Fashionspiration

Yesterday I got the chance to meet two of the designers that I admire the most, truth be told that before I was into foreign designers but after the Philippine Fashion Week, I discovered that Filipinos can match up with the other foreign designers. In the Premiere B collection, they were my favorites and it shocked me that Albert Andrada was from Slim's, well I'm fully aware that Ezra Santos was from Slim's but Albert, it was just WOW. They're my favorites and they're both from Slim's, how cool is that? :D

l-r Albert Andrada, me and Ezra Santos

Their visit in Slim's was really a blessing, they shared us their experience in the fashion industry, the pros and cons and emphasized that being a fashion designer is NOT a bed of roses. I actually learned a lot from them, my idea about the fashion industry changed after they talked, before I thought it was just draw and then you get payed, draw and then people will love you but they insisted that it's not like that, you have to love what you're doing, do your best and you're gonna have rough times. 

Instead of writing everything that they said, I'm just gonna share the things that marked in my head and that forever changed my perspective in being a fashion designer. 

Albert Andrada said:

• Of course we have secret traits but share what you can share 'cause everybody starts at the bottom.
• Make it a point to make your client your best friend because it feels good that sometimes they visit your shop just to say "Albert, my husband is dating another girl." It feels good to know that they trust you. 
• If your client is not nice, be nicer.
• Before, fashion designing is all about glam glam glam but now you have to know how to execute it because the best mananahis, liliperas and cutters are out. 
• If you become successful, don't leave your country. 
• If you want to be a fashion designer because you think you're gonna have lots of clothes, you're wrong! You're the one that's not gonna have clothes. (This made me laugh so hard haha)
• Being a fashion designer is not a bed of roses, and I'm not scaring you, but this is the truth. 
• I can now make pieces that has a fabric of  P15,000 per yard.
• I am a designer of the palace now (UAE) and it's a blessing that God put me in that place cos I'm blessing other people as well. 
• You won't understand the feeling of dressing the grandma, the mother and the apo until you experience it. 
• I want all these faces that I see to be a successful fashion designer someday. 
• If only my teacher was here, I would hug her and thank her for being the person I am today. 
• Your loved-ones are your inspiration. 
• Someday you're gonna be proud of Slim's and Slim's gonna be proud of you. 
• Nothing is better than Slim's because, well you say it (laughs), look at the designers Slim's has produced. 

Ezra Santos said:

• If you really like a certain design, don't copy it, use the silhouette but alter everything and make it 10x better 'cos I don't believe in copycats.
• You have to make a name, like if someone sees this gown, they're gonna say "Ah I know this is an Ezra creation."
• When I really like a certain design, for example, Alexander Mcqueen's, I use the silhouette then I make 20 sketches, I change the neckline, the sleeves, the structure. (My jaw dropped with this statement, 20 sketches?! :O)
• I have assistant fashion designers and they help me when it comes to clients but  when it's the collection, the one that I'm gonna show on the runway, I make sure it's all my designs.
• By the grace of God I made it through. 
• I would like to dress Angelina Jolie cos she's very pretty and for the local uhhhhm uhmmmmmmmm uhmmmmmm who do I want to dress? uhmmmmm uhmmmm I can't choose uhmmmm uhmmmmm maybe Georgina Wilson (I swear it was a long thinking process haha)
• Ezra is known for drapery, clean cuts, and strong structure. 
• You have to unwind, spend time with yourself so you can get ideas.
• At times that I feel drained, like when my creativity side is just empty, I unwind, watch movies, go out with friends. 
• God has kept me strong. 
• To be a successful designer, you have to be original. 
• I'm Ezra Santos and I'm an alumni of Slim's.
• Rtw is my next project, I'm thinking about it (Made me happy wieeee haha)
• My beadworkers are Indians because the way they do the beadworks is different, very intricate.
• When the Arabs ask "Who is the designer?" and the person says "It's a Filipino designer.", the Arabs are hats off because they know that Filipinos are talented and hard-working. 
• There are ideas that you simply cannot sketch, it's just on your head so what I do is I play with the mannequin. 
• Experimenting is important.

That's pretty much what they said, it all helped me and gave me an idea of how I'm gonna be in the future. Yes it changed my perspective but nevertheless, I still want to pursue being a fashion designer. I was smiling the whole time they were talking, it's just magical, last Thursday they were blowing my mind away and now face to face, I saw them! 

I left Slim's like 5:50 because I was waiting for them to come down, it was my fault 'cause I left right away after the talk and I didn't know it's okay to take pictures that's why I waited after the dismissal haha. The wait was worth it, really really worth it, it felt so so good. :)

Albert Andrada won best designer on the pfw holiday 2012 and Ezra Santos is the first Filipino to put a couture shop. I salute you Albert and Ezra! 

On the other hand, since Michael Cinco is here in the Philippines, I pray he visits Slim's too. 

Oh well, we almost had a romantic ending!

