PH Fashion Week 2012

It's magic how I wanted to attend only a day of the entire stretch of this year's Philippine Fashion Week. Even without the idea of Leighton Meester joining Penshoppe, I had my tickets requested as early as May 05 for the May 26 shows of Sassa Jimenez and Veejay Floresco.

Of course, I went with my forever PFW buddy, Aika. We tend to do this annually! I missed her a lot, and she's the second most important reason why I was so excited for this day to happen. We also planned to meet Noelle and Jeanne, my SoFA capsule classmates. It was unfortunate to miss Jeanne this time, but Noelle, Aika and I did see each other.

Please don't expect a very detailed post about PFW here. What I'm about to write is actually my personal story. I would love to leave the fashion "says" to fashion bloggers, etc. :)

Now after rejecting five dresses, I ended up wearing the dress I wore during college graduation. Kasya pa din! I also wanted to wear something white, something comfortable. (Feeling ko kasi magwawala talaga ako pag nakita ko si Leighton!) And even if they say you should wear something fashionable or beyond fashionable at Philippine Fashion Week, I wore something that would represent my style--simple! Cliche, but with whatever you're wearing, you should feel beautiful. It's all about carrying yourself!

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I liked the "Impact" show of Penshoppe. Its show went on from preppy clothes, bright and pastel colors, models in wigs a la Marie Antoinette, to black and white which I must say, is my favorite.

Bright and blonde.

 Black and white.

Aika and I also watched the 9.30 PM show of Sassa Jimenez, Yvonne Quisumbing, Lizanne Cua and EsAc by Raoul Ramirez, Lyle Ibanez and AudieAe. No good photos to show but I have cute ones to post. Hehe.

Zooooom!

Something Blair Waldorf would love to wear!

Macho men in EsAc by AudieAe!

What is PFW without photos against the back drop --

I'm so happy to put up an entry with Aika and Noelle on it. Jeanne, maybe next time, yes? :) We miss you!

 Wish you we're here, Jeanneybeans!

 Noelle's doing very well in school now. So proud of you, baby girl!

Some of my many photos with Aika ♥

As much as I'd like to say more, I'm running out of time. Greatness is Philippine fashion! That's all for now. I hope we can do this more often. Btw! Before we finally left SMX, we saw Rajo Laurel! Here I am with me with one of the country's greatest designers:

MaRajo! Haha :)

Have a great weekend, have a great start of the month--my birth month! 

♥,

Marianne

Leighton Meester in Manila

Five days have passed yet the feeling of seeing someone you adore so much is still new and fresh, it's still alive. It was so surreal for me! May 26, 2012 is one of the many dates in my life that I will forever and will always remember.

You know how much I love the fictional character Blair Waldorf. I can pass as one of the biggest and diehard fan of Gossip Girl in the country, ditching all other series only for this. Try Googling my Multiply blog. If we're contacts, you will know how much I pegged her wavy hair topped with a colorful headband. Whatever Blair says, I quote. I even incorporated her in my everyday life... well except for her love-hate relationship with her best friend, Serena. I know you got me. Whoever Blair loves, I love them for her too--be it Nate, Dan or Chuck. But of course it's only Chuck that she loves, therefore it's only Chuck that I also love! Even the French macaron craze, I had a box of Laduree delivered straight from France! All these and more, oh dear you know how much I love Blair!

But there goes this girl who made me love Blair Waldorf. And we all know who she is. Her name is Leighton, but she's not the crazy bitch we have all heard. She may be the good girl who gone bad, but when I saw her, she's the Leighton Meester I idolize. Simple, humble and even more beautiful than Blair Waldorf.

I wouldn't love the character of B if not for her. And even if she played the role of Vanessa or Jenny or Georgina, I would still vie for Leighton Meester.

And so!!!! Thank you, Penshoppe for bringing all stars in the Philippines, especially the biggest star of my life! I have never fangirl-ed before, I screamed like who-cares-if-someone-hears-me-scream-like-this! I shouted her name for countless times, told her "I love you" that even Mario Maurer couldn't understand why I was the only girl who did not go gaga over him.

I was seated in the front row of the runway and right in front of the stage. I was so blessed! The opportunity of seeing not just your girl-crush or whatever but seeing someone you never thought you would be seeing. It was like that. On the day Penshoppe confirmed that the Queen B was coming, I was thinking of going to NYC only to look for her. Then the radio played her song with Cobra Starship. I thought it's just a coincidence. But on that very same day, I was given the word not to lose hope of seeing her in person.

