Marching to your own beat

At first glance, you’d probably think the clothes came from one of the many high street brands that we’ve grown to love. Luckily, keeping up with the latest trends and staying in style no longer constitutes a long plane ride or costs an arm and a leg. Local brands like Ensembles have managed to transform today’s modern and edgy looks that are often saved by the young and reckless as functional pieces that can be worn by anybody from day to day. 

The brand’s holiday collection features billowy, feminine tops and dresses, coats for the chilly December nights ahead, the return of the cinched waist that flatters most women, and more masculine checkered trousers. Slightly retro and inspired by the mod look that’s so prevalent nowadays, Ensembles also goes back to basics and sticks to the classic and definitive colors – black, white and red for this season. While there are certain trends like shoulder pads that people have sworn they will never wear again but avidly followed in the ’80s for reasons that currently escape them or perhaps they’ve purposely tried to forget, there are also other staples that are back with a vengeance like wide belts and leggings.

These clothes are perfect for the working women of today who have about a million and one things to do but still want to look good doing them without maxing out their credit cards. The brand’s new muse, actress Carmina Villarroel, is the perfect example of such a lady. Juggling the responsibilities of actress, TV show host, endorser, wife and mother can take its toll on some and perhaps confine them to a daily uniform of comfortable shirts, jeans, and flip-flops. Not Carmina. She manages to get everything done, maintain her quirky sense of humor, take it all in stride, and never pass up the chance to be adventurous and try something new – whether in life or in fashion. That’s why she says, "For a working mom like me, Ensembles is perfect. You can be stylish on a budget. Though the pieces are trendy, they are easy to mix and match. They have everything. I especially love their cropped pants."

So it seems that you no longer have leave to the Philippines to channel the UK’s avant-garde style or French sophistication. Looking chic and comfortable every day, regardless of where you’re going or what you’re doing, has never been easier. 

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Ensembles is located at Alabang Town Center, Festival Supermall Alabang, Eastwood Citywalk 2, Glorietta 1, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Ermita, SM Bicutan and SM Megamall.