Posts Tagged ‘ccp’

FACE OFF!

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Last night was our show FACE OFF! It was such a magical experience.  I found it really special, as you do not get to do shows at the Cultural Center of the Philippines!  The music was dreamy – can you imagine a 50-piece orchestra as the musical background for your collection? BONGGA DIBA!

Rhett and Randy did a fantastic job!  Everyone was really true to themselves and they both presented a spectacular collection.  I, for one, was extremely proud of my team as we did a great job of translating my vision into a reality. The results were a dreamy collection inspired by the BALLET!  It’s fitting that the show would be held at the CCP for me, as the home of the Philippine Ballet Theater is there. The photos in this entry are the background and pre-prod before my show.  I loved my collection and I was so happy that I was part of this truly special production.

(Watch the special Style Bible videos of all three collections by clicking on the links below!)

FACE OFF: Rajo Laurel

FACE OFF: Rhett Eala

FACE OFF: Randy Ortiz

The make up was designed by my sister Gela Laurel but since she was in Japan for the show Eric Maningat executed the make up.
The makeup was designed by my sister Gela Laurel, but since she was in Japan, Eric Maningat executed the makeup.

his is look 1.  Layered pieces over our "nijinsky" pants.
This is look 1: layered pieces over our “nijinsky” pants.

 Joey Mead ended up wearing this.
Joey Mead ended up wearing this.

Look 11: Thoughts on a dancer off duty.
Look 11: Thoughts on a dancer off duty.

One of the evening gowns in the collection, inspired by Divas like Margot Fonteyn or Madame Gres.

One of the evening gowns in the collection, inspired by Divas like Margot Fonteyn or Madame Gres.

 The venue!  The show was held in the lobby of the CCP

The venue! The show was held in the lobby of the CCP.

Another view of the ramp during rehearsals.

 My dear friend Randy Ortiz and one his muses Che-Chel Joson.

My dear friend Randy Ortiz and Chechel Joson, one of his muses.

 Make up being done.  This model is Mira I LOOOOOOOOOVE her face!

Makeup being done. This model is Mira; I LOOOOOOOOOVE her face!

 I did a photo shoot a the back for my website.  rajolaurel.com

I did a photo shoot at the back for my website: rajolaurel.com

 We were also celebrating the 25th anniversary of one of the most beloved fashion directors Jackie Aquino!  Congratulations Jackie!  ( Jackie is the man in black extreme left)

We were also celebrating the 25th anniversary of one of the most beloved fashion directors, Jackie Aquino! Congratulations, Jackie! (Jackie is the man in black, extreme left.)

 Look one worn by Grace Tagle.

Look one worn by Grace Tagle.

 Models in repose.

Models in repose.

 Ria Bolivar in fighting form!

Ria Bolivar in fighting form!

Model genaratiions!  Marina Benipayo in Randy Oritz and the daugher of Desiree Verdadero Abesamis in Rhett Eala.

Model generations! Marina Benipayo in Randy Ortiz and the daughter of Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis in Rhett Eala.

 I opened my show for the samsung segment with my insect collection from RAJORED!

I opened my show for the Samsung segment with my insect collection from RAJORED!

 A few minutes before the show!

A few minutes before the show!

 My menswear.  Inspired by how Nix dresses up!

My menswear. Inspired by how Nix dresses up!

 Our hosts for the night!  Maurice Arcache and Tessa Valdes.

Our hosts for the night! Maurice Arcache and Tessa Valdes.

 Models waiting for their cue.

Models waiting for their cue.

 Me taking my bow!  Thank you for everyone who came and texted, facebooked, emailed me their good wishes!  I LOVE YOU ALL!

Me taking my bow! Thank you to everyone who came and texted, Facebooked, emailed me their good wishes! I LOVE YOU ALL!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Culture Vulture!

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

I love productive days!  I also love culture! Most of all, I love SURPRISES!  Imagine combining all of this on a super sunny day at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.  This equals JOY!  I mean, you all really must come over to the CCP!  I find myself telling myself that I have to pay CCP a visit, as each time I come here I end up having the most fascinating time.

