Last week, EMODA flew me and Camille to Tokyo to cover their touchMe A/W 2013 fashion show. It was a real privilege, as touchMe is strictly invitation-only, and I am completely aware that without EMODA’s help, I wouldn’t stand a chance among the hundreds and thousands of Japanese EMODA fans who would kill to sit in the show.

The show started around 9PM at Belle Salle, Shibuya Garden, so we had a few hours free before the event. Kumiko, the awesome lady who guided us throughout the night, accompanied us to Shibuya 109 to shop for our outfits for the event. Earlier that day, I already bought a full-EMODA coordinate at the Shinjuku Lumine EST store… but that did not stop me for shopping again!

Check out our giant paper bags of goodies. Goodbye to all the money in my wallet, but everything was just too shiny. I especially love the current S/S collection as it’s very resort-like (appropriate for Manila throughout the year!) and most of the items are classic, just the way I like my clothes.

One of the best things I like about the brand is how it’s very influenced by Western high street and blogger fashion, which are two of my greatest style influences too. The way the individual items are styled together make it distinctly EMODA, but the individual items (on their own) are versatile enough to be worn by those not exactly interested in styling it the same way the shop staff and models do. The brand appeals to a very wide audience in this way. As long as you like clean, classic, minimalist styles, EMODA’s items will definitely speak to you. Even my mom likes EMODA!

Anyhow, Camille and I both got some nifty novelty items for free because we shopped A LOT. We got the cutest MODE style towels and pillow cases.

After shopping, we had pasta for dinner somewhere around Shibuya. Then we rushed to the event location for some picture taking.

This iconic background! If you follow Japanese magazines, you might have already seen this a few times. Many famous Japanese models and icons have their photos taken against this background. When it was our turn, a part of me went “I CAN DIE NOW!”

But then again, the show had not even started yet at this point. So maybe after the show, lol.

Outfits for the night. I opted for simple black and white, while Camille went for a spring-y blue and green coordinate. 

I wish I had enough time to take outfit shots of other people because everyone who attended the show were all so freaking beautiful and well-dressed, you’d think they’re all models.

Just after being seated (front row, baby), I noticed a ton of famous models pass by. I normally don’t get starstruck but when it comes to the Japanese personalities that I only get to see in magazines? That’s a different story.

I saw Mai Miyagi about 3 times, AMIAYA, Wei Son, a lot of BLENDA models, Chinatsu Wakatsuki, etc. I was pretty sure that there were a lot more in the event hall, but everything happened so fast. My eyes couldn’t keep up! (On a semi-related note, I also saw Nana Suzuki the day before and Hamada Britney the day after - both in 109!) Hearts all over, anyway. Also shows how big of a brand EMODA is among the Japanese fashion scene/crowd.

The show started shortly after Camille and I were seated, and it lasted for about 20-30 minutes. Took a ton of photos, as usual, and I hope these do justice to the clothes.

This collection is called BUDDY CLOSET. Absolutely obsessed with everything. It’s all a tasteful mix of masculine and feminine elements, and the colors are all so rich and creamy. I was quite surprised with the brown items, but they all worked so well with the bright blues and reds in the end. Don’t know if it’s just me, but a lot of the coordinates reminded me of London street fashion.

No words, but “I covet”. <3

This outfit was my favorite. Warm and fuzzy feels for A/W? Yes please!

A classy way of doing print-on-print. Same print but opposite colors.

The models were officially successful in making red eyebrows look cool.

I can’t even begin with this black series. The fabric is to die for! So classy, and I have some sort of inexplicable desire to touch it.

Same fabric for tops and bottoms seemed to be HUGE in this collection.

Printed bottoms and flat-brimmed caps are still in! The same themes are also present in their current S/S collection, though I think I prefer the darker neutrals that are coming up soon as I am biased with anything black and white.

Sporty chic.

Love how the orange hair accents give so much life to the dark outfits. Perhaps we’ll be seeing the EMODA team and/or staff with orange ombres later this year?

This fabric. This coat. <3

After the show, we were lucky enough to be briefly introduced to EMODA Producer Ena Matsumoto (So petite and thin-framed!) who is one of my many style icons. She was too nice to spend a few minutes to take pictures with us, as she was busy and in demand that night, and I knew we were taking a bit of her time! Made my heart melt.

