MANILA, Philippines - Many of Manila’s sartorial chic gathered for a night of fashion at the grand foyer of Rustan’s Shangri-La, for the launch of Fendi’s pre-Fall 2015 collection and the Italian brand’s first ever stand-alone boutique in the Philippines.
An exhibit of Mini Karlito keychains and three different models of 2Jours were encased in glass vitrines. These lined the black-carpeted walkway to the store. The display cases were covered in a colorful grid of Post-it notes, inspired by the brand’s bold Post-it inspired windows.
Seen at the event were fashion aficionados Teresa Herrera, Bea Soriano, Angel Jacob, Laureen Uy and Camille Co, who were among the notables fawning over the remodeled Micro and Mini Peekaboos, Baguettes and By the Ways. The curious Bag Bugs eyes print, Fendi’s well-loved leitmotif, was present on the Demi Jour, Petite 2Jours, Baguette and a nylon backpack. These sold out right away that evening.
Models also showed off the designer label’s key looks. The ready-to-wear consisted of a knit sweater and shearling jacket decorated with fox-trimmed Bag Bugs eyes, dresses with woven strips of silk and organza in a bright pattern of orange, green and purple, and a flared knit dress inlaid with stripes of the same vibrant hues.
The models clutched Micro Peekaboos in iris blue and poppy red, Mini By the Way bags in black and fuchsia, and a large dove-gray Peekaboo with an elegant tortoise-effect Plexiglas bar.
Fuzzy and fun, Karl Lagerfeld’s fur Bag Bugs handbag charms, which became a staple of street style two years ago, were incorporated into the ready-to-wear collection and accessories for pre-Fall. The furry faces and other bug embellishments infuse the designs with youthfulness, and attract a new generations of shoppers. Imagine the bags peering out from the shelves with bug eyes as though pleading, “Please take me home.”
The night closed with sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, electric beats, and a renewed reverie for the timeless icons Fendi has created. Guests happily went home with a purchase or two of their choice of artisan bags, and everyone walked away with charming Karlito flash drives as giveaways.
With the success of the event, the shelves gave way for more room in the boutique, as a new collection will also be coming out by mid-October to November.