Merger of style and holiday spirit
MANILA, Philippines - For the holidays, the mood is decidedly stylish, but with so many brands and choices for menswear, how do men in need of a sharp suit, tie, belt or shoes choose what looks best on them?
Merger, the specialty store for men’s suits, unveils its holiday collection with a by-invitation-only preview today.
Merger creative director George Salud, who established the homegrown concept 19 years ago, in 1993, works with established Hong Kong designers who present him their seasonal collections.
“The fun is in curating the pieces,” says George. “Merger is a homegrown store with the collections designed and made in Hong Kong. The designers present to me the designs in their ateliers. The suits are designed by Asians for Asians, so they fit Filipinos very well and there is no need for alteration, unlike when you buy a European brand and you find the sleeves are too long or shoulders too big.”
Sometimes George also alters the details to suit the Filipino market — removing the more flamboyant details but retaining the fashion-forward silhouette
“Filipino men are more adventurous when it comes to dressing now,” he says. “Some like the traditional silhouettes but more and more want to be fashion-forward.”
Merger also has accessories for men made in the US — from ties to belts, bags, shoes and cuff links.
Merger’s 30-piece holiday collection ranges from tuxedo to business suits for formal wear, sports jackets for cool weather wear, cardigans and vests, all in fabric materials that are easy to care for. Merger boutiques are located at TriNoma Mall, Glorietta 3, and SM Megamall.
