El Bosquejo

Hangover

2012-01-22T10:07:00.001+08:00

Posted this to let you know I'm still alive. The camera is still at the shop. Finally, I've been able to clean out my desk. Next up: laptop and external hard drive files, shelves, and my closet. Hopefully I'll be able to get rid of this 2011 backlog before January ends. It's already time to work my way through reading lists, client orders, scripts, and poem revisions.

Happy Lunar New Year! May the dragon burn its way to both prosperity and sobriety.

Shirt, thrifted
Sweat pants, M Barretto x Bench
Sneakers, Converse, thrifted
Briefcase, Bally
Tote, Ritual

Open letter: Pocket squares are the new tits

2012-01-09T23:11:00.003+08:00

To all men interested in men's magazines and men's fashion
By Ms. Jo-Ann Furniss
Published in Fantastic Man No 14

Dear sirs,

It has recently come to my attention that something pernicious is going on in contemporary culture that is a further onslaught on the male psyche. It is something that is inspired by men's magazine publishing and concerns the state of men's dress.

When FANTASTIC MAN came along in 2005, the wry spirit, its sense of irony and approach to oddball features felt like something new. This kind of cultural archaeology, the championing of male egoists — those masculine Norma Desmonds — was for me the greatest defining feature of the new publication. The frame of perfectly acceptable white shirts, Windsor knots and hand-stitched shoes essentially offset such dementedness, but for me, they were not at its heart.

And yet look where we stand today in the wider field of men's publishing and in men's fashion in general. The aping of stylistic language garnered from Fantastic Man has become more pervasive in men's publishing of late. It is a language that has been emptied of all context and meaning and has essentially lost any facility for dementedness or wit in the wider realm of magazines and fashion. Instead, there's a crushingly conservative approach to the men featured in these publications and to the men reading them... All in all, it's a patronising pandering to the middlebrow and conventional, using, above all, the Trojan Horse of the 'Gentlemen's Wardrobe'.

The navel-gazing drivel of sartorial rules — as if implying some sort of intellectual rigour — has actually replaced any intellectual rigour with dictates befitting the model 1950s housewife being informed how to iron correctly. Such straight-faced 'masculine' dictates are actually contributing to a particular 'feminisation' of men. Men are being 'feminised', not because they are now wearing moisturiser or are obsessed with 10 tips for a flat stomach garnered from 'Men's Hypochondria', but because they are now being treated in the same one-dimensional, stereotypical, dumb-ass way that women have been treated for many, many years. Fortunately most women can see through this crap — so long has it been inflicted on us — and ignore it. My concern is that men, so unused to being constantly treated like utter morons, are taking too much of it to heart. Publishing and fashion are now moving into the realms of the Male Eunuch. And the Male Eunuch apparently likes to dress like BERTIE WOOSTER, hiding any real manhood/humanness under cartoonish layers of garish and scratchy tweed.

This journey of the 'plastic dandy' was started in the mid '90s, 1996 to be precise, the year when a battle for smart popular culture was essentially lost. At that point 'Loaded' magazine was two years old and at its peak. It, too, had started with an original agenda and still had one at that point. The problem was that it had been around long enough for other publications to take on its stylistic language, gradually emptying out all context and meaning, wit and irony. Seem familiar? The forces of conservatism were taking hold in a different way. It was decided that all that wit, weirdness and irony was simply getting in the way of men looking at women's tits.

This ludicrous, moronic, simplistic notion of masculinity has had a massively detrimental effect. And now it is happening again — but with pocket squares instead of tits. As a female stylist said to me recently about those questions of detail and sartorial rules, "Well, men like those sort of thing." And as I replied, "Well, men really like tits as well. But they should not be wholly defined by their tit-liking. Pocket handkerchiefs are the new tits!" I was getting somewhat hysterical at that point.

After the tsunami of mammaries that seemed to obliterate any idea of men being actually quite complex creatures, came the desperation in British men's publications to be 'classy'. At the big publishing houses, with sales dropping through the floor, it was finally noticed that men were kind of bored with what could be called 'porn for cowards'. But these editors were also living in fear of the phenomenon that is 'Men's Health'. It appeared that men were now much more interested in looking at topless men, rather than topless women. It shook a lot of these editors to their desperate-to-be-seen-as-hetero core. The answer? Pocket fucking handkerchiefs. The most uniform, blatant, asexual, prissy and prudish of men's accoutrements was elevated to a frightening level in the most various of contexts.

