10JUL2014 // PREVIEW BEST DRESSED 2014

See the video here (Stylebible.ph)

The very lovely Tinay Villiamel (owner and creative director of Bleach Store) and I were picked as two of Preview Magazine's Best Dressed list for 2014, under the theme of Genderless Dressing. Even though the shoot was held some months ago, I still find myself speechless and quite nervous about this little highlight of my year. There is really nothing like being appreciated for the things you love and have a real passion for. I started this blog as an outlet for my personal style and interests, and maybe the few events that I attend. I've really been blessed to be surrounded by people that support and inspire me, this has made a lot of things come to life. Thanks to you. Thanks so much, Preview, for the amazing feature!

P.S. I'll be posting some outfit photos from the shoot soon xx

04JUL2014 // SKIN CITY

Shorts: Custom made by my design / Heels: Melissa x John Paul Gaultier / Purse: Prada

Preview Magazine had their annual ball this year with the theme of Skin City. What to do when you can't find anything you really want to wear? Make something, or better yet, have it made (due to limited skills and time). The theme was really open to a variety of interpretations, but I went with the idea of 'skin' in general (fabrication and my own skin). I had some yards of faux leather sitting at home, and luckily a great tailor to work with who put my design to life in a span of three days! So happy with the outcome. The top was inspired by the amazing Maria Van Nguyen's super cropped top design, I got in touch with her and she let me borrow the idea (thanks again Maria!); the shorts have huge slits on the sides, unfortunately we were rushing with the photos and also admittedly had a little too much fun at the party that we forgot to take photos of that detail. Not to worry, I'll wear it to an outfit post sometime soon. Thanks for the fun times, Preview! 

P.S. My hair is purple for the moment!

Photos by Anton Aguila 

27JUN2014 // UPCYCLING PT. 2

Vest: from Korea / Dress: DIY (originally American Apparel) / Sneakers: André Paris / Leather Backpack: Vintage Prada / Eyewear: Vintage from Cherry Bomb / Challenge Talisman Necklace: Pyrrha

This dress used to be light grey. It's one of the most comfortable dresses out there, but I found that I wore it less and less because the grey was too light and too casual for my taste considering its rayon t-shirt material. I did what any DIY enthusiast would do-- I dyed it a darker hue. After dyeing, I found that the thread stayed light grey and I'm sure it's because it's made of polyester fiber (which is generally resistant to regular dye)-- I quite like it! 

Photos by Karyn Ong

20JUN2014 // UPCYCLING PT. 1

Pique Cloche Hat: Y-3 / Cape Cardigan + Crop Top: gifted / High-waist Skirt: American Apparel / Ayahko Bag: Wabisabi / Sneakers: no name DIY

Starting another 3-part-post here on the blog. This time with the theme of my revised/upcycled/DIY-ed pieces. I noticed that this is something I like to do on a mildly regular basis; I enjoy revising some of my things to fit my personal style or body type whether it be cutting, sewing, dyeing, as long as it's within my minimal skill levels.

If you've been following my blog for a while, you will notice that I don't wear a lot of heels regularly. Though I really do love them and believe that they add a notably sexy approach and finishing touch to every look, I find that flatter shoes really suit my lifestyle. I've particularly taken to different kinds of sneakers recently, and try to dress them up to give me a balance between looking put together and casual that I could even wear to work. The ones I'm wearing here used to be high cut versions, I realized that they didn't flatter my legs and made me look shorter than I already was (I'm 5' 2") - so being the upcycling enthusiast that I am, I cut them and left them to fray. As expected, I wear them tons more now. Just a little idea for you in case you have some high tops gathering dust in the corner of your shelf.

I've taken a break from crop tops for the last few months, but they have recently been creeping their way back into my life. I'm sure you will be seeing them in the future blog posts to come. 

Photos by David Ong

13JUN2014 // LIPPIE ACCESSORY

Top & Mesh Bodysuit: American Apparel / Shorts: Comme des Garçons BLACK / Slip ons: ASOS / Ayahko Bag: Wabi Sabi

This is how I wear colour-- lips, sunnies, and on occasion, shoes. 
Even in the summer, you'll see me wearing dark lips; even when travelling in winter, it's likely you'll find me wearing a crazy lip colour. It's the easiest way to add a little something to a look, especially one that's monochromatic as mine, it's as good as an accessory.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! X

06JUN2014 // JORTS

Sunnies Studios / Top: Sune / Shorts: DIY / Ayahko Bag: Wabi Sabi / Sandals: Seychelles PH

Making the most of what's left of the summer in possibly the only jean shorts I ever wear nowadays since the start of the year. These have quite the fail story- I bought them early last year just as men's jeans and later on decided to cut a bunch of squares on them and frayed the edges. I actually didn't like how they looked on, it's possible I was not very good with the placement of the square holes. I decided to keep some of the squares and cut them into shorts, say 'whatever' and just wear them. Now I like them.

If you follow me on Instagram (@religionblack), you may have already noticed that I've been spending loads of time at EDSA Beverage Design Studio. So happy to have this freakishly amazing coffee shop / cocktail bar / drink lab to hang out at around in my hood. If you live in Manila or are visiting soon, you must check it out!

Photos by Karyn Ong
Location: EDSA Beverage Design Studio

30MAY2014 // TRANSITION

Shorts: Terriblay (vintage) / Clarissa Sandals: Dr. Martens / Kerry Sunnies: Sunnies Studios / Leather backpack: Prada / Chiffon Sweatshirt: H&M

Bipolar weather in Manila is expected around this time of year. After a long stretch of what felt like a heat wave, it is only bound to pour soon. Still too hot to wear heavier fabrics, I opted for my wide legged shorts or culottes, as they are more aptly termed. Since I didn't want to look inappropriately dressed for the potential of rain, I brought a chiffony sweatshirt around with me, worn here as a scarf tied on my backpack.

My girl Melissa wrote a blog post about the "in betweens" sometime last week. Seems like a solid number of us are wading around feeling our way into our next defining moments, both in stages of our lives and between seasons. Easy to say, we are hopefully transitioning into something exciting soon. For my Vancouver fam, I'm looking forward to the beautiful summer to come and everything that comes with it! As for me, it is still a little early to tell.

Insta! @religionblack
Photos by Karyn Ong