Zara-tonin: Classy and classic

As classic dresses go, you can never go wrong with a simple, column dress. Much so if it’s in black or dark navy.

This dress from Zara is perfection! The silhouette is streamlined. The overall vibe is simple and carefree, but the lace fabric “lifts it.”

Such a classic!

Sketchy Stories: Take it or Sleeve it

After our little collaboration for Kevin’s wedding, Grace told me that she was going to be a wedding sponsor once again. The wedding was on January 10, and it was December 23 when she told me.

A 2-week timeline? Doable!

She told me that she liked what we did for Cza’s bridesmaid’s dress, particularly the exaggerated cape sleeves. She wanted sleeves like that, but on a more ornate dress.

There’s a cut of beige lace leftover from Kevin’s wedding - it was supposed to be for Ate Bullet, but they suddenly changed their dress color to dusty blue. With that lace in mind, this was the sketch.

And with Ofel’s help, the sketch became this beautifully elegant gown.

As a bonus, we made the sleeve detachable and replaced it with ostrich feathers for the reception.

That takes the gown and gives is a double dose of chic!

Oh, Carolina’s!

It was disheartening and sad when Carolina’s Lace Shop started shuttering their mall outlets.

First to go was their branch in Glorietta, followed by the one in Megamall - which left me aghast! Then, their branch is SM North EDSA disappeared, followed by their Greenhills branch.

Despite those, I thought, “There’s always the main branch in Dian, Makati.”

When I went there last year, that, too, was closed. And all hope was lost. 

Or so I thought.

Apparently, they just moved their branch somewhere in Pasay, along Buendia Avenue. I’ve been hearing about that branch a lot, but never got around to going there. Until this morning.

Taking advantage of the holiday, and the traffic-free streets, I took a bus to Buendia and found myself here less than 30 minutes later.

The reason, I had to get velvet ribbons for Prichy’s dress. And Carolina’s was the only place I knew which had velvet ribbons in different colors. (Strange, but true. Not even Michelle’s in Divisoria. Not even in Divisoria for that matter.)

Their Buendia branch is the same layout and selection as their Dian branch. There were ribbons galore, all the notions you can think of, baubles and beads of every style and color, and of course, the lace. After all, you can’t be Carolina’s Lace Shop without an impressive array of lace.

Talking to the sales people there - some of whom i’ve known from Megamall, Glorietta and Dian - rising rents and being asked to transfer to a sub-par part of the mall are some of the reasons why they started disappearing from malls. But I found out that they still have the Market, Market branch open. Which is a welcome relief.

But next time i’m looking for lace, something tells me i’ll still end up going to their main branch in Buendia. It might be a bit further, but it’s worth all the lace i’ve seen.

LFLTAT; Lace for less

There was a time when lace was known to be a special occasion fabric. Because it was expensive and rare, it was often used for wedding, debuts and other big events.

The reason for the cost is the craftsmanship that goes into making it. Back then, lace was made by hand, by artisans. So, it was really an art.

But as fabric technologies progressed, making lace became easier. And more affordable. So much so that it's now an everyday fabric.

Take this white lace dress from SM Department Store. It's elegant. It's for everyday. And it's less than P500!

What's not to love about lace?

Oh, lace!

Carolina's has always been a go-to when it comes to lace. After all, their full name is "Carolina's Lace Shoppe," which immediately underlines their strength.

What's nice about the store is that it has more than the usual corded, chantilly, French and Belgian varieties. They have lace fabrics that I haven't seen in my other fabric haunts like Divisoria.

Two examples of super unique lace fabrics:

First, this printed, crochet-looking lace with a baroque pattern. Very old-world chic!

Second, another printed lace, but the pattern is made up of interconnected circles. Ultra unique and modern!

These pretty lace fabrics will definitely become even prettier dresses by the time we're done.

Everything's coming up (black) roses

Found this guipure lace with an interesting rose and web pattern.

And it's on sale! At Carolina's!

