Isabella Blow

This morning, I finally finished reading this biography on Isabella Blow, the legendary Bitish fashion editor/ stylist whose body of work inspired many (including me), but sadly, committed suicide in 2007.  It was written by Lauren Goldstein Crowe. 

I share many things with this woman-- most especially her love for design and designers, art and artists. She was eccentric to some, inspiring to me, fabulous and captivating to all.  I wish she lived longer, or died some other way.  She was muse to many designers and was "a creature like no other". 

What made this biography extra-interesting to me was the reference to so many unforgettable (and one might say, game-changing) photo shoots and fashion shows that she styled or collaborated with Alexander McQueen and Phillip Treacy on.  I had so much fun googling these mentioned works, ooh-ing and aahhh-ing at how these creatives pushed their ideas to the edge.  

Back in the 90's, she made London cool again. 

Blow with hat-maker Phillip Treacy

 Blow with Alexander McQueen for Vanity Fair's "Cool Britannia" shoot. 

Sharing a laugh with Treacy backstage at a show

See some of her most outrageous hats, for which she was known to have worn to social gatherings fearlessly and beautifully:

 Blow at the launch of a lipstick shade named after her by Mac

Upon her death, Isabella's entire wardrobe was to be auctioned off at Christie's but the heiress and fashion icon Daphne Guinness bought the entire archive, and is said to be currently working on building some sort of "memorial for Isabella around the clothes".  

One of her most famous quotes were: 

"Fashion is a vampiric thing, it's the hoover on your brain. That's why I wear the hats, to keep everyone away from me. They say, 'Oh, can I kiss you?' I say, 'No, thank you very much. That's why I've worn the hat. Goodbye.' I don't want to be kissed by all and sundry. I want to be kissed by the people I love."

She led a colorful and extraordinary life.  Honestly, reading about her story made me a tad bit more creative during the past few weeks.  A glass of wine (or better yet, a bottle of champagne), to celebrate Isabella Blow's life, please! CHEERS! 

Seeing Green

So cool to see this from The Sartorialist last May 20...

...a month after I wore a "green sleeveless print dress" to a store opening in Bulacan!

(the invite told us to wear shades of green,  I'm glad most of the guests complied!)

with my friend Rhycel Marcelo & 

Celine Simbulan-Darcen (Managing Director for Sales & Marketing)

  Thank you for inviting me to be one of the guests of honor. 

Congratulations to The Simbulan Group of Companies for opening "Our House Lifestyle Store!"

To know more about their store click HERE

Skirt Season

I'm no credible fashionista, and like most of my girl-friends I dress depending on how I feel (and nowadays, on how hot it is outside), but it sure is awesome to know every now and then that I'm not too far from the right track.  

Last March 23, the UPIDAA (UP Interior Design Alumni Association) held Awarding Ceremonies for its annual design competition, called IDisenyo 2013.  Being the project head for this, I was very proud of my fellow officers and the participating students who made the event a huge success.  I attended the event in a black "Skater Skirt" from Zara, and a pajama-like top from Dorothy Perkins.  

Here awarding the winning team, "Eco-Lab", who designed an awesome 

Classroom of the Future for Interior Design students

goofing around with future star interior designer Carla Sebastian

and with my friends Nicola & James, and cousin  / event photographer Charlie Gomez

(insert: this was my inspirations for the pajama top)

So anyway...I found out yesterday these "skater" skirts are hot right now 

as I stumbled upon them in Polyvore:

and in www.oliviapalermo.com...

Spring/Summer 2012

I also saw versions of this skirt in various lengths in street-fashion blogs everywhere:

Hooray for spring skirts! Ladies are just lovelier in them.

And then I saw this girl (above) at Habitually Chic a week after I wore this to a party:

Im not as skinny as her but we got the same formula:

Glitter + chambray/ light blue + nude shoes. 

Her hot pink clutch even matches my hot pink phone!

#kiligfashionmoment

White Shoes

A few months ago I was gifted with this pair of white pumps by our friend Karen, who used to work with us at Grupo Santamaria as an interior designer.  Now based in Singapore (and still as fashionable as ever), she would send me stuff for Christmas or "pasalubong" whenever she is randomly visiting Manila.  

It was a cute pair, but I've never had white shoes before, and knowing that skin-toned shoes will make your legs look longer while white was too stark a color thus making your legs look stubby (never mind, it's complicated), I wasn't sure if I could pull it off.  

Imagine my delight when I saw the exact same style of shoes featured in Garance Dore's Weekend Inspiration section.  White with clear sides too, but with higher heels.  And she shared another white pair sighting this month (see below):

Gianvito Rossi

Manolo Blahnik

So I guess it's officially the shoe to have this summer. Something I wouldn't mind having since it's a classic shape and color and can be used whatever the occasion, season, or trend.  I finally wore mine to my cousin Charlie Gomez' photo exhibit, paired with camouflage pants from Zara & a casual black shirt (exhibit's still on by the way, you can still catch it til April 10).  I loved it! (the shoes and the exhibit...)

Here goofing around with the crazybeautiful (and also white-heeled) Kim Jones.

And last night, at Surfing Philippines GoSurPH Kickoff Party at Craft Bar, I spotted gorgeous Nikki dela Paz's classic white pumps which went perfectly well with her all-black outfit and red lips. OK Jeff, you look great too. :-)

To Karen, thanks for my white shoe fashion fix!

Bright Here, Bright Now

Bright Here, Bright Now, 

I would like to have a dress like this for summer. 

(from J.Crew)

Or...maybe a boyfriend like this for summer? 

To be here (again) for the summer.  

Kiting in Siargao, 2007

 To change the upholstery in our home for the summer...or better yet,

To be one step further in building my future beach house.

 To dress like Kate Bosworth

From RUE Magazine

To have time to bake impossibly lovely stuff like these.

To try on all of the nail polish colors above. 

Thank you for these yummy hues, Kim! Couldn't get any more summer-y than this.

To look this fresh at work.

To wear this melon-striped dress I found at the department store, at a bargain, as often as possible.

 Handwoven banig from Manila Fame 2011

To have this wonderful pomelo salad everyday, 

at Via Mare UP Diliman. 

To do some of the D-I-Y projects at home I've been putting off for too long. 

To relax, rejuvenate, reflect. 

TO PUSH THE RE-FRESH BUTTON ON MYSELF. 

Bright here, Bright Now, that is what I want to do. :-)