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Look out, Gentle Monster fans! The popular eyewear brand is launching a new collection with its longtime collaborator, Blackpink’s Jennie, along with special pop-ups in 13 cities across the globe.
Called “JentleSalon,” the new collab collection will be launched on May 1 and feature captivating pieces as imagined by the brand and Jennie. These pieces come in different colors and designs, catering to various styles.
Those purchasing Jentle Salon pieces can customize them with 11 different charms inspired by Jennie’s favorite symbols, such as cute capybaras, hearts, stars, and ribbons, among others.
In line with this, the eyewear label is also holding Jentle Salon pop-ups at Shangri-La the Fort in Manila, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Siam Paragon in Bangkok, and more, starting May 1. Pop-ups will also be set up in Costa Mesa and Kuala Lumpur in June and July.
For more information about these pop-ups, follow Gentle Monster’s Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) pages. You can also take a look at or purchase Jentle Salon pieces via Gentle Monster’s website.
Jentle Salon wouldn’t be Jennie’s first team-up with the eyewear brand, as the K-Pop sensation also collaborated with the brand back in 2020 with the “Jentle Home” collection.
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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 craftedInaul 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.
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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 Asiaon 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.
Instagram/topten10
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!
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We don't often think about socks. Most of the time, we're probably just putting on a pair of white or black ones. That definitely shouldn't be the case.
If you want to add a little more fun to your everyday outfits, consider statement socks. Not only are they fashionable, but they're a great way to showcase your personality too! Make your look uniquely your own with socks that come in your favorite color or print.
Uniqlohas long been known as a purveyor of quality basics and accessories. This winter, they introduce a new line of must-have clothing in collaboration with renowned designer, Anya Hindmarch. The new line features everything from cardigans to puffer jackets, all embellished with cheeky “Anya Eyes.”
Their line of Heattech socks – which come in adult and children's sizes – come in four colors: Navy, Off-White, Olive, and Red. Don them on your feet for a comfortable fit and let others take a peek at this cheeky design!
We all love a good Tito joke sometimes. But if you’re among those who enjoy them every day, you’re bound to love Socks Lang. A cheeky brand that plays on beloved Filipino names and witticisms, Socks Lang offers a fun take on footwear. Their“Footsie Roll” sock takes a jab at the popular candy brand, Tootsie Roll, while their Marlboro-inspired design plays on words and replaces the logo with“Mahalbro.” See their light-hearted take on these fashion items and you’re sure to want them for yourself.
A well-known brand that offers a little bit of everything, Iconic Socks sells items of different lengths and for different occasions. Peek their fun formal socks, which can add a bit of personality to every business outfit. Their ankle socks and women’s socks are great too, and come in bright colors with adorable designs that range from avocados and flying pigs to butterflies, books, and ice cream.
Athletes take their sport very seriously, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have room to play around. Adidascollaborates with some of the biggest name brands in the world to come out with fun designs that are great for inside the gym and outside of it. A top favorite is their Stella McCartney collab, which sees the designer’s sleek design translated into crew socks that come in two colorways.
Those looking to add more color to their wardrobe can consider the brand’s LEGO collaboration, which sees three pairs of socks in bright primary colors of Red, Blue, and Yellow. Meanwhile, advocates may appreciate the brand’s Pride Love Unites socks, designed by South African designer and advocate, Rich Mnisi.
Manchester United, Marvel, and Mickey Mouse are just some of the other names Adidas has teamed up with – though we’re excited to see more of their upcoming collaboration lineup.
Contemporary casual wear is made more enticing by Springfield, a Spanish fashion brand founded in the 1980s. While they are best known for their high-quality polos, fashion enthusiasts will be keen to point out that their fun socks are a must-have too. They have designs that range from argyle prints to micro polka dots; but of course, what people are likely to love the most is their nature-inspired range. From cacti to corgis, bunnies and pugs, Springfield puts animals and animal lovers at the forefront of their design.
