The 57th edition of FAME showcases a promising insight of distinctly Philippine-made products with an artisanal touch. One can’t help but be proud of the creativity, artistry and high quality of these design forward pieces that hopefully  strengthens the country’s aspiration as one of Asia’s top design destination. Recently, Manila FAME together with the country’s other major sourcing events – Manila Now, Cebunext and Bijoux Cebu, have partnered and consolidated under one umbrella in creating this twice a year event to provide this window of opportunity for small and medium scale entrepreneurs to showcase their products to the world.

This major Design and Lifestyle Event is the only one in the country approved by UFI -The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry while Manila FAME is currently one of the longest running trade shows in the Asia-Pacific. The future looks bright as latest Philippine-made creations from artisans and manufacturers have progressively taken a step forward in cohesively branding the best of the best all in one.  The must-see event is set to present another worthwhile exhibition in the last quarter of this year.  Looking forward to the best that’s yet to come.

Other articles

Sunblock

No matter where your destination is, a bottle of sunblock should be the first thing in your bag. The sun’s harmful UV rays can wreak havoc on your skin even if you’re sitting in the shade or chilling in the car. Avoid sunburn and skin aging by grabbing sunblock with protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Maxidress

Take at least one maxidress with you wherever you go. A colorful maxidress is the secret to staying comfortable in a long trip without sacrificing your style. It also doubles as a fierce cover-up over your bikini, and makes the perfect outfit for when you suddenly find yourself with dinner plans at nice restaurant.

Shades

It goes without saying that shades are an essential part of any travel wardrobe. Earn extra style points with handcrafted bamboo sunglasses from Panda, which have a unique wooden finish. But they’re more than just a pretty pair of shades; they’re ultra-lightweight, water-resistant, and provide UVA and UVB protection for your eyes.

Fabric freshener

If you find yourself extra sweaty with nothing else to wear, you need some sort of fabric freshener to make your clothes wearable one more time. Messy Bessy’s fabric freshener is made of a blend of natural extracts that kills offensive odors and makes the car a more hospitable place for you and your friends.

Toilet paper and baby wipes

When nature calls, you have to answer, often at roadside restrooms that offer little in the way of hygiene. Stay clean with a roll of toilet paper and baby wipes to get rid of the grime on your hands.

A pretty beach blanket                                                        

Did you know that every beachgoer accidentally takes a handful of sand with them using their blankets? That may not seem like a lot, but it adds up and contributes to shoreline erosion with thousands of people visiting the beach every year. Save the shoreline in style with colorful beach blankets from Lagu. Proudly made in the Philippines, each blanket is made of a unique linen blend that won’t attract sand and dries fast enough for repeated use.

Loudspeakers

What fun is a weekend getaway without music everyone can enjoy? Keep the party going with a Loudbasstard sound amplifier. Each Loudbasstard is made entirely of bamboo and engineered so that it can blast your tunes without the use of batteries of electricity. It’s also proudly handmade in Cebu, and every purchase supports the growth of their local economy.

A sturdy backpack

Toss everything in a sturdy backpack that can handle the wear and tear of travel. We love the brightly colored eco-friendly backpacks by Baggu. Perfectly sized for an impromptu weekend getaway, each bag is made of stiff, 100% cotton canvas that can handle the weight of your travel essentials. Its trendy color palette and crisp shape also gives it some serious fashion cred that doesn’t look out of place in the city.

Photo credit 1 | 2

Other articles

Photography by Mau Aguasin, styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., makeup and hair styling by Sari Campos, associate styling by Mikka Velasquez and Trish Tagle, modeled by Veridiano Tesch.  All clothes by Coco Republic of SM Men’s Fashion.  Shot on location at Terazzas de Punta Fuego.  Special thanks to Landco and Ms. Mawi de Ocampo.

Other articles

AVA’s Baby Boutique will feature premium and hard-to-find baby brands with the highest quality products, such as organic kids clothing, beautifully designed feeding bottles, stylish baby couture, charming totes, and delightful diaper bags. The Boutique even features cute, quirky products such as stuffed-toy bottle holders, water expanding toys, and kooky printed onesies.

“There are over now over 4.5 million online moms in the Philippines. And with over 6 million babies less than 2 years old, many of these moms are turning to blogs, shopping sites, and social media for advice on how raise their little bundle of joy. At AVA, we wanted our Baby Boutique to address a big problem moms face: how can they discover and learn about the best brands for their babies, from the comfort of their homes? AVA’s Baby Boutique does just that,” says Oliver Segovia, AVA founder and CEO.

“We all know how busy and stressed the modern mom is, so our goal is to make life a little easier for them, “says Maricor Chiu, AVA VP for Sales and mother of two boys. “The Baby Boutique does what AVA does best: find hand-picked, curated products that we ourselves love. This time, we’re picking for the most important person in a mom’s life. Moms are smart, discerning and sophisticated shoppers. When it comes to their kids, they demand only the best.”

Below are some of the many brands featured in the AVA Baby Boutique.

• Mud Pie. Thoughtful giftware and baby apparel.

• Nature Colored. Infant clothing made from organically grown, and naturally colored cotton: no dyes, no bleach, no chemical pesticides residues.

• PURA Bottles. An AVA favorite from 2012. Safe, modern feeding system bottles for infants and toddlers. Crafted from safe, anti-bacterial, #304 stainless steel.

• Zuri Baby Couture. From setting the trademark for classic pieces to making a buzz on signature body jewelry, Zuri Wearable Art has entered into another fashion forward journey through the eyes of little angels.

