Sprezzatura!
June 17, 2011
June 15, 2011
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
When it comes to clothes and dressing I am as simple as it gets.
(William and Pelé Ling)
Actually, I dress like my dad. Don’t get me wrong, dressing like my dad is not a bad thing since he’s pretty dapper for someone who’ll be turning 60 in two months. Che bell'uomo! In fact, I’d sneak in his closet to shop for vintage brogues, braided belts (which I admittedly stole last Christmas) and loafers.
(T-B: Richard, Ruairidh and Angus Villar, David and Freddie Mills, Charlie and Jackson Boxer and Richard and Cosmo Wise)
Happy Fathers day, mi Padre!
(William and Pelé Ling)
Actually, I dress like my dad. Don’t get me wrong, dressing like my dad is not a bad thing since he’s pretty dapper for someone who’ll be turning 60 in two months. Che bell'uomo! In fact, I’d sneak in his closet to shop for vintage brogues, braided belts (which I admittedly stole last Christmas) and loafers.
(T-B: Richard, Ruairidh and Angus Villar, David and Freddie Mills, Charlie and Jackson Boxer and Richard and Cosmo Wise)
Happy Fathers day, mi Padre!
June 13, 2011
IN THE NAVY!
I have gotten tired of black trousers unless I have a black tie affair to attend. This month, it is all about navy and gray with the same straight to slim modern silhouette that pretty much look good on almost everyone and yes, can be dressed up with different shoes and tops.
Dad once told me that, “the pants and not the top should always take center stage.”
If you want to look good without spending a fortune, update your wardrobe by visiting your trusty tailor and having your trousers altered to fit you perfectly.
When wearing navy or gray trousers, always go minimal with your shirt. Pink, pale blue and white always works. Trust me!
Always flirt with fabrics. Cotton twill and linen works for day, wool is great for the office and also perfect for evenings.
For shoes. Though black is fine, brown, nude and deep purple will never look wrong. I like pairing mine with my brown cap-toes and purple moccasins.
And oh, flat front and definitely no pleats unless you want to end up looking like someone with a massive 20 inch dick.
Dad once told me that, “the pants and not the top should always take center stage.”
If you want to look good without spending a fortune, update your wardrobe by visiting your trusty tailor and having your trousers altered to fit you perfectly.
When wearing navy or gray trousers, always go minimal with your shirt. Pink, pale blue and white always works. Trust me!
Always flirt with fabrics. Cotton twill and linen works for day, wool is great for the office and also perfect for evenings.
For shoes. Though black is fine, brown, nude and deep purple will never look wrong. I like pairing mine with my brown cap-toes and purple moccasins.
And oh, flat front and definitely no pleats unless you want to end up looking like someone with a massive 20 inch dick.
June 12, 2011
ON WHITE WALLS, ANTIQUES AND GOOD TASTE
Growing up down south, my mom relied on coffee table design books from the local bookstore and hand-me-down copies of Architectural Digest, Country Living and Domino from her sisters in the US. Those books and magazines not only gained my mom some free time from her shop but also influenced my mind-set at a very young age – what could possibly be better than that?
For most, however, good taste is rarely as easy as that perfect wicker couch at our cozy lanai or that antique Chinese medicine cabinet turned into a huge display of art from mom and dad’s trips abroad. While there’s no formula for success, I have noticed in the hundreds of homes I have visited that dazzling design scheme never fail to catch my eye, but it is the spaces that are actually lovely to be in resonate and are truly memorable.
(Andy and Kate Spade's beautiful home.)
I am a big fan of two of my mother’s sister’s homes. The Lopez-Vito sisters need not to announce the beauty of their homes. Lacquered in white that makes every wall and ceiling glow, huge canvas and ikat print-slip covered throw-pillows, blissful bed linens and a collection of traditional antiques married with orientalia, and a striking collection of art from local artists and myself. For me, it’s pure perfection!
I am currently on the state of repainting my flat again from white to eggplant (deep purple or whatever you want to call it) and I believe in most successful spaces, you don’t see everything at once. The more time you spend in them, the more you discover.
Like my friend Alfonso’s newly lived-in 1970’s modernist home, it exemplifies what the French call bien dans sap eau – at ease in its skin. It’s just that he isn’t French, he’s Italian. A variety of local plants vie to outgrow one another surrounding his tiled pool and three undressed antique wooden saints atop a wooden consul table, a thrift find from flea market. His coral wall with crawling ivy and a massive canvas couch from Rome.
Perhaps that’s the secret recipe for effortless elegance; a carefree sense of confidence, a lack of pretension, and a mindful appreciation for comfort and care.
For most, however, good taste is rarely as easy as that perfect wicker couch at our cozy lanai or that antique Chinese medicine cabinet turned into a huge display of art from mom and dad’s trips abroad. While there’s no formula for success, I have noticed in the hundreds of homes I have visited that dazzling design scheme never fail to catch my eye, but it is the spaces that are actually lovely to be in resonate and are truly memorable.
(Andy and Kate Spade's beautiful home.)