It may sound shallow, but trust me, I've gone sleepless nights! It's like a grade two student who can't sleep a night before his educational trip. And on the very same day I couldn't eat, I skipped breakfast and lunch and only realized I needed a meal two hours before the show.

The moment I arrived at SMX, I was surprised to see my media pass rated VIP. Taking a photo right beside her is more than enough, but what's important for me is to see her in person. We were not asked to fall in line, luckily. I seated on the section where fan girls like me would die for. Again, it was surreal. It was perfect. And God, she's so beautiful.

All photos (c) Marianne Marcial. Indulge in the beauty of the great Queen B with cutesy Mario Maurer! Xo Xo

Digicam on my left hand and iPhone on my right hand, both in action capturing the moments I will endlessly long for.

I looove this photo of her and Mario ♡ --

Leighton on the runway --

iPhone photos --

I love you, Leighton Meester!

Sorry to bombard you with photos, these are also 30% of what I have taken. I swear it was insane seeing her! She's so pretty, slim and so cute to say, "Thank you" to all her fans! Ahhhhh! I was out of my mind and didn't think of taking a photo of myself with her behind me. :D

 My seatmates Dale, who gave me passes, and Marj.

The entire Penshoppe fashion show will be posted in another entry together with the other shows I watched with my Aikabee. It's all because I want to dedicate this purely to me seeing Leighton Meester, living my dream for an hour or two and her noticing me.

Xo Xo ♡

♥,

Marianne

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2011

From travel and food expos to the country's biggest fashion event, I found myself dressing up three hours ahead of time. Thanks to my newest super girl friend Noelle, she made it possible for me to attend the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2011 last Saturday, May 14 at the SMX Convention Center.

I actually had an invitation from my SoFA capsule classmate Binky but due to Justin Bieber's concert, I wasn't able to watch the Danilo Franco, Eric Pineda, Johny Abad, JC Buendia, Edgar Allan, Edgar San Diego, Noel Crisostomo, Noli Hans, Richard Papa and... yes, SLIM: Salvacion Lim Higgins show. And since my other SoFA capsule classmates Noelle, Binky and Jeanne saw each other during the event, I finally convinced myself to drop by for at least one show and of course, I chose the Sassa Jimenez show with Eric Salaya Ang and Jerome de los Santos.

Photo: Aika Garcia| Little black dress: Betty for SM Department Store | Pink belt: Forever 21 | Shoulder bag: Zara | Peep-toe heels: Aldo

Due to the traffic madness all over EDSA and after a series of getting lost with my girl-friend-slash-soul-sister-and-a-hottie-driver Aika, we were not able to start the whole show. We got there right before the start of Sassa Jimenez's. I took only a few pictures because my view was kinda bad. We were standing behind the cameraman so every single shot, he's in the frame.

I loved all the colors that Sassa used. I also liked that she had tutus in her collection. I am a frustrated ballerina, just so you know. Extra hype on the models' hairstyle, electrified! 

A little trivia about this photo: Sarah Meier walked right in front of us and both Aika and I got starstruck! As in naka-nganga kaming dalawa sa kanya! Imagine if it's not THE Sarah Meier... :P

Meet Aika, the newest love of my life! We've almost got the same mind and beauty (HAHA) except for the height! It was our first ever bonding as "friends-and-not-strangers" together and we clicked like Serena and Blair. It's like we've known each other for more than 10 years! I love her from Muñoz to MOA via EDSA!

After the show, my ever fabulous and beautiful inside and out SoFA capsule classmates and I reunited after a week. That's Jeanne and her friend from UA&P, Aika, me and Noelle. ♥

Noelle left a few minutes after Sassa Jimenez's show but Aika and I stayed to catch the Ford Models Supermodel of the Philippines. Aika and I kidnapped Noelle from the Registration Area to roam around and to take more pictures!

I saw familiar faces during the night, too. I saw my cousin Ate Nice, my old friend Mika, my AHA student Patrick, my SoFA capsule instructor Alyanna Martinez, Saab Magalona and Adrianne Concepcion, Rich Asuncion, Icy Mendoza, Andrew Wolfe and Jon Avila.

 We decided to watch the Ford Models Supermodels of the World too hosted by Sarah Meier, of course.

