Gifts that give more: Luxury gift options with a ‘billionaire’ effect
MANILA, Philippines — Do you want to be a billionaire so freaking bad?
This holidays, give yourself and your special ones a luxurious gift you deserve for working hard the entire year.
Here are some options that would make you feel rich, thereby attracting a mindset of more prosperity for the coming year.
Kathryn Bernardo unwraps Lancôme’s holiday sets
Lancôme, the Parisian beauty powerhouse, launched its new holiday collection reminiscent of diamond snow, featuring gift sets showcasing the luxury products from the brand’s fragrance, skincare, and makeup portfolio.
Partnering with beloved Filipina actress and Lancôme ambassador, Kathryn Bernardo, the brand unveiled a collection that embodies the spirit of giving and self-love. Inspired by the enchanting allure of a Parisian winter wonderland, the holiday collection features new sets of the brand’s most coveted products.
The Idole Mini Fragrance Sets showcase the brand’s iconic Idole fragrance with brand new mini sets, perfect for gifting or experiencing the scent in a new way. Meanwhile, the Flawless Skincare set is headlined by Génifique, the label’s most popular anti-aging skincare collection to fight signs of aging. They are also launching their first ever Makeup Set that gives the gift of holiday-ready glamor with specially curated cosmetics. All sets come with a discount of up to 50%.
The brand collaborated with renowned artist Sofia Ouares to create a packaging that captures the spirit of the season. Ouares' intricate designs, featuring the brand's signature Celestial Rose intertwined with iconic Parisian landmarks, aims to transport one to a world of wonder and celebration.
As part of its holiday celebration, the brand will release a video featuring Kathryn showcasing the 2024 collection and inspiring Filipinas to embrace the joy of gifting and self-expression.
The sets are now available in stores such as Lancôme's Rockwell and Greenbelt 5 locations, as well as online in the brand’s official Lazada and Shopee stores.
Corso Como 88 brings Acqua dell’Elba, Buti Pelletterie to Manila
Corso Como 88, a multi-brand store celebrated for its exquisite collection of renowned Italian and European labels, is thrilled to announce the addition of two iconic luxury brands to its curated collection: Acqua dell’Elba and Buti Pelletterie.
Corso Como 88 is at Level 3 of One Ayala Mall in Makati City and the ground floor of Ayala 30th in Pasig City.
Known for their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance, Acqua dell’Elba and Buti Pelletterie are perfect additions to Corso Como 88’s wide array of iconic brands such as AlaÏa, Valentino, Cult Gaia, Moynat, Pinel et Pinel, Sequoia, Lancaster, and the recently launched Biagini, to name a few.
"We are thrilled to introduce Acqua dell’Elba and Buti Pelletterie here in Manila," stated Imelda Menguito-Sciandra, President and CEO of Corso Como 88. "These brands perfectly complement our existing offerings, showcasing the best of Italian luxury and craftsmanship. I believe that these products elevate our goal to offer quality products to Filipino fashion enthusiasts.”
Acqua dell’Elba, a renowned luxury fragrance brand, brings the enchanting allure of the Tuscan archipelago to Manila through its range of captivating scents that evoke a sense of tranquility and relaxation, perfectly capturing the essence of Italian summer. Apart from fragrances, Acqua dell’Elba also offers a line of home and bath products.
Acqua dell’Elba started out with a shared passion for perfumes among its three founders: Fabio, Chiara, and Marco. The perfume line is inspired by the Italian Mediterranean island Elba. The luxury brand is best known for incorporating aquatic scenes into its offerings like perfumes and bath products.
At present, Acqua dell'Elba has 32 single-brand shops, 27 in Italy and five abroad, and a distribution network of more than 1,000 customer perfume stores in Italy and the rest of Europe.
The fragrance line has also set its eye on foreign markets for the rest of the world to experience the beauty and essence of the sea through its products.
From the brand comes Essenza di un'Isola Acqua, a unisex perfume that stands out for its aquatic and floral fragrance that settles into a skin scent.
