Celebrating Independence Day never looked this chic. Mega’s editor in chief Sari Yap together with guest editor Tim Yap threw an Inde-pendence Day Party at the famed Champagne Room of Manila Hotel. Filipino retail brand Bench was also present to join in the festivities, not to mention Manila Hotel’s very own general manager Leon Keekstra. The night was all about celebrating Pinoy Pride and it was evident in the fashion. Some went all out and wore native materials while some accessorized here and there. The place was definitely bursting at the seams with overflowing pride and happiness to be Filipino.
Regine Velasquez
Mega June cover girl Regine wears a black cocktail dress from BCBG, shoes by Brian Atwood, belt by Gucci and bag by Balenciaga.
Sari Yap
Editor in chief Sari dons a tribal print dress with silk thread tassel detail by Jun Escario and matches it with strappy gold sandals by Michael Kors.
Anne Gonzalez
Anne’s beaded bolero is from New Yorker and she matches it with a long jersey dress, a wooden belt from Culte Femme and clutch from Aranaz. She wants the look to fit the elegant vintage ambience of the Champagne room.
Cristalle Henares
Cristalle wears a Patrice Diaz dress. The black French lace cocktail dress has an Art Deco pattern and black piña stylized alampay detail. Her jewelry includes layered tambourines and medallion necklaces from Riqueza and a citrine ring from Pepito Albert.
Janina Dizon
Janina wears a Puey Quiñones top and custom-made black leather skirt with Sergio Rossi shoes, an Hermes Kelly pochette and Jul Dizon jewelry. She wants to do a modern take on dalagang bukid.
Cheryl Tiu
Cheryl wears a piña kaftan by Puey Quiñones. Puey executed the modern Filipina theme by using local fiber and adding oversized sleeves with avant-garde detailing. Her hair is styled in a messy sort of Maria Clara bun by Honey of Regine’s Salon. The vintage pearls are from her mother and she tops it off with a Chanel clutch.
Helena Belmonte
Helena wears an asymmetrical gown by Rajo Laurel, which takes inspiration from Helen of Troy.
Mai Kaufman
Mai personally designed her dress and had her friend Debbie Co execute it. The modern Filipino look is accented with a gold belt and cage design skirt to go with the classic terno.
Techie Hagedorn
Techie wears a barong from Tesoro, pants from DKNY and shoes from BCBG. Her look is described as dressed-down Filipiniana. She thinks women should be able to wear traditional Filipino fashion outside of formal events.
Ruby Gan
Ruby’s top is by Joey Samson and she matches it with black shorts from Zara. Her shoes are Dries Van Noten, jewelry by Bea Panopio and she carries a vintage bag from Gucci.
Leah Eriguel
Leah is wearing a Pinoy-pride statement shirt from Bench and a local handmade malong. The bag is from Rags2Riches.
Ana Bitong
Ana’s style is funky formal and glam but not uptight. She wears a local white tee and a Betsey Johnson skirt with suspenders and net gloves and she matches it with Kenneth Cole shoes and a vintage Charles Jourdan bag.
Meryll Yan
Meryll is wearing a vintage Patrice Diaz lace dress in beige. Her shoes are cutout nude platforms from Guess. She is going for a modern Maria Clara look.
Frances Lim
Frances is in Silk Cocoon’s asymmetric silk top and silk pants.
Rima Ostwani
Rima dons a Hindy Weber Tantoco design which is her interpretation of a modern Filipino outfit incorpo-rating her “less is more” dainty personal style. She uses pearls for accessories and a Nicole Miller geometric clutch.