At the swanky Shangri-La Makati last week, women in ball gowns and men in elegant black ties breezed into the foyer of the hotel’s grand ballroom.

 

They sipped cool Moet Hennessy wines as they waited for the grand entrance of Bhutan’s royal highness, Queen Mother Ashi Tsering Pem Wangchuck.

 

Occasion was Lifestyle Asia’s 26th anniversary celebration, which took on the Bhutanese theme.

 

The Manila Symphony Orchestra performed superbly. It was followed by the beautiful Lauren Liechtenstein, who showed that besides being a scientist, she is also an awesome soprano, dahlings.

 

Among the A-list crowd were Globe president Ernest Cu, whose telecommunications company was co-presenter, and Felix Ang, who provided Mercedes Benz S-class for the highly

exclusive guests.

 

The 800 or so stellar guests included Cabinet members with their spouses, tycoons, diplomats and some of Manille’s very elite high-society members, palanggas.

 

Lifestyle Asia editor in chief Anna Sobrepeña, with One Mega Group chair Jerry Tiu, president Sari Yap, associate publisher Cheryl Tiu and VP Archie Carrasco, presented the Queen Mother with a gift in support of the Bhutan Youth Foundation, her own charity.

 

Among the guests was Mario Katigbak of Bulgari and Hermes.

 

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said “it was an elegant and delightful evening.” His adorable wife, Gretchen, said she particularly enjoyed the music.

 

Ricky Razon’s gorgeous daughter Kat went up to the DJ booth and spun music that had the chi-chi audience rushing to the dance floor and rocking it.

 

Rustan’s Nedy Tantoco, moi, DJ Lopez, Patrick Jacinto, Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno and wife Agnes joined in the fun.

 

Company presidents, ambassadors and taipans gamely removed their tuxedos for the grinds, twirls and Travolta moves.

 

Days after, people were still talking about the cool queen who got up to join the flash mob.

 

Yes, dahlings, it was the grandest bash of Lifestyle Asia to date, and, dahling, it wasn’t even a ball.

 

Now, that totally deserves a wow, dahlings.

 

Mexx

 

From stylish cities around the globe, Mexx has come to Manila with a bang, holding a fashion bash at the posh East Wing Atrium of One Shangri-La.

 

Taking center stage was the Mexx Metropolitan collection.

 

“We are very proud to present our latest collection to our Philippine market,” said Peter Hammond, senior vice president for Asia-Pacific of Mexx. “And I am confident that the Filipinos,

with their fun and adventurous sense of style, will embrace the vibrant Mexx fashion.”

 

Hammond later introduced the Mexx fashion icons—Xandra Rocha, Marco Rodriguez, Marc Shulze and Nicole Andersson. He described them as “positive thinkers, open-minded and confident . . .  the fab four embody the Mexx brand philosophy.”

 

Mexx opened its first store in the country at Alabang Town Center last December. The second branch recently opened in Shangri-La Plaza. This year, Mexx is scheduled to open more stores, especially at Glorietta and SM’s upscale Aura Premier.

 

“With two new stores in the pipeline, Mexx followers can look forward to adding that extra dash of European chic to their wardrobe,” Hammond said to the applause of the satisfied invitees.

 

Penshoppe

 

Retail powerhouse Penshoppe had everyone talking with its highly anticipated Holiday 2013 showcase during Philippine Fashion Week at the SMX Convention Center’s Hall 2.

 

Watching the show were newly married celebrity lovebirds Patti Grandidge and Jon Herrera, top models Sarah Meier and Charo Ronquillo, and lawyer Karen Jimeno.

 

Also enjoying the show were Status Magazine editor Rosario Herrera, Style Media Asia CEO and executive producer Tina Herrera, model and writer Tetta Ortiz-Matera, Golden ABC VP for retail brands  Alice Liu, no less, natch!

 

“This is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Penshoppe brand director Jeff Bascon. “Cooler things are yet to come from Penshoppe. We’re going to have a stronger point of view when it comes to fashion and we’re excited to share it with the rest of the world.”

 

Unlike previous shows that boasted international celebrity endorsers taking to the runway, this season’s highlights were right where they mattered: The clothes were the mega stars of the show.

 

More info? E-mail [email protected].