Fashion, in certain voguish circles, is the center of one’s universe. For Kai Lim, Lifestyle Asia’s September cover girl, family and fashion are the two heartbeats in her world.

Kai recently flew to New York for the cover shoot, together with Lifestyle Asia editor Anna Sobrepeña. Kai was photographed wearing couture by Joey Samson, the featured designer of the Red Charity Gala (RCG) 2017. Joey has been Kai’s favorite for many years for his classic cuts with an edgy twist. In turn, Joey says his muse Kai is the epitome of prim, pretty and proper who exudes class and charm.

Check out the beautiful photos of the designer and his muse. Lifestyle Asia’s Art and Style issue also puts together a collection of auctions, art events and exhibits in Manila, Hong Kong and Venice. Fall in love with Istanbul, featured in the travel section, and read about one of the best places to stay in Manhattan.

For RCG 2017, fashion is the avenue used to raise funds for two worthwhile causes: the Philippine Red Cross and the Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation. Now on its ninth year, RCG 2017 will be on Oct. 14 at Shangri-La at the Fort.

Supported by Bench as part of the brand’s 30th anniversary, RCG brings to the runway the creative ingenuity of Joey Samson and his androgynous, gender-fluid creations.

‘Journey to nostalgia’

This year’s theme is “PilgrimAge,” a journey, a religious devotion, a voyage to a sacred place. For Joey, it is a depiction of one man’s journey to nostalgia.

Co-chair Kaye Tiñga and I are proud to have Joey join the league of world-renowned Filipino designers who have previously graced RCG: Dennis Lustico, Furne One, Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago, Ezra Santos, Jojie Lloren, Lesley Mobo and Chito Vijandre.

RCG 2017 is presented by Bench with Globe Platinum, Megaworld, and SunLife Financial together with Creamsilk, Emperor Watch and Jewellery, Fuentes Manila, Jewelmer, Moss Manila, Omega, Philippine Airlines, Remy Martin, Robert Blancaflor, and Shangri-La at the Fort.

Media sponsors are Inquirer Red, Lifestyle Asia, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star, with additional support from Abitare Internazionale, Adworks, Air Asia, Bluewater Sumilon Resort Beach, Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay, Royal Gem, The Manila Hotel, Viking Range, W/17, World Travellers, Auro Chocolates, Gardenia, Goldilocks, The Botanist.

Sneak peek

To officially launch RCG 2017, Kaye and I held an elegant press con at the beautiful Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel on my birthday. We had a mini fashion show featuring some of Joey’s pieces, followed by a parade of waiters presenting birthday cakes from the hotel and Hearts and Bells Bakeshop.

After the presentation, guests were invited to tour Manila Hotel’s presidential suite, the largest hotel suite in Asia. Emil Yap III of Manila Bulletin and Swatch grand dame Virgie Ramos so nicely gave me a three-layer birthday cake.

Gardenia Bread’s Carlo and Digzy Umali were also among the early birds.

Jewelmer lent Kaye and me precious golden South Sea pearls for the affair, and displayed the gorgeous strand they are donating for auction. Jewelmer also partners with ICanServe foundation to champion a universal cause: the fight for life itself. ICanServe advocates breast cancer awareness and provides hope and help to women with the condition.

ICanServe fashion show

On Oct. 8, ICanServe will have its third annual fundraising show, “FashionCanServe,” and Jewelmer will unveil the “Why We Fight” bracelet.

Jewelmer will simultaneously gather five influential personalities to launch a campaign as a tribute to women’s unyielding spirit: fashion designer Mia Arcenas, principal ballerina Candice Adea, environment advocate Anna Oposa, jewelry designer Wynn Wynn Ong, and Jewelmer’s pearl technician fighting cancer Lilibeth Perfecto-Destura.

All come together in a video echoing what many women have long fought for: passion, freedom, empowerment and life.

Bench Fashion Week

RCG’s main presentor Bench is not only the country’s leading clothing and lifestyle brand, it continues to create, promote, and love local this year with the holiday round of its biannual Bench Fashion Week (BFW).

BFW is a style showcase that spotlights some of the country’s most recognized brands and designers, and builds on the brand’s presentations at New York Fashion Week and Tokyo Fashion Week.

BFW also featured the first Bench Design Awards, with 10 young, up-and-coming fashion designers who showed their collections for a chance to join Bench at the Asian Fashion Meets Tokyo show on Oct. 19.

Joining Bench chair Ben Chan were Tetta Ortiz-Matera, Hideya Yokoi, Mitsugu Sudo and Akiko Shinoda for the selection of the winning designers, who turned out to be Jennifer Contreras, Jaggy Glarino and RJ Santos.

Bench shared the Holiday 2017 stage with designers Rhett Eala and Jerome Lorico, and sustainable local brand Piopio.

Also featured were favorites Bench, Human and Kashieca, as well as intimate wear label Bench Body, the latter unveiling a collaboration with Fil-Canadian supermodel Paolo Roldan. Bench’s global partner brands American Eagle Outfitters, Cotton On, and Vero Moda also returned to the BFW runway.

‘People of passion’

Autostrada Motore recently celebrated its fifth anniversary by launching the campaign “People of Passion” at Autostrada showroom in Bonifacio Global City.

Long recognized as the motoring icon that inspires passion and excellence, Maserati hails from a fine tradition of automotive engineering excellence and devoted craftsmanship.

In this vein, Maserati honored Marc Nicdao, Paolo Soler, Marc Nelson and James Deakin, exemplary gentlemen of passion and caring for their communities. These “People of Passion” impel genuine change through building foundations needed for true excellence.

Maserati also supports Hope in a Bottle, a truly socially relevant cause that aims to build classrooms all over the country. Nanette Medved-Po, founder of Hope in a Bottle, was on hand for the anniversary, along with Maserati big bosses Willie Soong and his son Jason.

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