BACKSTAGE IS THE NEW FRONT STAGE

From the success of MEGA, the Philippines' best fashion magazine’s initial venture into television comes yet another exciting offering called MEGA Fashion Crew.



"Life here in MEGA has been a constant search for these people," shares Sari Yap, editor in chief of MEGA magazine.

The show offers a unique peek into the fashion industry and is dedicated to finding the individuals who will make it big in the fashion industry. With a total of 60 hopefuls, MEGA Fashion Crew Gen M Season 2 aims to find the next top photographer, fashion stylist, make-up artist, hair stylist and female model.

(Witness yet another milestone in the publishing-television industry. MEGA Fashion Crew Gen M Season 2 airs every Saturday nights on ETC at 7:00pm, starting July 30 and replays every Sunday at 10am)

MUSIC PLAY : PAUL SMITH X

(Eric and Kris of Paul Smith / TRIO)


(Photo: ipod and bag by Eric Posadas)

In Manila, aside from functional dandy clothes and approachable shop staff who wear the brand better than anyone else, one of the other pleasures of a trip to Paul Smith is the carefully chosen music worth lingering.

PERYA TONIGHT

Off to A.Venue tonight to attend Perya, a whimsical fashion gala and benefit show showcasing a 50 piece fashion show by Happy Andrada.

My classmate, Darrel Pobre will also be setting up his first photo exhibit.

FRONT ROW SEATS AND THE SMELL OF STINKY PAINT AT FASHION WEEK

( Filipino designer Ralph Ng - Philippine Fashion Week 2008)

The idea of attending Philippine Fashion Week was somewhat daunting. I may be cheeky, but that does not include being stuck up. I love looking at runway shows for creativity and inspiration, and if preppy ole’ me can take away one trick or treat from a show, then I consider my observation a success.

The fashion community was in full force including my favorite fashion editor Joyce Fernandez of Imagine Magazine and Manila Bulletins’ fashion Duo Daryl and Andre Chang, the girls from MEGA as well as a handful of Philippine media personalities, fashionistas and fashion victims ( yes, they were all over!).

( Frederick Peralta Gala night at Philippine Fashion Week)

Models sashayed down the cheaply constructed water based latex painted runway in hopes of invigorating a couple of underwhelming collections with some fashion interest, but the only interest found was in our hopes that something innovative and different would come down the runway.

The first night of Philippine Fashion Week ended with a bang. Ralph Ng’s show was not only impeccably styled ( Good Job Paolo Castro and Jujin Samonte) with silver neck pieces to go with the urban chic ensembles, it’s was really well casted. The models looked like they belonged together on the runway. It’s not that I think everyone should look alike but many designers had a wide array of looks which sort of adds a stutter to a show that would normally flow. And the flawlessly structured tops, separates, ruffled tulle skirts and slouchy pants got a rousing round of applause.