Gray uniform with a stainless steel razor brooch

Took these pictures after watching the last full show of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean. Call this my interpretation of the Thom Browne look.




This is my first prototype for a Bosquejo brooch, all pinned to a cropped gray suit jacket. Made of stainless steel razors and nuts. No, you can't use them for shaving.




It's as big as the gigantic flowers sometimes worn by women as brooches. I was actually wearing just a white v-neck that afternoon but decided to change into something both sheer and striped (also reversible).





Plan on making a smaller, less monstrous version. Can you imagine a ring with razors?


Tee, cK Calvin Klein; trousers, Muji; jacket and Clarks laceups: both thrifted; electric typewriter case repurposed into a brief

Black and white and blonde

When I was still a brunette, not so long ago, I'd get jealous of blondes wearing black. Somehow, the color just looks better on them than on guys with darker locks. It must be the contrast. So naturally, I had to try it. I must say, it does tone down the color of my crown.




Ok, don't laugh. I rarely pose. It must be the light, and the shadows. So naturally, again, I also had to do this in black-and-white.





There. Yellowish light courtesy of the streetlamp. I almost forgot about these woven laceups, first worn here. I think my hair's grown too long. Even though the salon stylist says long is good for blondes, I just had it cut.




Where is that damn car? Ok, that's the last one.




Shirt, G200; jeans, Calvin Klein jeans; belt, Izzue; sheer checkered cardigan, Bally shoes, and nylon tote: all thrifted; other tote, Penshoppe




My hair is as yellow as my teeth. At least something matches. More coffee, please!


Photos by Patricia Suzara

Baby it's warm outside

Not to mention mind-dullingly humid. As of this writing, my black roots are starting to emerge, giving my ash blonde crown a darker tinge. While I'm still getting the hang of wearing the right neutrals to go with my hair, I'm starting to get bored.




Haha, can't help missing my old brunette self. Though I don't think these frames will go as well with black. Nor will really bright hues. Next project: color blocking? (Is there anything more hackneyed?)


Tee, De Puta 69 (I'm not joking); jeans, Calvin Klein jeans; Liz Claiborne belt, Kickers sandals, and nylon tote: all thrifted; sunglasses, swag from Penshoppe

Photos by Patricia Suzara


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P.S. Just posted my first 2011 blog entry for United Blogs of Benetton, written in Filipino.

Dyeing for a change: last look?

I'll be chopping off what's left of my previously ash blonde hair soon, since my black roots are growing longer. Perfect time I think for a beige and brown outfit.




Slowly integrating pieces from Don Protasio's Holiday 2011 collection into my wardrobe. For this, I decided to match a fitted top and jacket with Don's very very baggy pants.




I love the cut. See the diagonal of the stitches? This is also a good time to wind down with loose trousers because of the rainy season: a time where I feel more comfortable with boots and skinny (or carrot-cut!) jeans.






Looking much much taller than I really am. Seems like a skirt from the side.




Now I'm thinking I'll miss the beiges and blues that go so well with blonde hair. (Though I know some of you will merely sigh in relief.)




But hey, maybe I'll be back with an even more radical hair color, maybe in a few weeks or even months. Maybe I'll surprise you again.




A little info on the polo shirt I'm wearing. Bought it from Ritual at The Collective, Malugay Street, Makati.




It is made from unbleached, undyed, handpicked cotton from Ilocos and Dumaguete in the Philipines, and is also knitted locally. The buttons are made from coconut husks and the shirt feels snug and very comfortable. (Included in this pic are the rest of my purchases: fair trade coffe and a canvas tote.)




Read about Ritual on my Benetton blog. Happy Monday!


Polo shirt, Ritual; pants, Don Protasio; espadrilles from Aldevinco, Davao

Outfit photos by Patricia Suzara

Sun-kissed

Ready or not, here is my first official cameo as a blonde. Believe it or not, I've had these baggy, pleated trousers since high school. Yes, some things do not change.

Besides my hair, you'd also notice the new way I'm cropping my pics. Please just click on them to see a larger, more detailed version.




This is my second get-up for Philippine Fashion Week. Decided to tone things down because of: 1) the heat, 2) I was hoping the color of my hair would not stand out too much, and 3) it felt like a t-shirt day.




I do love though, how my hair catches the sun, shining like a noonday grin. What do you think?




And since my hair now goes with it, I decided to wear the first prototype for my eight and final collection for Bosquejo, which I have decided to call Midas.


Tee and jacket: Izzue; trousers, G200; belt, A.P.C.; Kickers sandals, thrifted; necklace, Bosquejo

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Dyeing for a change: color lesson #1

So I finally did it. Since (I thought*) I had time to spare, I headed to the salon and had my hair bleached and dyed. I'll confess to you that the moment the black started to turn to brown then blonde, I instantly missed how I looked. Above is "before".