You might have noticed, but men are rarely allowed to be sexy anymore. And if they are presented in such a way, it is dismissed as 'homoerotic' in publishing houses where they use a thesaurus and 'bloody gay' in the ones that don't. This is a load of insulting rubbish, both in its derogatory and over-anxious dwelling on sexuality and the idea that men reading magazines, no matter what their sexuality, cannot possibly be confronted by sexually charged imagery featuring other men. All those naked females in women's titles don't have the female editors up in arms about shoots being 'too lesbian'. And who, pray tell, do they think are the men shopping in ABERCROMBIE & FITCH?

I see this as one more step in the emasculation of men. Men can no longer be real sexual subjects and objects, only genital-less repositories for hand-stitched knick-knacks and the 10-best buttondown shirts. Thank God for the iconic, shameless, fearless male celebrities who go against this grain and pave the way for a new kind of male liberation in magazines. I thank you, Mr. DAVID BECKHAM, Mr. BRAD PITT, Mr. MARC JACOBS and Mr. TOM HARDY for knowing about good photography, understanding how to use your sexuality, taking your clothes off and just not giving a fuck. I also thank all of the truly demented, egotistical men who have appeared in this magazine, unafraid to speak for themselves and in fact be themselves, defying convention and bloody obnoxious sartorial rules.

In my opinion, instead of bras, it is time for men to burn their pocket squares.

JO-AN FURNISS

London, August 2011

One jacket, two looks

2012-01-08T18:39:00.002+08:00

I should have posted this first image last week, but as you can see, it appears that it was taken on another planet. Had the lens of my G10 replaced just recently; will need to take it back/seriously save up for a new one. Sigh.

Sheer striped pullover, Zara
Jeans, Gap
Belt, Brave Beltworks
Jacket, Muji
Bags, thrifted
Scarf, SM Department Store
Sandals, thrifted

I really love this navy Muji jacket. I don't get tired of it. It can be worn with jeans, chinos, and even fisherman's (farmer's?) pants. It not only gives structure to an outfit, it is also comforting.

Pullover, Zara
Thai fisherman's pants from Aldivinco, Davao
Beanie, 5cm
Briefcase, Bally

I need jackets like this to hold myself up when things fall apart. So I can hide.

First post of 2012

2012-01-04T00:52:00.001+08:00

Fast-paced, quickly spent days, once again we come face to face. But let me not miss moments that burn in ordinary time, when I stare into the universe: doing nothing, experiencing everything.

The above paragraph/short stretch of verse popped into my head on the way home yesterday, Tuesday, my first working day of the year.

Denim jacket, thrifted
Sheer printed shirt, thrifted
Jeans, Bench
Belt, Brave Beltworks
Satchel, Young Camel, thrifted
Suede briefcase, vintage
Shoes, thrifted
"Featherlight" necklace, Bosquejo

January is really about persistence, when we begin to feel that maybe change isn't really that urgent. When festivities come to an end and, just as for peacetime, we have to figure out what to do with ourselves.

We need to hold on to something sturdy, that's why I chose denim on denim, instead of something like my new Thai fisherman's pants. I really love the apache chief buttons! Remind me also to have the lining of my beloved Young Camel satchel replaced. Can you see the leather patched on the corners? I think I've spent thousands already on this bag's (thrifted for P700) repair. I must love it that much!

Leather bags like a hero and his sidekick.

Stapled tassels. These are so comfy!

So here we go. We are here. We are now!

Top 12 cameos of 2011

2011-12-31T10:54:00.001+08:00

Yeah, 12, because we are looking forward. Here are my favorite cameos from this year, which has been packed with many new events, people, and endeavors.

Just to compare, here were my favorite cameos of 2010.

So here's an early toast to 2012. Let it be even more honest and heartfelt. Happy New Year everyone!

On a mountain trail

2011-12-27T07:00:00.002+08:00

This is my sisters and I did before Christmas (well, besides shopping). After a short 45-minute guided tour of Eden Nature Park in Davao, we decided to take the 4-kilometer hiking trail.

Tee, A.P.C.; jeans, Bench; tote, Tough Jeansmith, thrifted; Featherlight necklace, Bosquejo; boots, Timberland, thrifted

I wasn't tired yet when we reached the 1km mark, which had a sign that offered an escape route. But I was exhausted halfway through.