Yehey!! I swear there's really some kind of elongation happening in my legs hahah

Achievement! :D

My brother, Benedict aka Steven Meisel

If I'm not mistaken, this is my first look post on a weekday, I hope I'll be able to blog daily now hehe. Anyway about this look, it was scorching as I was leaving for school hence the tank top + shorts outfit. Hours after I reached the school, it rained so hard which is awesome and so relaxing haha. Today's school was repeated events of blind stitch-sew-rip, and the easing in the sleeves almost made me crazy, it was so hard and my teachers are like "Push it, iiwas mo sa needle. Madali lang yan." Well I accomplished it but I gotta say, I salute all tailors especially tailors who make filipinianas or any outfit with easing in the sleeves. Despite all that frustration earlier, I'm happy that all the tough stitches are done and I'll have my fitting tomorrow! :D

Tomorrow's a special day! Ezra Santos will be visiting Slim's, I think he's gonna do a talk with all of us. I really really really reeeeaaaalllyyy pray that I get a picture with him. :D

Tank top: Zara

Shorts: self-ripped brand: Lee

Wedge: Charles & Keith

Bag: Promod

Necklace: Papemelroti

Tone Down

Please let me celebrate because of my not so big legs. I don't know if it's an illusion or I did something right haha

I swear that face came from nowhere

My smile is so genuine here (NAKS HAHA)

For some reason, lace is just sensational, no matter what you wear with it.

Guess what brand? Yes. Again. 

I suck at candid "walking" photos :(

For some incredible reason, I didn't have a hard time deciding what to wear. It's not one of those days when I would just irritate my nannies because of the tons of clothes that I would try. Well, that outfit is not what I first came up with, I tried to pair it with maong trousers but I quickly changed my mind as I was drying my hair. I would have to say that I should practice this every single time, I mean no stress + no sermon from parents haha.

I know summer is about colors and fun but I decided to tone it down since it's my outfit in church. Of course I wear vibrant ensembles in church but this time I don't know what struck me ahha. One reason I named this post "Tone Down" is because before there's a wee bit of tummy visible when I wear this lace top, but now spick and span! Which is weird since I think I've been eating a lot, so Thank God! :D

The Word today was really really really really touching and enlightening, I'm so immersed to it that I think I might make a separate post about it. And also, I want each of you to know about it so uhm I'll keep you updated about that thing :)

Lace top: Zara

Necklace: Aldo

Jeggings: Dorothy Perkins

Heels: Primadonna

Envelope clutch: Aranaz

Btw, a lot of things have been different today, I mean look at the effort I put in my braid hehehe.

6 footer

Taken with my iphone, sorry haha

I really thought PFW was a formal event, turns out it was "wear the most intense clothes you have" Looking at the other people's clothes individually, they're the weird ones but truly, I was the one that's out of place haha. Too simple is what I call it, now I know what to wear tomorrow :D Btw I'm 6'1 1/2" with those heels, ahhhhhhh feels so good to have your dreams come true! + same height as Kit! HAHAAHHAHAHA

Dress: Mango

Heels: Primadonna

Clutch: Aranaz

Cross necklace: Given by Mom

Gold necklace: Love Diva

Slim-studded

With my best friend in Slim's, Najiwa!

Talbog ako sa beauty niya haha

With Ate Mitch! It's embarrassing that she's way way way skinnier than me :(

I look so piggy here but oh well I'm with the Ford Supermodel of the World!!

I named this post Slim-studded not because of my classmates in Slim's but it really is filled with fit people! It was such a shame that I'm well me.. Hopefully this will build my spirit in losing weight haha. 

What is Cool

I thought Japan and China had the most bizarre and riskiest fashion, now I know that Filipinos can take a lot of risks too, you just have to know where to look for them. Philippine Fashion Week is really a fashion week, here are the snapshots of the people who caught my attention.

Gab, I know you want this ahhaha. Definitely the shoe of the night, so much confidence oozing from the person who wore this.

This is vintageyy

I love the big prints of one of the guy's shirt and the other's short. Something tells me that Donatella Versace's here

Fashion&Comfort at its finest, dress with cuts + barefoot

Took this because of the model, I think he's stylish

:O

I would have to say my eyes keep on going back to this guy since the runway, lovely hair, cool accessories and ohmyholybroccoli look at that print!

l-r Ate Phampy, their friend, Ate Mitch (told you he's sexy! His waistline's 25 :O) and another friend of them (so stunning right? + he looks like a woman!)

I just took a picture of them hahaha

This is how crazy my classmates are, look at that hair color Ate Phampy's sporting!

Backless

Vintagey military coats are timeless!

I love the variety present in this dress, sheer, fringe, appliques..

Taray coat

Was interested in the guy's Versace for H&M jacket, too bad he ran, didn't get a decent picture of him :(

If you want to look like a senorita, frills will never let you down

I love this guy!!! Part of me wants to be his best friend so he could share to me where he gets all those treasure

Not as outlandish as the others but I really love that long lace cardigan

One of the models wearing a lime color dress, so pretty :D

cdbcdcbdcuigdfuagdobcbcsdudcs you da man! Versace sweatshirt, sheer skirt, black tights, boots with wooden heels, bones accessories, ASTIG!!!