Pilates is a lifestyle, and for those who stay active through this incredible exercise, grip socks are a must. If you’re looking for fun socks that will showcase your personality while on the reformer, look no further than at Toesox. Their colorful designs make exercising a little less tiresome, with cute designs you can match to your gym outfit. Socks also come in different cuts and silhouettes, from open-toed variants to crew sock designs. Pick your favorite color and style today to get ready for a great workout tomorrow.
Not big on colorful socks? We’ll let you in on a secret: mesh socks are just as fun but are much easier to style. Mango’s thin mesh socks are a fashionista’s secret weapon and can elevate even the most basic of outfits. Pair with heels, wedges, or open-toed sandals to show off your style. It’s an elegant yet sexy way to emphasize your footwear
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Yoya Gueco’s new boutique is situated in the prestigious East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza. Here, bright colors welcome shoppers; racks of clothes in contrasting colors and unique furnishings catch the eye.
“Everything is alive, all the walls are paper and every [nook and cranny] is meant to be whimsical,” shared Yoya of her namesake brand. “I wanted the boutique to be like ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ All the elements are slightly offbeat and [are meant to] keep you on your toes. I wanted people to come in and ask themselves, ‘What is this?’”
From the accordion-style benches to the designs on its racks, the new Yoya boutique seems to have placed a premium on whimsy. Yet, functionality is also apparent. Yoya’s utilitarian designs – from denim skirts to cargo pants – imbibe a sense of practicality alongside a fun aesthetic. “I always try to play in the middle of two extremes, so there’s a little bit of tension,” the designer explained. “I find that that’s where I’m most creative, when I try to put two seemingly opposite ideas together.”
In her designs, shoppers willfind unexpected details: pleats on denim, buckles on button-downs, and drawstrings on jackets. But in fact, these tiny additions aren’t just for the look of it. Yoya asserted that every detail has its purpose, “Details have to be both functional and beautiful.I don’t put details in just for the look of it, there’s always a purpose to them.”
Yoya at her design studio | Instagram/Yoya
Now in the fourth decade of her life, Yoya recalls her humble beginnings. She had discovered her passion for the industry as a child, inspired by a Barbie fashion playset. As a young professional, she had gone to work with Rajo Laurel before pursuing other goals abroad, in Canada. Only recently has Yoya’s name become a mainstay in high-society fashion circles.
In fact, Yoya the brand had only been established when the designer was 38 years old. “I was already about to turn forty when I returned to the Philippines [from Canada],” Yoya recalled. “I loved my life in Canada but it wasn’t challenging me as much and I suddenly found myself with the opportunity [to open my own brand].”
Pushed by a relative to further her dreams, Yoya had convinced herself to try it out before her fortieth birthday. “So at least if it doesn’t work out, I can still start over at forty,” she laughed. “I decided I was going to go for my dream now and, if it didn’t work out, at least I tried.”
Needless to say, Yoya’s efforts were not in vain. Her Canadian experience, coupled with a keen sense of observation, and an affinity for style have birthed collections enjoyed by countless women. One of her secrets? Never take everyday dressing for granted. “People in the Philippines always think that ‘dressing up’ means dressing formally,” Yoya mused. “If you go to a Filipino designer, you’re probably going to get something done to wear for an occasion. But in Canada, you can wear good, thoughtfully designed pieces every day.”
Today, Yoya empowers modern women with bright sartorial pieces that are consciously crafted, fun, and practical. “Wearing something thoughtfully designed can make anyone feel good and if we can replicate that feeling for everyday wear, I think it’s going to make a big difference in your life,” she smiled.
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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.
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."
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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.”
Instagram/Blanc Nue
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.
The Pillow Clutch with the Pillow Strap | Instagram/Blanc Nue
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.
The Bubble Pouch and Adjustable Knot Cord with the Box Bag | Instagram/Blanc Nue
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.”
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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!
Courtesy of Noel Bazaar 2024
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 wrappingand 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)
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