She greeted us with “Hello! I am Ena, EMODA Producer!” then she asked Kumiko how to say “Nice to meet you!” in English. After we also introduced ourselves, I greeted her “Omedetou!” then she was like “Sankyu!” while rubbing her belly.

And I was like… OMG WHAT?! (in my head) I just congratulated her for the show!

Kumiko and I were so surprised because we didn’t know she was pregnant! Ena must have seen our faces, and she said “Baby!” to help clear the confusion. So excited for her! Maybe in the future EMODA will release limited edition maternity clothes! Ena will be the most chic mom ever.

There is nothing more fitting than to say that this person is responsible for making EMODA the brand that it is now. It is so admirable that she and her team have a vision of making it global one day, instead of just settling in one place. I see this vision happening very clearly, and I can’t wait for EMODA to tickle the fancies of the world’s fashion lovers.

I asked if I could take a few seconds of her time to snap about 2 solo photos of her and she gladly obliged with a wide smile on her face. But she switched back to “cool” mode as soon as I pointed the camera at her! 

Spotted EMODA Press manager Erina Abe on the way out of the event hall. <3 She is wearing one of the skirts that is included in an on-going EMODA A/W 2013 exhibition. Want! I wish I could’ve stayed longer to catch the exhibition!

Thanks to these people for making it all happen! I really wish I can attend more Japanese fashion shows in the future, especially since I am more than happy to spread the love to international fans. I used to just dream about attending stuff like TGC and touchMe, so this was really an overwhelming experience.

But enough about me! This is supposed to be about EMODA!

You can learn more about EMODA through their Facebook Page, and go all-out shopping in their Global Webstore. 

Here’s a video of the show:

Sponsored post.

Last October 5 was the official launch of Apartment 8. They finally got to do this after years being in the industry, and I couldn’t be happier for the team behind this wonderful brand. What I love most about them is that they offer a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality clothes that can fit different personal styles. I believe in their products so much that I agreed to be one of the brand ambassadors, along with Camille and Patricia. The 3 of us got to represent the 3 roommates of Apartment 8 - Blair, Paris and Katy. This concept got me sold! It’s so incredibly fresh, don’t you think?

Click on the names to view each collection:

Blair: “Sophisticated, clean, classy. Whoever said that sophistication and sass don’t mix clearly hasn’t met Blair. With her classic, polished look, she proves that a girl with good taste can have a real good time. All the gossip about this girl is true; she puts the fine in refined.”

Paris: “Nobody knows how to live it up quite like Paris. This sexy girl sure can work a room and demand attention when she wants it. Constantly clad in pieces that stand out like her personality, Paris is certainly where the party’s at.”

Katy: “Katy is the epitome of fun. Her bubbly personality translates to her wardrobe, which often consists of pops of color and prints that make you do a double take. She is edgy. She is spontaneity. She’s the perfect mix of young, wild, and free.”

Click here to view all my previous Apartment 8 posts.

Not inspired to splurge on all their pretty clothes yet? Here are a few photos that me and my boyfriend took during the launch at Blue Leaf Events Pavillon at McKinley Hill. They also got other blogger ambassadors like Lissa, Vern, Verniece, JL and Domz to walk down the runway dressed in special Apartment 8 pieces.

Dressing room with Lissa and Camille after we had our make-up done. Different hair and lip colors!

I almost never attend events as much as them so I rarely get to bond with bloggers outside work, but when I do, it’s always such a pleasant time. Good, positive vibes!

One of my muses, Tori, modeled for the fashion show. She is one of the best, most professional models I have ever known, and everyone (including me) should take a cue from her because she is so professional (and always on time, if not earlier than everybody else). It’s only a matter of time before she becomes big! <3

Ais Liao, who does the make-up for some of the shoots I photographed in the past. It was such a new feeling when I was the one sitting on her make-up chair as a model this time. 

Camille while having her make-up done. Silver smoky eyes with bright pink lips - a show-stopping combination very fitting for Paris.

Pretty Patricia fully made-up. Super love this lip color on her!

Chow Resurreccion, my brain twin, and the amazing designer behind all the Blair collections and this intricate flapper dress that I’m wearing. 

Ernest’s jacket. He is the designer behind all the Paris collections!

Lissa having her make-up done. Girl has the most flawless skin ever!

