Ice Cream And Fashion

What have ice cream and fashion got to do with each other? You might not have heard about it, but in the Philippines, a recently concluded fashion show highlighted “angelic” creations inspired by one of the best comfort foods around the world – ice cream.

Dubbed “Heaven by Nestle Ice Cream presents Premier C,” the fashion show featured some of the most popular designers in the country. Those familiar with the Philippine fashion scene will recognize names such as Arnold Galang, Dita Sandico-Ong, Enrico Carado, Happy Andrada, Tina Daniac, Raoul Ramirez for ESAC, and Lyle Ibañez for ESAC Plus.

I have to say that Nestle does have some delectable ice cream flavors, and they chose their premium flavors to serve as the theme for the show: Belgian Bliss, Strawberry Dream, and Vanilla Secret. Obviously, Belgian Bliss is all about chocolate – as rich as you can get; Strawberry Dream greets your mouth with a burst of fruity flavor; and Vanilla Secret brings a new twist to the ordinary vanilla ice cream with caramel and almonds.

So how did the designers infuse these flavors into their creations? Short of using ice cream on the designs themselves – though I know some people who just might NOT mind this – the artists chose to follow the individual themes of each flavor. Belgian Bliss equals sensual yet sophisticated; Strawberry Bliss equals fresh, fun, and feminine; Vanilla equals elegantly classic.

The theme may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it does make for an interesting small talk topic.

First Pakistan Fashion Week Ends Today

Pakistan has made history this week, as the first ever Pakistan Fashion Week ends today. The show is being held in Karachi, and is quite different from many other fashion shows in many respects. One of this is the fact that the security is very tight, making the show more like a gathering of leaders of nations. More so, the country has never experienced such a show.

The BBC reports:

The organisers say they hope to show a different side of Pakistan than the usual images of suicide bombings. The event had been postponed after threats to security which kept foreign models and designers away, but the fashion world in Pakistan was determined to stage its shows.

“After many, many years, fashion in Pakistan is being taken seriously,” said leading Pakistani designer, Rizwan Beyg, who has designed for international jet-setters, including the late Princess Diana.

So what kinds of clothing and styles were shown during the fashion week? Believe it or not, the designs worn by the models on the catwalk included those that show bellies and midriffs. Not only that, but even cleavages were exposed! This may seem such a small deal to some, but in that part of the world, this is such a big step. More than furthering the world of fashion in Pakistan, the event also presents a different view of the country and the culture to the whole world. We can expect a lot more to come from Pakistani designers and artists in the future, I suspect.

Photo courtesy of BBC

Fashion Tips For THE Interview

So you’re looking to moving on up in the corporate ladder. It may be an interview within the same company you currently work for, but for a higher position; or it may be an interview for a totally different employer. It doesn’t matter. What you should pay attention to, in addition to your CV and interview replies, is your appearance.

Yes, it is illegal to base employment decisions on appearances, but no one can deny that how it plays a large role in some cases. Here are some tips that you should bear in mind when preparing for that interview.

First rule: never underestimate the impact that looks have. This is basically what I was getting at in the previous paragraph. Never mind that it’s not written anywhere. Never mind that it’s unfair. If you look the part, you just might have an edge.

Aim for a polished, commanding look. Employers look for the confident person. They prefer employees who come across as people who can get the job done. I am sure you are the best person for that job, but do other people know it? Having that “person-who’s-got-it-together” look will help.

Pay attention to the details. You may love that pair of scuffed shoes – the scuffs may have some sentimental or lucky value – but potential employers will only see that as a reflection of your character, and trust me, it may not be all that positive!

Last, dress for the position you are applying for. Do not make the mistake of dressing for your current position. Remember, it’s all in what you project.

Milan Loves Fashion

That’s the tagline of the Milan Fashion Week, which is in full swing as of this writing. The coverage is nothing but phenomenal, and it seems that the designers have gone out with all the ammunition that they have, even on the first day.

The main attractions of the first day’s show were the collections of Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana. According to Moschino, fashion is “full of chic.” The slogan was actually printed on canvas tote and was backed up by oversized jumpsuits decorated with daises. Oh so plum white ruffles and striped t-shirts reminiscent of candy colors also livened up things.

D&G, on the other hand, sparked a lot of interest with their cow girl line. Some models were showing off skin in pannier mini skirts. Others wore faded denim shirts and brown obi belts. Bottom line: the D&G show oozed sex appeal, which no one can ignore!

