Blog Posts: May 2010
New Math
I guarantee you’ll be spending the next 15 minutes going through this site after you read this post.
I love this: ‘Easter Bunny = Santa Claus - Breaking and Entering’, and ‘Laugh = Ha x 3’.
Can you come up with any clever ones?
The 10 Shoes You Must Own Before 35
Shoes are indeed the solid foundation of a put together outfit. They can make or break your look–whether you’re in a bespoke suit or tailored chinos, the right kind of shoe will definitely help you put your best foot forward.
Being well dressed isn’t about being stylish per se. It’s about being prepared and ready for any occasion and situation. It’s about completing the perfect set of footwear that can take you from day to night and year to year.
Here’s my list of must-haves (in no particular order).
1. Brogues
By Church’s
Also known as wingtips, they’re a fantastic alternative to plain lace-ups–equally professional, just as elegant, but a lot more fun. Choose a brown or tan pair to emphasize the cuts and perforation design in the leather.
2. Chelsea boots
By YSL
Not overly trendy or over-the-top, Chelsea boots are a great investment piece that are effortlessly chic and elegant, but with an urban edge. I love the Sixties mod vibe that these boots exude. Wear them with your favorite jeans or your favorite pair of wool trousers.
3. Driving Shoes
By Tod’s
Needless to say, you don’t need to be in the driver’s seat to wear one of these. Comfort is key, but style should never take the backseat.
4. Penny Loafers
By Cole Haan
Nostalgia is a good thing. These classic penny loafers are a great thing! This classic style instantly adds a laid-back, preppy elegance to one’s look no matter what age–they’ll look just as good with a summer suit or washed and worn denim.
5. White Sneakers
By D&G Dolce&Gabbana
at Adora Department Store, Greenbelt 5
When I was in high-school, it was announced that for P.E. all students MUST buy white Tretorn canvas sneakers as part of the uniform. While the rest of the class groaned and complained that they couldn’t wear their Nikes, I was secretly overjoyed. I love all white sneakers. They look clean and elegant. Check out these more stylized white leather sneakers from D&G. Definitely not for P.E. class, but this fine casual shoe has a great retro appeal to it that’s perfect for the weekend. If you keep it clean and scuff free, a white sneakers will last you many years.
6. Belgian Loafers
By John Lobb
Tassels are just awesome–part old-school, 100% amazing. I like how the short front of the shoe allows for skin or a little sock fabric to peak out.
7. Monk Straps
By To Boot New York
Second to loafers, monk straps are my favorite footwear style. They are definitely sophisticated and sleek and super appropriate for a business suit. They also look fantastic with dark jeans and a crisp button down for a night out. I love how the traditional silhouette of the shoe is made edgy with double buckle closures.
8. Boat Shoes
By John Varvatos
They’re not called “boast” shoes, so one need not own a yacht to rock one of these weekend staples. Great calves, a nice bronzed tan, and some cool summer shorts are all you need for this casual footwear style.
9. Chukka boots
By Opening Ceremony
Referred sometimes as desert shoes, this casual variety of the boot is ankle length makes use of laces. Look for chukka boots in suede and in lighter shades like tan, cream, and off-white. Ideal for guys who find dark leather boots too dressed up for their casual wardrobe.
10. Espadrilles
While everyone else is in rubber flip-flops and clogs, crank up your weekend style with cool and relaxed espadrilles. If they get dirty, just pop them in the washer. Easy peasy style.
What are your favorite shoe-styles?
The Brothers Bloom (2009)
After having several release date changes, the marketing of Rian Johnson’s follow up to Brick seems to have shifted with this new illustrated poster and a brand new trailer. Looks like the team behind it is on the right track. The first poster fell flat when it was released last year and the style of this new one stands out from the rest of the hand drawn posters we’ve been seeing a lot of these days. Here’s the before and after:
Poster A
Poster B
Twitterverse
What people are saying about Rogue on twitter.
@carlosceldran: really likes the latest issue of Rogue Magazine: Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic. It’s all about Bacolod. Well done, guys. Well done.
@karlvendell: Rogue the Magazine is also now Rogue the Website. Hooray! http://rogue.ph/
@currystrumpet: is pleasantly surprised to find Rogue Magazine online. Complete archives = new reading material! http://rogue.ph
@charlesatan: Philippine spec fic story in this month’s Rogue Magazine, “Isa” by Marianne Villanueva. (April 2009)
You can follow us @rogueonline.
Tati Lamps
Tati lamps by Ferruccio Laviani for Kartell.
A Journey in Luxury
In lieu with the April “Travel-Bacolod” issue of Rogue, I thought this would be an opportune time to write about the lost art of travel.
Jetting off to some far, exotic locale has always been indelibly linked to the world of fashion and luxury– from the clothes one packs in a suitcase to the outfit worn while traveling, down to the quality and look of one’s luggage.
It has always been quite important to me to look at least presentable when travelling, whether you’re boarding a plan or sailing on a cruise ship. It is really a question of propriety and looking put-together. I’m always slightly thrown off guard when I see people in baggy sweats, flip-flops, and ratty shirts on international flights. Not that I’m saying one shouldn’t be casual and comfortable. A pair of jeans and a nice crisp shirt and sweater is just the right balance in my opinion. Got a smart looking sport coat or blazer? Better.
Paparazzi and the general public always look up to celebrities to see how they dress whilst vacationing. And they almost never fail to disappoint. Big shades, designer luggage sets, a hurried where’s-my-limo look–what could be a more fantastic mental traveling peg.
