LUZVIMINDA2 Fashionably Gives

Phoenix, AZ – Show stopping designs by Jun-Jun Cambe and Audie Espino took center stage at the 2^nd Annual Luzvminda Fashion Show produced by Marie Cunning - President of Federation of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (FPACC), Charmel de la Cruz – Producer/Director at Laras Media International, and Fleur Magbanua – Editor-in-Chief of F Magazine.  

Held at the Heard Museum in Phoenix Arizona on the 20^th of November 2015, the much anticipated Pan-American charity fashion show drew attendees from Nevada, California and Utah, with evening gowns and barong Tagalog selling off the racks even before it hit the runway!

With proceeds benefitting Phoenix Barangay Lion's Club for 2016 Medical Mission to the Philippines, the affair, emceed by Charmel and Fleur, kicked off with powerful performances by Maribeth Pascua and Marian Alcordo.

Manila’s prince of Avant Garde fashion, Jun-Jun Cambe, opened the show with a bit of Hollywood flair displaying body-hugging pieces with lace and ornate gold embellishments.  

Jun-Jun Cambe, Manila’s prince of Avant Garde fashion.

Maureen Montagne, Miss Arizona USA 2015

Setting up a trend, the most applauded is the parade of good looking blokes wearing fun and colorful Barong Tagalogs playfully styled with modern interpretation…

...tucked in trousers,

...layered with inside shirt or another barong,

...as well as ‘80s style pushed up sleeves and stand up collar. 

Ending the menswear portion is formally styled (my fave), traditional hand-embroidered Barong Tagalogs. 

Jun-Jun also showcased a hint of Spanish influence in his floral, brightly-hued and shiny Filipiniana long gowns.

Philippine Fashion Week Executive Producer and Co-Founder, Audie Espino, also the Proprietor of EsAc Apparel Center, unveiled EsAc’s classic ready-to-wear for S/S 2016.  Slowly departed from previous years’ distress, fraid and stained looks, Audie continues to elaborate on his vision for Philippine Fashion with an updated aesthetic for the new season, with timeless separates in basic shades of red, black and cream composed and combined to create a confident look.  EsAc revealed the must-have fashion looks for spring, “baro’t saya” inspired pieces with accent floral embroideries. The collection consists of graceful straight-line and A-line dresses as well as shorts and plain tops, with ethereal and intricate overlay. Simple yet sophisticated!

Audie Espino, Philippine Fashion Week Co-Founder and Executive Producer, and EsAc Apparel Center Proprietor

For the final segment, soft oohs and aahs ushered the stunning models in Jun-Jun Cambe’s breathtaking “Baby Doll” collection. Drawing inspiration from the ‘50s era, the resurgence of haute couture post the war years, the flowy aesthetics of Cambe’s empire waist evening wear exuded soft femininity and elegance.  It was dreamy and romantic leaving the audience wanting more.

And so the count down begins for Luzviminda3…stay tuned!

Shout out to multi-talented Hair & Make-up Artist (when not singing!), Miss Marian Alcordo.  Marian is the behind the scene unsung hero and very much appreciated by the models, designers and emcees.  Love you, Marian!!!

XOXO,
Sheila

Filipinos rule Los Angeles Fashion Week “Designer Warz”

Los Angeles, CA – Two years in a row, Filipino designers break through and win the Designer Warz presented by Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition (LAFWDC).

Joyce Penas Pilarsky - Awarded a prize package valued at $2,000 and a 4-page spread in NickiiJean magazine on Oct 17^th 2015 at KESSPRO Studio as the grand winner of LAFWDC 2015, Joyce Pilarsky, a Manila-based international designer showcased an unexpected yet masterful combination of patterned dresses and gowns as well as laser cut trousers and colorful barongs.  

Inspired by her Philippine heritage, Pilarsky uses only local and naturally sourced fibers found in her motherland. Her eco-approach in garments and accessories was highly influenced by the strict EU environmental regulations from when she first started with fashion industry in Germany.  Thankfully, she is able to compliment it with native elements from the Philippines where organic materials like the traditional sheer jusi (from banana leaf), fine piña fabric (from pineapple leaf), translucent silk gazar (a textile popularized by Kate Middleton’s wedding gown) and colorful hand-woven abel cotton are bountiful. 

