WHO: Fashion Designer Feature

Who created the world? Theologically, God. But who created the fashion world? Fashion designers. And for this blog post, I give you Mr. Veejay Floresca, a member of the younger breed of fashion architects.

An artist worth celebrating for, he is yet my most fave clothing architect in the Philippine fashion industry. His creativity and flamboyancy shows in every dress he crafts. He has a unique aesthetic that launched him from rags to riches, and that talent never fails me to idolize him as an artist myself. At 27, he has proved that age is not a reason for success.

He is most identified as the second runner-up on the first season of Project Runway Philippines. A full-scholar and Cum Laude grad at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, he now teaches his degree, fashion design, in his beloved Alma Mater. Currently, he is in California taking up his master's degree on the same course at Academy of Art University.

I love the fact that innovation, diversity, and marketability are already planted in his DNA. He can design from play costumes to wedding dresses, hard to soft, and yet still make them wearable. If given as the richest person alive, I would buy every piece in every collection that he will showcase. Here are samples of his work, with some featured in the last Philippine Fashion Week and high fashion magazines:

To get to know more of him, visit his Facebook page, Twitter account, Tumblr profile, and his own blog.

XOXO,

Pilar Cecilia ♥

WHO: Fashion Blogger Fever

Okay, let's just head straight to the point: My favorite fashion blogger is none other than Ms. Laureen Uy! 

You may recognize her better from the ABS-CBN primetime drama My Binondo Girl as Amethyst Sy, one of the show's main cast. You may also know her as the younger sister of fashion stylist Ms. Liz Uy, the former muse of the country's best known bachelor.

But far-fetched from these pinches of identity is a Chinita fashionista who loves to mix and match whatever's found in her own closet (or freebies from featured brands).

I came across her blog when I accidentally watched her interview from Etcetera, a mini segment by the television channel ETC dedicated to fashion. Interested myself as I have watched her in the drama, I immediately checked her website. Even just seeing a one-page worth of posts, I already knew then that I will be looking out for more. I admire her aesthetic from then on, and she became a  quick reference when there is a need for belting out some interesting pieces from my tiny closet.

I dish out some photos from her fashion blog that might interest you:

XOXO, 

Pilar Cecilia ♥

WEAR: Heel-less Shoe-stopper

What's in for 2012? Heel-less shoes, that is!

The rave is in for the anti-heeled phenomenon. Stars like Leann Rimes, Nicole Scherzinger, and Lucy Hale are all sporting one!

These pairs are definitely a shoe-stopper! But ever wonder how they defy the laws of physics? I did some research on these babies and I found this forum post in which I quote this explanation:

"You see the way most actual heelless shoes work is the platform in the front, the way it's shaped and the weight of it is engineered to be able to walk. They did have a small platform in the front, maybe 2-3 inches, but I think they may be made with a strip of steel in the sole of the shoe."

Joining in this revolution, I have also bought my own heel-less pair from the local online shoe shop DAS (sorry for the crappy quality!):

Yes, they are kind of pricey but they are worth it. They so comfortable and high fashion! I am a one happy customer! Even a custom-made second pair is on the way from Sophisticat!

And also to answer how they work, I noticed that the front sole is heavier than the back. It is to balance out the whole shoe so the anti-gravity rationale will work. But nevertheless, I guarantee that it is much more comfortable than your usual heels. So, go grab a pair now!

XOXO,

Pilar Cecilia ♥

WHAT: Filipino Designers Invade ANTM

Filipino designers, specifically Oliver Tolentino, Michael Cinco, and Francis Libiran, have graced their creations at the syndicated reality show America's Next Top Model.

A big, big thanks to the series' Filipino producer Mr. Michael Carandang, these talents got a shot of the limelight. As he favors their designs, Carandang asked them out to submit samples of their frocks and be shown to ANTM creator Ms. Tyra Banks personally. And as the cliche goes, the rest is history.With this kind of exposure, they have already found their own stable places in Hollywood.

Celebrities now demand their gowns be made by a Filipino. Banks even advocates personally a Libiran at the fourth Blossom Ball at NYC.

This goes to show that with the right time, the right resources, and the right people, us, Filipinos, can, too, make it happen and make it big internationally. Not just in the world of fashion but to all fields possible. This is just a stepping stone to the first of many invasions that we can feasibly do. Mabuhay, Pilipinas!

XOXO,

Pilar Cecilia ♥

WHAT & WEAR: Sporting the Animo Pride Around Campus

This post is obviously dedicated to my own Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. And in that fictitious institution, students, whether pure-blooded or mud-blooded, are required to wear their prescribed uniforms or they will be expel-liarmus. In parallelism, La Salle implements its (controversial) dress code to all the burnt-out muggles enrolled. But in most cases, the trend of wearing both official and unofficial university merchandise has always been in the loop to, rather, escape the treachery of the security/DO. I, for one, am guilty of this crime.

If I am not mistaken, I now own 1,2,3...ELEVEN articles of clothing: 2 jackets, 9 shirts. These images are just a preview of what I have in my closet:

plain dark green letterman jacket from Lasallite-owned Hot Mess Project

'I love La Salle more than Ateneo' XS-sized shirt from Arkero

the shirt that explains it all, courtesy of DLSU's College Government of Business

official centennial edition, both in black and white by the Centennial Store

free (yay!) unisex shirt distributed via Google Philippines' booth during career week

Some of these sellers earned a fortune out of me and other thousands of Lasallites. Hmm...

They are not just dress code-proof, they are also the hassle-free answer to the (one hard Lasallian) question, "what am I going to wear for tomorrow?!" This trend suits my too-laid back, "naka-condo ka ba?" lifestyle, as they say. I just wear any plain shorts or pants and whip out a shirt/jacket, and I am good to go!

Animo La Salle!

Pilar Cecilia ♥