Blumarine’s line featured silk skirts and cotton knits. Colors were bursting – hot pink, lemon yellow, and lime. Tie-dye cloths were also present, adding to the plethora of colors that made for very nice eye candy. Designer Anna Molinari decided to take Jamaica to Milan with a rasta theme. Her tube dress in yellow, red, and green definitely took viewers to that island paradise.

Sportmax took the lingerie route, with padded bras serving as tops. They also made use of lace to soften up sports wear. Other features: garter belts on the hips of loose shorts and laced up corsets for blouses.

Needless to say, Milan Fashion Week is making waves.

Getting Racy AND Racial In Sao Paolo

The subject of race is just as sensitive as the issue of sexuality (as displayed in public). The recent fashion show held in Sao Paolo, Brazil took on both issues at the same time with no qualms.

The Sao Paolo Fashion Week kicked off with two of the most beautiful models today: Gisele Bundchen and Jesus Luz. In case that second name triggered bells and you just can’t figure out where you saw it before, that is the name of Madonna’s “toyboy.” Well, they were photographed kissing after a concert by the Material Girl in Brazil, but Luz has denied any deep attachment to her. In any case, his pay and career have only become better for the association.

Anyhow, this year’s fashion week in Sao Paolo is rather controversial, not only for the amount of skin shown, but also for the color. For the first time, quotas have been set in place. The rule is that at least 10 percent of the models participating in the show have to be black or indigenous. It used to be that less than 3 percent of the models were black – a disparity since the population in the country is about 50% of African descent.

Naturally, there were mixed reactions to the quotas. Some say that this is a good start, although there really shouldn’t be quotas and that what is needed is a full inclusion of black models in the industry. Others quietly say that the reason for fewer black models is the fact that the clothing are designed for the sleeker bodies of Caucasians and not the more muscular bodies of blacks.

In any case, this really ought to be a great thing for the fashion world, race differences aside.

Project Earth Day: Fashion For The Earth in NYC

With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, Fashionistas will be happy to know that there will be an event not just about planting trees, recycling or turning off your lights. On Thursday, April 23rd in New York City, the 3rd Annual Fashion show called “Project Earth Day” will take place, showcasing the latest in eco-friendly fashion and sustainable practices and design.

Instead of the usual dreary stuff we normally associate with “green” clothing, expect to be wowed with creations fashioned from sustainable materials like organic cotton and hemp, soy, bamboo, corn, wood pulp, recycled items and biodegradable textiles. Apparently, last year’s show was a huge success, and this year’s show is meant to be even better.

Organizers of the event are the Emerging Green Builders (who are part of the U.S. Green building council), young professionals and students dedicated to green building of the future. The fashion show will also include a competion featuring students work, who stands to win a mentorship and cash prize of $1,500.

“…In these modern times, individuals, companies, and even countries often consume more than they produce, using resources and creating waste in disproportionately large shares. This has seemed to work until now, but things are clearly not as they seem. The time has come for us to shift the weight and take a step back to consider a different reality – one where size is relative and small changes can have a huge impact. True sustainability is ultimately a carefully achieved balance between commerce, humanity, and the environment…”

This exciting event will take place from 6pm on Thursday, April 23rd at Open House, Mulberry Street NYC. To purchase tickets, click here.

Whats More Ear-isistable Than Giant Earrings?

One of the things I noticed immediately during the Oscars were Angelina Jolie’s supersize-me emerald earrings. Even the hubby, who rarely notices these things, was like “Whoh! Those can’t be real!”

Apparently, Angelina took a lot of time hunting for the perfect pair to wear for Oscar night, wanting it to be a real show stopper. Well, she obviously did the job (with $2.5 mil beauties by jeweler-to-the-stars Lorraine Schwartz) and along with Kate Winslet, who also donned large chandelier earrings, now started a fashion trend because statement earrings are now officially HOT for 2009.

Why? Well, the economic downturn is to blame (again), because look-at-me earrings can revamp a look instantly, so you can recycle an outfit and freshen it up with bold accessories – the eighties also have a big influence here. Think bright, glam and bold…okay, not flawless gargantuan emeralds, but you get the idea.

Other statement earrings seen on the catwalk were Chanel’s Mademoiselle offerings and Louis Vuitton’s colorful beads.

The MAN show on the Catwalk

The men finally had their day in the sun in the show MAN, during London Fashion Week which took place last week. The show featured Topman (the fashion-forward Brit label Topshop’s male side), and three other up-and-coming designers, JW Anderson, James Long and Christopher Shannon.

