Bryanboy.com - Fashion Blog

Posing Guide

Posing Guide

In light of that whole Alec Baldwin and Filipina mail order bride joke brouhaha, I saw this poster at the photo developing shop the other day. I wanted to print some photos (white border please) for a scrapbook project.

Anyhoo, I simply could not believe my eyes when I saw this on the wall. Now I know why some photos look a certain 'way'.

I wish I brought my camera with me (instead of using my cell) to get a clearer picture. I laughed so hard when I saw the poster until it hit me.

Here in the Philippines, photo developing shops also act as mini studios where anyone under the sun could get photos taken for whatever purpose. When you look at the poster, half of those poses are so sexually-charged and sleazy. It's almost bone-chilling to think of a photographer to use the said guide as a point of reference to unsuspecting gullible souls.

I dunno. What do you think?

Swine Flu in the Philippines

Swine Flu in the Philippines

 Oh no. I just got up and when I went to the kitchen to get breakfast (1 bowl of lettuce... I'm on a diet), I overheard my mom talk about swine flu. She heard it on the radio. I immediately went online and it's all true. H1N1 virus aka swine flu is now in the Philippines! This from the Associated Press via Boston Herald:

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Thursday confirmed its first case of swine flu in a girl who had traveled to the U.S. and Canada.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the 10-year-old had developed cough, fever and soar throat a day after returning to Manila on Monday and tested positive for the virus Tuesday.

She was treated with the antiviral drug Tamiflu and her condition has improved, Duque told reporters. She remains confined in a Manila hospital, he said.

 I don't know about you but now, more than ever, I want that Richard Prince for Louis Vuitton mask.

*photo credit: catwalking

The Cobrasnake and Steve Aoki in Manila

The Cobrasnake and Steve Aoki in Manila

Mark Hunter aka The Cobrasnake (who I love) and Steve Aoki are visiting Manila once again.

For inquiries, call (02) 819-5481.

A Trip to Theodore's

A Trip to Theodore's

When it rains, it pours. We had a storm here in the Philippines this week but the rain didn't stop me from getting out of the house. I have so much work on my plate at the moment if I don't dedicate a whole day to myself then who knows when I'm able to accommodate basic necessities in life such as getting a haircut.

Before going to a shoot in the afternoon, I popped by the store Theodore's where they're having a huge denim markdown sale going on. Get any two pairs of jeans from their stock for about P6995 (roughly around $150) for both pairs. I thought it was a good deal. I think it was last year when I enforced a personal policy of not paying more than a hundred bucks for a pair of jeans. That's why I love Cheap Monday. I mean come on, it's denim!  Also, I get more compliments from people around the world when I wear my cheap-ass jeans. You know those black jeans I ripped using a box cutter? $20 from Folded & Hung!

Anyway, click click click!

O RLY?

O RLY?

I just got back from the kitchen and I overheard some AM radio commentator make irresponsible comments about the global financial crisis. He went on and on and on about the recession in the United States and Europe and how it's not affecting the Philippines because majority of the Filipinos are having a hard time already. I have no idea what station or who the commentator was but I can't believe there are people out there who give such rubbish on the radio.

Although there are some truths in some of his comments (ie. poverty everywhere etc), contrary to what he said, the financial turmoil that's happening around the world has a big -- no - HUGE effect in the Philippines. For instance, there are so many Filipinos overseas who depend on foreign jobs. Even workers in the Philippines are at risk. How many foreign companies outsource their work over here in the Philippines? How many foreign-owned plants are here? What about Filipino exporters? How many companies in the Philippines export their goods overseas when retail sales everywhere are at record, all-time lows? I was chatting to a friend a few days ago how they export ornaments to department stores in the USA. A major chain canceled their order, post-production earlier last year, leaving her out of money and she had no choice but to lay off a few workers in the province. Everyone all over is being made redundant, everyone is getting fired, everyone is downsizing. Don't get me started with this whole "the recession does not have an effect in the Philippines" bullshit.

