Ayala Style Origin: Mensweek @ Market! Market!

Jake Cuenca is the face of Mensweek for its The Fort leg. Previous celebrities who represented Mensweek were Enchong Dee and Joseph Marco.

Jerome Salaya-Ang

Mixed and varying textures is the strength of Ang’s collection for men, which is very in sync with its female counterpart.

Matching prints on hoodies and socks *check!*

Gold and black plays a big role in the color scheme in this collection. Pretty reminds us of Alexander McQueen in late 2010 and 2011.

This leggings with cutout O____O is just so phenomenal. I need ’em but I still don’t know if I can pull it off. Heh.

Nixon Marquez

As with Nixon’s Philippine Fashion Week collection, and as with his other collections, the strength of his clothes will be in the unique cuts and silhouettes it creates with the body.

…and 90’s grunge and rock and roll! \m/

I love this hoodie!

Pajamic cotton pants – buy this early for the sweaty summer season. It’s a welcome alternative to denim, at least.

Noel Crisostomo

Noel Crisostomo being put in the third and last slot was refreshing. His style varied immensely from the first two designers, but that doesn’t mean he’s lesser talented. Clean cuts and boxy geometric silhouettes are his strength in this collection. Also, attention to detail – be sure to catch the snakeskin lining in some of his pieces.

This leather boxy top!

The collection feels like a summer in the Philippine Hamptons – wherever that is, haha!

This waistcoat is love!

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Congratulations to Jerome, Nixon, and Noel for the very successful show; and to Ayala for a very successful run of the Mensweek, the very first Men’s Fashion Week in the Philippines!

Ayala Style Origin: Mensweek @ Trinoma

In its first year, and the second Men’s Fashion Week in Asia after Singapore, Ayala Style Origin 2012 presents Mensweek to showcase our very own local menswear designers such as M Barretto and Norman Noriega.

I love the boots with man-platforms!

This jacket… I COVET!

There is a certain eerie and spectacle, all at the same time, at the sight of M Barretto’s controlled and clean designs. At one look, it may seem a tad classic, what with polos, vests and coats; but the cuts that capitalize in silhouette and body frame seems to give it more character. Add to that the boots with platforms (I’m guessing by Bang Pineda) not just gives height but gives the whole look a glorifying finishing touch.

M Barretto

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Do you notice the shredded part at the chest? It’s such a subtle and witty addition to the whole ensemble.

If structure is M’s strength, then Norman’s on the lighter side. As some would say, it’s primeval and organic, I’d say it’s all about being free. Yes, the OS accessories have given it a yaba-daba-doo feel, but what I still see are cuts banking on silhouette – either strict to follow the body or loose, boxy and drapey to alter it. Whether it’s bedrock-ancient or 2020 couture, what we can sum up from all this is function without appearing lousy. Can you imagine wearing Norman’s comfy clothes and still manage to look edgy?

Norman Noriega

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This Philippine Fashion Week, I am so glad that we have not just one show, but a whole week to celebrate menswear! If there’s one thing we could take pride is that Filipino designers are world-class.

Kudos to all the talented and promising designers in the Philippines!

Enchong Dee

Joseph Marco

Ayala Style Origin: High Street Men’s Fashion @ Trinoma

We now continue this Style Origin coverage with the Men’s High Street brands —

Van Heusen. Corporate, sleek and clean.

Swatch

Izod. Nautical and cuffed. Perfect look for that weekend escape in some obscure island.

Debenhams

Sperry. I was over with the topsider fever, but you have to admit, it suits anything.

Merrel

Topman. Stand out in the crowd with prints, bold and subtle.

Mundo (The Ramp). I am thrilled with the minimalist touch of monochrome in Mundo’s pieces.

Maldita Man. Basics in excellent cut and muted tones.

Celio + Pedro. When it calls for preppy, you know where to get ’em.

Sassa Jimenez. Summer = floral. And I like how it played with other colors.

Joey Samson. Floral prints seems to be the theme in unique cuts

Jerome Lorico. This isn’t your normal Summer collection, but I love the inspiration got from several indigenous tribes in the South and the use of knit in this collection (which is indigenously sourced also.) What sets it apart from other designs though is the drape styling and ornamental touches such as metallics and aztec patterns.

I really regret not going to the first one, but was really lucky to catch even just a glimpse of Jerome Lorico’s collection.

COMING UP NEXT: M Barretto and Norman Noriega shows their menswear collection at Style Origin 2012 at Trinoma!

Ayala Style Origin: High Street Fashion @ Trinoma

Hi there y’all! That was a whirlwind half month that passed and that has left me with overwhelming backlogs. Anyway, I am back, and it’s fashion week already! What more exciting to start with but the Style Origin High Street fashion show by Ayala at Trinoma!

The show was opened by composer-singer-rockstar Bamboo Manalac and he sang most of his all-time hits all throughout the show. I think it’s refreshing that rock music is being used in the runway HERE in the Philippines, ’cause surprisingly it works! Bamboo wooed the ladies like how Adam Levine did in the Victoria’s Secret show last year! The lady models must’ve missed a beat or two trying to concentrate between walking and looking at Bamboo :P

The very summery pantone of the year is ever present

Prints is still in vogue

Pair your favorite summer pieces (i.e., florals, pastels, nautical) with neutrals for cleaner look 

Achieve that summer tan and flaunt it over some of these pieces. And don’t forget that hat!

It’s very difficult to layer in this time of the year so look for outfits that can probably stand for itself or will do with accessories

Let sheer help your skin to breathe

Dress a la Summer in the Hamptons

It was a fresh show of Summer-Spring collection of different high street brands, both local and abroad. There were about 20+ brands who participated in the High Street Fashion Show which are the following:

Human
Call It Spring
Kashieca
Charles & Keith
Bauhaus
Dorothy Perkins
Mango
Topshop
7 for All Mankind
Michael Antonio
Accessorize
Naturalizer
Details
Esprit
Maldita
Missy
Inches
XOXO
Promod
Chocolate
R.A.F.
Swatch
Geleia
Gap
Springfield
Zara

I am loving Bamboo’s outfit palette!

I can’t emphasize MORE how Bamboo was a big PLUS to this show! Kudos!

Thank you to Cariza who invited me over to Style Origin and to Jonard for coming with us! I really had a good time (and possibly a hard time computing how much more broke I will become after the smorgasbord of shopping possibilities! Haha!) UP NEXT: Men’s High Street and Menswear by M Barretto and Norman Noriega!

Oxygen long drapey top and denim jeans, Memo belt, Thrifted military boots

ALSO, I got featured here!! Thanks to Style Origin and looking forward to the other shows, schedule below:

See you when I see you!