Daily Tribune: Seasonal and Timeless Fashion

Written by: Gabrielle Borromeo

Published in the Daily Tribune (Life Style section) on Sunday, 01 September 2013.

The Philippines may not have four seasons, but we, Filipinos, sure dress as if we enjoyed the quarter changes. Even the annual Philippine Fashion Week that comes twice a year is divided into the spring/summer and the fall/winter collections.

No matter what one chooses to wear for any season, a thing of beauty that transcends the seasons is good jewelry, such as those from iconic Swarovski.

Treasures of the world

Swarovski has been part of the fashion scene even before it grew to be the world's leading producer of precision-cut crystal for fashion, jewelry and more recently lighting, architecture and interiors. Founded in 1895 by David Swarovski, it remains family-owned and run by the 5th generation family members. Swarovski today has more than 2,200 retail outlets worldwide.

Swarovski's craftsmanship, precision and innovation brings forth collections that are timeless and on-trend. Its recent collection for the fall/winter season is dubbed as the "Secret Treasures" reminiscent of a journey by the designer Nathalie Colin. Her inspiring journey made her build the collection around four legendary locations: China, Himalayas, India and Venice. Each treasure is designed with beauty and inspired by tradition.

The Stone necklace

Colin's visit in China inspired her to design two pieces, the Stone and the Velour. As described by Swarovski, the Stone piece is a reversible pendant with one side in clear crystal pave and the other side rhodium plated. It adapts the symbolism of yin and yang and features sensual curves that give ultra shine by pave crystal work. 

The Velour necklace

The Velour piece, on the other hand is a pendant with large central faceted crystal stone surrounded by a metallic chain on a microfiber chain, which is the base material, with a black and white colour gradation. It also has a matching oversize earrings. Colin got her inspiration to create this design from the trimmings of the Chinese costumes.

The Vita necklace

While in the Himalayas, Colin was awakened with the idea of what she has now designed as the Vita piece. It is a pendant featuring a central cabochon cut crystal stone surrounded by small tone-on-tone crystal stones, set by hand using the Pointiage technique (a technique where a crystal is set into ceramic and the bright hues are tempered with softer shades of Swarovski crystal to form an original collection of chain link accessories). This piece takes on frosty winter tones and can look both timeless and on-trend. Wearing such a design is taking hold of a piece of nature's beauty!

The Vanity necklace

India was the inspiration for the Vanity piece, designed by Colins and Shourouk. The Vanity, as described by Swarovski, is a bib-like necklace that is flexible, mounted on a black satin rope cord and embroidered with multi-coloured crystals.

Venetie cuff

Vermeil cuff

Last but not least are the two pieces, the Venetie and the Vermeil, which were inspired by Venice. As described by Swarovski, the Venetie is a large cuff in rose-gold plated metal decorated with a blue crystal cabochon, pearls, baguette-cut and pear-shaped crystals. The Vermeil is also a large cuff, but adorned with a modern lace in strong, graphic lines featuring a cabochon  entirely covered with hand-applied crystals.

For more information, visit www.swarovski.com.

Spring into summer

During the dry season in the Philippines, Filipinos dress in the spring/summer wear of many clothing brands. This time of the year is perfect for infusing color into the wardrobe.

The latest Philippine Fashion Week showcased the spring/summer collections of many local brands: Lee showcased denims, pastels and bright ensembles; Human featured neons and dark coloured clothes; Penshoppe highlighted florals and bright red; and Bench had endorser Anne Curtis in metallic as they launched her Bench fragrances.

Lee's denim collection had male models in only pants or sometimes jumpers, while the female models were in denim dresses and denim jumpers paired with knee-ankle boots. 

As for the pastels and bright-hued ensembles, both male and female models were in either stripes or in patterns.

Human, on the other hand, featured neon t-shirts for both genders, and neon leggings for women. 

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This brand also featured dark ensembles which, Rob Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, the brand's Hollywood ambassadors, flaunted on the runway.

Human's Hollywood brand ambassadors, Kylie Jenner and Rob Kardashian.

Rob Kardashian in black and white Human ensembles.

Rob wore a black and white ensemble, while Kylie had on a long-sleeved little black dress. 

Kylie Jenner sporting a glittery sea-green Human cardigan.

Kylie also wore a glitter sea-green cardigan and shimmered in it. The models were mostly in black and white outfits, but there were also apparels that had a hint of bright colors in them.

