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O C T O B E R 20 15

Historic Opulence

by Lesley Mobo

THE LEXUS IS THE BEAUTY OF POWER

Power has never been this stunning.

Introducing the Lexus IS350. With a 306 horsepower V6 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, precise pinpoint handling, and LFA-inspired exterior and interior design, it’s the IS like never before.

Drive one and you’ll know the power of beauty. www. lexus.com.ph

*Actual vehicle may differ from the photograph.

LEXUS MANILA INC. 3402 8TH AVENUE CORNER 34TH STREET, NORTH BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY, TAGUIG CITY • TEL. (632) 856 5050

EDITOR'S NOTE

LEARNING CURVE

First thing I do in the morning is to spray on Mario Badescu Facial Spray with aloe, herb, and rosewater. It’s a pleasant pick-me-upper and helps hydrate the skin, so I carry the small bottle in my bag. #RiaRecommends

Australian dishes from Bondi & Bourke at Legaspi Village. #fotd

Most of my friends are housewives, and even though I love my job, they remind me I should do some things for myself. So for the past two weeks, I have been doing just that. Instead of going to my favorite restaurant for a meeting, I pick one I’ve never tried before so I could discover new eating spots. I attended two press launches (I normally just attend one in a day) because I wanted to learn how to do floral arrangements.

One afternoon, I stayed longer than I should’ve at Homme et Femme Rockwell, trying out new things.

I also edited my beauty products, and shared how obsessed I am with Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray on Instagram. Truth is, I have a pretty amazing job, but sometimes just being aware that every moment is an opportunity to learn or try something new enriches a life experience.

In this issue, RED Magazine is proud to be media partners of the Red Cross Ball, where Lesley Mobo will be presenting his collection inspired by the romance and passion of Tudor England. See a preview of his creations in this issue’s cover story, starting on page 10. With the rest of our stories, we also hope you discover new things to do and places to go to for an adventure or just a drink. Shopping?

Take time to check out Rustan’s Christmas offerings (starting on page 17), which is an anti-stressor and guilt-free way of spending. It is that time of the year after all, so gift your home and family with fab décor.

Better than Chanel espadrilles, in my opinion. Céline available at Homme et Femme, 8 Rockwell. #sotd #RiaRecommends

Enjoy!

First time to make a bouquet, and I'm loving it.

@riaprieto

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10 ADMIRED Lelsey Mobo’s latest enchantments for the Red Cross Charity Gala. Photography Clyde Gabriel

8 ON THE RADAR A roundup of the latest in fashion 15 ART A taste of both the past and the future 16 ATTIRED Dissecting the sneaker trend 17 The season’s newest helpings for a Yuletide feast

20 BARED Exploring the benefits of a $1,000 face cream or two

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EXPLORED Into the raw beauty of Alberta, Canada

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INSPIRED A home masquerading as a gallery

32 DEVOURED

A whimsical hideaway from city life

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34 SOCIAL DIARY

Flying the country’s golden treasures to the East Coast

35 INQUIRED

Dr. Z Teo and Dr. Aivee Teo list down their favorites

This page: Green Barcelona bag, Loewe

Group Publisher Bea Ledesma Editor in Chief Ria Prieto Creative Director Nimu Muallam Associate Editor Meg Manzano Copy Editor September Grace Mahino Editorial Assistant Denise Fernandez Staff Photographer Patrick Segovia External Relations Officer Liza Jison

Contributing Writers Angela Manuel Go, Mara Santillan Miano, Pristine L. De Leon, Randz Manucom Contributing Photographers Koji Arboleda, Mari Peña, Gabrielle Novenario, Clyde Gabriel

Board Chairperson Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez SVP and Group Sales Head, Inquirer Group of Companies Pepito Olarte Sales Director Ma. Katrina Mae Garcia-Dalusong Business and Distribution Manager Rina Lareza Sales Inquiries Email: sales@hip.ph Telephone No: +63 (2) 403 8825 local 239

ON THE RADAR

BRAND BYTES

From figureheads stepping down to brands taking a new direction, there's been buzz aplenty at retail's ground zeroes

MINIMAL LIGHT SET IN GOLD

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, audio and video brand Bang & Olufsen has launched its Love Affair Collection of products set in a new rose gold design. Innovative in aesthetic, the products combine both rose gold and warm walnut wood for a more elegant touch. Six pieces from the collection are up for grabs, including the lightweight BeoPlay H6 headphones and the wildly popular magic-touch BeoPlay A9 music system.

