The wear bear
MANILA, Philippines - One of my best friends recently acquired a stuffed bear, and it made me realize that one can never be too old for a cuddly bear pal. My friend, who is 30, imbued the bear with a rather lascivious and obnoxious personality, and subjected him to all kinds of photographic pranks à la the traveling gnome in Amelie. While he had fun shooting the bear in such random places as Mexico, Pampanga, a relationship developed, a back story brewed, and now the two are practically inseparable.
The teddy bear, as a child, symbolized comfort and protection with its outstretched arms and paunchy seated position. As we grew up and had to leave the things of childhood behind, that usually meant a ratty, beat-up old bear boxed away in the bodega. But the bear never completely disappears from our life, and returns to us once in a while, whether in art, literature or dreams (and vacation pictures), a recurring motif that brings us back to innocence and wonder, and gently reminds us to keep dreaming.
The iconic bear brand of LuluCastagnette captures this whimsical, youthful world in a very chic French way. Recently, Lulu launched its line of watches to the Philippine market, placing the bear silhouette on timepieces that we can take with us wherever we go. Pascal Fanton, managing director for Asia Pacific, believes that the Filipino female clientele aged 14-25 will take to these watches like a bear to honey. “Though French and Filipino women come from different style backgrounds, they both have a distinct eye for fashion,” he says. “We’ve always thought that the Philippines is a good benchmark for fashion not only in Asia, but worldwide.”
Fanton chose the collection that would be available here, based on popular Filipino taste and preferences in watches and accessories, which tend toward two-tone stainless steel straps, slim styles that look like bracelets, and a bit of bling in the form of crystals. There are also fun summer designs with colored leather straps for the more playful. The bear is always there, whether subtly stamped onto a gold strap, or as a big logo on the faceplate.
At affordable prices (average of P2,000 for a watch) you don’t have to take time so seriously. Since most of us now use our cell phones as time-telling devices, watches have been freed of its utilitarian function and moved on to the realm of fashion, an accessory to our ever-changing wardrobe moods. With sweet styles and a French take on a beloved icon that will make you smile whenever you glance at your wrist, why not wear a bear?
LuluCastagnette watches are available at all Urban Time stores located at all SM Department Stores. Visit the flagship store of Urban Time at the 3/F The Annex of SM North EDSA.