To buy, or not to buy.

Lace your expectations

Going to Divisoria to find lace is just like going to Disneyland to find happiness. Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, and Divisoria is the happiest place to find lace.

Decades ago, it was so difficult to source lace in Manila. To get really nice lace, you had to import it from Europe - particularly Belgium and France. Also back then, lace was super duper expensive! That's why people would use lace in dresses in sparse amounts.

But with today's technology and inexpensive labor, lace has not only become commonplace, it's now cheaper! And with modern techniques in design and embroidery, the patterns are beautiful, intricate and mind-blowing.

Nowadays, you can expect to find the prettiest lace at a price that won't break the bank!

Today, I went to Divisoria to look for lace for Kris' wedding, particularly for the Mothers. And it was so difficult to choose because there were so many beautiful options around!

Finally, after poring through dozens and dozens, I was able to shortlist it to these two beauties:

Now, the difficult task of choosing "the one" begins.

Material world: So solihiya!

Growing up, we were always surrounded by solihiya furniture - whether it was our old house in Morato, the beach house in Bacacay, or the Regalado's ancestral home in Malinao. My recollection of the solihiya was how comfortable it was, but also how it would leave a weird pattern on my skin after sitting on it for an extended period of time.

There's something beautiful about the solihiya. The intricacy of the pattern, the masterful weaving, and the interplay of circles and geometric shapes - they all add up to a look that's simple, elegant and unmistakably Pinoy.

A few weeks ago, I saw this fabric that reminded me so much of the solihiya.

It has that same geometric orientation, coupled with some circles included in the pattern. It was such a beautiful fabric that I had to buy a few yards of it.

 

And it turned out to be a lucky purchase. According to the store owner, she only had 6 yards of that fabric and it was just a sample from the supplier. She's not even sure if this fabric will be carried here in Manila!

Just looking at the fabric, I think I know what this will turn out to be.

Material world

Found this very interesting piece of material last weekend. It's a delightfully detailed fabric - a combination of tulle, lace embroidery and sequin. At first thought, this trifecta sounds like a recipe for gaudy excess, but as this fabric proves, they can work harmoniously. And chic-ly.

This material will be an awesome dress soon!

White lace and promises

Nope, this isn't a post about that very famous song by The Carpenters. That's more of Friday Magic Madness fodder. 

Then again, The Carpenters can be enjoyed any day of the week, so here it goes:

This post is actually about a piece of lace fabric that I found while fixing "The Stash" this week. The original intent was to fix how everything was folded and make space for some newly bought fabrics. While digging through yards and yards of silk, jersey, chiffon and dupioni, I discovered a few yards of white lace at the bottom of the pile.

It was a few years old, but thanks to the magic of black plastic bags, it still looked pristine and very useable. This was guipure lace, and it had this floral motif which is once again very much in vogue.

While double checking the fabric's overall condition, I thought that it was about time for it to be made into something. After all, fabrics like these shouldn't be left stuck at the bottom of a pile, wrapped in a black plastic bag.

I have an initial idea of what this will come out as. But I think I'll hold on to it for a few more days and find a place where there's room for it to grow. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself from making that Carpenter reference. Harhar.)

Lacy days and Mondays

Whenever there's a need for lace, the usual go-to places are Carolina's and Fabric Warehouse. They have an impressive selection of lace - particularly Carolina's. After all, the company exports lace fabric to fashion houses such as Armani.

If you have a penchant for adventure and don't mind crowds, Divisoria is another good source. There's a place in 168 that I frequent, and they have nice Prada lace that's 50% cheaper compared to mall stores.

Yesterday, another lace source presented itself. While looking for buttons for my old suit in Cubao, I chanced upon this fabric store that specializes in jersey and sports fabrics. But in one corner, they had a few bolts of lace. And they were really, really, really, really nice lace.

Of course, I couldn't resist to buy a few yards for future use. Particularly, this rose gold lace with a very elegant design.

This is going to make an equally elegant dress.