Penshoppe highlighted florals on resort style ensembles. One model graced the ramp in a pretty white dress with leafy prints. There was a same version for pants. Floral cover-ups were worn over bikinis.

Penshoppe’s pieces for school, work or even partying were designed in varying shades of red. A red sleeveless blouse worn with short black swingy shorts and black stockings was a memorable outfit. Another model wore black pants with red accents of roses in them, while another model highlighted Penshoppe's red lacey stockings by wearing shiny fitted black shorts and a beige top.

These were the other Penshoppe pieces ready for school, work or partying!

Bench had the perky Anne Curtis dress in a metallic gold dress made out of what looked like actual metal. 

She later changed into a sleek metallic black body-hugging dress. 

It wasn't the designer-made clothes Anne was showcasing, but her Bench fragrances, which has three "celebrity" scents: Sweetheart, Glamorous and Fierce. 

These perfumes are encased in a prismatic looking glass bottle with diamond-looking caps. With these fragrances, Bench wants to offer fragrances that emphasise the power of a modern woman.

Fall into winter

During the wet season in the Philippines, people start dressing in the fall/winter season's appropriate fashion pieces, such as scarfs, boots and overcoats. Don't forget the jewelry!

Penshoppe focused on the colours of autumn during Fashion Week, while newly launched brand Bebe launched its latest pre-fall line "California Sentiments" at the store opening.

Penshoppe's latest collection had less bright hues, and every ensemble looked comfortable. Male models were clad in either in shirts or sweaters topped with a vest, blazer, cardigan or jacket. The simplicity spoke for itself. Colors ranged from coffee brown, olive green, black, grey, to white, broken occasionally by a touch of maroon.

The Penshoppe women’s  collection consisted of laid-back yet stylish outfits. The collection included mostly variations on the skirt, from high-waisted to gathered, to mini. Pants and leggings were all skintight. Included in the collection for women were also sweaters and vests. The sweaters came in black, brown, navy blue and brick-red. The vests came in a bright denim-blue hue and leather black.

The bebe brand, first opened in 1976 in San Francisco by Manny Mashouf, has been a household name in the fashion industry and is known as one of the world's top fashion retailers with over 250 retail stores and more than 1oo international-licensee operated stores globally. bebe was brought to the Philippines by the RSH Group, the licensee of bebe in Asia and the Middle East.

Last August, bebe was officially launched at the opening of its first branch in the Philippines at Shangri-La Plaza Mall. The styles bebe offers are playful in color and design.

At the store entrance, only a big black rectangle hangs from the top and on it is written bebe in white words. Inside, it feels as if one has stepped into a walk-in closet.

Included among the racks is bebe's newly unveiled pre-fall collection, "California Sentiment." This collection has a variety of clothes for the sunny day, the dark evening and activewear with cuts that claim to flatter every body type.

Bebe's royal blue body-hugging dress

The "California Sentiment" collection key pieces come in bodycon (body contouring)  dresses and miniskirts, cutout dresses, flowing high-low dresses, moto jackets, embellished denim, sheer blouses and peplum tops with lace-up details and glamorous high-shine, enhanced by an earthy, summer-to-fall palette of deep red, gold and warm neutrals. Also included in the collection are the woven-trimmed handbags and quilted platform heels.

For more information on Bebe Philippines, like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BebePhilippines or follow the Instagram page and Twitter page at @bebePhilippines.

Art in fashion

Desigual is Spanish word which means “unequal” or “different” in English. From  the meaning of this word, Thomas Meyer might have been inspired to use the word  to name his Barcelona-based lifestyle brand, which he founded in 1984. The collection found at Desigual is unlike other brands’ and finally it has arrived in  Manila, Philippines.

Inside, one will journey through clothes that are optimistic in aura, giving off a positive vibe. The clothes seem to dance in colorful designs and have playful, intense prints. Every ensemble feels like it was splashed down by a rainbow wand.

The French designer Christian Lacroix does the art for Desigual. He is known for his use of colorful palettes, combining it with a variety of patterns. Desigual has also partnered with the Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil, which is famous for its "dramatic mix or circus arts and street entertainment" – a source of inspiration for the brand.

Desigual is a brand that communicates to its consumers through the clothing line, urging people to live life to the fullest. It also seeks to inspire and change what is negative to positive.

Desigual is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists Inc. and sells clothing lines for both men and women including kids. Also sold are accessories and women's shoes.

Desigual is located at Shangri-La Plaza and Bonifacio High Street Central.