A Dinner for Lorenzo!

March 12th, 2010
A few days ago I was invited to dinner to meet the son of the Italian Ambassador to the, Mr. Lorenzo Fornari.  The dinner was hosted by the lovely Angelique Villaraza who turned out to be Lorenzo’s neighbor in Paris.
 
The dinner was held in the beautiful home  Anqelique’s sister Stephanie.  The entire evening was just lovely, It is always nice to meet new people and introduce the Philippines to them.  I just wanted to share some of my photos from that night.
I really loved the table's centerpiece and I was so surprised when I was told that it was Stephanie's young daughter who created it!  I found that so charming!  I loved the idea of using local fruits and she even used some plastic farm animals in her creation.
I really loved the table’s centerpiece and I was so surprised when I was told that it was Stephanie’s young daughter who created it! I found that so charming! I loved the idea of using local fruits and she even used some plastic farm animals in her creation.

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Camille’s Wedding!

March 10th, 2010
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to take part in dressing up a really wonderful bride. Her name is Camille Pratts. My relationship with Camille goes way back! She had asked me to create her debutante gown a couple of years ago! I love the fact that I have grown with my debutantes and I am now doing their weddings!
 I love how peacefully radiant Camille looks here!

I love how peacefully radiant Camille looks here!I knew that Camille wanted something really special and unusual. From the very minute that we met, I knew that her gown would be an adventure. First, it was not your traditional white or off-white. Second, she requested a very intricate bodice with lots of crystals and fine details.The gown featured several crystal arrangements on a hand-corded bodice, which was finely traced by sugar crystals. The bodice alone took around 3 months to finish.

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RAJITO Spring/Summer 2010

March 9th, 2010

I just have to show you the latest collection for my children’s line called RAJITO!

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Sandra Wears Celestina!

March 9th, 2010
 I just want to share with you some good news!  Reeling from last nights Academy Awards show, I woke up this morning with this lovely piece of news!  Best actress winner Ms. Sandra Bullock was carrying a CELESTINA clutch at the Oscars!  OMG! HOW HUGE IS THAT!?!
Celestina_SandraBullock_AcademyAwards2010_PressRelease
I am so proud of my friends Tina and Rico Ocampo!  They must be so happy!   BRAVO TO THE FILIPINO Designer! YAHOO!
HUGS!
RAJO!

THE OSCARS 2010!

March 8th, 2010

I am loving the clothes this year because  there is so much variety; lots of color and a lot of personality. I really loved it, I tried my best to write about some of the most memorable dresses here in my blog. I know that everyone loves this part of the program so here are my views.
I am in  love with Carrey Mulligan. I still have not seen her movie, "An Education," but there is something about this young actress that I find so appealing. I find her so modern and fresh! I love how this entire ensemble is styled!  (Source: http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/)

I am in love with Carrey Mulligan. I still have not seen her movie, "An Education," but there is something about this young actress that I find so appealing. I find her so modern and fresh! I love how this entire ensemble is styled! (Source: http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/)

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Te Amarre’ por Siempre!

March 8th, 2010
Te Amare por Siempre ( I will Love you Forever)  is the title of the short art film that was created by  Jujiin Samonte and Shahani Gania for my Spring-Summer collection 2010 launch.  Jujiin and Shahani got in touch with me early this year wanting to collaborate on a film project.  I am a HUGE fan of Jujiin and Shahani and was more than willing to participate in anything that they wanted to do.  We met several times and to discuss about the film that they would be doing and when they asked me what I wanted to do, I just looked at them straight in the eye and said.  I have only two parameters for the film, just make sure that you LOVE what you come up with and stay within the budget!  LOL!
 My office was transformed into the screening room.

My office was transformed into the screening room.Here is Shahani instructing Maning on how he want the "paper/scrim" to be arranged.

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The “Latina” Mood Board

March 8th, 2010
It all began with a particular mood, a particular feeling. Inspired by an upcoming travel dream destination. The House of Laurel was visiting the Latin continent.
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We started preparing the collection more than four months ago and just like all of our collections, we created a mood board. The mood board is very important because it grounds all the ideas and makes the vision more clear. We filled the mood board with images that would inspire to create the collection.
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The palette is decidedly neutral, mixed in with washed blues and greys, punctuated with some poppy red and coral orange. I also loved the delicate embroidery, that come out of the region so we had to put that in.
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I just want to share with you an important part of our design process. Hope you like it!

HUGS!
RAJO!

LA LATINA

March 8th, 2010
We recently launched the House of  Laurel’s summer collection called “LA LATINA”!  It practically took a small army to be able to accomplish the task at hand. LOL! Let me give you a behind the scenes take on what happens when we prepare for one of these things.
I went up to the factory to take a few shots of the collection that was about to be brought down. We're doing  a lot of neutrals brightened with summer colors.

I went up to the factory to take a few shots of the collection that was about to be brought down. We're doing a lot of neutrals brightened with summer colors. Texture will be a very big key to the collection.

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Snake River Farms @ LU!

March 4th, 2010
There were two main courses but at this point, I was getting full already! This plate was a tenderloin brochette and some Peruvian anticucho hanger steak! Both could easily be sliced with a spoon and just melted in my mouth.

There were two main courses but at this point, I was getting full already! This plate was a tenderloin brochette and some Peruvian anticucho hanger steak! Both could easily be sliced with a spoon and just melted in my mouth.

It’s funny how my love of food almost equals my  devotion to fashion.  It seems like I write about food more than any other topic. Well, here is another entry on a one of kind experience I recently had at LU!

The LU staff hard at work!

The LU staff hard at work!

 

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It’s So Nice to be Home!

March 4th, 2010

I am finally home and getting ready for the formal launch of our  Spring-Summer 2010 collection called “LA LATINA”!  There is still so much to do but we’re all so very excited for the launch on March 6,  Saturday!  Everyone is invited to come and be the first to take a look at what we have been cooking up this past few months!  

I just previewed the short art film that Jujiin Samonte and Shahani Gania did, and all I can say is that you have to see it!  It is so moving!  I do not want to divulge anymore but this is really something to look forward to.

 Look at all these goodies! OMG!  I am so lucky talaga! THANK YOU PAPERTRAIL!

Look at all these goodies! OMG! I am so lucky talaga! THANK YOU PAPERTRAIL!

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