Five costume movies + my technicolor/monochromatic dreamcoat

Here is what I wore today. Again paired my thrifted navy blazer with jeans, but this time, also with sneakers. The Penguin tee I decided to work into the outfit to add a classic touch.

Pretty simple compared to the wardrobes used in the five DVD titles I was able to buy this afternoon: Ashes of Time (Redux) by Wong Kar Wai, Red Cliff by John Woo, The Last Metro by François Truffaut, Burn after Reading by the Coen brothers, and finally The Fall by Tarsem. Below are their trailers, plus some video covers and movie stills.


Ashes of Time (Redux)



This is probably the remaining Wong Kar Wai film I haven't seen, except for Blueberry Nights, which I have a copy of, but I haven't gotten around watching.

Wong Kar Wai + Tony Leung Chiu Wai + Maggie Cheung = the unbeatable mix. Expect the unexpected.

Red Cliff



Tony Leung Chiu Wai is also in John Woo's Red Cliff. Although I am not familiar with Woo's work, I like epic Chinese movies and am also a fan of Leung.

The Last Metro



This one I almost left in the shelf until I saw the name of the director, and once again, the lead actors. I don't think I have seen Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve so young.

I just have to say that I like the green sweater Depardieu is wearing. That's all.


Burn After Reading



Okay, so this movie is not that period, or old, but the outfits and the treatment is so contemporary American that I included it under the "costume" heading. Plus, it's by the Coen brothers, and Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton appear in it.

This was screened, I think, just for two weeks here in Manila. I wasn't able to see it, so I immediately bought the DVD when I found it.

The Fall



Now, The Fall. I wouldn't have known of its existence if it weren't for Ant of Alphabetical. How could this 2006 gem of a movie been hiding under a rock and beyond my notice?

And this is what brings me to the second half of my topic: admit it, the lead actor's vest immediately caught your attention.

Besides the band jacket detailing, it looks interesting because it reminds you of a matador. I want the button detailing for my own jacket, but since this is already very ubiquitous, I want to play with the idea of having a tailor create a hybrid.

Spencer ricamata con bottoni, Alexander McQueen; obi, Kyoto Komono. L'Uomo Vogue Gennaio 2006



I want it with the fine button and sequin detailing of this Alexander McQueen piece. I am not yet sure how I would have it made — if everything would be a shade of a single color (black or gray) or if I would use buttons and sequins (shiny or matted or both, and in different sizes) to simulate other patterns, say, python skin.

I admit that the original may have one too many buttons and it would be hard to use such a piece for day-to-day. Maybe I will just reduce the number of buttons then compelte whatever pattern I decide on with fabric. Who knows?

All I know is that I want a unique jacket all my own and with the details I am fond of. Let's see what I (and the tailor) can come up with. For now, I will have to turn Manila inside out in search of the perfect buttons and sequins. I hope the idea is feasible. Let's see!


Navy blazer, thrifted; jeans, Marlboro Classics; tee, Original Penguin; sneakers, Converse

Street photos by Patricia Suzara

The day in detail

Some days go slow, some days pass in an unrecognizable and undifferentiated blur. They start in a rush.




Like in George Seferis's poem "Epiphany", many times all we have are the details.

Here is a cross-section of what I wore today:
Tee, Penguin; trousers, Y-3; tasseled moccasins and scarf: both thirsted; PVC bag, 5cm.




The moccasins I thrifted months before. I think they go well worn sockless and with the buttoned hem of the pants.

Here I am standing on the pavement in front of our house. The office day just ended.




Even when we are already sleeping, nothing stops. The history of the day moves right beneath our eyelids. We are still traveling, archiving, our memory picking out the details. Tidying the shelves as we tidy our cabinets so we can decide what to wear the next day.

Another use for a brooch

Starting today (or was it yesterday?), mornings are once again warm and humid. Meaning I can no longer travel to work wearing a cardigan, much less carry a very thick cable knit on my back. (Only used this while I was recovering from the flu last week.) What would be nifty though is to have something to pin the sleeves of the sweater so it stays in place, so I can wear this sweater thus without me melting to a puddle on the equally gray pavement.


Photo by Patricia Suzara

Ghost stories

What makes The Sixth Sense so riveting is that the story is only fully understood at the end, when the death of Bruce Willis's character explains the seemingly insignificant parts of the plot.

It is no longer fun though, when you discover a story involving yourself. In my case involving door locks that suddenly do not function, the inexplicable smell of smoke in a bathroom, eerie sounds, and a general sense of weight in rooms. These only made sense when a neighbor confirmed similar things, and surprisingly, even sightings. The said building is not far from the place where this picture was taken, for those who can recognize it.


5cm bomber and laceups, thrifted; tee, Original Penguin; trousers, Y-3; belt from an Italian market

Sheer gray shorts with olive chukka boots

I've worn these shorts before, but with an all-gray get-up. Contrary to what my mom, friends, and even boss say, I find them decent enough to wear in public. I just have to avoid direct sunlight like a vampire — you know what I mean.

This is also the first time I'm wearing my thrifted chukkas from Pasig.




Here I am debating with my friend and exclusive photographer Trish on the merits of tailored shorts with a proper hem. I agree that I must get a real pair soon — instead of something that originally came with an equally sheer casual kimono top.


Polo shirt, Penguin; knit houndstooth jacket, Sisley; shorts and chukka boots: both thrifted; black, gray, and white striped socks, U2; shoe laces from an old Camper pair (the original suede laces are too brittle too use)

Photos by Patricia Suzara (Cecilia is leaving soon, and will be missed)