Marc Jacobs Samples Are Size Four And NOT Size Zero

Okay ladies, now that the New Year is about to set in, I'm sure that most of you are already considering on going on a diet after pigging out during the holidays. Some, might even want to retrieve the model size weight they used to have. But before you start wearing those gym outfits that are rotting inside your closets, take a look first at the size figures of the models on the runway.

I was looking at a few runway shots in the recent Marc Jacobs fashion show this year and I was shocked with what I discovered: most designer samples that are used on the runway shows range from size 2 to size 6 and not "size zero" as what the media likes to portray. I took part in several fashion shows here in Manila and most of the time, even the designers here are saying that they use size zero for all their models on the runway.So, just to prove a point, I went inside a Marc Jacobs fashion show and took a photo of one of their clothes to be worn on the runway.

Click! Click! Click! That's Not A Size Zero- It's A Size Four

This top was a Marc Jacobs original spring 2011 runway sample that was specially flown in from New York to be used in this year's catalog. I checked the other clothes that were shipped and guess what- they're all size four!

I know that models have a reputation and an image they go by. However, I sometimes find it funny that whenever the media take photo shots at this whole size zero a debate. It's true, models are skinny, but that's no excuse not to get their facts right. They need to take into account the proportions of these models. Most models are super tall, giving the illusion that their limbs are longer than what they are. i highly doubt the average model is a textbook size zero, given the sizes of their waists and hips.

So if you think that you need to lose a lot of weight just to fit in to a size zero this New Year- think again.

Going Casual

I love it whenever someone appraises me with how I look and what I'm wearing. Having lost a lot of weight over the past few months has helped me improve my style and my new career as a socialite has done wonders for my social life and my social connections. What can I say- my life is almost perfect!

I attended this fashion gala at the Shangri-La hotel a few days ago- and as you can imagine, everyone on the A-List are there. Celebrities, some politicians, fashionistas, and the top socialites of Manila are all present for this December gala. It's like fashion week in New York- only local.

A fashion event as big as this normally requires it's attendees to come in their formal wear. I came in a much different style- and everybody loved it. Fashion is ever changing and even the most staple of all styles can go out of style in a blink of an eye. With fashion statements being ephemeral from time to time, true socialites and fashionistas must be chameleons if they wanted to stay on top of the fashion runway. This season, casual style is in.

Chace Crawford At The NYFW

I got the idea from Chace Crawford himself. His outfit at the New York Fashion week is simple, casual and yet very elegant. No uptight suits that could almost cut off your circulation and with this kind of style, you're free to move any way you want! Not to stuffy and not too shabby.

Gone are the days when suits are in and you're obliged to come in your best Armani attire. Fashion is a little more loose these days. The looser the better. But still, small details are being taken into consideration. You cannot just appear off-dressed and call yourself fashionable. It all goes with style , the body and the clothes you wear. Not everybody can pull off a Serena van der Woodsen look- and not all are Chuck Bass.

Since fashion is not really a common interest for men, let me share some real nice and basic looks to go casual this season. While most men will just wear anything that they can get their hands on to in their closet, some who are fashion conscious and in the same line of work as me would actually care if their shoes match their pants or their shirts clashes with their jeans. Here are some basic casual looks any man can go for:

Tops
Tops are very important. Most of the time people would look at what you're wearing beginning from the shirt you decided to pick out at that moment. Guys, wearing tops are very basic but the style to make them look really nice can be tricky. You don't just wear them and tuck them in your pants like you used to! Wear 3/4 folded up sleeves as your basic top for an everyday smart casual wear. Collect the basic colors first  like black, brown, dark green or blue before buying shirts with prints. If you decided to buy printed tops though- avoid big and wild designs as much as possible. Go for a more subdued but classy casual look.You can wear these tops together with a pair of slacks, jeans or even shorts (yes- you can wear them with shorts!)

  

Where To Buy Tops: Topman, Zara for men, Folded & Hung, Arrow, Hermes, Hugo Boss, Burberry,  Lacoste, Myth by Randy Ortiz, Paul Smith, 

Pants
Wear darker jeans (gray or black) instead of denim because you can use them as an alternative for formal trousers. Skinny jeans are okay if you're slim but if you're a bit heavy on top, go get the straight cut, boot cut or twister style. If you are a slacks person, do not wear the pleated type. These would only make your pants look traditional and out of style.

