MUST WEAR NOW: MACRO FLORALS

It's only the second week of February, but I can already feel the hot temperature seeping thru my pores. It's inevitable - summertime is here! As we start sweating profusely under the already-simmering sun, we say goodbye (momentarily) to layering and dark clothes, and say hello to something colorful, light and easy-breezy.

With chic (and leggy) city girls living an independent life in mind, FREEWAY goes full bloom with one of summer's ultimate trend - floral prints. But the local fashion brand has it big this time - as in literally BIG! Gigantic graphic images of rose flowers and tulips serve as beautiful canvasses for dresses with simple & modern cuts, and light tailored casual pieces. If you want to stand out while looking ultra-feminine and fresh, these macro florals are indeed bold summer statements.

Check out FREEWAY's lookbook below and style your macro florals with mini clutches, a pair of colored heels and a slicked hairdo:

Visit FREEWAY at The Row, Glorietta 1, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Trinoma, SM City North EDSA, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Galleria, SM Bacoor, Marquee Mall Pampanga, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Dasmarinas, SM Clark, Chimes Mall Davao, SM Fairview, SM Iloilo, Market! Market!, Robinsons Metroeast, Festival Mall, SM Southmall, SM Pampanga, SM Sucat, Abreeza Mall Davao, Limketkai Mall CDO, KCC Mall Gensan. Or go online: www.freewayonline.com.ph

SHAPING UP

After blogging about the clothing brand CHEMISTRY in my previous post, here comes its big sister @SHAPES with its Holiday 2013 ad campaign.

Different casual to dressy getups highlight the recent collection of SHAPES that allow women to look their effortless best when doing their holiday shopping spree, catching up and bonding with old girlfriends over lunch, hitting the dance floor at night, or feeling romantic while on a date - all wearable options to sport out during this Yuletide season.

This new pictorial also features one of our favorite models, @Fatima Rabago, who happened to celebrate her birthday recently (belated happy birthday gurl!). The ultra-skinny Spanish model is also the wife of one of the country's most-sought male models, Hideo Muraoka.

Check out SHAPES and see their new collection at SM City North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Manila, SM Fairview, SM Clark, SM Pampanga, SM Batangas, SM Bicutan, SM Calamba, SM Dasmarinas, SM Lipa, SM San Lazaro, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Southmall, SM Novaliches, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Muntinlupa, SM Sucat, SM Valenzuela, Alabang Town Center, Pavillion Mall. Or log-on to www.shapes.com.ph; Facebook: Shapes (official); Twitter: shapes_clothing.

PATTERN MISMATCH. A pattern play of chevron stripes versus animal print looks very interesting. Finish off with something gold and you're off to dancing the night away.

The LBD. A well-fitting black dress always work for romantic evening dates. Add some quirky accessories that depict the mood of the season.

CASUAL VIBE. Mix colors and don some stripes on a relaxed, effortless but stylish weekend, or during a Sunday shopping spree.

CHECKING IN. Plaid shirts are so in-trend this season - choose a streamlined checkered shirt on a pair of slim trousers for a tailored look. For more adventurous styling, a fringed belt adds Western cowgirl appeal to the entire ensemble.

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Photography: Mau Aguasin (@ MA Studio)
Art Direction & Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Assisted by: Sheila Marie Danipog
Makeup: Bobby Carlos
Model: Fatima Rabago (Mercator)

A PERFECT CHEMISTRY

You may have probably come across this clothing shop while window shopping at select SM Supermalls, or have read about it in blogs, or in Facebook or Twitter. For some, @CHEMISTRY doesn't strike recognition as much as its older sister brand SHAPES, but it has a promising potential (merchandise-wise) should the company that owns it would realize the power of strategic marketing and intensive promotion.

My partner @George Palmiano and I have long been friends with its beloved owners (two of the nicest bosses in the industry, we must say), and we are thankful that they always entrust their ad campaigns to us. Speaking of which, we are glad to present its imaging for Holiday 2013 - the second pictorial we've done so far for CHEMISTRY.

Although this is released for the holiday season, this new ad campaign is in fact all-season with all-year basic and casual styles immersed in various delectable prints - both for him and for her. Take your pick from checks, florals and even stripes, and do your own spin on pattern combos that come in, well as you say, perfect chemistry.

CHECK YOUR STYLE
We've seen checkered prints come on and off the style radar, but this season is the right moment to wear them. Add some grunge character to your outfit, and come out edgy and headstrong.

FLOWER POWER
Miniscule floral prints are cute style favorites for dainty girls, and even so, boys shouldn't be afraid to wear them.

IN LINE WITH STRIPES 
Add nautical appeal onto your casual wardrobe and make your choice in black & white - for his or hers.

CHEMISTRY is available at SM City North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM Manila,  SM San Lazaro, SM Calamba, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Batangas and Marquee Mall Pampanga. Check out www.chemistry-shop.com, Twitter: chemistryshop, Facebook: Chemistry Clothing.






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Photography: @Mau Aguasin (MA Studio)
Art Direction & Styling: @Mike de Guzman & @George Palmiano (MGP)
Assisted by: @Sheila Marie Danipog & @Joel Ven Malazo
Makeup: @Bobby Carlos
Hair: @Dimple Callada
Models: @Coraleen Wadell & @Tommy Esguerra (Elite Manila)