Century-old brands define summer

Jeanger Navarro, LV communications manager, carried the floral freshness in her blooming pretty dress. She showed guests LV’s latest line of clothes and leatherware for both women and men.

Not surprisingly, it was in the men’s collection that we were fascinated by certain items. Such as the bag looking at first glance like an LV paper bag, but was, in fact, a leather bag. And the unexpected colors, such as bright teal, for the handcarry luggage. “A lot of women go for items intended for men,” Jeanger said.

The masterpieces—the LV trunks—were there, of course, as if to remind us that it was a trunkmaker, Louis Vuitton, who started the iconic products in 1854.

Some 170 years later, the trunk is traveling well.

Anne Curtis, Softbit, and a bit of history at Gucci

Anne Curtis always comes to mind when I think of Gucci. Perhaps it’s because she is always present in every Gucci event I attend. She embodies what the brand is: chic, cool, effortlessly elegant.

When Gucci launched its Lido collection recently at Solaire Resort, Anne was there, holding the latest Softbit bag. The event was inspired by Italy’s coastal lidos, and reminded guests of quiet, easy moments with the sun and sea bringing a relaxed summer vibe.

Aside from the familiar leather bags with the brand’s insignia, guests saw a lot of raffia, wicker, and even crocheted items. Binh Wong, Gucci’s market director for the Philippines and Guam, said it was like “summer in motion.” And so did Andee Que, Gucci communications director, who had a cool idea: Ice cream by Gucci.

The brand’s fine leather products reminded us that Gucci was founded in 1922 in Florence by Guccio Gucci, a creative who worked at Savoy Hotel in London. No wonder that his initial designs, mostly luggage and leather goods, had some English aesthetic.

Watch-watching and star-watching at Bvlgari

Why is the serpent—or snake—such a powerful symbol of a luxe brand? 

It has been so for Bvlgari, a brand that was founded in Rome in 1884 by Sotirios Voulgaris, a Greek silversmith. “The serpent represents rebirth, healing, eternity,” says its history. That’s it—snakes shed their skin for a new life.

An invite sent by Jesha Abad of Bvlgari celebrated the Serpenti during cocktails in its Greenbelt 3 store, and dinner at Ayala Museum where an S-shaped dinner table set a hissingly lovely tone. 

At the store, I ended up watch-watching, aside from looking at the pretty earrings, neckpieces and rings inspired by the serpent.

I also ended up star-watching, as there were several endorsers during the event. I focused on three celebrities:

Dolly de Leon because she is such a fun, super-smart awardwinning actress. Pia Wurtzbach because I am intrigued by her current universe. And Marian Rivera for a shallow reason: I am a fan of her husband Dingdong Dantes’ Family Feud on TV.

The atmosphere was so happy I decided to ask them: What makes you happy? And what makes you cry?

Pia Wurtzbach: “My husband Jeremy (Jauncey) makes me happy and makes me cry as well—but in the best way. I feel overhelmed with his love and support. Even if he’s not in showbiz and not in the same industry as I am, he sees me deeply. At the end of the day, no matter how hectic life is, I feel that I am accepted and that I have a home when I see him.”

Marian Rivera: “I feel so happy every time Dingdong (Dantes) is sweet and never forgets all the important things in my life. He is always there to support me. So he is the same person who makes me shed tears—of joy.”

So there. Now you know that there are never family feuds in the home of Marian and Dingdong.

DOLLY DE LEON: “What makes me cry? When women are not treated as fairly and equally as the men. And when women and children—and people who are weak and have no voice—are oppressed and abused.”

Give international award-winning Dolly another award for being a passionate and compassionate person.

Overweight with kindness from Samsonite

There are pieces of luggage that weigh heavily in our hearts.

One of them is Samsonite, which is doing something good for the environment, as well as Filipino schoolchildren.

For the third time this year, Samsonite is partnering with WWF Philippines for its luggage trade-in campaign. You may bring any brand of used luggage to Samsonite, in exchange for a 35-percent discount on their products.

The pre-loved luggage will be converted by Envirotech Philippines into classroom chairs for students in public schools. 

The discount you get is applicable to Samsonite’s Nuon, Octolite Neo and Varro collections which combine aesthetics and functionality. These are expandable and have anti-theft zippers. For every piece of luggage you purchase, Samsonite donates P100 to WWF Philippines.

This project is overweight with thoughts of sustainability and kindness.

Look what we found at Watsons

Eyelashes that are self-adhesive, washable, and reusable. You see these being sold online. But there’s nothing like seeing them yourself. 

These lashes are sold at Watsons, only P329.75.