Hey Soul Purple!

Fashion, music, lifestyle, culture, art. Put them all together you will define Soul Purple.

Soul Purple is, according to its website, a lifestyle clothing brand that steers its focus towards individuality and freedom. It also houses and showcases the work of new breed artists, designers and retailers.

I'm very appreciative of what the fashion industry in the country has brought us. People of all ages are now dressed accordingly to what they believe in and to what they feel comfortable with the right expression of freedom and openness. There is no rule when it comes to fashion now. Gone were the days when you will get an awful stare from strangers when you pile up on accessories, wear unusual shoes and flaunt the not-so-typical clothes. Everyone's their own artist now.

Soul Purple's branding is illustrated so well. Let your imagination wander.

They have a collection for both men and women.

 

This Harlowe Kimono  is one of their many good pieces which caught my attention. Available in two colors (red and aqua), Php 1,250.

 

This Michelle top, which can be also used as a dress, in missoni print is also a sight, Php 1,150. 

 This Julia romper is the perfect outfit when you feel lazy to doll up a bit. Worn alone or mixed with other pieces, this is surely a hit! Available in three prints, Php 800.

Whiskey Hill and THE Clothing are both in consignment with Soul Purple. Gotta get 'em, men!

For orders, details and other information, email soulpurple11@yahoo.com. You can also follow @SoulPurpleMNL or like them on Facebook. Want more? Visit them on Tumblr too! Live your passion and be free!

♥,

MARiS Muses: Birds Of The Same Feather

Mika Artienda of MARiS posted these videos on Vimeo two months ago and I only had the chance now to share this amazing scenes!

BG Music: Shoot the Moon by Norah Jones

Models: Mary Kaye Quong & Marianne Marcial

Make-up Artists: Bea Manzano & Tricia Gancia

Stylist: Marianne Marcial

Photographer: Mika Artienda

Shot on location: U.P. Field

Video by: Mika Artienda

The BTS clip of our MARiS: Birds Of The Same Feather was also posted! You can also take a trip down memory lane by clicking this and this to read my blog posts about this shoot!

Have fun watching! And oh, it's the first day of December! Though I'm not feeling well (I have a not-so-high fever, huhuhu), I'll start planning on my year-end posts!

♥,

Royal Kouture's Royal Girlfriends Collection

Our ever so lovely friend, Kim Gabriel, again released new collections of her successful clothing line, Royal Kouture. She called this batch Royal Girlfriends Collection and named all the pretty tops and dresses after her girl friends name, also known as us. We used to call our group "Girlfriends" in college being the only all-girls group in the whole block and because of the fact that all of us our taken since we-don't-know-when and our boyfriends are also friends with each other. Anyway, below are the grabs for THE Royal Girlfriends Collection:

*Anne Crop Top in Mustard and Blue/Aqua.

Named after Anne Roldan, this top is one of my favorites. The geometrical accent in the neckline area and the Peter Pan collar is a sure attention grabber! And oh, just in case you haven't noticed, the colors also remind me of things: Peter Pan and the FEU.

Charish Polo in Gray and Dark Blue.

This polo is one of the many bestsellers of Royal Kouture--ever. Why not? It's classic and safe to wear during the bipolar weather that we are experiencing now. Named after Charish Daniega, it is available in two manly, yet sexy, colors.

Jovy Mini Dress in Black and Yellow/Brown.

Feeling girly? Then buy this lace dress named after Jovy Mariano. The dress' short length cut is perfect for channeling your inner Lolita. Wear with belt to emphasize your waist or wear it as it is to have that flow-y feel, Jovy is sure to bring out the girl next door in you.

Margaret Crop Polo in Beige/Brown.

If you find a hard time deciding on what to wear and want to blame the weather for this, then don't blame your closet if you have this polo named after Margaret Castaneda inside it. :) You can never go wrong with the basics, trust me. Pair this with denim shorts, maxi skirts, tulle skirts, jeans, slacks, harem pants, etc! Possibilities are endless. Go rock 'em!

Phoebe Crop Top Polo in Pink and Apple Green.

Named after the hot momma Phoebe Palermo, the best thing about this crop top polo is the color. Who could say no to that two shades of pink in one and that loud and neon apple green which will definitely make you stand out? I got two words for you, my dear readers: Grab them.

Rachel Denim Polo in Blue and Green.

Again, I tell you, you can never go wrong with the basics. And the earthy colors of this polo named after Rachel Cayao is perfect for both sunny and gloomy day. Hot? Wear it with a tank top, keep the buttons loose, you're good to go! Drizzling? Wear a leather jacket or wrap a printed scarf around you, you'll be kept safe and warm.

Susan Vintage Dress in White/Gray and Brown/Black.

Owls. Forever 21 have set the owl trend and Royal Kouture has it as well. It's the perfect way to say that in fashion, there is always, and there will always be, an alternative. This vintage-inspired dress has great details on the strap and on the sheerness of the skirt. SS: Susan Santos = strap and sheer.

Marianne Heart Polo in White and Black.

And last but not the least, the polo that named after yours truly! ♥ Very vibrant, retro-inspired, hearty, very me! Wanna know why? The heart prints mean SUPERLOVED! I'm not sure if this is the reason why Kimmie named this after me.. but whatever her reason may be, this is a great buy!

