The “-ber” months are fast approaching, and with the huge worldwide event that is the London Olympics currently occupying a huge lot in our collective consciousness, it’s only right that we get inspired not just to be healthier and get off our proverbial couches, but also incorporate a good amount sporty flare into our wardrobe.

What better place to look for new athletic apparel than our Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2012 collections? A quick review of the various designer and brand collections from May of this year reveals quite an interesting bunch of sporty hints and athletic inspirations from our Holiday shows perfect for the coming season.

Photo: Holiday 2012 collections from Philippinefashionweeklive.com. Top row, L-R: Frederick Policarpio, M Barretto, Jinggo Inoncillo. Bottom row, L-R: Mike Lavarez, Crossings The Ramp, Jeffrey Rogador

For the boys, there’s a whole lot of looks to choose from – from more formal long-sleeve pique shirts ala polo players by Frederick Policarpio (in an absolutely epic shade of aqua), to fabric-blocked jackets and sweats by M Barretto and Jinggo Inoncillio.

For more relaxed situations, guys can don Mike Lavarez’ lightweight tanks and leather sports shorts, or Crossings The Ramp’s casually cool sweatpants Raring to go sporty and bold? Jeffrey Rogador’s got a pristine, white hoodie you can pair with  an almost astronaut-ish pair of bottoms (very #MarsCuriousity as well!)

Photo: Holiday 2012 collections, from Philippinefashionweeklive.com. Top row, L-R: Sassa Jimenez, Julius Tarog, Melchor Guinto. Bottom row, L-R: Nixon Marquez, Penshoppe, Jeffrey Rogador

For the girls, on the other hand, there’s a whole array of athletic-inspired ensembles for all occassions – for dressier events, there are various pieces that’ll make layering fun and a bit sporty, like Melchor Guinto’s leather blazer or Julius Tarog’s motocross ribbed cobalt number. Sassa Jimenez’s steel-blue jumpsuit is all sorts of sporty awesome as well – paired with a smart, shapely blazer, perhaps?

For more laid-back days, Nixon Marquez’ embellished varsity jacket will definitely jazz and warm you up these rainy holiday months, while Penshoppe’s black-and-white tank and utility shorts, and Jeffrey Rogador’s sheer white top and metallic short shorts are great when you need a lot of freedom to move (and run, and have fun).

Of course, they say one of the best fashion accessories is a healthy body, so aside from these sporty sartorial pieces, it’d be awesome if we adopted a healthier lifestyle – especially with all the eating we’ll be doing during the Holidays!

How do you plan to rock athleticwear this Holiday season?

The last weeks of May have been nothing short of inspiring, with Philippine Fashion Week closing its Holiday 2012 shows. With close to a hundred collections being showcased in six days, the Holiday shows were filled to the brim with a bevy of new style options.

Of course, it’s fun to spot what styles are going to be in fashion this Holiday season, so {Style Studio} rounded up the top six biggest trends we saw in Fashion Week!

All that glitters: Shimmery beading and detailing.

If there’s one thing that caught our attention (and really, it’s not like it’s going to go unnoticed), it’s that sparkly, scintillating and starry beads are a big trend this season.

Photo: compiled from holiday.philippinefashionweeklive.com/2012/gallery

From high-shine details like Dax Bayani’s metallic beading (set against deep, dark textures), shiny foil appliqués in Jun Jun Cambe’s collection, to fully-sequined bottoms and floor-length dresses by Dimple Lim and Raoul Ramirez, there was no shortage of wattage during the shows. Some unconventional ones were Nolie Vineza’s mirrorball-like skirt, Albert Andrada’s shiny ceramic mosaic detailing, and Kermit Tesoro’s reflective, chameleon-esque beading.

Going metal: chrome, steel and other metallics

Speaking of all things shiny, another hot trend on the Holiday 2012 runways were metals – both hardware details, as well as metallic, high-shine fabric.

Photo: compiled from holiday.philippinefashionweeklive.com/2012/gallery

Chrome and high-shine steel were definitely one of the biggest accessory trends we saw on the runways, from solid chokers, large bangles, or wide plate belts, as in Arnold Galang’s show.  Silvery, brazen and golden details were recurring too, such as in Jan Garcia’s powder blue pencil skirt laden with bronze ornaments, and Odelon Simpao’s feminine dresses, contrasted with geometric metallic plates. We can’t get enough of Avel Bacudio’s high-fashion chrome harnesses, though! Great complement to his structured outerwear.