Where To Buy Jeans: Seven Jeans For All Mankind, Calvin Klein, Marithe & Francois Girbaud, Levis, Diesel, DKNY, People Are People, Gas, Human, Viktor Jeans

Layer
Layering is very important if you're going for the sleek casual look with class. Most men basically forgets this thinking that a simple top and pants would do. But if you're going for style and class like me, layering is always part of the get up. You can wear thin cardigans instead of bulky jackets. Knitted vests are okay as long as its color go with your base clothing. What's important to remember here is that layering must go with your base clothing. Never clash the two. If you're wearing a top with collar, never wear a sports jacket with it! Colors are basic. Black, brown, tan and darker shades are all good choices.

 Where To Buy Layers: G2000, Topman, Zara for men, Myth by Randy Ortiz, Hermes, 158 Designers Boulevard

Accessories
Accessories are a must if you're going for that casual but classic look. Though many actually do not notice it, but contrary to what most people think, accessories are not just for the ladies. Even men are expected to wear accessories that can glam up the look while still keeping that casual style in check. Invest on long lasting accessories like a formal watch and white gold (or silver if you can't afford white gold) bracelet. Remember, though men wear accessories, we keep them to a minimum. Over accessorizing your get up will make you look gay- if not a starchy dresser!

 

Where To Buy Accessories: There's a lot of shops where you can buy really nice accessories and watches. Scout around. I don't normally stick to just one shop for this. But check out Imono at the Mall Of Asia. They have really good stuff there!

Shoes
Shoes are by far the trickiest part of dressing up. Most guys stick to just one basic shoes and wears it all the time no matter what the occasion is. Some only own two pairs- 1 leather and 1 rubber shoes. Stylist would definitely frown at this idea. While women can have a whole closet filled with shoes, so can we men!  Start buying more than just 1 kind of shoes. Stick to basic colors like black, gray, tan and a pair of white sneakers. If you think pointed lace-up shoes are too gay, then try boat shoes or desert design instead. However,  remember that even as you buy shoes, the shoes you buy should match with the clothes you own.

Where To Buy Shoes: Bally, Franco Sarto, Fred Perry, Hideout Shoe Salon, Hush Puppies, Marithe  & Francois Girbaud, Salvatorre Ferragamo, Tony Burch, Trod,

Going casual is all about style at the most relaxed moment. Nothing too stuffy and too uptight. IIf you want to update your wardrobe with this kind of look, I am recommending neutral colors (tan, khaki, taupe, beige), gray shades, black and white. These colors look more professional and smart. It’s better if you always make yourself look presentable especially if you have clients, or you're going to a party or a soiree on the upscale class. This does not only enhance your style but it can also enhance your career. Who you are is what you wear.

Gossip Girl Brings Reality With Elegence And Style Back On TV

Admit it. With the recent invasion of Koreanovelas and sad fated Philippine Teleseryes these days, it's hard to find good quality TV programming. No wonder cable was invented! If I have to rely on the cheap TV programs being aired on the local channels today, I'd be dead by now out of sheer boredom. Good thing that I haven't forgotten the joy of watching cable and surfing the net for the best series to follow.

It has been a year since I got hooked on Gossip Girl . At first I was thinking this might be another teen show with lots of love-sick heroes and people singing all the way through the end of the show (sorry, I was never a fan of High School Musical wannabes like Glee). But all that changed when I saw the first episode of Season 1. For those who haven't watched a single episode of GG, and has no idea what I'm talking about, here's the gist of the series:

Gossip Girl: (Top: Chuck Bass, Jenny Humphrey, Dan Humphrey & Vanessa Abrams. Below: Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen & Nate Archibald)

WHAT IS GOSSIP GIRL ALL ABOUT?

Gossip Girl is an American drama series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The story is mainly focused on the lives of 6 young people (later became 7 in Seasons 2-4) in the Upper East Side and the controversies and scandals that follow them. Gossip Girl is a blog website so it basically posts the day by day activities of these young Upper East Siders who happens to belong to the top families in New York.

THE CAST AND CHARACTERS OF GOSSIP GIRL:

Serena van der Woodsen

Serena van der Woodsen is the "it girl" of the Upper East Side. She returned from Knightley Boarding school in Connecticut to rebuild her life back in the UES after escaping there to get away from a scandal. She's the modern day version of Barbie and is one of the sought after girls in New York A Paparazzi-favorite, Serena struggles to reform her life from the "girl in the spotlight" to just having a normal life.

