Manila

Strolling around Manila is a different kind of experience. Its old architecture from bygone years gives the impression of being elsewhere. One lazy Saturday morning, I've decided to do a walking tour of Escolta (think Fifth Avenue in the 19th-mid 20th century) and took these photos.

I forgot the name of this building, however i do remember that its has been converted 2? times. First as a supermarket and now as a bank.



If you look closer, you'll notice that the clock is from Strasbourg and yes, it still works.



View of the Philippine Post Office behind the Pasig River.



A Neo-classical building in Escolta.



What used to be an old theatre.

Philip Treacy

I've always been a fan of milliner Philip Treacy's work. After his stint at this season's PR (Project Runway) I felt the urge to look at my own archive for works of this "mad hatter extraordinaire"...Enjoy

From Joyce magazine, Fall 1997


Fashion spread from US Vogue, December 1996





"Poppy Hat" as featured in US Vogue, April 1998

Slims

Salvacion Lim Higgins (more popularly known as "Slims") is considered to be another pillar in Philippine couture. If Valera is to Balenciaga and Saint Laurent, I would describe Slims as "The Philippines' answer to Alix Gres with a bit of Desses and Vionnet". A couple of months ago, I managed to visit two retrospectives in honor of this exceptional designer. First stop was "Slims: Philippine Haute Couture: 1947-1990 at the National Museum which chronicled the designer's career via the clothes on display. The second one, which was part of a collective exhibit of Filipino-Chinese family of artists at the Yuchengco Museum, displayed a fewer number (mostly of later works) by the designer.

To know more about Slims, visit: http://www.slimslegacy.com/home.shtml

A flamingo colored terno with draped skirt.



Detail.



A Muslim-inspired ensemble.



Dresses with Ikat-inspired beadwork.






Harem-inspired ensemble.




Top and skirt with arabesque beadwork.



A fully beaded jumpsuit from the 60's.

A Study in Contrast

While waiting for the jeep, I saw this:





Love the play of houndstooth over his striped shirt. Thanks to the unidentified guy who "posed" for me. :)

What do You Think?

So I haven't uploaded my blog like forever and for that here are some photos that I would like to share.



Ubermodel Carmen Kass appearing that infamous ad.





And Manila's "Queen of All Media" appearing in "that" ad.

And now for some Valera.

Photo of the designer via http://firstfilipino.blogspot.com/2007/08/ramon-valera.html


"Don't always follow what magazines say is the style." -Ramon Valera

While looking at possible resources for my thesis a few months back, I came across this one particular book about Filipino designer Ramon Valera. Now, Ramon Valera is perhaps the Philippines' answer to Cristobal Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent. An icon in Philippine couture, he was named a National Artist for Fashion (Posthumous) in 2006, and was the first Filipino designer to be given such distinction. A self-taught designer who is known for his superb skill in draping and construction, his designs are a cross between architecture and could be considered as art pieces on their own. The book chronicles the designer's career as well as photos and sketches of some of his work. Below are a few photos which I took.


A sample of a Ramon Valera terno.


Imelda Marcos wearing another Valera designed terno.


Back detail of another terno.


I particularly like the silhouette and contrast of this dress.


Love this dress.


A Valera wedding gown from the 60's.




Sample of beadworks.






Fashion sketches.


Found a copy being sold for P 2,225.00 at a local bookstore. Time to save up for this one. hehehehehe :)

Finally

My curiosity has been rewarded. Went back to San Sebastian Church yesterday and I have to say I wasn't disappointed with what I saw. Managed to take a few shots before my camera ran out of batteries.....Talk about a major disappointment.hehehehehe



View of the altar from my seat.



View from above.



View of the pipe organ.




Trompe l'oiel from the ceiling.




One of the few stained-glass windows.



Interesting that they maintained the over-all Gothic theme even with the confessionals.


Steel post covered in rust. I'm thinking of translating this image into something. :)