As the “most wonderful time of the year” is just a month away, now is the perfect time to complete your Christmas list and do some major shopping before the mad rush begins.

But as much as Christmas is the season for giving, it is also the season to show off your fashionable side at the endless invitations you need to accept making the countdown to the big day more hectic. To help you out, the Life&Times staff went around the metro to check out the newest shops and the latest holiday collections that would make the perfect present and fashion statement for you and your loved ones.

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Uniqlo goes North in time for the Holidays

BY ED UY STAFF WRITER

Just like jolly old St. Nick who set up shop in the North to prepare all those Christmas treats, fashion brand Uniqlo, chose the North—SM City North Edsa to be exact—as the location of its second store in the country.

And as expected, crowds of fashion savvy-shoppers once again lined up to get first dibs on the new stocks and discounted items during the store’s opening week sale.

“We chose Quezon City, primarily because of its location,” Uniqlo managing director Katsumi Kubota told The Manila Times in an interview. “SM City North EDSA is a top-of-mind choice for shopping and leisure activities in northern Metro Manila. It is very popular mall and has such a great history. They were also very generous to give us a very nice and big space that is very convenient for our shoppers,” he added.

Kubota notes they were very happy about how Filipinos accepted the brand when Uniqlo first opened its store at the SM Mall of Asia.

“We were very confident about the Philippine market, but this was much, much better than we expected. It was a very happy surprise for us.’

Asked why he thinks the brand became such a hit in the country, he answered; “Uniqlo is a brand that is ‘Made for All,’ meaning we have designed clothes for anyone and for every member of the family. We are also proud of our quality. Our items are also fashionable yet very affordable, so I think those reasons makes it easier for our Filipino friends to experience Uniqlo.

For this coming holiday season, Kubota says their best sellers are the men’s and ladies jeans and casual pants, the polo shirts and their UT collection, a line of Japanese inspired t-shirts. Their new Fall/Winter collection of fleece jackets and flannel shirts have also become big hits in the country. He also urges shoppers to also try their signature “HeatTech” items—clothing that warms you up during the cold holiday weather, absorbing excess perspiration and wicks it away.

Although Kubota says they don’t have immediate plans of putting shops outside Manila in the near future, he did say that they are preparing four more stores in Manila by August of next year.

The Philippines is the 12th branch outside of Japan where UNIQLO has presence, after opening stores in he US, UK, France, Russia, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. UNIQLO also operates stores in other countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The Uniqlo store is located at the second floor of the SM City North EDSA.

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Stay out and party!

Following the successful launch of the Cole Haan’s LunarGrand Wingtip in September, the renowned shoe brand continues its “Don’t Go Home Campaign” with the unveiling of its Winter 2012 Collection.

Siblings Frank, Elmo and Maxene Magalona led the celebrity-laden guest list of shoe enthusiasts who trooped to the Cole Haan store at the Rockwell Powerplant Mall, in Makati to party and get a glimpse of the upcoming collection as well as the Chelsea Pumps, Chukkas, and Flats.

“The LunarGrand is a conceptual clash of past meets future,” explains Cole Haan Brand Manager Adriel Lobo. “It incorporates Nike’s innovative ultra-lightweight Lunarlon cushioning system into Cole Haan’s traditional construction techniques, to achieve unrivaled feel, flexibility and movement—redefining how classic dress shoes can move and function in modern urban environments.”

Lobo notes that the reception to the LunarGrand has been overwhelming and has quickly become one of their best selling items.

And with Christmas just a few weeks away, it’s going to be a very busy month for those catching up on their deadlines and an even busier time for late-night festivities and after work parties.

“There are a thousand reasons you might choose to go home early, but your shoes should not be one of them,” said Lobo, quoting one of the brand’s campaign slogans.

“Tomorrow’s story happens tonight, and you don’t want to miss out just because your shoes can’t keep up with you,” she adds.

