Kids breeze through summer

Adorable little kids walked the runway donning the latest ensembles of the season in true Rustan’s essence.

The summer show in Rustan’s featured the various children’s labels that the department store carries, including La Playa, Snapper Rock, Platypus, Periwinkle, Florsheim Kids shoes, Chicco, Hot Wheels, Barbie, Tarte Tatin, On the Verge, Birkenstock, Polliwalks, Sanuk, Rustan’s Jr. and Rustanette, and Kiddos.

Krispy Kreme, Chuckie, popcorn and French Fries carts also made the afternoon more enjoyable and completed the whole festivity for all kids, parents and the kids-at-heart. Hosting the event was Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

Some of the cute little fashionistas who showed their style were Xevi Lobregat, Allana Tantoco, Alexa Kaufman, Enzo Samson, siblings Mio and Taty Lopez, brothers Roan and Colin Mathay, Miel and Quint Mantecon, Loucas and Helena Alunan, Solenne Santos, sisters Annika and Alicia Lim, Julan and Kiana Reyes, Matias, Alfonso and Tamara Araneta, brothers Max, Roque and Elias Juan, sisters Zoe and Annouck Tantoco.

Participating Rustan’s merchants included Mandy Santos for Tarte Tatin, Hindy Weber-Tantoco for Kiddos, Michelle Mantecon for La Playa, Elisa and Larissa Hao Chin for Periwinkle, Maye Yao Co Say for Barbie, Chicco and Hotwheels, Andrew Lim for On The Verge, Irish and Dustin Lim for Polliwalks, Dina Reyes for Birkenstock and Irene Nieva for Sanuk.

(Brands mentioned above are available at Rustan’s Makati (813-3739), Shangri-La Plaza Mall (633-4636), Gateway (911-2407), Alabang Town Center (850-5532) and Ayala Center Cebu (032-231-5643).)

Nikki’s lure of indelicate truths

Rock Drilon’s Magnet Gallery was the venue of artist Nikki Luna’s third one-woman show curated by Nilo Ilarde with Hubert San Juan.

The exhibit had embroidered curtains (now in the collection of Norman Crisologo) and also featured the gun that was recently sold in the Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction of Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian art. The resin casted lace guns stemmed from this exhibit. These guns in a light box sold for around HK$94,000, exceeding the estimated value of HK$40,000 to HK$60,000.

Nikki’s show is again an installation/conceptual work, mixed of steel signs, shadows as the art itself, cabinet of lightbox with personal images, sound installation and more.

Adjani Arumpac, an art writer, said, “In her tradition of exhibiting the absent female, Luna yet again manages to give us a peek of a reality/truth, whose confession (or non-confession) will ultimately exonerate her. But, of course, it leaves us in the dark. The deluge of these halves/not-quite-wholes and secret-truths subjects us to a different kind of shadow play that radiates insane and illicit Victorian eroticism, ultimately capturing this art/artist.”

(Check out www.nikkiluna.com)

American Standard’s loyalty club

Asia’s leading bathroom products manufacturer American Standard Philippines launched AS Club Philippines, an avenue for architects, designers and industry practitioners to share innovations and industry trends at Members Only in The Fort.

American Standard Philippines country manager Lino Bernardo says, “AS Club Philippines is primarily for the benefit of members who want up-to-date information about what’s happening in the industry. By bringing these people together, they get to share valuable insights, trends, enabling them to be a step further, from design conceptualization to execution. We go by the tagline, ‘Express your own style because American Standard has a number of product collections that can match one’s personality. Essentially, AS Club helps in defining the designer, as much as his concept defines the client.’ It’s almost a global trend, people these days aspire for stylish and green, cost efficient homes.”

Whether the design is meant for people who are young and active, elegant or modern, American Standard has the right collection that will perfectly suit their personality. American Standard also has the Ideal Design Collection comprising of three categories: Clear for those who opt for a soft feel of the bathroom, Natural for something more elegant, and Dynamic for the trendier and active crowd. The Concept Collection was made to cater to young families while Ventuno Collection by Franco Bertoli offers a sculptural style of today’s modern architectural patterns that appeal to people with a very cosmopolitan taste.

American Standard Club Philippines currently accepts membership applications through their website www.asclub.com.ph/register. It offers several benefits to its members such as: Access to industry-related information via event, lectures, design competitions, conferences and other activities that feature world-famous interior designers, prospective clients and developers; information about American Standard via e-newsletter: company news, product innovations under Style, Comfort and Green; some latest construction projects; tips from AS Club members worldwide, opportunities for designers to have their concepts featured in magazines and other publications; and a Rewards Program that will allow them to win gadgets, trips and other surprises. Members can also extend the privilege to their clients by giving away discount coupons, serviceable at all Wilcon outlets.

(For more information, visit www.asclub.com.ph)