In connection with the 60th anniversary of the world-famous Lladró, Rustan’s jetted into town the Spanish porcelain house’s flower artist, Adela Oller, to give exclusive floral design demonstrations at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La.
Oller came with Marion Belmonte Forrest, regional marketing coordinator of Lladró Asia Pacific, who explained to the invitees how specially handcrafted Lladró items were.
Joining the special visit of Lladro to Manila was Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq.
Among the guests were Dutch Ambassador Ton Boon von Ochssee and his fashionable wife, Martine Boon Von Ochssee; Rustan Commercial Corp. president Zenaida R. Tantoco, artist Betsy Westendorp, Mario Katigbak of Hermes and Bulgari, Cristina Ponce Enrile, and Marita Rufino.
It was the first time that sunflowers had been used in a Lladró piece. With this, the brand made a nod to the country where Lladro was born, reminding everyone of the sun that is closely associated with the image everyone has of Spain.
The collection included Flowers of the Season, which has been the best-selling Lladró piece worldwide for almost 20 years now.
For a dash of sunny Spain, Batu Yilmaz thrilled the crowd with pulsating flamenco music as the chi-chi guests nibbled on queso Manchego and Jamon Jabugo, especially provided by Rustan’s Fresh, along with Spanish wines and cocktails, natch!
Brothers Juan, José and Vicente Lladró founded the world-renowned company in 1953 in Valencia, Spain.
One look at Lladró’s Spring 2013 Collection will make one passionate about the art and romance of porcelain, palanggas.
Avon’s salute to women
Avon Fashions’ Revelry of Colors and Styles gathered female and even male fashionistas at the new SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier.
The event launched Avon’s Fall 2013 lines which included intimate apparel, jewelry and accessories.
Hotshot Avon executives present during the fashion show included Bob Briddon, president for Asia Pacific and the Philippines; Susie Kessler; Louie Migne, director for communications in the Asia Pacific and the Philippines; and Faith Fernandez-Aranton, public relations head of Avon Philippines.
The fab fashion show had 15 unique and intricately designed intimate apparel looks for women and men, and six exceptionally stunning collections of jewelry and watches, palanggas.
Definitely the highlight was Solenn Heussaff, who was unveiled as the “muse of Avon Fashions Jewelry and Watches.”
The model-singer set the runway ablaze with a captivating rendition of “Fire,” a cover of the song by Bruce Springsteen from her own album.
She sang during the show’s second segment, which showed off the latest range of jewelry and watches, in particular, take note, palanggas, the “Solenn Two-Tone Collection.”
“The exciting collections we have for intimate apparel, jewelry and accessories this season depict our salute to what women have told us they want in style and fashion,” said Briddon. “With 35 years tucked under our belt as the strongest and biggest direct-selling company in the Philippines, and with Avon Fashions maintaining the No. 1 position for intimate apparel here in the country, definitely, there is much cause for celebration.”
Aéropostale flagship store
Aéropostale, the American specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally for 14- to 17-year-old young women and men, opened its flagship store in Manila on the ground level of the new Glorietta 2, no less.
Stores Specialists Inc. provided a vintage feel to the New York-inspired design of the store, with colored artwork and fixtures paired with dark wood.
Shoppers can fit in four unique zones: the Entry and Fashion room, the Swing room, Heritage room, and the Girls room.
MYX VJ Joyce Pring emceed the show.
Young achievers in sports, music, the arts and academics walked the runway, wearing the latest prints and brightest designs from the brand as live music was played by three popular bands.
Après a lot of shopping for the fashion items, guests were invited by chic DJs Patty Tiu and Kat of Deuce Manila to rock the dance floor to their high-octane beats.
For a change, thank goodness, a gig had loads of Manille’s freshest faces and not the usual social victims!