Divasoria

Founded in 2004, Alex and Ani was named after the first two daughters of Owner and Designer, Carolyn Rafaelian. It was established with the mission to create unique designs with symbolic meaning to the wearer, manufactured in America from recycled materials with an aim to promote a greener future.

Carolyn Rafaelian is Alex and Ani’s Owner/President and Creative Director, hailing from a family of jewelers where mastering their craft was not only an aspiration, but a family tradition.

Fortunately for us, Alex and Ani accessories are now available in the Philippines via two fashionable and entrepreneurial friends, Celine Tang and Kristel Cue. They formed Three Point Retail Concepts, Inc. with the aim of promoting noteworthy emerging brands in the Philippine retail scene. Having lived and worked in New York, both were attracted to the idea of “non-ubiquitous fashion”—the up-and-coming, the hard-to-find and anything contemporary. Three Point Retail Concepts are brands with high quality, well-made products that bridge the gap between foreign fashion behemoths and start-up labels by local entrepreneurs. By focusing on brands that are not too commercialized yet affordable, its founders believe there is a niche market for shoppers in the Philippines looking for unique design, an iconic aesthetic and some degree of exclusivity. Alex and Ani is their first foreign franchise.

Last April 20th, Celine and Kristel hosted a well-attended brunch to launch Alex and Ani to a young and chic crowd. They showed off a variety of pieces from Spiritual Armor Wraps, select Vintage 66 Wraps, the Initials Collection, Birthstone Bangles to Trend Classics.

Alex and Ani accessories may be purchased at the following fine stores:

Itsie Bitsie Boutique
Units RS 114-119
Joya Lofts and Towers
Joya Drive, Rockwell Center
Makati City, Manila
T: +632 897 1821
www.itsie-bitsie.com

SM Aura Premier
26th Street Corner McKinley Parkway
Bonifacio Global City
1634 Taguig, Manila
T: +632 556 0680

The iconic Fred Perry polo shirt gets a 2013 refresh from one of my favorite designers, Raf Simons. This current season of the collaboration features various traditional menswear patterns in electric colours and prints. Classic pieces are adorned with checks, crest and pied de poule, floral print and camouflage in contrast colors.

The standout piece and my own favorite is the one with detachable double collar in different prints and colours.

Other key pieces include contrast panelled shirts, city shorts, printed scarves, classic and checked pants and a bomber jacket with detachable collar in both navy and black check. Some of my other picks are below:

Raf Simons and Fred Perry’s initial, highly successful partnership ran from AW08 through to SS11 and garnered niche, global distribution within a number of key accounts. The collection will be launched in all Fred Perry Laurel Wreath shops and international key accounts (from February 22nd) and in several international pop-ups such as Storm (Copenhagen), Margreeth Olsthoorn (Rotterdam) and Dover Street Market London (February 14th- 21st) with an exclusive preview and installation.

The collection will be available at:

Fred Perry Laurel Wreath
Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.
T +63 (2) 729 0949
M +63 (917) 501 3733

If you’re into yoga, pilates or any of the barre-based(like Plana forma, physique 57, Barre3, etc) exercises, your non-slip grip socks are of utmost importance! Helps you stay in place and hold poses. I have probably a dozen grip socks that I use for my Plana Forma classes but I’ve always felt like they still lack the control I want until I saw Yessa Yu wear these to class a few weeks back…

This is what you call the Nike Studio Wrap. I love the idea of this shoe and all the thought that went into it! It mixes performance AND looks. Another forma classmate of mine wore it during mixed class and it made me want it more that I went straight to the Nike store at BHS and got it! (It’s available in the US this spring so I was pleasantly surprised to see it here already!)

It is pretty and evokes a ballet-feminine aesthetic. I’ve also used it and it is the best invention ever!! Perfect for all the push-ups, planks, thigh and seat exercises – I used to get frustrated when I would always slip during the workout but this practically solves that issue.

And it’s super cute! What’s not to love? It also comes with a flat shoe you can use to walk around(kind of ugly, IMHO, so use it to go the car or the grocery before/after class. HAHA!)

OH! Before I forget, for those wanting to try out my favorite workout Plana Forma, they’re offering free trial classes this February for those who haven’t tried it!! Book your classes NOW!

I was in a state of shock when I first heard of Nicolas Ghesquière’s departure from Balenciaga. I am huge fan of his work and I loved the way he brought in a neoteric energy in the grand old house of Cristobal. I drooled over his now iconic motorcycle bags which mixed rock n roll and elegance. I still consider my Balenciaga bags some of my most beloved in my own humble collection.

I also loved his use of some of my most favorite style icons as his muses:

For his last season, Nicolas Ghesquière uses various themes such as “clouds”, neo-Cristobal and old school tailoring. What I think stands out with this collection is how he has successfully juxtaposed Cristobal Balenciaga’s penchant for making clothes that look as if it were floating on a woman’s body while creating a modern, relaxed aesthetic punctuated by their distinct tailoring expertise. I think this maybe one of my top picks in his 15-year stint with the famed fashion house.

