MANILA, Philippines - This year, retail brought out big guns. Momentarily stealing the spotlight from the holiday collections were Marie Claire fashion director and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia who flew in for Jag Origins and Filipino-Canadian supermodel Paolo Roldan for Bench Body. This side order of celebrity gave PFW’s retail shows an added dose of excitement, as well as insight.
Paolo, who has lent his intense gaze and chiseled physique to Givenchy, still gets teased by friends over his half-naked billboards, which are all over EDSA. In an interview with The STAR contributor Donna Cuna-Pita, he said, “The first time I saw them for myself I was actually in a car with my friends — friends not being the best company when you’re about to see half-naked pictures of yourself! (laughs) There was a lot of teasing of course, but it all felt surreal, you know? It’s awesome. This is a big deal.†Always one of the most anticipated shows, Bench Body also featured Jennylyn Mercado, Borgy Manotoc and the Philippine Volcanoes, who modeled.
Meanwhile, The STAR’s Therese Jamora-Garceau got a chance to chat with 20-year fashion veteral Nina Garcia, who had a clear definition of style: “When you’re not following anybody’s footsteps, when you’re not really referencing anybody else…then it’s a home run.†Garcia, who was here for Jag Origins, said that denim, being something that we all have in our wardrobes, is something that both men and women are so passionate about. “One you find a pair of jeans that you like, you are loyal and will to the ends of the Earth to find it,†she said. The Jag Origins holiday 2013 show featured designers Norman Noriega, Jeffrey Rogador and Jerome Salaya Ang.
SM Ladies’ Fashion and SM Parisian Shoes presented a collection that encourages a tropical holiday with flowing dresses in jewel tones and mixed prints. The show also featured actress Ruffa Gutierrez.
Penshoppe announced its newest international ambassadors: Josh Bowman from Revenge and Nina Dobrev from The Vampire Diaries. The brand’s holiday collection was a mix of punk and romantic laced with wardrobe basics.
Some like it tough
Tough chicks ruled the runway at Penshoppe. With nods to Givenchy, photo prints on shirts paired with oil-slick black separates (lots of it) made an impression, while skater skirts, bare skin and leather made numerous appearances. Photos by NELSON VILLARICA and CELWYN ABASOLO