Manila meets Zara

It was a very crowded night at the Power Plant Mall as people armed with credit cards to swipe and cash to burn stormed Zara, the newest project of Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI).

SSI’s head honcho Anton Huang said, "All the preparation and anticipation have been worth it. He shared Zara’s success with his wife Nina, SSI’s president Nedy Tantoco and Rustan’s patriarch Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr.

Plush velvet ottomans were positioned by the South Court entrance, an all-black bar serving only non-colored drinks (white wine, champagne and Tanqueray all from Ralph’s Wines and Spirits), hors d’oeuvres from the Peninsula Manila and live entertainment from Mishka Adams were all there that night. Of course, there was a fashion show that presented select pieces from Zara’s fall collection with models looking dramatic because of the hair and makeup created by the skillful hand of Emphasis Salon’s Victor Ortega.

The Spanish brand has had success in its 764 stores in 55 countries. Eva Serrano of Zara-Spain adds, "Spaniards have always considered the Philippines and its people a very close friend. We are fortunate and, indeed, very happy that we are now sharing some of the best that our country can offer to our friends here in the Philippines. Our inherent sensitivity to the trends of the fashion world allows us to ride the current fashion wave and even leads it. Now, the fruits of that sensitivity are here for all Filipinos to see, appreciate and enjoy."

Scent of euphoria

Calvin Klein recently launched its provocatively sensual new scent "Euphoria" at Mezze. The affair was done in an all-white ambience punctuated with deep lavender orchids, the same amethyst color as the scent.

Euphoria has top notes of pomegranate, persimmon and lush green accord; a heart of dewy lotus blossom, champaca flower and orchid, and a key accord of liquid amber, black violet, cream and mahogany. The bottle is an ergonomic piece of glass encased in a burnished aluminum shell with glimpses of the amethyst-hued fragrance visible on either side. The bottle designed by Calvin Klein with Fabien Baron was inspired by the sinuous curve of an orchid about to bloom.

The event was hosted by Luxasia Philippines GM Mia Nolasco-Cuenca and brand manager Vicky Marchadesch together with cK Fragrances GM Warwick Jenkin and cK Fragrances (South East) area manager Kamila Elliott who flew in from Singapore. Also present were Rustan’s cosmetics and toiletries division executives Anching Angeles, Rhina Roman, Arlene Armada and Jo Arconado.   

Unveiled at the launch was the star of the Calvin Klein Euphoria campaign, supermodel Natalia Vodinova, whose face already unites a number of cK lines including jeans, jewelry and eyewear. The campaign was photographed by Steven Meisel while Fabien Baron directed the television commercial. 

A charitable Asian Hospital

Five medical practitioners of Asian Hospital and Medical Center launched the Asian Hospital Charities Inc. (AHCI) at a cocktail party held at the Manila Golf Club in Makati. It was a dream come true for AHCI board members Dr. Jorge Garcia, lawyer Rey Bulay, Bernard Koval, doctors Francis Lopez, Luis Rivera and Josephine Tuason who gave their commitment in helping the underprivileged through a charitable venue for medical services. AHCI’s main objective is to help the less fortunate patients to seek free medical services at Asian Hospital.

Among the guests present were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Asian Hospital CEO Pamela Robinson, Marixi Prieto, Rebecca Singson, Jerry Garcia, Joseph Barril, Benny Lim, Tony Bueno, Manuel Collantes and Allure columnist Johnny Litton who also hosted the night’s party.

The event became more meaningful with guests pledging donations that will be used as seed money for future projects.

Give way to Freeway

Friends of Freeway took time off their busy schedule to drop by an intimate gathering to celebrate Freeway’s launching of Cindy Kurleto as the label’s new face.

Guests gathered to congratulate Cindy and the owners of Freeway, sisters Sheree Roxas Chua Gotuaco and Katty Roxas Chua Qua as they enjoyed a dinner by chef Rolando Laudico. A fashion show directed by New Zealand-based Frederick Sy featured PMAP models don Freeway’s upcoming holiday collection as Cindy sashayed in last wearing a violet ruffled gown.

The collection consisted of colors like camel, gray, and hues of royal blues with occasional splashes of pink, yellow and turquoise which Freeway is known for.

(For inquiries, visit www.freeway.net.ph)

Family wellness festival

The Bantay Kalikasan Program, a project of the ABS-CBN Foundation, will be holding the Family Wellness Festival from Nov. 12 to 13 at the La Mesa Ecopark. The festival is set to attract families, employees and health enthusiasts for a jazz festival, a neo-ethnic concert and wellness lectures such as the healing effects of tai-chi, natural prevention of cancer, zen meditation, yoga, aikido and spiritual healing.

The event will also feature the first ever open-air Jazz Festival with performers like Richard Merk, Mitch Valdez, Verni Varga, Bituin Escalante and Mon David. The neo-ethnic artists on the second night include Joey Ayala, Grace Nono, Pinikpikan and Pangkat Kawayan. Both concerts will be held at the Petron Ampitheater in La Mesa Ecopark.

Tickets are P150 for a two-day entrance, free lectures, and the neo-ethnic concert and P500 for a two-day entrance, free lectures and the Jazz Festival. Proceeds will go to the continuing reforestation of the La Mesa Watershed. Tickets are available at Ticketnet, Ticketworld or the Bantay Kalikasan office at 410-9670 or 415-2227.

A typical French evening

The Beaujolais region in southern Burgundy has a distinct wine making method – a combination of carbonic maceration and "chaptalization" or adding sugar to boost the alcohol content. Beaujolais is also synonymous to Soiree Beaujolais, the annual party where people get together and get merrily inebriated.

The highly anticipated Soiree Beaujolais 2005 will be another typically French evening! November’s third Thursday marks the world market launch of the Beaujolais Nouveau — the young red wine from the Burgundy region in France. It is a light, fruity wine meant to be gulped rather than sipped, enjoyed in high spirits rather than critiqued.

This year, inspired by the renowned landmark "La Pyramide du Louvre," Le Club French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines will transport you to the heart of Paris and its culture. The venue’s interior will be decorated to give revelers the feeling of being a real Parisian! Last year’s Arc d’ Triomph/Champs Elysees theme was stunning.

The event will be hosted by STAR columnist Johnny Litton and Pat Evangelista and will feature performances from Ricco Labayen’s dance group, NTwine and Hi-Way 69 Bands.

The raffle prizes this year include one round trip Manila-Paris air ticket courtesy of Air France-KLM, plus a 17-day ultimate driving pleasure in France with Peugeot 307 HDI from Peugeot Open Europe, one round trip Manila-Paris air ticket courtesy of Air France- KLM, one South Sea Pearl Jewelry from Jewelmer, two nights for two persons at the El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island with roundtrip air tickets, Classic Chinese antique furniture from Raffles Fine Arts, Corkscrew in Sterling Silver, Carabao Horn and Red Garnets (98.5ct) courtesy of Artebylis Corp., three nights for two persons at the Red Coconut Beach Resort with two round trip Manila-Caticlan air tickets courtesy of Interisland Airlines, Jewelry Item from JLP Consulting, Tell Me More French Language Learning Method (one to six) courtesy of Alliance Française de Manille.

Don’t miss the grand Soiree Beaujolais 2005 on Nov. 17, 6:30 pm at the NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio Global City. Celebrate this French tradition turned worldwide phenomenon and be a witness to the Beaujolais charm – from grape to glass.

(For ticket reservations, please contact Le Club FCC at

813-9005 or 812-0433 or e-mail [email protected]. Part of the proceeds will go to the scholarship fund of Le Club.)

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