Rips and pleats

So I woke up yesterday morning wanting to wear something shiny. I hadn't used this American Boulevard shirt for quite some time so I decided to fish it out. Only problem was it had always been a little too long, so I decided, with brave finality, to shorten the hem myself. With nothing but scissors.

Shirt, American Boulevard; ripped jeans, Neil Barrett; thrifted belt; stainless steel abacus necklace, from 168; white leather sneakers (not seen), Converse; briefcase (below), Tyler

Of course I was hoping that the rough edges would also give it a raw feel, but after finishing with the act, that became the least of my problems. The shirt was this time too short! I was near to running late for work, so, with another spur of the moment decision, I sent for a few safety pins.

The damage control looked like this. I need stitching along the upper hem, but I have to decide exactly how to re-attach the part I cut to give that layered effect. More safety pins, studs, gimlets...do you have any ideas? Do you think I should repeat the process for the sleeves?

Whatever I do, I want to retain the raw effect. I think this accident promises a good first DIY project.

As the excitement of the day wore off, I traded my ripped shirt for this pleated one and changed sneakers for an adidas event.

Tuxedo shirt, Zara; ripped jeans, Neil Barrett; thrifted sneakers, Gucci; watch, Omega Seamaster

Outdoor photos by Patricia Suzara

Bosquejo Bauble: Amulet necklace 2

Here's another one. Apologies for the blurry photograph. Have to rush to the shows.

Completed this outfit with a black and white patterned scarf.


Tee, British India; Izzue jeans and cotton tie: both thrifted; filigree belt, Brave Beltworks; leather sneakers, Converse; necklace, DIY

Street photo by Patricia Suzara

Complementary polka dots

I had already decided the night before that this Saturday would be another day for shorts. (I had cut down another pair of jeans the night before.) My mind made up, I went out of the shower to discover the sky dark and glowering. Hence the sweater.

Though the shorts came from a pair of baggy pants, I think the stiff and untailored effect goes well with a fit shirt. The tie as belt was likewise an afterthought - a way to make another rainy day a little bit happier.


Polka dot shirt, Topman; polka dot tie and tote, thrifted; jeans now denim shorts, Guess; sweater, Sisley; leather sneakers, Converse; gold watch, Omega Seamaster

Bosquejo Bauble: Amulet necklace

This necklace is part of what I wore today. I have been talking about men's accessories for quite some time. So this is my first DIY attempt to bring together my thoughts on the matter.

My first idea is to use amulets commonly sold in Manila for good luck or to bring specific fortunes to those who wield them. The amulets, or anting-anting in the vernacular, come in a mix of sacred and profane iconography typical of the country's folk Christianity.

I have opted to get rid of all religious and superstitious associations in order to focus on the design.


CX Prêt-à-porter shirt, wool tie, Structure leather belt: all thrifted; jeans, Calvin Klein Jeans; pullover, French Connection; laceups, Marlboro Classics; bag, Tyler; necklace, DIY

Though some may argue that the first necklace looks too feminine, it may either be that there are still some chinks in the design, or that it may only be a matter of interpretation. Nevertheless, I have created this second version that I expressly intend for use by women. My sister has already asked for it.

Hopefully, I'll be able to create more necklaces to expound on this first idea, before I move on to the next.


Bought the amulets from Quiapo

New old denim shorts

So I was at Topman, fitting denim cargo shorts that I was about to purchase, before I remembered that I had so many pairs of jeans languishing in my cabinet.

I picked out this old pair, which, although weren't cargo pants, had the same exposed pocket detailing. At Manila's 30℃, the heat is no longer funny, and I think I should be wearing shorts as much as possible - like on weekends - not just because it's summer, but because it's already becoming uncomfortable. So I brought out my scissors and cutter to do the job.

I'd say not bad. I just have to bring them to the tailor to have the back part hemmed. Or maybe, since they're denim, I'd let the fabric fray...but then again, we're talking about shorts here - meaning not much length to spare.