Metallic fabric was everywhere as well. Models garbed in metallic pieces made them look like they were dipped in liquid silver, but it was Jeffrey Rogador’s space-age hoodie that won us over – it was sporty but high-street, with a loose fit, short standing collar and wide hood.

Nothing to hide: Sleek, black leather.

Gone are the days when black leather was reserved for bikers: this season, the sexy fabric was used and remodeled in a lot of creative ways, giving its rock star and biker edge a much-needed rest. Perfect for the coming months where the weather is a bit cooler and more forgiving of heavier materials.

Photo: compiled from holiday.philippinefashionweeklive.com/2012/gallery

Some were elegant and understated, as in The Ramp Crossing’s leather peplum and Raoul Ramirez’ evening glove. Others were daring, like Julius Tarog’s redefined biker dress, or eric delos Santos’ body-hugging number (with matching quirky half-peplum). However, Russel Villafuerte’s intricate cutout leather dress was a definite stand out (who knew leather can look that dainty!), as was menswear designer Drei Soriano’s pleated leather bib on a classic black button-down.

Definitely laced: Grittier applications for the dainty fabric

While leather was shorn of its edge and given an upgraded sophistication, lace – typically romantic and feminine – was transformed into something more in-your-face and daring.

Photo: from holiday.philippinefashionweeklive.com/2012/gallery

Lots of pieces utilized lace, such as Lyle Ibanez and Bandoix Flores’ sexy numbers. However, taking cues from the recent popularity of unconventional lace pieces (think Marc Jacobs at the Met Gala this year), it was the unique applications of lace that had us rethinking our opinions of this commonly-lingerie fabric: Veejay Floresca fabric-blocking the traditional barong with contrast sleeve lace was beautifully-executed, while Chris Jasler and Ronan Opina’s lacey menswear was a definite feat in its androgynous appeal.

Shedding season: Skin-baring sheer

Sheer is definitely still in this season, with the boys joining in on the fun of baring some flesh. However, sheer’s growing some structure, evolving into a totally different technique from its flowy predecessor.

Photo: compiled from holiday.philippinefashionweeklive.com/2012/gallery

The long sheer skirt over mini-skirt or shorts are still in, such as Oxygen’s sheer black, collared maxidress (giving it a bit of architecture). Emi Englis’ hybrid trench and column dress is a stand out, especially for the RTW show, with its courageous mix of playfulness and sensuality. We love the sheer front panel! Popoy Barba’s printed sheer poncho is a great layering option to add some drama to an outfit, while Philipp Tampus’ sheer-turtleneck-under-velvet-suit for guys is a sexy update to a classic pairing. On the other hand, Mark Tamayo and Jeffrey Rogador’s semi-sheer jackets are nice unique takes on the outerwear, and can probably transcend seasons from Holiday to Spring-summer.

Paint the town: Red is the color of the season

The season’s biggest trend? The color red.

Not subdued or muted, rich reds made a mark in Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2012’s runways, finding its way full-blast on everything, from men’s suits and trousers, to women’s long gowns.

Photo: compiled from holiday.philippinefashionweeklive.com/2012/gallery

From grand dresses like Chris Diaz’ long red gown (very sexy!), to playful short ones like Sassa Jimenez (who managed to put three trends together in one dress – red, leather and peplum), rich reds are obviously blazing hot this season. Paired with black, as in Oxygen, Melchor Guinto and Eric Delos Santos’ pieces, they are dark, sultry and mysterious. Starkly scarlet, they are captivating and powerful, as in Vania Romoff’s sleek cherry number, or Xernan Orticio’s bloody tone-on-tone pieces.

To view all the full collections from Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2012, visit the Philippine Fashion Week Live website by clicking here.

Men, it’s time to venture into new (and somewhat uncharted) territory – this season is all about playing with color. And no, we’re not just talking about the classic navy blues, or military camo greens. When we say color, we mean color. It’s time to experiment with everything from bright blues to deep reds, fruity greens to rusty oranges, and {Style Studio} is here to ease your worries as you step into the psychedelic world of hues.