Here are a few of my favorites from this collection:

BALENCIAGA is at the ground floor, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Village, Makati, Philippines.

I have my days when I’m grunge-y and goth-y, sometimes polished and a little trendy but I always go back to being a slightly disheveled and easy-going prep especially on the weekends.

I like my JPress and Brooks brothers button-down shirts and worn-out, old school banana republic chinos(remember when they were still known as a safari brand??)

I’ve also kept some of my Jcrew fisherman sweaters and my favorite peacoat since college. And how can I not forget about those boat shoes?

Probably the official footwear of preps since the 1940s with popular icons such as the Kennedys sporting them inn Hyannisport, boat shoes are not only fashionable but they’re also functional and the best ones I’ve seen these days are by Sebago.

In the 30s and the 40s, most boat shoes were made of canvass and it was Sebago that developed a leather version, calling it the “Docksides”.

Improvements were seen in the material by using water-resistant leather and fine, hand-stitched craftsmanship that has made their “Docksides” the gold standard in boat shoes. In the 1980s and with the Docksides’ surging popularity, Sebago was named official footwear of the US sailing team.

Ushering in Sebago’s “docksides” to a new era were Joe Wallace and in-house designer David Dezur, the team infused some modern aesthetic by adding a whole new range of colors and slight variations of the classic style.

The company has also worked with several creative visionaries namely prominent footwear designer Ronnie Fieg, outdoor clothing company Filson and prolific NYC graffiti artist Stash.

(stash x sebago collab, photo from hypebeast)

I remember in the 80s that the only way you can get a pair of Sebagos were either from a relative traveling abroad or greenhills but a free-standing store is finally here at Greenbelt 3. And I was invited to preview the store.

The shop’s theme was nautical and very northeast filled with all these Sebago goodies! I couldn’t help myself! I especially loved those above and picked a nice white and chambray pair. Can’t wait to wear them for this weekend!

Interested in waxing nostalgic? Check out the store at Greenbelt 3.

I’m over expensive bags. Wait, that’s a sweeping statement but it’s sort of true, I haven’t found a “designer” bag I liked since Celine’s Trio which I got earlier this year.

ANYWAY.

I was walking around with CVS and Alexei in Opening Ceremony NYC a few weeks ago and found this -

It’s by 202Factory. I KNOW..it’s very elementary school. or high school CAT. LOL. but I LOVE it. It’s what we like to call “National Bookstore” chic.

local virtual styling miss-match has met its match!

miss-match.com.ph teams up with shopping site chicify to combine two of the girls’ favorite things – styling AND shopping – starting today, july 13th!

so what are you waiting for? go click away!

my repetto flats are some of my favorite shoes. they’re simple, comfy and iconic. not surprising that a number of women i admire are repetto fans as well! ever since i saw these boards up around december i was counting down the days til the first Repetto store opens in Manila!

if you’ve been to repetto stores abroad, they are magical places. the window displays alone are very whimsical and feminine. it reminds me of degas’ ballerinas.

and i think most girls are actually frustrated ballerinas deep down (including myself!)

and thanks to the people of bench for allowing me to preview the store this evening. they were still fixing the store for tomorrow morning’s opening but i like what i’m seeing! (yes, it took them a few months from the initial january target to open, but who cares! it’s here!)

lovely chandeliers in the middle of the store

hundreds of ballet slippers everywhere! including these lovely classic ones in the palest of pinks.

the store carries the full line of repetto apparel, shoes and even bags!

they even have a small section for little ballerinas. surely my friends with little girls would love this corner! totally adorbs.

i have 3 pairs of repetto flats and i’m coming back to the store for this one!!! i’m glad to note that the price range is similar to HK(some are even cheaper!) and they have size 41s in a few styles. according to cathleen cotioco of suyen corp, more styles and colors will be coming in by after holy week, so brace yourselves, ladies!

the repetto store at greenbelt 3 will open tomorrow, april 4th, 11am.

very excited about Marni x H&M! and now i’ve “pinned” all my favorites on my Pinterest board called “Looks I Like“.

i love how marni x h&m is the antithesis of versace x h&m.

to see the rest of the lookbook, check out chuvaness.

i’ve always said i want to be an old lady swathed in marni! i love love love MARNI! and i was beyond thrilled when i heard about the upcoming collaboration with h&m. it is the DREAM!

and when i heard they tapped sofia coppola to direct the ads? match made in chica girl heaven! i LOVE sofia coppola!

watch the ad

and the BTS interview with sofia, this is her first fashion video ever.

and in case you’re wondering, the song used was avalon by roxy music(btw, i LOVE roxy music.)

yep, planning a trip to the nearest h&m this march 8th.

<3 <3 <3