Serena's best friends with Blair Waldorf and is Dan Humphrey's constant on-and-off girlfriend. She attended Constance Billard High School and went off to attend Columbia in college after taking a year off from college to decide what she's going to do with her life.

Blair Waldorf

Blair Waldorf  is the "Queen Bee" of the social scene of Manhattan and Constance Billard High School. A top achiever, she is the only child of a famous fashion designer in New York. She's the first girlfriend of Nate Archibald but is Chuck Bass' true love.

Blair is often portrayed as haughty, shallow, scheming but intelligent. Despite of her uptight and frivolous nature, she is in contrast with her best friend Serena. Despite her snobbish ways as well, she is a good loyal friend who takes care and constantly looks out for those she cares about.

Dan Humphrey

Dan Humphrey is considered a loner. The son of a rock musician turned art gallery owner, Dan is well known for his wit and sarcastic responses. He doesn't live on the Upper East Side like everybody else but he sure has a way with women on the A-List.

He is Serena's on-and-off boyfriend in the series and one of the brightest kids in St. Jude High School. He attends NYU after being turned down by Yale due to financial reasons but still managed to shine as one of the gifted writers in this generation.

Nate Archibald

Nate Archibald is the so called "golden boy" on the Upper East Side. Initially torn between Serena and Blair, Nate finds himself frequently making life decisions throughout the series. The son of a wealthy business magnate and closely related to the Vanderbilts, Nate is one of the most sought out bachelors in New York.

Nate is best friends with Chuck and a constant confidant of Dan Humphrey. He has dated all the women in the A-Listers circle (Serena, Blair, Jenny & Vanessa) but managed to be friends with them after their affairs ended. This golden boy can be seen as dependable and a good shoulder to lean on. He attends Columbia University.

Jenny Humphrey

Jenny Hummphrey was introduced as a freshman at Constance Billard with a desire to carve her own place with the in-crowd. She is Dan's little sister and often in trouble with her dad. She's ambitious and often referred to as a social climber. She has tight relations with Blair who she used to idolize and later on with Serena after her attempt to break Serena and Nate's relationship.

Jenny has made her mark in the series from becoming an upstanding socialite to falling from grace and later becoming the most hated character. She managed to ruin relationships all for wanting to achieve "Queen" status. Her social climbing days on the UES ended when she went to boarding school in Hudson at the end of Season 3.

Chuck Bass

Chuck Bass is the only son of the wealthiest man on the Upper East Side. Cynical, world-weary, suave and goodlooking, Chuck has no qualms about living life on the edge. Best friends with Nate. He is the most connected kid on the Upper East Side. He is madly inlove with Blair despite his womanizing.

Chuck's character has evolved all throughout the series; from being the anti-hero in Season 1 to becoming a well loved character in Season 2 onwards. His devotion for Blair has almost severed his friendship with Nate, but sacrificed his feelings for her so Nate and Blair can be happy together. He ended up being Blair's boyfriend in Season 3 but their relationship came to a halt at the end of the season after he slept with little J.

THE VIEW OF THE UPPER EAST SIDE

A friend of mine once told me she doesn't like Gossip Girl because of the issues it brings up and the influence it has on people. I asked her if she has ever watched a single episode of the series and she said "No. Why would I watch a series that is all about gossip?" Well, here's my response to you: If you haven't watched a single episode of Gossip Girl then you have no right to judge what it's all about and to say even the least that you don't approve of it's morale. You don't know what you're talking about because you have no idea what it's all about in the first place! I watched a few episodes of Glee and decided I hated it; but I didn't just go off saying I loath it without knowing what it was about. If you want people to listen to you, you must have your facts straight first. That's what I learned from Gossip Girl and you had to admit I was right and within reason.

The life on the Upper East Side is far from perfect but it brings reality to a new level of awareness. Behind the facade of the lavish life in New York lies a story about people... real people- not like the soap operas and telenovelas with surreal story plots you can watch on the local tube. Relations are the center point of this TV-series with conflicts, back stabbings, secrets and feuds many people can relate to regarding relationships with partners, friends, family, and best friends. If Gossip Girl was a cake, the base would be 7th heaven. The berries would be Sunset Beach and the glazing on top would be O.C. No surprise there because Gossip Girl's producer is Josh Schwartz who happens to be the brain behind O.C. (and you would know that if you stop watching cheap filipino telenovelas and koreanovelas).

