There’s nothing stiff about Miss Selfridge

By Ana Valenzuela, InterAksyon.com · Thursday, July 26, 2012 · 8:50 am

Miss Selfridge offers feminine clothes that are both exciting and details-driven to make each limited edition a statement outfit. Photo courtesy of Miss Selfridge Philippines.

Sophie Sumner may have won in the recently concluded Cycle 18 of America’s Next Top Model—a Brit toppling the other contenders and grabbing the crown from the Americans—but another Brit, Miss Selfridge, is making her presence felt in the Philippine fashion scene.

Miss Selfridge, a British brand, recently arrived in town to open its first boutique in Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. Miss Selfridge first began in the 1960s as a fashion section for the young in the Selfridges and Co. department store in London. It was later acquired by the Arcadia group (owner of Topshop, Topman, and Dorothy Perkins) in the late 90’s. The brand was brought here thanks to Robinsons Specialty Stores, which also handles Topshop, Topman, and Dorothy Perkins.

“We want to bring in the young, flirty and feminine side of British fashion on top of our current brands,” says Vanessa Domingo, brand manager of Miss Selfridge. “British fashion always has an edge to it,” stresses Vanessa. This new brand certainly is no different in terms of offering unconventional designs.

In fact, she describes the brand as “quite an individualist, I think that this would stand out and would work well with the market.”

Whimsical outfits by Miss Selfridge. Photo courtesy of Miss Selfridge Philippines.

“Miss Selfridge is definitely about going out, but not just for a night out. It is more of having fun dressing up anywhere you go, whichever occasion you attend to, and at anytime of the day,” she says. Miss Selfridge key pieces could also be statement wear because its stores’ one-of-a-kind tops and dresses that have amazing detail work.

Feather Swirl Bardot dress by Miss Selfridge. Photo courtesy of Miss Selfridge Philippines.

“We offer fashion products with a lot of detailing unique to Miss Selfridge,” says Vanessa. “There is always some sheer, embellishments, draping, pleats, and other details in our garments. More than these details, our prints are also developed by the in-house design team in the UK, so you won’t find these styles anywhere.”

Evidently so, the store lights up with a wonderful collection of colors mostly in pastels and fantastic finds in prints such as floral and Aztecs or amazing mix of solid colors.

Apart from this, Vanessa states there are various elements put into each fashionable item. Like in its most recent collection, “now, we have a lot of peplums, skater, drop hems, mesh, cut-outs or embellishment details in the range,” she says.

“Dresses are essential for the Miss Selfridge range,” states Vanessa. “You will not see the styles in a redundant way because of the variety and detailing put into each piece.” The devil is in the details. Definitely, you won’t walk out of here, buying any regular little black dress.

“We actually have a category of dresses called 18-hour dresses that are perfect from day to night,” she adds.

Neon embellished dress by Miss Selfridge. Photo courtesy of Miss Selfridge Philippines.

But if some local shoppers fear that the some of the sizes may be too big or “too European,” fear not as, Vanessa advises, “Miss Selfridge also has a special collection for petites—perfect for a lot of Filipinas. And some of the good finds in store include heels and going out accessories to compliment the outfits in store.”

The store promises to keep itself updated with new arrivals that go with each current fashion season. “The [collection] will, of course, evolve as the next season comes up—whether in color, print or silhouette. And, these [upcoming] dresses are not to be expected just for a night out or for special occasions there is also something for the office or just a casual day in school or the mall.”

Clothes for your so-cold life

Text by Ana Valenzuela · Thursday, August 23, 2012 · 10:35 am

TV host and sports personality Chris Tiu in his favorite Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Vest. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

The cool winds might be felt only by September but this month’s monsoon rains is having us reach for a jacket to keep warm and toasty.

But do those jackets need to be thermal and fluffed up to keep our bodies extra warm? In the Philippines? Well, Uniqlo seems to think so as it recently showcased its Fall/Winter 2012 collection, which is headlined by Heatteach, Knitwear, Poncho, Stretch jeans, among others.

Cozy knitwear are among the store's new arrivals. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

“We are highlighting the items that are innovative especially the changes in lifestyle in Japan, and other winter countries,” Joanne Torres, Management Trainee/Inventory Control of Uniqlo begins. “Like the knitwear, we call it the merino, it’s thinner compared to the regular wool, but it’s also warm.”