Despite all the mud and slippery steps, the view was gorgeous. (Took all these pictures with my iPhone 4S.)

It's been a while since I heard bamboo bend with the wind, its leaves whistling.

Here is one of many bridges. The others were less wieldy.

I frequently stopped to look at the flora.

But towards the end I just wanted to go home.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T01:07:00.004+08:00

Like an idiot, I brought an extra camera battery but then left my charger, so pardon the iPhone pic. Enjoy the holidays!

Varsity jacket, Penshoppe; shirt, Costume National; jeans, Bench; belt, Brave Beltworks

A working year

2011-12-24T19:41:00.001+08:00

What was I most thankful for in 2011? Besides the usual dependable friends and family and the suprising number of blessings, what I was particularly grateful for were my boots. It may sound trite, but it was thanks to my sturdy, heavy duty pairs that I was able to brave numerous floods and the usual muck of Divisoria and Quiapo, the wholesale meccas of Manila.

Camouflage tee, thrifted
Bomber jacket, 5cm
Jeans, Jil Sander
Belt, Izzue
Boots, Timberland, thrifted
Leather bag, Rabeanco, thrifted
"Dirae" necklace, Bosquejo

Thanks to my new work schedule (11am-7pm), I have been able to snatch short trips to Manila to source materials for my Bosquejo necklaces, right into the street-congested months of December.

Thank you, my dear cherished thrifted boots, you have been a boon.

Here is my second pair, in mustard yellow.

Polo shirt, Tru Turssardi
Jacket, thrifted
Trousers, Y-3
Belt, Brave Beltworks
Leather shoulder bag, agnes b., thrifted
Boots, Couber.G, thrifted
Canvas tote, Ritual

I know they make me look shorter, so maybe I'll look for something in a (somewhat reddish) shade of brown. I just love the color.

I think I love shoes just as much as I love bags. If only I can find pairs that fit.

So Merry Christmas! It is time again to eat and eat and eat. In between conversations I am sure my mind would be wandering, back to 2011 and jumping right into 2012. As for the present? Well, I just bought myself a new wallet, some shirts, and a varsity jacket that I will be pairing with my black boots tonight. Right now I am thinking of the many ways I can wear them.

At the Status Yard Sale

2011-12-22T21:34:00.002+08:00

Before anything, would like to thank Status Magazine for inviting me to be part of their Christmas yard sale last Saturday. It was great finally meeting the Status staff, who are behind the hippest print magazine in the country. (Thanks to Karl Leuterio too for taking this photo.)

Am writing now in Davao, where I'll be spending Christmas. iPhone was stolen last Monday (was pickpocketted in the train) but luckily I was able to replace it with the latest version just yesterday. In other words: Siri is my Santa.

It was my first time to see Fiamma in the morning.

Here was my Bosquejo table display.

A barrage of prints from Proud Race.

Tees by Woozy.

And the themed table display of Fifth Code (best looking booth) by Lorenz Namalata.

Congratulations again to Status! Here's to more bazaars next year! Hope I'll bump into more readers then.

More pics on my Benetton blog in a bit.

A towering year

2011-12-16T22:32:00.002+08:00

Am squeezing this in right before I produce a fresh batch of Bosquejo necklaces for tomorrow's Status Yard Sale. As I prepare for the last bazaar I will be participating in in 2011, I realize today was also my last day at the office. The days have rolled so quickly that I have barely had the time to realize that finally, my long-awaited vacation has arrived.

Monochrome print shirt, thrifted
Suede vest, thrifted
Jeans, Bench
Patent brogue flatforms, thrifted
Briefcase, Bally

Workaholic that I am, I have already scheduled meetings and work-related things to do early next week. It is as if I have already left 2011, and my head and my heart have raced straight to 2012.

But then again, though I work in the fashion industry, which insists on always looking ahead, I am also a writer, who needs to look back and explain to myself exactly what happened in the past.

But standing on a precipice (in 2.5-inch flatworms, no less!) should suffice these next few days.

Before I fall headlong simultaneously into the future, for fashion, and into the past, for literature.

Either way, see you soon! (Hopefully tomorrow at the bazaar!)

