End of an Era

That's how it feels after reading this news article.

For more than 3 decades, Anna Wintour was Vogue and Vogue was Anna Wintour. Thinking of the magazine without her is such a vague (get it, get it) prospect.

It's exciting to see who the new head of Vogue will be. And in the words of Emily in "The Devil Wears Prada,"

"You have very large shoes to fill."

December to remember

Woohoo! The December issue of Vogue USA is here!

Thanks to Ate Lissa who bought it, and Kuya Marv who brought it from the US.

Holding this issue feels bittersweet. Although it's great that I'm holding and reading the latest issue of US Vogue, the issue now is so different from the December issues of yore. 

Aside from the fact that it's super thin - maybe 1/3rd or 1/4th the thickness of the usual December issues, even the paper where the magazine is printed feels different.

Still, I'm glad to have this copy. And even gladder that Vogue is still around.

Gerber, baby!

Kaia Gerber is fronting the December 2024 issue of American Vogue!

First of all, can we just marvel at the fact that she looks so much like her Mom! 

Then, the clothes are just divine! It's playful, but it's high fashion. Only Marc Jacobs can pull-off something like this.

Why isn't anyone carrying American Vogue in the Philippines anymore? This issue needs to be here, stat!

Here's the Issue

After what feels like ages, I finally bought a copy of Vogue's September Issue. The Philippine edition, that is.

It's actually been a while since my last magazine purchase. Which makes me miss the good old days when we'd regularly buy multiple titles a month. From local titles like Preview and Mega, to international magazines like InStyle and Vogue.

Whilst part of my wishes that there will be more printed issues of magazines, the dwindling readership issue is enough to keep that from happening.

Mag-nificent

It's been 4 years since I've seen a US Vogue Magazine IRL.

Aside from the fact that a lot of my former magazine haunts have closed, NBS whittled down their magazine offering to a few titles. Unfortunately, US Vogue was one of the titles they dropped.

But thanks to Biboy, I've held my first US Vogue issue in 4 years!

Oh, Vogue, I've missed you so.

There’s nothing to it...

More than 2 years after buying and holding a new magazine, I'm so glad that my return to magazine reading is the maiden issue of Vogue Philippines!

It's awesome that their very 1st issue coincides with the biggest fashion issue - the September Issue. And leafing through this magazine, it's like reading American Vogue with its wonderful fashion spreads and broad range of articles.

So, in the words of Madonna:

You gotta get... Vogue!
 

There’s nothing to it...

 

Vogue Philippines!

Yes, we’re going to have our own edition of Vogue!

Count me in! Where’s the Subscription form? 

A Walk in the Parker

It's kinda bittersweet looking at the December 2021 Cover of Vogue USA.

The sweet part is because it's SJP on the cover!!!

Sarah Jessica Parker is in the house! (Or cover!)

The bitter part is because I know this issue will be hard to find here in Manila, so I'm trying to figure out how to get it.

And speaking of SJP, if there's one video of her that I watch on repeat, it's this collaboration video of her and Kleinfeld. As a huge fan of surprises, this video is simply a thrill.

Oh, SJP! How will I get thee?

Fashionable Spread

Back when magazine shops were abundant and it was easy to grab the latest issues of magazines, most of my afternoons or after-work walks would lead me to Bufini, National Bookstore, Mag:Net and Filbars. They would be my sources for issues - both the latest ones and back issues - particularly of fashion magazines.

One of my favourite magazine cover formats would be the "fold-out spread." It would usually be a special issue and the cover would fold out to 3 or more panels to reveal an impressive array of models, actors and actresses, or influential people.

The magazines that do this often are Vogue and Vanity Fair. Sometimes, InStyle would do it, but they'd usually feature one model in different looks per panel.

While browsing through the September issue covers of magazines online, it was awesome to see how American Vogue is continuing this tradition.

Their cover is a spread of models-du-jour, and they showcase diversity in their choice of cover girls. Another innovative move from Vogue, and this is something to be expected from a fashion pioneer like Anna Wintour.

Diversity has never been this fashionable!

Missing the time they MET

Back in "ordinary" times, the first Monday of May was a red-letter day for anyone interested in fashion.