I am a big fan of two of my mother’s sister’s homes. The Lopez-Vito sisters need not to announce the beauty of their homes. Lacquered in white that makes every wall and ceiling glow, huge canvas and ikat print-slip covered throw-pillows, blissful bed linens and a collection of traditional antiques married with orientalia, and a striking collection of art from local artists and myself. For me, it’s pure perfection!
I am currently on the state of repainting my flat again from white to eggplant (deep purple or whatever you want to call it) and I believe in most successful spaces, you don’t see everything at once. The more time you spend in them, the more you discover.
Like my friend Alfonso’s newly lived-in 1970’s modernist home, it exemplifies what the French call bien dans sap eau – at ease in its skin. It’s just that he isn’t French, he’s Italian. A variety of local plants vie to outgrow one another surrounding his tiled pool and three undressed antique wooden saints atop a wooden consul table, a thrift find from flea market. His coral wall with crawling ivy and a massive canvas couch from Rome.
Perhaps that’s the secret recipe for effortless elegance; a carefree sense of confidence, a lack of pretension, and a mindful appreciation for comfort and care.
June 05, 2011
BASIC MATTER 22: THE WEEKENDER BAG
Whether you are packing for a weekend getaway in Nasugbu or a day trip down south, don’t forget to tote your must-haves in these stylish bags. Mine’s a large Madaket tote from J. Crew.
(Thanks Ingrid!)
The J. Crew large Madaket tote is made out of cotton canvas with navy canvas handles, binding, sidebands and white piping, top snap closure and side snaps – it’s perfect, sturdy and definitely chic!
Perfect for all seasons, this Peter Werth Navy Holdall Bag is also a perfect bag for that quick weekend trip in the country. Its size means a lot of storage and is a great addition to any look.
Also from Peter Werth, this Ink Striped Holdall Bag is a great addition to your wardrobe if you're looking to establish a nautical trend. With a PU trim and an outer front pocket for more storage, this bag is definitely a must have.
All bags by Peter Worth are available at Brighterman.
(Thanks Ingrid!)
The J. Crew large Madaket tote is made out of cotton canvas with navy canvas handles, binding, sidebands and white piping, top snap closure and side snaps – it’s perfect, sturdy and definitely chic!
Perfect for all seasons, this Peter Werth Navy Holdall Bag is also a perfect bag for that quick weekend trip in the country. Its size means a lot of storage and is a great addition to any look.
Also from Peter Werth, this Ink Striped Holdall Bag is a great addition to your wardrobe if you're looking to establish a nautical trend. With a PU trim and an outer front pocket for more storage, this bag is definitely a must have.
All bags by Peter Worth are available at Brighterman.
June 02, 2011
FELICE FESTA DELLA REPUBBLICA!
Felice Festa della Repubblica! Tonight, a visual synthesis of a universe of rhythm and myth and history whose roots go far back into the ancient culture of the Roman peninsula will be marked with a unique Eugenio Bennato & "Taranta Power" concert.
To my friends in Italy, I’m looking forward to Italia in a few months! Buon Giorno!
June 01, 2011
ON SATCHELS, ALEXEI VILLARAZA AND THE BIG APPLE
At first glance, Alexei’s life looks like the sun-baked existence of a beach-crazed hotshot executive.
(Alexei Villaraza of All That Shnazz)
With two months left until he dispatches himself to New York in the fall, there might be no better time for an appraisal.
But like most guys watching their salad wilt, this naturally tanned and handsomely dress lad fantasized of taking a leap and striking out on his own in the big apple.
(Alexei’s Cambridge Music Bag in dark brown with embossed silver initials)
WHAT’S IN IT? 13" macbook pro, Heather Miss Grey by Cecile van Straten pouch, 500GB WD External Hardrive, laptop charger, USB drive, USB projector adapter, wallet, car key, Moleskin notebook, hand sanitizer, coin purse, Dockers prescription glasses, Rayban aviators, Blackberry 9780, Leica D-Lux 4.
Like me, his bag is an essential accoutrement on par with his car, his house keys and his trusty Blackberry and leaving home without all four can cause paranoia and a nagging lack of mobility.
(Alexei Villaraza of All That Shnazz)
With two months left until he dispatches himself to New York in the fall, there might be no better time for an appraisal.
But like most guys watching their salad wilt, this naturally tanned and handsomely dress lad fantasized of taking a leap and striking out on his own in the big apple.
(Alexei’s Cambridge Music Bag in dark brown with embossed silver initials)
WHAT’S IN IT? 13" macbook pro, Heather Miss Grey by Cecile van Straten pouch, 500GB WD External Hardrive, laptop charger, USB drive, USB projector adapter, wallet, car key, Moleskin notebook, hand sanitizer, coin purse, Dockers prescription glasses, Rayban aviators, Blackberry 9780, Leica D-Lux 4.
Like me, his bag is an essential accoutrement on par with his car, his house keys and his trusty Blackberry and leaving home without all four can cause paranoia and a nagging lack of mobility.
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