To get on the MAN show is a real coup as it pretty much dictates what the hip young men will be wearing that year.  However, I’m not so sure about things like JW Anderson’s man skirt pictured below:

All I can say is that a man has to have major confidence (in his masculinity or femininity) to pull that one off.

James Long also showed off more trends that were usually reserved for the ladies, like his red patent “man” bag and leggings (shredded). Christopher Shannon saw a lot of color banding, mixing thick bands of salmon and orange with neutrals in sand and greys for his jumpers and track suits (very 90’s raves)

Topman’s collection was obviously the most wearable, being the most commercialized of the three. Jersey was a big influence here, and the overall feel was that of the 50’s, the Spring collection reminiscent of childhood seaside holidays – check shirts, deck shoes and shorts in bright hues. Watch the video here.

The Oscars 2009 Reviews: The World Dissects The Outfits

By now, nearly every publication in the world would have discussed the red carpet’s offerings on Sunday night, and perhaps as a nod to the state of the world economy, the consensus was that this was definitely a somber night for Hollywood fashion.

Blacks, white and neutrals were the prevailing tones of the evening, with very few eye-catching colours stealing the scene. Heidi Klum’s Roland Mouret gown in a startling red had the colour, but was a dissapointing choice as it just looked like it was chopped off rather akwardly in all the wrong places. Her hair also looked like it was having a bad day, limp and greasy. Slumdog Millionaire’s Frieda Pinto was another one of the few who dared more colour in a blue John Galliano dazzler paired with Jimmy Choos.  I’m not a huge of of one-armed designs, but I have to say the Freida looked very stylish.

Here’s the London Times 20 Best and Worst:

The Best

1. Marisa Tomei – She looked toned, tousled and terrific in her white Versace gown with more folds than an accordion. Its one-shoulder design showed off her perfectly refined deltoids, it clung sexily and its intricate pleats were interesting not fussy.

2. Viola Davis – While she didn’t win best supporting actress, the veteran actress channeled old Hollywood style and made sophistication look easy in a dusky gold Reem Acra.

3. Heidi Klum – The supermodel displayed her credentials with an architectural asymmetrical red gown, split to the thigh (she revealed on one pre-Oscar show that she’d had to ride over balanced on one bum cheek to accommodate her dress)

4. Taraji P Henson – Her strapless Roberto Cavalli off-white gown had irregular layers that gave it texture, set off brilliantly with a statement Fred Leighton necklace and a sleek hairdo.

5. Sarah Jessica Parker – We would expect no less from the era’s most high profile fashion plate: a Dior Haute Couture gown in “barely mint”. Plus, we had no idea her breasts were so big, or high.

6. Evan Rachel Wood – Her Art Deco-style gown in pale satin and chiffon was lovely and romantic, if a bit white-on-white against her pale skin and blonde hair.

7. Meryl Streep – With her bespoke Alberta Ferretti dress, the actress proves that you don’t need a hardbody and a skintight corset to look sexy. Just do way off the shoulder, upswept hair and a smile.

8. The Slumdog Millionaire children – The boys in dinner jackets, the girls in party dresses, all strike just the right note. Not too fancy, not too uncomfortable. And – it turns out – perfect for an appearance onstage.

The Worst

11. Beyonce Knowles – She was smokin’ once she changed into her red fringed and sequined leotard for her singing performance where she put Hugh Jackman to shame. But on the red carpet, her black gown with swathes of brassy gold flowers was off key.

12. Natalie Portman - Purple-pink Rodarte, with criss-crossing straps on the bodice interspersed with what looks like hundreds and thousands. Colourful yet somehow boring.

13. Melissa Leo – The actress, nominated for her role in Frozen River, wore a Badgley Mischka gown in a glum shade of brown and in a style that announced “my dad took me to prom”.

14. Marion Cotillard – Last year she won the Oscar for her role in La Vie en Rose and won accolades for her Jean Paul Gaultier “mermaid” dress. This year she looked ill at ease in her Dior dark blue and black gown – a mashup of sequins, tiered net and regret.

15. Angelica Huston – Angelica, why oh why? You have the cheekbones to pull off almost anything. Almost. But a grape gown with shoulder pads and something growing up from the hem? You deserve so much more.

16. Queen Latifah – A voice like honey, a dress like a Quality Street chocolate – shiny, unflattering and wrapped round with some kind of dark ribbon.