A (lace) pattern forming

In the continuing saga of lace...

Most people think that lace is all about random floral patterns. But there are rare occasions where lace has this more systematic and rhythmic pattern that give it a different feel. Instead of being too frilly and girly, it becomes more architectural and art deco.

Just like this pattern. It's bereft of flowers or frill, so it's not the conventional lace.

This very unique lace fabric is from a dress that was part of Vania Romoff's capsule collection for The Ramp.

Everything about this dress is perfection. The fabric is unique, the silhouette is classic, and there's even a touch of yellow velvet to keep the look from looking flat.

It's a combination that can make non-lace believers embrace the lace trend.

Lacy lady

Here's further proof that lace is a continuing trend for the year.

Of course, we all know that there a lot of lace dresses, tops, shirts and shorts. But aside from using actual lace in clothes, some brands print lace on fabric to give that lace feel without the added layer. Just like this dress from the S/S2014 collection of Dolce and Gabbana.

Well hello there! Here's a pretty dress that I found at The Haunt. Does it look familiar?

From afar, it looks like a lace overlay, but when you come near, you'll see that it's just a trompe l'oleil -ish print.

I like how this version lowered the lace in the bust area. The space on top adds drama to the dress.

Since the dress has a very lady-like, Charles James type of silhouette, I threw in a black belt to emphasize the waist.

Overall, it's a very versatile dress that can go from Sunday brunch or to an office event. 

Heck, it will even be perfect for a 7:45 am wedding in U.P. Diliman. 

Lacy boy

Lace continues to be a big trend this season. One thing I noticed is that instead of the fine and frilly lace that most people are familiar with, designers and fast fashion brands are using guipure and chemical lace. Proof is this awesome shirt that I found in one of my haunts.

The pattern is solid and grounded, which is a departure from the frill of the usual lace.

Since the top is already girly, this shirt is best paired with something more boyish. And that's where this pair of boyfriend jeans from Loft come in.

The shoes that go with this look are ones that have a substantial and chunky heel. The perfect pair is this gray wedge shoes that Ate Lissa has had for a few years already.

Add them all together and you've got a look that girly and boyish at the same time.

I'm sure Ate Lissa will rock this look easily.

Little Style: The Becca edition

When I found out that Mona and my god daughter Becca were going to spend their Easter Sunday in Spain, I was thrilled. I spent 2 Holy Weeks in Spain, and remember how nice it was to hear mass on Easter Sunday. 

I suddenly recalled all the well-dressed families inside the church. The Moms in their pastel colored dresses, and the Dads looking dapper in a shirt, tie and blazer. The little boys would also be in jackets, while  the little girls would be in pretty dresses.

So, I decided to give Becca an Easter Sunday ensemble which she can wear when they hear Easter Sunday mass.

The centerpiece of the look is this pretty lace dress. The hue of the lace is purple, but because of the aquamarine lining, it looks more blue than violet. The cut is a classic for little girls - sleeveless, with a voluminous skirt.

Knowing how chilly the Spring weather in Spain can be, I decided to add in some extras to give much needed warmth. I found a black cardigan and black tights - two items that I also see a lot of little Spanish girls wearing.

Add them all up and you have this wonderful Easter ensemble that's going to fit right in alongside the well-dressed little Spanish girls hearing mass.

The dress is what gives it that spring vibe, and the touches of black in the belt, tights and cardigan give it an elegant touch.

And seeing how girly and modelesque Becca is, I think she'll carry this outfit very, very well.

LFLTAT: Be my Valentino

A few seasons back, Valentino came up with a collection of lace dresses which were both ultra-chic and very wearable. It debunks the myth that lace is just for weddings or for lingerie. His lace dresses were appropriate for day or night, for a party or a corporate event. 

There were many colors produced that season, but it was the emerald green one that caught my eye.

Unfortunately, there's no Valentino store in Manila. Although they carry Red Valentino in Linea Italia, I don't think they carry items from the main line. But while we don't have a Valentino store in Manila, we do have good fabric stores and dressmakers. That said, it was easy to make a Look For Less Than A Thousand.

