Danzen Couple Weds in Francis Libiran

Last Saturday, March 5, 2011, Jhon and Shea tied the knot wearing Francis Libiran. When Shea found the Danzen tag in the inner pocket of Jhon's suit two weeks before the wedding, she knew she had to look for another designer to create her dream wedding gown. They were worried that no designer would accept the challenge but were relieved when Jhon's sister's designer, Francis, accepted the last minute job.  Let me share with you what Francis did for the couple in two weeks time.

All photos courtesy of Nelwin Uy

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jhon Maala.  Both of you looked gorgeous in your Francis Libiran creations. Thank you for inviting me to your wedding.  It was beautiful!

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Who's This World's Biggest Liar?

If this fashion stylist/consultant were to represent the Philippines in the world's biggest liar competition, I am sure that he would definitely bring home the gold medal. Lying is an art and unfortunately this stylist has not perfected this art. Let me share with you his Top 10 most famous lies:

Lie #1 

If he studied elementary and high school at DLSZ, then why did his school mates confirm that they graduated together from a school in Marikina? 

Lie #2 

If he lives on the 47th floor of Paragon Plaza, then why does Paragon Plaza have 42 stories?

Lie #3  

If his mom served as the ambassador to Spain, then why don't they have exactly identical last names? (His last name has De, the ambassador's last name did not)

Lie #4 

If his grandmother lives in Dasmarinas Village, then why does he ask friends to drop him off at the gasoline station outside Dasmarinas Village every time?

Lie #5 

If he was really off to LA that certain day, then why was he spotted by friends in a bar that same night?  (LA stands for Lower Antipolo not Los Angeles?) 

Lie #6 

If he never wears footwear that costs less than 10,000 Php, then why does he wear espadrilles? (Do espadrilles cost that much now?) 

Lie #7 

If he backpacked in Europe for two weeks, then why were there no photos? (His camera was busted?)

Lie #8 

If he has a collection of paintings by national artists in his Marikina stockroom, then why can't he show them to friends? (Paintings got submerged in water during a flood?)

Lie #9 

If his genuine gold Rolex watch broke into pieces during a car accident, then why can't he send it to the service center for repair? (He had the gold pieces melted and converted into a pendant?)

Lie #10 

If he really styled the photo shoot of Pussy Cat Dolls, then why don't I know what to say anymore?

Do you know this fashion stylist? I will give you a clue, he was punched on the face by an actor who has a twin brother outside a bar a few years back. He also hosted a fashion lifestyle television show.  

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Why Tina Tagle Made Her Blog Private

Readers have been asking me why they can no longer access the blog of Tina Tagle, the real housewife of Dasmarinas Village, Makati. Tina started her blog in 2000 as a personal online diary and she has written entries that are very personal. If you were able to read her "walang ka kiyeme kyeme" blog before it became private, she shares random topics ranging from fashion to family issues to household chores. When Chvaness featured her, many readers visited her blog and were hooked to her honesty and candor. Her readership increased further when she was featured in the newspaper. Due to her blog's popularity, her family members requested her to make it private because some of the stories she shared are not for public consumption.  

I missed the chance of meeting Tina the last time she went out with some friends. I heard she is a gracious and down to earth lady. I am actually looking forward to hang out with her sometime.  

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Tasteful Yet Inexpensive Wedding Gown Part 1

Photos courtesy of Jinky Sy

Being in the wedding industry for twenty years, I have seen how prices of wedding gowns have increased through the years.  At present, a wedding gown from an established designer costs at least 100,000 Php. Since, not all brides are willing to splurge on a wedding gown that costs six digits, they constantly search for new wedding gown designers who can produce tasteful yet inexpensive dresses. This inspired me to create a post on elegant wedding gowns that will not cost you an arm and a leg.

For Part 1 of this post, I invite you to take a closer look at the wedding gown of my client/bride Jennifer Ong-Chan. She looked radiant in her wedding gown by Marlene Marcelo. It is my first time to hear about her but I was impressed when I saw the gown.  Surprisingly, she charged the bride 60,000 Php for this beaded bustier gown. In my opinion, this is an excellent deal considering the material used, the clean construction and the fine embellishments. I specifically loved the beaded sash that added drama to the gown.  