Classica for her is a refreshing, clean fragrance, perfect for those looking for that timeless, sophisticated scent. Meanwhile, Classica for him is an aromatic aquatic fragrance with hints of citrus and seaweed.
Arcipelago (for him) is a masculine perfume with aromatic fragrance with herbal and woody notes, perfect for those who are always looking to try out different scents. Likewise, Arcipelago (for her) is a feminine perfume that gives out a fresh, clean, and aquatic scent, matching perfectly for those who are always on the go.
Sport is a unisex perfume that brings out a clean, creamy, powdery lemon scent, just right for those who prefer to feel fresh.
Meanwhile, Buti Pelletterie, founded by Pilade Buti, is a heritage brand famous for crafting exceptional leather goods since the 1950s in Tuscany. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each Buti product is a perfect blend of artistry and luxury.
The Buti Pelletterie bags that are showcased and currently available in Corso Como 88’s shelves in different colors include Cassiopea, a large tote bag with long, comfortable leather handles, perfect match for those who always carry necessities yet want to go in style.
Man Briefcase in Palmellato Leather is a briefcase with adjustable shoulder strap, fit for every office day.
Fannie Calf is a tote bag with two laces and a closure, which gives off a simple yet sophisticated and timeless appeal.
Cometa Small printed Alce is a soft light messenger bag with a safe flaps closure. Its back side has a long open pocket, perfect for casual dates and hangouts.
Spingle boasts of kangaroo leather, opens new Manila store
The sneakers label claims to be among the few brands left in the world that vulcanizes the upper with the sole to assure every shoe’s all-season and all-weather durability.
With over 90 years of Japanese heritage, the label offers shoes and bags handmade and crafted by artisans in Hiroshima, using a wide variety of materials, most notably, sustainably-sourced kangaroo leather, a more durable kind of leather that enables the shoes to be water-resistant, lightweight and comfortable for walking all day long.
Apart from kangaroo leather, some shoes were handpainted by artisans, making every pair truly special and unique.
Lacoste’s new fragrance smells like a million bucks
The smell of success and prosperity is palpable in Lacoste’s Original Eau de Parfum, the French label’s latest creation together with global fragrance company Interparfums, marking the first collaboration between the two companies.
Embodying both authenticity and innovation, the new scent elegantly reveals all the brand's iconic codes and adds an unexpected dimension to its olfactory universe.
With the 1984 Lacoste Original celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Master Perfumer Anne Flipo and Perfumer Tanguy Guesnet were inspired to create a modern and addictive scent while highlighting the brand’s emblematic codes and distinctive signature. This resulted in a modern and dynamic woody ambery fougère eau de parfum.
Style and movement: these two dimensions have guided Flipo and Guesnet in creating the Eau de Parfum.
“As a brand, Lacoste combines timeless freshness with creative frenzy. The idea behind this sophisticated fragrance is to express movement in all its forms in a unique, powerful creation,” Flipo stated.
Guesnet added, “Anne and I worked on a citrus freshness with fiery spices to convey movement in this fragrance. Zesty notes of Bergamot, combined with the liveliness of Cardamom and Pink Peppercorn, make it a highly dynamic and modern scent.”
To bring out the brand’s personality—a blend of timeless freshness and creative frenzy, the perfumers worked on citrusy and spicy scents using Bergamot, Cardamom, and Pink Peppercorn as the top notes to convey motion. This explosive mixture gives way to an aromatic fougère heart of Clary Sage and Lavender, the common element between the 2024 and 1984 editions. The heart trails off to an addictive base of Tonka Bean and Sandalwood, while Amber and Patchouli reinforce the masculine side of the fragrance.
Signing Pierre Niney, a French actor, director, producer and screenwriter, as the face of its newest scent was a natural choice for Lacoste. The brand is known for combining the traditional with the ultra-modern, and Pierre’s relaxed chic, charm, and humor are the perfect embodiment of this. Modern and dynamic, Pierre is also a celebrated actor with numerous accolades, including being the youngest winner of the César for Best Actor. He is also a member of prestigious groups in his industry, such as the Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique and the Comédie-Française, of which he was the youngest member to join.