Finally finally got the strength to ask pictures of them hahaah. I'm really in love with those creepers.

Sorry if the photos are not a lot and most of them are not faced to me, it's just that some of them are staring at me and the dslr on my hand, it felt like they didn't want to be pictured or like "Who's that?" haha. Anyway, I'm still proud of the amount of guts I had last night, it really paid off hahahhaha. Will try my best tomorrow to take more pictures! :D

See How Far My Lens Can Go

ALBERT ANDRADA

I'm loving this big fur

Crappy photo but still, this model made me WHOAH

Totally unpredictable

Heaven on earth moment right there

I want thissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Albert Andrada

BANDOIX FLORES

One of my favorites in his collection

Looks worth a million dollars

Bandoix Flores

 BUTZ FUENTES

IT'S THE REAL THING!! MADE ME YELL!!!!! 

Absolutely digging this

Butz Fuentes

Butz Fuentes with a model wearing his sensational work

 EZRA SANTOS

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My most beloved on the show

Eyegasm

Lady Gaga should think of consulting Ezra haha

Perfect, perfect design, perfect draping, perfect alignment of sequins, perfect headdress, perfect fabric, perfect Ezra

This is HAUTE  COUTURE

All about details

Ate Danica praying for a justifying walk

Danica Magpantay- Ford Supermodel of the World

Nothing beats a guy wearing lace

Eye fest

Eye fest 2

I love how this conveys a broken-hearted bride leaving the church

But I'm really obsessed with this!

EZRA WOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KERMIT TESORO

Pearl appliques are stunning!

Phantom of the Opera in the houseeeeee

This model fell twice in the runway, I wouldn't blame her though, the thought of putting on  Gaga heels makes me shiver already

The one that captures the most attention is the one that's not focused

I love glitters, I adore this!

Sitting with fashion-forward people is such a happy feeling, but witnessing a parade of pieces you might never see again is another thing. Philippine Fashion Week was beautiful, it was so so beautiful that every time a model struts with a work of art, you just want to cry, thinking how you survived all these years without having an e-invite scanned. When the music started to play, my heart beat faster, it was the kind of heartbeat you get when you're angry except that you're excited not angry haha.

Albert Andrada is truly gifted, white never seemed so high fashion until his collection was shown, also he maximized the opportunity to blow the audience's heads away, hairstyle was alluring, headdresses were fascinating, the ensembles gave me goosebumps and the runway was very very very very very very creative.

Bandoix Flores, for me, likes to keep things simple, his works are wearable anywhere and anytime, at the same time, fashionable. It's hard to go after a jaw-dropping collection, and I'm not saying he's less talented, it's just that I'm an Alexander Mcqueen or John Galliano person. Nevertheless, his work is great, it's suited for everyone.

Butz Fuentes however was just okay at the beginning but when the guy wearing a dress started to walk, his collection started to be on heat and the following pieces met the fiery-ness of the ensemble that started it all. I also admire how some of the gowns/dresses looked like Filipinianas with a twist, the carved idon'tknowwhattocallit was so amazing, I've never seen one like it before and it was definitely a standout!

Ezra Santos OHMYGAWSH I don't know what to say, I think everybody expected that Ezra would give them a memorable once in a lifetime runway viewing experience. When his name was flashed on screen, everybody started to clap and yell and well me, I readied myself for what I'm about to see. His opening piece was fbdsfhifofndfewewfhfdvnfaiewowenfa, totally brought my eyes to heaven. His collection was mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, goosebumps-giving, and each of the pieces made me feel butterflies in my stomach. It was the kind of beautiful that gives you the creeps, truth be told but I occasionally checked my seat if I peed or not during Ezra's runway haha and I kept on asking of myself "How did he even think of that?" Ezra's just so amazing, it wouldn't be a surprise if he'll be as or more famous than Alexander McQueen. I know this isn't really appropriate to say but somehow, Ezra was promising, considering we're from the same school, Slim's, I think I'm gonna have a bright future just like him. :) Ezra had the most ensembles to showcase and it's like Thank God! I didn't want his runway to end hehe and also if I could talk each of the pieces, I definitely would :D

Lastly, Kermit Teroso, if you look at the designs, you might think it's not in great transition but when the models started to do their thing, the pieces have this some kind of connection, it was like unity in diversity hehe. His collection was both trendy and classic, pearls and sequins appliques and sheers are on trend while black will always be classic. It was absolutely good, very well-made but I won't lie, I'm still hooked to Ezra's collection during Kermit's showcase, oh well I'm hooked to Ezra's until now haha. What made me WHOAH though was when Kermit showed up, he was like 19 or 21, another reason for me to say "There's a bright future waiting for me." Haha. Unfortunately, he didn't walk around the runway, he showed up for like 10 seconds, and I didn't get a picture of him :(


P.S. Those are not all the pictures, I will post a link later or tomorrow of all my photos during the fashion week :)

WOOOOOOOOOOOO WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO my head's still in the clouds because of what happened last night. Philippine Fashion Week is the best!!!!