Cole Haan’s Winter 2012 collection features a dynamic line-up of materials, textures and colorways that guarantees non-stop excitement through the season – from day to night. For women, the sparkling choices include the Janelle Ballet, Chelsea Pump and Crosby; while the men’s ever classic pieces come in Skylar Oxford and Monroe Penny Loafers, among others.

Cole Haan’s stores are located at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center Makati; Glorietta 4, Ayala Makati; and Shangri-La Plaza Mall, in Mandaluyong. ED UY

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Feeling ‘Superdry’

British clothing brand Superdry opened its first store at Bonifacio High Street Central and launched their latest collection at the amphitheater of the Bonifacio Global City’s The Strip.

Directed by Robby Carmona, the launch event was filled with amazing acts that entertained guests all throughout the evening. Chillectro band Techy Romantics geared up the crowd before the main event as they performed various songs from their albums. To keep the show moving, The Philippine All Stars captivated the audience as they showed their dancing prowess, much to the crowd’s delight.

Superdry head of International Retail Operations, Brian Nebozuk, welcomed the crowd and expressed his thanks for the amazing turnout. A line-up of models featured the brand’s latest collection together with Superdry’s event ambassadors: top model Pauline Prieto, fashion blogger David Guison and events host Tricia Centenera.

Iconic detailing is taken to new heights with Superdry’s Autumn Winter 2012 Collection with color-pop stitching, mesh lining and shearling finishes. Interesting silhouettes and autumnal palettes make for powerful collection with country-chic styles, punk flashes and heritage twists.

Born from an inspirational trip to Tokyo, Superdry offers clothing with impeccable quality and an iconic modern aesthetic. Worn by Hollywood A-listers, this unique urban outerwear and denim label fuses Japanese graphics, vintage Americana and the finest British tailoring.

Superdry is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists Inc.

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Looks of love

Bayo gave a preview of its upcoming Holiday collection last week, which kept the hottest trends of neon and prints in the spotlight.

Held at the M Café in Makati City, the event was presented by feminine brand Kotex, which partnered with Bayo for a design competition, joined by School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA) students.

For this season, Bayo boasts of an eclectic mix of hip prints in bright colors. There were flo-rals, paisleys, polka dots and stripes on midi and maxi dres-ses, and a collection of tops. The cuts showed more skin as shorts were shorter and hanging tops hung higher.

Modern fairytale
Among the seven SOFA students who were given a chance to create a six-piece collection for Bayo, 18-year-old Korean Sylvia Park emerged as the winner.

With the theme “modern fairytale” in mind, Park was aptly inspired by Anne, the titular character of classic novel Anne of Green Gables. The result was a set of beautifully cut dresses in polka dot, hearts, or floral prints with dainty lace details.

Empowering women
Both Kotex and Bayo share the vision of empowering women, especially through fashion.

“Bayo and Kotex have the same market of women who want to explore all facets of their femininity,” Ritz Tan, Kotex brand manager, told The Manila Times.

“On our part, we at Kotex also want to give Pinays more fashionable choices, even when it comes to feminine pads,” Tan added. “For this, we created Kotex ProActive Guards Technology that offers innovative solutions with style.” EUDEN VALDEZ

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Aw, Chucks!

The shoe for all ages, places and faces

BY EUDEN VALDEZ STAFF WRITER

Iconic footwear brand Converse unveiled its Fall 2012 collection with a party of music and self-expression at the Hard Rock Café in Makati City.

For this season, the brand remains true to its century-old heritage by keeping its distinct comfort and durability—believed to take anyone anywhere.

Moreover, the American shoe brand embraces its pioneering spirit by offering new takes on the classics Jack Purcell, Pro Leather and Chuck Taylor.

Considered the oldest sneakers in history (born 1908), the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star has become synonymous with cool.

For 2012, the all time favorite Chucks has been redesigned as boots with the monikers Classic, Berkshire and Hiker.

The new Converse boots is highlighted by rough uppers in suede or leather. It is paired with rubber soles plus unexpected pops of color through the laces to form a classic Chucks-silhouette. The colors are warm in tan, dark earth, charcoal, black, olive green and chocolate, among others. Overall, the boots easily give out a rugged yet sophisticated appeal.

