Honeymoon deluxe

I guess it’s very telling that the line for Go Nuts Donuts at the Fort beats any queue for any club in the city any day of the week. What is this telling us? No, it’s not that people would rather get their carbs from a luscious dulce de leche or peanut butter glazed donut than a pint of beer. Rather it’s a sign that people want sweetness back. After the era of granola apathy to clinical cool slickness, people are wearing their hearts on their cap sleeves.

Perhaps a little less than the Hallmark greeting card company, Valentine’s is my favorite holiday. When I was around six I stole my mother’s discarded James Cooper lipstick in Magenta from her trash bin. I then applied it on my lips, preempting the collagen injection that I am to have in the future (for the record it’s still pending) and pouted to fortune. I was in love with my brother’s classmate in San Agustin and with my magenta glossed bussers I was sure to get him. I waltzed in his classroom only to be thrown out by my first love. "No girls!" he admonished Mafia style. I cried and announced to my mother my first heartbreak. At the same time she was wondering whether she should be upset that I scrawled lipstick all over my face or the fact that I had a filthy habit of picking up things in the trash. Nevertheless she knew one thing for sure, I was going to be trouble.

Once a sucker always a sucker, I guess. Times have not really changed – I still get the "No girls!" scream from my chosen ones when I crash poker parties, and yes I still lay hope that a tube of lipstick will change my kismet. But I never stopped believing in love – from fortunetellers, to love potions, to come-and-get-him outfits to the fine art of home-cooked meals – romance is the greatest pleasure and luxury of all.

After you have survived the curse of Friday the 13th, bask in the soft glow of love and sniff the Byronic air of the 14th! Kate Torralba, the hip designer of the hip presents her special collection for the ultimate romantic getaway. After all, movies like From Here to Eternity to The Blue Lagoon to even the disastrous Guy Ritchie take on Swept Away, water and ardor always seem to go hand in hand.

Kiss Me Kate:

1) How has the year been good for Kate?

2003 was a fantastic year for my career... a lot of great opportunities unexpectedly came my way. Got a lot of good exposure for my clothes and finally found an outlet for my line at Ishq. Also did the KT for Kitty! line for Gift Gate.

2) Tell us about your sexy swim line.

Flirty, fun, and fabulous! Sexy shapes meant to flatter and put you in the mood!

3) What can we look forward to?

I recently completed a collection for the launch of the Citibank Mini Clear Card, which Raya Mananquil and I are endorsing. My summer line will be available at Ishq by March (we might even have the swimsuits there as well). I also have a new design project in the works.

4) Brief history of Kate

I started my little garments business while in college in Cebu, moved to Manila to work at the Senate for a year, quit my job and enrolled at Ateneo Grad School of Business for an MBA, shortly after which, accidentally found a new career in fashion design. I’ve been designing officially for nearly two years now, and so much has happened since I started. I’ve been very blessed – and am extremely thankful for that.

5) Inspirations?

Music, contemporary art (especially the works of our local artists), travel, children.

6) What’s currently keeping you busy?

The clothes, really! Also struggling to finish my MBA... and taking in the occasional singing gig or writing job.

7) Thoughts on love...

Hahaha... I’m not an expert on the subject but it’s definitely on my wish list!

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E-mail me at ystylecrew@yahoo.com.