Here’s the lowdown on fashion news, the latest releases and whatever else is buzzing in retail this month
The “New Year” in fashion may still be a month away, but it looks like August already has a head start on serving up the new.
Nobody has spring or summer in mind anymore (save for the numerous end-of-season sales to check out in their wake). Brands are turning a new leaf now and it’s full speed ahead: be it through Fall/Winter offerings, a first look at holiday style and epic-scale collaborations that equal history in the making. Speaking of history, the August edition of this must-read monthly digest includes a fashion history lesson of sorts: The world’s most popular brand in 2018 just turned one in Manila.
What else should you hang on to your wallets for this month? Scroll through and find out.
Local Label of the Month: Tela
Meet the new sustainable brand founded by 19-year-old Alyssa Lagon setting out to refresh, revive and renew the local fashion industry.
Bringing together the concepts of style and sustainability, Tela proves that the two can not only coexist, but come together to reshape the retail industry as a whole. From start to finish, the brand, founded by the daughter to the founding forces behind Bayo, fosters a mindful connection between maker and buyer by engaging craftsmen, communities, through their partner, the Bayo Foundation. Every piece in the line is biodegradable, recycled, or crafted out of upcycled fabrics from the Bayo factory, and then designed, cut, and stitched with integrity.
Check out Tela’s pop-up store at the Retail section of Manila House, 8th Floor, Net Park Building, 5th Avenue BGC from August 17 to September 16. Thereafter, Tela’s pieces will continue to be available on Instagram at @tela.mnl. To know more about the sustainable fabric and where to source it, contact Bayo Foundation at (02) 216 9558 or email [email protected].
The SM Store Names Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 10 Winner Aquaria as the New Face of Its Latest Campaign
The 23-year-old international sensation makes herstory as the brand’s first drag queen ambassador.
“In drag and ballroom culture, there are several look categories, and for this, the category is: SM Fashion Realness meets overly accessorized Fashion Queen.” The brand teased its new ambassador announcement in early August and finally confirmed the exciting news. Along with campaign photos highlighting SM Shoes and Bags and SM Accessories that Aquaria herself helped put together, SM announced that the celebrated drag queen will be bringing her big drag energy at two of its malls in September: Mega Fashion Hall on September 2 and The Block Atrium at SM North Edsa on September 3.
Get a chance to snatch a VIP pass (with a meet and greet) or sashay the runway with Aquaria herself. Tap here for mechanics!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B08Fr_iFI4e/
Cul-De-Sac Launches a New Pop-Up Space at Power Plant Mall
After opening its first branch at The Podium, the original multi-brand store makes its way to Makati.
It’s 165 square meters chock-full of the best parts about Distinqt, Akimbo and Xception. While premium contemporary brands are expected at Cul-De-Sac’s new, extended location (MM6 Maison Margiela, MSGM, Opening Ceremony, Wood Wood and more are available here), the Power Plant pop-up boasts a slightly different concept from its parent branch. It makes room for the young and young-at-heart, and even offers something for everyone in the clan. Mall-goers just have to make their way into the pastel, color-clad furnishings of the pop-up space.
The CUL-DE-SAC pop-up will be at the R1 Level of Power Plant Mall in Makati City until October 31, 2019. For updates in real-time, visit @culdesac.ph on Instagram and Facebook.
Aquafina, Zalora and SoFA Come Together to “Refresh the Runway”
The immersive, water-inspired fashion show introduces 10 hopefuls Al Rey Rosano, Candice Arboleda, Carmina Isabel, DMNQ DY, G Gambaloza, Jema Gamer, Mick Perez, Joy Geocado, Neil Anthonie and Nicolò Perez
For the brand’s collaboration with SoFA, Aquafina initiated a fashion design competition, culminating in the feature of the top 10 finalists creating their water-inspired looks for the runway. Models showed off contemporary designs created by the young talents with each mini-collection judged by esteemed industry veterans Michael Leyva, Rosenthal Tee and Amina Aranaz-Alunan, alongside Aquafina brand ambassador and Ms. Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach and PepsiCo Multi-Market Head of Marketing, Mikey Rosales.