Studded tee, Zara; denim shorts formerly known as jeans, Lee; leather belt, Izzue; sneakers, Surface to Air; leather duffel, thrifted; scarf, SM Department Store

Looking in my closet, I find more items to turn into summer companions - from denim to chinos and fatigues. I think I may soon be needing this pair of "power scissors". Now if only there were also handheld hemming devices.

As for tailored shorts, either I have my slacks altered or get the real thing.

Total tote

Just bought this navy blue tote from a discount outlet of American Boulevard. Got it for PhP199.50 (about US$4).

Planned to remove the patch right after I got home, but decided to accessorize the bag instead. Placed on the left pocket some pins I collected on my travels, to balance the patch. The keychain fully personalizes the tote.

What drew me to it, besides its color, were the pockets. Two narrow and deep ones on each side - one good for a foldable umbrella and the other for a water bottle. The pockets in front can accomodate my camera, laptop wires, iPod, headphones, etc. Most often neglected, but highly appreciated, is an almost hidden zippered compartment on the other side of the tote - good for tissue, a folded newspaper, a magazine, or the current novel I'm reading.

Maybe also bills and receipts, but how can I even think of them when I just got this great bag for a steal. (And that's not even mentioning how much I like the button strap detail.)

Bosquejo Bauble: Amulet medallions

This would probably be the last piece in Bosquejo Bauble's first series of accessories. Next, I hope to dabble with a mix of other unconventional materials. Something from the hardware store, perhaps? Pearls and precious stones? Buttons? The list doesn't end.

I paired this necklace with a wooden mask pendant from Camiguin. I think the combination does well to complement the neutral palette. The vest also came from my last thrift shop trip.

Tee, Armani Exchange; pants, Y-3; vest and Gucci leather sneakers: both thrifted; wooden necklace from Camiguin; amulet necklace, DIY; tiger's eye bracelet, 168; Omega Seamaster watch, heirloom

Just adopted: Gray suede Opening Ceremony saddle shoes by The Dandy Project

Remember these Opening Ceremony saddle shoes? Well they've finally found a home.



Now they will no longer languish in my room dreaming of the places they would be going to.



Met up with Izzy of The Dandy Project yesterday to hand him the pair. Don't you think the derbies match his whistle and Casio watch well?



I've been following The Dandy Project for quite some time. Here are my favorites among his tailored projects. This first shirt is actually made from chiffon. Don't you just love the pattern?



This next one reminds me of kiwi fruit. I really should start visiting the local fabric store to begin my own creations.

High and low, Up and up

Took this after we watched UP, which may not have been one of the best thought-out stories from Pixar, but the cute, crazy, and totally implausible bits made the movie endearing.

Standing before a dry fountain in this photo, but since it was raining while we watched the film, the streets were wet. Big mistake to wear espadrilles in uncooperative weather. Rope stays wet for quite a while.

cK Jeans shirt, vest, tie, agnes b. leather and canvas messenger: all thrifted; jeans, Jil Sander; belt (not seen), APC; espadrilles from Davao



But who cares, the movie just finished and squishy soles did not dampen my enthusiasm for what we just watched. In terms of fashion and literary devices, I really liked the part when the passing of time was shown by Ellie tightening Carl's many colorful ties.



Incidentally, my temporary high was enough to inspire me to snap pictures for my photo blog, Draft of Shadows, which I have just decided to reformat. Here are three scenes I passed by while I was walking back to Ayala Avenue.



Like in the case of Disney's Lilo & Stitch, I firmly believe the writer was on crack when he was crafting some of the hilarious sequences.



If only we can fly away from it all — work, traffic, flooding. But then again, how long can you manage not updating your blog?



I just noticed that for most of the movie Carl was wearing a bowtie, probably even in silk. Remember his well-coordinated ensembles (suit complete with vest) each time he and Ellie would climb their little hill?



How peaceful their life must have been...



Carl's outfits were surely no competition against this "prehistoric" bird's plummage, but have you met a more stylish balloon salesman ?