I am so happy and touched that Kim always remembers us. Be it business, personal, or even the shallowest things, yet worth sharing, she does not forget us. :)Well girl, you know we'll do the same thing for you!

For price inquiries and orders, kindly click here and also, like them on Facebook here. Thanks!

♥,

Fash and Feathered

The feather craze is officially here! Well, to tell you honestly, I did not think I'll be so into this trend the very first time I saw girls sporting it. But thank heavens I have a good friend named Mika Artienda, who, if I'm not mistaken, is the very first designer and seller of unique feather accessories in the metro. Her store, MARiS, is not a noob in the Philippine fashion scene. From bloggers Tin Iglesias, Patricia Prieto to designer/model/blogger and now actress Laureen Uy, to Julia Montes of the Mara Clara fame to the unkabogable Vice Ganda, MARiS tops the list of this light-weight, bohemian-inspired trend.

On the day we had a shoot for MARiS, Mika and I parted ways with a loot bag filled with... yes, you got it right, feather accessories she designed! Check these out:

Fash and feathered! MARiS bestsellers! ♥

Miss Pastel Necklace 

Black Feathered Single Earring in Gold Chain

Camie Feather Hair Clip -- I named this!

Pepper Potts Feather Hair Clip

I'm one lucky girl! According to New York City's Refinery 29, feathers is the trend we must try! I've Instagram-ed/Tumblr-ed Miss Pastel Necklace here, Rainbow Single Earring here and used my Camie last Saturday night, though I have to post my photo of me wearing it yet! And oh, before I forget, a connector ring's also included (please see first photo above) in the loot bag.

Thanks so much, Mika! I'm so excited to wear and flaunt all of these! People who see me wearing your designs love it! Thanks for making me a MARiS muse! I can say I'm a certified fash and feathered! xx

♥,

MARiS Muses

Sharing you some the official photographs used in the latest collection and advertorials of MARiS. These photos will be displayed at the Yhansy store located at Shangri-La Mall. :)

Photography by: Mika Artienda

Styling by: Marianne Marcial

Makeup by: Tricia Gancia and Bea Manzano

Models: Kaye Quong and Marianne Marcial

Shot on location: UP Diliman 

Clothes and shoes, stylist's own. Not for sale.

Accessories: MARiS Unique Pieces

New items:

Miss Pastel Necklace

 Silly Milly Feathered Headband

Oversize Japanese Hand Fan

Lizzy Back Necklace

More ~

Pinky Swear Single Earring

Semiplume Feather Single Earring 

Emote!

Into the feather trend by now? Visit MARiS!

♥,

BTS -- MARiS: Birds Of The Same Feather...

I honestly don't know how to start this post because there are just soooo many beautiful photos! From behind the scenes to final shots that made it to MARiS collection... I. Just. Don't. Know. What. To. Choose!!!

Okay, so I had my another styling stint, this time for MARiS. To those who haven't heard of MARiS, which is impossible coz it's really rocking the feather trend, it is an online store which houses unique pieces. Feathers, leathers and everything one-of-a-kind, MARiS is definitely the first to introduce the beauty of feathers as a hippie accessory.

This collaboration with Mika Artienda, MARiS owner/designer, is a dream shoot. I've been thinking (and dreaming) of a bohemian-inspired shoot that's why I got super excited when she emailed me the pegs. Mika and I have a lot of things in common, I was not surprised that she thought of the same thing AT ALL! :)

We originally had three models but unfortunately, two did not make it because of some personal/emergency reasons. Our forever model, Kaye Quong, was the only one who arrived so Mika asked me if I could model for her. I said yes, so from the theme "Birds of the same feather...", I'm also considering "Hitting two birds with one stone..."!

Stylist in action!

Imagine us changing outfits outdoors without anyone noticing us. :)

Part of the job: Fix everything, even the tiniest details!

I just had to post this. I look flawless here hehe :p

I did not bring a large number of accessories because we wanted to focus on the MARiS items alone. I love how we kept most of the things minimal and exaggerated the beauty of the feathers. We also made a video for BTS, how to take care of your feather accessories and something which works as an ad for the said brand. 

Now meet the people behind the camera:

Mika Artienda, photographer and MARiS owner and designer.

Tricia Gancia, makeup artist.

Bea Manzano, makeup artist.

The boyfriend who woke up early to drive for us ♥

I love this! I'm such a sucker for candid shots!

Mika and Bea

Moonleaf's Wintermelon Milk Tea!

Mika introduced us Moonleaf! I've been hearing about this tea shop for quite some time and finally, Mika ordered for us! It tops my tea shop list now! We have been constantly craving for this and it seems like we go to its Maginhawa branch thrice a week and so far my favorites are Wintermelon Milk Tea and Lychee Yakult.

We did two sets for MARiS. First, a video introducing MARiS Muses wearing white dresses and selected feather accessories and second, a photoshoot featuring MARiS' new items: Lizzy Back Necklace, Miss Pastel Necklace and Oversize Japanese Hand Fan and its bestsellers.

Ladies in action.

Modeling the Pinky Swear Single Earring.

MARiS bestsellers!

I love these shots by Patricia!

MARiS Muses.

Excited to see the official photos used for MARiS and MARiS at Yhansy? Stay tuned! xx

♥,