Thursday, November 27, 2008

Me In Inquirer (Baddeo's Alluring Women Of Power)

Another set of photos I took grace today's (11/28/2008) edition of The Philippine Daily Inquirer - Lifestyle Fashion&Beauty section page H-2. This is the second time my photos to appear on this publication and yet still no credits. These photos were taken during the Grand Allure fashion show at the Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer '09 last October 26, 2008 - featuring the designs of Eddie Baddeo. Thanks Tita Eddie & Sir Edgar for the opportunity, I really appreciate it a lot.

Below is the complete article:

Baddeo's Alluring Women Of Power

Inspired by such remarable women as Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Loren Legarda and Boots Anson-Roa, fashion design artist Eddie Baddeo presented a strong collection worthy to be worn by these alluring ladies of power.

The Philippine Fashion Week at the SMX Convention Center is one of the best platforms to showcase his glamorous creations, the maverick designer buckled down to work and joined a sterling lineup on "Grand Allure Night."

Knowing that the Grand Allure Section is generally considered Couture Night, Baddeo displayed his mastery of draping with a 10-piece collection made of stretch satin and sil cocoon.

His grand statement? Sculptured sleeves he deftly manipulated, shaped and molded into sinuous accent for his jewel-toned floor-sweeping gowns.

Statuesque models, in towering Wilson stilettos, looked rich and luxurious in hair and makeup by Jinky Ilusorio and Rudy Adriatico, Director Raymond Villanueva set the evening to a romantic mood.

"The atmosphere is the '80s, when peop;e were brimming with optimism and everyone was just happy! At that time, YSL and Ungaro came up eith clothes that were vibrant and colorful,: Baddeo says.

Sharply constructed, with the necklines as the focal point, Baddeo admits that his exquisite creations drew heavy inspiration from strong women in powerful positions.

After all, only women of substance and a certain dynamism can carry the gowns with panache and aplomb.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Me In Business Mirror (The Stars Are On Aries)

Another set of photos I took grace today's (11/24/2008) edition of business mirror. These photos were taken during the final fashion show of the Project Runway Philippines reality show at the Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer '09. The article is entitled "The Stars Are On Aries" by C. Mendez Legaspi. Thanks Charlize.

By the way, I'm sharing the photo credits with Lem Estiva.

Below is the complete article and if you check the newspaper version there are about 9 photos that are used in the article (click here for the web version):



The technician Aries Lagat’s winning Project Runway Philippines collection, which was showcased during the recently held Philippine Fashion Week The collection was a marvel of technique and execution.


The designer from Mindanao trumped the contenders from the Visayas and Luzon in the compelling finale of the first season of the runaway hit reality show Project Runway Philippines. Though not exactly fashion’s “Promised Land,” creative talents from Davao, General Santos and Cagayan de Oro are fast pulling their acts together.

Aries Lagat, the winner of the behind-the-seamstress addictive reality program, hails from war-torn Iligan City and had to do his final collection at the house of fellow designer Jerome Salaya Ang in the metro. “I plan to have my shop here. I’m now Manila-based. Now that I have the money [to set up shop], I will strike while the iron is hot,” the fast-talking former instructor at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines says. “I want to dress up young celebrities, the ones who understand what I do like Teresa Herrera and Alessandra de Rossi.”

“I also plan to have a shop here [Manila] as well as in Cebu. Enough of being a slave outside the country!” echoes first runner-up Philipp Tampus, the Lapu-Lapu City native who toiled for years in the Middle East. “I want to dress up Kris Aquino, because she is maingay and magandang endorser!”

The “second princess,” as he wants to be known, is Makati-based VJ Floresca. “I want someone who is challenging, like Gretchen Barreto.” To which Tampus reflexively says, “Ay ako si Gretchen na rin!” And the three finalists burst into infectious laughter at Club Bureau at A. Venue, Makati.

It may have been a grueling competition but the three, definitely the most equipped and the most hardworking on the show, developed a friendship among themselves and the other contestants. “We were always told, ‘This is a competition! Huwag kayo magtulungan!’ Eh ganun kami eh. Tulungan talaga. There was unity. There was a bayanihan spirit,” the loquacious Floresca shares.

The show aired on ETC and produced by Unitel and Solar Entertainment rewards real talent, unlike other reality competitions where text and online votes affect the outcome of a given challenge. Lagat was the most triumphant, Challenge 1: Individuality as a Designer; Challenge 4: Nesvita Design Challenge; Challenge 7: Beverly Hills 6750. Tampus snared Challenge 2: 13 Legends, where he appropriated Augie Cordero; and Challenge 11: the Terno.

Floresca, The Modernist, won one: the Cinderella RTW Challenge. Because of that, he opted to do a retail-inflected “practical” collection for the final runway show at the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Week at the SMX Convention Center. It was a radical departure from his avant-haute aesthetic. Needless to say, some of his supporters were terribly disappointed.

“I have no regrets [with what I showed]. It was more of a challenge for me to shift [my design direction].

I wanted to prove that I was versatile. If people weren’t disappointed, then I wouldn’t have fulfilled the challenge [that I set out for myself.]”

Tampus, The Romantic, unleashed an “ethereal” collection of lace and crochet that belied his Arab references. “It was really torture on my part to edit and edit my collection,” he recalls with a heavy sigh. His Arab clientele, he says, are fond of embellishments, “but this was a competition. Gusto ko sana ilabas lahat! But I showed my range, from swimwear to gowns. Pero tame na yun!

