Duet: Iconic Duo

When I'm thinking of the concepts to submit or to shoot, I wanted original concept as possible. We do all know that all creative interpretations, may in the form of inspiration from other works, could be an original as long as you have either - an original story, creative direction, and I think, guts to do it. It's been my 3rd styling job for Manila Bulletin, and on my 4-5th, I wanted MB to step a notch in fashion and thus proposed the SLIM's couture and The Iconic Duo.

Iconic Duo is basically a powerful collaboration of 2 artists in one video/song. I wanted to make reference in thier music video and took what made a lasting impression in terms of clothing or styling. I think the concept is cool, and as I know its original.

The moodboard showed 7 of the best collaborations, basing on their form of artistry and name. The hair and make up are just simple to easily recognize the duos. Enjoy the making of the DUET, and check out my favorite as well!

Artisans: Hanna, make up for Jasmine; Lilian, make up for Fatima; and Jay Wee, hair stylist.

The Main: I loved this look but I never expected this will be the opening. I pulled from my cool friend Paul Guzman, his Nike 6.0 thus it makes it more interesting, plus the final layout came out as a killer.
Diva moment: 1st layout, the basic doubles! Mariah and Whitney wore similar clothing in the MV and even an awards show with just the length. We just want to make it simple and wearable here, plus who wouldn't want the classic LBD.

I find these duo very minimal and we wanted to go beyond thier MV yet we feared that they might not be recognizable therefore we stick to the same silhouette with slight twist courtesy by the designs of Arnold Galang in ruffled suit: basic and unsymmetrical cut.

Jasmine: Alas! My first collab work with Jas, I specifically choosen her for this because I wanted to represent her as the soft one in the duos.
My partner, Aisa, grabs me here for a quick shot, since Im running to-and-fro during my 1st concept: PatriotiSLIMS. Bes, hope you won't burn out yet ;)

Manila Bulletin Lifestyle section: 1st page featuring Duet, released last Feb. 19, Saturday.

Page 2: 3 of the final layouts at the back of it. Check out besides it, make up feat. with photographer BJ, coincidently will be working this March, for TOPMAN's press release.

Check out and enjoy the final, bigger pictures:

LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE: Eminem ft. Rihanna (2010). Definitely a smash collabs, giving E a numerous nominations in the Grammy, plus this is really a hunting song, a duo you couldn't miss!

VIDEOPHONE: Beyonce ft. Lady Gaga (2009). I wanted to take Telephone as well, yet the clothing and styling there is too editorial and very high fashion in another way, thus I'm thinking, I wanted to stay on the wearability and consistency of the entire layouts. Maybe on the other concept, and also Lady Gaga will be featured two times already, what do you think?

WHEN YOU BELIEVE: Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston (1998). Why not? they are the representative of the Divas in us, also I'm thinking why not Barbara and Celine? Read my thoughts?

PUT IT IN A LOVE SONG: Alicia Keys ft. Beyonce (2011). Actually, this is my inspiration of the entire shoot, where it all started when I'm planning to submit concepts to style in Manila Bulletin. The music video for this is not yet released as of this time, yet there were some unofficial fans and paparazzi shots taken during thier video recording and showed wild prints on prints clothing and fun styling which later on shifted to Mardi Gras shot in Brazil. Shot last year and supposed to be released in March of 2010. Cry no more, this will be officially on Spring Break in States, so a couple of months from now. (Writer's Pick)

SCREAM: Michael and Janet Jackson (1995). The powerful moves, and futuristic scheme, a total counter!

TICKET TO RIDE: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, The Beattles (1968). They don't exactly have a duet in a video, but upon research they are writting buddies, and made dozens of great songs for thier band, The Beattles. This is also suggested by my buddy Aisa, since majority of my pick coming from the later generation, thus to represent the heydays, I gladly included this. Thanks Paxy.

ME AGAINST THE MUSIC: Britney Spears ft. Madonna (2003). The crowning glory of Britney invasion.