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In case you haven’t gotten your hands on their bucket bag, good news: the duo behind Mansur Gavriel has released four new bag styles.

More good news: they have made a foray into the world of shoes as well. With the exponential demand for the brand’s wares, evidenced by endless waiting lists, the fashion crowd wonders whether the CFDA awardees for accessories design have the chops to make it in the shoe business. Their sartorial strategy? To release 320 footwear styles all within the same province of style—an approach completely different from that of their bucket bag marketing. “We love the idea of having one form, and perfecting that form, and having many different iterations of that form,” Mansur tells Vogue.com.

RALPH LAUREN’S WORKHORSE

CEO and designer Ralph Lauren, 75, has announced his descent from his title in his namesake brand Ralph Lauren. Months after the retail giant opened its restaurant in Manhattan, Lauren reveals his new successor: Stefan Larsson, 41, an Old Navy, Gap, and H&M alum.

Following a reported drop in company shares, the designer’s decision to step down may be a strategic assurance for the brand’s investors, if not a sign of the times—one that sees new kids on the block taking charge of classic American fashion houses.

LIP LOCKED

While Glitter may have not been the biggest hit for Mariah Carey, the singer has yet another shining, shimmering, splendid foray up her sleeves. In a collaboration with MAC Cosmetics, the artist reveals a ’90s-inspired line with her “debut single” “All I Want,” a lippie in a dizzying shade of champagne frost to be released this December, and an entire beauty icon collection to be available in 2016.

NEW CHAPTERS Celebrating 40 years in the industry, Giorgio Armani has announced the release of his autobiography, set for this month. With gorgeous photos taken by Peter Lindbergh, Craig McDean, and Herb Ritts, the book chronicles the luminary designer’s life: taking the helm at Armani, expanding the brand into lifestyle boutiques and dining destinations, and his thoughts on the current landscape of fashion. Think of it as the next imperative coffee table book on your shopping list.

BCBG’S PRE-FALL COLLECTION

Charmed, we’re sure. BCBG Max Azria’s pre-fall line hints at southern sensibilities with the lightest of fabrics and the most feminine of silhouettes.

Hinting at tribal accents, the line takes a walk on the parental-guided wild side with pieces that can be easily dressed up or down.

SPECIAL FEATURE

HIGHER LIVING A real estate gem in the making W ORDS D E NI S E FE RNA NDE Z P H OTOGRA P HY PATRI CK SE GOV IA

Makati has its many charms: its constant hustle and bustle, the quaint and secret hole-in-thewall restaurants and coffee shops, its booming evening lifestyle, the fashion and society of its elite residents...the list is endless. As the central business district of the Philippines and the capital for cosmopolitan culture, living in Makati exudes power, fun, and luxury—a concrete jungle fit for both work and play.

From Ayala Land Premier comes a new development set in the very heart of Makati, at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Cruzada street, ready to revolutionize real estate and high-rise living. Roxas Triangle Towers boasts a prime location, within walking distance from shopping malls, offices, and other establishments, making it much more convenient to settle within the development’s accessible reach rather than going through the hassle of long drives and commutes from the suburbs of the north and south. Its towers, One Roxas Triangle and

BY THE NUMBERS

With its spacious interiors, innovative design, and highclass amenities, the property is set for turnover during the first quarter of 2019.

11,812

square meters The approximate area measurement of the Roxas Triangle Towers, located at the Makati Central Business District.

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The infinity figure, a symbol of good fortune, is formed by the Roxas Triangle and its complement, Ayala Triangle.

AS THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE CAPITAL FOR COSMOPOLITAN CULTURE, LIVING IN MAKATI EXUDES POWER, FUN, AND LUXURY-A CONCRETE JUNGLE FIT FOR BOTH WORK AND PLAY.

Two Roxas Triangle, include spacious units with quality amenities, along with the best views of the city skyline.

Anyone interesed may choose from a variety of units: garden, standard, sky residence, penthouse bi-level, and penthouse flat. With its carefully proportioned and skillfully designed interiors, the Roxas Triangle Towers gives its residents an abode at its utmost finest. •

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The number of shared amenities that await residents, including a squash court, a salon, a car-washing bay, and a fitness center.

