I’m sexier,” teases James Reid as he lifts the hem of his gray sweatshirt, giving Nadine Lustre, in a belly-baring cropped top, a peek at his abs.
She giggles, and the crowd at SM Mall of Asia breaks into screams and a chorus of “We love you, ‘JaDine!’”
It was their official launch as Bench endorsers, and Reid and Lustre treated fans to a couple of song numbers as they introduced the lifestyle and clothing brand’s autumn collection.
“JaDine” is a portmanteau of these pop stars’ first names, coined by fans who followed them from their telenovela (“On the Wings of Love”) to their movies (“Talk Back and You’re Dead,” “This Time”), all the way to their concert tour (“JaDine Love”) around the United States and Europe.
They even have a mini book called “Team Real,” a resource for all things JaDine.
The duo declared last February that they are a real-life couple, and there’s an undeniable kilig chemistry watching them banter on stage. And since Bench fashion is all about everyday comfort, Reid and Lustre’s chill vibe makes them the ideal promoters for its casual wear.
Millennial market
Bench’s autumn collection consists of wearable pieces targeted at millennials—young women who want to achieve Lustre’s cute and sexy look, and guys aiming for Reid’s boy-next-door swag.
The collection offers trendy updates on basic pieces: super skinny jeans and high-waist jeans in dark wash and white, jumper dresses in denim, pique shirts in nautical stripes, and a lot of cropped tops for women.
For men, there are camo bomber jackets, gray pullovers, khaki chinos, and the still on-trend jogger jeans and cargo pants.
For the launch, Lustre wore a sleeveless black cropped top paired with white ripped denims and black sneakers, while Reid wore a black sweatshirt and ripped rolled-up jeans with white sneakers. They topped their outfits with matching dark denim jackets as Bench founder Ben Chan greeted them onstage.
Asked about their favorite Bench items, Lustre said hers are “the jeans, which fit really well,” while James says his are the “shirts that feel good and comfortable.”
Models also showed on stage how to mix and match Bench clothes. A high-waist white pencil skirt with black stripes can be dressed down with a pique white shirt and white sneakers. A denim jumper dress can be layered with long-sleeved coral top. For coverage, a chambray long-sleeved polo can be layered over a white cropped top with red stripes, paired with white shorts.
Men are encouraged to add color to their outfits, and to layer. A blue camo jacket, for instance, refreshes the usual maroon shirt and khaki chino combo. An open plaid short-sleeved polo can also liven up a wine shirt and gray pants ensemble.
And for those who want a bit of the “JaDine” magic, there are couple statement shirts with “You” and “Me” prints in basic black, white and gray.
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