Fancy (Couture?!...) Necklaces

Several weeks ago, my sister asked me for help - she needs an orange-colored necklace for her profile shot for their yearbook. Since i have no idea where to look for one, i've suggested her that i'll just make one for her. With small amount of creativity and knowledge about jewelry making, and after some trend research through the web for inspiration, i went to quiapo and bought my materials. This is what i came up with:

One of her classmate saw this when she brought it to their school for approval, and asked my sister  if i could make one for her too. Although i have no confidence with my works, i said "yes", and these are what i came up with:

Her classmate chose the second one. Me and my sister was kinda surprised. She thought her classmate would choose the first one because it looks more decent. The second necklace was actually just an afterthought - i just had fun making necklaces and got carried away and put every materials that i have onto that piece. I hope it would look good on her on her photo...

BALENCIAGA fall 2010 ad campaign

Last night, I've decided to check out BALENCIAGA's website aimlessly - this has become some sort of habit. While waiting for the website to load up, I checked the other brands collection, and when i finally got back to BALENCIAGA's website, my jaw dropped - the fall 2010 ad campaign was already uploaded!

I was so thrilled when i saw that i momentarily hold my breath. This season's ad campaign is so beautiful, probably the best that I've seen... For me, everything about it is perfect.

I like the overall color tone of the ad - appropriate for the season, and somehow, kinda reminds me of the spring 2009 menswear ad campaign.

Aside from the beautifully photographed clothes (and those shoes!!!), the profile shots of the models gave this ad that extra personality. I particularly like this model above. If I'm not mistaken, she's Eliza Cummings - she has this spunk that reminds me of Agyness Deyn (which is my favorite model).

I also like Freja Beha Erichsen in this photo (above)

Good job Mr. Ghesquiere and team! I cant wait for the next collection :D

photo source: balenciaga.com

THE FASHION SHOW finalist James Paul

I was watching a delayed telecast of an episode of The Fashion Show season 1. It was the final four final runway show. I was not really paying close attention to what i was watching 'coz i'm also in front of the computer- reading/looking at some stuff, until the final designer introduced himself as 'James Paul Ancheta.'

It's not the first time i've heard of the name James Paul 'coz i've been  watching the show almost every week, and i'm familiar w/ the contestants. But what what really caught my attention was when James Paul mentioned his family name. 'Ancheta' has a filipino blood or descent ring on to it. Although im not sure of the origin of the family name 'Ancheta,' here in the Philippines (i assume), it's a common family name. We had a neighbor that has the same family name.

http://www.poptower.com/fashion-show/james-paul-ancheta.htm

After hearing his name, instincts told me to look him up on the internet and behold, he's a Filipino - well, i'm just assuming. 'coz according to his bio that i've read, he was born in the Philippines but was raised in California. So i'm not really sure how much 'filipino' is  or was in him. but he did mentioned "farmers" and "southeast asia" (which vaguely has a point of reference to the philippines) when he was explaining the concept of his key piece from the collection in front of the judges.

Here's a link to James Paul Ancheta's bio.
And here's a link to a blogger's review of James Pauls' final collection.

BALENCIAGA fall 2010 shoes

I used to work for a local shoe brand, and part of my job was to watch out for the latest trend on footwear. So i spend a lot of time surfing the net and checking out different fashion brands. I prefer researching online 'coz it's the most convenient and fastest way to gain knowledge of the international fashion scene. I resigned from my work almost a year ago (and trying to pursue a different career), but the habit of looking at (new) shoes styles did not stop. And one of the brands that i always look up to when it comes to shoes is Balenciaga. I've only discovered Balenciaga when i started working (which is about 4 years ago) and i became a fan ever since.

What i like about Balenciaga is how they seamlessly mixes creativity and modern technology to create exceptional pieces. Nicolas Ghesquiere always manage to showcase innovation on every collection that he presents for the brand. He can turn something ordinary into something that no one really expects. One good example that i really like are the shoes from (his) fall 2010 collection.

Basically, its just high heeled loafer, but the way the designer played w/ some of the details makes this shoe very modern. The sculptural heel (that has a bauhaus feel to it) and the platform sole (that reminds me of snowboard bindings or ice skate guards) bring this classic footwear to a whole new level. If i were to ask, i can consider this as a WOA (work-of-art). 

I just noticed that platform sole for this seasons' shoe collection is somehow reminiscent of fall 2009 collection which is also somehow reminiscent of spring 2009 collection - oh well, just a thouught. its like an on going trend on Balenciaga.

Aside from putting a twist on a classic loafer and oxford shoes, what i find very amusing about Balenciaga's fall 2010 shoe collection was the idea of using veneer as upper.

Who could have thought that 'furniture material,' or maybe in this case 'material finish' of a furniture material will also look good on footwear?! For me, this is a "perfect marriage" between fashion and industrial design - which is i'm a graduate of, hehe :p  But i'm just curious if its comfortable? 'coz if "not", then maybe "not so perfect marriage" because of the concept of ergonomics in industrial design.

This shoes however, i only like on this angle - - -

 when you turn or look at it on the side, it kinda looks awkward - - -

visually, it feels like it has unnecessary excess part, or something was missing. I wishedthey also put some strap (that acts as ankle strap) on that tongue. But that's only my opinon. It still has the WOA quality or feel to it like the other shoes from the collection.

photo source: style.com

Introduction

Ok!

I like fashion, just as much i like dancing, singing, and watching movies. Anyway, i always admire or most of the times get jealous of bloggers that are getting worldwide recognition, just like fashion bloggers. These people, just like what have said in an article in stylepov.com entitled "New Gen On The Rise," are getting VIP treatments, getting invites to fashion shows, and are rubbing elbows with the designers. They are gaining influence and power, even more than those of the professional media people. And i'm like "damn! i wanna be like that!"

That's why i'm doing this, my first blog entry. To be honest, i'm not really good with my communication skills. its very hard for me to express my feelings, ideas and thoughts. I'm 25 now, and I feel i'm getting old so fast and until now, i haven't proved anything.I don' like that! I also want to gain my place in the world, and in order to achieve that, i need to act on it, and i'm trying to start now by blogging. i'm not very good with the english language, but since i also want global success like the other bloggers, then i must try blogging in english to get my thoughts across the world.

i don't know what will happen after this pretty much nonsense blog, but i hope i will achieve my dreams which i'm sure one of my current favorite blogger did ;)