Sitting up-front I saw how light and comfortable these non-synthetic materials flowed and glittered as the models exuded luxury and confidence on the catwalk.

“My favorite so far is the skirt I made for my finale as I put a lot of time and love and passion and patience in sewing it myself by hand,” says Joyce.

Already with many accolades for her artistic mediums, as Joyce also enjoys photography, sculpting, painting and writing, I asked what her ultimate goal is.  Joyce replied, “We have only one life to live and we have to give our love and passion in spreading Gods love with the use of all the talents and blessings God has given us.”  A philanthropist by heart, her eco-friendly brand provides training and jobs to cultural communities and women workers from different regions of the Philippines. Also in place is the Jocelyn and Gunter Pilarsky Foundation which builds schools for the marginalized children of the Philippines some of which are floating school built for the Manobo Tribe in the marshland of in Agusan del Norte, school for street children in Bustos, Bulacan, and the building of homes and classrooms in Bohol.

Here's a video of Joyce Pilarsky's winning entry:

Veejay Floresca – Well known to Filipino communities in California, the 2014 LAFWDC grand award was given to no less than Veejay Fluoresce last year. Currently pursuing her Masters in Fashion Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Veejay was invited back by LAFW this time as a featured closing designer where she showcased her Spring/Summer 2016 thesis collection, "Reformed." 

 

‘Twas a total departure from Veejay’s Madore bridal signature of romantic glamour and feminine elegance, the Project Runway Philippines Season 12 alumni displayed a super modern ebony collection with silhouettes of Japanese kimonos and obi. I was in total awe and absolutely in love with this line.  The way Veejay played the loose edgy cuts, geometric shapes, and uneven hemlines, with different fabric textures make it sound like there’s too much going on yet visually, all of these features combined gave this all-black collection perfect depth and architecture! 

The Inspiration

The Vision

The Medium

The dark, but-not-quite-gothic, styling on the runway was spot on and the execution of every garment was flawless! I cannot believe this is a school thesis project!

  

Photo credits Dave Lohr

Photo credits Dave Lohr

I totally see myself wearing some of these pieces! Whether it is custom bridal wear, red carpet gowns or ready-to-wear clothing, I will not be surprised to see Veejay Floresca’s name along side other major brand names on the main fashion week runways of the world in the near future.

Here's a video of Veejay Floresca's finale presentation:

How about another Filipino designer for a “three-peat” LAFWDC win in 2016?!

In the mean time get your FASH on and make a fashion scene!  Visit and LIKE “Chasing Sheila” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more chic stories and happenings.

(Photos by Takata Photo & Design, Dave Lohr and Rudy Autor)

XOXO,
Sheila

Fashion Statement for the Cause

For my long healthy hair, all credit goes to my Asian genes! Every year, I am blessed that I can give my hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in U.S. and Canada under age 21 suffering from long term hair loss due to any medical diagnosis.

While I have been donating my locks, I didn’t really know anyone in the mane business, until I met Jasmin Barnes, Founder/CEO of My Wig Studio. “It all started one bad hair day in 2009…I started using a wig. It gave me freedom and a little boost of confidence,” Jasmin said when asked how she got started.  

Jasmin Barnes, Founder and CEO of My Wig Studio / United We Strand in action!

Later on she saw the huge need for patients medically diagnosed with hair loss such as women with alopecia, or undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or menopause and felt compelled to respond.  Today, her company donates wigs to cancer organizations, local hospitals and clinics, such as Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, American Cancer Association, City of Hope, and Breast Cancer Imaging Center to name a few. “Most of them shed tears of joy the moment they put on the wig! I feel blessed to be able to witness this pure joy! I believe that when a woman feels empowered and beautiful from the inside out, they can take on the world to do greater things! This is when I realized I found my passion! I am inspired by each woman’s story of courage and their passion for life,” says the Filipina entrepreneur.  To do more, she launched a Wig Sponsorship Program enabling wig patrons to donate via her web site, My Wig Studio, allowing her to extend help on an ongoing basis directly to cancer patients who cannot afford to purchase their own. 