GOSSIP GIRL'S FASHION INFLUENCE

The New OLPMC Uniform

Since New York is the fashion capital of the world, we can definitely learn a thing or two about fashion with the likes of Serena, Blair, Dan, Nate, Chuck, Jenny & Vanessa.

Gossip Girl has widely influenced the world and there's no denying that. The school that I went to in High School has just recently updated their uniforms to a similar match with Constance Billard & St. Judes Academy. Not to mention that a lot of people nowadays are beginning to dress up just like the cast of the show. How "in" is that?

Gossip Girl: Constance Billard & St. Jude High School

The craze doesn't stop there- even the ladies would have to agree that headbands became an "in" thing this season because it has been a staple accesorry for Blair Waldorf and her mean girls. Jennifer Behr has widely produced this trend by copying her styles with the ones on the show.

Blair Bands On Gossip Girl

Even the men was not able to escape the Gossip Girl influence. Several websites and blogs can be found on the net today gicing advices on how to dress like Chuck, Nate & Dan.

St. Jude Wannabes

The Gossip Girl hype is all over the world. It's either people are blind or they just wouldn't admit it. What better way to be fashionable anyway than be just like an Upper East Sider?

So before you start judging me and my passion for Gossip Girl, look deep into yourself. You know you have more issues to deal with rather than my fascination with the UES. Some of just know how to handle life in style- while some don't.

You know you love me...

XoXo

Chuck Bass

The September Issue

For those people working in the fashion industry, the month of September is the January  of fashion. I recently watched this indie film out of curiosity and being egged on by a friend who worked in  for Metro Magazine. 

The September Issue is actually a documentary film that showed the busy life of American Vogue Magazine's EIC, Ms. Anna Wintour. The film depicts her life and work and exhibits the production of Vogue's September 2007 issue (I know- this movie is 3 years late). The movie was released in American theaters on August 28, 2009. It was released in Australia on 20 August, 2009 after being screened at numerous film festivals including Sundance, Zurich, Silverdocs and Sheffield Doc/Fest.

The September Issue

The film depicts the effort that goes into making the magazine, and the passion that Grace Coddington, a former model turned creative director and the only person who dares to stand up to Anna Wintour, has for the highly-regarded fashion magazine. In the film, Coddington is often portrayed as the leading victim to Wintour's aggressive personality. The director (RJ Cutler) emphasized Wintour being meticulous as she sacrifices the efforts of Vogue’s creative director Grace Goddington because she rejects most of Grace’s works as the days count down to the “close” of the issue. However, the relationship between Wintour and Coddington reveals itself to be symbiotic as Wintour recognizes Coddington's expertise and keen eye for design. In the end, Wintour approves most of Coddington's ideas and they appear in the final version of the September issue. Very notable in the film is Wintour's character as she was portrayed to be very aggressive and has top influence among the designers regarding which trends should be in or out. This documentary is like a déjà vu of The Devil Wears Prada and Anna Wintour is the real-life Miranda Priestly.

Sienna Miller & Anna Wintour

 I fell inlove with Wintoour's character ( just the way I did with Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada). She exudes character amidst the fabulous life she led as an EIC for Vogue. This is quite an eye opener for me- since I never knew how much work, planning, strategy, and creativity that goes into a magazine; even if it's just a fashion magazine. Most people don't realize that fashion is an important factor that greatly affects our lives. To some, fashion is just glitz and glamor. This film shows that not all that glitters is gold and not every person who is interested in fashion is a total airhead. Though the story doesn’t really revolve around clothing and style, you’ll understand how serious the fashion industry is after watching this film.

One quote in the film caught my attention, and I believe this is the main message of The September Issue. According to Anna Wintour: "I think what I often see is that people are frightened about fashion. Because it scares them or make them feel insecure they just put it down. On the whole people that may say, the mean-y things about our world I think that's usually because they feel, in some ways, excluded or not part of the 'cool group' so as a result they just mock it."

If you haven't seen this film yet, I highly recommend that you watch it. Specially if you're not interested in fashion- not a fashionista or a socialite. This film is bound to open your eyes and make you see things differently about the world of fashion and glamor. Who knows, you just might learn a thing or two and maybe even stop judging us who live and breathe the world of fashion.