An exhibition of modern gold jewelry featuring the craftsmanship of Camarines Norte Goldsmiths and the Designs of the internationally-awarded multi-media artist Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia.

Gold has been part of Camarines Norte life and history. The earliest account is the anonymously-written relation of the conquest of Luzon dated April 20, 1572. Being my home province, I am aware and familiar with the ups and downs of the gold mining and allied industries that goes with it such as refining and gold smiths. I have seen gold in every form and type of person. Be it the most intricate to a more modest. Gold has mold the lives of Camarines Norte, where owning a gold is not luxury but a part of culture a everyday life. I have adored the pieces of jewelry from my mom's collection and more of my grandparents and aunts.


During my childhood, I frequent my grandparents town of Jose Panganiban, a mining and fishing town north of Daet, the province's capital. There's no other place in the Philippines, that I have seen goldsmith (and pawnshops) in every corner.

It is to my excitement and delight to hear that for the very first time, Camarines Norte will be featuring it's Gold and the talent and craftsmanship of its people right in the halls and gallery of Ayala Museum in Makati City.

Bulawan, The Gold of Camarines Norte was made possible through the efforts of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte and Camarines Norte Jewelry Producers Association, Inc. (CNJPAI).


Dr. Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia

Most of the jewelry produced in the province is made of fine and delicate handcrafted gold filigrees. The exhibit pieces are crafted by CNJPAI and the designs of Dr. Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia, a registered physician and internationally-recognized multi-media artist. Award winning Creative Director of the GASP Furniture Co. and more.

The exhibit is compose of 8 designs: Alon, Balisô-sô, Hinâgot, Ilog, Pabitin, Pinalaspas, Pinalay and Sinahâ.

Alon



Balisô-sô



Hinâgot





Ilog


Pabitin





Pinalaspas



Pinalay




Sinahâ



Models wearing the creations of School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) students

Models are all from Camarines Norte. Including my cousin, Jaydy Brojan (center) and my friend Julia Villamonte (below).



Dr. Joaquin Palencia with Amina Aranaz of SoFA and other distinguished guests.

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Jerome Salaya Ang takes us back to the powerful journey of the original woman, Eve, in his spring summer offering for Philippine Fashion Week.

Titled The Garden Beyond Paradise, Ang's newest collection takes flight from the whirlwind of emotions that Eve felt as she explored Creation's lush flora, fauna and foliage. With the use of vibrant textures and muted colors, pieces take on an earthy feel-a perfect depiction of nature's essence, and the garden through Eve's eye.


But more than what can be seem, felt, and heard, the collection is all about the inner workings of the woman. With the use of organic and non-organic materials, ANg brilliantly makes Eve's emotions come to life, capturing what is essentially innate in all women across generations and nationalities, and bringing to the fore the beauty and substance of every woman's journey through life-from careful exploration to powerful discovery.



















Photography by © Martin Mauhay for Runway2Reality

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Inspired by Japanese artist Kako Ueda and Far Eastern aesthetics, designer Chris Diaz's spring summer collection is all about sensual femininity, luxurious mystery and modern beauty.

Taking flight from an admiration of Ueda's patience and masterful attention to detail when it comes to paper applique, Diaz's pieces showcase a dynamic play of moods and colors that reference the different aspects of nature. Flora and foliage come alive in delicate ruffles and pleats, making the collection a vibrant and riveting one.


Diaz skillfully make use of the crispness of organdy, shantung, taffeta, moire and organza, and contrasts them with the softness of satin, Chinese silk and faux snakeskin. Using the colors pink, salmon, almond, jade, eau de nil, lily-pad green, poppy, crimson, fuchsia, turquoise, and black, the result is a magnificently romantic collection that evokes the characteristics of the modern geisha: beautiful, feminine and sensual --with an air of captivating mystery.



















Photography by © Martin Mauhay for Runway2Reality

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The "Asian Male Super Model," He conquered the runways of Asia and Europe, Male Model of the Year at the Singapore Fashion Awards. That's how impressive Brent Chua's CV at a young age in his mid twenties and is currently represented by Ford Models New York. He graced the cover and campaigns of Benetton, Levi's, Motorola, TIGI Bedhead, Bang and Olufsen, and more.

Runway2Reality interviews Brent Chua, fashion model and vintage clothes lover. Brent shares his secret on where to shop in NYC, the challenges facing models and how to make it big by being yourself.







Name: Brent Chua

Background: Family/Occupation/Industry/Company:
Chinese-Filipino. Model, currently represented by Ford Models New York

Describe your Personal Style, Inspiration and Fashion Philosophy.
I like to keep it simple, mixing it up with a few unique elements. I would say I'm inspired by the diversity of everyday people in NYC.


They say you're the "Asian Male Super Model." What can you say about it? How did you started? How long you've been modeling?
I am grateful to be called such things. But at the end of the day, I am just me. Maybe life has been good to me or maybe it was a stroke of luck. I've been in the game for 5 years. It all started when Rizal (a casting director) discovered me in a club.

How would you compare the modeling scene here in the Philippiness and abroad.
Obviously, every city has a different market for fashion. The Philippines is just yet starting to become more aware of international fashion and in turn adapting to it. Modeling abroad is a great deal, more difficult than in the Philippines. Because (in the Philippines) designers tend to cast models whom they are connected to somehow. Whereas abroad, fashion is ever changing. Therefore, models come and go constantly, like a revolving door. But if you have the patience, faith and maybe luck, then you can turn modeling into a lasting career.

