Pint-Sized Couture Parts 20, 21 and 22; "Millinery Edition"

Just a few designs which might have graced the Royal Wedding. :)

As they would say: "It comes in Threes"

Hollywood legend Grace Kelly wore a gown designed by Helen Rose when she married Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956.

Award winning theater actress Lea Salonga wore a Monique Lhuillier gown during her 2004 wedding.

And now, Kate Middleton in Sarah Burton.

photos via: googleimages

Pint-Sized Couture Pt. 19 "La Sposa"

Seems like everyone's bitten by the "Royal Wedding bug" (including me. LOL) With just a few hours before William and Kate pronounce their "I do's", I present to you my version of a blushing bride.

Pint Sized Couture No. 18 "Art Appreciation"

Strapless dress made of canvas with paint detail.

Barong Project

Barong (bah-rong) is the traditional outfit of Filipino men. Often times it is worn during special occasions and with just a week before my graduation, I'm sharing you my recent project which is , you guessed it: a Barong.

Filipino President Manuel Quezon (pictured below) was the one who dubbed Barong as "the National Outfit of Filipino Men". However it was in the 60's when then President Marcos summoned a "Barong Tagalog Week" which further popularized the garment.

Director Quentin Taratino wearing a Barong during the Announcement of Nominees at the 2007 Golden Globes. It was reported that he's fascinated by the garment that he donned it at the event.

The material I worked with was jusi (who-see). It was originally made of woven silk and pina (pineapple) threads. I initially thought of using pineapple as my fabric but find it a bit stiff and sheer. Although its my first time to use jusi as material (not to mention my initial attempt to make a Barong), I'd say that I'm happy with the result. :)

I also thought of using these as accents for the shirt but find a bit too much. I'll find other use for these in my future project(s). :)

Initial sketches for the shirt.

Laying out the sleeves pattern.

I knew that I want to incorporate pleats for my shirt. With its paper-like texture, pleating is one of the techniques applicable for jusi. Although not exactly the happiest thing to do BUT then again, do I have a choice? LOL

The pleats as it appears on the shirt and the garment taking shape.

Sewing one of the sleeves.

I'm not liking the idea of a white Barong so I decided to dye it using coffee. .

Sewing one of the buttons and buttonholes by hand.

Finally, a preview of the shirt.

I just love the texture at the back.

More photos soon. :)

Just a Thought

"An artist must never be a prisoner of himself,

prisoner of a style,

prisoner of a reputation."

-Henri Matisse in "Jazz"

The artist, circa 1950.(via googleimages)

Signs of the Times

I've never been on a plane BUT if money is no object, travel is one thing I'd definitely do. I believe the world is just too big to get stuck in one place. Recently, I was going through some old copies of Reader's Digest when I saw these travel ads from days gone by.

I just love this JAL from 1974 which clearly illustrates "travelling in style". Don't they look chic?

Another ad from JAL.

As if this isn't obvious enough. LOL

Gone are the days.

Something from Singapore Airlines.

.....PanAm

and Cathay Pacific.

Fin. :)