A flair for adventure & fashion

Though some people thought it unlikely and not in keeping with the rock artist image, endorsing a clothing brand is something I had always thought Barbie Almalbis should do. The girl, who made hits out of Dahilan and Pag-alis, has the looks of a J-Pop princess and you know how those girls are in Japan. They lend their cutesy names and faces to clothes, sodas, chocolates or anything worth advertising. I do not think Barbie would like to be dubbed cute but she really is.

Now Kitchie Nadal is something else. She rocks harder than Barbie and has the mien of a born rebel. This is very evident in the contents of her popular songs like Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin and Same Ground. Like Barbie though, she has an inborn flair for clothes and knows what looks good on her. As seen in her videos, this fashion image is actually of the more cutting-edge variety. This is a girl who knows what she wants and will not quibble in front of anybody.

Barbie and Kitchie are hugely different from one another but they are the most popular female singers and songwriters in the local rock scene today. Kids listen to their songs and follow them in their gigs. They do not only like the way they perform, they are also admirers of the way they have preserved their integrity as artists. So it is not at all surprising that a clothing brand interested in pumping up its image among trendy teenagers, would find these two as the logical choice as endorsers.

Bayo, a leading brand in women’s casual wear, used to be known for classic girly pieces you can never go wrong in. These are neat and pretty clothes that parents usually want to see their daughters wearing. Think white Peter Pan collars or lovely ruffles on a blouse. With clothes like those, Bayo chose endorsers who mirrored the understated chic that its merchandise projected. First there was Miss Saigon star Lea Salonga and later equestrienne Danielle Cojuangco.

Bayo’s well-established line of clothing will always be available for those who prefer to be stylish and classy. But now with rock princesses Barbie and Kitchie as endorsers, Bayo easily achieves its goal of also appealing to the new headstrong breed of Filipino women. "Having Barbie and Kitchie with us and wearing our clothes send the message to people that Bayo is not just about girl sweet and safe pieces," says Pinky Estrebillo, GM of Bayo. "Like their personalities, our designs also suit young expressionists who have a taste for adventure and the alternative while maintaining fashion flair."

As for Barbie and Kitchie, they were only too happy to find out that Bayo’s new line of clothes does not in any way differ from their personal styles. "I know of instances when a company gets an artist because of who he is and what he stands for, only to attempt to change him to justify the slant of the product," says Kitchie. "With Bayo, we remain who we are. They have no intentions of changing our styles, but in fact, celebrate them."

Barbie also feels the same. "Even without taking my music into consideration, I am the get-up-and-go-type of girl who mixes and matches and relies on the power of layering to avoid redundancy. I don’t obsess about what I wear at all so long as it’s not too preppy. When I wear clothes, I don’t want it telling the world, look at me, so perfect. Rather I want my clothes to say, I’m prepared for anything, hence a quirk here and there."

Incidentally Barbie and Kitchie are among the artists who figure prominently in the big selling KAMInAPO Muna album. Barbie sings When I Met You while Kitchie does Pag-ibig. Meanwhile new solo albums are definitely overdue for these two girls. While I really think they should enjoy their success and even their new status as rocking glamour girls for Bayo, in the end all that matters for an artist is the music.

From rock, we go to the bossa nova. If you are still wondering about what to do tonight, I would like to recommend that you catch the launch of Manila Blend at Central Eastwood City tonight at 8. This is the new bossa nova album by the lovely Raffi Quijano and she will be around to sing Manila Sound songs bossa nova style like Friend of Mine, O Lumapit Ka, Ikaw Pa Rin, Got to Let You Know and Till I Met You. Joining her to do songs from his first CD will be Silver Prize winner at the Asia New Singer Competition Jimmy Marquez. Check them out.