Here is how I look now. (Gasp!) Though I expected something darker and closer to ash (hair color is "medium ash blonde"), I think the primary reason this pic is not as nice as the first is that now my clothes do not go with my "coloring"**. I have been so used to black hair, that I can predict even before I put something on that it will look good on me.

So instead of crying over spilled melanin***, I'll take this change as a challenge to rethink the way I dress.



Henley, Zara; spring blazer and Converse sneakers: both thrifted; jeans, Maison Martin Margiela; skinny belt, A.P.C

* I finished near 11pm, after what must have been more than three hours.
** Fine, I can accept that black may look better on me.
*** Oh hell, there's always a first time.

Dyeing for a change: Noma Han

The last time I had my hair dyed, it was a deep shade of brown. So deep that only a handful of people knew I had anything done. And it was only perceptible under the sun. Now I find myself suddenly drawn to the exact opposite: am contemplating having my locks bleached and dyed something very light. Platinum blonde, a shade or gray, or perhaps even silver.




Of course I am not a model like Noma Han and it may be utter foolishness to even think about it.




No jawline, cheekbones, or arched eyebrows for the total effect.




No plan to have my ears pierced just to wear black ear pieces to match my black eyebrows, which I do not want to touch.




Again I am thinking too much about something that should really just be done on impulse.




But here I go, nonetheless. I may not be able to wear black earrings (plugs?), but I can wear a black headband, to be matched with a black-and-white wardrobe. Won't that be spiffy? An actual uniform! Of course the style is also important. That's why I'm growing my hair out a bit. Enough time for me to decide.




In the meantime, here is an editorial with Noma, just to give an idea what kind of clothes go with the hair color.




This time, I can no longer delay buying a pair of shades.




More white tees and shirts, black jeans and trousers. The advantage of being a platinum blonde is that the slightly yellow color goes well with denim.




Or skin! Haha, in tanks of course. Tattoos? Hmmm… One step at a time…




I know there is a possibility that I may instantly regret losing my black hair, which I think goes with everything. Subtle and unobtrusive.




But then again, I have always been crazy. In a not wholly understandable way.


More to come very very soon...

Making a kimono work

Not to mention wearing it at work. I think it was inevitable that I couldn't sustain a "blazer week" of cameos for this blog, what with the unpredictable weather. I only had the idea of five days of jackets since it was raining a lot last week.

And then the sun decided to come out, singing.




So did my neglected white leather Fred Perry sneakers, which are starting to look like their Converse predecessors. Whatever happened to my embroidered Guccis, I wonder.




You must think my sweat is already dripping in buckets. It was high noon but I didn't flinch. I didn't have to.




Look at the wonderful zigzag and floral pattern of this kimono, even the matt texture. Wore a white polo shirt underneath so the pattern wouldn't be lost. Though I have worn this black on black, and the effect is still something else.





My new trusty friend you have already met. What I didn't tell you in my last post was that I had just bought this Bally brief on the same day since it was on sale from the label's Spring 2011 collection. What can I say? I love the lock, the durable handle, the soft calfskin leather, the fact that it sort of collapses when there's not much inside.

That has always been my idea of the perfect bag: soft leather, expandable yet durable enought to carry my laptop, some books, and my usual things. This Bally brief might just be it.




As the sun came out, so did my black roots. I must admit, I've been getting used to myself as a(n) (ash) blonde. Not just in terms of my "coloring" and matching how I look with my clothes, but also, with my attitude. Haha. It has been easier to be irreverent (though I don't really need help) when I'm not taken as seriously. For me, that is half the fun.




The brief is wider than my Cambridge satchel, but slim enough to look subtle. Though of course, the soft leather doesn't look nice when it's lumpy.




I'll be back to show you even more weather-friendly kimonos. Happy Sunday!


Polo shirt, Zara; jeans, Calvin Klein Jeans; leather sneakers, Fred Perry; briefcase, Bally; kimono, thrifted

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Snapped at Philippine Fashion Week

Thanks again to Edrick of Happy Laboratory for taking this first set of pics, from the last day of Philippine Fashion Week, when my hair was still a little longer, and grayer.


Tee, Hanes; jeans, Neil Barrett; Bally woven laceups and nylon tote: both thrifted; stainless steel razor necklace, Bosquejo




Before that, Mika of Manila Streetstyle took my pic, though my hair looks green here and not ash blonde. But I must admit, blonde gives a totally different perspective on blue. As if the color loved you.


Tee and sweater, Zara; drawstring pants, Marks & Spencer; necklace, OS; espadrilles from Spain; bigger tote at the back, designed by Ricky Villabona; suede brief, vintage