 Meet the finalists. Tall and slim girls. PINAY ♥

What is Ford without DANICA MAGPANTAY, the first Filipina who won the title.

Photographers in action.

Models, models and more models.

Danica Magpantay's fellow Ford models, Chat Almarvez, Charo Ronquillo and Ram Sagad with Ms. Katie Ford of Ford Models and Visayan Foundation before the announcement of the winner who will represent the Philippines in the next supermodel search.

 The crowd favorite, Samantha, won the Ford Models' Supermodels of the World Philippines. Samantha, only 14 years old, stands 5'10! Wow, born to be a supermodel indeed! I wish her luck!

Until the next Philippine Fashion Week,

Celebrity Fashion Styling with Alyanna Martinez

Enrolling for a class in the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) has been on my list for 2 years now. It's a never-ending synchronization with my schedule and I'm glad to finally fit it in my planner even if it's just a 3-hour capsule.

So yeah, I got to enroll for the second batch of Celebrity Fashion Styling with Alyanna Martinez. It's a half day fashion capsule attended by fashion enthusiasts who want to pursue their careers in the glamorous industry, or if not, those who live by the rules of fashion/styling. Well if you know me enough, you'll understand that I dream of becoming a magazine editor and I am still going through high hopes about that until now. I'm not giving up, I've just taken my first few steps!

Meet our famous guest instructor, Alyanna Martinez.

If her name rings a bell, you're hearing the right bell. Haha! She's the daughter of Albert and Leizl Martinez but if there's one thing you need to know about her, never did she use her name (or her parents' name) to be where she is now. Alyanna's career story is adorable, she's been through all the ups and downs and highs and lows of things just like an ordinary girl. She's gone shopping on Ukays (thrift shops), she had sleepless nights, she got broke... but these things didn't stop her from doing what she really wants. She's like a warrior, only in heels and a fuchsia pink lipstick.

Hours after sharing her story, like how she bagged her first job, how she got so stressed with all the tapings and pullouts, etc etc, Alyanna started giving away freebies including Philippine Fashion Week passes.

Alyanna gave away passes for the PFW, gift cards from SM Department Store and a gift pack fromVita Fede. That lucky guy won an accessory worth P10,000 from Vita Fede! Congratulations!

My dearest classmates!

After the giveaway, we discussed about the difference of celebrity styling from other kinds of styling, sourcing of materials and pullouts for shoots, importance of building contacts/networks, and Alyanna's tricks of the trade.

A stylist must-haves are: clips of all sizes, tapes of all kinds (especially masking tape), safety pins and a roll of nylon thread (of course with a needle).

Alyanna's accessories, accessories, accessories and more accessories!!! Whew! I drooled over these! She has almost everything a girl needs and wants!

All of us in the classroom stood up and took endless photos of her piles of blings! I even caught myself in awe while staring at these goodies!

Alyanna worked her color blocking tricks on our model classmate Kim. Color blocking is her favorite trend, btw. This look, according to her, is perfect for teenybopper magazines like Candy and Meg.

This look is more Preview-appropriate. I liked the styling--gold, laces and sheer! ♥

Alyanna showed us how to add an oomph into that outfit like putting a statement necklace or bangles.

TRIVIA: Alyanna styled the SM Department Store catalog which I loved. Yay! I liked it even before realizing it's her who styled the girls! Click here to see it.

As much as I want to enroll for a full-course program offered by SoFA, I unfortunately can't because of work. I even wanted to join my classmates in their internship programs, gaaah! So if you're still a student, I tell you, mas masarap mag-aral kesa magtrabaho! Hahahaha! Do everything you want to do first before looking for a job. Mahirap kalaban ang oras! Grab every opportunity as long as you're young, seriously.

You know the feeling of "FIRST DAY HIGH"? I felt that last Saturday! I was so damn scared because I don't know anyone. But I remembered what Dad told me during my 1st day in FEU, "Lahat naman kayo d'yan mag-isa. Lahat kayo walang kakilala." So I said hi to Noelle, then Binky and lastly, Jeanne! Yaaay I met new wonderful (and young) friends!

L-R: Jeanne, Anna, Noelle and me.

Of course, a picture with Alyanna shouldn't be missed! I love her! :)

Photo: Jeanne Khe | Black top: Royal Kouture | Leopard-printed shorts: Landmark Department Store | Bag: Longchamp | Oxfords: Aldo

And yes, finally, the long wait is over. Behind me is the infamous red wall of SoFA.

♥,