Coincidentally, I connected with one of the biggest supporters of Jasmin’s cause, Philippine-born fashion designer Charmaine Rodriguez who showcased Charmaine Joie Couture Spring/Summer 2016 collection at Orange County Fashion Week last month. This Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) grad’s name may ring a bell as Charmaine has appeared in 2 seasons of NBC’s Fashion Star.  

With Charmaine Rodriguez at
The 3rd Annual Metropolitan Fashion Week Closing Gala

Sharing the same passion to give back, Charmaine designed a one-of-a-kind floor length silk jacquard couture gown with removable skirt and, my favorite feature, a solid mauve pink collar in the shape of the Breast Cancer Ribbon lightly hand-crusted with Swarovski crystals worn by 9-year cancer survivor Laura McCarthy Cygan at The 3^rd Annual Metropolitan Fashion Week (MFW) Closing Gala’s “50 Shades of Pink” runway segment at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles. 

Wearing Charmaine Joie Couture, breast cancer survivor and model Laura McCarthy Cygan 
currently works as a Fire Investigator for Emergency Fire Investigations

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 10 designers created gowns showcased and modeled by breast cancer survivors and were later auctioned to benefit various breast cancer charities.  Jasmin’s Wig Sponsorship Program via My Wig Studio / United We Strand, was Charmaine’s chosen charity.  Charmaine stated, “I just found in my journey that fashion can give back in many ways. I've been fortunate to be able to help be part of several fundraisers for breast cancer charities as well as Saint Jude for Children's Hospital and working wardrobes organization.  I have done these by participating in fashion shows that raise funds to give back to these beneficiaries.”

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, and although rare, an estimated 2,350 MEN will be diagnosed in the U.S. with breast cancer. Many of us have families and friends who have been touched by cancer, one way or another.  There are many ways to support awareness, like the opportunity I found with this cool brand C4, featured at Phoenix Fashion Week earlier this month. With a mission to give back, C4, which stands for “Choose your Color, Choose your Cause,” has partnered with National Breast Cancer Foundation.  Use code Care4thecause when you shop at www.c4belts.com to get a $5 discount off your purchase and $5 will also be automatically donated to NBCF. Post a picture of your purchase with the hashtag #Care4thecause on Instagram and Facebook, and C4 will donate an additional $5 to NBCF! What a great way to get a new accessory and make a fashion statement!

Kirsten & Lily sporting their pink C4 Belts to help raise $$ and awareness
 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation

Let’s connect, send me a message or tweet me at  “Chasing Sheila” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! 

‘Til the next ish dolls. In the meantime, get your FASH on, keep styling and make a fashion scene!

(Photos by Misha Urubkov and Gennadiy Kotlyarchuk)

XOXO,

Sheila

Haute OC - Runways for Fashion and Destination

Orange County, CA – It didn’t take much time for me to get re-acclimated with my old stomping ground OC, especially with its beautiful beaches, perfect weather, diverse word-class dining, ‘did I say beautiful beaches already’ and a posh community… definitely a bigger pond!

I was especially excited to meet the Orange County Fashion Week (OCFW) family, grateful for their warm welcome and thrilled about future collaborations and opportunities.  It was such a treat to discover that OCFW is only one facet of a multi carat rare coastal gem. 

Enter Kathryn Miclat Marino, CEO of HAUTEOC Inc., President of Orange County Fashion Week, and Founder of OC Fashion Council.  Whether it is jetsetting, trendsetting or genuinely connecting people live or via alternate channels, and doing so while simultaneously learning and having great fun, this Filipino American entrepreneur (Kathy’s mom is from Zamabales and her dad is from Olongapo) has it all covered.  After interviewing Kathy, I’m pretty sure I just found my “new” long lost twin sister, hashtag BFF =) 

Kathy Marino in "Florals" resort wear by Charmaine Joie Couture
Photo credits OCFW and Jack Lungu 

Sheila: Before taking on OCFW in 2013, you were and still are in specialized travel business.  Tell us about it.

Kathy: Absolutely! I have always loved travel because of the global inspirations available to us, and the overall luxury hospitality industry. There is something so liberating about leaving the familiar to venture into the unfamiliar and to learn about new cultures and new people. I believe travel inspires people to grow and learn more about themselves. 

S: I agree, just like seasonal style trends and innovations bringing new appreciation to the past, I think that travel and fashion compliment each other well.

