Renowned Swiss watchmaker Longines held a grand opening of its first monobrand boutique in the country at the Manila Polo Club field. Hosted by Lucerne and brothers Emerson and Ivan Yao, the event saw hotshot representatives of Longines jetting into town from Switzerland.
Guests were treated to a demonstration of equestrian stunts by top sportsmen in the country led by Jones Lanza, who directed the demo, and Xavi Virata, TobyTensuan, Lleanna Imperial, Christina Flores, and siblings Paola and Lucas Lorenzo.
Making his first appearance in Manille as “Longines Ambassador of Elegance” was 32-year-old Taiwan-born, Canada-raised actor Eddie Peng. He’s the face of Longines in its ad campaign, which likewise included top actors Simon Baker and Kate Winslet.
“I am happy to celebrate this momentous occasion with Longines,” said Peng, who held an autograph-signing ceremony before the boutique’s floor-to-ceiling poster featuring him with an elegant Longines watch from the Conquest Classic collection.
“We are excited that Longines timepieces may now be viewed and selected by our Filipino clients in an exclusive environment that mirrors the elegance of our watches at our boutique which has a range of professional support services for owners,” said Charles Villoz, Longines vice-president and international sales head.
Emerson Yao, Lucerne managing director, agreed. “It is about time that Longines has arrived in the Philippine market,” he said. “And we were lucky to have prime retail location at the SM Mega Fashion Hall.”
Longines’ slogan is “Elegance is an Attitude.”
For more info, log on to www.longines.com.
Due Porte
Due Porte (Two Doors) of fashion designer Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez and young businesswoman Marielle Santos-Po launched the Italian brand, AnticaSartoria, at the exclusive Makati residence of Caroline Tanchay.
“This is a passion project for Marielle and I,” said Rodriguez. “We want to introduce the Filipino market to beautiful and affordable independent labels from around the world, but focusing on resort wear. We both love to travel and we want our pieces to be reminiscent of our favourite destinations and evoke a feeling of escape.”
The primary collection quickly sold out within two hours.
Decadent Italian linens, lace appliqués and the most delicate cottons were eyecatching. Many of them sported summer colors, designed in the traditional trés chic Positano flair.
“The interesting thing about my partnership with Rosanna is that we are so different from each other,” said Santos-Po. “Fashion-wise, I go for the more classic and elegant while she loves anything colorful, fun and flirty. But it works! We definitely work well together because we are able to showcase a wide range of designs that we carefully select together.”
The show was catered by the newly-opened deli Dean & Deluca. Guests enjoyed an array of viennoiserie such as cremebrulee croissant, pain au chocolat, and mango coconut croissant, as well divine chicken vol-au-vent, mini mushroom and prawn quiche. Postre were salted double chocolate cookies and fresh strawberry tarts paired with refreshments from Vita Coco coconut water.
Lifestyle Asia’s ‘Home and Away’
LifestyleAsia launched the third edition of “Home and Away,” the coffee-table book series on interiors and private luxury spaces, at the City of Dreams Manila.
Tons of invitees flocked to the Crystal Lounge of Crown Towers City to unveil the limited-edition annual special.
Lifestyle Asia publisher Cheryl Tiu welcomed the invitees before introducing City of Dreams Manila COO Kevin Sim, who spoke about the newly-opened leisure destination. During the brief program, Lifestyle Asia editor in chief Anna Sobrepeña talked about what’s new with the third edition of Home and Away. She later led the unveiling of the cover of the collector’s item together with Cheryl Tiu, One Mega Group chairman Jerry Tiu and OMG founder and CEO Sari Yap, palanggas.
The first two Home and Away tomes were a smashing success and reached the Top 10 list of best-selling Philippine publications at both National Book Store and PowerBooks. One of them received the prestigious Philippine Quill Awards in 2013.
Beautiful homes in the country and abroad are featured in the editions. The third volume has the Santa Elena residence of my palanggas Rico and Nena Vargas Tantoco on the cover.
“After the public reception of the last book, I was apprehensive about topping that edition,” says Anna Sobrepeña. “But when I got the first copy from the printers, I knew we had another winner.”
“Lifestyle Asia Home & Away 3” is published by the One Mega Group. It is available at bookstores and newsstands nationwide. Contact Izzy Lee at 0917-8551096, email larize.lee@onemegagroup.com.