THE Flip-flop vs. THE Tsinelas

In Coron, Palawan while on board a bangka.

I found this so funny and just had to take a picture. It says so much about culture, mentality and commodity. Imagine my boyfriend's Havaianas in combat with our bangkero's tsinelas (Beach Walk? Spartan?).

Who do you think will win?

The Havaianas

Strengths

- well-known brand all over the world

- supposedly made of some special rubber

- cute/can be personalized (can be adorned with rhinestones, etc.)

- durable

Weaknesses

- expensive (hello, I'm not paying more than P100 for a pair of rubber slippers, unless someone buys it for me)

- the whole world is wearing them (or is this a strength?)

The Tsinelas

Strengths

- tried and tested by Filipinos for years

- cheap (P50? now that's more like it)

- locally made (support the local industry!)

- can be worn for any occasion (can you imagine leaving your Havaianas for bathroom use? didn't think so)

- can look jologs and pudpod and still function

Weaknesses

- probably not as durable is it is not made of some special rubber

I don't know about you, but my bet is on the original. Nothing beats the tsinelas.

Style

Lately, I've been bothered by the word ----

Style.

Such a nice word to say, no? So flowing, so... stylish.

Anyway, I've been writing this so-called 'Style Diary', but all I ever talk about is fashion. Are style and fashion synonymous to each other? I refuse to believe this. I love style, I refuse to be limited to writing about 'fashion'.

Fashion for me, more specifically refers to the clothes, desginer labels, etc. It's also more of a professsion, like when people ask, "What do you do?" - "Oh, I'm in the fashion world." People never say, "Oh, I'm in the style world." It just doesn't sound the same. Although, it does sound more profound.

Sidenote: I looked up the definition of 'style' online to further enlighten me and was struck by one definition in particular:

[dash: distinctive and stylish elegance; "he wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer"]

Well, well well. So Dash hits the style spot.

Anyway, so many other definitions came up: A particular kind of appearance, manner, vogue, fashion, none of which was new to me. I guess what I wanted to find was something more inspiring, such as, 'style is a way of life' or 'style is a way of thinking'. For me, style can be seen in anyone who chooses to have and use it. Some study it, some express it. As for me, well, I choose to live it.

Another thing that I realized is that it's a decision to have style. I don't believe anymore in the term 'effortless style' because, well, style IS an effort. Some can just exhibit it more naturally and gracefully than others. Even Kate Moss' dubbed 'effortless' style probably required several decades of planning just so she could look like she just 'put on the first thing she saw in the closet'.

My point being that I don't want to just write about fashion anymore. From now on, I will be writing about anything I perceive to be stylish. A house, a dog, a painting, a manang on the street. Of course, fashion will still be the main thing, but it won't be the only thing. I will write about anything that inspires me, and you will like it.

Or maybe you won't. But what the hell, style may be a lot of things, but it certainly isn't absolute. =)

Lai

Why not the world? Part 2: Rafe Totengco

Rafe bags in TARGET stores

Rafe Totengco
Rafe Totengco's bags and accessories are now being sold in one of the United States biggest retail chains, Target. Rafe's is being introduced to Target's consumers as one of New York's hottest handbag designers. These are limited edition ultra-chic styles created exclusively for Target's chain of stores.

Priced between $19.99 to $49.99, Rafe is being marketed to the mainstream American consumer as a creator of handbags that have been spotted with celebrities and fashion insiders the world over. Elegant but edgy. Classic but club worthy. His products are also being sold online through www.Target.com.
Kate Moss, Helena Christensen, Alexandra von Furstenberg, Cameron Diaz, and Sandra Bullock all have one thing in common. At one point or another, they have been spotted proudly carrying a bag designed by a Filipino. From a sea of Vuittons and Marc Jacobs, these five stylish women known for their sophistication and glamour have chosen to traipse within Hollywood's power circles with a Rafe bag.

Named after the designer himself, the Rafe bag has been gracing the pages of international fashion magazines including Allure and Women's Wear Daily as early as the 1990s. And with his collections now available in 250 stores worldwide, it seems as though life cannot get any sweeter for Ramon Felix "Rafe" Totengco.
While most people only dream of finding the perfect bag to accentuate their look yet still be functional enough to carry their loot, Rafe was among the very few who decided to make one himself. Most Filipino fashionistas remember him for Schizo, a clothing and accessories business under Sari-Sari Store. He was only 18 then and with no formal training in fashion.

While the label proved to be a successful one, Rafe found himself in a rut. He was dressing the same women again and again. He knew he needed to expand his horizons and soon enough, his thoughts turned to the big apple.
Considered as the fashion capital of the world, New York is the holy grail of all designers. Only the best of the best ever get to create their own line. Even fewer are recognized as true players in the industry.

Unfazed, Rafe closed Schizo, packed his bags and moved to New York in 1989. He took up fashion design at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and worked for various established companies to get a taste of the realities in the industry. By 1995, along with several investors, he launched Rafe New York.

