Before breaking the rules, master them
MANILA, Philippines - Fashion rules are made to be broken,” stylist Alyanna Martinez declares.
But in order to break these rules, one has to know the basics, and that is exactly what was shared at the Style Forum in Marquee Mall’s four-day Style Souk, featuring expert style tips from freelance stylist Martinez, together with Shoephoric.com founder Ann Jacobe, and hair stylist and “image maker to the stars” Lourd Ramos.
Alyanna, who has been contributing to newspapers and fashion magazines since her high school days, advocates discovering your personal style and what you’re comfortable with in order to stay fashionable. “One has to adjust to the climate with easy-wearing fabric in trendy sheers, pastels, and neutrals. For the summer, brights are always in. Wear light and flowing materials; nothing too fitting.”http://imageshack.us/a/img201/1392/ystyle10b.jpg
Lourd used to work for a bank where he would always get a memo for looking “outlandish.” He quit and applied at a premiere salon and now heads his own, Creations by Lourd Ramos. He says that black brown hair is back but one can also choose to be adventurous in super blond and maybe even go for baby pink highlights. Full layers and full bangs should be adjusted to one’s lifestyle; same when choosing to cut super short. The trend is “We cut to color. And we color to cut.” The look and the person have to blend. The safest and best for Filipinas, says Lourd, are the golden mahogany colors. Progression can be done first through long layers then gradual side bangs then full bangs then maybe an undercut.
Ann found herself sketching shoes in her childhood days and this love has now translated it the online phenomenon, Shoephoric.com. She showed off her Gaga-ish platform heels at the Forum and shared how women are fascinated with this highly trendy look which she claims to be absolutely comfortable. Having a diverse shoe wardrobe is definitely fun but Ann admits the basic black patent leather heels as the one pair she cannot live without.
The Forum went from tackling basic trends to posing the age-old question: How does one stay trendy?
Celebrities like Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez are today’s most requested “pegs” but Alyanna suggests adjusting their famous looks to your own personality and lifestyle. Compromise and never sacrifice as it will show when you’re uncomfortable with your look. Go out the door in style — present to the world the best of you.
Lourd advises to seek a resemblance only and adjust, adjust, adjust. You don’t want to compromise your own taste. There should always be a balance — the look is sweet and subtle. “You can put any color on your eyes as long as they are blended well, and never scary,” he adds. “There should be focus and control.” And never forget the golden rules of “Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and protect” and yes, these rules also apply to your hair, too. Going back to basics with sheer, light makeup and sunscreen sprayed on your hair is highly fitting in this hot and humid weather. Let your skin breathe in a look that enhances your natural beauty.
Practice at home before any event. Wear your clothes and your makeup; walk in your shoes. Ann says to always have the basics before going the trendy route. When it comes to shoes, nude is the new black. The perfect morning-to-night shoes are those nude heels. Then go get some ballerina flats and maybe one or two platforms.
Alyanna, Lourd, and Ann definitely gave avid shoppers a treat by making the Style Souk an even hotter shopping destination at the Style Origins by Ayala Malls.
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Style Souk is a project of Style Origin, a collaborative effort between Ayala Malls, Philippine STAR and Tiger 22, supported by Visa, Globe and Samsung.