K: Very true! In fact, during OCFW, we promote travel in-bound, which advocates for our tourism here in California, then the remainder of the year we do fashion tours on the outbound, which is great because it allows for us to grow in more ways than one.

S: I cannot argue that “The OC” is a ritzy tourist attraction. Living just 3 miles away, it is hard for me to miss the South Coast Plaza, an enviable suburban answer to New York’s 5^th Avenue and Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive. I did my research, trademarked as the “The Ultimate Shopping Resort,” South Coast Plaza is the largest west coast upscale shopping center bringing in an estimated 24 million visitors per annum. Its 250 stores (oh wait… 280 stores strong as I learned from stylist/designer Rachel Zoe during her Live the Look fashion show last week at South Coast Plaza, no less!) represent the highest concentration of designer brand retail nationwide, to no surprise generating sales of well over $1.5B annually, the highest in the United States. On the other hand, the idea of “fashion tourism,” especially outbound, is more of a niche market I'd imagine.  How do you reach your potential clients?

K: We actually produce a digital TV show called “Fashionista Now Boarding” that is broadcasted in Southern California on an MTV affiliate. We began last April 2015, it’s actually how I got started when I met the original founders of OCFW promoting a fashion tour. We now air to 16 million households in So Cal with our most recent trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was great as it allowed everyone to experience fashion on their islands, while at the same time promoting a liberating fashion experience. I like to say our international OCFW language is #WeSpeakFashion and that is what makes our world go round, when we aren’t producing OC Fashion Week.

S: OCFW has been around since 2005, how would you describe its earlier years compared to where it is now?

K: That is a great question! In the past the event was grassroots and more college-based and passion-driven, but now we have an incredible OC Fashion Council advisory board with new programs, over 600+ local models and we have all new global media partners and fashion alliances from Virgin Islands to Dubai and incredibly supportive returning sponsors.

S: What is the role of the OC Fashion Council in all these?

K: The OC Fashion Council nominates the charity beneficiaries and determines the vetting process for fashion designers. We decided to launch the OC Fashion Council as an organized way of having an advisory team, made up of our own local and global retail buyers. It was important for us to remove the social bias of a shopping mall or singling out a fashion designer who was organizing a show to their marketing advantage to be a fashion week. It was important to recognize the collections we were debuting to the B2B trade industries six-eight months in advance; as to not confuse the public of our goals, which was to have these designers sold to buyers into stores (as before-market collections), as opposed to marketing a fashion show directly for the consumers  (after-market collections) at least not yet.

S: Have you worn any creations by OCFW emerging designers and could you tell us who?

K: Yes, Dawn Nguyen, a local OC Fashion Designer. I love her work! I would describe Dawn’s collection as a colorful array of luxury and bohemian wear that can go from cocktail to resort. It’s a very special occasion to wear her line. I have also worn Charmaine Joie Couture for photo shoots, her collection is not only beautiful and elegant but at the same time stretches and gives where you have curves so its very much appreciated in both beauty and functionality for cocktail dresses.

Kathy Marino wearing a piece from Dawn Sunflower Collection by Dawn Nguyen 
Photo credits OCFW and Jack Lungu

S: Before I give the highlights of OCFW SS 2016, quickly tell us…

-   Favorite Fashion Decade – 1960s

-   Morning or Night – Morning! Starting at 4am, working EST

-   Coffee or Tea – Chai tea latte with almond milk

-   Champagne or Wine – Veuve Clicquot

- Iphone or Android – Once you go Mac, you never go back!

Talk about a whole other level… Orange County Fashion Week®, legitimately backed by a strong buyers’ market of double digit billion dollar retail sales, emerges as a leading player in the metropolis of fashion. In addition to the 3 million locals, OC welcomes a remarkable 42 million visitors annually!

A global fashion destination indeed, Kathy said, “Orange County independently makes up the fashion retail consumer power at some $37 billion in retail sales.  This incredible buying power exceeds that of some fashion capitals.  In addition, we live among a great number of buyers who travel to NYC, London, Paris and Milan for fashion week then come back here to live. Orange County is undisputedly a buyer’s market, and it shows in the U.S. census data.” With a big heart for the community, the OC Fashion Council nominated not 1 but 3 charity organizations to spotlight in OCFW SS 2016, namely:  The Teen Project, Working Wardrobes and The OC Ballet Theatre. In line with its retail spend, Orange County also surpasses the nationwide average in charity support and recognized as a leading giving community.

