PROFILE:Monique Lhuillier

Filipino fashion has truly gone a long way, national or international arena. Farther--it reached the Hollywood. First come to mind? It’s Monique Lhuillier. Icon in fashion, in line with Vera Wang, Coco Chanel, and other designers in Hollywood and New York City. But how was this wonderful and talented Filipina had made her way to an overwhelming spotlight in fashion designing?

Diane Monique Lhuillier was born French-Filipino in Cebu, Philippines. Her parents are Micheal Lhuillier a former French consul in the Philippines now a jeweler and Amparito Llamas, designer and a former fashion-model. She is the wife of Tom Bugbee, CEO of Monique Lhuillier Inc. Her taste for fashion was influenced by her mother who’s lover of glamour and style. She was exposed to the importance of fashion because of her family’s extensive travels.

Monique decided to study at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), in L.A. California, at 17, but by then 18 was the qualified age to enter the institution, but because of her perseverance, guts and talent she convinced the administrators. She got scholarship for advance training and she decided to specialized in evening and bridal gowns.

In an interview, by Metro Society she said that Filipina sensibility affected her craft. Growing up with women who are simple yet not ordinary, women who makes the ordinary to extravagant. No wonder why she is known for her “detail-oriented and clean” designs.

Her way to Hollywood started when Josie Bisset’s character in Melrose Place got married. Monique was the one who made her dress. Then it was followed by Kelly Rutherford whom she also dressed up for a show. Since then her name has became a word-of-mouth to Hollywood stars like, Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Wiherspoon, J.lo, Halle berry and Debra Mssing and many more, and she has become a bigger celebrity than the celebrities she dresses up.Monique

Lhuillier is truly “a person of details” and never a mediocre.

http://www.moniquelhuillier.com/

"JOLOGS"

I admire people who are confident with themselves and don’t get affected by other people’s criticism about them.

I was in a shopping mall somewhere in Cainta when a girl caught my attention. She was laughing with her friends, they’re talking about a “JOLOGS girl” (that is what they name her) who passed by a while ago. In an instant, my attention automatically shifted to the girl that they are talking about. She was wearing a skirt with red and white stripes that labanderas in the ilog usually wear (according to the gossiping girls), gray shirt with the picture of Jose Rizal printed on it, a pair of black flip flops and a huge backpack. I’m sure that she heard the giggling of the group of girls and what they are saying about her but she doesn’t get affected at all. I was surprised with her reaction so I followed her and talked to her as well.

She was Tek Reyes (TEK is her nickname), a 19 year old nursing student. I found out that she was used to all kinds of criticism. She states that she was “immune” and doesn’t get affected by what others comment about the way she dresses. She told me that she is comfortable with what she wears and she was just being herself. She also admitted that the set of friends that she have are “JOLOGS” too. JOLOGS is what they call themselves because that is what our society classify them as. But what do we literally mean by the word JOLOGS?

According to WikiPilipinas.org, JOLOGS is a Filipino slang term/word used to describe or depict a person who is out-of-style, trashy-looking, pathetically cheap and corny. It is sometimes equated with another Filipino word for cheaply-dressed person, BADUY. Filipino linguists offer different theories concerning the origin of the word. Some say that it came from a food called “Dyolog”(dilis and itlog)-the food of the poor, some say that it is named after a cheap disco, Jaloux while some state that it originated from the Jolina Organization. Whatever its origin was, having Jologs as a term to classify a person’s sense of style is a form of discrimination.

I do believe that nobody has the right to discriminate a person just because he or she doesn’t share the same taste in fashion that the people in upper classes have.
Respect for anyone's individuality is what we must all learn.


by Raffonzyl Bonifacio
chiksi (^<>^)

Instant Studio

Who says you have to pay for a one best shot?

Digital Camera+colorful background+great poses= Glamorous picture!

At first glance, you would think that this photo was taken on a studio, or most likely you would think that the background was edited.
But hey, the secrets behind this photo were...
First, It was not taken on a studio.
Secondly, yes, it was edited. But not the background.
And ... the photo was taken at the wall of newly established Hypermarket in Mandaluyong.

This photo was taken by Broadcast Communication students of Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The students were about to go to their classmate's house right after their much awaited Sikat Awards. This Awards night is a yearly event for Communication students of PUP wherein their production projects and festivals were awarded.

They were walking on a street when they noticed this colorful wall of Hypermarket parking lot. Then they decided to take so many photos out of it.