For his mind-bending “Transformation” dresses, something akin to Hussein Chalayan’s 2006 morphing robo-dresses, Lagat the Technician earned the bragging rights of being the “Philippines’ next big fashion designer.” A former scholar of Ben Farrales, Lagat won P500,000 prize money from Beverly Hills 6750, Brother sewing machines, a spread in a glossy fashion magazine, a clothing line at SM department stores (which was also offered to the other two), and a showcase at SM Makati.

“During the competition, we were able to show the thought processes of the Filipino designer,” Lagat says. “I learned to love my work even more. I learned all the components of a fashion show. Naramdaman ko ang mga narararamdaman ng mga mananahi,” Floresca shares. “Before Cary Santiago came along, designers who worked in the Middle East were considered baduy. But that perception has changed,” Tampus says. “I want to push crochet because Filipinos are crochet lovers.” Already, Season Two is in the works with auditions tentatively slated in December. With the number of fashion schools sprouting all over, expect Project Runway Philippines to be a hit many times over.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Me In The Philippine Star (Picture Michelle Obama Wearing These)

Another set of photos I took grace today's (11/19/2008) edition of The Philippine Star. This is the first time my photos to appear this publication. These photos were taken during the Grand Allure fashion show at the Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer '09 last October 26, 2008 - featuring the designs of Eddie Baddeo. Thanks Tita Eddie & Sir Edgar for the opportunity, I really appreciate it a lot.

Below is the complete article (click here for the web version):

Inspired by remarkable women like Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Loren Legarda and Boots Anson-Roa, designer Eddie Baddeo recently presented a collection that speaks of these women of power.

During Philippine Fashion Week at the SMX Convention Center, Baddeo showed his 10-piece collection made of stretch satin and silk cocoon. His statement? Sculptured sleeves he deftly shaped into sinuous accents for his jewel-toned gowns.

Models in Wilson stilettos looked luxurious in hair and makeup by Jinky Ilusorio and Rudy Adriatico. Director Raymond Villanueva set the evening to a romantic mood.

“The atmosphere is the ‘80s, when people were brimming with optimism and everyone was just happy! At that time, YSL and Ungaro came up with clothes that were vibrant and colorful,” Baddeo declares.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Me In Business Mirror (A Star Is Born)

Another set of photos I took grace today's (11/03/2008) edition of business mirror. These photos were taken during the Sassa Jimenez fashion show at the Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer '09. The article is entitled "A Star Is Born" by C. Mendez Legaspi. Thanks Charles.

Below is the complete article and if you check the newspaper version there are about 9 photos that are used in the article (click here for the web version):

A Star Is Born

By C. Mendez Legaspi

Amid the Saluds, Peraltas, Madambas and distinguished young designers that showed spectacularly at the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Week, there was Sassa Jimenez. Out of fashion thin air, this burgeoning talent shone brightly at the SMX Convention Center in Runway Productions’ biggest fete yet of the country’s style-setters and trend-minders.

Coming from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, the hotbed of creativity that nurtured Monique Lhuillier and Santino Rice, Jimenez showcased her sterling talent in pattern-making and translating this into delectable dresses that swept a well-heeled crowd off its feet.

In a restrained and refined show directed by Cata Figueroa Jr., Jimenez showed a mature understanding of what women of achievement want to wear (“only in the most luxurious fabric”) when out on the town to have fun. Two formal black dresses easily stood out: one had a ball-gown silhouette with a lace bodice. “The silhouette is traditional, yet we rarely see a ball gown in dark colors. I wanted to inject a bit of sexiness into it,” Jimenez explains.

The other gown, worn on the runway by Teresa Herrera, had a dangerously low neckline. “It’s cut in a mermaid silhouette because it makes one seem taller, slimmer and sexier. It’s also in black, because I know black will make anyone look good.”


Jimenez displayed a range well beyond her 21 years. She experimented with draping and gathering in a pink “rose” skirt with a black cowl neck top. “But I didn’t want it to look too complicated so I decided to make just one area of the skirt the focal point, so I ended up with a textured portion near the bottom that resembles a rose beaming outwards on the skirt.”

Giddy at the endless possibilities of what she can capably create, Jimenez says she sees “beauty in the inconsistent folds of the fabric,” deftly incorporating origami-like details, puff sleeves with hot-pink piping, diamond ruffles, even a hood on silk chiffon, cotton voile and satin.

“Most of the pieces in the collection emphasize the woman’s waist but there are also pieces where I try to show that a dress doesn’t have to hug a woman’s waist, bust or hips to make her appear sexy,” Jimenez says. “I create dresses because I believe that every woman deserves that one dress that’s sure to make her look good and feel good.”









IN PHOTO -- TALK OF THE TOWN. Only in the most luxurious fabrics the collection that Sassa Jimenez showcased at Philippine Fashion Week had the town talking.



Saturday, November 01, 2008

Me In FilAmStar (Ooohhh La La ..... Fashionable Manila (At Kung Saan-saan Pa)

My photos grace the pages of FilAmStar on the November 1-15, 2008 Vol. 1 Issue 21. The article entitled "Ooohhh La La ..... Fashionable Manila (At Kung Saan-saan pa)" was written by sir Ernest Gonzaga. The photos I took are the photos of Iya and Jon from Bench Fashion show during the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer 2009 at SM Mall of Asia. Many thanks Sir Ernest. Also in this issue is the photo by MJ Cachero (Fredeick Peralta Show) and Juby Aven Ablon (Maskara Festival) who are also from Images Asia.

Below is the article: