Another win for the Philippines!

Following her successful stint at the Miss Universe 2024 and her historic Miss Universe Asia win, the Philippines’ bet, Chelsea Manalo, nabs another award at the prestigious pageant — this time as the “Best National Costume” winner!

The recognition, according to the announcement by the Miss Universe organization on social media, is based on the public’s votes for the category.

Called “Hiraya,” Manalo’s award-winning costume is designed by famed designer Manny Halasan. It embodies her “unwavering faith” and represents the complex yet vibrant relationship between the Philippines and Mexico and the introduction of Christianity and Islam to the country.

“Hiraya” highlights a design inspired by Our Lady of Antipolo, a historical carving brought from Mexico to the Philippines in the 16th century.

It is also made with a meticulously crafted Inaul fabric, a traditional fabric of Sultan Kudarat representing the Muslims; Galleon, a ship-shaped headpiece that honors the Galleon Trade, one of the earliest forms of global trade in the country; Tongkaling bells, a musical instrument commonly used in Mindanao; and a stunning handcrafted Puni decor, an ode to Manalo’s hometown, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, Chile’s Emilia Dides’ Chilean game show-inspired costume and Vietnam’s Nguyễn Cao Kỳ Duyên’s butterfly parasol-adorned fit win second and third place, respectively.

This marks the Philippines’ second “Best National Costume” award in a row, following Michelle Dee’s win with her aviator-themed costume last year.

Fashion at SM Mall of Asia just got a new upgrade! Known for its budget-friendly, stylish basics, TOPTEN10 is landing in the Philippines to sprinkle some K-fashion magic into your wardrobe.

The first stop? SM Mall of Asia on Nov. 29, 2024, with a launch event that’s pure fun from start to finish. There will be K-Pop-inspired photo zones, a claw machine stuffed with goodies, and product displays that effortlessly blend cuteness with practicality.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Just a week later, Gateway Mall 2 gets its turn, with a grand opening of TOPTEN10 on Dec. 6, 2024, promising the same buzz-worthy activities and irresistible Korean flair.

Here’s the kicker: TOPTEN10 is celebrating its Philippine debut with the ultimate giveaway — a chance to win a dream trip to South Korea!

Shoppers who spend at least P3500 at SM Mall of Asia or Gateway Mall can enter the raffle. The promo runs until Dec. 15, with winners revealed on Christmas Day!

If you’re more into instant rewards, spend P2500 and get your hands on a customizable carabiner keychain complete with exclusive charms. It’s a functional accessory that adds a playful twist to your everyday look — just like TOPTEN10’s clothing!

For more information, visit their website, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

For the first time in Miss Universe history, Filipinos have handcrafted the crown for the worldwide pageant!

The 73rd Miss Universe pageant is merely two days away, and the organizers have revealed the beauty pageant's newest crown and pride: the Lumière de L'infini Crown.

The crown was unveiled to the public on Nov. 13, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico, and was attended by the 127 contestants of the Miss Universe pageant and some of the pageant's most prominent figures, including current Miss Universe title holder Sheynnis Palacios, the President and Founder of the Miss Universe pageant Raúl Rocha Cantú, and the Founder of JKN Global Group Anne Jakrajutatip.

The Lumière de L'infini Crown

Jewelmer, a Filipino jeweler and international luxury brand, is the official Crown Sponsor for the Miss Universe 2024. The brand is known for being the "world's leading cultivator of the rare golden South Sea pearl."

Described as a "one-of-a-kind creation" and a "pinnacle of excellence and savoir-faire," the Lumière de L'infini Crown was made through the efforts of Filipino pearl farmers and Filipino master craftsmen over five years, practicing traditional techniques used in the Place Vendôme.

It is adorned with South Sea pearls, but not just any regular pearl. The crown used golden South Sea pearls, considered the rarest shade in the world.

"An exquisite ode to life and its universal elements, the crown captures the brilliance of our co-existence with Mother Nature. It brings to life Jewelmer’s pledge: As long as there is a pearl, there is life shining through every moment," Jewelmer said in their press statement. "As the first Filipino-crafted crown in the Miss Universe Organization’s renowned history, Jewelmer is honored to shine the light on the Philippines’ beauty and artistry to international audiences."

Don't miss out on the Miss Universe 2024 Coronation Night on Nov. 17, 2024 at 9 AM via any ABS-CBN platform. For more updates, follow Miss Universe on their Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages.

Brent Lim’s bag can turn into a pillow, meanwhile, its accompanying bag strap can be worn as a belt. These dynamic ideas come to life as the designer relaunches his incredibly versatile lifestyle brand, Blanc Nué.

A multimedia artist, designer, and entrepreneur, Brent’s talents have proven to be both far-reaching and wide. His education has spanned multiple career paths: from his nascent professional beginning as a fashion designer at Folded & Hung to his experience as a merchandiser for Giordano.

“In every job I have, I take the opportunity to study and learn how the [fashion business] works,” Brent said.

Today, he is the proud helmsman of local brand, Blanc Nué, which first found success during the pandemic year of 2020. “I was looking for a small bag to fit all my essentials: my vaccine card and my mask. But, I couldn’t find anything online – so I created my own,” he shared. Brent’s success with the first iteration of Blanc Nue continued to grow, especially as online shopping boomed. “But, I got busy,” Brent laughed.

The designer, who had a day job at the time (and, in fact, still does even today) decided to take a pause from Blanc Nué in 2021. “Blanc Nué was a passion project [that worked really well] but after a while, I decided to focus on my day job because I wanted to learn the e-commerce side of business,” he added.

This is because – as he has wisely observed – being a creative in today’s competitive landscape isn’t enough. “It’s important to balance creativity alongside business savvy,” he pointed out. “You need to know how to run a business and speak to your market.”

Today, Brent relaunches Blanc Nué on Shopee with a refreshing new logo, but promised us that the DNA of his 2020 passion project remains the same, “It’s still a mix-and-match format, and [the new collection] is still very focused on functionality.”

Aside from caps, t-shirts, and a cute lemon-shaped coin purse, Blanc Nué’s latest sartorial menu includes two large bags (the Pillow Clutch which can be used as a pillow, and the Bubble Sleeve, which can fit 15-inch laptops), two medium bags (Bubble Pouch and Bucket Drawstring), and two mini bags (the Box Bag which is great for coins and the Bubble Pocket, which is perfectly designed for cellphones).

Buyers can accessorize these with multiple options: choose between two long bag straps, two adjustable bag straps, or two short bag strap designs.

A consumer himself, Brent said that he made no compromises when it came to his designs, “My brand is ‘Aesthetic, with a purpose.’ I didn’t want it to be just visually pleasing, I also wanted it to be functional.”

Take, for example, the Pillow Clutch, a bubble flap pouch that opens to reveal zippered compartments. “I use this as a pillow [and lie down on it] when I’m at the airport and my flight is cancelled or delayed,” Brent laughed. “That’s why I named it the Pillow Clutch.” The designer is also apt to use his Adjustable Knot Cord bag strap as a belt, hooking his miniature Box Bag onto one of its carabiners to create a portable belt bag for coins and essentials.

“Everything in this collection has a very specific purpose,” Brent explained. “I made sure that people’s needs would be met. If you need a small bag, we have choices for that, it would just depend on your preference and what you need to put in it.” The designs themselves also offer multiple loops, hoops, hooks, and carabiners, so consumers are more than welcome to attach a small bag – or perhaps a keychain or two – unto a large or medium one.

Every item at Blanc Nué comes in neutral colorways such as cream, white, and black, but inspired by his love for K-Pop, Brent has also designed bags, straps, t-shirts, and caps in vibrant shades of pink, green, and blue. “We’re definitely adding more to Blanc Nué!” Brent teased. “The next collections are actually already lined up. But for now, we just want people to digest what we have – because the customization options can be overwhelming.”

Brent also says that when they do release their next drop – more clothes, perhaps? – these items can still be matched with those from older collections. “We want Blanc Nué items to be usable every day,” Brent said. “That even when we add a new silhouette or strap, you can still pair it with what you bought months before.”

Blanc Nue is available on Shopee

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style because Noel Bazaar 2024 is set to launch its first installment from Nov. 15 to 17, 2024, at Okada Manila.

Noel Bazaar's grand launch will happen alongside the luxury hotel's annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony which will be graced by Stell of SB19. It's the ultimate two-birds-one-stone situation for families and shopaholics alike!

As one of the countries' premiere one-stop shops for holiday shopping, Noel Bazaar offers everything you need this Christmas season: trendy fashion finds, unique and festive home decor, mouthwatering food, and local and international gift finds.

With over 800 merchants, there's surely something for everyone and celebrity fanatics will also find a special treat for them as GMA Network celebrities will be hosting a pre-loved auction. Can you imagine winning a dress worn by Kylie Padilla, bidding on a bag by Sanya Lopez, or shoes from Kyline Alcantara?

Some of the exciting merchants that Noel Bazaar visitors can expect are Specs Studios, La Sole Manila, Unipak, Aniya Clothing, Maquinis, Mohs Diagnostics, Caddat Handcrafted, Cathy Kathy, Artesan Atelier Soap and Scent Studio, Hueza Bakery, and so much more. Treating yourself or your loved ones and finishing off that gift checklist is sure to be a breeze, plus there are plenty of exciting onsite promos!

For every GCash transaction, you'll get the chance to spin the wheel and win fantastic prizes: gifts, vouchers, free tickets, and more. Powered by GCash, Noel Bazaar wants to make shopping more convenient for those who aren't fond of carrying cash.

Lastly, shipping company LBC will also be present at the venue to offer gift wrapping and same-day shipping. From wide selections to hassle-free payment options to gift-wrapping, this bazaar wants to make Christmas shopping as stress-free as possible.

"Okada Manila will be transformed into an Instagrammable winter wonderland, complete with festive lights, magical decor, and cozy Christmas vibes. You’ll find beautifully decorated booths and picture-perfect spots where you can snap photos to share with family and friends. Make sure to catch the Christmas Village Launch Day, the Fountain Show, the Christmas Light Show, and Santa’s Meet and Greet," the press release statement said.

Pro tip: pre-register via the QR in their Instagram post to skip the long lines and enjoy express registration!

But if you're missing their launch, don't fret! Noel Bazaar 2024 at Okada Manila is only its first stop in Metro Manila. They will also take over World Trade Center Metro Manila from Nov. 22 to Dec. 1 (pre-register here!), and Filinvest Tent Alabang from Dec. 12 to 15, 2024.

For more information about the Noel Bazaar 2024 series, you may email [email protected] or call direct lines 83635192 / 83634900 / 83622266. For event updates, like or follow its social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or join the Viber community.

Location: Noel Bazaar, Crystal Pavilion, Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive 1701 Parañaque Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 1 PM to 11 PM

Admission fee: Entrance is free (pre-register here)