Favorite fashion/modeling moment:
I cannot pick and choose specific moments in which were memorable for I consider every opportunity to be interesting.


What do you think are the challenges Filipino models are facing in the industry?
I suppose the most significant challenge that Filipino models face is fitting into an ethnic category. Some Filipinos look Hispanic whereas others look more Oriental. Fashion tends to categorize models by ethnicity and that can be seen as a barrier for Filipino models.

Advice for aspiring professional models.
Despite the difficulties making it in the industry, always be the best you can be and never forget those who have always stood by you.

What is your favorite brand, label, shop?
I prefer vintage and secondhand clothes over labels and brands. There are numerous vintage shops in NYC, a popular one being Beacon's Closet in Willamsburg, Brooklyn.

What is the best fashion and or modeling advice you ever received?
"Be yourself."

What is you biggest splurge or the most expensive item you ever bought?
I don't really 'splurge'. On many occasions, I'm given free clothes.

What advice can you give when it comes to personal style/fashion?
When it comes to personal style, it's most important to be comfortable in what you're wearing as opposed to impressing others. And in order to be comfortable in what you're wearing, you have to first be comfortable in your own skin. From there on, you can pull anything off.


Photos courtesy of Mr. Brent Chua.

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Malaysia International Fashion Week (M-IFW) returns with its seventh installment this November 4 to 8 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. A dazzling collaboration between M-IFW'09 and Maxis, Malaysia's leading mobile services provider.








Organized by M-IFA, This highly anticipated convergence between fashion and technology will surely blow you away. Stay tuned for more updates strait from KL.





Photography by © Francis Tuason for Runway2Reality

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Color Coding Productions, together with The Australian College of Hair Design and Beauty, La Salle College International (School of Fashion Design) and Fitness First, and in partnership with Philippine Daily Inquirer, Channel V Philippines, Global Pinoy Cinema (Global Destiny Cable), Action and Fitness Magazine, OFFCAM Magazine, CIRCUIT Magazine, StyleBible.PH, Italianni’s, Astring-O-sol, Runway2Reality.com, World Balance, SUPERADS, ICON Online Magazine, RJ Underground 105.9, and University Rock on NU107, present the most awaited and biggest fashion, fitness and wellness extravaganza of 2009 - Fashion Palooza: Fitness and Style Expo on Nov. 13 & 14 at the A. Venue Hall, Makati Avenue.



Enjoy endless shopping at the Bazaar as exhibitors get to promote and sell their products/ services and be known in their respective industries. Be enthralled by non-stop fashion shows where amateur and professional fashion entrepreneurs, make-up artists and models could showcase their products on the runway. Witness who among the top 10 models of “The Fashion Project: Ultimate Reality Modeling Competition” will win the title of the Ultimate Fashion Model. Be mesmerized by an awesome display of designer gowns, shoes and accessories at “Eksibisyon – Hall of Fashion,” a mini museum dedicated to today’s amateur and professional designers. Choose among a delectable array of food booths from the Metro’s top food concessionaires. Other events to take place are seminars/ workshops, raffles, contests, talent auditions, and many more exciting activities that would truly benefit all fashion, fitness and wellness entrepreneurs, practitioners, talents and artists.

So go ahead – shop, ramp, and dine at the trade and fashion capital of the metro, Fashion Palooza: Fitness and Style Expo!


For booth reservation, inquiries and more details, you can contact 09266461097 / 09175366832 or you can visit www.fashionpalooza.multiply.com.

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The astounding unity between some of the universe's largest bodies and the building blocks of life come into full clarity in Twinkle Ferraren's latest offering for Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010.

Ferraren's newest collection is a tribute to life's most significant structures: stem cells. Using them as the basis of her designs, each piece features circular images in an amalgamation of colors, prints and patterns that are flowy and continuously regenerating.

Delicate embroidery, batik painting, fabric cutting and joining techniques result in interesting textures and images that contribute to the overall impact of the collection. Vivid colors are combined with neutral shades such as cream, ecru , off-white, gray, and olive green.


Employing the use of unique materials such as native pineapple fiber, bamboo linen, shifu and incorporating them in technology-infused fabrics including jersey, silk satin, micro fiber and toray, Ferraren's collection is a subtle call to develop a heightened awareness for the state of the environment, resulting in a fascinating repertoire of pieces that are both fashionably and environmentally relevant.




















Photography by © Francis Tuason for Runway2Reality

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Joel Escober's newest collection is a magnificent and triumphant celebration of overcoming life's obstacles, underscoring the sacredness of an emotional and heady fight to the finish.

Reminiscent of the movie Cinderella Man, the collection relives the dynamic energy and glamour of a night in the boxing arena--from the chants, gasps and cheers of the passionate crowd to the intensity and sheer fighting spirit in side the ring. Sporty meets glam in a creative combination of tulle, jacquard, satin, silk chiffon, cotton, and jersey knits in gray, lavender, plum, powder blue, pistachio, sage green, pewter, ecru and ivory.


Each piece is intricately adorned with chains, ribbons, tulle, pearls and pieces of vintage jewelry, skillfully referencing three key inspirations: the silhouettes of the 1920s flapper era, the bias cutting techniques of the 1930s, and the influence and attitude of Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1940s.

To put it simply, Escober's collection compels one to revel in the glory of finding oneself and emerging victorious, despite various challenges that may crop up along the way.



















Photography by © Francis Tuason for Runway2Reality

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