Posts Tagged ‘friends’
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Christmas season in The Philippines is really the best! We start hearing Christmas songs on the radio as early as September and most of us keep the Christmas decor till February! LOL! It is almost tradition for me and my friends to attend Tessa & Dennis Valdes‘s Christmas party…or should I say EXTRAVAGANZA!
Their parties get more festive and over the top as the years progress. One year, they had a machine that would snow inside their house. This year’s theme was an underwater Christmas! They transformed their home into an underwater world worthy of Nemo and Ariel!
The foyer of the house had beach balls that we were all instructed to write down our wishes for next year.
Gold fishes in aquariums, dotted the entire home.
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Tags: christmas, Christmas party, Christmas tree, decor, Dennis Valdes, friends, gifts, party, rajo laurel, tessa prieto-valdes, underwater
Posted in Fashion Insider | No Comments »
Monday, December 7th, 2009
My dear friends Derrick Santos and Ria Romero recently got married and I just wanted to share with you my wonderful photos from their beautiful wedding. They decided to have their wedding at Misibis Bay resort all the way in Legaspi. If you have been following my blog, you all know that I am a big fan of the resort. This is actually the first time that the resort will be hosting a wedding, so I was really excited to see what they would be doing. If everything goes right, then they can really position themselves as a premiere wedding destination.
WELL… The wedding was absolutely perfect! I do not know how they manage to whittle down the guest list to a wee 112 guests! That is a feat in itself! LOL! I really love small intimate weddings; they are really the best! I have known Ria since I was like 6 years old! OMG! So it was so wonderful to see her so happy on her wedding day! Enough talk…enjoy the pictures!
I am a huge fan of the Misibis bay resorts! This year alone I have been back 3 times and each time I had a really fabulous time! Here is the staff welcoming the guests with a song and dance number.
The koi fishes were excited to see me! LOL!
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Tags: bridal gowns, bridal wear, Derrick Santos, Fashion Insider, friends, Girlie Benitez, Isabel Roces, legaspi, Mandy Santos, Miguel Romero, Misibis Bay, Nix Alanon, rajo laurel, Raul Manzano, resort, Ria Romero, Sonny Angara, Tootsy Angara, wedding
Posted in Fashion Insider | 8 Comments »
Monday, November 30th, 2009
I recently was invited to a beautiful ball and I wanted the share with all of you how lovely everybody looked. I really look forward to this annual event because everyone really dresses up and literally have a ball. In many ways, it’s like a grown up PROM. LOL!
Prom has always been special to me, because this is how I really started as a designer. My classmates would come to me and ask me to design their dresses and I would tear the sheets out of my notebooks and draw their gowns. This spirit is what I cherish and try to capture up to this day. The ball was held at the super chic Makati Shangri-la hotel! I had a really great time that evening. What is not to love? There were so many beautiful people dressed so elegantly and the bubbles just kept on coming! LOL! Enjoy the photos!
The minute I arrived for cocktails, I spotted the ILONGO contingent in full force! I consider them my family in the south! BIG HUGS all around!
Bumped into my fantastic designer friend Dennis Lustico here with Nix.
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Tags: Anne Curtis, Audrey Chiu, ball, ball gowns, Camille Mathay, Divine Lee, fashion, Fashion Insider, friends, gowns, Macky Mathay, parties, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 21 Comments »
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
I celebrated a triple whammy of an evening recently celebrating Thanksgiving, the going away party of my darling Malu and the birthday of my friend Joey Carpo. We held it in our favorite restaurant, which doubles as our club house: CIRCULO! My extended family was there, as I am a proud member of the Carpo clan. You can call me a Carpo chick anytime.
The menu was absolutely wondeful, lovingly prepared by Chef J Gamboa. We had a Thanks giving feast which started with pumpkin soup, then we had some beautiful asparagus served with chopped eggs. Then we had the turkey, which was smoked to perfection. It was the juiciest turkey that I have ever tasted in like forever. The secret is in the basting, as you inject this with a super secret sauce. LOL! J outdid himself with the stuffing. I am a stuffing kind of guy and his version was heavenly, filled with wild mushrooms, panccetta and other herbs. I ate one bowl to myself! YIKES! The sidings were just as great, the gratin potatoes were so smooth they kill me!
The birthday cake!
My extended family!
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Tags: birthday dinner, Chef J Gamboa, Circulo, dinner, Fashion Insider, food, friends, Joey Carpo, Malu Gamboa, rajo laurel, thanksgiving
Posted in Fashion Insider | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
A few months ago, I did an entry on an extraordinary woman called SLIMS. Her real name in Salvacion Lim-Higgins. I stumbled upon her work while I was asked to sit on the panel for the National Artist awards. I saw just a glimpse of her work and I was fixated. Little did I know that there was a grand retrospective in the works to show everyone the SLIM legacy.
I was invited to come to the gala held at the National Museum. The minute I drove up, I was left speechless! There was a red carpet leading up to the majestic columns! I felt I was like this was the closest thing to the Metropolitan Gala in New York! When I entered the museum, the entire room’s energy was on high gear! There were so many beautiful people. This was natural, of course, as the evening was being hosted by two of the most glamourous publications in the land: Preview and Town & Country! Everyone who loved fashion was there!
I decided to create this entry in 2 parts, one focusing on the party and the other on the exhibit. The retrospective will last till March! I encourage everyone to come and visit the SLIM show at the National Museum. Trust me when I say that your heart will SOAR!
MABUHAY SI SLIM!!!!
I excitedly whipped out my camera as I drove up the entrance!
The red carpet leading to the entrance wished that I had a super long train! Gentlemen in suits would escort the guests to the lobby!
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Tags: fashion, Fashion Insider, friends, national museum, preview, rajo laurel, Salvacion Lim-Higgins, slim, slims, the slim gala, town and country
Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments »
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
I have been meaning to create an entry for my newest collaboration project called “W” by RAJO. It’s a men’s line that will be exclusive to SHOE MART! The Wharton people actually approached me early in the year if I was interested to design for them. I was a bit hesitant at first because I did not know the brand. After careful study and research, I realized how great the quality of Wharton is, and I was also greatly impressed at the price points because it is really well priced. I wanted to challenge myself in designing a complete mensline.
The collection will still be available in the store by February next year. However, something is in the works as we are planning a trunk show on DEC 11. I will definitely invite all of you to the trunk show so you can experience the line that I created.
The concept of the line is all about the small details. I have always believed that menswear is all about the small special details, those quiet touches that really make it designer. It does not have to scream, but once you notice this, you begin to appreciate it more. I thought about my own shopping habits and what I really wanted in my wardrobe, like a smart fitted black jacket or a white shirt with a slim collar or a striped shirt but with a play on the cutting.
I chose my friends to try the collection on so that they can show the media and give me some feedback, as essentially they were all wearing the prototypes. We all had a great time at The Establishment, enjoying the food and drinks and just chilling! I just want to thank The ONG family for trusting me on this one, I know that this will be venture will be smashing success! So mark your calendars for the Trunk Show on Dec 11 (Details to follow! LOL!) Be the first to experience “W” !
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Tags: collaboration, contest, Fashion Insider, friends, men's line, menswear, rajo laurel, W by Rajo, Wharton
Posted in Uncategorized | 26 Comments »
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
I was so excited when I received my invitation to ESCOLTA, the newest hotel dining experience in the country at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. I really loved the concept of using Escolta as reference. You see, Escolta was like the streets of Paris in Manila during its heyday.
Old world and new world Filipino flavors welcome you to Escolta!
I was really proud that the I was asked to design the uniforms for this restaurant. I used the 18th century Barong Tagalog as a starting point and modernized this. The launch was super successful, with flowing champagne and the most delish spreads! I think I may have drank a wee bit more than usual because I was spinning in my head minutes before I went home. It was all in good fun though, as I was happy to see so many of my friends.
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Tags: Escolta, Fashion Insider, friends, hotels, rajo laurel, the Peninsula Manila, uniforms
Posted in Fashion Insider | 5 Comments »
Friday, November 20th, 2009
I have always loved the store KISH. I come there quite often just to get inspired and loose my thoughts. When Ito Kish texted to invite me to his newly expanded store, I automatically said yes. I asked him if I could go early though, as I had made commitments already for the evening. Happily, he said yes.
After work, I went to LRI where Kish is located and as I ran up the stairs, I saw Ito. I gave him a huge hug and asked him to give me a tour. I was so surprised at how big his store had become. The store is arranged like a mini maze and with every turn, you’re taken to a different place with distinct themes, Scandinavian in one corner and modern minimal in the next. However, there is a very European/Parisienne feel to the store now, with the bleached and sanded floor.
I loved these concave mirrors from Canada, plus this chair is just sooooo CHIC! That's Ito posing for me. LOL!
This is Ito Kish. He was kind enough to give me a personal tour of his newly expanded store.
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Tags: Fashion Insider, friends, furniture, interior design, Ito Kish, Kish, rajo laurel, store
Posted in Fashion Insider | 9 Comments »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
I recently had the pleasure of having dinner at a lovely french restaurant in the city! There is really very few good French restaurants in town and it was such a good thing to find this place courtesy of my dear friend Malu Gamboa. The restaurant is called La Cuisine Francaise. The whole operation started at the Salcedo Market, where a French couple would sell beautifully cooked Terrines, Casoulets and the like. A couple of years later, they decided to make the whole operation legit and create a restaurant.
Look for the sign!
Really homey interiors. It's like dining at your Tita's house.
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Tags: Fashion Insider, food, French food, friends, La Cuisine Francaise, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 6 Comments »
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
I have always loved the LA lifestyle, it’s so chill and relaxed and light. I have so many friends and family who live around the LA area, so I come visit quite often. What I love about this town is the weather, I mean the sun is always out and I don’t recall a cloudy day in LA ever.
I also love shopping in LA; unlike NY where you have to lug and carry everything that you buy. Since everyone drives in California, you end up shopping and driving. Here are some of my LA highlights before I head home to Manila! I cannot wait to come home as I miss my bed and I miss my work!
Perfect weather always!
Nix and Cedric outside Fred Seagal's, one of the best stores in LA.
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Tags: family, Fashion Insider, friends, LA, Los Angeles, rajo laurel, travel
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
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