Red and afternoon gold

2011-12-12T21:39:00.002+08:00

Taking the day off, I told myself I would only be doing the things that I loved on my birthday. Absolutely no work! So right after I woke up and downed a cup of coffee, I began to write. The words came as the sun finally emerged from clumps of gray. And when it hid again, I read.

Right before I hit the gym, I couldn't avoid finishing another Bosquejo necklace, my fingers moving as automatically as if I were a pianist. I suppose I missed designing for the sheer joy of it. Then it was afternoon at the bookstore, where I browsed, and read again at the café upstairs. I thought of delivering new pieces at two stores, but changed my mind. On days like this, when time flows as clearly as water, one has to step back. I dipped my feet and washed my hands.

Sheer polka dot shirt, thrifted
Shorts, Perry Ellis
Sneakers, thrifted
Leather backpack, thrifted
Belt, Brave Beltworks
Viscose scarf, from Mindanao

Perhaps what I missed most during my days at the office was swimming in the late afternoon sun in all its finality and magnificence. An apt way to welcome another golden year!

Top 30 for 30: the end of an era

2011-12-11T22:39:00.001+08:00

Turning 30 in less than two hours. Last chance to reminisce about the old days, and to look forward to change. For those relatively new to my blog, you may not have had the chance to read it in its old form, during the days when I still wrote long thematic articles, went crazy over the artwork of former designers, and religiously followed the circuit of fashion shows. Now it's mostly me, and I'm afraid you're stuck with me, as I realize the fact myself. So here is a short sweep of my 30 favorite posts from that time, arranged by category, sans the cameo entries. Even I felt nostalgic when compiling them. Hope you enjoy as well.

Articles

1. Martin Margiela and the blindness of fashion

2. Men in skirts

3. How punk lost its funk

Creatives

4. Portraits by Henri Cartier-Bresson

5. Change and the art of Helmut Lang

6. The art of Ryan McGinley

7. The Thom Browne effect

8. Presenting Gary Card

9. Close Up and Private / Modern Drift

10. The many hats of Johnny Depp

11. Personal style: Pelayo Diaz Zapico

12. Gustav Broström at Sweden's A Perfect Guide

13. Who's afraid of Andre Chang?

Editorials

14. Princes of our age

15. Arena Homme Plus: Buffalo Stance, part 1

16. AnOther Man: Extreme dreams

17. L'Uomo Vogue: The Style and the Elegance, a tribute to photographers

18. Fantastic Man goes nude and naked

19. Best color blocking editorial: 'Atomic!' by Men's Folio

20. Eddie Klint in GQ Style Russia

Streetstyle

21. 112 looks from Helsinki

22. The men of Jak & Jil

23. A charming and enigmatic streetstyle aesthetic

Show reviews

24. The pleasure that is Dries Van Noten

25. The layers and landscapes of Miharayasuhiro

26. The lure of Lanvin

27. Miharayasuhiro lands on the Sahara

28. The army of Rick Owens

Objects

29. Leather and hardware by Palmer & Sons

30. Rings in raw concrete

Bosquejo at the Status Yard Sale

2011-12-08T19:16:00.001+08:00

Grab marked down Bosquejo pieces at the Status Yard Sale at Fiamma next Saturday!

This may be your last chance to buy discounted necklaces this year since I'll be releasing new Hardware and Sacre collections early in 2012.

See you there!

Checks, spots, and pebbles

2011-12-07T16:49:00.001+08:00

This is the silk pullover I was tweeting about before, which I got on my last thrift shop excursion. Was at first doubting the label, but the quality of the material, its softness and sheen, made me reconsider.

Pullover, thrifted
Shirt, Bench
Jeans, Dior Homme, thrifted
Pebbled brogues, 5M, thrifted
Belt, Structure, thrifted
Backpack, thrifted
Briefcase repurposed from an electronic typewriter case
"Steel Flake" necklace, Bosquejo

There is a saying that things come in threes, which is a coincidence, not only because of my outfit's tri-pattern, but also since my blog is at its third year as I turn three decades old.

Just as I have used the case of an electronic typewriter as a briefcase, I have repurposed this chrome object into a pendant. Can you guess its original purpose?

Finally I got these brogues back from Besa's, who replaced the pair's inner leather lining. I love the pebbled material.

Bags made of PVC. Now I have to find time to start my Top 30 entries...

