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Back home and feeling like an outcast
By A. Mabini I am here in the Philippines against conventional wisdom. If I can tell you how many of my loved ones advised against this idea and how many doubts I had, you would wonder why I went ahead. But I did, and if there was ever a decision that I was happy with […]
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SOCIAL CLIMBER: Farah Angsana’s one-dimensional luxury
By Elton Lugay Images of Marshall’s sale rack never left my head after I viewed Farah Angsana’s Fall/Winter ‘12 collection for the New York Fashion Week. What the Indonesian-born designer may have lacked in design diversity, she made up for with the use of stunning colors and elaborate embroidery for texture. Fine detailing of sequins […]
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SOCIAL CLIMBER: Dita Sandico Ong unwraps the fabric of her unique style
By Elton Lugay If you asked Fe Cabactulan what she was wearing, her cheeky reply would be, “Fruit salad.” At the February 17 cocktail before Dita Sandico Ong was to present her latest wrap collection, Cabactulan, the wife of the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, wore a white pina dress topped by an […]
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SOCIAL CLIMBER: Danelle Dungca, inspired by The Other Woman
By Elton Lugay Maverick Danelle Dungca’s fashion philosophy is simple: “Whatever comes to my heart and in my mind that I wanted to design is what I would do.” For this FilAm designer’s Fall ‘12 collection unveiled Feb 16 at Nickel Spa in Midtown Manhattan, the inspiration was Filipina actress Anne Curtis, who portrays the […]
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SOCIAL CLIMBER: Suits Norisol Ferrari just fine
By Elton Lugay My next stop at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week was this Venezuelan-born designer noted for her fine handcrafted leathers and furs. For Norisol Ferrari, fur is akin to “second skin.” It must flawlessly fit the wearer and complement her personality and style. For Ferrari’s February 14 preview, 19 display mannequins were presented, thus […]
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SOCIAL CLIMBER: Josie Natori’s free-spirit, nomadic chic
By Elton Lugay Talk about art and fashion colliding nicely on a fragrant Valentine’s Day afternoon. I’m talking about Josie Natori’s press preview where she unveiled her Fall ‘12 ready-to-wear collection inspired by Tibetan serenity and held at the Rubin Museum bathed in graceful Himalayan art. “This collection has been an evolution for us,” said […]
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SOCIAL CLIMBER: Nice girls wear Emilio Cavallini’s tempting tights
By Elton Lugay Hanes may have introduced hosiery to Americans, but it took Italian designer Emilio Cavallini to transform simple stockings into a fashion statement that is stunning and chic and screams: Peel me. Legendary legwear designer Cavallini, who once produced stockings for Dior, Balenciaga and the late Alexander McQueen, presented his Fall/Winter ‘12 collection […]
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‘It will always be red roses’
By Cristina DC Pastor A Manhattan man sending a flower arrangement to each of his 24 girlfriends. A wife wondering if the husband she was divorcing truly sent her flowers. Sexually graphic messages. Owner Dennis Josue of Fantasia Floral Design on the Upper East Side has seen and heard everything. Nothing more will shock him, […]
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SOCIAL CLIMBER: Monique Lhuillier goes dragon red, vampire black and leather
By Elton Lugay The usually safe and subtle Monique Lhuillier is going bold this Fall. For her February 11 standing-room press show at Lincoln Center, she went “sci-fi goddess warrior.” She talked to The FilAm about “going tougher” this season and creating style that shows “strong shoulders.” “The ballgown was not really important in this […]