A little knowledge in photo enhancement was applied on this picture. And poof! It turned out to be a photo that seemed to be done on a studio.

Many people really love to collect memorable and cute photos for their online social network, and for sentimental reasons as well. And sometimes it looks more appealing when it is enhanced. That is why many of us are fond of photo editing to give a picture new set of taste.

And I am encouraging everyone to use readily available resources in doing stuffs like this. We don't really have to spend much money for a better picture. Well, of course specialized photo taking in the field of photography offers much quality than this, but at least you can save a lot of efforts and money in using your own creativity.


*kiao

May Yabang Ako

FMCC, Team Manila, Happy Days-- to name a few
These are just some of the Pinoy stores across the street that have great designs as they support our very own country. People may say that it's too over rated, Manila shirts or Pinoy shirts are just scattered around and wearing one would mean looking like the person behind, infront and at your back. Is that it for you? Wearing same apparel at the same time with an anonymous person doesn't feel good but then again looking at the brighter side, we should be happy for having it as a fad would mean more people supporting Pinoy brands, wearing these Manila shirts loud and proud. There are even Filipinos abroad who wouldn't miss out on purchasing one so they themselves can wear it proud whereever they may be. We have Yabang Pinoy as one of the many advocates that are up and out for Pinoy support. After all fashion is more than the usual flashy bags, you don't have to sacrifice your advocacy in life such as standing proud Pinoy for fashion's sake for you can be fashionable in you own simple way.

One very convenient means of selling these shirts aside from having their own posts at the mall, most of them are up and available online through multiply. It'll be a hassle free transaction and these items will either be shipped to your house or meet ups would do as well. And I can attest to its credibility for I've already had numerous multiply transactions. Online Shopping doesn't just have benefits for costumers but for owners as well for most of them would want to sell online for they don't need to pay for rent for their stall and more accessible at the same time for us consumers.


here are some of the Yabang URLs to show and support Local Pinoy Brands:
http://francismclothing.multiply.com/
http://teammanila.multiply.com/
http://sigawsambit.multiply.com/
http://analogsoul.multiply.com/
http://hamegame.multiply.com/
http://vorpalproject.multiply.com/

Your Guru Loves Louis Vuitton Cancan Shoe Collection!

I saw these really cool shoes in Louis Vuitton Resource Center!

These shoes are called Cancan, named after a lively, high-kicking stage dance originating in 19th-century Parisian music halls and performed by women in long skirts and petticoats.

They are designed by Marc Jacobs, the current Creative Director of the prestigious French design house Louis Vuitton, for the Fall/Winter Collection 2009.

LEFT: Cancan Ankle Strap Pump in Brocade Fabric.

This Cancan Pump in Brocade fabric, most likely silk, comes in color gold and is woven with elevated pattern in gold thread making it look dazzling. It also has a black velvet ribbon and its heels are accessorized with two pearls (one in gold, and one in white).

RIGHT: Cancan Ankle Strap Pump in Suede Baby Goat Leather.

Made from the elastic but delicate suede baby goat leather, this Cancan pump like its sisters has a black velvet ribbon , has a leather sole and its conical heels are accessorized with two pearls (one in black, and one in white). Its blackness together with the white pearl made it look so elegant!

Cancan Ankle Pump in Satin and Lace.

This one’s my favorite! A combination of satin and lace made these shoes look French-y!

These fabulous Cancans are tied in the ankle using the black velvet ribbon, has a leather sole and its heels are accessorized with two pearls. This pump comes in two colors: Red (with white pearl) and Pink (with gold pearl).

LEFT: Cancan High Boot in Suede Baby Goat Leather and Patent Calf Leather.

If you're into high boots, this version of the Cancan is perfect for you. The shoe is made in suede baby goat leather with a ruffle accent at the top made from patent calf leather.

CENTER: Cancan Thigh Boot in Calf Leather.

This sexily laced thigh boots features zippers on both sides, a leather sole, and a conical heel accessorized with two pearls (black and white). These boots are entirely made from calf leather!

RIGHT: Cancan Thigh Boot in Brocade Fabric.

Made from a deluxe brocade leather from the toe to the thigh, it’s an eye-catcher isn’t it? It features a black velvet ribbon and zippers on both sides, and its heels are accessorized with two pearls (gold and white).

These shoes surely gave the 18th century Cancan a new twist!

by Raffonzyl Bonifacio

chiksi (^<>^)