Mick Perez was named the “Refresh the Runway” grand prize winner with Nicolò Perez as the first runner-up and Candice Arboleda as the second runner-up.
OFF-WHITE c/o Virgil Abloh™ Celebrates “Year One” in Manila
The Off-White “Manila Year 1” capsule is available exclusively for purchase at Off-White Manila in 8 Rockwell, Makati.
In celebration of its first year in Manila, OFF-WHITE unveils a special “Manila Year 1” collection that embodies the local culture of the capital city, embracing iconic elements from street art and classic athletic attire in its design. Most notably, the collection captures the essence of common jeepney art often seen throughout the city. It also draws on graffiti art as inspiration, offering a tonal blue take on the artwork, as featured on tees, hoodies, baseball caps and a canvas tote bag.
Of course, no birthday is complete without a birthday party. Right below, photos from the OFF-WHITE “Year One” bash.
Ayala Malls Wraps Up Stylist's Closet 2019 with Mari Jasmine
Curated by fashion savant Pam Quiñones, Ayala Malls concluded the Stylist's Closet 2019 with host and personality Mari Jasmine.
Mari graced the stage in a pleated white creation from Vania Romoff. In an exclusive interview with Wonder, she shared about her personal style, recounting how staying in the Philippines allowed her to explore fashion—being around fashion-forward individuals.
She argues the case for being basic, “On a day-to-day basis, I’m very basic—maybe just [a] white plain t-shirt with some ripped jeans, some Doc Marten boots and [I] accessorize with jewelry. It’s very rare that I’m into something bright, and I don’t play much with prints. That would be my staple. If I want to dress it up, I’d pair it with a jacket or a blazer. I’m not so scared of playing with silhouettes though.”
Prior to Mari, the exclusive talks were at the helm of style icons Liz Uy, Solenn Heussaff, Isabelle Daza, Jess Wilson, LA Aguinaldo, Vern and Vern Enciso proving that fashion is universal, trends are geographical and style is personal.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Nwy6PFOeY/
SM Woman Plus Puts Its Own Spin on Three Recurrent Fashion Trends
Of-the-moment items meet classic themes in a collection meant to withstand the coming and going of trends and seasons.
Denim revisited, a new take on black and white, and pastels as the new neutrals: this season, SM Woman sees all that’s familiar in fashion with a fresh set of eyes. Switch up the no-brainer indigo for the army green pieces from the collection or revitalize the denim-on-denim look by experimenting with different washes. Believe that opposites attract? So does this brand. SM Woman Plus makes black and white combinations one of its main highlights and presents ways to create optical illusions with tops, trousers and dresses with figure-flattering silhouettes. Lastly, the new collection goes all-out with pastels, proving that head-to-toe milky neutrals can make even a five-minute outfit look instantly put-together.
Follow SM Woman on Instagram and Facebook to find out about the brand’s latest collections and hot new deals.
Converse and NEIGHBORHOOD Reunite to Rev up the Chuck 70 and Jack Purcell
After joining forces in 2017, Converse and NEIGHBORHOOD team up once again for a capsule collection that effortlessly incorporates a utilitarian aesthetic into elevated casualwear.
NEIGHBORHOOD founder Shinsuke Takizawa reveals that he wanted to add his signature design style to the Jack Purcel (a Converse silhouette identified by the instantly recognizable “smile,” born out of a modernized badminton shoe from nearly 85 years ago). The silhouette features inscribed Japanese Kanji text that translates to “teiko,” meaning “resistance,” and is crafted with a premium suede upper and rubber molded heel cap as well as functional details and distinct nuances. As with the 2017 collection, the capsule also includes a triple black Chuck 70 that comes to life in leather and suede and functional details like the moto strap over the upper.
Converse x NEIGHBORHOOD officially launched on August 24 at Commonwealth, Sole Academy and Converse Greenbelt.
August is almost over, but be sure to check back in for updates! Feel like backtracking to see what you might have missed in July? Click on for the previous month’s roundup on new finds, good jeans and Pandora x Disney’s The Lion King.
Art Alexandra Lara
