A Scandi-Lous talk with Pam Quiñones and Philippa Andrén

The Abreeza Fashion Forum is a regular convergence of fashion and lifestyle press, bloggers, designers, and students that aims to discuss and promote notable trends, projects, personalities, brands, and ideas in fashion, with the goal of ultimately spreading a stronger style consciousness in Davao City. As we kick off a new year, Abreeza Mall takes this opportunity to strengthen its commitment to be a bastion for fashion in Davao City. 

Through this event, Abreeza Mall hopes to help usher in a stylish 2016 by giving you a peek at the trends that will be all over stores and streets this year, from Scandinavian style to the Pantone Color Institute’s color of the year for 2016, Rose Quartz and Serenity.

I was joined by two figures from the Philippine fashion industry who schooled us not just on style in 2016, but about finding your place in the field of fashion. 

They are both part of the team behind L’Officiel Manila, the Philippine edition of the Paris-based fashion magazine and the country’s first locally franchised international fashion title. 

Pam Quiñones is the magazine’s editor-in-chief, a prominent figure in the Philippine style scene who has studied in Milan, London, and New York and has made a name for herself as a celebrity stylist to the likes of Anne Curtis, Judy Ann Santos, Charlene Gonzales, and Sarah Geronimo. 

Philippa Andrén is the magazine’s fashion editor, a Scandinavian herself who has trained in London and her hometown of Denmark.

In keeping with this mission, Abreeza Mall has also partnered with the Davao Elite Fashion Group to highlight the year’s “it” colors through a vignette(vin-yet) exhibit. 

A mini-fashion show took center stage featuring items from Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, GAP, Mango, Marks & Spencer, and Promod!

Style Guide 2016 with Laureen Uy

SM Lanang Premier dares their shoppers to look their best – put their best foot forward in adding extra fab to a style that best complements them.  

We got acquainted with the latest styles and how to stay up-to-date with the latest looks! It’s Forward in Style 2016 at SM LANANG PREMIER. 

SM lanang Premier brings you Style Guide with Laureen Uy, a one of a kind Fashion Show that showcased one of Philippines’ young, hip and fashionable stylist of today! 

Laureen’s forecast for Men’s fashion revolved on three specific trends this year, denim, oversized; and crisp and clean. You can get a sample of these looks from Forever 21, Guess, American Eagle and Bench. 

Denim (model: Andreas)

Denim Look (Model: James)

Crisp and Clean 

Oversized shirts

For Women’s fashion---according to Laureen it is more time specific trends for women such as modern 70s, prints (stripes)in primary colors, lace, bermuda shorts and sporty chic. Get the look from Forever 21, Guess, and Bench.

Denim and Lace

Modern 70s look

Stripes in primary colors

Style Guide 2016 Models with Laureen Uy

Laureen Uy is such a breath of fresh air, it's been two years since I last had the opportunity to chat with her and she hasn't changed a bit. She is still very grounded and level headed like her sister Liz. Laureen is truly an inspiration to budding Bloggers and fashionistas. No wonder she still attracts thousands of followers on social media. More power! 

Images provided by SM Lanang premier and tatay Rene Lumawag.

A DOT affair: Summer in January, Press conference for VDFS, The Tourism Industry Gathering

I had the opportunity to host this year's Tourism Industry gathering at Marco Polo Hotel Davao. Updates and plans for 2016 were presented by Tourism Officers from Davao Region, a fitting event to usher in 2016. Exciting events, projects and activities are lined up for the coming year. The event started with a photo exhibit, entitled Summer in January. 

"Summer in January" is a photo exhibit which is sequel of Summer in December photo exhibit at park Inn. This project is a collaboration with M Magazine ,Fuji, award winning photographers Ms. Jojie Alcantara, Rhonson Ng among others, participating hotels and key Davao attractions. 

The purpose of this exhibit is to promote the summer attractions for early awareness to guests, visitors and tourists of Davao at the hotels. Summer in January exhibit is open to the public for the whole month of January at the lobby area of Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

A few minutes after the successful launch of Summer in January at the Lobby, guests were welcomed at the Borneo function room for the press conference for this year's Visit Davao Fun Sale 2016. 

Scheduled on March 25, 2016 to May 31, 2016, VDFS 2016 will have three themes to categorize its various activities. The Adventure and Sports theme will feature Samal Half Marathon, DurianMan Triathlon and the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge. The Culture and Arts Theme, meanwhile, will feature Davao Art exhibitions by various artist groups from the Davao Region, Cultural and Tribal Dances which will bring performances and Davao Grand Indie Film Festival, which is a season-long showcase of award-winning Mindanao-produced indie films. The Party, Fun and Leisure will feature EDM events and the Pub Crawl which is aimed to steer Davao night life.

As a frontline offering, VDFS 2016 will feature ten discounted tour packages to include adventure and cultural tour packages from the region’s islands (Samal and Talikud) to highland (Mt. Apo) destinations. 
Tha press conference was followed by The Tourism Industry Gathering that took place at the Jade Function Hall.

The Tourism Industry Gathering is the annual industry gathering that convenes all key players, partners and stakeholders of the tourism sector to update them on the tourism programs and plans for the incoming year.