182

The number of residential units offered in Two Roxas Triangle, with options from a garden unit type, to a penthouse type.

550

square meters The approximate size of the most expensive penthouse flat.

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ADMIRED

ROMANCE AT THE CROSS

At the Red Cross Ball, international designer Lesley Mobo relives the passion and the pomp of an era past WORDS M ARA S AN T IL L AN M IAN O P H OT OGRAP H Y CLYDE GABRIE L

Thirty-two-year-old designer Lesley Mobo is anything but complacent.

Just last year, he launched one of Uniqlo’s bestselling product lines, the T-shirt collection “MOBO Lesley Mobo Feel The Sea concept,” which was highly successful in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Australia, and the United States. Earlier this year, he announced the unveiling of his new underwear collection and a perfume line for men and women, backed by retail giant Suyen Corporation and Bench. Then, this month, he is Red Cross’s chosen designer for its muchawaited Red Cross Gala.

Known for supporting a number of charities in his years of doing fashion design, Mobo is looking forward to this latest project. “I really admire all the designers who’ve worked with Red Cross in the past. I think it’s wonderful to use fashion as a platform to raise funds and help save lives.”

He says the show will be subtler this year, more relaxed. “We have to remember that charity is at the heart of the event. The most important job a designer can do is to make people feel a part of something bigger than themselves.”

The collection will feature his usual romantic layering and surface decorations, but done in a more playful and festive mood. “Like Christmas pudding,“ he describes. “Eclectic, but with careful consideration to precise proportion. Fun but mysterious, light but [autumnal] in feel.” It’s his interpretation of the Tudor romance and the dynastic Wars of the Roses, done through a kitschy glamour trip a la Studio 54, marked by a generous use of beads, feather, lace, paillettes, and glitter and made modern with strong shoulders and neck lines.

Those versed with Mobo’s signature aesthetic are familiar with his love for royalty and their history. He says of Elizabeth Woodville, his favorite royal figure, “She was the Queen Consort of England as the spouse of King Edward IV. She played an important role in securing the accession of Henry VII to the

throne in 1485, which ended the Wars of the Roses.”

One could say this collection is a homecoming of sorts, an homage to his beginnings and the history of the place that molded him. London’s rich past inspires the designer into “a constantly evolving, never-ending journey of discovery,” hence, his purpose for the show is not to drag viewers back to the Tudor times but rather to romanticize that era and create something new out of it as well.

Mobo’s earlier works were also influenced by history and romance. His BA graduate collection at Central Saint Martins, for example, showed a lot of Elizabethan inspiration. “Someone saw my ‘Maniac’ collection during the graduate show, and recommended that I see the legendary British costume designer Sandy Powell,” he recounts. This he did, and ended up submitting sketches for them.

What he creates in the end, however, is always fashion and not costumes; Mobo merely uses details culled from historical research. “There’s a wealth of Tudor techniques on how to design fabrics and how to put texture on them. That, for me, is inspiring, and if I can create something new out of learning those, then that would be very rewarding.”

This seems to be the designer’s real skill,

making him a sought-after partner for retail giant brands and fashion conglomerates. He says his training in Central Saint Martins pushes him to optimize his creativity and use it for ideas that sell. “[Creativity is] helpful in the beginning,” he says. “But working in a corporate environment is a different story. Numbers matter a lot. You will always have to adjust to the working culture of every company, no matter how good you think you are.

You have to deal with the buyers, the people from sales, marketing, window display, and PR, and plan a whole campaign strategy a year in advance.

You have to justify to the team why you think people would want to buy red dresses in the store in 12 months’ time.”

Mobo began his career in London’s famed Harrods Store. “It was overwhelming,” he says of the experience. “There was a sales meeting every other day, but I learned to love monitoring the sales of the collection each week and comparing the progress from the sale exactly the same week a year before.” His first four years at Harrods had taught him the tough balance of working as a creative fashion designer for a brand that also runs a retail business. “In the end, working in a big corporate fashion establishment will always be about coming out with new ideas and hitting target sales. Keeping the figures up is part of the job—equally important as inspiring customers with new ideas.”

His eloquence with the business of fashion is proven by the veracity of his work collaborations— from Uniqlo to Harrods to House of Fraser, and more—but he nevertheless always goes back to his core passion: creating clothes for women. “I am in love with the idea of creating a romantic and magical universe where women can get inspired and empowered through clothes,” he says with finality. “If you work hard to be able to do what you really love, and you get so much satisfaction out of it, you don’t have the time to think about the unnecessary parts. I just keep doing what I really love doing, and share it to women.”