Since then, Rafe has been recognized by the industry for his achievements. He was awarded the Rising Star Award by the Fashion Group International in 2000. He was named Accessories Designer of the Year by the Accessories Council of Excellence in 2001. And in 2002, he was recognized by his country with the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award for fashion design in the Philippines.
"I thought that that was the ultimate coup because it was our country acknowledging the fact that fashion is an industry that can contribute". It's not just about medicine, politics, or agriculture," Rafe said proudly.
Though international celebrities have become regular patrons, Rafe is far from forgetting his roots. A few years back, he even created a special collection honoring Filipino women. Entitle Bag Ladies, the bags were named after 11 Filipinas who served as inspiration for the collection. Included were Felecia Atienza, literacy advocate Lizzie Zobel, former governor Ting Ting Cojuangco, model-columnist Rissa Samson, magazine editor Pauline Suaco-Juan, entrepreneur Mandy de la Rama-Santos, Tricia Cu-Unjieng, columnist Celine Lopez, accessories designer Bea Valdes, Inquirer Lifestyle columnist Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Tina Maristela-Ocampo.

Now you can have your own Rafe bag delivered to your doorstep! Check out http://yellow.com.ph

Capelets and other cropped layers

I love Rachel Bilson's capelet! And so does she, as she's seen more than once wearing it. This cover can instantly give a 50s glamour to any outfit and is perfect for the upcoming rainy season.


For a more casual get up, Rachel opts for this cropped yellow layer. Covers like this can definitely spice up any jeans-and-tee outfit.

For a more tropical friendly version, try wearing a tank top inside and layer it with a cropped cotton blouse. Our Maggie set does just that. It comes in black, white, red and green outer layers. Only P500 from http://dash.co.nr!

Prada, anyone?

I never really liked the Prada style. That is, until I saw Victoria Beckham's Prada Gauffre bag! It's so subtle and simple, but the "ruffles" make it so feminine. Plus, I like the fact that it's big enough to carry my dog. hehe. It seems to be one of Posh's favorites since she's been photographed in more one occassion carrying it. I don't blame her, this bag can go with anything and is so practical for everyday use, especially for on-the-go women like us.




Luckily, Dash has its own version of the Gauffre bag! It comes in brown and black. It's well-made and the materials are thick and of high quality --- it's actually kind of heavy. Bag it now for only P800 at http://dash.co.nr !

Why not the world?

In the following weeks, I will be posting articles about Filipinos who are making headlines from their success. Because this is a style diary, I will focus on those in the fashion industry.

I hope these stories will inspire us to give our ideas and dreams a chance to materialize. I also hope that they will give us the courage to believe in ourselves. That starting a business or fashion line, though small, is okay, and that making it big, though hard, is possible and well within our reach.

Filipina's designer bags hit in US stores
By Tina Funtanilla

Does the name Jenny Syquia ring a bell? This Filipina-American spent a career in fashion publishing having been a former Vogue fashion assistant editor and Bridal magazine editor. But to many, Jenny may be more familiar as the ex-wife of former movie heartthrob Gabby Concepcion, who apart from her controversial marriage had a brief movie and hosting career in the Philippines back in the late 1990's.

But now look out world, this pretty lady is taking her flashy and fabulous fashion style to Hollywood. Along with sister Christine, they are now the ëfashionistas' behind the handbag and accessories line Charm & Luck.

Jenny Syquia (right) with sister Christine

Their kitschy, fun styles are now carried in more than 1,700 stores in 25 countries, including Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's - a miraculous feat for a company that just celebrated its second year of business. The line is also now the fashion picks of some of the more trendy magazines and stores in the US. Well-known fashion trend store Pizzaz quotes,'We are absolutely mad for our newest handbag line-Charm and Luck by Jenny Syquia. They're flashy and fabulous, studded with crystals and in terrific colors!'

After earning a degree from Boston University, Jenny landed in the fashion department of Vogue and eventually founded two successful clothing lines. Meanwhile, sister Christine - with a rich retail background - was working as a management executive at Nordstrom. When Jenny turned her attention to accessories, Christine joined her as Charm and Luck's President and Sales Director. And soon the world began to crave bags with names like Dallas Diamond and Savannah Satchel.

"I get my inspiration from places," says Jenny. "If I'm not traveling, I'm reading about traveling and where I want to go next. I read Conde Nast Traveler like it's a bible."

Travel also inspires the materials that go into the product. Christine reports that the company favors working with Italian leather and exotic skins played up with crystals and bling for straps,

"Fashion people want it yesterday," Jenny explains. "I use all custom made leathers, and those take time to produce. I also develop all my own metal molds for buckles and trims, and those take a lot of time to perfect.

Although they say Charm and Luck doesn't have a certain customer their line is in the pricey category selling for US$300 to US$500 for a handbag. Their fair share of celebrity fans includes Jessica Simpson, Teri Hatcher, Pamela Anderson, Sophia Bush, Lindsay Lohan and Ashlee Simpson, just to name a few. And while Christine notes their patronage is powerful, she's just as excited to see non-celebs carrying their bags.

Charm and Luck bags are available at fine retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's, on TV on HSN, and online at www.charmandluck.com.