Not exclusive to retail, Orange County Fashion Week kicked off Day 1 with its 2^nd Annual So Cal Master Stylist Competition. Adding mystery and fun to the event, “Follow the Rabbit Hole” location was revealed just a few days prior and was hosted by Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) on Thursday, September 17^th.  Recognizing the best in beauty, hair and make-up artistry, it was a high energy, 2.5-hour contest to create live art celebrating the whimsical theme of “Alice in Wonderland,” definitely my favorite segment of OCFW this year.  While models strut the catwalk in less than a minute, the ingenious behind-the-scenes preparations by the pros is another long story.  Hats off to Team Mad Hatter led by Lesley Feliz, who will be sent on a challenger event in 2016 to the U.S. Virgin Islands, for winning the Best Technical and Best in All Categories awards of the master stylist showdown. The amazing transformation of Chloe Pasquini (model) by Lesley and crew also won the People’s Choice Award for the most money raised to benefit The Teen Project, a non-profit organization working with young teens as they transition from foster care to adulthood.

The Mad Hatter in the making...

The Red Queen
Photo credits OCFW and James Giovanni Pan

Alice
Photo credits OCFW and James Giovanni Pan

OCFW Day 2 on Friday, September 18^th showcased SS 2016 Couture and Resort Wear ensembles in a new breathtaking venue SOKA University in Alison Viejo.  Adjacent to the world-class Peace Lake, guests gathered at the Founders Hall and savored an assortment of gourmet hors d’oeuvres and cocktails served by the jewel of Persian cuisine, Darya (located at South Coast Plaza).

Benefitting the Working Wardrobes non-profit organization which empowers men, women, veterans and young adults overcoming difficult challenges to confidently enter the workforce and achieve success, Day 2 of OC Fashion Week® featured the finest in couture, resort-wear, and intimates by the following emerging brands: Coral Castillo, Charmaine Joie Couture by Charmaine Joie Rodriguez, BGR Design by Berenice Gonzales, Jonathan Jimenez, Yesenia Hernandez, Marc Aaron Bright, and Cheri Elizabeth.

A "must see" Silence Collection designed by Carol Castillo
Photo credits Ragz The Bear Productions

Charmaine Joie Couture, a recently launched brand, by NBC’s “Fashion Star” Manila-born designer, Charmaine Rodriguez (2nd from right), boasts Hollywood glam evening gowns and cocktail dresses.

Photo credits Jack Lungu

Evening wear by Riverside, CA based young designer Yesenia Hernandez (center)

A brand that offers limited edition evening gown and  bridal wear designed  by Cheri Elizabeth (center)
Photo credits OCFW and Stanley Productions & Photography

Located in the heart of entertainment, arts and sports district, the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) opened its doors for OCFW Day 3 finale night on Saturday, September 19^th.  For the first time, this 188 million dollar venue hosted Orange County’s finest music, fashion and art in an all-new innovative runway for West Coast Street Scene and showcased the following designers: Amanda Wolf Designs, Candy Cat Collections, Ren Rock, Kathryn Brown, Raphael Cole, and DeeDub Collections. On its closing night, OCFW chose to benefit the OC Ballet Theatre, which offers education, cultural awareness and scholarship programs to its community.

West Coast Street Scene Runway Show
Photo credits OCFW and HauteOC

Now, that’s how you do it!!! Orange County Fashion Week SS 2016 of 3 glamorous nights, at 3 amazing venues, and for 3 charity beneficiaries! Major kudos to Kathy and team for putting up a very successful affair.  Can’t wait to see what’s in store for OCFW AW 2016 show.  For now, let’s pop that bubbly bottle of Veuve Clicquot and raise a glass for #WeCanFly as #WeSpeakFashion.

Let’s connect, send me a message or tweet me at  “Chasing Sheila” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

‘Til the next ish dolls. In the meantime, get your FASH on, keep styling and make a fashion scene!

XOXO,
Sheila