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MODEL CLAUDIA DEVLIN OF NEWS MODEL AGENCY LONDON

ART

IN CONTRAST New exhibits for both classic and contemporary tastes WORDS DE N IS E F E RN AN DE Z

PICASSO AND CONTEMPORARY ART Runs until February 29, 2016 Grand Palais, 3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower, Paris, France

HAEGUE YANG, SUN XUN, AND ENTANG WIHARSO Runs until November 15 Singapore Tyler Print Institute, 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore

Picasso and Contemporary Art explores various works by contemporary artists such as David Hockney, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Martin Kippenberger, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jeff Koon, collating their works that were heavily inspired by the Italian mastermind. Also featured in the exhibit is Pablo Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” and “Guernica,” displayed in harmony with the other pieces.

Especially produced by Platform Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI) Projects, this exhibition features curated work from three young, multidisciplinary artists from around Asia. A result of STPI’s workshops and residency program, the pieces on display are renowned as some of the finest interpretations in the print and paper medium.

CERITH WYN EVANS Runs until November 15 White Cube, 144-152 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3TQ, United Kingdom Artist Cerith Wyn Evans proudly exhibits his latest designs in neon art and sculpture in the United Kingdom’s White Cube gallery. Displaying his eclectic selection of works, from extravagant neon light sculptures to minimalist creations, Wyn Evans transforms circuitry and form into a visual feast for the eyes.

FLORENCE, CAPITAL CITY 1865–2015: THE KING’S GIFTS AND COLLECTIONS Runs until April 3, 2016 Galleria D’arte Moderna, Piazza de’ Pitti, Firenze, Italy As Florence celebrates the 150th year of its designation as capital of a newly established Italy, this exhibition showcases pieces of art as well as furnishings collected by King Victor Immanuel II, which was once placed in his Florentine home in Palazzo Pitti during the years he had spent in the city.

THE POETRY OF DESIGN BY ALESSANDRO MENDINI Runs until February 28, 2016 Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), M1 Design Exhibition Hall, 281 Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul Presented for the first time in South Korea are pieces from contemporary architect and designer Alessandro Mendini. Widely known for his eclectic and colorful designs, Mendini was also personally responsible for plotting the area layout for the exhibit. Over 400 works of his art will be showcased, along with interactive motion and sound effects.

Clockwise: “Spice Sheets” by Haegue Yang; “The Milan Four” by Alessandro Mendini; “Saltini” by Simon Memmi; “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso; “Superstructure” by Cerith Wyn Evans

ATTIRED

BEST DRESSED

These celebs school men on how to look dapper in sneakers with their runway-inspired looks.

SNEAKER PIMPS

K A N Y E W ES T JUS T IN BIE BE R

These are the pairs that the coolest gents on the block are wearing W ORD S RA ND Z M AN UCOM

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Once baptized as merely “casual” and “cool,” sneakers have undergone a rebirth as we now see sharp-looking gentlemen in tailored suits— custom-made, no doubt—wearing iconic swoosh- and stripes-emblazoned trainers to go with their look. They could be corporate employees stomping the city streets in their rubber shoes while on the morning commute.

Their destination? Not the gym but their next business meeting.

These pairs of kicks have permeated almost all sartorial territories beyond the basketball court and running tracks, and men trading their wingtips for athletic shoes signal more than just an affinity for athleisure. It’s also an ode to pop culture and a

new devil-may-care attitude among men. If you’ve seen Robert Downey Jr. rocking sneaks in the red carpet, why couldn’t anyone else, right?

Thanks to a little push (or kick) from high fashion, the sneakerhead culture is now freed from its strictly streetwear nuance: Prada has made luxe trainers and Alexander McQueen have come out with the obvious high-cut sneakers.

The next time you lace up your rubber goodies, pair them with blue jeans and a shirt or with your trusted blazer and tie. The modern man’s new uniform has broken enough rules already that going for sneakers won’t be the worst decision a guy could make; it could be the best one yet, actually.

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PUMPED UP KICKS Why settle for a pair when you can have five in a variety of materials?

ALAN CUMMING

ROBE RT DOW N EY J R .

S UE DE

MESH

Prada, Homme et Femme, Shangri-La Mall

Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3, Power Plant Mall

NE OP RE NE

M E TAL L IC

Balenciaga, Homme et Femme, Shangri-La Mall

Raf Simons, Univers, One Rockwell

NICK JONAS

FA B R I C

Alexander McQueen, Shangri-La Mall

Flatware and Kahla Salad Bowl available at Rustan’s Home; Christmas ornaments and decorations all available at Rustan’s Christmas Shop

RUSTAN'S DELICIOUS DESIGN Yuletide merriment becomes all the more festive when the seasonal accoutrements are a feast for the eyes P H OT OGRAP H Y PAT RICK S E GOV IA

For a more decadent-looking Christmas, the variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and finishes of Rustan’s Christmas offerings make for spectacular tableaus that call to mind bountiful harvests and sugary concoctions.

Flatware, cake stand, and Hutschenreuther dish, fruit dish, tea cup, and saucer, all available at Rustan’s Home; Christmas ornaments and decorations all available at Rustan’s Christmas Shop

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Rustan’s patrons get the ultimate service, as the luxury store’s personal shoppers can help them set up their dream Christmas settings right in their own homes.

Christmas ornaments and decorations, all available at Rustan’s Christmas Shop; Rosenthal soup bowl and Herdmar Desire Gold Flatware Set available at Rustan’s Home

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While we may be a couple of centuries too late, taking cues from Cleopatra has never been a bad idea—especially when it involves slathering gold on the face. Enter 21st century skincare, with science looking to the most precious of minerals for use as 20-minute masks.

PLATINUM

When a product promises pure cell nutrition, the prospects of succumbing to increases a hundred fold. On a cellular level, this mineral easily removes toxins for a subtle glow and the restoration of balance. The verdict? Time machinelike results for $966 with Julilis’ Platinum Night Treatment.

LOREM DIAMOND IPSUM

It seems there’s another reason to visit Barney’s, this time in pursuit of quaecerunt. the elusive diamond face mask (not to be confused with the diamond peel Ehenis maiosse offered in various spas). 111Skin’s Celestial Diamond Cream ($1095) makes of arbutin, hyaluronic acid, and, of course, black diamond Busdam, quisBlack ducient diae recti am, seque et qui con use porem et laut excerio microspheres for easy skin regeneration.

Two sam, things to note withaspientem these diamond they work incredibly well with water, so your chances of ssitem faciam officip sapitia fuga. masks: Nam volorro to volorro hydrated skin are far better. The diamonds a high absorption assunt well, meaning they penetrate much deeper. elibusanis unthave verorundis etureris et,rate totati

HAIR CATS DEL ROSARIO OF AT EAST JED ROOT

MODEL JULIA OF IDEAL PEOPLE MODEL MANAGEMENT

MAKEUP DON DE JESUS OF MAC COSMETICS

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GOLD

While there does exist a Pure Gold Radiance Facial (with 24K of liquid gold generously slathered by La Prairie) at the exclusive Ritz Carlton Spa in New York, nothing bodes better than a tub of gold sitting on one’s beauty counter. Reported to have calming properties, the mineral is both anti-inflammatory and moisture-friendly. Our best contender is Orogold Exclusive’s 24K Cryogenic Restoration Cream at $500.

Nestled between the Canadian Rockies is Lake Moraine, a glacially-fed body of water that has settled in Banff National Park. The lake reflects a beautiful shade of blue every summer in June.

EXPLORED

BARE RADIANCE The miracle of Alberta's immaculate landscape WORDS AN GE L A M AN UE L GO P H OT OGRAP H Y RACH E L H AL IL I

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The scent of unhurried and undisturbed bliss traverses the well-travelled roads of the Canadian Rockies, drifting by small, populated towns that find themselves surrounded by the unassuming rush of nature itself. There’s an imminent sense of nostalgia that flows in the gentle, untainted air of Alberta; its splendor so striking yet so innocently alluring, exuding the grace and dignity of an era that once was. The only fair reaction would be to pick up a camera and preserve its image forever— but there’s also an undeniable bittersweet pang of regret. Perhaps we should be looking higher up instead of into the restrictive spaces of a camera’s lens. Perhaps, for all its wondrous glory, Alberta

must simply be sought firsthand.