“We are also introducing the Ultra Light Down jacket, the heat tech, and the thermal wear,” Joanne says. These items are most useful not only during the cold weather but also for traveling in cold-climate countries.

Uniqlo's Ultra Light jackets. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

The Ultra Light Down jacket or the ULD is made from nylon and is 20% lighter than the regular down jacket. In fact it only weighs about 260 grams. “The ultra down jacket is thinner than the regular down jacket, that is why it’s also applicable for countries, like the Philippines, that do not have winter or fall,” Janet shares.

Chris Tiu whose fashion style is mostly sporty and preppy is a fan of the Ultra Light Down jacket. “Its something that we might not be used to here in the Philippines but I travel a lot and the best thing about this, is it looks bulky, but its actually not. It is easy to wear and bring around especially of you travel a lot. You can pack it in your bag, and it’s not going to use up all the space, and the weight allocation in the airlines.”

Uniqlo Undercover
“Uniqlo undercover is collaboration between Uniqlo and the brand Undercover, which is trendier and more stylish than Uniqlo,” says Katsumi Kubota, COO for Uniqlo, Fast Retailing Philippines.

Think of clothes meant for the modern, edgy, and stylish family—from Dad, Mom, to the kids. Cold season basics include knitwear, and shirts and trousers in solid colors. Some pieces also feature your favorite cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Barbie, Hello Kitty and more. “Mainly we are working with cartoon characters on our t-shirts, and from time to time we try to catch what the customers or the market requires.  We constantly change every year. Its a mix of western and Japanese characters, we always try to mix it,” says Katsumi.

At the well-attended Uniqlo fashion show's finale held Wednesday, August 22, Parokya ni Edgar lead singer Chito Miranda (in red vest) and Chris Tiu are joined by Uniqlo Philippines' COO Katsumi Kubota. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

Window Shopper: Let’s get Laud!

By Ana Valenzuela, InterAksyon.com · Tuesday, August 7, 2012 · 10:00 am

Get Laud is known for its chic blouses with flattering cuts for women of all shapes.

If you are familiar with 168 mall in Divisoria, then you certainly are familiar with Get Laud.

You probably bought not just one, but definitely a bag full of shirts, and even dresses from their stall in the Divisoria mall. The tops and dresses have silhouettes that are figure flattering, the prints are amazing, plus the price is hard to say no to!

Get Laud started out in 2004, selling only shirts in basic colors and different prints. From there, the business expanded to what it is today, selling casual but stylish clothes in different malls around the country.

This print dress from Get Laud makes the perfect 9-to-5 outfit when worn with the right accessories.

Get Laud owner Geraldine Tiu-Laudencia shares that the brand is a mishmash of her name: Ge from her first name, T from her middle name, and Laud from her last name. And literally, Geraldine declares, “We also want our customers to be lauded whenever they wear our clothes, thus, the name Get Laud.

“When I started the business, I noticed that there are only few brands that offer unique clothes at affordable prices. With Get Laud, I’m giving Filipinas the opportunity to own quality and fashionable clothes without spending too much,” Geraldine says. “I was inspired by that market that wants to express themselves through fashion.

“Most brands sell shirts in simple and basic cuts. I made ours with shape to fit a woman’s body perfectly such that even if it’s just a shirt, it’s sexy. As the years passed by and because of the positive responses and market demand, our products evolved and our offerings expanded to blouses, dresses and other kinds.”

Here’s Geraldine sharing her savvy shopping tips, the little black dress, adding plus-size clothes to the brand, and how to look chic during the drab and rainy season:

What’s your advice to shopaholics?
Before you shop, it’s best that you know your personality, what works for you, and what does not. Go for cuts, prints, and colors that suit you, your budget and your lifestyle accordingly. Buy items that you can mix and match with other pieces.

How does one spruce up her style even with a simple outfit?
Accessorizing can spruce up one’s style. A playful brooch or collar necklace can spice up even the simplest wardrobe. With the right accessories and attitude, one can never go wrong.

Get Laud's black shirt can be worn by itself or played up with an edgy brooch, a classic pearl necklace, or elaborate neckpiece for contrast.

What’s the most important item of clothing in any woman’s closet?
The little black dress is the most important item of clothing in any woman’s closet. It can be worn to dressy occasions, since the color black is always flattering for any woman.