Since childhood, Pierre has had a natural affinity with Lacoste. The crocodile evokes many personal memories for him, as well as major moments in his career. Niney shared, “Lacoste is a brand that I love very much and has been part of my life and style at several different points. It strikes the perfect balance between timelessness and modernity and succeeds in being cross-generational: my father and I have always worn this crocodile, a guarantee of style. It has also shown its confidence in me since my first films and for my very first production, the Casting(s) series. I'm delighted to be the face of this iconic French brand."
In celebration of the arrival of Lacoste Original on Philippine shores, Rustan Marketing Corporation hosted an immersive affair that captures the dynamic, modern, and addictive vibe of the fragrance. Notable guests included executives from both companies including Renaud Boisson, Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums Asia Pacific Region; Louis Dassonville - Regional Sales Director of Interparfums; Phoebe Wong - Head of Marketing, Lacoste SA- Asia Pacific; Anton Huang, President and CEO of SSI Group, Inc., Rustan Commercial Corporation, and Rustan Marketing Corporation; Cessie Colayco, General Manager of Rustan Marketing Corporation; and Marlyn Ferrer, Division Manager of Rustan Marketing Corporation. The event also welcomed prominent personalities like actor and singer Khalil Ramos, social media personality and model LA Aguinaldo, and actor Brent Manalo.
Lacoste Parfums are exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Corporation and are available in-store in all leading department stores nationwide; and online at Rustans.com and Zalora.
An expression of movement in all its forms, Lacoste Original is an olfactory celebration of everything the brand embodies. This new scent invites wearers to experience the essence of the French label — not just through its fragrance, but through the story it tells—one of heritage, sophistication, and relentless innovation.
Introducing: Boss Selected by Beckham for Fall/Winter 2024
Boss is delighted to announce the launch of Boss Selected by Beckham, curated by David Beckham, a true global figure in both sports and fashion.
This exclusive edit from the Fall/Winter 2024 collection features a selection of hand-picked seasonal favorites that perfectly blend Boss iconic menswear with Beckham’s signature style and aesthetics. Boss Selected by Beckham offers a broad assortment of lifestyle looks, designed to elevate any wardrobe with Beckham’s impeccable taste.
Beckham’s curated favorites include a refined selection of tailored options such as suits, trousers, and coats, notably, a camel double-breasted coat with peak lapel, each showcasing a perfect blend of sophistication and modernity. Complementing these is a range of casual garments, from denim to knitwear, crafted from premium fabrics like cashmere and regenerative cotton. A true representation of his personal style, Beckham’s standout favorites include a luxurious 100% virgin wool cardigan sweater and an authentic, relaxed-fit denim shirt with double breast pockets.
Boss Selected by Beckham is available on boss.com and in-store. In the Philippines, Boss is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Greenbelt 5, Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La East Wing, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Newport Mall, Solaire, City of Dreams, Rustan’s Cebu, Nustar Resort and Casino, and online at Trunc.ph, Rustans.com, and Zalora.
Raise your glass to holidays with Hendrick’s Gin
The holidays are here, and Hendrick’s Gin is a good way to elevate your celebrations. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift or the ultimate addition to your festive gatherings, the brand promises to bring its signature charm and peculiar elegance to every moment. With its distinctive infusion of cucumber and rose, the brand transforms every sip into a whimsical delight, making it the preferred gin for this holiday season.
Starting November 20 and running every Wednesday until December, Hendrick’s Gin takes center stage in Bizarre, Poblacion Makati, with an exclusive Holiday Cocktail Degustation. Bar-goers can immerse themselves in a unique pairing experience, featuring expertly crafted cocktails from the brand’s Southeast Asia Brand Ambassador Charmaine Thio and culinary creations by Chef Marvin Raymundo. This collaboration delivers a sensory journey that draws inspiration from festive tales and traditions from around the globe.
Each cocktail is thoughtfully crafted to capture the spirit of celebration, paired with innovative bites that complement its bold, whimsical flavors. Prepare to be delighted and surprised as you embark on a flavorful adventure, where every sip and bite tells a story of holiday cheer from different corners of the world.
No holiday celebration is complete without a lineup of exceptional cocktails. Whether you’re hosting a grand soiree or a cozy night in, these Hendrick’s cocktail recipes are designed to impress:
- French 75: A sophisticated blend of Hendrick’s Gin, zesty lemon juice, and a splash of Champagne. Its effervescence and crisp citrus notes make it the perfect drink for raising a toast.
- Cranberry Fizz: Add a pop of festive color with this vibrant cocktail. Featuring Hendrick’s Gin, tart cranberry juice, and your choice of soda or sparkling wine, it’s a refreshing crowd-pleaser with a seasonal twist.
- Hendrick’s & Tonic: A timeless classic. The unique botanicals of Hendrick’s Gin are elevated by the crisp effervescence of tonic water and a garnish of cucumber, making it the ultimate go-to for effortless elegance.
Looking for the perfect holiday gift? The brand is a versatile and thoughtful present for any gin enthusiast. Its distinct flavor profile and beautifully designed bottle make it a standout gift, ideal for hosts, friends, or anyone who appreciates a touch of the extraordinary. It is available at major retailers, including S&R, The Marketplace, Landmark, Shopwise, Boozeshop, and Boozy.
In 2018, the Hendrick's Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, was awarded Gin Distiller of the Year by the World Gin Awards in recognition of her ground-breaking work.
Longchamp commits to longevity with sustainable efforts
French fashion house Longchamp aims to establish responsible practices in the fashion industry. Throughout the stages of creation, from the meticulous selection of raw materials to after-sales services, the Maison has embedded its desire to reduce its environmental impact.
Adrien Cassegrain, Longchamp’s Director of Transformation, boldly asserted in a statement, “Our foremost responsibility? Ensuring the longevity of our products.” This philosophy is present in every aspect of production, demonstrating the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality.
The brand’s true DNA lies in its leathers, rigorously sourced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group. In 2023, (an impressive) 79% of the leathers used by the brand attained the Gold distinction, the highest level of certification, ensuring stringent environmental and social standards.
The brand goes a step further by embracing more environmentally conscious materials. Since 2019, the brand has introduced various product ranges crafted from recycled materials. The iconic Le Pliage bag, revamped with a canvas woven from recycled fibers, demonstrates this evolution. This transition has slashed the carbon footprint of each Le Pliage bag by nearly 20%.
Illustrations of this eco-conscious strategy in the new fall-winter 2024 collection are included in ready-to-wear, with the kimono jacket in recycled polyester and the line of sneakers crafted entirely from recycled materials.
The Maison not only produces durable items but also repurposes end-of-roll materials to create new pieces.
“This approach has long been part of our ethos,” said Cassegrain. “We develop products using old materials; this anti-waste stance is simply common sense.”
Bags from the Re-Play collection align with this logic, such as this season’s Cabas Longchamp from the Re-Play line, a new bag crafted from end-of-roll nylon from previous Le Pliage collections. Some models from the Epure line also follow the logic of creating something new from old stocks by reusing cowhide leather from previous seasons.
The brand claimed that its sustainable development efforts can benefit others. As part of the ANDAM Fashion Awards competition (Sophie Delafontaine, Creative Director of the Maison, has been a jury member for several years), the brand opens its doors to aspiring fashion designers to access dormant leather stocks for their creations.
Initiatives aimed at sustainability extend beyond production for the brand as it commits to ensuring that each product can be repaired, thereby extending its lifespan. The brand’s repair service, handling nearly 60,000 products annually, embodies this commitment to circular economy.
The brand’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact extends to its operations, such as the installation of solar panels at its workshops in Segré in France, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
In essence, the company truly embodies the fusion of timeless elegance and responsibility, proving that quality fashion can indeed coexist with environmentally conscious efforts.
Boggi Milano shirts made of upcycled coffee beans
Exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., Boggi Milano is pleased to announce the new opening of its 92.36-square-foot store in the first floor of Greenbelt 5 Mall in Makati City. The flagship store showcases the label’s latest collections for men, including a selection of cross-seasonal looks focused on the Fall/Winter wardrobe.
The new FW24/25 collection combines aspirational attitude and functionality with trendy garments in search of a style identifying a man in constant evolution who wants to remain true to himself, his nature, and any form of personal expression. The collection takes inspiration from Iceland, an island that offers an exceptional density and variety of natural environments, an ideal set for the label’s Autumn-Winter collection capable of reinterpreting a decisive and cosmopolitan style. The result is an eclectic collection with sophisticated lines, capable of reinterpreting iconic garments such as dresses, coats, blazers, and trousers in a contemporary way, giving them an international allure.
The materials used in the FW24/25 collection are mainly technical, innovative, and high-performance fabrics. There is no lack of more traditional yarns in the collection such as flannel, warm and light, high-quality merino wool, and cashmere, soft and supple to the touch. Jersey, organic cotton, and Tencel are also among the proposals. The color palette of the collection ranges from taupe to black, via blue denim to the neutral shades of beige, cream, and dark brown, without forgetting grey and charcoal, the key colors of the collection.
In this collection, new aesthetic codes revolve around shades of grey, which, moving away from the classic office palette, welcomes more versatile shades. This winter, a true protagonist of the male wardrobe returns to the collection: the suit. Reinvented, with attention to detail and made of high-quality fabrics, it takes on a privileged role even in unexpected contexts, with a renewed aesthetic that mixes weights.
Boggi Milano is an Italian brand present on the market with 258 stores in more than 60 countries. Today, the brand looks toward ambitious goals at the pace of innovation, technology, and quality thanks to the revolutionary concept of the use of raw materials with high technical performance. The design of Boggi Milano garments is born from the meeting of two essential elements: the quality of the fabrics - preferring organic and recycled fibers, certified and avant-garde fabrics - and stylistic research, applied to the vision of a new way of life of contemporary man.
Natori Ready-To-Wear Fall 2024
Never losing touch, always tied to an East-meets-West sensibility, Natori RTW Fall 2024 shows the steady growth of the brand’s roots to modern day. “Today’s woman is confident as well as beautiful, achieving a symmetry between sensuality and discretion, between public perceptions and private realities.” This sentiment from Josie Natori was relevant when the “Natori State of Mind” campaign launched in 1984 and remains even more so in today’s world. The campaign intended to show how lingerie can emerge from bedrooms and closets and take center stage within Ready-To-Wear. Fast forward four decades later, and the lingerie that started it all has come full circle as the base layer in a complete collection of dressing from the inside out & day to night.
Fall 2024 continues the initiative of building a core wardrobe with even more luxurious fabrics to layer into the mix. The collection has a universal appeal, offering a balance of versatile items for every climate. Fabrics include compact knit, double jersey, vegan luxe lambskin, faux mink, felt, wool, taffeta, crepe, and texture jacquard, with layering pieces made of jersey and silk charmeuse. Guipure laces and lace embroideries are reminiscent of the original Natori collections, now with a wear-out sensibility.
Key silhouettes for the season include bomber jackets, blazers, ponchos, and other outerwear essentials, predominantly with an artisan flair. The prints act as accents, grounded by artisanal jacquards and textures that are always synonymous with Natori. Cut-out motifs, embroidery, and appliques feature scrolls and paisleys, inspired by Natori’s expansive archive collection. Dresses range in length and silhouette with a focus on fluted hemlines. Colors range from neutrals of taupe, espresso, grey, sage, and of course, black, to bolder bottle greens and brick red. The collection conveys the value of staying true to Natori’s roots. A culmination of all things practical and magical for decades to come.
Accelerate with AI using NVIDIA GeForce RTX laptops, PCs
Powered by NVIDIA Max-Q technologies, GeForce RTX laptops provide thin and powerful designs with extended battery life, and whisper-quiet operation for students on-the-go. The GeForce RTX laptops and personal computers (PCs) are available both in-store and online at Silicon Valley and PC Express branches
nationwide.
Accelerate the top applications used in Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, and more. This means smoother 3D design and modeling, faster AI (artificial intelligence) training and simulation, and more accurate machine learning models.
GeForce RTX 40 Series laptops harness the power of AI to provide the ultimate set of AI tools for students in over 500 AI-accelerated apps and games. Experience realistic and immersive graphics with ray tracing, a quantum leap in performance with AI-powered DLSS 3, and the lowest system latency for the ultimate competitive advantage with NVIDIA Reflex technology.
With NVIDIA Studio laptops, use the power of AI to apply advanced effects with ease and take advantage of the Studio suite of exclusive tools. Unlock stability and fast performance for creative endeavors with Studio Drivers. Take your live streams, voice chats and video conference calls to the next level with the Broadcast app and AI-enhanced features like noise removal and virtual background.
With the ChatRTX demo app, you can search your class notes, organize your schedule, and find your images quickly and easily with a simple text or voice prompt, all locally on your RTX-accelerated PC.
Klook unveils travel deals this November
There’s no better time than now to plan your next vacation as Klook, the leading platform for experiences and travel services, is offering the best travel deals this November.
Founded in 2014, the app curates quality experiences ranging from attractions and tours to local transport and experiential stays, in over 2,700 destinations globally.
Whether you’re hoping to discover or revisit nearby countries like Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand, or explore further west in destinations like Switzerland, Italy, and Spain, consider these deals from Klook to realize some savings and make the most out of your travel budget. These include daily discounts, buy-one-get-one offers, and other exclusive perks for an opportunity to save on theme parks and travel attraction moments with your loved ones.
Pay with your Metrobank Visa or Mastercard credit card, and Klook will automatically slash 20% off your flights, hotels, and tours. On top of that, Klookers get an extra 10% off on relaxing or fun-filled hotels. If you’re a new user, the app offers an exclusive 10% off activities, while existing users get 5% off.
Whether you’re planning to be on the road or in the skies, your travel plans are sure to have saved you some extra cash to spend on amazing food, shopping, or remembrances to make the most of that upcoming trip.
Access Travel marks 13 years, a journey from dreams to community impact
Access Travel, a boutique travel company, celebrates its 13th anniversary by highlighting its transformation from a personal venture to a socially responsible company. The company's evolution reflects a broader shift in the luxury travel industry towards meaningful experiences and community engagement.
Angely Dub, the founder of Access Travel (www.travelwithaccess.com), described the company's journey in a statement: "When I started as a traveler, it was all about me, my goals, my dreams. But as we progressed, I realized Access is not just about me. Now, it's about giving back and changing lives in the smallest way possible."
This shift in focus has led to initiatives that benefit employees, clients, and the wider community, particularly through educational programs for underprivileged children.
Access Travel's approach challenges traditional notions of luxury. "Luxury brand is not just about myself or associating ourselves with famous people," Angely explained. "Other factors are often disregarded, like my employees and the work we do behind the scenes."
In partnership with ChildHope Philippines Foundation, the company has expanded horizons for street children. Mylene Lagman, who assists with the program, noted, "Access Travel helped kids understand that there's a bigger world out there. For many of them, traveling was just an illusion."
Angely's "Meet the World" book and social media presence have been crucial in this effort. "Many young girls started to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. They saw that the role of women can be different. It's not just having a husband and giving birth, like how they saw their moms," Angely shared.
The company’s success is rooted in its adaptability and openness to new ideas. "Business is always evolving. Business is always changing. I am always changing," Angely reflected. This philosophy extends to all aspects of the company, from embracing new social media platforms to fostering work-life balance for employees.
"It's very important for me to keep learning, be a student of my own business, be a student with my employees, be a student with our clients," Angely emphasized. This approach has led to innovative strategies, such as the successful adoption of TikTok for business promotion.
As the company enters its next chapter, the focus remains on creating positive, inspiring experiences for all stakeholders. "I want my employees to look forward to working, serving, meeting clients, changing people's perspective on traveling," Angely stated.
The company aims to continue its mission of making travel not just a luxury, but a vehicle for personal growth and social change. "The luxury of providing my people, my clients, and these kids with happiness, joy, inspiration, motivation – it's beyond anything we can give to anybody.”
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