No less than French Ambassador Gilles Garachon opened the photography exhibit of Briccio Santos, chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, at the Alliance Française de Manille.

 

Exhibit consisted of 25 large photographs of Clignancourt, the marché aux puces (or flea market) just outside Paris. The photos came from Santos’ latest book.

 

Some of the narratives and verses excerpted from the book were printed and placed next to the images. One gets the impression of being transported to the place where Louis XI armoires meet Betty Boop replicas.

 

The super opening was well attended. Among the guests were Ambassador Guy Ledoux and Laotian Ambassador Phoxay Khaykhamphithoun; visual artists Lito Carating, Gus Albor and Willy Magtibay; photographers Neal Oshima, Nap Jamir and Frank Callaghan; writers Krip Yuson, Karla Delgado and Sarge Lacuesta; film directors Butch Perez and Tikoy Aguiluz; and esteemed pianist and Cultural Center of the Philippines President Raul Sunico.

 

This show is a touring photography exhibit traveling show. It will make two more stops—in Bangkok then Paris.

 

John Lewis

 

John Lewis, a chain of top-quality department stores operating throughout Great Britain, is now in the Philippines. It recently opened at SM Home on the fifth level of SM Makati.

 

“The chain is part of the John Lewis Partnership and is known for its policy of Never Knowingly Undersold, which has been in use since 1925,” said British Ambassador Asif Ahmad, who was guest of honor. “We are delighted to have another iconic brand that will bring the experience of British quality, creativity and lifestyle to the Filipino home.”

 

Check out John Lewis and you’ll go gaga over its wide range of home products (bed, bath, tableware) and home accessories such as candles and photo frames.

 

This is the first of the 11 John Lewis at SM Retail locations. Other locations that it will open are Aura Premier, Megamall, Mall of Asia, North Edsa and Southmall in Metro Manila and Cebu and Lanang in the provinces.

 

Elsewhere in Asia, John Lewis has seven branches at the South Korean department store complex Shinsegae. It will soon open three branches in Singapore via the department store Robinsons.

 

“SM Retail is a perfect partner to help bring the John Lewis brand to a new Asian customer base,” said Andy Street, managing director at John Lewis.

 

“When we met the SM team over a year ago, we recognized their passion for surprising and delighting their customers with great design and quality products,” said Katie Jordan, John Lewis head of international development. “SM and Our Home bring the best of our bed, bath, tableware and home accessories products to the Philippines.”

 

John Lewis Partnership is the largest worker co-ownership enterprise in the United Kingdom. All of its 30,000 staff are partners in the business. It has has been named “Omni Channel Retailer of the Year” in the 2014 World Retail Awards. Other awards it has received: Multichannel Retailer of the Year; Marketing Advertising Campaign of the Year at the Oracle Retail Week Awards 2014; and Best Department Store at the Drapers Awards 2014.

Dunlopillo

 

Dunlopillo, a certified name in quality sleep, has partnered with Italdesign, an authority in home decor, to create a one-of-a-kind showroom with a special focus on the bedroom, at MC Home Depot in the Bonifacio Global City.

 

At the launch, we found a variation of bedroom vignettes, each highlighting Dunlopillo’s mattresses and uniquely decorated with Italdesign furniture to appeal to different personalities.

 

Host Hilary Isaac encouraged the guests to tour the showroom to choose the vignette they liked best. There was the neutral and cream display for the avid minimalist, a rustic beach-inspired display for the decisively laid back and a bold crimson display for the effortlessly glamorous, among other to-die-for vignettes.

 

Celebrated interior designer and style icon Cat Arambulo-Antonio gave tips on decorating the bedroom.

 

“I work with basics and neutrals as bases and then mix and match with accessories,” she said. “That’s where the color comes in.”

 

Dunlopillo and Italdesign managing director Jam Chan invited us to draw inspiration from the vignettes, “as the showroom was especially designed to provide a unique and personalized shopping experience for its customers,” she said.

 

“Truly a memorable collaboration, Italdesign and Dunlopillo have created a showroom where visitors can expect to have their home decorating dreams come true,” added Chan.

 

Dunlopillo also has showrooms in Libis and Cubao. It has showrooms at MC Home Depot in Pasig, Ayala Center Cebu and Abreeza Mall Davao.

 

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