dameanddapper

[dameanddapper]

In Space, Where We Are A Million Miles Away

Falling in love is a crazy thing to do. It's kind of like a form of socially acceptable insanity.

I like that idea. That people who are in love can get away with the cliches that you'll only find in romantic comedies.  

It gives me an excuse to pull out all the stops... 

Just to see that smile, watching you look at things in such a beautiful light, knowing that at that moment I've done something to help you lift the weight of a heavy world

And I'm so happy that we've made it this far...That we're still making it... Still falling and enjoying, day after day after day. That's what I hope to always give to you in this brief moment of a life by your side. 

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Life doesn’t always turn out the way that it’s supposed to. Sometimes you miss out on what everyone else got to enjoy because of the circumstances you were in, but that doesn’t mean you have to pass up on everything that you didn’t get to appreciate.

Sometimes you miss out on what everyone else...

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That plateau from Up! is real!

Mount Roraima in South America. Photo by Uwe George.

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Had a blast celebrating my first halloween party at Prive's Wonderland themed event. Went as the white rabbit with Asian Alice as my partner. This has me thinking of halloween costumes for the coming years! 

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Someone who's like no one else in this world, deserves something like nothing else in this world. 

The only one of it's kind: A personally hand made, gold plated, leather braided bracelet for Adrienne Ley's 24th birthday.

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Chanced upon this guy rocking a blue suit at Hollywood, Los Angeles, complete with the leather folio. 

The GQ street photographer in me just couldn't help it. 

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Cirque Du Soleil's Ka at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. Hands down, the best theater setup I've experienced.

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Remember when Ryan Gosling said that the good thing about a man your age (no matter what age) is that you only need like 16 pieces to redo your wardrobe? Here’s how.

Click on the image above to see GQ’s “how-to” on pulling of different looks with the indispensable suit jacket. 

[dameanddapper]

Banana Republic Opening | BGC High Street Central

Back from a long hiatus! Things have been real busy lately with new chapters in our lives unfolding. We're keeping it under wraps for now, but keep checking back for our updates! For now, we're happy to share Banana Republic's launch and opening at Bonifacio High Street Central with their exciting "Mad Men" collection.

A good rule of thumb is that when you're stuck in a rut when it comes to mixing and matching pieces in a store: just take a look at what their mannequins are wearing. 

But if that's not enough, Mega has taken the liberty of tagging a few pieces that come highly recommended. 

The store itself had an excellent layout and a clean and polished ambiance, highlighted by a just the right vintage display pieces on the shelves, enough to keep your eyes looking at the right direction. 

Keeping in-line with the theme, Adri and I came clad in Mad Men inspired garments. I never did get to catch the TV Series, but I'm certainly looking forward to it in the future. There's something oddly appealing about the fashion sense before the 90's. Everyone always seemed to be well-kept and well-dressed. 

Of course, no night will ever be complete without a few good friends, who don't mind dressing up every now and then. 

[dameanddapper]

Bright highlights only serve to catch the eyes of passersby. Everything else should work on getting their attention. 

It's always a great idea to throw a little color on to an otherwise bland outfit. It breaks the uniformity and predictability of a look that has been desensitized by a largely neutral and urban environment. 

The important thing to remember is that they are highlights of your style and not a full on vomit of colors (unless that's your thing). Pieces which are discrete, but not quite.

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In My Shoes | Avicii

  Tim Bergling (a.k.a Avicii) is one of the biggest names in dance music. Having worked with the likes of Madonna and Ralph Lauren, he may soon be the most recognizable face of EDM, not to mention he rakes in up to $250,000 for playing a 2 hour gig!

Click on the image above to know more about what it's like to be in Avicii's shoes before he plays in Manila on May 15!

[dameanddapper]

Variety is to life as shoelaces are to shoes... Spice!

Check out your local Traffic or SM Department Store for a variety of new laces. And don't be afraid of a little color either. It's a great way to subtly compliment a look without burning a whole through your pocket.

[dameanddapper]

Bershka Philippines Launch | Urban Street Style

Bershka has (officially) arrived on Philippine shores! In celebration of their grand opening, a small bash was held at their flagship store at the newly renovated Glorietta. 

Dame & Dapper with events maestro, Robby Carmona

We absolutely love Robby's events (he's also the man behind the Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, and Mango fashion shows featured in our earlier posts). When it comes to spinning flare and sparking interest in a brand's new line, or simply making sure guests experience a night to remember, Robby does it like no one else can. Proud to say that we hail from the same high school!  

