Green thumbs

Every city should have a real park, Makati included.

Shirt, Energie; Esprit pants, thrifted; sweater, Sisley; belt, Brave Beltworks; laceups, Marlboro Classics

I bought the shirt after I used it for a shoot.

Dandy does it

Written and styled by Miguel Paolo Celestial
Published in The Philippine Star, 5 September 2008

The devil in menswear lies in hidden sartorial details, hides its head in unobtrusive style statements. From the length of a cuff and the fold of trouser hems to the shoulder peak of jackets and intended shirt creases, there is no exhausting the devices with which to show one’s individuality. There is also the choice of jewelry, shoes, and belts, the types of patterns and prints, shirts, trousers, and headgear.

Having a careful eye for small things does not mean a man is vain or foppish, or even snobbish. All it says is that he knows how to tend to himself, has more or less mastered the things that suit him.

Outift based on this lookbook

Velvet vest from Anthology; navy long-sleeved shirt whit black polka dots, Marc by Marc Jacobs; black pants, Stitch’s; black leather belt with moose buckle, Gucci; black scarf with embroidered and sequinned detail, Vintage Shades from Adora, ; black leather patent shoes, Swear; black suede gloves, Marlboro Classics; and black fedora hat, Philosophy. Shot at Karma vintage interiors store.

Men can be the most incorrigible when it comes to burrowing out of their habits, one of which is the adherence to the notion that for one to stand out, one must first blend in. It seems we can only be slowly nudged out of it, carefully be convinced that there is so much difference between Tom, Dick, and Harry, and they can show it even if all three remain faithful to their beloved pinstripes and khaki.

The key to possessing one’s own personality is to grow into it. For style, there is a continuous progression, where each fashion choice builds to refine personal taste, so that there is nothing awkward or fake about it.

Outfit based on this lookbook

Black and white plaid pants, Diesel; white short-sleeved shirt, cK Calvin Klein; plaid bowtie, Polo Ralph Lauren; Mariche cap, from Anthology; brown leather belt with gold buckle, Brave Beltworks, and black patent leather shoes, Swear, both from Theodore’s; khaki suspenders, Marlboro Classics; red windbreaker, gold vintage watch, and electric bass guitar, stylist’s own. Shot at The Grand Thrift House.

The truly stylish man—let us call him the dandy—is not driven to be different just for its own sake. He knows he is and can’t help but express it. He won’t roll up his pants just because it’s the fad; he wears it as his own discovery. He adapts to what fits him, even if it means bending or totally breaking rules. He traces and retraces trends, goes back and forward. He never refrains himself from the joy of role-play. The dandy moves outside conventions. There is no spilled wine to his experimentation.

There is no pop star residing in him, who yearns for makeovers every season. He stays relevant by listening to himself and how his personality changes.

The dandy, like all men, takes with him things along the way, items or style devices, like souvenirs from adventures he owns because he worked for them, trekked earth and climbed mountain ranges in the journey to self-knowledge.

He has learned to capture through dressing his different moods, the fall of a facial expression, his changing shadows—all imperceptible, yet definitely present.

Outfit based on this lookbook

White lawn blazer with crest, and navy tie with white stars, both Polo Ralph Lauren; gray long-sleeved shirt with white polka dots and purple flecks, Diesel; handmade belts, Old Stud, Kent shoes, F by Friis, torn jeans, Energie, all from Theodore’s; and gold vintage watch, stylist’s own. Shot at Bellini’s Italian restaurant.

Men seem to be such incomprehensible animals, but there are always hints to personality and identity. To the attuned, attire is always telling.

What does a gold vintage automatic watch say? Studded belts and torn jeans? Fabric suspenders with leather belts? Fedoras and metal beads?

Outfit based on this lookbook

Printed polo shirt, Energie from Theodore’s; gray Zakuro jeans with print and meshed fabric detail, Mizra from Theodore’s; aqua colored cap with apache print, Diesel; maroon leather belt, McQ by Alexander McQueen from dotdotdot; gray suede shoes, Opening Ceremony; metal bead necklace, Leathers and Treasures; ethnic metal bracelet, Anthology; and 1960’s Polaroid land camera, Swapmeet Shop. Shot at White Box.

