How I Met My Style and Grace Icon

Posted on June 6, 2013 by jenni

After missing out on Sarah Jessica Parker (I traded meeting her to listen to financial expert Suze Orman’s talk — not a bad trade off, if I may say so. I will blog about her talk soon.), I was privileged to meet fashion icon, editor, author, and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia!

Marie Claire Creative Director Nina Garcia

Jag Jeans invited Aryanna and me to an intimate cocktail party at Solaire Resort & Casino to meet and greet Nina Garcia. We were both very excited as my daughter and I are big fans of her and her books!

Photo taken using Instagram

I met a gracious woman who shares my passions beyond fashion. Nina is a committed mom of two. She is very down to earth. The internationally acclaimed fashion maven that she is, she remembered my DM to her on Twitter and signed my book with, “I got your message. LOL.” Shows how personal and relational she is. Heck! She even follows me on Twitter!

Photo taken using Instagram

Let’s get this party started!

Nina followers:

Project Runway judges unite! Apples Aberin, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Rajo Laurel

Model, editor & director behaviour: Robby Carmona, Nina Garcia and Rissa Manaquil-Trillo

From left: Nina Garcia, Riana Lago and Patty Betita

New generation: (from left) Aryanna Epperson, Sabina de Leon, Nina Garcia, Sam Sadhwani, and Patricia Prieto

JAG Jeans flew Nina in as the inaugural speaker of JAG Origins during the Philippine Fashion Week, which it envisions to be an annual event promoting fashion, marketing and creative thinking among industry and art/fashion students.

(from left) Jeffrey Rogador, Nina Garcia, Jerome Salaya Ang, and Norman Noriega

King of Talk Boy Abunda interviewed Nina Garcia during the event.

Nina’s advice to aspiring fashion designers: “You should have passion, the drive and the desire to be in the business… It is important to know a lot about culture, to know a lot about the arts, to know some about business…[because the reality is] it’s really art and commerce.”

The fashion event, hosted by Sarah Meier-Albano

A highlight of JAG Origins is the presentation of young designers Norman Noriega, Jeffrey Rogador, and Jerome Salaya Ang who showcased their special collection, which was a couture-meets-denim affair.

Janine Tugonon and the Bb. Pilipinas 2013 winners

JAG Jeans 2013 Holiday Collection, which especially featured the ankle cut jeans for women and stretch denim for men.

My photo op with the style and grace icon

Photo taken using Instagram

One thing I learned from Nina is to dream big because dreams do come true. Armed with all the fashion know-how in the world, yes, you can be stylish but don’t go out there to prove something. When it comes to style, you just have to be yourself. As she wrote on The Little Black Book of Style…

“Style comes from knowing who you are and who you want to be in the world; it does not come from wanting to be somebody else, or wanting to be thinner, shorter, taller, prettier.” – Nina Garcia

I would like to thank Jag Jeans for bringing in Nina Garcia! Special thanks to Jag’s PR consultant Edd Fuentes for a fabulous and flawless event! You guys rock!

International Fashion Celebrity Icon Nina Garcia in Manila for JAG Origins

Posted on May 20, 2013 by jenni

One of the world’s leading experts in fashion and creative director of Marie Claire magazine Nina Garcia is set to arrive in Manila for JAG Origins, a fashion and design advocacy program developed by the top denim brand to nurture, promote and provide inspiration for Filipino design students and budding fashion entrepreneurs.

Happening for the first time at the Philippine Fashion Week on May 24, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, JAG Origins is a creative platform that will spread art, design and creative thinking among young Filipino students nationwide. Envisioned to become an annual event, JAG Origins this year brings the celebrated Project Runway judge who will interact with the audience by answering their questions in a forum-type discussion that will focus on global style, design and fashion trends worldwide.

The inimitable judge on Lifetime’s Project Runway, Nina is truly a global fashion influencer with a strong online presence that reaches millions of supporters on her Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr.

One of the world’s most influential fashion gurus, Nina is a 20-year veteran of the fashion industry who has worked with the world’s most seminal photographers, models and designers in the world. An award-winning author, she is both an advocate of early talent, as well as a supporter of historic and established fashion. Her award-winning work in the publishing industry has helped position Marie Claire as one of the leading fashion magazines in the world, in addition to strengthening its relationships with luxury advertisers and brands.