That day is better known as "The MET Gala," and it's the day when the uber-fashionable set would all descend on The MET Museum, dressed in their most elaborate garb based on the year's theme, and celebrate fashion and art. It was also a fund-raising activity for the museum, and they would raise millions of dollars every year, thanks to this event.

This year, of course, is an extraordinary time. So, The MET Gala was put on hold because there are more pressing issues facing our world today.

But that didn't stop Vogue's EIC and The MET Gala's fashionable organizer - Anna Wintour - from keeping the philanthropic event from doing its sworn duty. That is, to raise money for the museum, and for all the people behind fashion who are now in danger due to this pandemic.



Amazing what she can do given the circumstances. There are expectations, and thanks to her, these expectations were MET. (Sorry, couldn't help myself. Harhar.)

She's proof that you can't put a worthy and fashionable cause down.

When coloring is in Vogue

Here's something that takes the concept of adult coloring books to a totally different level:

Vogue coloring books!

I found this while roaming around SM City Legazpi, and is one of the Best Buy's of this trip.

Next stop: fashionable crayons,

When fashion and Catholicism MET

This year's MET Gala - aka the Superbowl of Fashion - had an unusual and interesting theme. It was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." Needless to say, as a Catholic boy raised in a Catholic country, this is borderline blasphemy.  But as they say, fashion shouldn't be taken too seriously, so I won't.

Most of the attendees of the Gala, though, took the theme very seriously. So, there were a lot of Catholic Church influences in their garbs. From as simple as carrying or wearing rosaries, to having religious images printed on their gowns, to Rihanna wearing a Papal Hat, it was one over-the-top look after the other.

One that caught my eye the most was Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's interpretation of the theme.

It was an ethereal gold dress with a halo headpiece. Looking at it reminded me of all those life-size saints that were paraded around Bicol during the Holy Week season.

Heck, maybe we can invite her to the Philippines next Holy Week and parade her on top of a carroza. That would be fashionably Catholic.

CLassy

CL is one of the reasons why my interest for 2NE1 was piqued. She's such a total performer! She can sing, she can dance, and she can command the stage.

After 2NE1 disbanded, there wasn't much news about her. That's until the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeonchang where she performed in the closing ceremony - which was a fantastic performance.

She's now making an indelible mark in the international scene, and proof is her 73 questions video for Vogue. Yup, the same one Anna Wintour did splendidly.


(It's amazing how she answers in 2 languages so flawlessly!)

Looks like we'll see more of CL soon.

When Anna met Miranda

Stop everything! We have Anna Wintour and Meryl Streep in one frame!

I can watch this over and over and over again. (Especially, the veiled reference to "Devil Wears Prada. Hahaha!)

September to remember

Everyone in fashion knows that the September issue is the biggest and most important issue of the year.

And for American Vogue, that bigness and importance is doubled.

Not only is it their biggest issue, it's also their 125th Anniversary!

This I've got to get my hands on.

Stylish September

Aside from food, the only other thing I bought in SG are magazines. Particularly, the September issues of some of my favorite titles.

As expected the September issue of Vogue is hefty and heavy. In fact, it was so heavy, I had to put in on the table to read it. Content-wise, it didn't disappoint. It was eye candy from the first page, and the feature on Grace Coddington was top notch.

And for InStyle, the big surprise of this issue is the fact that it's the last issue under it's Editorial Director, Ariel Foxman. He bid goodbye to the readers of InStyle in his Editor's letter, and it was bittersweet because I've grown accustomed to his sense of style and joie-de-vivre.

There's a long weekend coming up, and these two will definitely keep me busy then.

Anna-tomy

I've always thought Anna Wintour was cool. And I don't mean that in an ice queen kind of way.

After seeing this video about her, her coolness notch just went up a few hundred levels.



It's such a creative way to know more about her.

A September to remember

Back in 2007, there was much ado about Vogue's September issue. It was the largest issue at 840 pages, and it set the standard for other fashion magazines.

It was so groundbreaking that it merited its own documentary, "The September Issue."

As they say, records are made to be broken. 

This year's September issue of Vogue is out, and it's a whopping 916 pages!

It's a double accomplishment for the fashion bible. Apart from breaking its own record, it's also celebrating its 120th year. I reckon this issue is going to be very, very special.

For that, I think I'm going to get a copy. This is something worth remembering.