Into the light

2011-12-04T08:17:00.001+08:00

Finally I'm back. Fresh from the Bloggers United 2 bazaar yesterday, which was a smashing success. I was only able to sell Bosquejo necklaces at the bazaar. Was planning to sell my jackets, cardigans, vests, pullovers, and some bags and shoes, but I didn't have time to prepare them.

Faux leather jacket, Drei Soriano
Tee, A.P.C.
Jeans, Bench
Belt, Izzue
Bag, Tough Jeansmith, thrifted
Sneakers, Tretorn x Acne
Bracelet from ac+632
Scarf, SM Department Store

Last Friday, I was even supposed to sell this Drei Soriano jacket from his Holiday 2011 collection to a Twitter friend, but thought twice after I put it on again. I definitely still like it and I think it deserves to be worn out.

Apologies to those who expected menswear pieces at Bloggers United. To make it up to you, I will definitely be selling my pre-loved items at the Status Christmas Yardsale at Fiamma this December 17, from 11am-6pm.

So I guess I'm back. Over my absence on this blog, I thought about the complaining (more like whining) I've done about not wanting to blog anymore, how writing literature should take up more of my time. In the end, it just comes down to time management, since I've proven to myself that I can write verse and maintain this style diary in my small corner of the blogosphere. I suppose it has already become part of writing myself out (writing to understand myself), as I share with you, my readers, the things that inspire me (note to self: post more types of entries, besides outfits).

So here we go. Will be resuming blogging for Benetton soon. In the meantime, I am looking forward to turning 30 in a few days. To mark it, I will be coming up with Top 30-themed posts.

See you soon, and have a happy Sunday!

20 free passes for Bloggers United 2

2011-11-29T14:44:00.002+08:00

Bloggers United 2 is the second installment for the successful interactive shopping afair to be held at Treston International College this Saturday, December 3, from 11am - 10pm.

This will be the first time I will be taking part in the bazaar, where I will be selling marked down items from Bosquejo's first Hardware collection, as well as new items from the other sets: Sacre (religious brass medallions), Djinn (black stones, chains, and feathers), and Nunca (white stones, mother of pearl, quartz).

The entrance fee is P100 but if you want FREE PASSES just leave a comment, ensuring you also leave your name. The fee will be waived for the first 20 to do so.

See you there!

Bloggers United is in partnership with:

Multiply Philippines

GMA Kapuso Foundation

Treston International College

Event is co-presented by:

In cooperation with:

Xend Business Solutions

Special thanks to:

Online Shop Donors:

Belle York

Shop Dainty

Asian Vogue

F-STOP (Fashion Stop)

Bosquejo goes on sale at Today x Future, Cubao Expo tonight

2011-11-19T07:15:00.001+08:00

Bosquejo will be joining The New Independents pop-up shop at Today x Future in Cubao Expo TONIGHT. On sale will be pieces mostly from the Hardware collection.

The various Hardware series will be on sale, starting with the Moons series.

Of course, who can forget the Furies razors series?

Don't worry, lighter Furies pieces will also be on sale.

Dragons necklaces will likewise be on sale.

Bosquejo favorites will be joining the Hardware necklaces on the racks, including this Steel Bard necklace made of stainless steel and onyx.

Hope to see you tonight!

UNHATE smooching campaign: hate is real, and so is humor

2011-11-17T21:37:00.001+08:00

The Unhate Foundation, supported by United Colors of Benetton, was "created to oppose and undermine hate culture". It will "engage in the development of campaigns aimed at exorcising the 'fear of the other'".

I don't understand the violent reactions against the images. It's not as if these world leaders (can you recognize all of them?) were venerated saints. While many people use the term "hater" to loosely refer to anyone in any form of opposition against them, real hate exists between the people that these world leaders represent, though of course in varying degrees of intensity.

Do these images trivialize the deeply-rooted tensions between states and religions? I honestly think that they lay these differences naked: laughable and ultimately shallow. Children playing war games.

Visit the Unhate website to discover more about the campaign, the foundation, related guerilla actions, and the so-called Kiss Wall.

Bosquejo presents: the Sacre collection, first look

2011-11-11T05:58:00.001+08:00

These photos are the product of a test shoot done right after Philippine Fashion Week. This is my first time to work with the talented duo composed of photographer Enzo Mondejar and stylist Eric Poliquit. Models Jhony and Pedro walked the runway for the retail and menswear shows.