Sharing her global perspective on fashion, Nina will give guests a sneak preview of what’s to come for JAG Origins 2014.

During the forum, three world-class Filipino designers Jerome Salaya Ang, Normal Noriega and Jeffrey Rogador will present a special collection that highlights each of the designer’s distinct Filipino artistry.

I can’t wait to meet the Queen of helpful fashion Nina Garcia!

Shoppingero/shoppingera, are you ready for Philippine Fashion Week?

Madonna Fitness

Posted on January 25, 2013 by jenni

Like what I wrote in my New Year’s Resolutions, my goal this year is to make exercise part of my lifestyle.

I believe that exercising especially for busy moms like me is more than just finding the time to do it, the key is changing your mindset to view exercise as a habit and not a chore.

Starting up a good habit is going to take a lot of work and conditioning before it becomes something automatic. What better way to jumpstart good habits than doing things you love? Since I love dancing and Madonna, this DVD workout series is perfect for me:

Fashion + Fitness

Because fitness is fashion at dapat fashyon pag fumi-fitness, let’s all take cue from Madonna’s personal trainer Nicole Winhoffer’s gym bunny attire:

I love Nicole Winhoffer’s sweater and running pants combo! Her style is perfect for women of all shapes and sizes.

Color of the year gym outfitey!

Colorful nylon jacket + Black running shorts + Black tights + Black rubber shoes = Cool gym bunny

Fitness is back!

Features the exclusive programs based on Madonna’s workout routines, previously only available at Hard Candy Fitness Clubs. Madonna’s personal trainer Nicole Winhoffer, implements Hard Candy Fitness’ results-driven techniques and programming created by Madonna for the four-disc DVD set, which blends innovative dance, toning and cardio training. These results-driven DVDS are challenging, but as Madonna says, “No Sweat, No Candy.”

Now, lemme find out how to order Hard Candy Fitness Presents Madonna’s Addicted To Sweat DVDs!

Shoppingero/shoppingera, time to get addicted to sweat!

The Ultimate “Spy” Bag

Posted on January 9, 2013 by jenni

Angèle Lancel founded Lancel in 1876. She had brains, vision and daring. She opened a shop near the brand new Opéra Garnier, Paris. She sold articles for smokers, then, very soon, decided to turn her attention to ornaments and accessories for ladies.

For its 135th anniversary, Lancel is celebrating its founder with an homage to her:

L’ Angèle
The Quintessence of French Légèreté

The silhouette of Lancel’s L’Angele was inspired by one of Lancel’s vintage handbags from the 1960s, the Le Berline as can be seen in the generous lines and the curve of the champagne-colored clasps.

Inside, a whole chapter of Lancel’s history opens up: with an ingenious mechanism inspired by the sacs a malices produced by Lancel since the 1920s… to fix upright the mirror flap, creating a vanity with which to check your makeup or spy on the world around you.

Bond... Jane Bond. Put on makeup and discreetly observe your surroundings, just like a stylish spy would.

The bold and coquettish Angèle embodies the spirit of Lancel: creating bags in the late 19th century full of mischievous humourbut retaining all their sophistication and elegance

Please feel free to translate…

What’s a bag with mirror without at a separate makeup bag?

L’Angèle comes with a makeup/accessories case

I adore this bag! It’s my favorite!

During mt recent trip to Guam, I used my Lancel L’Angèle. It’s the best traveling companion!

(Photo taken using Instagram)

The beauty about the L’Angèle is that it’s both spacious and stylish. I also get a kick out “spying” my surroundings with the built-in mirror and frame of the bag!

The leather is buttery soft with major champagne-colored clasps to boot! It’s the ultimate lady bag.

Made in smooth Catalonian leather treated with chestnut, mimosa and quebracho extracts, L’Angèle is available in 6 colors:

from left: Black, Bourboun, Moka, Pepper, Ivory, Red 1876

Bag crush:

I need the Lancel L'Anéle in Red 1876 in my closet!!! Ahhhhhh!