With Jennifer's permission, I am able to share with you some of the her photos taken by wedding photographer Jinky Sy. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth and Jennifer Chan!

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Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah: Vack With A Vengeance (Must Zee!)

I missed Zsa Zsa Zaturnah the last time it was shown so I will try my best not to miss it this coming Friday, March 11, 2011, 8pm at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.  If you are busy on Friday, you have until Sunday, March 11 to catch it.  Ticket prices are at 950 Php, 850 Php and 650 Php. For tickets inquiries and schedule, you can all Tanghalang Pilipino (8323661; 8321125 local 1620/1621); Ticket World (8919999) or CCP Box Office (8323704).

According to dancepinoy.com, Eula Valdez will play the role of Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah and Tuxqs Rutaquio as Ada. Pinky Amador will be playing Queen Femina alternating with Kalila Aguilos, Gabe Mercado alternates as Didi, and Dodong’s role will be by Rocky Salumbides or Red Anderson with a few performances by Prince Stefan.

Does anyone know the exact line up for Friday? I hope you can share with me. Thank you in advance.

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Filipino Wedding Photographer Receives International Recognition

Wedding photographer, Joselito "Lito" Sy, won first place in the recently concluded Wedding and Portrait Photographers International 2011 Awards of Excellence 16x20 Print Competition. The awards night was held  in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. His entry in the wedding details category, was singled out from more than 4,000 entries all over the world. The Wedding and Portrait Photographers International is like the Academy Awards for wedding photographers.

Lito's six other entries also received Accolades of Excellence (honorable mention) in various categories.

Lito is the first ever Filipino wedding photographer who was ever received first place from this award giving body. He has definitely captured the world with his amazing talent.  Congratulations Lito!

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KEY to Success: Abandon Your Children?

Celebrity hair stylist left his wife and two kids for another woman (not man). After abandoning his family, he supported them financially for a year or less and disappeared like a bubble. The mom was not financially equipped so the kids had to stop schooling. They lived in an apartment with no electricity and when the monthly rentals were not remitted, they were forced to evacuate. The kids would be lucky if they had instant noodles for lunch or dinner while the father who left them is living the good life. Out of desperation, they went to the father's salon to beg for pittance but he refused to face them.

When the mother passed away, the kids went their separate ways. They would stay with friends who generously took them in. There was one instance when the boy got accused of robbery and was put behind bars. When the father heard about it, he did not even bother to offer help and just ignored the news. Seriously, how can father turn his back on his children?

This hair stylist used to be the business partner of a songstress when they dazzled us with their salon in Makati. At present, he owns two eponymous salon, one of which is snuggled in the heart of The Fort. 

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Feeling Fashion Behind Bars?

Designer received a scholarship to study in one of Europe's premier design institutions as his prize for winning an international competition. Scholarship covered tuition fee but not living allowance. When the course started, designer was left clueless because all the classes were not taught in English. Instead of focusing his energy and money on school, he decided to explore and have a good time since he could not comprehend the lessons anyway. His funds eventually dried up and he neglected his rental payments. He wanted to fly home but could not because he did not have money to buy his return ticket. After months of delinquent payments, the police showed up at this doorstep, padlocked his flat and arrested him.

Trapped in a difficult situation he had no choice but to seek the help of the Philippine Embassy and some influential Filipinos living in that European city. These people introduced him to a kind lawyer who was willing to do work and get paid later. Lawyer contacted designer's family members and advised them to raise funds for the bail. With his legal assistance, plus the funds raised by family members and friends from Manila, designer finally got out of jail after being tormented for several months. When the ordeal was over, he flew back to Manila bringing home only traumatic experiences and not his graduation diploma.

The incident was like a nightmare, he wanted to forget it so badly that he even forgot to thank the lawyer and the people who helped him. This designer never shared this incident with friends. Instead he goes around giving them the impression that he is one of the very few Filipino designers who graduated from the prestigious European design institution. He was even hired by a luxury department store under the impression that he was able to obtain his diploma from the said design school.

Is this designer popular?  I would say yes because  he appeared in a fashion related television show a few years ago. Can you guess who he is? Read the second paragraph carefully and you will find a word that is associated to this designer. Good luck in your search!

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Cancellation of RISQ Design Competition Breaks Fashion Students' Hearts

As a teacher, it breaks my heart when I see the hard work of my students put to waste. I can only imagine the disappointment of the students and mentors of the fashion design schools when they received news earlier today that RISQ, a fashion show/design competition scheduled to be staged tomorrow at the World Trade Center, was cancelled.

This fashion show/design competition was conceptualized by two entrepreneurs, Ms. Kristine Soguilon, President and CEO of Indios Bravos Multimedia, and Ms. Cristina Tanseco-Guerrero, Managing Director of Ideal Events International. The competition promised its winner prizes including cash amounting to One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P150,000), a fashion business start-up portfolio, and features in major broadsheets and fashion magazines.

Ms. Soguilon informed participating fashion schools that the event tomorrow will no longer push through because her investor backed out. The mentors of the fashion schools were devastated to hear the sad news. They feel bad for the time, effort and money that their students have invested in the past months preparing for the much anticipated competition. 

As producers, they should be accountable to the all the participants involved in the said event. It is not the problem of the participants if they did not raise enough funds. Cancelling the event a day before because of the said reason is totally unacceptable. 

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Stylist to the Matrons (Kilabot ng mga Matrona)

Stylists are interpreters of fashion. They select the wardrobe for advertising campaigns, television shows, music videos, concert performances, or any public appearances made by celebrities. Some stylists become personal shoppers of celebrities. This is why every fashionista should maintain stylist friends because they can always help resell unwanted fashion pieces.

A bag collector has been doing business with this certain stylist for more than two years. She has purchased several designer bags from him and he has also helped her sell some of her pre-loved bags. Her problem with him started when she entrusted him several designer bags amounting to 250,000 Php. She endorsed them to him before leaving for the U.S.A. for a vacation. When she came home after a few months, her attempts to get in touch with the stylist to check on the status of her bags all failed. The stylist ignored her SMS messages and phone calls. She never got back her bags nor received any payment.

This stylist also borrowed several items from a jewelry store to show to his clients. When the jewelry store owner was requesting him to return the items, he started ignoring her.  Out of anger, the owner sent SMS messages to their common friends informing them about the sad incident. She never heard from him again and never saw the items as well.

Apart from not returning bags and pieces of jewelry, this stylist is also known for selling bags and jewelry to his matron friends at exorbitant prices. He also has a habit of asking them for gifts. There was one time when he was a guest at the mansion of one his matron friends, he raided her closet and begged her for a Goyard bag. She ended up giving it to him.   

This male stylist's celebrity clients include a veteran television hostess and a young female pop singer from a giant television network. Do you know this stylist?

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100 Models Search by Boardwalk

Inviting all amateur and professional models to join Boardwalk's 100 Models Search on June 18, 2011, 3pm at the Araneta Colliseum. Top male and female model winner will each receive 250,000 Php worth of modeling contract.

Be the next face of fashion.  Join Boardwalk 100 Models Search. Take part and share the spotlight with Boardwalk's celebrity endorsers and runway professionals. For more details call 6366321 and look for Carl Ranada or call 09294794291 / 09178050324 and look for Alfie Dulatre.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. 16 - 24 years old

2. Must be physically fit, tall, long-legged and lean. At least 5'8 height for females, 5'11 for males

3. Must have no existing contract in conflict with the rules of the contest / employment with any direct selling company.

4. Must be available anytime for Go See, rehearsals and show dates.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Get Boardwalk 100 Models Search Application Form from any Boardwalk Branch / Head Office or download.

2. Send filled-up 100 Models Search Form with 1 close up, 1 half body and 1 full body shot color photos 4R(4”x6”) in a short manila envelope not later than March 31, 2011 to:

ONE BIG SHOW MODEL SEARCH SECRETARIAT
1508, 15th Floor, West Tower PSE Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
or email to modelsearch@boardwalk.com.ph
For those submitting application via email, photos should not exceed 1MB each.