Necklace on Pedro: Agrippa

Even though I was able to fully develop the Hardware collection first, my very first prototypes (necklaces I actually wore) were based on the future Sacre collection. Here is a look back at the first outfit, way back in May 2009, where I wore my very first prototype. I still can't imagine that it has been more than two years since then.

Necklace on Pedro: Benedict III

Now pieces from Sacre are already being sold at ac+632 (Greenbelt 5) and by tomorrow, Saturday, also at House of Laurel (6013 Villena corner Mañalac Street, Poblacion, Makati).

Necklace on a headless pet Chun Li: Benedict III

Time certainly flies fast.

Necklace on Jhony: Benedict IV

And we are just warming up. I plan on creating even more Sacre necklaces before the collection's full launch next year.

Necklace on Pedro: Benedictine

The shoot will also be by Enzo and Eric, and I just can't wait.

For those of you wondering, the saint on the pendants is Saint Benedict, hence the names of the necklaces. Beads are made of coated nickel and plastic.

Necklace on Jhony: Benedict IV

This variation incorporates repurposed bullets.

Necklace on Pedro: Bullets and Roses

Other pendants from the collection depict Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter, Raphael (not sure if the saint or the angel), the Santo Niño, and the crucified Christ.

Necklaces on Jhony: Benedict III and Bullets and Roses

Of course, how can I miss the more pagan representations of the Third Eye, the Horseshoe of Luck (my name, since I can't recall exactly what it's called), etc: the inevitable other side of Sacre.

Necklace on Jhony: Christopher II (not yet on the website)

Happy Friday!

From blurry, fade to white

2011-11-09T21:44:00.003+08:00

These were the last photos taken using my camera before it was brought to the shop. Will get it back, with brand new lens, by the end of the month.

Hoodie (first worn here), Human x Joey Samson
Jeans, Bench
Belt, A.P.C.
Knit cardigan, thrifted
Sneakers, Helmut Lang
Necklace, Bosquejo prototype

Today I can finally breathe, even if just a little. After delivering a first batch of necklaces at House of Laurel (please drop by this Friday for the Russe collection launch!) and before continuing with the second Hardware and first Sacre collections for Bosquejo, not to mention getting busy with research for a new TV show (hope it gets the final Go signal), I can afford to blink.

Just when I thought that I could drop everything (except my day job of course, which is now offering a broader horizon) and just concentrate on writing poetry starting on my 30th year, suddenly I find myself reconsidering. The contract for this year's blogging for Benetton has just expired (hence, no more posts), but I feel compelled not to turn down an offer to renew it for next year. I know it seems suicidal to continue with it while agreeing to write for a weekly TV show, but I just don't want to regret wasting opportunities.

The opportunity cost of course (an inevitable investment term) is that the longer I delay giving my all to poetry (for the muse is very jealous), the more any literary future grows dimmer. Some people are surprised when I tell them I do not love fashion, or even designing and creating accessories by hand. They are engaging and totally absorbing, but only in poetry (at the risk of sounding cheesy) do I lose myself, where nothing is definite, and where the struggle produces something unexpected. Only in the act, ironically, do I fully get to know myself.

I know I am whining again. The last hour spent editing photos and writing this could have been spent writing a new stanza, but I suppose this is what blogging is for. Since I do not write prose, this serves as my journal (hijacked from a menswear/style blog, haha).

I have little time left.* I am fully aware that I cannot keep all doors open, though right now I am somewhat convinced I can enter all of them. Even so, my ultimate fear remains: to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. Also, I am tired of being a coward.

*My literary biological clock is ticking, and I have to publish my first book soon. In other words, it's now or never.

Drei Soriano's desert circus

2011-11-05T06:30:00.001+08:00

The last day of Philippine Fashion Week's Spring/Summer 2012 shows marked two significant things for me. The first was the debut of my Bosquejo accessories on the runway (for the shows of Mike Lavarez and Drei Soriano). The second was the death throes of my Canon G10, which was purchased three years ago, right about the time that I decided to commit myself to blogging. Good thing I was able to take some pictures from menswear night.

Here are photos I took from my seat of Drei Soriano's predominantly neutral-colored collection, which strikes a sharp contrast against his sleek and leather-clad set for Holiday 2011.

