Monki see. Monki do. Monki gone.

So that's why the Monki store in Megamall looked emptier and emptier with every visit.

Yup, they're closing down.

Apparently, it's a corporate decision and they're shuttering all the Monki stores worldwide and integrating them with the "Weekend" brand.

Another brand bites the dust.

French Twist

Nope, this post isn’t about a hairstyle.

It’s about how you can put a twist on fashion trends.

The striped top and navy pants combo is a staple in French fashion. It’s the quintessential uniform of the chic Parisian woman.

But you can “lift” the look with the right pieces, like so:

The top is the classic striped top that French women love. But instead of a bateau neckline and 3/4 sleeves, this has a crew neck with a drop shoulder silhouette. This cool shirt is from Monki.

For the pants, instead of the usual relaxed trouser style, this is a cargo pant with multiple pockets, it’s a fab find from Forever 21. (That’s an alliteration with lots of Fs!)

So, if you ask whether something a chic as French fashion can still be made even more fashionable?

Oui agree!

LFLTAT: Monki see, Monki do

This year's first LFLTAT is courtesy of the on-going Monki sale.

Spotted this psychedelically pretty dress a few months ago. It has this vibrant floral print is loud colours, set against a classic wrap dress with balloon sleeves. Upon checking, the dress was already on sale, and the price was ridiculously low!

Since the dress had different shades of pink, this pair of jewelled fuchsia mules came to mind. It's been in the stash for a while, and it's about time it saw the light. Got this on Lazada in one of the double-number sale.

With 2 sale items together, this outfit cost less than P800!

See? You can do a lot with less than a thousand.

Hey, hey, we’re the Monkis!

The good news: Monki has finally opened its first Philippine store in SM Megamall! 

Before, I had to fly to HKG to get my Monki fix. But now, it's just a stone's throw away from where I live, and much closer to where I work.

The not-so-good news: we're still not going to the malls.

Well, at least I know that Monki will just be there when we need it.

Monki business in Manila!

They might be a little Johnny-come-lately, but I guess better-late-than-never.

Monki - the young and more frivolous brand in the H&M family - is finally coming to Manila! As evidenced by their board-up in SM Megamall.

Their designs are quite loud, so I'm not sure how the local market will react to this brand.

We shall see.

Monki business

Folks who are attuned to fast fashion know that H&M and COS are siblings. But what a lot of people don't know is that there are a number of other brands under the Hennes & Mauritz umbrella.

There's one lesser known sibling which I always had my eye on since discovering it in Europe - Monki!

If I'd portray them as siblings, I'd say Monki is the youngest and most adventurous in the family. The brand's aesthetic and design is very young and experimental, which makes it fun to wear.

They already had Monki in HKG as early as 2008, and it's good to see that they've expanded to a few more stores in the past years.

For sure, their clothes are too young for my sisters. But I'm introducing the brand to my nieces and nephews since they're the next generation in fashion.