Take today for example.  I was scheduled to have a pictorial here today for the FACE OFF fashion show.  I came in a bit early, so I wandered off a bit and stumbled on the “Looking for Juan” exhibit.  I loved the exhibition but the paintings were not labeled, so I had no idea who painted them.  From the title of the show, I think it’s a quest to find identity and to find some answers to who we are as a people.  I enjoyed the show tremendously and I took some photos.  The show is going to be running till June 12, so come over and be inspired by how talented our young artists are.  You can check out its website: lookingforjuan.com for more information.

Then the pictorial took place and our photographer took us right up on stage at the main theater.  I have never been up on that stage before, and it was a really surreal experience that I broke into song and channeled my inner Lea Salonga! LOL!  The main theater is really fabulous!  I went up close to the gigantic  HR Ocampo and I was surprised to find out that it was a tapestry.  All these years I thought that it was a painting or a print. I just felt so fortunate to be that close to a really moving piece of art.  Then we had a photo taken at  this amazing brass wall sculpture by Manansala.   I loved the shapes that he created, it was inspiring.  Finally we took two shots with the building designed by the genius Leandro Locsin.  I have always loved the CCP as it always looked magical to me.  Like a slab of rock floating on air.

 The weather was just divine!  After all the rain it nice to have loads of sun!

The weather was just divine! After all the rain, it nice to have loads of sun!

 I want this sculpture.  I am guessing that it is by Arturo Luz.  I maybe wrong.

I want this sculpture. I am guessing that it is by Arturo Luz. I may be wrong.

 Some photos form our photo shoot!  The Face-off show is scheduled around the 3rd week of June.

Some photos form our photo shoot! The Face-off show is scheduled around the 3rd week of June.

POSERS ALL!  LOL!

POSERS ALL! LOL!

 With Randy and Rhett in front of the beautiful wall sculpture by Manansala.

With Randy and Rhett in front of the beautiful wall sculpture by Manansala.

Rhett and Randy up close to the HR. Ocampo tapestry

Rhett and Randy up close with the HR. Ocampo tapestry

 I love this photo, it was such a special experience being on that stage.  It was really exhilarating! ( Were like the three little pigs! LOL!)

I love this photo: it was such a special experience being on that stage. It was really exhilarating! (We're like the three little pigs! LOL!)

The CCP's main theater!  I was really lucky to have been able to bring my camera as in most cases Cameras are not allowed in the theater.

The CCP's main theater! I was really lucky to have been able to bring my camera, as in most cases, cameras are not allowed in the theater.

 The HR. Ocampo which I originally thought was a painting, but when I got closer, it was actually a gigantic tapestry.

The HR. Ocampo: I originally thought was a painting, but when I got closer, it was actually a gigantic tapestry.

I fell in love with this brass sculpture by Manansala.

I fell in love with this brass sculpture by Manansala.

Above the main lobby was the "looking for Juan" exhibition.  There were several awesome paintings on display.  What I love about it was that most of the paintings were of the same size. I just wished that they would have placed the names of the artists beside the paintings.  I think you can log on to lookingforjuan.com for more information.

Above the main lobby was the "Looking for Juan" exhibition. There were several awesome paintings on display. What I love about it was that most of the paintings were of the same size. I just wished that they would have placed the names of the artists beside the paintings. I think you can log on to lookingforjuan.com for more information.

This painting was done of wooden floor boards,

This painting was done of wooden floor boards.

 I liked this one.  Can anyone tell me who painted this?

I liked this one. Can anyone tell me who painted this?

I appreciated the Naive quality of this painting.

I appreciated the naive quality of this painting.

 This painting reminded me of Fornasetti.  I collect Fornasetti and I would love to have this painting!  I was not sure if the paintings were for sale.

This painting reminded me of Fornasetti. I collect Fornasetti and I would love to have this painting! I was not sure if the paintings were for sale.

 Another child like image that I am responding well to.

Another child-like image that I am responding well to.

 I like this one too.

