Bringing Out the Filipina's Inner Fashionista

Looking and feeling good on the inside should be given as much importance as on the outside. So for the modern Filipina, who spends more time outside the home and started to occupy key positions in the workforce, veering away from the relaxed lifestyle, Barbizon aims to give ladies' inner wear more than just function and comfort, but flair and sophistication as well.

Named after a charming town south of Paris, Barbizon started 37 years ago as a brand of pantyhose. Before long, Barbizon grew into a full line of ladies' inner wear catering to the Filipina of the late 70's. Barbizon recognized the emergence of the modern Filipina and evolved along with the market, producing designs with fashion trends in mind -- low-waist boyleg bottoms to go with low-rise jeans, double purpose bras that can serve as a strapless bra under a tube or spaghetti-strap dress or worn as a regular bra when its straps are attached, racer back bras ideal for running singlets, and a cleavage-enhancing style for a sexier fit with a V-neck shirt.

“I always keep in mind classic yet stylish women when I'm creating designs,” states Barbizon in-house designer Carol Tayao, “I research on color and fabric trends as well as fashion forecasts. I always think of how the product will make a woman feel,” she continues. Barbizon is always up on its toes to innovate and to give the market a stylish edge, from the fabrics used, the cut of the cup, and the hardware that allows a bra to convert for different purposes.

Some of the new items for this season include a low-cut cup bra (8654) paired with a low-waist string bikini (908); a dual purpose bra (8627) in mesh fabric that can be worn either with or without straps matched with a sexy string bikini in the same mesh fabric (903); and a unique kind of dual purpose bra that converts from regular strap to racer back with the use of just one hook (8636) and matching bikini panty (907) both available in beige and blue colors.

Then there are the mainstays which give that signature Barbizon extraordinary feel to everyday wear such as the push-up full cup bra (8568) which comes in multiple colors with matching bikini (889); sports bra (8615) that can be worn the regular way or with the straps criss-crossed and (8566) a full-coverage bra for ladies with plus sized busts.

Barbizon intimate apparel is available in all major department stores nationwide such as Robinsons Department Stores, The Landmark in Makati & Trinoma, SM Hypermarkets, Metro Market! Market! and Sta. Lucia East Department Store. For more information, visit www.barbizonfashion.com or email barbizon@barbizonfashion.com.

MaKULAY by Oliver Tolentino

For the past two years, I have always been looking forward to the unveiling of the Rags2Riches collection designed by some of the creative minds in the Philippine fashion industry. First there was Rajo Laurel then came Amina Aranaz-Alunan next. This year, RIIR's designer line brings an awe-inspiring collaboration with no less than internationally-acclaimed Filipino couture designer Oliver Tolentino.

Aptly titles "MaKULAY," the Oliver Tolentino collection revealed bright and warm colors. Launched recently at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5 in Ayala Center, Makati City, the limited edition pieces showcased the ingenuity of Tolentino and the enduring craftsmanship of the empowered women from the Payatas community.

Oliver Tolentino (5th from left) and Reese Fernandez-Ruiz (7th from left) flocked by the Payatas Nanays

"MaKULAY" is a wordplay of "ma" (mother) and "kulay" (color) as the collection aims to pay tribute to the remarkable mothers in Philippine history -- Marcela Agoncillo, Gabriela Silang, Corazon Aquino, among others.

Corazon Tomato Bag

Marcela Handbag

Lydia Round Bag with Fringes

Gabriela T-bag, my fave

Corazon Pouch with Pompoms

To make the collection standout all the more, the bags were modelled by gracefully poised muses decked in newspaper dresses fashioned by innovative young designers from the School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA).

Newspaper clad muses modeled the bags

About the Designer

Oliver Tolentino, one of the most celebrated international haute designers today, is a homegrown talent. He is known for promoting local fabrics and Filipino culture through his pieces. His recognitions include being named Designer of the Week in March 2011 at the Prestigious Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Springs, California, USA; winner of the Sustainable Eco Fashion Awards in 2010 at the Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas; and one of the finalists at the Oscar Designer Challenge in 2010, among others. His collections have been regularly featured in international glossies and have been worn by celebrities Cee Lo Green, Amber Riley, Kimora Lee Simmons, Vivica Fox, Patty Austin, Arnel Pineda, Lea Salonga, and others.

Global Pinoy Designer Oliver Tolentino

Me with the very down-to-earth Oliver Tolentino

About Rags2Riches

RIIR is am emerging global designer line that was initially established as a social business enterprise armed with a vision to uplift the poor community of Payatas. Now a global Filipino brand, RIIR is one of the most successful designer lines in the Philippines and Asia that promotes eco-ethical lifestyle through its products and business philosophy.

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, President of Rags2Riches

For more information on RIIR and the "MaKULAY" collection, log on to www.rags2riches.ph or check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Rags2Riches-Inc.

A Glam and Fab Lunch

Being a girl who loves fashion and accessories, last Friday's Ladies Who Lunch event (the BusinessWorld Female Forum) excited me so much that I even bought a dress for the occasion about a month ago. You may be wondering what brought about the excitement? Three things actually -- one, the topic for discussion was "Investing in Luxury" (read: branded bags); two, I'll be meeting the guest speaker Ingrid Chua-Go of Tresorie, Accessory Lab, and thebaghagdiaries blog fame; three, the luncheon's guest list was composed mostly of the who's who in the fashion and luxury world.

ME and Ingrid Chua-Go of thebaghagdiaries

I expected the speaker to be a much older woman because of her extensive knowledge in luxury and her experience in business. Alas, when she arrived, I met a youthful looking girly-girl woman in preppy fashion who was all smiles and kikay talk. She looked so young that I thought she was still single but she is married and has kids. With her was her mother Pacita Chua, the graceful lady who taught her all about luxury, who was also a kikay beneath the regal facade; and her ninang Kristine Yang, who is down-to-earth and warm, without any trace of arrogrance befitting a successful entrepreneur (she's the owner of Kristine's Jewelry and her family owns McDonal's Philippines).

(l-r) Kristine Yang, ME, Joy Wong of BusinessWorld, guest speaker Ingrid Chua-Go and her mom Pacita Chua

Ladies Who Lunch (LWL) is an invitation only event for women who are successful in their chosen field so when the ladies started to arrive, I cannot help but be in awe. The exclusive list included Amina Aranaz-Alunan of Aranaz bags and the School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA), Edith Dychiao of Lucerne (Omega Philippines), Ruby Gan of Schu, Rima Ostwani of Rustan's, Michelle Washington of MMQ Theatre, Tetta Arroyo-Tirona of Stram Events, Arlene Florentino of CQ WOW and Concertus, Venus Navalta of ZenithOptimedia, Toni Abad of Mediacom, Isabel Gatuslao of Isabel Gatuslao Graphic Design, among others. Issa Litton, tv host and in-demand events host, was moderator and this was her 5th LWL stint with us.

Ladies Who Lunch circa Oct. 15, 2010

The talk was accompanied by eye popping slides of some of the world's most coveted luxury bags, as if Ingrid's detailed presentation (she even did some research to back up her talk) and intriguing side stories weren't enough. She started with sharing her first love affair with the Chanel Classic bag, telling us how she passed up meals just to save for it back in high school. Finally getting her hands on the dream bag opened a pandora's box and made her want more. By the time she got married and had to transfer her belongings to their conjugal abode, she had a sizeable collection of bags that took up most of the closet space she shared with her hubby. In order to maintain the peace and harmony in her married life, she just chose the bags she really wanted and started disposing her pre-loved bags to friends before selling them online. But soon enough, meeting up with her buyers became a hassle and so she opened Tresorie in Jupiter, Makati.

Ingrid describing the marks of a real Hermes Birkin with moderator Issa Litton-Garrido

Suffice to say, we learned a lot that afternoon -- about brands, bags and how they can be considered investments, and even how to distinguish real from imitation Birkin. All that after a sumptuous lunch buffet prepared by M Cafe. Oh! Did I mention that she brought a Hermes Birkin for us to touch and check? Heaven! If only I can take it home with me and be mine forever. She also showed us a cute Birkin parody from Taiwan aptly name Banane (or banana) thus the moniker Banana Birkin.

ME with the pink Banana Birkin and the real blue togo Hermes Birkin

We also got an earful of stories about the Paris fashion week (where Ingrid was invited to blog about) and about how some luxury brand store personnel would call 'faux fur' as 'fantasy fur'. Wow, fantasy! So now, imitation or fake is so passe...bags from Greenhills can now be called 'fantasy bags'. LOL!
Tetta Arroyo-Tirona of Stramevents, Issa Litton-Garrido and ME

Rima Ostwani of Rustan's, Blanca Mercado of BusinessWorld, Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Loralee Baron-Soong of the School of Fashion and the Arts

Ruby Gan of Schu and Toni Abad of Mediacom

Until the next LWL in 2011. :)