Photo: collected from metrovelvet.com, fordmodelfashion.com and fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Bright Baby Steps

Wearing bold colours takes a bit of courage. If you’re not yet ready to paint the town red (or orange, or purple), then try adding a pop of neon to your outfit instead. Do it like Hermes’ Spring/Summer 2012 collection and wrap neon a scarf around your neck to bring a drab suit to life. Out on a date? Take cues from the funky Nicola Formichetti and put on fluorescent kicks as in Thierry Mugler’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Try to find pieces that have neon details in them as well to keep things interesting, such as Matthew Miller’s suits with bright yellow pocket flaps. In fact, if you’re feeling a bit creative, you can even take a quick trip down to your local fabric shop, purchase some brightly-colored fabrics, and have them sewn onto your classic suit’s lapels or pockets.

Photo: collated from thebestfashionblog.com, vogue.co.uk and lapetitefleurdelondres.com

Man About Tone

One of the biggest trends this season is tone-on-tone, or in other words, wearing pieces of the same color, in different shades. Canali’s Spring/Summer 2012 is the perfect reference for this, from subdued, dusky looks in soft pinks and powder blues, to looks with different shades of dark blues and wine reds. If you’re feeling a bit more renegade, Canali also showcased all-orange and all-scarlet looks that’ll surely brighten up any evening affair for the bold and courageous. These monochromatic looks were also seen on the Calvin Klein and Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer shows, with the former showcasing tone-on-tone activewear, and the latter delivering fully-colored suits.

Building Blocks

Now for the even funner part – color blocking. The art of color blocking is basically the same for boys as it is for girls (which means you can read our previous feature on that for more info), but basically the rule is simple: pair solid colors that are complementary to each other, or on opposite sides of the color wheel. They don’t necessarily have to be directly opposite though; as long as there is good contrast between the colors, then pair them and have fun. You can opt to go ala Marc Jacobs’ Spring/Summer 2012 with color blocking paired with neutrals, or all-out like Viktor & Rolf this season. Be on the lookout for color-blocked pieces as well, such as Marni’s Spring/Summer 2012 offering – they are quick and interesting alternatives, especially in the tropics where layering isn’t always a bright idea.

Sure, blacks and khakis are classic, and it’s a staple in every man’s closet. However, that doesn’t mean you should fear color. A little bit of surprising combinations will instantly bring some new pizzazz to the otherwise usual and familiar palette of menswear, so man up and put some color into your life!

{S}

Photo: edited from poloralphlaurenoutletuk.com

From the boyfriend blazers of the ‘80’s, fitted cropped jacket with bold shoulders, tuxedo jackets with cinched waists, oh, and then there are all the colors and detailing certain designers are having a lot of fun with. Pucci and our dear Cavailli are some examples if you’re looking for a little drama and undeniable femininity to accompany your menswear-inspired pieces.

Photo: from zoccao.blogspot.com and fashionbombdaily.com

If you are looking for clean lines and structure, Mango has crisp, white blazers out this season. Ralph Lauren’s navy blazer with the golden bullion crown crest is as classic and chic-prep as you can get.

Photo: edited from kcmag.com and newclothing.co

One tip we want to give you is to find a sense of balance with the look. If the blazer is a little more severe, try pairing it with a flowing (or mullet) skirt. If the jacket has lace, beading or eye-catching hardware, pair it with cigarette pants, or simple skinny jeans. We are also really loving the floral blazers (this one By Whistles, buy at The Guardian Store), but take care that they aren’t competing with over-accessorizing; let them have their moment.

All in all we are loving the creativity we see put into these jackets and see them as the new statement piece.

{S}

We’ve heard it before, and we know it as a fact: fashion is a cycle, and it’s common for tried and tested trends and techniques of the past to be reborn in the present. Get ready to raid your gram’s closet – retro silhouettes from the roaring twenties and beyond are all the rage this season!

Shapeshifting

The era of Jazz and women’s liberation saw a drastic shift in fashion. Hemlines rose above the calf and knees, silhouettes became more simple and loose (hiding the woman’s breasts and curves that were emphasized in the pre-war Edwardian trend). Women proclaimed their freedom with bare arms and shoulders. After the war, the shifting of societal roles in the Twenties ushered the empowered woman into the forefront, and she was glamorous; partying all night, twisting and dancing freely in the dress that would become the icon of the decade.

The Modern ‘Modern Woman’

Anticipating Baz Luhrman’s take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 masterpiece The Great Gatsby, (and playing off the success of Michel Hazanavicius’ The Artist) recent fashion weeks saw the second coming of Twenties silhouettes. Fringed flapper dresses, sequined square silhouettes and dropped-waist dresses (as well as other styles from nearby decades, such as the peplum) invaded both the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter runways, reminding the world that the rebellious, glamorous modern woman is still as chic as before.

Photo: from vogue.com, vogue.co.uk, glam.co.uk and lifeinthefashlane.com

No Flapping Matter. The Flapper Dress – the dancing dress de rigueur of the Twenties – is back with some added contemporary flair. For Spring/Summer 2012, Marchesa was all glitz and glam with champagne and white fringed pieces; Gucci updated it with white, gold and black symmetrical patterns; Marc Jacobs sent it to the future with reflective fabric. Michael Kors’ Autumn/Winter 2012 collection, on the other hand, featured glittery, metallic flapper dresses with sheer panel details. Pair them with a small clutch, stilettos for all-out glam, or the classic kitten heels to completely channel the Twenties girl ready to dance.

Photo: from vogue.co.uk, vogue.com, parisgirlcouture.com and fabsugar.co.au

Drop-dead Gorgeous. Donning this retro silhouette revival – the drop-waist dress – will make your torso look longer, so be sure to pair it with a good pair of heels to lengthen your legs and add height. Take cues from Just Cavalli’s vertical patterns for a more lengthening effect, or go super chic and trendy with Proenza Schouler’s print blocked piece. For nights out, Paco Rabanne’s glittering gold number is absolutely red-carpet ready, but Fendi’s patterned dress – accented with a panel of fur – will surely make heads turn.

Photo: from vogue.co.uk, style.com, theblondejournal.com and vogue.co.uk

The Peplum. Fast forward a bit to the Forties and then we see the dainty little peplum, a bit of a contrast to the form-hiding flapper and drop-waist dress, with its flaps and frills accentuating the torso. Vera Wang kept it soft and feminine, pairing it with another recent trend, the sheer skirt. Cushnie et Ochs was very forward-looking with a futuristic, chrome peplum on a white minimalist dress. Etro, on the other hand, kept the form structured and the feel vintage with Persian-inspired prints and touches of leather. Alexander McQueen was ultimately sexy with frilled peplums in detailed floral prints and a lacy, lingerie-inspired feel. With its tendency to draw attention to the waist, peplums work best when paired with accessories for your shoulders or décolletage to balance the proportion.

Whether you’re roarin’ in a Twenties flapper dress or a hip drop-waist piece, or embracing your curves with the Fourties’ pretty peplum, pair your retro-inspired outfit with some simple contemporary pieces (such as a matching minimalist clutch, or a good pair of classic pumps) to keep your outfit from looking too costumey. Oh and make sure you live the life and dance the night away, doll; after all, these new silhouettes are totally the cat’s pyjamas!

Photo: 1960s Pucci Dress, from fashionmodel.mtx5.com

Emilio Pucci is a name that’s synonymous with prints. Born in 1940 to one of Florence’s old noble families, Pucci revolutionized the world of fashion with his impeccable use of patterns in intelligent, geometric flows and wild, wild colour.

Photo: Left, Michael van der Ham SS2012 from Vogue.com; Proenza Schouler SS2012 from Trendland.com

With the fashion world currently all wide-eyed with patterns, let’s take some classic, tried-and-tested tips from the master of prints and educate ourselves on the proper way to prance around in prints.

Photo: vintagepatterns.wikia.com

Go With Details and Accents

If you’re still a little bit unsure of how you feel about patterns, but still want to bring in a bit of wow to your wardrobe, keep it simple and subdued first. Pay attention to pieces with little printed or patterned details (such as floral linings, tribal accents, patterned fabric buttons) – they’re not as loud as full-on printed pieces, but those little things make all the difference. Patterned accessories also make for great (and easy!) alternatives for livening up a look with the power of print.