Standing amongst the alcoves is a spectacle of nature’s finest: sights, sounds, and simple reminders of the wonders of life in its purest form. “It’s something you’ll never see in the city,” recalls photographer Rachel Halili. “We felt like we were watching an episode from NatGeo, seeing the beautiful creatures up close with a majestic view of mountains behind them.” In the distance are the pristine peaks that curve with the effortlessness of a well-practiced signature, lined with evergreen figures that sit like pawns and kings simultaneously. At the bottom, they are met by the depths of glacier-filled lakes with stunning hues of blue that dance in the sunlight. There’s a flock of birds that soars in synchronized unison, undaunted by the roar of a grizzly bear reverberating in the distance.

At night, beauty is seen even in the darkness; from the cloudiest of evenings come the stars—the Aurora Borealis, if you’re lucky— that twinkle to the beat being played amongst the trees.

Alberta is an independent soul. It is enduring, tranquil, and thrives on its own terms. For a place with temperatures so low, one can easily find warmth and comfort in what it has to offer. An invitation to see the majestic view comes as a simple canoe ride on

Moraine Lake. The Columbia Icefield is open for exploration to those brave enough to actually walk on the glaciers. National parks like Banff, Jasper, and Yoho are within driving distance from each other for tourists interested in guided adventures. Ultimately, there is a place in Alberta for everyone—even if it means simply spending the night in the back of a van, enjoying nature in its entirety. “Exploring Alberta with five other people who share the same interest with the outdoors make the trip such a memorable and enjoyable experience,” Halili says fondly. “We felt like kids in a huge playground, discovering new things about ourselves and about the world.”

A view should always tell a story, or at least hint at a narrative, but the majesty that Alberta exudes is much more than that. It is a tale both regal and humble; a story of romance, myth, and fantasy come to life, as at home in the mind of an ordinary human being as it is in the imagination of the gods who wrote its existence.

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Top photos, left to right: Trekking through Icefields Parkway; Tourists canoeing at Lake Louise Bottom photo: Bighorn sheep grazing by Lake Minnewanka at Banff National Park

INSPIRED

STROKES OF CONTRAST A renovated penthouse demonstrates the meeting of playfulness and restraint WORDS P RIS T IN E L . DE L E ON

P H OT OGRAP H Y P J E N RIQUE Z

The apartment’s modern design allow artifacts to complement the space

Light penetrates the floor-to-ceiling windows of this Makati penthouse, painting streaks of buttery yellow on the white-washed walls. Like the eye of a searchlight, it ogles the room: polished yet peculiar, poised to flaunt its contradictions.

The space in question is a newly renovated loft of an advertising executive, a careful study of marrying minimalism with eclecticism. Like in many of his previous homes, the man of the house commissioned architect Alvin Matias to aid him in redesigning.

The owner was at first drawn to the modern layout of the place: the high ceiling stimulating

an uninhibited flow of creative thought and the enormous glass windows framed with grid-like borders. The original staircase was redone with steel railings and glass panels, and unfinished hardwood for the steps. White dominates the interior palette of the loft, while clean lines and geometric shapes stand as the rooms’ quiet vanguards of order—insinuating that the daily rush of the business district is not admitted in this abode.

Some attest that modern houses are statements of futuristic thought: clear-cut linear dimensions connoting no-fuss rationality, science,

and speed. To balance out this taste for modern molds, however, pieces of art and a general fête of assortments similarly populate the place, injecting a necessary playfulness to an otherwise rigid building. From the owner’s art collection, wooden sculptures, native bulols, and paintings by Pardo de Leon, Kiko Escora, Elaine Navas, and Impy Pilapil are put on display. It’s like a contemporary gallery masquerading as a home.

Across the white rectangular sofa stand tribal figures—some staring pensively, some nastily—as if they were about to come alive for any willing spectator. Now, they stand at attention to two

Clockwise from below: Alvin Matias had also designed and renovated the previous homes of his client; the apartment’s owner does work in his office space, located on the second level; works from artist Pardo de Leon are displayed on the foyer

WHITE DOMINATES THE INTERIOR PALETTE OF THE LOFT, WHILE CLEAN LINES AND GEOMETRIC SHAPES STAND AS THE ROOMS' QUIET VANGUARDS OF ORDER—INSINUATING THAT THE DAILY RUSH OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICT IS NOT ADMITTED IN THIS ABODE.

