A sleek Ultrabook inspires an equally glossy capsule collection

MANILA, Philippines - Matchy-matchy outfits and accessories are not always the best choices you can make when selecting your wardrobe for the day, but a recent pairing of fashion and technology has proven to be a rare hit.

Intel-powered Ultrabooks have been creating noise in the tech scene with their compact and slim casings matched with impressive performance, and the latest one comes from Dell: the XPS 13, a 13.3-inch Ultrabook that has an edge-to-edge near “frameless” display made of bonded Corning Gorilla glass, machined aluminum, and carbon fiber. Despite its strikingly thin measurements (6 mm at its thinnest point and only 18 mm at its thickest), the XPS 13 features a 13.3-inch HD display and houses second Gen Intel Core processors that provide users with the speed and performance they require of their gadgets. It turns on and boots in as short as eight seconds — and resumes from sleep mode in just a second — and it also keeps emails, contacts, calendars, and social networks up to date even when it is in sleep mode, like a trusty little assistant, only better-looking.

Since thin remains to be “in” in the world of gadgetry — or at least a streamlined look —it figures that an appropriately sleek-looking outfit would be the best match to the XPS 13. Along with the unveiling of the latest Ultrabook last April 12 was the presentation of a capsule collection by designer Pablo Cabahug.

Game, set, match: Going matchy-matchy in your look is now okay, as long as you accessorize with a savvy-looking gadget.

Inspired by the XPS 13, the six-piece collection has a cool palette that echoes the chic aesthetic of the Dell Ultrabook. Cabahug kept the silhouettes uncomplicated and almost organic in flow. There weren’t much in the way of bells-and-whistles details, but the draping in some of the pieces added a softness to the whole collection, and the keyhole cutouts, cap-like sleeves, and ruffled hems in the silver form-fitting sheaths also tempered what could have been austere-looking dresses. While the glittery palazzo pants and the long-sleeved turtle-neck dress are fun with their slightly amped drama, the gloss and glitter coming from unexpected places were more delightful to discover: a cap-sleeve peeking out from under a draped bodice, a pair of short shorts. The collection, as a whole, is nothing that hasn’t been seen before, but its collective sleekness, modestly peppered with thoughtful details, has the makings of becoming wardrobe classics.

Accessories usually come second only to an outfit. This time, though, with more folks needing to stay connected while remaining mobile, a chic Ultrabook has become a hot item to be toted and to be dressed around.

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The Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook is now available through www.dell.com/xps13.