Instead of shiny, we get texture. Instead of blacks and blues and purples, we get beiges, grays, and oranges. But that doesn't mean that the pieces are baggy and relaxed. Pants are slightly tapered while shorts have been carrot-cut. Boleros, either single-sleeved or sleeveless, provide season-appropriate layering (over sleeveless shirts, of course!).

The necklace on the left is "Benedict V" (to be released) from the Sacre collection, and on the right is "Kali", from the new Demons series of the Hardware collection. What is worn by the model above right is a variation.

Here you can see the mildly pleated texture of the bolero. I particularly like the pleating of the collar of the jacket at the back, which reminds one of paper. The jacket is partially stained to give the impression of a digital print, though the staining could have been more defined.

As usual for Drei, the cut of the jacket is sharp; same for the shorts. The trousers on the right is likewise textured. We will see below how the deep V-neck collar of the accompanying shirt is pleated.

The necklace on the left is called "Amon", also named after a demon. The Sacre necklace on the right is "Benedict III".

As a side story, it is quite interesting how my new accessories unexpectedly fit Drei's new collection. It must be remembered that razor pieces from my Furies and Moons series were likewise apt for his Holiday 2011 collection, giving birth to his first lookbook.

So Drei's pieces come in neutrals, hence the "desert" in my title, but what about "circus"? This next piece shows why. As is, it gives the vibe of a costume, something not unlikely to be found in the wardrobe of travelling acrobats, be it drained of color. The main reason behind this is the sheer and feminine fabric used for the pleating (Drei tells me it is used for gowns). But don't get me wrong, I am perfectly fine with the piece; I would wear it, though maybe in a drier climate. I think that if both the fabrics were traded for something more rigid, the top would be more wearable. After all, the necessary elements are there: the texture and the interesting collar and zippered (a recurring Soriano motif) placket.

Also notice that the jacket at the back is also pleated at the back.

Looking at the outfit on the left, I am reconsidering changing the pleated fabric; with the zipper and shirt material, and the shirt's pairing with the trousers, the fabric combination actually appears interesting. Though shirt sleeves though could use a better fit. The tights on the right are understandably for show purposes, though they support my circus theme, AND I am now thinking the pattern should be tried out for normal pants/jeans.

The "Calypso" and "Io" necklaces from the Moons series, as worn by the models above.

Notice the (give and take) one-inch cuff of the shorts on the left.

"Benedict III" necklace from the Sacre collection.

Notice that the pleating of the gray shirt on the right extends to the back. The front pattern is repeated.

I also love the bleach patterns on the vest and shirt on the left, the double collar of the vest (sleeveless jacket) and the pleated waist and hem of the trousers. This entire ensemble I would buy and wear. The dress pleating on the gray shirt above is also utilized for the beige and orange sleevless shirt and shorts on the right. While I love the lines on the shirt, they do not seem to work on the shorts (maybe a different pattern? no orange fabric on the hem?).

The necklace on the left model above is a variation on the "Sebastian" necklace from the Sacre collection. The piece on the right model above is a variation on "Bullets and Roses".

I'm sure by now you've noticed the strappy sandals. They're actually last-minute, fabric clad Haviannas. Amazing, what cramming can result with.

The bleaching applied to a sleeveless jumpsuit with shorts. A suit with stained fabric. I think the staining should be more obvious so that it can be seen from afar.

The necklace on the left model above is a variation on "Amon". On the right model above is "Iocaste" from the Moons series.

All in all, I think Drei's collection is the most cohesive among the menswear shows. (Yes Chris Jasler may have made a more obvious impact, but many of his pieces just seem confused. More on him soon.)

Happy Saturday!

Bosquejo in Status magazine's November issue

2011-11-01T18:29:00.002+08:00

Bosquejo is featured in Status magazine's November 2011 issue.

This is a better view of the image, with model Terence Lloyd wearing the Alecto and Jörmungandr necklaces from the Hardware collection. Here are more pics from the Hardware 001 lookbook.

I have noticed that the strongest Hardware pieces come in sets, or series. Here they are in order: the Moons series named after the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn, the Furies series composed primarily of nuts and blades, the Dragons series that was named because they looked like snakes (in chain links), and the latest Demons series (still in production) that reminds me of the movie Hellraiser.

This is the cover to watch out for.

Ryuji Shiomitsu, one of the country's most talented young stylists, is also featured in the issue. He styled the Hardware 001 lookbook above, collaborating with photographer Rxandy Capinpin and hair and make-up artist Katchi Mejias.

