Time to sparkle!

The season of laughter and cheer is in full swing! This is the perfect time to celebrate New York fashion label Kenneth Cole’s Holiday 2014 collection of timepieces.

The brand, known for its distinct signature for sleek, bold modernity and urban-forward styles, unveiled its timepieces at the Makati Shangri-La recently. Inspired by the New York skyline, Kenneth Cole’s assortment of men’s and women’s watches celebrate the glamour of the night and the cutting-edge city life.

At the helm of these trendsetting timepiece designs is creative design director for Kenneth Cole watches David Smordoni.  Smordoni shared a little bit about his boss and founder Kenneth Cole. He said Kenneth Cole began his business in 1982 at the heart of New York in Central Park. There, he parked a truck that displayed his shoe designs. Smordoni said, “Kenneth Cole has always been known for classic designs with a little bit of edgy and urban twists.”

The best-selling Women’s Transparency collection of last season takes on a more glamorous form, with stunning crystal encrusted additions. The Women’s Classic collection features crystal accented dials and three-hand movements.  The watch comes in rose gold and stainless steel. The Men’s Diamond collection features a genuine diamond marker at the 12-o’clock position, and two dial colors of black and silver, stainless steel dress bracelets and premium leather, showcasing a sleek style for the progressive man.

During the launch, lucky guests Ernie Lopez and Gwen Ruais were invited on stage to have their dream watches designed by David Smordoni. They described what they wanted and Smordoni drew the details according to their description and their personalities.  All members of the media present were given their own Kenneth Cole timepieces from the Holiday 2014 collection and were asked to design their own timepieces, too.  Smordoni picked the winning design by Amador Madamba.

(Kenneth Cole Watches are available at L Timestudio, Wristpod, and selected Chronos Boutiques.)

A source of Philippine pride

Filipinos definitely have a penchant for travelling in style.

It is with great pride that Wallpaper* City Guides, which sold more than two million copies worldwide covering more than 100 destinations, finally launched its first ever Manila edition.

Published by Phaidon Press in the UK, Wallpaper* City Guides presents a tightly edited, discreetly packaged list of the best a location has to offer the design-conscious traveller. The Philippine STAR columnist Cheryl Tiu was tapped as the author and Hong Kong-based journalist Kissa Castañeda-McDermott as contributor. Both ladies worked with the British team led by executive editor Jeremy Case and French photographer Pierre-Emmanuel Michel.

A Philippine launch party was held at Carlo Calma’s Manifesto Gallerie on the 12th Floor of the Clipp Center in Taguig City with the Obsession and Fetishes exhibit as the backdrop. Guests enjoyed free-flowing wines from AWC Philippines and Don Papa Rum cocktails as they feasted on bites prepared by chef Chele Gonzalez of Vask. Guests were entertained by Leeroy New’s experimental dancers and the music of DJ Katsu.

The guide was also launched in Hong Kong with a Fall Merienda Party at the newly opened Chino restaurant at Kennedy Town. Co-hosted by architect JJ Acuna and Teresa Tayzon, the event was an intimate gathering of 30 Filipino movers and shakers that included New York-based Rafé Totengco, Maison Kitsuné founder Masaya Kuroki, and Catch On Media Company founder Cathy Chon. Chef Erik Idos created Pinoy specials for the day.

(The Wallpaper* City Guide is available at Fully Booked and Sketchbooks. Download the app for iPad and iPhone from uk.phaidon.com/apps/wallpaper-city-guides/.)

Becoming Cointreau-versial

Cointreau, the French orange spirit brand established in the Loire Valley over 165 years ago, feted La Maison Cointreau cocktail competition winner Christian Asiddao of Raffles Makati’s Long Bar.  The Most Iconic Cocktail award went to Cristopher Bayon of Black Sheep and the Most Cointreauversial Cocktail was awarded to Ryan Rodriguez of Marco Polo, Ortigas’ VU’s Sky Bar and Lounge.

The competition brought together Manila’s most visionary mixologists that included The Curator Nightlife Café and Lounge’s Aldrin Ivan Ancheta, Speakeasy Tapas Bar and Resto Café’s Lovi Ting-le, Vask Tapas and Gastronomic Cuisine’s Mark Anthony Marquez, Finders Keepers’ Christopher Jorge Olayvar, Privé Luxury Club’s Jerry Miranda, Makati Shangri-La Manila’s Reymond de Jesus and Le Jardin’s Albert Ladia.

Inspired by Cointreau Privé in Paris, La Maison Cointreau was first launched internationally in New York City, with the aim to introduce Cointreau as the avant-garde and Parisian style spirit that enables mixologists to be “Cointreauversial” and explore limitless cocktail variations using Cointreau. As an exclusive, by-invitation only competition, La Maison Cointreau sought out the best innovative talents in Manila’s cocktail scene.  

The competition was presided over by a professional judging panel comprised of Rémy Cointreau International SEAMI marketing director Elisabeth Tona, leading beverage consultant Lee Watson and JR Isaac.

The grand winner of La Maison Cointreau Philippine edition will represent the country and compete in the regional finals in Bangkok next year. The event was hosted by Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

La Maison Cointreau was presented in cooperation with Le Jardin, Seda Hotel, Creative Concepts, Resorts World Manila, Jaguar Philippines and Thai Airways. (Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)