I like this one too.

www.lookingforjuan.com

www.lookingforjuan.com

 This painting was quite special, it featured some collage work using old wall paper.  I love it!

This painting was quite special. It featured some collage work using old wallpaper. I love it!

After that exciting shoot, we went back into the lobby and I was so surprised to see people wearing the most exotic-looking costumes!  Imagine my surprise when I found out that they was a folkloric dance festival going on.  Now my mind went on overdrive!  I adore looking at costumes from around the world and this was a like a gift to me. I kept on taking photos of the dancers.  I left the CCP with a huge smile as this is what I call a really FABULOUS  day!

 After the shoot I noticed that the main lobby began to be filled with people wearing the most interesting costumes.  I was super excited as I love things like this,  I forget were these dancers are from, but I know that they are from Eastern Europe.

After the shoot, I noticed that the main lobby began to be filled with people wearing the most interesting costumes. I was super excited as I love things like this. I forget where these dancers are from, but I know that they are from Eastern Europe.

 I think these dancers are from Bulgaria or Romania?  I am not sure now as they were too cute and I forget now!  LOL!

I think these dancers are from Bulgaria or Romania. I am not sure now as they were too cute and I forget now! LOL!

 From Korea!  I love how clear their skin are!

From Korea! I love how clear their skin are!

 Exotic dancer from Sri Lanka

Exotic dancer from Sri Lanka

 More dancers from Sri Lanka.

More dancers from Sri Lanka.

 This are costumes from Poland!  I like the embroidery of their shirts.

These are costumes from Poland! I like the embroidery of their shirts.

HUGS!
RAJO!

I-LAND Opening Night!

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

It was the opening night of I-LAND at the CCP last night. For those of you wanting a taste of HawaiIan culture, this is the show to see!  I found myself gyrating my hips and doing the hula after the show.

The show is all about the life of Keo Woolford.  He is the star of this one man show.  It showcases his journey from a troubled past, all the way to HULA enlightenment.

I was so happy that my friends came to see opening night!  We all  had a fantastic time!   A big bonus is the fact that we had the chance to see more of the art that decorated the lobby of the little theater at the CCP.  We all were in love with the space and we all kept on imagining different events that could take place there.  I, for one, would want to have a fun party with a great DJ! LOL!

I am in love with this mural!  I think it is by Arturo Luz?  Its so graphically beautiful!

I am in love with this mural! I think it is by Arturo Luz? It's so graphically beautiful!

The most fashionable TRIO that evening!  Junie, Nix and Robby!

The most fashionable TRIO that evening! Junie, Nix and Robby!

Ktty, Angellette and Malu strike a pose!

Kitty, Angellette and Malu strike a pose!

 Malu, Anton and Mela grace the evening!

Malu, Anton and Mela grace the evening!

 Leah Puyat flanks the Tarp!

Leah Puyat flanks the Tarp!

 BFF'S!  Leah and Junie

BFF'S! Leah and Junie

The best PR man in town, Keren, with Robby.

The best PR man in town, Keren, with Robby.

 The gang's all here!

The gang's all here!

One of my personal icons, Gilda !  I love her aura!

One of my personal icons, Gilda! I love her aura!

 All the way for NYC!  Trystan being sandwiched by his gorgeous cousins Vicky and Liz!  Thank you for coming!

All the way from NYC! Trystan being sandwiched by his gorgeous cousins Vicky and Liz! Thank you for coming!

 Keo with the lovely ladies!  Ms. Tantoco, Mrs. Luz and  Ms Lopez!

Keo with the lovely ladies! Ms. Tantoco, Mrs. Luz and Ms. Lopez!

 Keo rocking the ladies!  WOO HOO!

Keo rocking the ladies! WOO HOO!

I encourage all of you to see the show.  It’s something different and it opens your mind to a culture that seems so similar, but is really quite different.  The show will be ongoing till this Sunday, January 25. The proceeds of the show will be benefiting the scholarship program of the Asian Cultural Council.  Do call the CCP and catch I-LAND!

See you soon!
HUGS!
RAJO!