How can one find the perfect tee or dress, especially when we shop at Get Laud?
One should know her needs before finding the perfect tee or dress. She also has to understand her body shape and the colors that will suit and flatter her skin tone well. Armed with knowledge, together with your budget, you are sure to have great finds that will complement your look and lifestyle.

You have a line, that’s called Get Laud Plus, what made you decide to also cater to plus-size women? 
One of our goals is to dress up Filipinas of all shapes and sizes. We recognize that plus size is a growing trend. Also, we want also women to be comfy yet sexy whatever her shape is.

What fashion trends are you seeing this rainy season?
Denims are in season especially during the rainy days. Paisleys, floral prints, and vibrant colors are getting to be popular for chasing the gloominess of the season away.

Maxi dress with sweetheart neckline is a versatile piece that ought to be part of a woman's wardrobe staple.

That’s something to look forward to. How do you conceptualize Get Laud’s designs?
Get Laud started in the marketplace with basic tees and eventually expanded its merchandise mix by offering party dresses. The designs are based on the brand personality of Get Laud which is fun, flirty and sexy. We want our customers to be lauded and recognized whenever one wears our merchandise.

In addition, we study existing trends in the market and tailor fit these trends to the existing persona of Get Laud. We stick to our brand DNA as much as we can but we are trying to inject casual wear in our merchandise mix.

So, how do you innovate your designs from other brands so that consumers can tell that ‘uy Get Laud yan‘?
We believe that through Get Laud’s prints and cuts, we have created a niche in the marketplace. We try to diversify our offering through our signature fabric and cuts.

Window Shopper: It’s beginning to look a lot like Divi season

By Ana Valenzuela, InterAksyon.com · Tuesday, September 4, 2012 · 8:42 am

A Divisoria landmark, this Bonifacio monument is at the center of three malls: Cluster Mall, Tutuban Mall, and Prime Block. Photo by Ana Valenzuela, InterAksyon.com.

One of the best places to hit for wholesale or bulk shopping at very affordable prices is Divisoria, the bargain shopping district in Manila. Old-timers say that September is the best time to drop by for your early holiday preparations as October is when the early Christmas crowd really starts to throng the streets everyday till December.

Not to worry, there are several gift-worthy items even as early as September. If you intend to do some baking—fruitcake, anyone?—walk towards Sto. Cristo Street for baking materials and items, including flour, butter, margarine, even dried fruits by the bulk. For wholesale t-shirts, wrapping paper, ribbons, shoes, Christmas decor—practically everything—just stroll along the length of Juan Luna Street. If you’re looking for native crafts to give away or as part of your holiday packages, Tabora Street is the go-to place.

Of course, if you still prefer the comforts of an air-conditioned mall, Divisoria has establishments such as 168, Tutuban Mall, Divisoria Mall, Cluster Mall, and Prime Block. You can still haggle in these malls’ shops though merchandise here is sold at a slightly higher price than the one you’d find on Divisoria’s streets.

But, it is not just money you’ll need: some preparation and a sense of adventure are also key to enjoying the experience despite the huge crowd occupying the streets and its main malls.

Have a game plan. The thought of braving crowded Divisoria might discourage you to return for a second time. So be sure to accomplish everything you want during your shopping trip. Prepare a list. Who are on your gifts list this year? Jot down what you want to get for them and where to source their presents in Divisoria. Plan your route, check the Internet for maps and articles on the shopping district.

Keep safe and secure. Divisoria is not just the stomping ground of bargain shopper but it’s also a favorite spot for pickpockets. Leave that signature bag at home and drop the urge to look like an artista. Wear simple, comfortable clothes. Bring a simple, plain bag instead, preferably a big one with easy compartments for the items you’ll be shopping for. Bring an extra foldable tote.

Wear your bag in front of you. Remember, you’ll be transacting your purchases using money and not with a credit card, so be sure to keep your wallet close to your body. Don’t put your bag on the floor even for a minute and if you have to dine in a restaurant, always put your bag on the table and never underneath it.

For car owners, whether parked on the street or in a mall, put your shopping bags inside the trunk where it’s not exposed to bystanders.