My favorite blogger siblings Verniece and Vern. I watched the fashion show from backstage and “aww”-d every time it was their turn to walk the runway because they were just too adorable for words. 

Pictures from the fashion show:

Patricia modeling Josh Buenaflor’s design for Katy. Too bad I don’t have a proper picture in my camera, but it was such an interesting design. 

Never mind that I am the most awkward person on stage and I have the worst posture ever! Congratulations to the Apartment 8 team for this opportunity. You finally did it! I can’t wait for other people to enjoy your designs as much as we did.

Thank you most especially to the lovely lady behind all this. Sheira, you are sorely loved! <3

Pucci, YSL and all of Farah Khan’s labels were presented at the Medium Gala last November. Heard a lot of people liked this show the best during the Malaysia International Fashion Week. I wouldn’t be surprised! As I was taking pictures silently on my seat, I noticed a lot of girls spazzing about some of their runway favorites from the show! Talk about being super effective. 

The show opened with Emilio Pucci, with his signature prints all over the collection. Yves Saint Laurent followed after with some of the loveliest jewel tones I’ve ever seen in my life. The bags got a few “ooh”s and “ahh”s from the audience - definitely some of the nicest accessories to complement even the simplest of outfits.

Then Farah Khan debuted her jersey collection, FK. Love how they emphasized that you don’t have to iron them. Basically, this collection = most perfect travel companions! Convenient for women who want to be chic but at the same time practical.

Finally, it was Farah Khan’s main label turn under the spotlight. Suddenly, there were these glittery dresses with statements printed on them! I love all the messages that she chose to be printed in big, black, bold letters. You guys know I’m always for positivity! The collection made such a huge impact that you could actually hear the audience reading the statements out loud as the models came out from backstage.

My favorite would have to be the one that she wore herself. CELEBRATE LIFE! <3

(From L-R: Rosanna, Laureen, me, Lissa, Camille and Lexi)

Candy Magazine held it’s first ever fashion show at SM Megamall a few weeks ago and I am so glad to have been able to take part in it in one way or another. Thank you to everyone who supported the show which was a huge success! I wasn’t able to take a lot of photos (or even bring my dSLR with me) but I hope I’ll be able to cover the next one properly.

With the lovely Candy team and Rez/Someday Dream who will soon be releasing the music video of his hit single “Hey Daydreamer”!

Paulinian pride. With Kirsten (remember her from this post?) and Tracy (and from this one?) who are always such kind sweethearts. Makes me miss highschool all of a sudden.

Since we were given specific trends/themes to follow, I turned to my recent ViVi magazines issues, and some cute and preppy looks from the recent Tokyo Girls Collection for inspiration. Thanks to Rach (remember her from this post?) and Jem for being fabulous on the runway.

Having too much fun with the bubble gun at the finale. One of the earlier parts of the show used these guns so by the time we had to walk the runway, the floor was soaked!

Highlight of the event: Meeting new people and followers of my blog after the show. Can’t thank you girls enough for all the support and kindness. So overwhelming. It might pass off as strange that every time I am asked for a photo I say thank you quite a number of times immediately afterwards, but I really, really mean it. <3

I modeled for the Le Sportsac SS 2011 fashion show at Greenbelt 5 yesterday. My stylist friends Boop and Kimi were there so our time was well spent chatting with each other and taking each other’s photos (Thank you JP for taking our photos and being your fabulous self as well!), especially since runway shows entail so much waiting and idle moments. Modeling and impatience do not go well together.

Bare faces at 7:30 in the morning. Posing with the Yaps, Sidney, Boop and Kimi. Dear Sidney was our stylist and all the clothes from the fashion show were Zara. We were allowed to style ourselves too, so I took the chance to create a color blocking outfit since my existing wardrobe is frustrating me with its perpetually being perfect for Fall-Winter but never Spring-Summer. Drab colors, begone!

I closed the Le Sportsac segment, which was flattering and immensely strange at the same time, as I am without a doubt the most awkward runway model ever. Talk about bad posture, a poker face and some body parts not coordinating with each other. I need how-to-be-graceful classes. But it was cool to have been able to stand on the revolving stage twice:

Thank you to Le Sportsac and Saga Events for the opportunity. ‘Til next time!

Edit:

Thank you Visions Expressions for this photo of me on the runway: