Chic to Chic

Nothing is more disappointing for a fashion fiend like moi to visit Paris and find no chic people whatsoever. OK, maybe there was one chick at Colette with a nice tee and another pretty cool elderly lady at some corner café, but certainly not enough to quell my desire for inspiration, awe, clothes-envy and that ooh-la-la flavor I thought only Paris could serve up. I can almost feel the disbelief radiating through your mind, into your nerve endings and onto this sheet of newspaper. What, no chic people in Paris? Believe me, I was as wide-eyed as a hungry little tarsier in search of its momma. Maybe you didn’t go to the right places? Nope. I went to every arrondissement worth visiting in the beautiful City of Lights. I weaved my way in and out of the rues, café after café, ticked off all the shops on my list, from the early hustle and bustle to the wee hours and…nothing. Maybe you didn’t go at the right time? It was the week before Bastille Day, so it wasn't likely the locals had left town before the annual summer exodus. The only thing I didn’t do which could be the very loophole to this whole intro was to go out at night to any of the local bars and clubs. With baby and hubby in tow, it was not a priority or even an option. Regardless, it would be ridiculous to assume that the chic Parisiennes were all a bunch of vampire freaks who only came out at night and frolicked indoors in their own haute underground clubs. Or it could’ve been that I was simply unlucky. You know that annoying phenomenon that occurs when you are desperately looking for something, but it conveniently stays invisible? Then as soon as you give up or chill out about it, it suddenly appears out of nowhere. Kinda like looking for Mr. Right I suppose. Well anyway, this could very well have happened to me. Perhaps if I went there thinking I would see nothing, all the fashion plates would jump out at me from one street corner to the next like a cabaret line-up. It’s so unreal that I even thought of the possibility that I’ve become numb to fashion. Is it likely that it takes a lot more to get my attention these days, that my "eye" has become more "picky"?? Well, that’s a farfetched idea, so let’s not even go there or I’ll have to reconsider my entire career – eek! Whatever the reason, I found myself on the plane back home completely astounded by my non-existent eye-candy trip to gay old Pah-ree. I’m sorry if I sound so trivial. I know, there are far more significant aspects to the character of a city than the fashion aptitude of its citizens. But I can’t help it. That’s what Paris is known for. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of as a little girl. In my mind, Chicness and Paris were practically separated at birth.

So I decided to go on a search right here in our hometown for the Chic I missed out on my trip and, thankfully, I got my fashion fix almost immediately and didn’t have to search very far to find it. It only took me a moment of analysis to come to the conclusion that our local lovelies have naturally developed their own brand of Chic – a style that to me is incredibly appealing and most definitely world-class. It appears to be a mixture of Asian neatness, American sensibility and European flair.

Here are four women who are among those whom I believe exemplify chicness. They use fashion to suit their personality. Their clothes do not wear them. Their clothes do not scream "look at me!" They have a quiet confidence, they are secure in themselves, regardless of changing trends. They have a knack for what looks good on them, a sophisticated fashion palate, an uncompromising eye for quality, a superb understanding of color and structure, and above all that certain je ne sais quoi (had to say it!) that puts it all together.

Aaaah...I feel so much better now. Next time I feel the need for inspiration, I need not look too far away to find it.Ff

Dare To Wear:

An over-the-knee pencil thin skirt or a full circle skirt

Quotable Quotes:

"I have never known a really chic woman whose appearance was not, in large part, an outward reflection of her inner self." – Mainbocher

Special thanks to:

Leica Carpo, PR Manager, L’Oreal Phils.
Celine Gabriel, PR assistant, L’Oreal Phils.
Julie Cedo of Makati Shangri-La Hotel
Czarina Ledesma