These days, snuff, linen, and lace are no longer necessary to show sophistication and taste. You don’t have to be a baron or hail from royalty. You don’t even have to be Ernest Hemingway or Oscar Wilde, Johnny Depp or Gaspard Ulliel, Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, not even The Aviator or The Talented Mr. Ripley to show any personality. Sometimes one item is all it takes: a trinket, a souvenir, something that holds a memory or captures your individuality. This and inimitable confidence: the uncanny mix.

Outfit based on this lookbook

Gray denim vest, Goldspun from Theodore’s; gray plaid jodhpurs, Anthology; black leather boots with buckles, Marlboro Classics; black fedora hat and wooden beaded necklace, both from Philosophy; ball wallet chain worn as a necklace, PBD from Theodore’s; and black woven leather belt, Armani Exchange. Shot at Old’s Kool vintage store.

Photos by Darrel Pobre for Design Arts Media Network (DAMN),
Assisted by Ardin Tuga
Hair and makeup by Benjie Angeles for Shu Uemura and Kiehls
Modeled by Carlo Adorador of Raven Models
All shot at Cubao Expo

Two all-green outfits last week

Inspired by this Mori Boy shoot.


Left: jacket, Springfield; shirt, thrifted; vest, Don Protasio; belt and pants: both Izzue. Right: wire-hem jacket, Izzue; skeleton pattern shirt, Energie; vest, Don Protasio; belt, Brave Beltworks; jeans, Trussardi Jeans

The bare bones of it

Rainy weather means it's time to bring out my jackets. This fatigue item with a ribbed collar was one of the first jackets I bought when I started working. Wearing it now as a cape, since even though it's raining, it can also be a bit humid.




Thought of writing about these Temple bags now available on Gilt, not only because they match my outfit, but because of the amazing story behind them. They look military-themed not by accident. World War II backpacks have been repurposed into duffels, while the war duffels themselves have been turned into medicine bags. (Remember how Martin Margiela made jackets and trousers from military satchels.)

The medicine bag above is also made of saddle leather and brass. Lined in natural canvas.




Ok, for the love of anything sacred I really do not know how to pose for these cameos. People have told me before that I should exert more effort, but really, I would rather indulge in facialympics than repeat my unfortunate attempts at posing, which I really shouldn't be reminding you. Maybe more inspiring settings will bring out the model in me. (Yes, those are bones of hands, not leaves on my Energie shirt.)




The U-zip duffle bag (top) uses antique nickel hardware, hopefully not picked out from spoils of war. Lined in gray chambray. The weekend duffle below uses repurposed Mule Belts as shoulder straps.




No, I didn't just witness somebody streak. Just remembered that in a few days I would be marking three years in my current job. There is already that uneasy feeling that I should be moving along now. A change of industry? Definitely a change of scene! And somewhere without a dress code, where I can report to work wearing this and being able to explore more modes of expression.




Work has felt much like this laptop bag: stern and military-grade. Though things are flexible because of its waxwear canvas, appearances stick and so does boredom. Of course I have nothing against reliability. My style after all, is based mostly on preppy.




I just need to be able to let out my crazy more often, more vivaciously, without need for editing (which is my job).


Shirt, Energie; jacket, Springfield; jeans, Bench; belt, Brave Beltworks; laceups, Marlboro Classics; Young Camel satchel, thrifted; gold watch, vintage Omega Seamster; vine and tiger's eye bracelets from Divisoria

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Don't tell anybody, but I think El Bosquejo already turned 3

I think it must have been last July 22. Who knows? It must be my impending age. I'm no longer counting the nth tweet or follower, the number of blog entries.




Is three blog middle age, the point when I must come to terms with all the things I have planned but never pushed through? Of course, the veteran bloggers out there (and lots of relatively younger ones) will be quick to boo. But hey, I'm happy doing things I never expected; this page has been a boon, if anything else, to all the other things I have been up to.




But enough of that. What I really wanted to tell you about was meeting Tina San, a fellow accessories designer (Tinitch), yesterday. Our little shopping trip to Quiapo was lovely. We even bumped into Yekky Balingit, whose quirkly and classic Miadore necklaces go well with high fashion pieces.

This series of Photo Booth shots (made when I was still sick) was supposed to be my first ever cameo video on the blog. You know, to mark this anniversary. But then again, I changed my mind and postponed that for another time.


Sweater, Springfield; floral shirt, Diesel; bone pattern shirt, Energie; bone tie necklace, OS