Past Tense

I can't be with you again
Don't remind me of the good times that we had
I learned a lot from us since then
And I never want these feelings to ever come again

You'll never hear me crying
You'll never see me trying
To love you once again
Your love is so past tense

Please don't tell me that you've changed
don't want to hear on how, you've lost your evil ways
the one who's changed this time is me
And I won't go back to feeling helpless and deceived

You never hear me crying
You never see my trying
To love you once again
Your love is so past tense

To think you had me fooled every now and then
You had me believing that I was the reason that you left
But I won't fall back in love with you again
I don't even want to be, - I don't want to be -
your friend

You never hear me crying
You never see me trying
To love you once again
Your love is so past tense

Be Nice

I was watching the eleventh episode of Project Runway (Season 2), the show I’ve been addicted to for the last five weeks. It was down to the last four designers and for the last challenge the remaining designers were to make an evening gown which would be a preview to the collection they would show at Olympus Fashion Week. Held twice a year in New York’s Bryant Park, 7th on Sixth is the production company responsible for New York Fashion Week(s) which presents the shows of Badgley Mischka, Kenneth Cole, John Bartlett, Diane Von Furstenberg, Anna Sui, Calvin Klein, Betsey Johnson, DKNY, and recently our very own Monique Lhuillier. As a treat, the designers got to speak to 7th on Sixth Executive Director Fern Mallis.

Fern Mallis is probably one of the most powerful women in the fashion industry other than Anna Wintour because she decides who gets to show their collections to the world. You can just imagine how huge this is for a new designer.

One of the four finalists, Daniel Vosovic asked Fern what advice she would give to new designers who were to show their work at the most important annual event in fashion. She casually says, “Be nice.”

This really struck me because the fashion and beauty industry is filled with bitchy, nasty, and ugly people. I consider myself bitchy sometimes because hey everyone has a bad day, but I’ve always considered myself to be generally nice (sometimes too nice actually). It’s really inspiring to hear those words from a woman who works in an industry with such a negative reputation. An industry filled with bitches and liars–those that would lie, cheat, and steal for fame and sales. But more importantly, it’s nice to know that people of her stature actually exist.

I hope to become someone like her someday. Successful yet nice.

Fresh

The latest issue of ICON is out. Please grab a copy of Fresh. It's pretty darn good.

Forecast

I was looking through the collections for S/S 2006 and Milan & Paris Fashion Weeks F/W 2006 and found some interesting pieces and looks that are totally wearable. The key words for 2006 are white, neutral, sailor, rocker, edwardian, and country.

All white outfits were seen in almost all collections. There are no rules for silhouette and fabric as long as one piece of the outfit is tailored. Eyelet detailed shirts are must-haves. Non-white accessories like belts are good breakers.


Alessandro Dell' Acqua

Ralph Lauren, Bottega Venetta

Neutrals like the shirt featured in ICON’s Fresh issue by Joey Samson are good pieces to have. I’m sure you all have neutrals so this look won’t be too difficult to achieve.


John Varvatos

Sailor prints are back but with a twist. The stripes don’t have to be in navy and white anymore. Any two colors will do as long as they match anymore. He he he.


Ralph Lauren, D&G

There is something for everyone. If you’re not into the clean look then you can opt for the rocker chic look. Think Avril Lavigne a year after her first hit and before she started wearing Gucci and Chanel.


Valentino, Prada

We saw the Edwardian look last year, but because it’s so hot, it hasn’t left. We will see more of it especially towards the end of the year and if you want the look, search for Edwardian tops in plum, and other rich dark hues.


Paul Smith

Gucci

Already seen in the movie Brokeback Mountain, the southern look is in. Distressed jeans, a big buckled belt, a wicked pairs of points, and an unbuttoned top is the way to go (if you have a flat stomach, at least). I would wear a floral shirt for a fruity twist.


DSquared2

Big bags are in. So stock up on those oversized messengers, totes, duffels. Take it to work, to the gym, and for a weekend getaway.


John Varvatos

And finally, just like Kate Moss, espadrilles make a come back.


Gucci

2005

This is so late, but I wanted to share it anyway.

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?

Drink Scotch.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t make resolutions; instead, I set goals and a wish list. In 2005, I got everything on my wish list. In 2006, my goal is to support local fashion designers, which Richie finds funny and silly (whatever). I started with a shirt by Ivarluski Aseron. My next target is a jacket by Joey Samson and a pair of Viktors.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Richie’s friends Candice and Christine Pascua.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thank god. Distant distant relatives though, but that happens often right?

5. What countries did you visit?

Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in May. France, Belgium, and The Netherlands in August.

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?

More sleep and control over my emotions.

7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

My sister Arlene’s wedding day. It was beautiful.

8. What was your biggest achievement/s of the year?

I would have to say ICON–we celebrated our first year. Phew!

9. What was your biggest failure?

It would have to be time. I would have wanted to spend more time with family, old friends, and my Assumption girls.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I hurt my back in Paris and couldn’t carry my luggage. Thank god Richie was nice about everything. He carried all my stuff.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My laptop. Can you believe it, hindi fashion?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Richie, Angelo, Xochi, and I-van.

13. Whose behavior appalled you and made you depressed?

I would rather not say; the world I work in is way too small.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Expensive dinners, alcohol, magazines, and cab drivers.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

New friendships and when a new issue of ICON came out.

16. What song/s will always remind you of 2005?

Push The Button

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

A. Happier or Sadder? Happier.
B. Thinner or Fatter? Fatter.
C. Richer or Poorer? Same.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Rest.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worry.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I spent a beautiful dinner with my family and then slept.

21. Did you fall in love in 2005?

Yes.

22. How many one-night stands?

As if.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

American Idol, America’s Next Top Model, and Pinoy Big Brother.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No, not really.

25. What was the best book you read?

I only read one book, The Devil Wears Prada.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

None.

27. What did you want and get?

A Prada bag.

28. What did you want and not get?

--

29. Favorite film of this year?

I’m drawing a blank.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Richie organized a trip to Tali. We had so much fun!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A thicker ICON.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?

Comfortable during the first half, then more playful during the second half.

33. What kept you sane?

Friends, Richie and cigarettes.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The Hello Garci tape scandal and the freaking rallies.

35. Who did you miss?

Some old friends.

36. Who were the best new persons you met?

People we featured in ICON and L.A.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.

Good work doesn’t come easy.