As for comfort, the boots were reengineered to still feel lightweight and flexible, fit for moving. It can be worn for casual affairs and even activities like long walks or hiking.

And as with other classic Chucks, the boots come with the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star round patch.

Also included in the Converse’s Fall collection are revitalized versions of the Jack Purcell and Pro Leather Collections. The new Jack Purcell shoes also feature leather mixed with cotton and canvas, while the Pro Leather shoes also come in leather only with bold new colors.     

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Rhett Eala’s Christmas looks

Local women’s work wear brand Plains & Prints’ is proud to feature its favorite designer Rhett Eala in its City Series-Manila Holiday Collection, where every piece of clothing imbues the hues of our beloved capital. With urbanscape graphics and digital patterns in ultra modern and minimalist designs, the series allows its wearer to experience the unforgettable look and feel of the fashionable Filipino Christmas wherever she goes.

In addition to Eala’s designs, other holiday anthologies in the collection include Japan, China, Modern Art, DNM 24/7, Workwear II and Holiday Dresses. The Japan collection weaves in intricate details with traditional style, the China collection takes cues from urban, Eastern influences, and the Modern Art collection is inspired by pop art and the modernist movement of the early seventies.

Meanwhile, DNM 24/7 offers comfortable separates that are easy to mix and match, while Workwear II brings in tailored, contemporary pieces appropriate for the boardroom.

Finally, Holiday Dresses introduces feminine frocks in enchanting designs and colors that can be worn to any of the season’s anticipated events.

For more information or to shop online, log on to www.plainsandprints.com.

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Timepieces at the speed of style

Whether in the field of news, technology, or sports, the year 2012 will be remembered as the “Year of Speed.” Speed has also defined our modern lifestyle, and these days, sometimes getting on time just isn’t enough—especially with the Christmas rush in full swing.

As Puma’s campaign slogan aptly puts it, “Don’t be on time… Be Early.

This is also the same approach taken by Puma Time with regards to developing its watches to meet the aspirations of its consumers. During a recent media gathering held at the Legaspi Room of the Manila Intercon Hotel in Makati, the branch unveiled its new collection that represent modern designs for the wrist rather than technical devices that merely show the time.

The collection is divided into two separate segments: Active and Motorsport, each timepiece perfectly combining the influence of sport, lifestyle and fashion under one creative umbrella.

Puma Time’s global senior product manager Jeremie Pannetier, describes the new collections as both “stylish and edgy.”

“We want the consumers to realize that our products have the stylish looks packed with the essential features they’re looking for, plus it’s quite affordable, and you’ll be getting your money’s worth, Pannetier told The Manila Times.

The Active segment includes the Faas 200 for men and Faas 250 for women. Faas, which means “fast” in Jamaican, is a mere 9.6 mm thin, echoing the record-breaking 9.6 second 100 meter sprint, achieved at the Beijing Olympics by Usain Bolt.

This year’s Motorsport Collection goes into fifth gear this holiday season with remarkable designs, underscored with sleek, sexy racing multifunction and chronograph engineering: the collection is inspired by the language of modern motorsport design, which aims to keep oversized racing wheels on the ground, while moving at speed, using specialized body-shape features.

The Motorsport Black Collection accentuates the purpose of design in our lives in a world where speed is a hallmark of modern life. The Fast Track, is a chronograph design equipped with a three-hand, double-layered 46mm oversized face; luminous hour and minute hands pointing towards punched-out round rim-inspired hour marks. Ultrasize is simply exceptional, because a minimum of elements are used but each indicator is elevated high off the floor of the dial to achieve a striking three-dimensional effect.

The new motorsport-inspired Hero watch is an elegantly sophisticated design available as a chronograph for men and a multifunction watch for women. Specifically designed for the active traveler, its deliberately oversized look reads modern jetsetter.

Puma watches are available at the Puma Time Kiosk in SM Megamall, Timegear and L Timestudio boutiques. ED UY