Check the quality. Yes, Divisoria is bargain haven but it also pays to check the quality of the item before making your actual purchase. Don’t buy from the fist store you see. Go through other stores to compare the quality of items and prices.

For instance, items like plates or figurines could be cheaper than others because of factory defects. Check if a dress is made of sturdy fabric and its buttons are all in place. See how the soles of a stylish pair of shoes are fastened to the upper part of the footwear.

Do the haggle. Anytime you’re in Divisoria, it isn’t just your eyes at work, but also your gift of tongue as you would need to bargain for the right price. Don’t haggle immediately, make a connection with the vendor first. Remain polite but definite when negotiating.

Once, I found a pair of shoes worth P150, the lowest price the shop owner can offer is P120. I said “P80?” A few minutes later, I was able to convince her to sell the item at the price that I was willing to pay for.

When haggling, the best person to strike a deal with would always be the owner. According to a stall owner in Prime Block Building, “Kasi yung may-ari ng stall yung nakakaalam kung hanggang magkano. Kahit na yung sales ladyalam nila na yun na yung last price, pag sobrang tumal, pwede pang bawasan para magkabenta lang, babawasan.”

Know your boundaries. Finally, and obviously, when a street peddler waves a sign that screams, “Tapat na po,” don’t push it—it just means move on.

Beauty Boo-Boos You Shouldn’t commit

BOO!
By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA

Published in MOD OCrober 2010

UNDERWEAR creases? Oily skin? Wrong makeup color? How many times have you had these fashion and beauty errors?

Look, these mistakes are avoidable. Especially if you know what they are and you know how to prevent them. Bianca Valerio, model, makeup artist, and host of Lifestyle Channel’s FASH, shares common fashion and beauty slip-ups and how to steer clear of them.

Beauty Blunders

Oily all over. “Especially if you commute, you don’t want to look oily going on a date or to close a deal. We want freshness, we want matte freshness,” says Bianca. “One thing you should always have in your bag is oil film.”

Wrong shade. “For press powder, get your own shade,” presses Bianca as to avoid being too pale or too dark. “Mix your foundation with moisturizer to make it a tinted moisturizer. If you bought the wrong shade, buy your own shade, make plenty shades, and share them with a friend.”

Color coding. “The most basic thing to remember if you are going for a dark eye, go for light lips. For dark lips, go for a dark eye. Always choose one focal point. Don’t do it altogether,” she says. “Don’t mix all the trends together—leave it to magazines and fashion shows. Go for one focal point and go with that, use your best features, and make them the center emphasis.”

Makeup Sleep . “No matter how sleepy you are, no matter how tired you are, always remove your makeup and wash your face before going to bed you won’t get breakouts, allergies, or clogged pores. That is the time when your skin rejuvenates and refreshes itself,” she says.

Fashion Faux Pas

Underwear Bomber. “People take underwear for granted but it really is the foundation of every outfit,” Bianca says. “There was one time, a girl bought granny panties, and the panties even had pockets where she can even place her cell phones.” Underwear keeps your clothes from being soiled, shapes your body and more important, should be concealed. Avoid display of your bra and panty lines.

Overage dressing. “You should dress age-appropriatel,” she says. “If you can work it and still have the body for skinny jeans, why not?” She explains that dressing age-appropriate means looking at circumstances. For example, if you are going to a PTA party, it is not exactly right to wear a plunging neckline and a backless blouse.

Overlooking dress codes. “Good taste is not just knowing about what nice is, it’s about what proper is. There is a moral conduct underlying all those clothes,” she says. “You also want people to like you kasi hindi ka agaw eksena, nasa lugar. Everything has its right place. That’s why there is always a dress code.”

FASH airs every Thursday at 10 p.m. on the Lifestyle Channel, Channel 52 on Sky Cable.

You Asked

Is the sun good or bad for my skin?

---- Rina, via Twitter

Socouer Oblepias, M.D. Answers

The sun is not all harmful because we need it for vitamin D, but sometimes overexposure can cause skin damage. Another concern would be aging skin. One of the cheapest preventive measures is a sun block, like the new Pond’s Flawless White Blemish Prevention UV Cream which prevents and lightens dark spots and has SPF 15. Putting powder on top of a sun block would actually put the sun block in place for a longer period of time than putting just sun block. It is ideal is to put the sun block first on top of the powder.

