An awesome woman of substance and global stature visited our shores for the Jag Origins event during the 2013 Philippine Fashion Week held at the SMX Convention Center. She is none other than the eye-catching “Project Runway” judge and Marie Claire magazine fashion director Nina Garcia.

 

Looking fab in a black halter crepe dress with silver lamé crocodile pattern and peplum detail, dahlings, the Colombia-born Nina shared bits of wisdom about the fashion industry during her interview with Boy Abunda.

 

Jag Jeans jetted Nina in as the inaugural speaker of Jag Origins, “which is envisioned to be an annual event promoting fashion, marketing and creative thinking among industry and art/fashion students,” explained Boy A.

 

Event host was Sarah Meier.

 

“You should have passion, the drive and the desire to be in the business… It is important to know a lot about culture, the arts, and to know something about business… because the reality is, it’s really art and commerce,” said Nina, when asked for advice to aspiring fashion designers.

 

The grand happening was highlighted by the presentation of young designers Norman Noriega, Jeffrey Rogador and Jerome Salaya Ang who showcased their special collection in a couture-meets-denim show.

 

Jag Jeans hosted cocktails where Nina rubbed elbows with some of Manille’s top fashion personalities, palanggas.

 

The event also launched the Jag Jeans 2013 Holiday Collection, which featured ankle-cut jeans for women and, take note, sexy stretch denims for men, no less.

 

Mango’s latest collection

 

It started in Barcelona, Spain, some 29 years ago, dahlings, and now the clothing brand Mango has become a renowned fashion name worldwide.

 

Recently, Mango hosted cocktails to present its latest collection at the Bonifacio High Street Central Amphitheater.

 

Welcoming the chosen invitees were Mango Philippines’  smart director for operations Rosa Maria Gualberto, country supervisor Kelly Santos and pretty assistant brand manager Karla Magno.

 

The fashion show unveiled 80 pieces of outstanding outfits and accessories, plus its concept stores Mango Touch and H.E. by Mango, natch.

 

Mango Touch’s new collection of premium accessories was inspired by lively tribal patterns of gypsies. H.E. by Mango presented a sophisticated line of classic and urban menswear.

 

As a sidelight, the group Sinyma performed cool electronica music.

 

Capping the show was a three-part style segment on women’s fashion.

 

To add more dash was the unveiling of the new look of the Mango RCBC-Bankard MasterCard, presented by RCBC president and CEO Oscar Biason, no less.

 

Superbly hosting the program was Julia Sniegowski, with the fashion show directed by Robby Carmona and staged by Saga events.

 

As a whole, it was a chic way for Mango to show off what’s best for the best, di bala, palanggas?

 

Toast to all things great about Britain

 

It was a night when Britain’s star shone in all its glory, dahlings. British Ambassador Stephen Lillie graced a reception highlighting some of the things that are “great about Britain,” like creativity, knowledge and business, and its links with the Philippines.

 

The guests, which included alumni of British universities and recipients of the UK Chevening Scholarship Programme, gathered leaders in the fashion, education and business sectors.

 

Held at the très elegant Jaguar Land Rover Showroom in Bonifacio Global City, the event had a glittery ambiance with the display of car models from the two British brands, along with the latest styles from the clothing brand Paul Smith, no less. Films projected on a video wall showed facets of life and culture in Great Britain, while the invitees sipped on the excellent Penfolds wines as an eclectic mix of great British music played on.

 

“Penfolds is both proud and honored to be part of this very prestigious event. As an iconic wine brand the world over, Penfolds will continue to be part of life’s most uplifting moments by spreading cheer to every celebration,” enthused Yogi Ringler, chief marketing officer, Future Trade International, Philippine distributor of Penfolds wines. Penfolds was founded in 1844 by Christopher Rawson Penfold, an English physician who emigrated to Australia.

 

In case you didn’t know, the British Embassy Manila, through its UK Trade & Investment section, has been actively promoting bilateral trade and investment between the Philippines and the UK with this landmark event, which was très graciously hosted by taipan Wellington Soong. Well, now you know, dahlings!