The spotlight was on Filipino creativity and ingenuity at the Manila FAME, “The Design and Lifestyle Event,” at the SMX Convention Center.
The fair highlighted the best of Philippine-made furniture and furnishings, home accents, holiday fashion complements with an artisanal touch, plus many other items, palanggas.
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, together with Department of Trade and Industry’s expert export marketing arm, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), headed by executive director Rosvi Gaetos, inaugurated the trade fair.
Domingo said Citem this year collaborated with top international names.
Jetting into town from New York was American retail and sourcing expert James Booth and celebrated Filipino designer Josie Natori, who was creative director for Manila Wear.
Meanwhile, Budji Layug and Kenneth Cobonpue were Manila FAME creative directors.
Manila FAME has become a hub for hot retailers such as Bloomingdale’s, Harrods and Neiman Marcus, and buyers from the United States, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and Germany.
Manila FAME confirmed once again that the Philippines is one of Asia’s design leaders.
Visit www.manilafame.com or e-mail [email protected].
L’Oréal
In connection with Paris Fashion Week, L’Oréal Professionnels hosted in Manila a grand happening celebrating the country’s hair professionals and fashion muses.
At the newly opened Hyve Club, well-chosen invitees witnessed the unveiling of the latest Parisian collection from L’Oréal Professionnel designer, my pal Rhett Eala, no less. He teamed up with Henri Calayag who created the runway muses’ fabulous tresses.
“L’Oréal Professionnel has been in the world of beauty for over 100 years, and we continue to raise the bar when it comes to hair color, haircare, form and styling,” said L’Oréal Professionnel product division general manager Yunus Koswara. “With this commitment, we are set to inspire loyal fans further with more exciting activities that only an industry leader like L’Oréal Professionnel can offer.
“Enriching activities like these set L’Oréal apart from the rest of the industry, as we always strive to go beyond hair discussions to include fashion as a whole.”
The fabulous ball gowns designed by Eala were complemented by the hair styles that showcased the latest hair colors.
Chef Rob Pengson for his part provided culinary stylings of his own to match the high-fashion event, palanggas.
Capping the affair was the awarding of the night’s “ultimate muse,” who got to bring home one of Rhett’s coveted sartorial masterpieces.
Marriot Café’s seafood fest
If you are a lover of fish cuisine, I’ll bet you that there is nothing more delightful than to see fishermen hauling a net brimming with the freshest catch.
Well, at the Marriot Café, you can magnify this delightful happening through an awesome seafood buffet every Friday and Saturday, from 6-10:30 p.m. It’s called Ocean’s Harvest.
You can choose from fresh seafood and request the chef to cook it the way you want. You can have your glorious taste of the bounty of the sea for P2,300.
Gorgeous celebrities Ruffa Guttierez and Phoemela Barranda tried the buffet themselves.
Marriott Manila executive chef Meik Brammer demonstrated like a pro how the buffet works, while proudly narrating, “my daily morning voyage to Navotas to ensure that everything bought is nothing but fresh.”
He directed diners to the Catch of the Day station and urged them to tell the chef how they wanted their seafood to be prepared. No recipes required.
“With quality ingredients and well-experienced chefs preparing your choice the way you want it, how can anything go wrong?” chef Meik concluded.
With the to-die-for seafood feast, it would surely not be your last visit to the Marriot Café, ’di bala, palanggas?
More info? Call 9889999.