Socouer Oblepias, M.D. is a member of the Philippine Dermatological Society

Angel Locsin: Where She’s Putting Her Money

Angel Locsin: Where She’s Putting Her Money

By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA PUBLISHED MOD August 2010

ANGEL Locsin has already proven herself well in showbiz so she endeavors on a new enterprise where she is putting her well earned money. And she is taking with her the things she learned from the entertainment industry as she fulfills a new role of an entrepreneur.

The actress recently ventured into the food industry by opening her own bar and KTV in Quezon City, which is called Fuel Up. “It’s my first time to do this, to engage in a business, specifically a bar. Lately I’ve been going out a lot because I really don’t know what the people are looking for. The crowd in Makati is different from the crowd in Quezon City, right?”

It is not only research that Angel is doing, as when it comes to her business, she is hands-on. “There are times that I go to the bar and oversee things. I even mix drinks. Of course it’s just a new business. I really have to assist my staff and we need to work hand in hand. We are like one big family there,” she says.

She fondly recalls one incident when she gladly helped out. “There was one time we were shorthanded, and our bartender needed assistance. Our customers wanted some drinks and to take pictures with me. Then, I thought, hmm… why don’t I help out? I asked them, ano gusto n’yo? Our sales went double that night. Every time someone would take a picture they would need to drink beer or take a shot first. It was fun, tapos na-enjoy naman nila, kasi ako ‘ yung nagmi-mix talaga,” she says.

Of course like any regular establishment, Fuel Up also encounters some dilemmas. She shares, “One time, there was a group who went on a field trip in our bar. We didn’t know what to do. Kasi ‘di ba, why would you have field trip in a bar? They were all minors. If we turned them away, they would be offended. Also, our regulars and walk-in customers were there. Even though they were so many-- a bus full! --they weren’t really ordering much. Probably because they were still minors. So we just talked to them and stated our rules. Of course some were offended. But we really needed to do that.”

“Success is not all luck. There are certain opportunities that pass us by, may mga tsamba, but then you also have to prove yourself,” Angel says. Of course we know that Angel proved herself well by not passing by opportunities such as the youth show Click, and in the fantasy series Mulawin where she played Alwina. Even more, she proved her acting prowess via an Emmy nomination for her role as she-wolf in the teleserye Lobo.

Up next for Angel is a movie with Aga Muhlach, tentatively titled Huling Sayaw, where she plays the role of a pole dancer ."When I was offered the role, my reaction was, ‘Are you sure that it is me you want to cast?’ In this movie, I had to do everything that I didn’t want to do, as in lahat.” Angel says. To prep up for the role, she had to take up pole dancing lessons.

“You wouldn’t be able to last in the entertainment industry if you don’t have the talent, proper attitude, and if you don’t work your fingers to the bone,” Angel says.

With this kind of outlook, it is no wonder why she has many projects and endorsements, among them top retail brand Folded and Hung and canned goods giant Century Tuna.

“Some think that showbiz is all glitz and glamour,” she says. “No, it’s not just that. There are days when you don't feel the emotion the director calls for, but you just have to emote it. That’s how draining the work is.”

Problems such as having minors in a bar you own or being cast in a challenging role may be a regular rough patch on the road, but this girl can seem to solve them well, with a dose of talent and a shot of perseverance. “It just takes hard work for you to do your job well. Research, be on time, and be professional,” she says.

Angel Talks Fitness and Money

What’s your daily diet like?

I have to have a cheat day, where in I eat whatever I want. Before, I chow down on a lot of junk food, but now, I don’t eat as much anymore. I stopped eating junk food this year.

Do you have a sports regimen?

I do biking and belly dancing.

How about your exercise regimen?

I jog. I work out. There’s a video called Insanity. You should watch it. The workout is super intense. It is not that new, but it is slowly gaining a following.

How do you budget your money?

I have an accountant who helps me with my budget. I don’t spend that much. I only treat myself with food actually and, oh yeah, shoes. If I don’t need something then I won’t buy it. I keep my payments in the bank and withdraw cash only if needed.

What is one thing that you are saving for?

I already have a house, so I’d like to have more investments.

Define Wealth

I am rich in family and friends. I consider myself blessed for having that kind of family who supports me. At the same time, they don’t tolerate the bad things that I do. They treat you as a normal person and not as a celebrity