MY SHOWBIZ SOSYAL Column

FASHION PLUS
By: Rowel Canlas

Michelle Obama, Woman of Style

In a jiffy, she has become the world’s esteemed style icon.

With her imposing height (5’11), MICHELLE OBAMA could have been a sought-after international model. But she opted to be a lawyer instead.

An alumna of the prestigious Harvard Law School, Michelle worked at the Sidley Austin Law Firm in Chicago as an associate specializing in marketing and intellectual property.

There, she met U.S. President Barack Obama in 1988 who was working as an intern. After several years of courtship, the two finally decided to get married in 1992. They have two beautiful daughters, Malia and Sasha.

In 1996, she became an associate dean of student affairs at the University of Chicago and established the University's first community service program.

Aside from being a doting wife to president Obama, Michelle has become more famous because of her impeccable fashion flair. In a span of several months, she has been hailed as America’s latest fashion diva.

What’s so noticeable about Michelle is her excellent style of dressing. No matter what clothes she wears, she does it with so much panache. Be it a designer’s gown or off-the-rack, Michelle carries it like a seasoned fashionista.

Case in point, the gown she wore during one of Barack’s inauguration balls. She looked every inch a woman of style in that white long gown executed by young, unknown designer Jason Wu.

The gown is made of ivory silk chiffon, embellished with organza and Swarovski crystal rhinestones and silver thread embroidery designed especially for the first Lady. Needless to say, Yu became a household name in the fashion world because of Mrs. O.

”It's thrilling. For a young designer, I couldn't ask for anything more than this," said Wu, whose design style combines modern lifestyle dressing and haute couture, according to his website.


During Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony, the towering U.S. First Lady looked very regal in a sheath dress matched with yellow-gold coat designed by American-Cuban designer Isabel Toledo. She matched it with a wide diamante neckline.

Michelle never fails to give new and young designers (like Wu and Toledo) the chance to showcase their designs. She could have easily tapped other famous designers but she opted to expose relatively unknown ones.

A quote in the current issue of TIME Magazine from designer Thakoon Panichgul was evoked instantly when he saw Mrs. O one afternoon, “She is someone with authority and style that people can look up to,” says Panichgul.

“It’s a new way of looking at fashion. It’s about confidence, power, intellect and being real.”

MY SHOWBIZ SOSYAL Column

FASHION PLUS
By: Rowel Canlas

Interesting history of two famous sneakers

Filipinos are known to be very meticulous when it comes to buying shoes.

Young and old alike have grown to like them for the simple reason that it’s a necessity.

But what baffles me to the hilt is the men’s strong attachment to rubber shoes. To the point of letting them go can be quite depressing, at times.

Especially in this genre where most people want their shoes to be branded or those made by international companies. Notwithstanding the huge tag price, they really purchase the “top-of-the-line” and most expensive ones.

To think that a pair of nice shoes can cost them a fortune. For them, it’s one way of expressing their feelings and it sort of empowers them when wearing a pair.

Several days back, I was watching a lifestyle program on TV that featured two of the most popular brands in our midst, ADIDAS and PUMA.

What’s so interesting to note is the tale behind it. I myself was stunned upon learning the history of these two giant names in the industry. When I was in high school, I have grown to like these brands for my Saturday P.E. class.

I still vividly remember during our regular volleyball session, I used to wear my brother’s Adidas sneakers. Not because of the label or anything (I’m not a brand-conscious type), but it makes me feel comfortable and that’s very important. I love the sole because it does not wreck my toes unlike other cheap brands.

Going back to my piece, not everybody knows that the owners of Adidas and PUMA are siblings. Yes, you read it right, they are real brothers.

In 1920, two German brothers, Adolf (“Adi”) and Rudolf Dassler were partners in their small shoemaking business. For some mysterious reasons, the two had a fall out during World War II disagreeing on everything from politics, wives to choose, the future of the company, among other things.

Rudolf left for good in the late 1940’s and set up his own brand named PUMA. Adi founded ADIDAS. To this day, the two are still considered as the strongest competing brands in the market.

MY SHOWBIZ SOSYAL Column

FASHION PLUS
By: Rowel Canlas

Cristine Reyes, MINT

Clothing image model


By the looks of it, transferring to Kapamilya network must have been a brilliant decision (and blessing in disguise) for this flawless lady.

Since moving to the giant station, her career started to pick-up and she's making huge projects one after another. Her own primetime teleserye entitled “Eva Fonda“, a remake of the Alma Moreno-starrer in the 70’s, continues to earn high ratings.

Indeed, CRISTINE REYES has come full circle.

Once in a while, I get to take a glimpse of Eva Fonda episodes and I can frankly say that this girl can act. She can’t be merely categorized as sexy star but a promising actress as well. Certainly, this is Cristine’s edge over other flimsy newcomers in the local entertainment circuit.

Finally, this younger sibling of Ara Mina has gotten out of her shadow. Not only that, she's been receiving lucrative modeling projects because of her sultry beauty, one of which is MINT Clothing. Recently, the company tapped Cristine Reyes to be its latest product endorser due to her fashion flair and impeccable sex appeal.

If you’re an actress, it is really imperative to look great and feel good all the time. Primarily, that's the reason why MINT signed her up for a one year endorsement deal. “Actually, I’ve been a regular client of Mint because I like the style of their clothes and fabulous accessories. That’s why I’m so happy to be their newest product endorser,” Cristine gushed. “They really make me feel fashionable every time I wear Mint apparel.”

According to a Mint insider, they are equally happy to have her on board. “We chose her because we believe that she will be a big star in due time. She’s a charming 19-year old with an innocent look and a sweet smile. She is also determined to succeed in showbiz and no star complex at all.”

MINT is slowly becoming the latest craze among fashionistas when it comes to comfy clothes and classy accessories. Owned by the very enterprising husband and wife team Stella and Jopet Sy, they personally manage the business from procuring raw materials to designing clothes.

No wonder, MINT has become one of the most successful clothing brands in the market today.

Back in 1998, Stella and her husband put up their first MINT store at Red Lane, Glorietta with an area of 15sqm. In a span of several months, it became a hit among young fashion enthusiasts and the sales have grown by leaps and bounds. Today, MINT has a total of 25 huge stores in different malls all over the country.

“Come to think of it, running your own clothing line is no joke. A lot of things should be taken into consideration. Since I design all the clothes myself, we have to keep abreast on the latest trends in fashion. The secret is, you must continuously innovate and introduce new things that will excite your target market,” Stella said.

As part of their year-long agreement, Cristine’s larger-than-life billboards will be posted all over EDSA and other major thoroughfares in the metropolis. “We do this primarily for brand recall and awareness campaign program. It really helps if you advertise because visibility is the key in this business,” Stella enthused.

Another factor that endears Reyes to MINT owners is her being cooperative. In mall tours or other activities requiring her attendance, she arrives on time and very professional to deal with. “In getting a potential product endorser, we strongly consider the professionalism, clean image and attitude of the person. Especially in this industry where stars tend to have appalling attitude, we conduct background check first before getting them,” explained Stella.