3. Wait for a Go See invitation through email.

4. Attend Go See on dates and venues specified on your Go See email invite.

Go See to choose 100 qualifiers:
APRIL 6 & 8, 2011 at Unit 512, 5th Flr. West Tower, PSE Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig

5. Wait for Go See results through email. 50 Male and 50 Female Models will be chosen to join the show.

6. If you are among the 100 who qualified, you will be required to attend the Final Call and Judging for TOP MODELS on April 16, 2011 at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, Mandaluyong City.

7. While 50 Male and 50 Female Models will be chosen to do the show, only ONE MALE and ONE FEMALE will be declared TOP MODELS. They will get P250,000 worth of modeling contract each.

8. Employees of Boardwalk and its sister companies including their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are disqualified from joining this contest.

Interested parties can log on to Boardwalk download application form.

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Anne Hathaway's Eight Oscar Looks

Anne Hathaway now holds two Academy Awards records.  One, at age 28, she is the youngest host that the Oscar has ever had. Two, she gets the Academy Awards for the most number of costume changes. She walked the red carpet escorted by Valentino, wearing Valentino. She was styled by celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe, and was adorned by Tiffany jewels throughout the ceremony.

Here are her eight looks:

Look No. 1:  Valentino - Hated It!

Look No. 2:  Givenchy Haute Couture - Loved It!

Look No. 3:  Lanvin - Neutral

Look No. 4:  Vivienne Westwood - Hated It!

Look No. 5:  Oscar de la Renta - Neutral

Look No. 6:  Atelier Versace - Loved It!

Look No. 7:  Armani Prive - Hated It!

Look No. 8: Tom Ford - Neutral

I only liked two out of her eight looks:  the white and black Givenchy Haute Couture and the wine red Atelier Versace.  Which ones did you love?  Which ones did you hate?  Please share your thoughts.

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Ten Academy Awards Looks I Loved

I was more excited with the gowns of the celebrities than with the results in the recently concluded 83rd Academy Awards. I am sure everyone of you has a best dressed list. Here are the ten looks that I loved, in no particular order:

Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior

Hilary Swank in Gucci (I love her look for the first time)

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Haute Couture

The detail at the back

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa

Celine Dion in Armani Prive

Helen Mirren in Vivienne Westwood

Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuiller

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

Natalie Portman in Rodarte

Michelle Williams in Chanel

I did not include Anne Hathaway in the list because her eight looks will require another post.  Do you agree with my list?   Which among these ten looks don't you like?  Please share your list as well.  I'll be waiting for your comments.

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Halle Berry Fashion Misses

I am a big fan of Halle Berry specially on the red carpet.  However, seems like I am not loving her choices lately. She wore this black dress by Nina Ricci to the Golden Globe Awards 2011 last January. To me, it looks like she was wearing a see thru towel over a black lingerie she grabbed from SM.  I was hoping that she would redeem herself in the Oscars 2011 red carpet but was disappointed when I saw this.

She wore this blush Marchesa gown to the Academy Awards yesterday. I think this color is perfect for her skin tone. I like the details of this gown minus the tulle drapery at the bottom. In my opinion, crumpled tulle made the gown looked very cheap.

Maybe she is not at her best lately because she is going thru a very rough relationship. Last month, her boyfriend, Gabriel Aubry, filed for child support and joint custody of their daughter, Nahla. I can't blame her if that is the case. I just hope she bounces back very soon.

Do you like these two gowns that Halle Berry wore? Let me know your opinions. Please leave your comments.

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The X Deal Queen

A barter is a method of exchange by which good or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without involving money. In marketing and advertising, the term ex-deal (exchange deal) is used more commonly.  An ex-deal would require the agreement of both parties involved in the situation.  Celebrities who go to designers for an ex-deal would tell them outright that they will acknowledge designers instead of paying cash.  Of course, it is the discretion of the designer to accept or not.

A stylist who used to work for a make-up brand would normally go to junior designers for clothes. At the onset, she would not inform these junior designer that these clothes will be paid on an ex-deal basis. When these clothes have been delivered, she will refuse to give payments. Instead, she would tell the junior designers that they will be acknowledged in the magazines. The stylist would go on saying that the publicity should be enough payment for them since they are new in the business.

To all the starting junior designers, I suggest you stay away from this abusive X-deal Queen. Ask the senior designers who she is, I am sure they know her very well.