MANILA, Philippines - When it comes to urban lifestyle, Manila has a unique charm, dynamism and history unmatched by any other city in the world. From laidback bayside sunsets to postmodern fusions of culture and kitsch, our capital city never runs out of scenes and moments that inspire creativity — and we haven’t even begun talking about the people! Manila and its urban verve, energy and lifestyle is the inspiration behind Penshoppe’s latest campaign to launch its newest collection.
To bring the collection to life, Penshoppe assembled a creative team made up of some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. Pieces from the collection were expertly styled into chic ensembles by stylist and fashion designer Gian Romano. Makeup artist to the stars Lala Flores provided the natural, polished makeup and soft, tousled hair to complete the overall look. With outfits and makeup all set, fashion photographer Steve Tirona was free to work his photographic magic on the members of Club Pen — Bea Soriano, Victor Basa, Solenn Heusaff, Akihiro Sato and JC Tiuseco.
Penshoppe scoured the waterfronts and balconies, parks and streets of Manila to find the perfect backdrop that would let the outfits — with their neutral, subdued color palette and chic, minimalist styling — shine on their own. Yet even the most meticulous of plans doesn’t assure smooth sailing: a perfect location for a sunset shot was nixed due to a sudden rainstorm. The shoot in Guadalupe was mobbed by onlookers and fans, prompting security to keep the members of Club Pen inside a roving van, thus causing inevitable delays and challenges.
But the infectious energy and vibe of Manila kept the entire creative team going. The result: a campaign filled with stylish images that fuse modern urban life with a warm, almost old-school film-reel texture. Each shot tells a story, giving a glimpse into a hip, casual and relaxed lifestyle that is deeply personal yet timelessly chic. And as a backdrop, Manila is stunning yet still endearingly familiar. By putting its flair for reinvention to good use, Penshoppe not only transforms the preppy look into a modern style statement for today’s fashionistas, but transforms the streets of Manila into a hip cityscape and style destination as well.
Check out Penshoppe’s mid-year collection at all Penshoppe boutiques nationwide.