Lancel boutique is located at Shangri-La Edsa Plaza Mall, Unit 209, Shaw Bd., Mandaluyong City, Manila; Tel: +63 26 319 775

Holidays by Lancel

Posted on December 7, 2012 by jenni

Holiday style is all about sparkles and colors.

What better way to invibe the festive mood into your wardrobe than a fiery red bag! Lancel Premier Flirt in shiny red mock crocodile leather reminds me of Santa’s sack. It’s a great shopping bag as it is both spacious and stylish. Mrs. Claus would approve.

I have the Lancel Premier Flirt in blue and I love it!

The Premier Flirt in mock crocodile leather is my favorite. I like the texture and sheen — they are the perfect contrast to my basic wardrobe.

(Photo taken using Instagram)

I’m obsessing about red bags these days, and I am so not a red person! The tides have changed. Oh well, I’m embracing my new found love for red. I’m RED-y! Haha!

Celebrate in style with Lancel’s Satine Clutch. They are like bricks of jewels perfect for cocktail dresses.

I’m eyeing on the emerald green Satine Clutch. It’s the color for 2013!

Lancel Satine Clutch in satin available in 11 colors. Black, navy blue, purple, mocha, sand, imperial green, taupe, 1876 red, safran, iris.

Did you know?

“A. Lancel – Luxury leather goods – Fine novelties”. This is what could be read on Lancel storefronts.
“A” for Angèle Lancel, who in 1876 founded the first French fine leather goods maison.
Luxury for the expression of her high standards of excellence in the choice of leathers and the production of her designs. Fine novelties for the spirit of invention with which she would forever infuse the maison that bears her name and become the signature of Lancel’s for 136 years. Little by little, under Lancel’s influence, the handbag replaced the purse and cases took the place of travel trunks.
Soon, the colourful designs of the legendary store located on Place de l’Opéra went around the world: the iconic bucket bag renamed Premier Flirt, the Brigitte Bardot, the Daligramme and the Angèle. So many odes to parisian chic and so many presents to celebrate the end of the year with panache.

Shoppingera, visit Lancel boutique now at the 2 Level, Shangri-la Plaza!

Wishlist #2: Valentino Rockstud Kitten Heel

Posted on December 6, 2012 by jenni

The minute I opened my mouth and said “I will never wear kitten heels!”, I knew I was going to eat my words. I mean, how can I say ‘never’ in fashion when there’s many variety out there that many trends, kitten heels included, can look quite cool. Yes, I used the words ‘cool’ and ‘kitten heels’ in the same sentence. *kidlat*

I believe that it’s not the height or shape of the heel that bothers me, but the phrase ‘kitten heels’ to me sounds uhm, “weak”. Shoes are powerful style weapons and to call it as such is lame.

Now back to the “kitten heels can look quite cool”, Valentino’s RockStud is the perfect marriage of pretty and punk. It rocks!

Did you know?
Kitten heels were introduced in the late 1950s as formal fashion attire for young adolescent teenage girls as higher heels would have been considered unseemly for girls as young as 13 because of the sexual connotations and unease of walk. They were sometimes referred to as “trainer heels” in the US, indicating their use in getting young girls used to wearing high heels. via Wikipedia

The Valentino Rockstud Kitten heels come in a variety of colors. This taupe and mauve combo is my favorite!

I’m “Secret-ing” this pair. Here kitty, kitty!

Shoppingero/shoppingera, is there anything you wouldn’t wear?

Wishlist #1: Dolce & Gabbana Sicilian Baroque

Posted on December 5, 2012 by jenni

We interrupt this program with some breaking news:

I keep ranting about gold. Gold, gold, GOLD! And quicker than Madonna’s ray of light, it has appeared right before my eyes. Literally.

Dolce & Gabbana has released the Sicilian Baroque Eyewear Collection!

"Original and hyper-feminine. Sicilian Baroque is the new Dolce&Gabbana eyewear line draws inspiration from the tradition and beauty of Sicilian Baroque, in keeping with the theme of the Fall-Winter 2013 runway show. The romantic decorations recall frescoes, lace and mirror frames, evolving in an infinite play of volumes and opulent details. The relief design of gilded roses and unfurling foliage along the frames lend an air of elegant allure. The standard collection consists of a pair of sunglasses and prescription frames featuring Sicilian Baroque embellishments along the front and temples also inspired from the 50′s. Each pair is housed in an exquisite burgundy velvet box." via www.dolcegabbana.com

Let’s all pause and take a moment to admire this work of art…

Golden rosettes abloom!