Outift photo by Patricia Suzara

The six-ring DIY necklace

During my necklace-making hiatus, a friend asked if I could copy something. Copy! Though someone has already accused me of copying designs, I have never intentionally mimicked another person's work.



Then again, I am using "DIY" as part of this post's title, which has come to refer to people "copying", in their own creative ways, what designers show on the runways. For this piece, I just wanted to call it DIY because it serves as a prototype of sorts since I haven't actually used leather in my works.

Left: Manila-based Brazilian model wearing what my friend wants me to copy, Right: my nameless prototype




The rings worn, just to give you an idea of the material (stainless steel). Plain and embossed.




I have used three strands of (low-quality, another reason it is only a "prototype") suede, tying them to each other at different parts.




A closer view. I like how the rings go together.




Hope my friend, who is vacationing in California, likes it. Maybe I'll even wear it and show you how it looks like worn, before my bum friend returns.

Vertical clearance

I've done this before, but not quite the same. Here is my blue, horizontally-striped sheer sweater again, worn over a shirt with solid verticals.

Must make note to self to buy similarly lengthed shirts for the more casual look. I'm afraid I'm getting quite tired of my belts.




I found a red bike again! This time conveniently parked near the back of the office building. Wanted to ride it for this picture but I wasn't sure if the owner was watching.

Again this latest bauble necklace, but paired with a tie with crests.



Now here is an important lesson: if I must insist on wearing relatively baggy jeans, I shouldn't wear them with boots or I'll only look shorter than I already am. Otherwise just stick to skinnies — even if the trend is waning, they are always a refuge for the vertically challenged.


Sheer sweater, Zara; shirt, tie, and boots: all thrifted; necklace, DIY

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Cameo at Philippine Fashion Week

Found myself tagged in Facebook. Good that this surfaced, since I wasn't able to document most of my outfits during Philippine Fashion Week. I think I was wearing the amulet medallion necklace that I made.

To my left were stylist Sidney Yap and fashion design students (and sisters) Boop and Kimi Yap.


Navy jacket, thrifted; tee, Izzue; pants, Y-3; leather sneakers, Converse; red faux leather briefcase, Tyler

Photo by Abby Posadas

Kimono robe and shorts

I haven't really talked about the patterns on this blue kimono robe I thrifted months ago and wore with a tank top and sheer sweater back in June.

As you can see below, the top part has an alternate stitching pattern. It is not clear here (maybe in another post), but the lower part of the robe shifts to cross-hatching.



Here are the steel beads once again, but worn on a thin stainless chain, paired with the smallest of my sheep brooches.



The robe is interesting enough for me to keep the accessories small, and I Iove how they go well with my DIY denim cut-offs. (I still have a stack of sentenced jeans and pants).



Finishing today's outift are these loafers that are so worn that they are almost as comfortable as sneakers. Who says leather shoes are only for work days?


Robe and Lee denim, both thrifted; tee, Public Enemy; accessories, DIY; loafers, Dexter

Crown of thorns

That's what I decided to name this Sacre necklace. Though it's no great sacrifice to pose in front of a camera and tripod, am still getting the hang of it — trying not to laugh at myself in embarrassment.

This was how I wore the necklace yesterday.




I got the beads and amulet from four different places. Putting them together took time, starting with a concept and working my way one bead at a time.




I know some may find the styling offensive, but I think it works — both aesthetically and conceptually; the combination of the Sacre necklace, gold pendant, and irreverent tee emphasizes the meeting of the sacred and profane. (Soon my teeth will match my accessories, with all the coffee I drink.)




Working on this necklace was no different from working on an article or a poem. Each sentence or line, like each bead, should flow smoothly from the one before it; and everything should come together to convey a cohesive and coherent meaning. At least that was how it felt for me.




Time to run back to Quiapo to get more amulets. Got my first two orders!


Stretch tee, De Puta 69; cargo pants, Izzue; filigree belt, Brave Beltworks; crucifix pendant, bought from Florence; wore everything yesterday with a vintage gold-plated Omega Seamaster