The emerald green lace was purchased at Fabric Warehouse for P160 a yard, then brought to our trusted dressmaker who made it for a paltry sum. The result was a very Valentino dress at a not-very-Valentino price.

This old rag-lan

At the basement of SM Megamall, near Fabric Warehouse, there's a quaint fabric store that sells a lot of pretty silks in interesting prints. Among them was this pink fabric with charcoal flowers that gave it a graphic vibe and kept it from being too saccharine.

The moment I saw it, I knew it would look great as a dress. So, I bought a few yards, and off to the dressmaker I went.

For this particular fabric, the thought of raglan sleeves came to mind. For me, it's one of the more universally flattering styles. Plus, it has this relaxed vibe that reminds me of American baseball games on the 4th of July. I thought, if that relaxed vibe can be combined with a chic and elegant fabric, that would be a great combination.

So, I went over to Carolina's and bought a yard of lace fabric. From these two contrasting fabrics, the raglan dress was created.

The black lace echoed the black print of the dress, and it held the look together. Given that the sleeve style was already decided on, it was just a matter of deciding what to do with the entire dress.

For Ate Bullet, we went of a simple shift dress. She's partial to silhouettes that are sleek and classic, and the print lent itself well to this style.

For Ate Lissa, we went with something a little bit more swingy and flirty - a 50s-style dress with a full skirt.

To highlight her waist, we added a pink faux-belt which added that feeling of vintage to the dress.

Aside from the fabric and the raglan sleeve, another detail that both dresses have is the see through back. Since lace is a fabric that is known to be on the sexy side, we though of pushing the sexy envelope a bit more and altogether skipped the lining at the back.

Seeing how nice these 2 dresses came out, I think we'll have the dressmaker make a couple more raglan style dresses in the near future.

Color Story: Green day

One of my colleagues is getting married in less than a year. Needless to say, I offered to help out in any way I can. 

Her color palette is interesting, and one that's new to my eye: it's a mix of jade green and amethyst. While this is a color combination I've worked with before for my sisters' daily outfits, it's the first time I'll be working with it on a wedding.

While scouting for jade green fabrics, I came across another green hue that immediately caught my eye. It was no other than Emerald green - the color motif of Rache's wedding which we organized more than a year back.

It's been a while since I last used this color - both for weddings or for my sisters' consumption. And seeing the range of pretty Emerald green fabrics there were, it was simply hard to resist.

So, this pair composed of Emerald green georgette and lace came home with today. The lace fabric reminds me of Valentino's take on the green lace dress,

While adding these fabrics to the stash at home, I chanced upon this green belt on the pile.

Looking at these three items, my mind automatically said: "This looks like another project."

LFLTAT: Three trends

Among the recurring trends that have been appearing on magazines and on the runway, three of the more consistent ones are: 1.) sheer, 2.) lace and 3.) pastel colors. 

These three trends reminded me of this dress that I found at The Landmark about half a year ago. 

The dress was made of this sheer chiffon that looked very light and breezy. The blush color added to its ethereal quality. It's something that will look in place in a wedding, or a lazy weekend in the city. The salmon colored belt wasn't part of the ensemble, but I thought it was a nice way to ground the outfit.

When you turn the dress around, a pleasant surprise greets you. A see-through lace back, with some draping to add a bit of modesty.

What's nice is that this dress is able to pull together these 3 trends seamlessly and fashionably.

What's even better is that this whole ensemble was around P700.00 in total.

Yup, more Look for Less than a Thousand chicness for The Landmark.

Two in one

Among the biggest trends this season are lace and neon colors. Everywhere you go, someone's wearing something lacy or eye-catchingly bright.

Well, why choose one when you can wear both in one go!

I found these t-shirts at The Landmark sometime ago.

The bright colors really add pop and character to the lace design.

Two trends in one. Now that's double the style.