The store was pumping all night long with beats from Australian DJ, Eve Speciall and DJ Prince Pelayo, coupled with great drinks, and an electrifying performance from the Unschooled and Philippine All Stars dance crew (who were literally bouncing off the shelves!). 

The danger of having a store launch is the inevitability of... shopping! I appreciate the fact that Bershka managed to compliment the apparel and accessories they were selling with an aptly designed layout, the men's section reflecting more of the grunge and urban street style theme of the night. 

The items themselves are very affordable, with prices similar to that of Zara's. Given the craftsmanship of the items, it's well worth the price.

Adri with fashion blogger JP Singson (check him out at http://www.jponfashionspeed.com)

Me with my best buds, Dustin Carreon and Michael Almagro

Josh Lao and Jebby Fronda showing us how to make a statement without going over the top.

The lovely Janna Tee with Robby Carmona

Daryl Chang of Preview Magazine with Adri and Sam Sadhwani

MEGA represent! (From L-R): Cat Trivino, Portia Ladrido, LA Ferriols, Angelo Ramirez de Cartagena, and Jebby Fronda.

Of course, the best part of any party is running into familiar faces, and getting to know new ones. 

It was an explosion of fashion, everyone representing their version of Urban Street Style. From the loud and brave, to the discrete and detailed there was no shortage of style and individuality; something you'll notice with what Bershka has to offer as well. 

A big congratulations to Bershka Philippines for a successful launch! All the best from Dame & Dapper. 

[dameanddapper]

Blackberry Z10 Launch

BlackBerry celebrated its 10th Anniversary in the Philippines with the official launch of their latest device - the BlackBerry Z10 at the NBC Tent last March 19. Guests were treated to a feast for the senses with interactive stations (simulating the phone's user interface), delicious food, and free flowing drinks just to mention a few.  

Before the big reveal, Blackberry Barkada and super man extraordinaire, Tim Yap opens the event with a very interactive and close up interview with a few guests. 

9:11 before the official launch of the Z10! Coincidentally, my birthday also falls on 9/11 - tempted to grab the new Z10 as an EXTREMELY early birthday gift to myself!

The event itself was all about BlackBerry's signature look - professionalism, prestige and class. Guests looked like they came straight out of JT's Suit & Tie music video; the gentlemen in their dark suits and the dames draped in elegant dresses. 

It was a pleasant surprise running into one of my long time idols, Divine Lee, covering the red carpet. I'm not used to spontaneous Q&A's but luckily she let me off pretty easy! I absolutely love her! She's a model, a socialite, a TV host, and a blogger, not to mention she has her own fashion label. The complete package - beauty, body and brains - and at the same time humble, real, and down to earth.

Hammered gold neckpiece and cuff with amethyst stones for some drama.

I am especially proud and honored to be wearing the set of accessories shown above from the designer, Ann Ong who also happens to be a very good friend of my mom. Watch out for more of her exquisite work in future posts!

Dancers tore up the stage in preparation for the entrance of the BlackBerry ambassadors aka the BlackBerry Barkada!

Blackberry Barkada Borgy Manotoc, Georgina Wilson, Tim Yap, Enchong Dee, Raymond Gutierrez, Solenn Heussaff, Isabelle Daza and Liz Uy.

The night was hosted by Tim Yap, Georgina Wilson, Solenn Heussaff and Ramon Bautista as the rest of the BlackBerry Barkada joined the crowd, getting them psyched up and wanting for the company's latest handset. 

Blackberry Country Director, Cameron Vernest, delved more into the details of the Z10 opening the stage to a live demonstration of the phone, the most exciting feature for me being the new swipe based gesture interaction!

The phone also features a nifty Time Shift feature, making sure you get the perfect portrait shot every time. Phil tells me that Android applications can also be loaded to the phone which means I can finally get on Instagram (better late than never!). 

Geekiness aside, Violinist Bryson Andres and even Solenn had electrifying song performances to keep the party going, while Deuce Manila and DJ Mars Miranda kept the crowd pumping while waiting for the grand raffle of 3 BlackBerry Z10's!

Overflowing cocktails, champagne and snacks were served all throughout the night. Phil's personal favorite - the Johnnie Walker bar.

Dame & Dapper with PR extraordinaire Bibot Nolan. This guy definitely knows how to work a party. Such a fun guy! 

Bibot and one of the winners of the Blackberry Z10 Andrew Gan.