• Oogaa. Non-toxic silicone feeding spoons, meal time sets and placemats

• Mimijumi. Simple, safe and natural products for the modern family

• Levels of Discovery. Exclusively distributed furniture for kids and toddlers

  
  

Other articles

Reese reached out to Philippine fashion design icon Rajo Laurel and asked if he was interested in designing a line of handbags for them. Believing in the cause, he happily obliged. Rags2Riches gave these women an opportunity to improve their livelihood and get noticed for their work. Their products also help save the environment by transforming tons and tons of scrap cloth to fashionable handbags women everywhere would love. From 20 cents per day, they can now work their way to their designer line and make around $12 per day. Rags2Riches also offered the participating mothers a “quality of life program” where they can put a percentage of their income on their bank account for social security, education or health care.

Rags2Riches has received recognition all over the world for their contribution to society. Reese Fernandez-Ruiz and their eco-ethical business model has won the Social Enterprise Award at the 2008 University of San Francisco (USF) International Business Plan Competition, 2009 Rolex Awards for Enterprise and the 2011 Young Entrepreneur Award by the World Entrepreneurship Forum. In addition to Rajo Laurel, Rags2Riches has also worked with world-renowned fashion designers such as Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Oliver Tolentino. They’ve also expanded to 21 communities in Metro Manila and continue to extend their social footprint by providing incessant education and training to improve the livelihood, not just of these mothers, but their entire families.

AVA carries R2R’s key collections specifically their wallets and netbook sleeves, the Aranaz Nudos Collection, the newest batch of Rajo Laurel clutches, the new Oliver Tolentino collection and the much loved Buslos. Get them and you’ll not only sport fashionable accessories, but also help this wonderful cause.

Other articles

Photography by Mau Aguasin
Make-up by Sari Campos 
All clothes by Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2013

In the Philippines, MK is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists Inc.  Shot on location at Terrazas de Punta Fuego,special thanks to Landco and Ms.Mawi de Ocampo.

Other articles

Other articles

Luis Espiritu with the photographers featured in the exhibit

Other articles

Unplug for a few hours

Our smartphones and tablets make it easier to get in touch with people or retrieve information. But they also result in a mode of living where we’re always distracted and constantly bombarded with information, requests, and demands. Set aside a time to shut off all your devices and unplug from the digital world. Being temporarily disconnected allows your mind to slow down and relax as you take a break from the stress of communication and information overload. It also gives you the space you need to create, think, and foster meaningful face-to-face connections with the people in your life.

Break a sweat

Exercise sounds like counterintuitive advice for someone who’s looking for a break. But scientific research shows that physical activity boosts the production of a feel-good neurotransmitter called endorphins, which helps relieve stress. Exercise also improves sleep, which is often disrupted by anxiety and stress.

For a low-impact, rejuvenating workout, try the Anti-Gravity yoga class at Beyond Yoga. This unique form of yoga literally has you suspended above the ground as you work your core and tone your muscles. If swinging in the air isn’t your cup of tea, Beyond Yoga also offers variety of yoga and dance classes that anyone from different fitness levels can enjoy.

Get a makeover

Whether you want to restore confidence in your natural beauty or you simply enjoy the feeling of having people attend to your needs, a makeover is a great way to unwind. Flirt Waxing Lounge’s Glam Makeover package is the perfect way to cap off a busy week and get pumped for the weekend. The package includes eyebrow threading and shaping, eyelash extensions, and an indulgent manicure, keeping you looking fresh for days to come.

Treat your feet

Your feet probably take a good beating from ill-fitting shoes or the strain of your daily commute. Give them a break by adding a luxe foot spa treatment on top of your pedicure. Foot spa treatments include a massaging foot bath to improve circulation, which reduces tension and alleviates pain. Mod Lei Nail and Day Spa has a wide variety of treatments that does the job, while addressing other aesthetic foot concerns like removing callouses and blemishes.

Revive your hair

A busy schedule gives you little time for your hair beyond shampooing, conditioning, and combing. Give your locks the love they need with Moroccan Argan Oil from Souq Organics. This phenomenal beauty product from the rare Argan tree restores life to dead or damaged hair. For wavy or curly hair that’s out of control, a few drops keep them in check while adding moisture and shine. There are many types of Argan oil in the market today, but Souq gives you the real thing with 100% organic and fair trade Argan extracts, sourced directly from women’s cooperatives in Morocco.

Photo credit 1 | 2

Other articles

To no one’s surprise, Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice left every other character in the fictional dust, as he charmed his way into half of the women’s lists. One respondent called him “the ultimate peg,” and by the looks of this survey, she’s not alone.

Also mentioned–although significantly far behind Mr Darcy in numbers–were Sherlock Holmes, Jon Snow (from George RR Martin’s The Game of Thrones), Sawyer (Josh Holloway from the TV series Lost), Howl Jenkins (from the Diana Wynne Jones novel and animated movie Howl’s Moving Castle), John Thornton (played by Richard Armitage in the BBC miniseries North and South) and Christian Grey (in the ubiquitous 50 Shades of Grey).

Despite the waning interest in vampires, a few of them still showed up on the women’s lists: Edward Cullen from Twilight, Eric Northman from True Blood, and Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. Other popular fandoms that were frequently included were the Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games, and the anime Prince of Tennis.

The oldest married respondent delved as far back as Remington Steele, while the youngest (still in high school) picked characters from young adult books from Cassandra Clare and Abbi Glines. Only one respondent included a Pinoy heartthrob–Lucas from Mina Esguerra’s chick lit novel Fairy Tale Fail.

When asked what they liked about these characters, 18 women admitted that it was because they looked hot, whether in real life or in their imagination. Some preferred the misunderstood bad boy trope while a few picked characters out for their gentleman ways. It only goes to show that even if these characters aren’t flesh and blood, they’re crafted well enough to make girls swoon and wish that they were real.

So how do your favorites stack up? Got more to add to the list?

Other articles