The splendid Raffles Dubai’s Gizza Room serving as the venue of an afternoon get- together- party was simply fabulous.Highly equipped with the latest in technology, it boasts a business and corporate style reception, personalized service and sumptuous cocktails,making the event a success.

ILLUSTRADO MAG’S 3RD ANNIVERSARY

Illustrado Magazine’s Publisher and Editor-in- Chic, Ms. Lalaine Chu Benitez hosted the event and showed lots of spunk and style in a champagne colored sleeveless Ralph Lauren ensemble, accentuated with exotic wood choker by PJ Araňador, Boracay based accessory designer.The unusual match of Lauren and the Bora piece gave a new statement to style.

Editor-in-Chief ILLUSTRADO MAGAZINE

Ronette Pagtakhan”not just looking good,but looking healthy” Illustrado’s Administrator came in a dark red floral print blouse,reminiscing summer in the tropics .

The glossy monthly magazine remained true to its illustrous stand of uplifting Pinoys in global perspective.Catering not only to the local community,the magazine’s high standard approach to style, fashion, tourism and diversities are laudable and noteworthy.

The invitation only affair was well attended. Designers represented the fashion emirates like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujairah.

The BATTLE OF THE BAGS

Undettered by the ongoing workloads, designers flocked the venue in different distinctive styles.Recession?..what recession?..twas a masquerade of high end brands flaunting to high notes.Anyway fashion is not just about cuts and colors, it is also about the designers weekend doing the improvised catwalk, the party as an excuse.Some emerged in glam look, others in quirky style and the rest in modest low profile appearance.

Ezra Santos' Ethereal Style

The Only One Ezra Santos, one of Dubai’s top fashion designers, can only be described as ethereal….only Ezra can totally pull out the “look”.
Donning an Armani pants in light gray with white Zara top shirt, the Louis Vuitton neck scarf add the cooler than thou essentials.Brown San Marino shoes matched the fluid brown leather wrap around belt.What else could finish the killer look than the most coveted fashion accessory whose waiting lists are closed.. huge amount of money and little luck brought this HERMES Kelly Bag!!!!

Ditching the monotone to classic, Bandoix Flores came with a vengeance.Notoriously feisty, he put a concoction of style summing up a flambouyant look only a Bandoix Flores could muster.An Elie Tahari flair pants with a Piana Loro Beige suit,a Gianfanco Ferre’ shoes in black that matched his Salvatore Ferragamo shades.The HERMES’ scarf in yellow and brown prints finished the look.Again, the loud and clear scream of the most wanted…the exclusivity of HERMES’ Birkin Bag.
The Hermes’ Birkin is the most sought after and most famous bag in the world. Named after Jane Birkin- the actress who complained during a flight that she cant find a spacious and durable bag for traveling, in which later on the president of HERMES’ presented her the BIRKIN BAG named after the actress .With a five year waiting list,…the most expensive sold at 64,800 dollars at an auction with part diamond encrusted lock.
The Kelly bag was ahead of Birkin and also a celebrity bag named after GRACE KELLY, Monaco’s Princess Grace.

And the battle of the bags began……….

FASHIONIZHCKA

The Fashionizhcka, Izhcka Zeta for you, opted a street glam.Chino cotton shirt with Diesel washed denim made it rock style with a sport PRADA shoes and a BALENCIAGA eyewear.The over size GUCCI bag dazzled the complete look making IZHCKA ZETA -The fashionista!!

DUBAI'S HEAVY WEIGHT....!

The Creative Director of the HOUSE OF MICHAEL CINCO COUTURE, the talented and famous MICHAEL CINCO,taunted as the next big thing has a double meaning.Duplicating the bigger than life success of his fashion shows in Manila and the US…is his increasing waistline.. a desperate attempt to hide the unwanteds by covering it with a limited edition of LOUIS VUITTON bag.A faded jeans with Lycra black shirt and PRADA SHOES, that’s MC….!

Filling the gap was Ruben Santos in vintage Roberto Cavalli tropical shirt with a monogram classic brown LOUIS VUITTON.The cool and charming Albert Andrada, Fujairah’s Royal Designer came in DAMIER GRAPHITE LOUIS VUITTON BAG that match his graphite color shirt and pants.The elusive Ralph Ramirez just recent on his Paris trip, came in another LV DAMIER GRAPHITE BAG, with LOUIS VUITTON SHOES and LOUIS VUITTON BELT.Angelo Estera in white cotton shirt with a BOTTEGA VENETA BAG and Y3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO sport shoes.
And the rest was historical in their ways….
ALBERT DE GUZMAN BASMAYOR, ALBERT GONZALES FONTANILLA,CELSO COLLADO DAHIL, TIM TEJARES,JOSEL HIDALGO,REY GONZAGA,BASIL YUNTING,HENRY RONQUILLO,ROD BALINGIT,RENE SANTOS,EROS GOZE,IGNACIO LOYOLA,RICK VALENZUELA AND JOSEPH CURIOSO IN DOLCE AND GABBANA MESSENGER BAG.

MY ILLUSTRADO COLUMN IS COMING OUT MONTHLY,FOCUSING ON FASHION,LIFESTYLE,PERSONALITIES AND EVERYTHING WORTH WRITING FOR.THE MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO PLEASE MYSELF,MASSAGING MY EGO NOT ONLY WITH CHANEL NO.5 BUT ALSO THE OTHER SIDE OF MY ACID PERSONALITY.I DONT BLOG JUST FOR THE HECK OF BLOGGING,I DONT LIKE TO BE TAGGED -JUST ANOTHER BLOGGER!I DONT DO TRAFFICS,I DONT CRAVE FOR ADS AND FREE LOADING TICKETS..I FLY PARIS,LONDON,MILAN,SWITZERLAND,AMSTERDAM AND BANGKOK WITH MY OWN WALLET(VERSACE)….I DONT PLAY VIRTUAL FARMS..I HAVE MY OWN HUGE FARM….MY LV COLLECTION WAY BACK 80′S…NOMADE LV IS MY FAVORITE ONE……….WHAT EVER LIFE’S INCONSISTENCIES,INSECURITIES,HAVES,HAVE NOTS….BOIL TO ONE THING…..YOU HAVE IT….FLAUNT IT.