be compiling “looks” right here.. They can be great or funny or dreadful.. it all depends but I’ll try posting some of each. So here we go with the first of them all..

Keywords: Omotesado, Japan, jeans, cami, plaid, stockings, red, knee-high boots, gun-metal, Nenette Lepore, heels, fur, suede, tie-back, Vogue, [...]

The whole collection looks like a trip back to the eighties, with lesser colours and smaller hair. Everything looked like something I would wear day or night. I’m specially loving that one up there. A nude/taupe stretchy wool top, flowy circle skirt, waist cinched with a wide belt, strappy heels.. very ballerina. It was a [...]

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

I think babies with droplet eyes are the cutest ever. I’m not toally sure it’s really called droplet eyes but what I mean is, if you look at the shape, they look like drops of water.. one side round, other side pointy. Take Jarius here for example. It’s his 1st birthday today and I went [...]

is some paints.

And brushes. I got these new brushes bought from Sketchbooks in Greenbelt, Manila. Tita Loy gave it to me last night when they arrived back here in Cebu. They’re from Dad. They have these see-throush stems with rubber greips.. Lol. I wanted to test drive them so I painted. Wanted [...]

I thought we were going to have the sculptures back today. Or at least the grades. I thought wrong. We’re to have to have them next week instead. Oh well.
Not much has happened. I just feel so blah today I don’t know why. It could be that I’m dreading being alone this Wednesday when they [...]

Just some of my more recent designs.. They are also up on my DeviantArt.
L-R:
Preppy outfit: striped wool trouser shorts with a button each leg, lycra halter top, 1-button sheer chiffon sweater and ankle boots
Rocker look: black stretch denim with zipper on the side, fox fur trimmings, stiff black tulle, fishnets, thigh high patent leather [...]

Woke up to a gloomy Ortigas and had to drag myself off of my warm cosy bed. Choosing what to wear takes up some time since my university has really strict policies on the dress code.. “no décolletage; shirts, blouses, and top-wear must cover the waist area at all times; may wear footwear of choice [...]