Who says all Victoria’s Secret models are six feet tall with hourglass figures? I felt very Victoria when I sashayed down the Speedo ramp, complete with wings, feathers and crown, for the swimwear brand’s Spring-Summer 2014 fashion show, “Evolution.”
With Speedo, confidence is the game and swimming is the sport. For those looking for more athletic yet sexy beachwear, there is no other store than Speedo. The brand never fails to wow the audience in its annual Spring-Summer show, which is always an ab and glam fest.
Speedo showcased a vivid array of multifunctional swimwear, beachwear and accessories for its latest collection. The brand continues to embody the perfect suits for those who want to work out to achieve that perfect summer shape, and perhaps even want to flaunt their toned bodies.
Speedo’s “Evolution” reflects the brand’s mission to go beyond expectations with its creative designs and innovation. Speedo research and development prowess continues to turn out products ideal for competitive sport or plain leisure.
The Speedo lines range from Speedo Fit, which focuses on helping swimmers improve techniques, to Fastskin Racing System, including the top-of-the-line LZR Racer Elite 2. The latter’s parade of colors was shown off by champion swimmers Jessie Lacuna, Charlie Walker, Ken Uy, Ariana Herranz, Hannah Dato and Kim Uy.
The aesthetics of Speedo’s Competitive range were inspired by the theme of “Pulse,” which helps reflect the rush of adrenaline and highly charged movement with the use of unexpected color and graphics, combining understated bases and vivid neons.
The Speedo Health and Wellbeing collection features a selection of new products and designs in the widely popular Speedo Sculpture range, featuring intelligent technologies and prints which visually shape and sculpt the body for a flattering look. Its design influence is “Illusion,” which uses elements of synthetic nature, botanical symmetry and manipulative beauty for on-trend looks.
Finally, the iconic Speedo Watershorts collection draws on elements of “Code,” “Pulse,” “Illusion” and “Freestyle” to provide an on-trend “mix and match” collection. The range offers everything from simple color blocks to layered graphics and contrasting colors.
Aside from the gorgeous men and women who lit up the runway, my hubby, Speedo Fit ambassador Dennis Valdes, and I got to join in. We were thrilled to walk the ramp on behalf of this great brand representing both the fun and serious sides of swimming.
Among the special guests who attended the launch were Harry Singh and Wing Chow of Speedo International, Indian Ambassador Designate L.D. Ralte, and Philippine swimming’s Mark Joseph.
Bags to benefit Basey
A wonderful addition to any summer wardrobe that makes a trip to the beach memorable is a straw bag. Bag and accessory designer Amina Aranaz took the beach bag further and created a special fashion-forward accessory that gives back to the community.
The Weaves of Hope straw bag, handcrafted by Bicol’s local weavers, will benefit the town of Basey, Samar. Proceeds from every bag sold will be used to rebuild the homes of its residents, the same ones who bring us the beautiful woven mats from the province, known as the “Banig Capital of the Philippines.” Basey was badly affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” last year, but the town’s mat-weaving industry is slowly rebuilding.
Stylish Amina personifies the bayanihan spirit by spearheading the Luz straw bag initiative. She has enlisted Luz bag muses to spread the word, captured by photographer Jo Ann Bitagcol. The beauties include Audrey Zubiri, Bianca Gonzalez, Camille Co, Divine Lee, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Maxene Magalona and Kelly Misa-Fernandez.
As one of the muses, I fully support this project by making the bags part of my summer essentials. Luz bags are available at Aranaz shops (www.aranaz.ph) in Power Plant Mall and Greenbelt 5.
Shoes from Brazil
From bags to shoes, summer has never been so fashionable! Dumond, an excitingly fashionable shoes and bags brand from Brazil, recently launched its latest summer collection of bright and happy colors.
Dumond loves the sun and joie de vivre of Brazilian colors, rhythm and dance. Inspired by freedom of movement and the celebration of Carnival, Dumond’s collections include modern and classic styles that reflect the style and charm of Brazil.
Leather, metal, vintage, exotic skin or wild textures make their shoes, bags and accessories suitable to the summer mood. From summer heels to high stilettos, Dumond shoes are quite extraordinary and comfortable, too.
Every collection embodies global trends without sacrificing Brazilian beauty, quality and style. Dumond is the result of the success of Brazilian group Paqueta, a major footwear business for more than 60 years.
In the Philippines, Officine Corp. distributes Dumond and is also the distributor of Geox and Terra & Agua.
Bruno Sander, Dumond international brand manager, personally flew in from Singapore to launch the Spring-Summer collection. He told me that Dumond shoes are matched with stylish bags for fashionable Pinoy women. Dumond has shops in Greenbelt 3, Robinsons Place Manila and TriNoma Mall.
Malasimbo festival
My summer life started last week at the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival in Puerto Galera. Wonderful couple Hubert and Ira D’Aboville organize this unique annual celebration of music, art and nature in an amphitheater setting in the mountains.
Set in jaw-dropping surroundings, international artists come to this festival that is celebrated for a whole weekend. Some of the big names this year included José Gonzalez, Robert Glasper Experiment, Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith, and Mishka Adams, to name a few.
Art curator Olivia D’Aboville put together amazing installations of different local artists to the delight of the chill-out crowd. I will surely be back next year!
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