Posts Tagged ‘house of laurel’

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RUSSE RENOVATION!

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

With each brand new collection, my store THE HOUSE OF LAUREL transforms not only the clothes but also the environment.  I have always believed in having a total fashion experience.  So call it crazy but we actually transform our space three times a year!  Each renovation we do, we encounter a whole new soup of challenges.  My entire team get stressed out and have mini breakdowns and major migraines but in the end, I believe that it is all worth it!

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This time we wanted to create a gem of a box for our environment!  I wanted GOLD and I wanted it everywhere!  LOL!  Since our collection is inspired by the Romanov’s, I wanted to create a room that would at least simulate the lavish opulence that the collection imbibes.  I wanted something metallic and the only way to get that was to use car paint!  thing is car paint really as in REALLY smells bad!  So we all had to endure 4 days of smell hell in order to get the look right.  Thankfully, all our hard work has paid off and now everything looks amazing!
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We started out repainting the walls and having to do it twice because the first wall color looked sad and dull.

We literally had to take everything out and start from scratch.

Finally we got the color right! I wanted to have GOLD everywhere!

Then we started installing a chandelier which had its own set of challenges.

Finally found a way to place it and not have it fall on anyone's head! YIKES! It looks beautiful though.

We then stenciled our walls with more gold leaf.

We then began displaying our new collection! We were so hungry for color!

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We’re all delighted with the outcome and cannot wait to invite all of you to come visit our store and experience my holiday collection 2011 called RUSSE!  I think it will be the perfect wardrobe addition to add cheer and joy this coming Christmas season!  Come on in! You’re all very welcome!
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This is our Royal family tableau.

We're almost ready with the set up!

Happy that the chandelier works!

Rich brocades and delicious gem colors.

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HUGS!

RAJO!

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Russe!

Friday, November 4th, 2011

WOW!  November is already looking like a super busy month for me!  LOL!  I actually welcome it!  I love being busy and productive.  I just want  to invite everyone to the launch of our Holiday Collection 2011!  The collection is called “RUSSE“!

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It is my homage to Russia.  The collection is decadent, rich, delicious, luxurious and absolutely fabulous! LOL!  I cannot wait for everyone to see this collection!  I, for one, am very proud of what my team has done. Please save the date and see you all at the launch!

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HUGS!
RAJO!

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A sneak peek from the “RUSSE” Lookbook shoot!

Sunday, October 30th, 2011
With each collection that I do, I create a Look Book.  I feel it is the perfect way for everyone to feel the collection.  It is important for us to send out these visuals for all our clients to experience what were trying to convey.  Each time I create a look book I want to work with a new photographer.  I feel so inspired and energized when I work with these new creative talents.  This time, I was really happy to be working with this wonder-kid BJ Pascual.  He is all of 22 or 23 and he has done so many ad campaigns and covers for the best titles in the land. Topping that list is Preview!
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Here is BJ Pascual starting bright and early for the shoot! LOVE his energy and Rihanna hair! LOL!

The clothes lined up for the shoot.

The accessories table.

I wanted a lot of fur! LOL!

The shoot was super luxurious! Look at all the jewels!

More jewels fit for royalty!

My office transformed once more into a photo studio. I love the light from the large windows.

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We were shooting the look book of our 3 main lines in the House of Laurel.  RAJOMAN, NINE and RAJO!  We were very fortunate that we booked 2 exciting models. Gonzalo who I first spotted in the Cosmo bash and Fatima.  Both of them were super professional and really a joy to work with.
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This is our model Gonzalo. I wanted to use someone that looks Russian but not quite.

BJ preparing the fur foundation.

Thank you GELA for the hair and makeup!

Did you know that Gela is a stand up comic? LOL!

A few test shots!

I loved this look from RAJOMAN!

Another look for evening! Fox fur optional.

A look from our line 9!

Fatima was amazing! I LOVE HER!

One of the looks from RAJO! Russian princess royalty redefined!

I LOOOOOOVE the shapes we made!

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When I am doing a look book shoot, I have this image in my head on how the models should look like and I am so grateful to all my accessories designer friends who created new things for the store and also lent me new items for the shoot.  Their accessories will be complimenting the collection and all of them will be available in the store.  A huge thanks to Yekky Balingit, Joyce Makitalo, Amina Aranaz, Sundari, Alchemista and Aziza Mondonedo.  The pieces you lent me were amazing!
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MORE JEWELS!

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I am a shoe man!  I believe shoes make the look!  I had to run to Divine Lee and Pam Quinones to raid their shoe closets and borrowed the most beautiful boots and shoes that really made the close to perfection!
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Of course, I have to thank my super talented sister GELA who did the hair and make up!  I love you!  Finally, to my team headed by Cara Sumabat & Martin Yambao.  YOU ROCK!   The journey getting to where we are might have been challenging filled with a few bumps and craters but in the end the results were mind blowing!  Seriously,  VOGUE you have to see what we did!  LOL!   Thank you to everyone I failed to mention in this post!  I cannot wait to see the final result.  In the meantime, here is a sneak peek at our  HOLIDAY 2011 “RUSSE” LOOK BOOK SHOOT!
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A light moment in between takes.

Game of Thrones level ba ito? Playing with our fur! LOL!

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HUGS!
RAJO!

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My Holiday collection 2011 mood board!

Monday, October 24th, 2011

I begin each collection I do with a mood board.  Me and my team create the mood board as a focal map of our ideas and to derive a tangible reference for all our designs.   For the last 5 months, my team and I have been working on them based on my experience in RUSSIA.  I fell in love with the Romance of of the ROMANOV’S and since this collection is for the holidays, we wanted to explore how we can really express luxury and abundance.  The team and I poured over books on Russian culture, costume, jewelry, archtitechture and art.

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I guess it was a reaction from the ANDROGYNY collection which became like a palette cleanser for all of us.  This reduction and minimalism created a desire for COLOR and GOLD!  LOL!  So we all succumbed to MAXIMALISM and this collection entitled “RUSSE” will be one of our most exuberant and mega rich collection ever.  I am happy to share with you some images from our mood board, just to give you all a glimpse of what we have up our sleeves.  We will be launching the collection in less than a month and we just wanted to give all of you a bit of teaser.  Tee hee!

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HUGS!
RAJO!

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ANDROGYNY interiors

Monday, July 11th, 2011

With every collection, we transform our store to complete the entire experience.   I am so happy with the outcome of the ANDROGYNY collection and the reaction of my clients.  We also have opened our brand to newer clients that embrace this aesthetic.  We pared the whole space down and just left a lot of space. I love the fact that it feels so “maaliwalas”!  I think now more than ever, space is truly becoming a luxury.   I just want to share with all of you how our store now looks like and invite you to come over and experience ANDROGYNY.

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I also added a video documentary on Yojhi Yamamoto so you all can get an idea on his brilliance!  He has truly made an impact in me as a young designer and influenced my thought process and aesthetic immensely.  ENJOY!
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Hope to see you at the store!
HUGS!
RAJO!

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OS is AMAZING!!!!

Sunday, July 10th, 2011

I have been obsessing about skeletons for more than 3 months now and when Nix saw this necklace on a model a few months ago, I knew I needed to have them in my store!   I love how Manila is like such a small town that when you want to find something all you need is to tweet!  LOL!  This find however is really blowing my mind!   The brand is called “OS” and I really really love it!

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I love the danger and romance that their pieces convey and the fact that this will add a bit of edge to my collection!  Come to the House of Laurel and discover OS!  I know that their items will fly off my shelves!  Just wanted to share with you this good thing!  See you at the store!

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HUGS!
RAJO!

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The ANDROGYNY look book shoot!

Thursday, July 7th, 2011
We recently shot our look book for our newest collection ANDROGYNY!   I asked the talented Jujiin Samonte to shoot the book.  I really love Jujiin’s style,  there is something so fearless yet innocent about his work that amplifies the cool factor  to unmeasured heights !  LOL!   These  photos are mostly mine and I just wanted to give you guys a bit of a peek to what we’re up to.
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Prepping the shoot!

Styling our model Marita!

Everyone needs a perfectly tailored man’s shirt!

Jujiin Samonte at work!

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This collection is really personal because this is pretty much how I dressed up when I was a teenager and I wanted to relive that. LOL!  Images and icons like  Yojhi Yamamoto influenced this collection heavily.  The collection is very neutral and a study on the masculine and the feminine – something that I have always been continually addressing.   Do enjoy this sneak peek and please come and visit us at the House of Laurel!
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I love these belts! Reliving my new-wave days! LOL!

This is our model Nathaniel for RAJOMAN!

Does it look better in Black and White?

This draped dream is from our line called 9!

I think it will look different on each person because the drape will conform and fall depending on the body of the wearer.

Another look from RAJOMAN! This is the Harness shirt.

A draped dress from the collection!

Sculpture in Cotton.

Undulations in washed silk.

Version 1!

Version 2!

I could not help but add a bit of shine! LOL! Tempered it though with a veil of chiffon.

Tuxedo dressing 101!

Channeling Bianca Jagger!

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HUGS!
RAJO!

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Meneer Marcelo for the HOUSE of LAUREL!

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Every time we come out with a new collection at  The HOUSE of LAUREL, I take pride in transforming the space to create a full sensory experience!  I got in touch with this amazing artist named Meneer Marcelo.  I love his images and how fluid his lines are, so I asked him if he was willing to  create something special for our new collection called ANDROGYNY!

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I explained the philosophy of the collection and where I was coming from and gave him carte blanche on what to do!  He sent me several studies that I would like to share with all of you!  I think it’s really cool and I think Meneer is really talented!  I still have to choose just one image and it’s proving to be difficult.  LOL!  I am so excited for this collection as it’s really very personal.  We will be launching in a few days and I cannot wait to show you all what the collection looks like.  In the mean time, check out Meneer’s amazing studies!

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HUGS!
RAJO!

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Please come to ANDROGYNY!

Monday, July 4th, 2011

I would like to personally invite all of you to the launch of my newest collection ANDROGYNY!   This collection is my most personal collection because it is a deep recollection on how I would like to dress up.  My whole team was inspired by Tailoring and the genius that is Yojhi Yamamoto.  I think this collection is very spiritual and calming and I cannot wait for all of you to see and experience ANDROGYNY!   Would love to see you  all!

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BIG HUGS!
RAJO!

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Melissa Clemente at THE HOUSE OF LAUREL!

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
I just want to announce that we have another amazing discovery in The HOUSE OF LAUREL and her name is Melissa Clemente!  She was introduced to us by a dear friend and was immediately attracted to her aesthetics and designs!  There is a sense of fragility to her pieces and I love the fact that they look like delicate mobiles that would graze a woman’s shoulder.  She just delivered a brand new collection to our store that is so in sync  with our “SAVAGE MYTHOLOGY” collection!  I just want to share this amazing talent with all of you and her price points are just too good to be true!  Thank you Melissa for making the HOL the home of your work!  I am certain many more will love it!
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HUGS!
RAJO!

Ps.  This is a bit of information about Melissa.

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After traveling to the UK, Melissa Clemente returned to Canada seeking to fill a creative void. Lead designer of Melissa Clemente Designs, has been creating her one-of-a-kind signature pieces since 2002. Drawing inspiration from her cultural Filipino background and her artistic family and friends the young 30 year old designer looks to the environment around her for inspiration constantly. Coming from an artistically nurturing family and community, Clemente is heavily influenced by the Filipino art forms of costuming, folk dance, and mythology. Her designs and style are natural, focusing on the fluidity and movement of each piece of jewelry and its placement on the body.

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