Itsie Bitsie offers trendy clothes by young and popular Australian designers. It carries such chi-chi labels as Sass & Bide (Sex in the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker’s favorite jeans); Zimmerman’s to-die-for swimsuits; Bettina Liano whose jeans customers range from Cameron Diaz to Madonna; Hussy; Shona Joy; Kitten; Wayne Cooper; Lisa Ho; and Rebecca Davies. All these labels can also be found in Barney’s Co-op in New York, Harvey Nichols in London and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.
The opening’s atmosphere was definitely "elephant chic," palanggas, with scrumptious hors d’ oeuvres courtesy of popular caterer and restaurateur Collin Mackay, no less, of Sala and People Palace fame. The ingeniously and tastefully laid out orchid arrangements were created by working socialite Toni Parsons, no less.
Instead of the usual ribbon snipping, dahlings, panels of pink hand-made paper covered the store window. These were torn open by some of our town’s hotshot new guards like true fashion icon Lizzie Zobel; stylish Kathy de Guzman who jetted in from Singapore just for the occasion; feminine beauty Mia Borromeo of Wish; and super head turner, New World Hotel’s communications director Monique Toda, the wife of Ines’ uncle, mega photographer Bengy Toda. The ladies were assisted by the Australian Embassy’s distinguished Mark Visser.
The wealthy Delgado clan came in full force to lend Ines support in her latest endeavor. They were led by Ines’ low-profile mom, that lady of taste and style, private interior decorator Rose Rose Toda Delgado, young business tycoon Franco D. and Ines’ sociable and handsome brother, Francisco.
Naturellement, el simpatico y muy guapo Chukri Prieto was also there to support his ladylove Ines D.
Dashing in early-ish for a first glimpse of the trendy shop, dahlings, were society personas, sisters two Sonia Neri (who came with her son Carlo), and equally famous Eli Pinto of Citem fame; sharp and smart Malu Fernandez and Philip Cu-Unjieng of PEOPLE Asia; working socialite Nanette Medved-Po; dashing Ricky Delgado; Ines Borromeo and her attractive daughter Sophia; and already a beautiful young miss, Marianna Zobel who accompanied her mom Lizzie Z.
Early birds usually get the best merchandise, dahlings. Those moi zoomed in choosing among the beach outfits were the Villanuevas – Miguel, Cristina and Pilar; well-mannered young gent, handsome Paolo Martel; sultry beauty with the four B’s Geny Psinakis who breezed in with his fun and simpatico cousin, Yorgos; eye-catching Lia Delgado; hip dresser and vibrant head turner Heidi Tantoco; and super attractive Crickette T. who came with her good-looking husband, businessman Donnie Tantoco.
More namedroppables moi spotted with armfuls of clothes they grabbed off the rack were Preview’s James Aspinal, Barni Alejandro Rorie Carlos; Urban and Co.’s Cristina Delgado and Gina Mok; fun New York City boy Patrick Reyno; observant Bettina Bonoan of Blueprint; loving couple Louie and Cecille Ysmael; Tequila Joe’s Sandra Vidarte; fashion plate Margarita Delgado; plus so many others like them who know what taste and style is all about.
Style guru Chito Vijandre and Markus Schmidt of Itsie Bitsie’s neighboring lifestyle and fashion store Firma said it all when they gave Ines and Itsie Bitsie a warm Malate welcome.
Itsie Bitsie, dahlings, is located at 1755 M. Adriatico Street, Malate, Manila. It’s open daily (Monday to Thursday, 12 noon to 9 p.m.; and on Friday and Saturday from 12 noon to 10 p.m.)
The boutique is definitely a must to go to! Check it out in the heart of Malate, palanggas.
The newly elected officers are First Daughter Luli Macapagal Arroyo, chairperson; Rosanna Tuason Fores, president; Eds Genuino, vice president; Patsy Zobel and Bea Zobel Jr., vice chairpersons; Bambina Buenaventura, treasurer; Madeleine Lim, liaison officer; and hardworking socialite and columnist Mons Romulo-Tantoco, PRO.
Right apres the election, the members buckled down to work by discussing projects that can be implemented immediately. Very willing to know how they could help, palanggas, were young guards of tomorrow Lizzie Zobel; Menchu Menchaca Soriano; Maricris Cardenas-Zobel; Maritess and Trina Tañada; Mert Loinaz; Gina Roxas; sultry beauty Pops Fernandez; Nicole Ortega; Karen Santos; Lupe Romulo and Berna Romulo-Puyat; Camille Genuino; Bettina Aboitiz; Gina Albert; Bledes Fores and Dolly Puno.
The Bigay Puso 2 gang doesn’t want to waste time; the members will meet weekly and will welcome anyone with a golden heart to join and support them in their projects.
Remember, palanggas, this is our time to do our share to help others. It is in giving our precious time for a worthy cause that will earn us more points Up There. Di bala?
Martin had just jetted in from the US of A where he spent a well-deserved vacation apres finishing – take note palanggas – 31 whopping concerts at the Greenbelt’s On Stage. He was brought there by the fabulous Maxi Media Group.
Throughout his performance, Martin reminded Cosmo Manille’s chi-chi society and his fans, "Your presence and support for this show is your own contribution in making the Philippines a better nation by way of educating the country’s youth."
All the show’s proceeds will go to the Vince Hizon Foundation’s computer center project (beginning in public schools in Mindanao) and the Francis Papica College scholarship awarded to deserving youth leaders in the Bicol Region.
Martin performed popular ballads from his past albums and Broadway classics. He also sang an original composition for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in America. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had presented the song to President George Bush and New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani as "A Philippine gesture of sympathy to America in their moment of sorrow."
Again, palanggas, Martin Nievera proved he not only has a golden voice but a heart of gold as well.
Well, dahlings, that’s what big-hearted Manille is all about.
See you.