* photo credits: wireimage, national library of australia

Not by the Book - Fashioning Design by Tippi Ocampo

Not by the Book: Fashioning Design by Tippi Ocampo

Filipina designer Tippi Ocampo is launching a book entitled "Not By the Book: Fashioning Design by Tippi Ocampo" on November 24, 2008 (6PM) at the Greenbelt 3 lobby here in Manila. She will also have a fashion exhibit (curated by Yael Buencamino) which runs from November 24 - 30 at the same venue. I wish I could attend the event (I haven't gone out in weeks) but alas, I'll be away at that time.

The "Not By the Book" fashion exhibit of Tippi Ocampo curated by Yael Buencamino (Managing Director for the Ateneo Art Gallery) coincides with the book launch of "Not By the Book", a design book of the creative process of the designer.  It is an event that playfully merges the various disciplines of art and design, taking visitors along the creative journey up to the culminating fashion exhibit of a new  fashion creations.  The week-long display in the Greenbelt 3 Lobby will be interspersed with book signings and meet-and-greet activities with the designer aimed at spreading a younger, more dynamic, Filipino design philosophy to a broader audience.

Tippi has been generous enough to email me a sneak preview of her new book.

Her little labor of love will be available for sale at the Greenbelt 3 lobby area for the duration of the exhibit. You may also email order@notbythebook.net or send an SMS to +63.915.710.0357 for details.

Congrats Tippi!

*credit: tippi ocampo

Tuesday Afternoon at Theodore's

Tuesday Afternoon at Theodore's

After an entire day's worth of back-to-back appointments and meetings yesterday, I popped by Theodore's the store. They have their year-end sale going on with items up to 80% off. I thought I'd ditch the Canon G9 camera and use my Nokia Carbon Arte phone to take photos.

Click click click!

Rustom Padilla in Drag at Urian Awards

Rustom Padilla at Urian Awards

Let's take a break from all that fashiiiin. Here's something for monkeys in the the third world. I know I said I'll no longer blog about third world showbiz but this is just wayyyyy too outrageous (and hilarious) for me not to post on my site.

Now.

OH. MY. GOD. OH MY GOD TALAGA!!!!!!!!!

TANG INA MONG BAKLA KA!!!!! HINDI KITA KINAYA!!!!!!!!!!! WHO DID THAT TO YOU RUSTOM? SINO ANG STYLIST MO??? IC MENDOZA DID YOU HAVE A HAND IN IT?? Charing!

In fairness to Rustom ang ganda ng fez. I bet kapag tinabi mo sa yo si Ruffa siya ang magmumukhang bakla!!! Anyway, tumambling ako ng todo. Juice ko dayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! Gurl, CHAKA lang talaga nung outfit at accessories mo. Kulay fink pa talaga. Fink na fink. Tuloy, nagmukha kang ching chang chu (tsin tsan tsu or whatever the hell you call em na ginagagamit nung mga chimi na galing sa probinsya para pumuti). Gross.

Yung lang pow.

And now let's go back to regular programming. Enough of this insanity.

PS. Good on ya Rustom. Hysterical!!!!

Rajo Laurel + Rajo Red Gala

Rajo Laurel

I had the opportunity to visit Filipino fashion designer Rajo Laurel's beautiful office/atelier/showroom yesterday afternoon. Rajo is one of the Philippines' most established designers. This man has dressed countless Filipino socialites, celebrities, etc... pretty much the who's who of Manila.

One of the things I love most about my country is that you can practically visit any local designer and have something made (without buying off the rack) to your liking and your size. Think of it as having your own mini-"couture" experience (sketches, fittings and all) without the stratospheric price tags and thousands of hours of labour.

(btw the shirt is from Filippa K which I wore to go there...so ignore that. haha)

I wanted a few things made to match that sequined Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket I recently got. It's funny how I've known him for a few years now and this is the first time he's doing something for me. Here's little video of Rajo in action. Ignore our voices please, especially mine. Baklang bakla talaga! LOL

Click click click for more.

Engraved Business Cards

Engraved Business Cards

I went to the stationers earlier this evening to pick up my business cards. I love them! I wish I went there far in advance (instead of last week). I wanted to add a little bag accent or a little sumthin sumthin but the shop asked for 2-3 weeks production time. Oh well.

Jay Cee Kay Stationers
Lot 18, Lower Level Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa (or)
2nd Floor, San Antonio Plaza Arcade, McKinley Rd, Forbes Park Makati

My new business cards are engraved, just the way I like it. The lady even gave me my special copper (??) plate. Wow!

I've had Diane Pernet's blog entry about Madame Stern (who is the best engraver in Paris) on my bookmarks for the longest time. She basically inspired me to get engraved business cards. I thought it was a GREAT idea because everyone these days seem to have glossy or waxed paper cards with some sort of digital printing on it. Be sure to read about the 'ritual'. Amazing!

Hopefully in the future when I visit Paris once again, I'll pay the great Madame Stern a visit.
(if she doesn't show me the door that is.)

Philippine Airlines Redux

Philippine Airlines Redux

Some of you might remember my little trip to Philippine Airlines last month. Well, I went to the ticket office yesterday afternoon. In the essence of saving time (which is probably unheard of by PAL), I'll post photos and I'll let you connect the dots to guess what exactly happened.

Last month I was #748... yesterday I was #718.

What do you think? Sounds good? Now go. Click click click click!

The Price of Gas in the Philippines

The Price of Gas

I know this isn't a fashion-related post but man, I spent the entire afternoon with my accountant going through my finances and christ almighty, I have a stack of receipts from various petrol stations -- the amount of money I've spent on gas the past few months is absolutely insane! In these crazy times, it's even more expensive to load up the tank than getting a decent MEAL itself in the city.

How much are gas prices where you are? I pay US$1.32 per liter or US$5.28 per gallon.

I'm not exactly disconnected from the "real" world. I know what's going on... I just don't like talking about it.

I guess it sucks living in a city of what -- 14 (or is it 15) million people where there's a lack of government-owned and operated public transportation system. That's right. Most, if not all, "public" transport here in Manila are privately operated by businesses or individuals. A price hike on gas means a a bigger dent on their daily budget which means less money to spend on important necessities. I could only imagine the horrors of what your average commuter face on a day-to-day basis, especially those who earn minimum wage, which is what?? P382 or US$8.60 PER DAY. YOU READ THAT RIGHT. US$8.60 PER DAY! And tons of people here in the third world get paid less than that! Don't even get me started.

Anyhoo. Isn't funny how I get **SO** much flak from people for referring to the Philippines as "third world? You try your very best to uplift the image of where you're from but reality bites sometimes.

Oh well.

Bench Blackout Denim & Underwear Show 2008 Pics

Bench Blackout 2008

Whew what a night. I just got back from the Bench underwear and denim show at Araneta Coliseum which happens every two years. I know y'all Americans have the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show featuring top-notch models... well, here in the third world we have celebrities (in addition to models) 'modeling' for mega-brand Bench. I know virtually nothing about the local scene and I thought this is the right time to immerse myself in, well, you know, local "culture". Natch! Haha! In all seriousness however, other than the usual celebrity suspects, I really had no clue who is who and who is what because Filipino showbiz does NOT interest me at all and I don't watch TV.

Photo: CVS

Anyhoo, it was a big, big, BIG, HUGE production and I swear, ALL the gays were there! My friend and I were joking that if some terrorist organization bombed the coliseum, there would be no gays left in the Philippines.

Here's something for the memories. I was like.... HUWATTTT? LOL

Are you ready for more hilarity? Click click click for photos!

Serge Lutens, Adora Department Store Greenbelt 5

Serge Lutens, Adora Department Store

It's been a REALLY busy (and productive) week over here at Camp Bryanboy. Thank GOD it's Saturday. I went to four business meetings yesterday. Can you believe it? A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to pay her bills... and all the nice and nifty things she desires.

In between meetings, I visited my favourite luxury emporium ADORA at Greenbelt 5.  Click click click!

Cecile Van Straten for Viktor Jeans

Cecile Van Straten for Viktor Jeans

We went to Viktor Jeans at Podium mall after our hearty lunch at Terry's Bistro.. My friend is collaborating with Ino Caluza (designer of Viktor Jeans), purveyor of premium, custom-made jeans in the Philippines. Ino is known for his famous skinny jeans favoured by local celebrities and socialites alike so this collaboration (oh no they didn't!!) is definitely good! Here's the prototype of the jeans they made. Ino and Cecile asked me to try the jeans and we were all shocked that I was able to wear them considering the fit model they used had a body of an 11-year old child!

Click click click!