Archive for June, 2010

Rafe Loves…Azura Mangunhardjono

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Raison d’Etre: Art, Charity, Family, Friends and Love

Job: Beside being the head of my family charity foundation for South East Asia, I also represent artists from Indonesia, design jewelry (Pavitra) and a ‘mother’ to 26 children in Indonesia.

Live: Wherever my heart is… but current location when Rafe sent me this e-mail is Hong Kong

Happiness: To live dangerously

Brunch: Sarabeth’s Kitchen (New York), Cafe Pierre (The Pierre hotel New York) and my Mum’s garden at her home in Sebastian de Los Reyes, Madrid

Drink: Anywhere that serves Dom Perignon or Krug (safest bet) but if I have to go with Martinis… MO Bar at Landmark Oriental is the best.

Eat: Anywhere my friend Joel Robuchon has his restaurant and my uncle’s kitchen in Portofino (seriously, the man can cook and I don’t have to pay!!)

Escape: I keep one as a secret, but the other two are Four Seasons in Langkawi and my friend’s ranch overlooking the Pacific who owns many pretty horses.

Read: Esquire, GQ, Vogue and Stuff (I love gadgets)

Listen: I grew up with classical music, Opera, Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and lots of Jazz… But if I have to listen to one thing for the rest of my life that would be Piano Sonata 14 from Beethoven (a testament of something gentle can be very strong and haunting)

Watch: Boston Legal, Criminal Minds, Mentalist

Indulge: Listening to Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie and trying to imitate her dance move, buying too much flowers, Austin Powers and snacking on cup noodles at midnight (soooo gooood!!!)

Shop: Bergdorf Goodman, Harvey Nichols in London and Oscar De La Renta near our home in NY. Although I really hate shopping and rarely go.

Fashion: I am more of jewelry person so I will have a big purchase on incredible cocktail ring or amazing earrings but I love Marchesa and Azzaro although I have too many Michael Kors and Oscar de La Renta

Aspire: Depends on my mood… One day I love the bombshell way of Marilyn Monroe, next day I love Grace Kelly’s elegance and chic but my so called uniform is white shorts from Michael Kors, heels and my boyfriend’s white shirt with a huge cocktail ring. Go figure

Charity: Begins at home

Dream: In black and white

Accessory: I love Rafe because I can wear his bags with my so called uniform and my cocktail dresses. Well versed people call it “versatile” . I call it Rafe Love and Rafe Chic

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Rafe Loves…Olen Juarez Lim

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Raison d’Etre: I feel that my life’s mission is to be able to inspire others to be the best they can be using the gifts I am given and in return they are able to do the same work, then I have lived my life!

Job: Image Consultant

Live: Manila, Philippines

Happiness: Spending quality time with my family at the beach, traveling or just at the mall on a lazy Sunday! Having my students come up to me, tweets or FB me that because of what they have learned, they are more confident and people notice them! Shopping limited/special edition bags; Buying shoes shoes! Working out in the morning! Dark chocolates, raisin covered chocolates, Hawaiian Host rice crispies and Godiva’s dark chocolate pretzel!

Brunch: I do lunch.

Drink: I just look like I drink, but I actually don’t ever! So I’m going to go for a grape shake or Dalandan Cooler!

Escape: Discovery Shores Boracay Island!

Read: Vogue, Bazaar, Allure, Elle, Oprah, In Style!, Slam! & that’s every month!

Listen: MJ, Beyonce, Ne-yo, J-Lo, Christina Aguilera, but I love a Tony Bennet too!

View: Amazing Race, SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance), Top Chef

Indulge: NIKE’s! Shox and workout wear

Shop: Neiman Marcus, Saks, Net-a-Porter, Greenbelt 1-5 Ayala Malls, South Coast Plaza

Fashion: Vivienne Tam, Zara, Mango, Alexander Wang, Valentino, Vera Wang, DVF

Aspire: SJP, Michelle Obama, Heidi Klum,

Charity: Bahay Lila (House for Abused Women and Children)

Dream: To see my children live a great life and everyone would practice CIVILITY!