Photographer: Rxandy Capinpin

Styling: Jear De Mc Cuttac & Aisa Ipac

Make Up: Hanna Pechon & Lilian Yeung

Hair: Jay Wee

Models: Jasmine Moeirhofer & Fatima Rios of Mercator

Assistant styling: Pabby Dane De Mc Cuttac

Acknowledgements:

Designers: Noel Crisostomo, Arnold Galang, Dave Ocampo

Brands: SM Department Store - Megamall, Forever21, Zara Rockwell, Topshop Rockwell, Stella Luna Rockwell.

Slim's Pickings

The Iconic Terno that is 60 years of age, truly Slim's Materpiece in legacy. Read on...

2011 is great year for me, personally that is, one that I got a chance of working as regular stylist for Manila Bulletin Fashion (i) Section. Truly a blessings, and couldn't ask for more since styling for me is just an outlet, a theraphy, a hobby, an expression and a way that I would be able to exercise my creativity beyond my normal job. Miss my gym, and I'm gaining weights though :( Anyway, here are just some flashbacks of prep from the pulls to the shoot day with deary and my styling partner Aisa, my bessy!Bare that we feature Forver21 again, not because we are stockowner/stakeholder, or close to thier PR/Marketing, but, come on! They really got everything from fab accessories to all sorts of rtw pieces plus - hands down to thier PR/Marketing special mention to Ms. Athena, and Ms. Kathy who we always drag on rush pulls.

This is up-to-date the very challenging, huge production-shoot we have so far since we are shooting 2 concepts, 2 releases for 1 day, much I preferred this for my very demanding social life, errr, work.

Brainstorming, and conceptualization with Aisa. Actually, this shoot makes me obssessed on girl's shoes - super high, super sexy shoes.... OMG!

1st Concept, I named it PatriotiSLIMS, this is very timely for the upcoming Feb. 25, Edsa Rev celebration. I wanted to have a link between fashion and history for a release, plus I've been dreaming of featuring SLIM's collection. The concept is laid in a mood board* so as to create new artistry, and differ from what is already been done.

Mood board - type of poster design consist of images, text, and samples of objects in a composition of the choice of the stylist/creator. These are used to develop concepts and to communicate to other members of the team to illustrate visually the direction of style which they are pursuing. However, mood boards can also be used to visually explain a certain style, or an imaginary setting for a storyline.

Our make up artist, Lilian Yeung, had a snopshot of the piece of art! The hair was inspired from Chanel FW2010, and I'm kinda careful not to imitate nor to copy the Plains & Prints ads, and this is nailed by hair stylist Jay Wee.

Presenting Slim's Pickings: Couture, Pitched to patriotic, the 2 pages final release by Manila Bulletin Lifestyle - Fashion (i) section, dated Feb. 18, 2011.

Salvacion Lim Higgins, shortened to SLIMS, is a Filipino Designer who made clothing fashion forward, couture inspired, and modernized the Terno. She is my all time favorite Filipino designer to rock from 1950's even to her last collection in 1990's.

For closer look, check out the details below:

Haute 1: Just love this very modern, and very NOW! Liz Uy wears this with the black bolero that is part of the dress, but I didn't so as just to create a new perspective.

Haute 2: In famous Angel Aquino dress, from Slims last collection in 1990.

Haute 3: The kimono inspired with ethnic cummerbund belt! Genius!

Haute 4: I personally handpicked this, the contrast, colorblocking, very young approach!

Haute 5: This is from the tulip dress series, and I look at this instant Audrey Hepburn, why not?

Haute 6: Terno in lace... nude? Sexy.

Haute 7: The Zebra sequined top, and hot organza red-orange infamous dress.

Photography: Rxandy Capinpin

Styling: Jear De Mc Cuttac

Makeup: Lilian Yeung

Hair: Jay Wee

Model: Fatima Rios at Mercator

Assistant Photography: Robyn Calma

Assistant Styling: Pabby Dane De Mc Cuttac

This is very liberating, truly inspiring shoot for me, that at last, I was able to pull off the shoot. This is a far-fetch wish, and dream and even up to now I'm still in awe for the marvelous pieces Slims created.