Elaine Navas’ painting of a chair, along with an actual chair below it—a part of her artwork

enormous faces painted by Pardo de Leon, hanging on the second floor, keeping watch over the place. Their wild strokes and splashes of color provide contrast to the refined white interiors.

All the artworks admonish the rooms to come to life.

Pictures hanging above the staircase are artworks made by the man of the house himself.

Having graduated from UP with a Fine Arts degree, he admits to an obvious love of paintings.

In the loft, a TV area was converted into a personal

study room, its open interiors flashing a full view of the urban skyline. Here, the room departs from the contemporary feel of the penthouse. Art books line the shelves while sketches of various artists hang on the walls, seemingly prompting the owner to create his own set.

While entering the study room feels like being given a peep into the owner’s artistic mind, he keeps the room open; by the corner is a staircase leading to the most public area of the penthouse. The garden deck is where he hosts

his intimate gatherings. Guests sit around the wooden table, marveling at the view of the city far below.

While the revelry ensues, downstairs, the rooms continue to stand witness to their owner’s artistic taste and thought, straddling both the rationales of modernity and eras of artistic play. The linear patterns and bare walls lend themselves as further canvas for more art. A stray guest could wander the aisles on end, just viewing the curiosities on exhibit.

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At the lounge’s bar is an extensive selection of liqour.

DEVOURED

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE What was once a storage room now contains all the right ingredients for a sweet, if momentous, escape WORDS DE N IS E F E RN AN DE Z P H OT OGRAP H Y PAT RICK S E GOV IA

The most satisfying experiences are the small and pleasant surprises: an unexpected warmth from strangers, handwritten letters from friends, the discovery of a new favorite dish.

Bank Bar, the latest establishment from The Moment Group, seems to embody all of these. Abba Napa, one of its three founding partners, cites the desire to create a space for friends as one of the ideas that led to the conception of the bar. “They say you shouldn’t create something for yourself, because you run the risk of losing sight of objectivity and may very well end up with something that doesn’t resonate with many other people. But we did that anyway, and created something with ourselves in mind and the kind of experiences we would enjoy.”

Anyone who enters Bank Bar for the first time will never miss its peculiar placing. Napa recalls strolling into the space—an empty construction site back then—and falling in love with it at first sight.

Unintentionally, Bank Bar’s location became part of its strange allure; who would have guessed that a luxurious lounge would exist within the storage room of a 7/11 branch, barely half its size? A patron is initially greeted by stocks of convenience store products before being led to a black curtain deeper inside—the entrance to the bar. No signs or labels whatsoever—diners are charmed by the very feeling of discovery as they walk in.

The lounge design is highly eclectic, combining graffitied walls with luxurious, velvet furniture, high ceilings, and towering arches reminiscent of, yes, an old bank. The entire area is dimly lit, save for a projector screening on its walls. Most of the brightness comes from the bar, which is framed by an extensive collection of liquor bottles. Patrons who smoke are ushered into a glass house further inside, decorated with makeshift tree branches and quirky chandeliers. Even just going to the bathroom is like stepping into an entirely new place, one surrounded with black and white tiling, mirrored walls, and faux golden faucets.

Napa thinks that the bar’s selling point is its wide selection of drinks and liquors, proudly displayed along the vast counter. “We have everything, from akvavit to absinthe, sake to single malts, grappas to gin, and an extensive choice for vermouths, tonics, sodas and such. There’s even homemade limoncello and eau de vie, just like in our Italian joint and our French bistro, just in case a patron is craving for them.”

Among Bank Bar’s must-tries is its Nutter Club, a London dry gin served with lemon pistachio meringue, Angostura bitters, and rimmed with pistachio salt crusts. The Bullpen is another interesting sweet and sour combo: Bourbon whiskey and vermouth with rose, Angostura bitters, brandied cherry, and a lemon peel. While Bank Bar also serves a midnight menu for bigger nighttime cravings, offered all evening long are light foods conceptualized by

The Moment Group’s corporate executive chef Robert Bolanos. The place’s best-selling small plates include Truffled Skinny Fries, Pork Barrel Chicharon, and Lamb and Picklings Shawarma.

With Bank Bar, it isn’t merely about the drinks and the food but also the overall experience it gives that no other bar could. “It’s just a place where you can pretend to be anywhere you want to be,” shares Maita Quesada, head of public relations for the Moment Group. Napa agrees, brushing off with the speakeasy label the establishment could easily fall into.