Chel de Guzman, my dearest mother Linda Ley, and bff Kat Penaranda

Phil, flanked by the lovely ladies of the BlackBerry Barkada - Georgina, Solenn, Liz and Isabelle

Dustin Carreon, Zalora's Ari Kader, and Dale Azcueta of Geeky Nights

My mom and her fabulous barkada - Len Olbes, Ann Ong, Chel de Guzman, Mayenne Carmona and her friend Ryan

We ended the night at Prive where we had far too many lychee martinis, and even more fun!

Congratulations and happy anniversary to the Blackberry team! After what we've experienced, Phil and I can't wait to get our hands on the new BlackBerry Z10. Special thanks as well to Bibot for having us. We had such a blast at the event. Cheers and #keepmoving! 

[dameanddapper]

Swedish House Mafia's One Last Tour concert in Manila last January 16, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena

[dameanddapper]

LACOSTE L!VE Launch

A colorful, fresh and playful fashion presentation launched the new and edgier LACOSTE L!VE last March 15 at White Space. Visionary fashion director Robby Carmona outdid himself yet again with a fun fashion display where world-renowned hiphop group, The Philippine All-Stars opened the show a la Beyonce's Billboard Awards performance complete with LED panels to showcase the cool 3D dance off.

As if the crowd wasn't hyped up enough, DJ Mars Miranda and Chris Cayzer kept the party going as overflowing drinks, fun games, hot dogs, mini-burgers and french fries were served. 

H&M, The Ramp and Wynn Wynn Ong rings | Tory Burch elephant tusk necklace | Kate Spade neon clutch 

Lovin' the striped Timex Weekender Phil is sporting + his striped socks!

Oh, and he was also wearing his signature cutie bow tie! This one was burgundy with white polka dots. Dapper!

With I am MEG winner Julz Savard, my basketball buddy in college PE and Janna Tee, one of my bestest friends who also modeled for LACOSTE L!VE that night! Too bad I wasn't able to take a nice shot of her on stage.

With my favorite mother-son duo JP and Tessie Singson. Wasn't able to take a photo of JP's outfit but he werq-ed that Lacoste polo shirt by pairing it with an androgynous black midi skirt plus black pants underneath - unexpectedly chic!

Cool USB wristband giveaways.

This contemporary fashion brand brought to Manila exclusively by Stores Specialists, Inc. is a revamp of the beloved crocodile which has skyrocketed the preppy trend with pastel pique shirts, sweater and chinos. As the brand celebrates their 80th year of "outfitting generations of tennis athletes, prep boys and country-club girls,"  they have decided to amp up fashion and live on the edge by introducing a "younger, hipper, and so much cooler, LACOSTE L!VE"

Check out LACOSTE L!VE's first boutique in the New Glorietta:

The store's gravity-defying interiors match the colorful and quirky magnetic hand-bars where merchandise are suspended as well as the wooden flooring "that waxes nostalgia of your old high school gym."

For S/S 2013, the men can expect rocking pieces of old-school meets futuristic bad boy style. The Sabali Collection features African details from ochre and rust colors to geometric tribal prints - perfect for the laid back wanderlust. The heady Beach Burner Collection on the other hand, showcases beloved Hawaiian florals, surfer prints, acid neons, tye-dyes and earthy blues that take you on a journey towards the wild and colorful Venice Beach. For an Asian flair, LACOSTE L!VE takes on Manga X island surfing X sushi with the Aloha from Japan Collection featuring wave-printed polo shirts, Hawaiian shorts other interesting details. 

Their second shop in Rustan's Tower Shangri-La Plaza also gives you the LACOSTE L!VE groundbreaking retail experience where the clothing and accessories take on street chic fashion with vintage references, hip mixes, splashes of colors and various materials dubbing them as "irreverent twists to the classics, definitely LACOSTE's rebellious offspring."

Acid Coral, Wild Flowers and La Piscine are the three categories for the Women's S/S 2013 Collection. The first of the three mix acid washed denims and psychedelic sunset hues for the adventurous souls who love the beach. You can expect a lot of the summer essentials like "white bikinis, low-cut cotton tees, hot pants and tube dresses, in color-ways that are a trip on its own." For the girly girls, lush vintage botanical prints are juxtaposed with traditional Indian motifs in the second collection. Coachella-like folk and indie music vibes are celebrated in an array of feather-light skirts, skinny jeans, airy minis and the favorite polo shirt. Lastly, the La Piscine Collection which as you guessed it, is all about lounging around the swimming pool takes its inspiration from maritime flags focusing on crimsons, chlorine blues, and yellows that definitely drop the attention anchor this summer as the ladies bask in the sun.