My sinceriest thank you to SLIM, and her family, especially Ms. Ester of Slim's Fashion and Arts School who are my direct link to to Mr. Mark Higgins, son of SLIM, who is very accomodating, my respect and thank you, Sir.

To Mau, Mercator, my humble thank you for helping me work the shoot with the right model.

To the team: I thank you guys for the vision, artistry, fun and love for work.

Acknowledgements:

Forever 21: Megamall, Aranaz: Rockwell, Stella Luna: Rockwell,Zara: Rockwell, Janylin: Glorietta 5.

Hare Brained

The Bunny inspired concept was confirmed to me wayback my last shoot for the Manila Bulletin's Style Weekend, "Remain in Light". The shoot is sched on Jan. 21, which falls perfectly for the The Chinese Lunar (Year of the Metal Rabbit), thus I have at least 3 weeks to prepare. The pegs* were given to me after that week and no doubt I need some help and that's my bessy, Aisa Ipac came in. It's basically an editorial interpretation of a different bunny character in a very fashionable, and chic way, and oh don't forget the wearability and commercialism.

Peg - a designate or mark a certain look/s. A guide for a certain looks eg. hair, make up, poses, etc.

Day 1: After 3 days of plan, Pax and I started the pulls in Forever 21. Super thanks to Ms. Athena and Kathy for such an incredible accomodation.
While waiting for the inventory ;)
Day 2: We need to pull more, more, more is great! We are not really good in editing looks, we both agreed on that. We call it hoarding! Thanks to Ms. Ericka, Gaupo Shoe Couture, for always being so accomodating on my last minute pulls.

SM, F21, Aranaz, Gaupo Shoe Couture, Aldo Accessories check! It's so much fun doing pull outs with Pax, because even we're exhausted, we just laugh it out, and remind ourself to....Aja!

A mouthful dinner with Mitch and Pax ;)

The Execution! Pax and I are still discussing of the looks. Good thing we are so honest and open to each other to meet halfway....

Shoot, shoot, shoot! Behind the shoot: Keen eyes with Rxandy, and Caloy.

Jay Wee, Hair Stylist. Just nailed my hair pegs. Check out below my 3rd published work for Manila Bulletin News paper.

1st Page: Full page editorial

The Inspirations....

1. Sexy Bunny: Playboy bunny is the inspiration of this look, casual, sexy and cute!

2. Whimsical Bunny: Feathers, and furs... Pax's interpretation

3. Beatrix Potter Bunny: Beatrix is an author/illustrator who loves to draw bunny and putting them into a character. This era and her creation showcase Brittish landscape, rural lifestyle, and very prairie looks.

4. Metal Bunny: 2011 is a year of the metal bunny, and of course, we couldn't just miss this.

5. Easy Bunny: Let's get physical looks? Wrong! Energizer bunny that is... and going, and going....

6. Who framed Roger Rabbit? Bugs bunny! Obviously, its Jessica Rabbit in rockin' boots!

7. Posh Bunny: Glam, luxurious...

8. Foxy Bunny: Victorian, Alice in Wonderland inspired.

9. Haute Bunny: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! To die for!

10. Rogue Bunny: Naughty, and cool! Those lovely bunny ears were created for the shoot by Ana Gonzales, and Mong Amado - Group Hug! Thank you guys.

I have spent alot of thought on this shoot during the planning stage. Its also my first print collaboration with Pax, and I'm so glad she accepted this. I consider this the most challenging styling so far from pulls of RTW, brands, to the designers and it's not just fun all the time. It's a challenge and yet I'm so glad Pax and I commit on this shoot. Being with creative people, it gives me another level of inspiration and spirit to keep pushing.

Congratulations to the casts, and also for those who share thier creations, and masterpieces. Thank you and God bless!

Cheers!

Photography: Rxandy Capinpin

Styling: Jear De McCuttac

Assistant Styling: Aisa Ipac

Hair: Jay Wee

Makeup: Katchie Mejias

Model: Ana Carolina Corado of Visage Models