Yesterday: Peter Sellers and Britt Ekland
Today: David and Victoria Beckham
Age old brands like Louis Vuitton, Globe-Trotter (which is featured in this month’s edition of House of Style), and Hermés have recently pushed the “travel” aspect of their branding to the top of their marketing strategies and imaging. And why not? Their heritage and long, prestigious tradition of luggage craftsmanship is a cherished fact, one that’s especially unique in a time of a synthetic, mass-produced concept.
Louis Vuitton is perhaps the foremost name in luxury travel-gear. This re-rendering of a vintage Louis Vuitton illustrated travel poster featuring a steamer in a monogram patterned canvas is the perfect example of the brand’s presence during the Golden Age of travelling.
Modern day LV’s steamer bags, trunks, and cases are made with the same precision, excellent quality, and dedication to design and detail as they were decades ago.
Similarly, French leather and luggage brand Goyard boasts similar craftsmanship and prestige. Check out this vintage trunk from the 1930s from http://www.mantiquesmodern.com
Also from http://www.mantiquesmodern.com is this exquisite vintage Giant Hermés Birkin travel bag from the 1940s. I absolutely love how the tan leather is preserved, but beautifully beat-up and rugged. It looks incredibly rich but down to earth. It has an old money feel as opposed to a tacky I-just-bought-this nouveau rich vibe.
One new travel brand that I’m really fond of is Billykirk. This American company was founded in 1999 by brothers Chris and Kirk Bray. I love their classic, vintage inspired duffel and steamer bags. They use the coolest weather-proof canvas fabrics and leather straps. “Our brand name came from our father who often calls me “Billykirk” because my full name is William Kirkland. This is also probably due to our Southern roots and the melding of the first and middle names,” says Kirk in a recent interview for Flash Film. The brand eschews contemporary designs and manufacturing techniques for a more home-grown and authentic process. “Now that we have relocated to the East Coast, much of our collection is made by a group of Amish leather workers in Pennsylvania.” Chris adds, “They are not distracted by anything the world’s marketing machine is currently pumping out. They have no idea who the Rolling Stones are or that we are at war. It is essentially the 1870’s, aside from the hum of a large Honda generator looking out of place in one of the corners. They are allowed to use gas since it is from the earth.”
I particularly like this striped canvas and black leather steamer bag:
And this large overnight travel bag in olive waxed cotton:
Moon (2009)
Sam Rockwell stars in this psychological sci-fi drama about a man assigned to work on the moon alone for 3 years. Sounds like a one man show set in space (the only other main cast member is Kevin Spacey as the voice of a robot), so we’re probably not gonna get any crazy lightsaber fights.
Here’s the awesome new retro poster, which thankfully didn’t use Rockwell’s floating head with a wide shot of the moon and lens flare behind a metallic title.
The Substance of Style
Moving Image Source has a great feature on filmmaker Wes Anderson and his influences.
This is the first in a five-part series of video essays analyzing the key influences on Wes Anderson’s style. Part 2 covers Martin Scorsese, Richard Lester, and Mike Nichols. Part 3 covers Hal Ashby. Part 4 covers J.D. Salinger. Part 5 is an annotated version of the prologue to The Royal Tenenbaums.
It’s a good article, but it’s really the videos worth watching. Some people like his style, others hate it. Personally, I love his films, particularly Rushmore, Tenenbaums, and Life Aquatic.
In fact I loved The Life Aquatic so much I even had someone sew a big letter ‘Z’ (for Team Zissou) on a sweater of mine.
I’m a geek.
UPDATED: Included Part 5 of 5.
Behind The Scenes: Yciar Castillo
Rogue loves a fresh new face, especially one with some old-world charm. Which is exactly what Yciar Castillo has. This Bacolod-bred beauty, although relatively unknown, is no stranger to the limelight.
Yciar is a commercial and print model and was the one-time image model of the local clothing brand Anonymous.
What a delight it was to work with such a sweet and good natured lady. And lady is indeed the word that best describes Yciar.
The view from the balcony of the Gaston ancestral mansion in Manapla, Negros Occidental. Breathtaking and ethereal are the words that come to mind.
Rogue photographer, Mark Nicdao, and his beautiful subject. The light that shone through the house was just magical!
Yciar plays the role of Southern belle with such ease and natural grace. She had such a authentic look and connection to the place.
Ines did both hair and make-up for this shoot. What a trooper! Great job Ines!
The Gaston brothers and Rogue Associate Editor, Paolo R. Reyes.
Mark and Philippine cinema icon, director Peque Gallaga–who so happens to be Yciar’s uncle. We shot the film director for this April issue of Rogue. A family affair, indeed.
If the house and its surroundings look familiar it’s because the Gaston mansion was where Gallaga’s classic Oro, Plata, Mata was filmed.
Ines Lobregat takes a moment to reflect by that beautiful fountain.
Make sure to grab a copy of our April issue for Nico Lacson’s write-up on our cover-girl in “Prelude to a Kiss” and more of our coverage of the wonderful history, culture, and beauty that is my “home town,” Bacolod!
Where Art Thou Daryl?
What ever happened to Daryl Hannah?
In a genre of forgetable 80s beauties, the blonde actress still strikes me as one of the most beautiful and striking.
Her soft naturally elegant looks and graceful patrician features set her apart from her peers and caught the attention of Jackson Browne, Valkilmer, and JFK Jr.
But that’s just my opinion.
What do you, Rogue readers, think? Babe? Or Boring?