Photo: vintagepatterns.wikia.com

Play With Contrasts

Ready for a bit more print in your life? Contrast your patterned pieces with solid-colored items – but make sure to either go neutral, or play off the color scheme of the prints. If you have a printed floral top, look at the colors of the flowers, and then match your solid-colored bottoms with one of them.  Going with a slightly different shade or hue will bring more depth to your pairing, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

Photo: from vintagepatterns.wikia.com

Go Bold With One-piece Prints

Sometimes a single print can make us fall in love. Go ahead and commit! Printed maxi dresses in juicy tropical hues are all the rage this season – they’re light and breezy, fresh and feminine, and make great cover-ups for the beach! Going out for the night? Give your LBD its much needed rest too and opt for a printed one-piece cocktail dress. Vibrant colors are perfect for the summer, but for more formal engagements, printed dresses in dark and subdued colors (like earth-tone paisleys) make things appropriate but interesting.

Photo: from vintagepatterns.wikia.com

Prints, Prints, Prints!

When you’re really looking to make a statement, pair your prints with – you guessed it – more prints! Work it in classic Pucci flare by pairing prints in the same color scheme, playing around with the dominant colors on each piece. Try to keep things within a theme as well to make your outfit look more cohesive.

Whether you’re keeping the patterns to a minimum or proclaiming to the world your love affair with prints, keep in mind to have fun with it! In the end, the best accessory that goes well with prints is your head held high and a big smile on your face. {S}

We love spicing  up old things up and giving it a new look, just like the latest craze in footwear — Espadrille Wedges.

For those of you who only know espadrilles as the “TOM’s” shoes, well here’s a bit of info: Espadrilles are flat sandals usually made from natural, hand woven materials such as cotton fabric or canvas, and soles made out of ropes and rubber.

So far, all fashion houses, local and abroad, all have their own version of (if not a whole collection of) the Espadrille Wedge.  From Michael Kors, YSL, Steve Madden, to Parada, Burburry and the like.

Funny thing is though, we’ve been seeing Espadrille wedges here in Manila since the dawn of time! Ok, that might be a stretch but  in trend-talk it’s been a long time (which is back in 2005 and 2007). The world is finally catching up with us.

The Espadrille Wedge of 2012 comes in a variety of elaborate detailing and fancy designs and there are many, many to choose from. For your convenience however, we’ve listed our top 10 favorites.

Here are also some details that will be of great help incase you want to bring these babies home. {S}

The use of slim-fit pants has been a preferred choice of women since the early 1950’s, when the assets to flaunt shifted from the upper body to the lower half, highlighting, and emphasizing, the shape of the hips and legs.

Just as we thought the skinny jean couldn’t get any skinnier and the innovation of it was stuck on “as long as its fitted then its good” thought, the fashion industry wouldn’t stop surprising us. Within 2012 fashion designers and denim brands have made versions and adaptation of the leg -hugging jeans that are just too cute and sexy, and fun to pass up.

Head to our Life. Style. section to see how to keep those legs fit and toned so you can confidently flaunt the Skinny Jeans of 2012.

Here they are:

Read the full article ….

It’s pastel, it goes with any color, and is reminder of what you need to have after having a meal (sorry we just have to say that because no one is pointing it out), It’s MINT.

Lady gaga must have caught a whiff of what designers were up to (Marry the Night video anyone?) or caught word of the trend most Spring/Summer 2012 collection of designers like Elli Saab, Ermano Scervino, Verace and many more, seem to going in the direction of mint.

It might be an accessory giving the fresh pop of color, or a whole outfit belonging to the sorbet shade that is playfully making its way through our wardrobe.

Also referred to as seafoam,, spearmint, and acqua at times, but those colors tent to be open to interpretation, so we will stay with Mint. It embodies the cool and fresh feeling we will need to make it through this hot summer.

A great thing about the color mint is that it plays well with others, practically going with everything, especially nude tones. Wear it with black, burgundy, leather or rust, the needed pop will be there and it won’t be over -powering or cluttered. It is a color you can exepriMINT with.

Sorry, couldn’t help it.

Below are images of how you can use and style Mint in different ways. Hope this inspires you to have some fun and take a risk with this color.