The week before I flew to Paris to raise a glass to my friend banker Andre Gan’s birthday aboard an airplane, my palangga, interior designer and architect Jonathan Matti, was marking his own milestone as he celebrated his golden birth anniversary.

 

I was running around town like a headless chicken but made it to three events before I left Manila.

 

#IpanemaSelfeet

 

The high-end Brazilian flip-flop brand Ipanema puts an exciting twist to the selfie global craze by asking us to aim our camera phones lower, down to our feet.

 

Kicking off its #IpanemaSelfeet campaign at its newest store in SM North Edsa, the brand, through Elro Corp. managing director Patxi Roxas Elizalde and sales and marketing head Cecille Loretizo, challenged us to create our own adventures with Ipanema flip-flops.

 

The brand’s visibility is seen on “Ipanema Selfeet Sunday,” an event currently running at Robinsons Ermita, Ayala Center Cebu and Abreeza Mall Davao where everyone can enjoy games like flip-flop matching and on-the-spot selfeets.

 

“If you’re in the mall where the event is happening, just take your Ipanema selfeet, upload your photo on Facebook with the official hashtag #IpanemaSelfeet and present it to Bambu or Ipanema Store to get discounts. During Ipanema Selfeet Sundays we also feature the latest collection of Ipanema, celebrity appearances and entertainment like the wild capoeira,” said Loretizo.

 

“The fun continues with the #IpanemaSelfeet contest online. Simply upload your Ipanema selfeet on your Facebook account with the official hashtag #IpanemaSelfeet from now until November,” added Elizalde.

 

The best Ipanema selfeet takers will get freebies and special accommodations at Punta Fuego in Batangas.

 

For more details on #IpanemaSelfeet, visit facebook.com/IpanemaPhilippines.

 

4th Philippine Fashion Ball

 

It was a night of black-and-white attires at “No Filter: The 4th Philippine Fashion Ball” held recently at the Raffles and Fairmont Makati grand ballroom with fashion designers, models, stylists, and hair and makeup artists.

 

The annual event celebrated the evolution of Philippine fashion and, as a tradition, cited the notable efforts of people who help move it forward, “well-known locally and abroad,” said Peerless Products Manufacturing Corp. VP for sales and marketing Jasper Tiu.

 

Industry awards were given to our very own Inquirer Lifestyle editor Thelma San Juan for the annual “Face-Off”; Raul Manzano for Metro Society’s Jose “Pitoy” Moreno: A Tribute Gala; and Philippine Star Lifestyle editor Millet Mananquil and Ayala Malls for “Style Origin.”

 

With the theme “Design Without Borders,” the focus was on Filipino designers who traveled the world and saw it in a different light, expressing their individuality through fashion, communicating to their generation through their designs, defying limits with incredible creations.

 

These designers are Edwin Ao, Renan Pacson, Proudrace, Jman, Sassa Jimenez, Yvonne Quisumbing, Jerome Lorico and OS Accessories.

 

I couldn’t stay long, but spotted Anton San Diego with handsome Devon Spence, sultry-looking Myrza Sison, Enchong Dee and Keren Pascual among the select guests.

 

The 4th Philippine Fashion Ball was made possible through the generous support of Hana Shampoo and Raffles and Fairmont Makati.

 

Strip and Browhaus at SM

 

The Strip, the first international concept waxing boutique, and Browhaus, the one-stop brow and lash grooming salon, opened a new branch at SM Megamall’s Fashion Hall.

 

The launch was hosted by Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

 

Over a decade ago, The Strip opened in Singapore and Browhaus followed suit.

 

Now they have branches in London, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

 

Tab Abad, managing director of Harem, Inc. which brought Strip and Browhaus to the country, thanked all the guests, the staff and loyal customers who have patronized Strip and Browhaus since they first opened for business in 2008.

 

The event also featured a photo exhibit with the theme “Strip and Browhaus Through the Years.”

 

Award-winning DJ duo Deuce Manila played the latest club music to the delight of the guests, dahlings.

 

A group of cancan dancers also provided entertainment, reminiscent of Paris’ popular Moulin Rouge Club.

 

This was one affair that had elaborate Carnival-theme masks and decors, reminiscent of the annual Carnevale di Venezia. Even the dessert tables boasted an assortment of textures and vibrant colors.

 

Doing the ribbon-snipping were Liz Uy, Antoinette Taus, Vanessa Matsunaga, JM Rodriguez, Andi Manzano-Reyes and Diwa Partylist Rep. Emmeline Aglipay.

 

Strip and Browhaus is at the 5/L, SM Megamall Fashion Hall; visit browhaus-manila.com and www.strip-manila.com.