Ultimately, Bank Bar transports its diners, literally, figuratively, and gastronomically, as soon as they walk into its premises, into a sweet escape they didn’t know they needed.

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THE LOUNGE DESIGN IS HIGHLY ECLECTIC, COMBINING GRAFFITIED WALLS WITH LUXURIOUS, VELVET FURNITURE, HIGH CEILINGS, AND TOWERING ARCHES REMINISCENT OF, YES, AN OLD BANK.

Left to right: The Bullpen, Gin Highball, and Nutter Club; Bank Bar ushers smokers into a glass house further inside the establishment.

SOCIAL DIARY

FORGOTTEN TREASURES The country’s most prized discoveries travel to the East Coast WORDS DE N IS E F E RN A N D EZ

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“Philippine G o l d : Tr e a s u r e s of Forgotten Kingdoms” has been one of the country’s most popular exhibits since its establishment in the Ayala Museum, Makati City. With special participation from Bangko Central ng Pilipinas, Ayala Museum teamed up with Asia Society to bring the exhibit to a wider audience in New York City, at the Asia Society Museum. From its opening night last September 11, which was accompanied by a special event showcasing the richness of Philippine heritage and culture, the exhibit continues to stand in New York, running until Jan. 3, 2016.

“Philippine Gold” displays a wide variety of pre-colonial treasures created by Filipino ancestors long before the Spanish set their feet on local shores. Containing long-lost artifacts ranging from ceremonial weapons to jewelry, from armor to ritual bowls, the exhibit reveals the superiority of the ancient societies living in the Philippines. The pieces on display also reveal various cultures that had influenced indigenous inhabitants of the country before Spain’s conquest, showing evidence of trade among the Indians, Indonesians, Chinese, and other peoples.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to exhibit this exceptional Filipino 10th- to 13th-century gold from the Ayala Museum and Bangko Sentral collections at the Asia Society in New York,” says Ayala Corporation’s Fernando Zobel de Ayala. “It will give Americans and visitors to New York the opportunity to get to know more about our rich culture. I have no doubt that it will also give Filipino-Americans great pride to see these pieces from their country.” • Asia Society Museum is located at 725 Park Ave, New York, NY 10021, United States

INQUIRED

FROM A TO Z Elements of style from the duo behind the luxurious and cutting-edge medical aesthetic service of the Aivee Clinic, doctors Z and Aivee Teo WORDS M E G M AN Z AN O IL LUS T RAT ION L E E CACE S

Dr. Z Teo Form and function are inextricably linked purposes of every furniture and design fixture that fills the stylish space of the Aivee Group Headquarters Headquarters.

“Roger Dubuis Dubuis. I like watches that are oversized yet classy, and a little less mainstream.”

“Saint Émilion wines are my favorite, especially those from Chateau Cheval Blanc Blanc. The beautiful mix of its Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes are simply divine.”

“I’m eyeing the Roche Bobois Astrolab conference table for the newly opened Aivee Group Corporate Office.”

“Scotland, especially the isle of Skye. My memories of my seven-year stay were cemented by the beautiful Highlands and Munros of the Scottish countryside. The air and the view are simply breathtaking.”

“My once a week Macallan 18 Whiskey on the rocks with fresh cashew nuts.”

McQueen slip-ons. “They are comfortable, fashionable, and give me a little extra height.”

Goyard

Dr. Aivee Teo

P LA CE OF P RID E

TIMEP IECE

W INE

COVETED P IECE OF FURNITURE

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SHOES

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The Aivee Clinics, where she spends most of her time, and where the interiors reflect her personality and style.

“Franck Muller. Besides its elegant design, I also have a sentimental reason for loving this timepiece: Z bought me my Muller watch after I’d given birth to our firstborn Kenz.”

“Riesling. This German wine is refreshing, sweet, and fruity. It’s my kind of wine after a long, busy day at work.”

The Elliott designed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti. “It’s a side table that is so pretty, it looks like a modern jewelry box.”

“The south of France. I feel absolutely inspired when I’m in that part of the world.”

Hutong’s Suckling Pig in Hong Kong. “After having a piece of that, you will literally lie down in a haze of euphoria and cholesterol.”

Fendi sneakers. “Comfort with style is so in fashion now.”

Hermès Lindy. “It’s light, useful, and sophisticated.”