Accessory: I love Rafe. He’s uniquely a Filipino Talent! He represents who we are as a culture through his line and ensures that everyone would get to love and enjoy them! Rafe’s designs are fashionable and functional. They give you that quiet confidence that ooh, you’re fab!

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Let’s Hear it for the Boys

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

 Can I tell you…there is one party I never miss during New York Fashion Week. Every year GQ celebrates the Best New Menswear Designer’s in America by throwing them a party. This year’s venue was at the iconic IAC building in Chelsea designed by Frank Gehry. A platform stage stretched out in the lobby allowing all six designers a “tableau vivant” of edited looks from their Fall collection. Honestly, I prefer this set up more than a runway show sometimes.

The stage allows guests to view the clothes up close and personal. Trends in men’s fashion hardly change overnight unlike their female counterparts so a subtle detail tweak or shift in proportion and fit can make a huge impact on a brand’s identity. The devil’s in the details so the closer you are, the better to scrutinize these subtleties.

Ever since they established this initiative in 2008, there has been a resurgence of new labels in the menswear industry. These labels speak to a new generation of guys who are sartorially inclined and want to express their individuality through non-established names. In certain cliques, the less famous the brand, the cooler it is. As in previous years, the winner will receive a cash prize, a mentorship with an established industry executive and the opportunity to design a limited- edition collection for Levis. On top of that, GQ featured each label with a one page editorial in their March 2010 issue.

This year’s roster included Eunice Lee of UNIS, Vincent Flumiani of Caulfield Preparatory, Ben Burkman of Burkman Brothers, Richard Chai, Frank Muytjens of J. Crew and Billy Reid, who won the competition.

This year, the looks were diverse and distinctive, from Southern dandy, urban lumberjack, collegiate prepster to downtown hipster, all evoking each designer’s definition of American style.

The party always draws a huge crowd of fashion insiders, fellow designers, some actors and PYTs. Plus there was overflowing champagne, tons of eye candy, and a peek into next season’s looks, how could I possibly turn down this invite. I can barely wait for next year’s party.

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Rafe Loves…Heather Garcia

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Raison d’Etre: To live each day making sure at the end of it I have a great story to tell.

Job: By day I work for a medical device company, interior design student and blogger on Joy De Vivre Design by night.

Live: Houston, Texas

Happiness: Traveling, spending time with friends and family and seeing my puppy Barkley wagging his tail when I come home from work everyday.

Brunch: The Ivy in LA. I love the outdoor patio in the beautiful California weather.

Drink: Polo Beach Grille and Bar at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui. They make the most beautiful non alcoholic drinks in pineapples. Anything is better overlooking the beach with an umbrella in your drink.

Eat: My hometown has the best Tex-Mex ever! Pappasitos is one of my favorites.

Escape: Hana in Maui for relaxation. Walt Disney World for indulging my youthful side.  New York City is my most favorite escape though because I love the atmosphere and the fast pace of the city.

Read: Glamour, Vogue, Lucky

Listen: I love many types of music. Anything from Dolly Parton to Kiss to Maroon 5. My absolute favorite band is Papa Roach because their energy is infectious.

View or watch: I love anything with Marilyn Monroe, Some Like It Hot being my favorite.  Sex and the City the Movie, Miss Congeniality and Pretty Woman are a few of the others I watch repeatedly.  On television I love to watch Glee, Anderson Cooper 360, Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel and What Not to Wear.

Indulge: Cupcakes

Shop: Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Endless.com and MAC Cosmetics

Splurge: I love to splurge on a wonderful vacation and I just might happen to pick up a great pair of shoes while there!

Aspire: I really aspire to just be the best me that I can be, but I love old Hollywood Glamour where the girls always looked beautiful when they stepped out the door. In modern times I really look up to Diane Sawyer because I think true beauty comes from having grace and intelligence. 

Charity: The Epilepsy Foundation of Texas, the Star of Hope Shelter in Houston and the ASPCA

Dream: I appreciate everything in my life now and I just want to keep living life having a blast!

Accessory: I love my Craftwork by Rafe clutch because not only is it a beautiful bag it also has a great purpose. Rafe has done so much to help these poor women in Manila with this collection that it makes me proud to play a part in such a great cause. Cheers to Rafe for making a difference!

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