Get your copy now!

Keeping the ball rolling

2011-10-29T11:35:00.001+08:00

Hurray for Saturday! So we're well into this four-day weekend, but if you've been religiously attending the shows at Philippine Fashion Week, your holiday only beings on Monday. As for me, I have work tomorrow, a Sunday, right before I run to the show of Drei Soriano. Sad that I couldn't attend Mike Lavarez's show, but good luck to them both! Of course, I am very excited to finally see my Bosquejo accessories on the runway.

I haven't been able to attend because of my day job schedule and, besides creating new pieces for other collections (Sacre, Feline, and Azul for Rajo Laurel's Russia-inspired Holiday collection; more Sacre for ac+632; and the second Hardware collection), I have decided to devote more time for myself. Just last night I was able to get past some chapters of fiction and a magazine article, before I was finally able to add a few lines to the current poem I am working on. For other people, leading a balanced life means devoting time to leisure; for me it means being able to work on a variety of pursuits.

Sweater, thrifted
Shirt, Zara, thrifted
Trousers, Gas
Leather sneakers, Fred Perry
"Dirae" necklace, Bosquejo

Strange, now that I look at it, how one of my outfits last week actually looked sporty. First I thought it was the matching white shirt and sneakers, and then I decided that it was the proportion and fit of the sweater and trousers. Yes, more than the fact that I was wearing sneakers. There may also be something to the way I folded my shirt sleeves over the hem of my sweater.

Is it the crest? In any case, I wonder if I want to go to any of the Halloween parties tonight. Last time I went was years ago, and it was a goth party. This is how I looked, with a lace dress worn as a scarf.

Bosquejo on the cover of Playing Fashion

2011-10-27T00:28:00.002+08:00

This has got to be one of the most pleasant surprises ever. I knew beforehand that one of my pieces would be included in an editorial for Playing Fashion, a bilingual magazine from the Ukraine. What I didn't know was that it could actually land on the (November 2011) cover!

Razor necklace: "Tisiphone" from the Hardware collection
Jumper: Proenza Schouler
Cover model: Jana Knauerova, New York Model Management, Models 1 
Photography: Jason Kim 
Styling: Christopher Campbell, Atelier Management
Hair: Seiji, The Wall Group
Make-up: Munemi Imai, See Management
Manicure: Liang, Atelier Management

Who would have thought, right? I owe the feature to my blogger friend Quân Mai of Geneticboi. Thanks again!

More details on the cover and the rest of the shoot soon on Design Scene.

Light as a feather II

2011-10-26T09:59:00.002+08:00

This must have been what I wore last Saturday, or was it just this Monday? Was it to Quiapo or Divisoria or Greenbelt, or all three? I can't recall anymore. I think it was the day I had dinner with Drei Soriano before talking about his new collection and the Bosquejo accessories that will be worn with his clothes. Then Maco Custodio brought his leather bow ties (for the Bench show) for me to attach chains to them. In any case, I have already finished 9 out of 10 necklaces for Drei and Maco still owes me a bow tie.

Sheer mesh tee, Oxygen
Jeans, Bench
Sandals, Birkenstock
Tote, thrifted
Scarf, thrifted
"Steel Bard" necklace, Bosquejo

I should really just be watching shows at Philippine Fashion Week, but my new work schedule (till 7pm) doesn't really allow me to see much. So I'm waiting for the weekend (I have work even on Sunday!) while restocking pieces at stores and creating new steel, brass, and semi-precious stone lines.

Bosquejo will be featured in the shows of Mike Lavarez (October 30, 230pm) and Drei Soriano (October 30, 730pm) at Philippine Fashion Week, and at the show of Don Protasio at Cambodia Fashion Week. Hope you can watch!

Finally, I am happy that this Steel Bard necklace (first seen here) is available again, after the stainless steel feathers went out of stock and I had to order them directly. I love the simplicity of the components mixed with the carved onyx rosette. (Sad to say that customs tax cost me more than the actual shipping so I had to tweak the price a bit...)

Swimming in work again, hence the long hair and beanie, hence the old band-aid... But unexpectedly, things don't feel heavy at all. All is in place. Credit that to my reading again (literature and not just magazines, and yes, time for that can be managed!), which somehow keeps things in perspective.