The fashion fit is always right at Ayala Malls

Behind every successful retail mall are not just loyal patrons, but also a developer that truly understands the needs of these consumers. Ayala Malls definitely knows its shoppers — what they like, what they wear, their shopping habits. “Ayala Malls really loves its customers.” says Myrna Fernandez, Ayala Land assistant vice president for operations, Commercial Business Group. “We try to understand what they really want.” Hence, a wide variety of fashion brands from local to foreign, affordable to high-end, classic to trendy, unique to mainstream.

“We bring in a full range of fashion stores in our malls,” Myrna adds “With fashion, we cater to different shopping personalities.” At Ayala Malls — Greenbelt, Glorietta, TriNoma, Bonifacio High Street, Market! Market!, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, Marquee Mall in Angeles City Pampanga, and Abreeza Mall in Davao, the shopper is definitely priority.

Open spaces, subdued lighting and elegant decor help enhance the shopping experience at Greenbelt 5.

Here, a lowdown on different shopping personalities and how Ayala Malls caters to each one:

The labelist - Greenbelt is a haven for shoppers who confess an attachment to high-end designer labels. It’s the only retail locale that houses brands such as the newly-renovated two-level Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Bottega Venetta, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Balenciaga and the recently-opened Hermés, which was already entertaining orders and had a wait list long before it opened. Luxe department store Adora also carries big name brands D&G, Neil Barrett, Missoni and Givenchy, while Rustan’s in Glorietta, a long-time favorite of discerning fashion-philes, has top-line brands such as Zegna, Pucci and Ferragamo. 

The stylista - Brands such as Zara, Mango, Warehouse, Promod, which are found in most Ayala Malls, are top-of-mind for shoppers looking for the latest styles. However, real fashionistas also know that great designs can also be found among home-grown labels. The Filipino Zone, Greenbelt 5’s “defining concept”, according to AC Legarda, general manager of Glorietta and Greenbelt, has local designers providing an extensive array of fashion needs: cocktail (Charina Sarte, Religioso, Bonne Bouche, Due Collezione), formal, red-carpet gowns (Jun Escario), stylish corporate wear (Religioso), funky urban (Barba), accessories (Aranaz, Avatar, Arnel Papa and Anna Rocha) and even contemporary Filipiniana (L Manila) and artisan shoes (Gaupo). Myth, also at the Filipino Zone, carries different local designer pieces, almost straight from the catwalk.

Myrna Fernandez, Ayala Land assistant vice president for operations, Commercial Business Group, AC Legarda general manager of Glorietta and Greenbelt, and Joseph Reyes general manager of Market! Market!.

The one-stop shopper - For shoppers who like to just come and go and not have to peruse different stores, Ayala Malls has retail venues such as The Ramp at Glorietta, which has a great selection of both local and imported fashion brands for men and women. It is only Glorietta, as well, that has all of the country’s three major department stores: Rustan’s, SM and Landmark. Rustan’s also has a presence at Alabang Town Center, while TriNoma houses Landmark’s second branch.

The budget shopper - Shoppers who are on a budget but don’t want to compromise quality head to the Fashion Market in Market! Market! which has nearly 7,000 square meters and 350 stalls selling anything related to affordable fashion — clothes (both trendy and basic), accessories, underwear and shoes. “This bazaar type concept is what sets Market! Market! apart from the other malls,” says Joseph Reyes general manager of Market! Market!. The fashionista on a budget can also scour SM Makati and Landmark, which is known for reasonably-priced, yet competitively-stylish fashion finds. Local labels are also obvious options. Bench Body’s affordable bras and undies are popular choices. Kamiseta, Bayo, Plains & Prints, which all have flagship stores have great fashion pieces under P1,000. Even Karimadon at Glorietta 5 now offers beautiful ready-to-wear bridal gowns that retail for less than P6,000.

Marquee Mall in Pampanga also has outlet stores of favorite brands such as Mango and Aldo.

The trendy dresser - Followers of trends always have high-street brand Topshop and fashion favorite Forever 21 on their radars. If the trend comes out on the runway, expect it to be in these stores just a few weeks later. For those wanting edgier designs, however, Ayala Malls also has street wear brands Human, Oxygen and Lee, funky shoe brand Pedro shoes and Bleach Catastrophe, a local graphic tee brand that, reveals Myrna, was first put up in Ayala Center Cebu but now also has stores in Greenbelt and TriNoma.

The class act - Classic dressers are also winners at Ayala malls. Brands such as Bench, Kashieca, Collezione C2, and foreign fashion names such as Marks & Spencer, Fred Perry, Banana Republic, and Gap carry basics and styles that go beyond catwalk trend. Levi’s, a staple in many Ayala malls, has a wide array of jeans, from the classic 501s to beloved bootcut styles to the now requisite slim-leg cut.

Luxe retail haven at Greenbelt 4

The teen fashionista - “We have our stores for teens,” says Myrna, “but we realize that there are different kinds of teen shoppers: there are the traditional ones and then you also have the more trendy ones who are into edgier clothing.” For the former, Penshoppe, Forever 21, Fox and the new sub-label Love, Bayo are go-to brands. The funkier young set can go to stores such as Artwork, People R People and Greyone Social. Ayala Malls has made things easier by having Teen Zones in malls such as Glorietta and Alabang Town Center.

The sports buff - R.O.X. at Bonifacio High Street is the one-stop shop for outdoorsy and athletic types. The whole BHS strip is actually ideal for these sporty types with the presence of brands like Nike, Adidas, Mizuno and Speedo. Specialty sports stores such as Bike King and Runnr are also at High Street. Sports buffs can also go to Olympic Village in Alabang Town Center; Toby’s and Chris Sports in most Ayala Malls; Asics in Greenbelt 3 and Adidas flagship store in TriNoma.