Scratch the Ishq
February 20, 2004 | 12:00am
It was not too long ago that I stepped in Yael Buencamino’s (with business partner Candy Reyes) living room turned showroom and braced myself for financial havoc. Ishq which is Indian for love, has truly been the mecca of bag and accessory lovers the day it opened its hearts to worshippers four years ago. "Accessorize, it’s all you need to do," Pia Barrios, then a consigner at Ishq and designer of am/pm accessories that made lariats and chokers, once said to my unsure 19-year old self. Now I have lunch with chokers that would have me turning blue with an ill-lodged pea that no Heimlich maneuver can save me from. Fashion victim? More like Ishq victim.
Ishq has now grown up and moved out (of Yael’s home). Situated at Emerald drive behind University of Asia and the Pacific, the boutique resembles the walk-in closet of a very spoiled but fashionably astute celebutante. Racks of one-of-a-kind pieces from independent designers (Currently it’s Tippi Ocampo, Mich Dulce, Alcs Porras, Paolo Raymundo, Kate Torralba, Rossana Ocampo, Tricia Cruz, Puey Quinones, and some YDG members Joey Samson, Yvonne Quisumbing, Ricky Vicencio, Ivar Aseron) line the room in unapologetic fashion. The bags and accessories that the store is known for also occupy whatever square footage the store allows. It’s a crackhouse for every fight kid.
Candy Reyes of Ishq gives tips for those who heart quirky fashion:
On accessorizing: Decide on a look and be consistent. Not all your accessories have to "match" exactly (i.e. no need for matching shoes and bags) contrasting colors can work (i.e. pink outfit, green bag; red dress, aqua shoes maybe instead of the instinctive black?)wear colored shoes – they’re fun!
Cool kid must-have is: Color! (Green is my favorite at the moment)
Things to consider at the scandale radar:
•Following a trend that’s not flattering to you
•Paying too much for a label (for clothes, shoes, bags)
•Winter clothing in Manila
•Ill-fitting clothes you constantly have to adjust - fidgeting is unbecoming
On having an Ishq state of mind:
•Have an open mind about everything
•Don’t be afraid to try something new
•Use your imagination
•Don’t be afraid to stand out
BrandSpace Articles
<
>