Our prayers have been answered. When I say “our,” I refer to the countless people (including me) who mouse-click their way through their daily dose of news, laughs, horoscopes, social snogging, gossip and fashion updates. Although the astrological pundits and humorous takes will not manifest, tech-savvy denizens will at least be assured of getting their fashion fix for the day — at broadband speed — via stylebible.ph, the newly-unveiled online counterpart of Preview magazine.
Though it relies on the guidance of Preview’s top-tier tandem — editor-in-chief Pauline Suaco and creative director Vince Uy — stylebible.ph has its own editorial team headed by managing editor Isha Andaya, a one-time staffer and editor for Preview. Just for its clean lines and uncomplicated, easy-on-the-eye layout, stylebible.ph successfully mirrors Preview. However, this online counterpart is by no means just skimming off the pages of its older sister for content. Like Preview, stylebible.ph also has its regular fashion and beauty features, as well as a gallery of the latest parties and social melees. However, what you see coming out on your MacBook Air screen is not necessarily the same as what you see while flipping through the glossy. Says Andaya, “Our features are super different; (stylebible.ph) produces its content. Like Preview, it has the choicest picks of everything, is very fashion-oriented and maintains an aspirational aspect.” The tidbits the online site churns out are also, naturally, more fresh. “We’re averaging about three to four new articles per day. And we try to come out with articles a few days after the event itself.” Just uploaded, in fact (put unabashed self-promotion right here), is a feature on YStyle’s ongoing partnership with UNICEF to help promote the literacy program for Mindanao’s T’boli women.
You can say that this online fashion insider is the local version of style.com meets the Sartorialist meets the Yellow Pages, with sections such as "Style Star," an upfront update on what local style denizens are wearing out and about (readers are even encouraged to vote for their favorite look), and “Style Bible,” an exhaustive listing of designers that matter, plus their portfolios. Online shopping is also an option: one section called “The Mall” has an interesting, if brief, register of brands that offer online browsing and door-to-door delivery, most of them local upstart brands with existing retail spaces that realize the indisputable pull and growing market of internet shopping (take Audrey Carpio’s article, “Be fruitful and Multiply” for further proof). Then there’s “Personal Stylist,” a heaven-sent Q&A section for the style-challenged or just anyone who, generally, has a question about fashion.
Though it just launched three weeks ago and had to postpone its formal launch last week (an entirely different story altogether), stylebible.ph has been averaging 10,000 to 12,000 hits a day. "Style Star" is, unsurprisingly, a big hit but viewers also seem to appreciate how stylebible.ph gives added juice to Preview’s monthly output. The “On the Cover” portion posts behind-the-scenes photos from the current issue’s front page shoot as well as a listing of what to expect from the magazine. Its member registry is also fast filling up, proving how much the laptop generation wants so much to be a part of a local online community completely dedicated to fashion and beauty.
Whether you’re a registered member or not, stylebible.ph should be a godsend of good news, the daily gospel of style made fresh. And we are all disciples.
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E-mail comments to ana_kalaw@pldtdsl.net.