For someone who loves to wear sunglasses, I have collected a number of eyewear throughout the years. Fine, I’ve amassed a lot! No judging.

I have enough classic pairs. It’s about time that I start looking out for special pieces. As in yung pasabowg levelz… Malayo pa lang ako, tanaw na sunglasses ko!

Style tip: Add flair to your classic get-ups with a pair of statement sunglasses. It personalizes ones look. It is also a quick-fix to a bare face especially when running late for an appointment.

Black beauties

Peg of me and Dylan

Dear Dolce & Gabbana,

Will work for sunglasses.
Thank you.

Best,
Jenni

Dear Tom,

Sunglasses make me happy.
Happy wife, happy life.

I love you.

Always,
me

Shoppingero/shoppingera, what’s on your wishlist?

“Everyday” Shoes

Posted on October 12, 2012 by jenni

I need “everyday” shoes.

Something I can walk fast… Run in while sourcing for work and doing errands without looking “losyang”. Haha!

So far, these ones from Stella McCartney x Adidas are worth buying:

Viskan Adizero

JenniEpperson+Fashion+Adidas+StellaMcCartney

I love the nude and black combo! Lakas maka-haba ng tiil (legs)!

Afzelia Adipure

Bango-banguhan lang ang peg!

I’ve tried on these sneakers and they’re very lightweight. They’re also made from mesh material so your feet can “breathe”.

Shoppingera, what’s your “everyday” shoes?

Think Pink

Posted on October 3, 2012 by jenni

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of the survivors,
think pink!

Clockwise:

Pink Converse. Classic kicks!
Kelly Wearstler limited edition “Newton” leather jacket. Magenta must!
Ray-Ban Aviator metal sunglasses. See the world in rose-colored glasses!
J. Crew Cashmere Sweater. Wear hot pink during cool weather.
Chanel Classic 2.55 bag. Make me blush!
Pink cupcake. We all need a bite of sweetness every now and then.
GAP, 1969 Legging Cords. Get a leg up in pink leggings!

For more information about breast cancer, click here.

For the Love of Fashion

Posted on October 3, 2012 by jenni

Two days ago, I attended Facial Care Centre’s 30th Anniversary party at The Peninsula. I was excited to go because we did a special project together (I’ll blog about Facial Care Centre’s event soon). Also, it was an opportunity to wear my newly bought Rajo! x SM Parisian “Tao” shoes!

I believe that when it comes to fashion and work in general, there is no no task beneath you.

This is why I love Preview Editor-in-Chief Pauline “Mads” Juan:

Me: “Mads, could you please take a photo of my shoes?”
Pauline: *Looks around for a well-lighted area*
Me: *Poses*
Pauline: *Gets down and dirty to take the shot*
Me: “Mads, make sure kita yung bow, ha!”
Pauline: *Crouches lower… Takes the shot… Shows me the photo*
Me: “No, no, mads, wag side view, dapat front view kasi kailangan kita yung bow!”
Pauline: *Annoyed… Shoots again* “O, ayan! Nakalawit yung toes mo!”
Me: Hahahahahahahaha! I love you mads!

Fashion slaves: Eunice, Pauline and me

Special thanks to Stylebible.ph‘s new Managing Editor Eunice Lucero for documenting our fashion madness! Congrats too girl!!! Lasheeeeeey!!!

Preview girls

Naku, Rajo! The lengths we go through for you! CHOZ!

(Photo taken using Instagram)

Like what I said, no task should be beneath you…

Check out what popped on my Instagram timeline yesterday:

Sorry Anna Dello Russo and Sarah Mower, nauna na kami ni Pauline! Levelz! Haha!

By the way, have you seen Preview magazine’s October cover?

I lav et! Fresh and fab!!

Everyone's buzzing about how GORJ Melai is on the cover! Mads, give this girl a solo cover!

Shoppingera, grab a copy of Preview’s October issue now!