Reckless youth

It was intended that the YStyle third anniversary be something less of a party and more of an experience. The presentation made by the design clique HG proved that a fashion show can include (gasp!) food and cheekiness without the saccharine after-taste. The party was divided into venues – one being the main event in the tent which was littered with style savants and ragamuffins and the other one the Motorola lounge at the Z Loft which was bubbling over itself with Moet & Chandon where more senior fashionistas and style emeriti held court.

The total count being more than 1,600 people meant a booze shortage (Absolut, Paradise Rum, Rene Barbier, Moet & Chandon, Freixenet, Ion vodkas mixed to perfection by the fabulous peeps from Government, the searing velvet rope hot spot for the fey and sensational – check out their Madonna weekends, Friday for early Madonna, Saturday for late Madge) if the party was tricked out with more than enough cases to keep a small country happy for a month. The chow, exquisitely made in the immaculate kitchen of the Shangri-La Makati, was a special treat for everyone.

Of course, in true YStyle tradition, fight awards were given. YStyle is known for its state-of-the-art trophies – last year’s were sculptures by Impy Pilapil. This year we celebrated a different genre of design, one that is fused with technology. To salute YStyle’s fave photographers, each were given a Motorola handset to celebrate their individual talents and contribution to the growth of the section. The recipients were Frank Hoefsmit, Victor Consunji, Marc Nicdao, Sara Black, Paolo Pineda, Jake Verzosa, Xander Angeles, Juan Caguicla and Jo Ann Bitagcol. We also saluted the efforts of Chang Ignacio of Furball and HG’s Gabbie dela Rama and Erwin Romulo for creating the spectacular setup for the evening. HSBC also honored the "Dorothy of the Night," Karla Alindahao from Tatler, with her attention-grabbing red pumps with a matching red bag from Kate Spade by HSBC’s big bosses deputy CEO Martin Cook and HSBC SVP for marketing Suresh Nanoo. Shu Uemura, represented by Xeng Zulueta, known for its keen pulse on style, was awarded the "most stylish of the evening," that being clothesmith Astrud Crisologo and modelicious Luke Jickain. The "lush of the night" award from Rene Barbier was given to Tina Daniac.

YStyle fights on for another year of fabulous fashion and equally engaging personalities. It was, in a literal sense, a smashing success.

The anniversary party was presented by Motorola and sponsored by Bench, HSBC, Belo Medical Group, Shangri-La Makati, Rockwell Land, SM, Bayo, Ion and Shu Uemura. Special thanks to Government, Moet & Chandon, Absolut, Rene Barbier, Hennessy, Paradise Mango Rum, Zen Restaurant, Freixenet, Enderun, PMAP, Furball and Sweetspot. – Celine R. Lopez