Bottega Veneta goes for 'E.T.' chic as Madonna pops into D&G

 

Philstar.com

September 23, 2024 | 9:14am

MILAN, Italy Milan — Fashion Week came to a close on Saturday with its share of surprises, not least an unlikely source of inspiration for Bottega Veneta's much-anticipated evening show.

"For this show, I took as my starting point the scene from Spielberg's film 'E.T.', when the mother opens the closet to reveal a world of stuffed animals..." Bottega Veneta's artistic director Matthieu Blazy explained backstage.

"The surprise of an imaginary world, the world of childhood, where everything is possible, where everything is a game, a joy, an adventure," he said.

Blazy sought to recreate children trying on their parents' clothing, or even the first day of school, "when parents have prepared the perfect outfit for their child, who comes back with everything upside down."

That resulted in dresses just a bit too big, outfits with one leg in pants, the other in a skirt, superimpositions or creases.

As for the dress embroidered with matches?

"It's the object of childhood's forbidden game, intrepid and dangerous," he said.

Earlier Saturday, no less a superstar than Madonna sat in the front row of the Dolce & Gabbana show -- her face barely visible under a black lace veil.

The catwalk became a tribute to the "Material Girl", with all models in blond wigs, some in corsets with pointy breasts, others in black men's tuxedos embellished with trouser braces.

But at Bottega Veneta, not only fashion fans were watching, but investors too.

Founded in 1966 in Vicenza in the northeastern Italian region of Veneto, the label renowned for its woven leather goods and expert craftsmanship became a part of France's Kering group in 2001.

And with Kering's flagship brand Gucci currently in a sales dive -- down 20 percent in the first half of this year -- the company is hoping to make the most of its smaller and less showy Italian brand.

In the first half of 2024, Bottega Veneta posted revenue growth of three percent to 836 million euros ($933 million), whereas Gucci's revenue, while down significantly, was 4.1 billion euros -- nearly half of Kering's entire revenue of nine billion euros.

So while Bottega Veneto may be a drop in the the luxury group's ocean, it is a promising one -- and one that goes hand in hand with its distinctive approach to fashion.

A coveted brand that is notably absent from social networks, Bottega Veneta thrives on discreet hyper-exclusivity, led by the Franco-Belgian Blazy, who took over as creative director at the end of 2021.

Tell-tale 'intrecciato'

With sumptuous materials that flirt with trompe-l'oeil and cult pieces such as jeans-like pants in buttery calf leather selling for 5,200 euros, Bottega Veneta has built up considerable cult status in recent years under Blazy.

The brand eschews logos on its products, instead letting its famous "intrecciato", or signature woven leather, speak for itself, or incorporating a brass "nodo" or knot as an essential design element into shoes and other accessories.

The brand has also strategically snubbed social networks. In 2021, it deleted its Instagram account only for fans to take over an unofficial "newbottega" account so as not to miss any of the latest news.

Passionate about contemporary art and design, Blazy fuels the brand's projects through collaborations with photographers and creatives.

Some are even revealed during fashion shows themselves, such as last year's 400 chairs designed by furniture and art designer Gaetano Pesce, who died in April, or the February homage to architect Le Corbusier with a reinterpretation of his Tabouret Cabanon.

The recent opening of Palazzo Van Axel in Venice will now welcome Bottega Veneta's exclusive clients to discover the world of the brand in a fully restored palace in the heart of the watery city.

There, personalised services include the opportunity to choose from luxurious leathers or unique pieces not available in stores.

The palace will also host exhibitions, special projects and the presentation of Bottega Veneta's high-end jewellery collection in November.

350,000 kilos of trash collected from 250 coastal areas in cleanup drive—DENR

BY JEL SANTOS

Sep 22, 2024 05:09 PM

  

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(DENR PHOTO)

More than 350,000 kilograms of trash were collected from 250 coastal sites nationwide  during the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) held on Saturday, Sept. 21, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

The cleanup drive, which seeks to raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems, gathered a total of 352,479 kilograms of trash and debris, ranging from plastics to other waste materials.

According to DENR, a total of 74,075 volunteers from 1,913 government, academe, and private sector organizations collected trash at beaches, riverbanks, and coastlines.

The agency said the cleanup drive started from the northernmost Pasuquin municipality in the Ilocos Region to the southernmost Gian municipality in the Socksargen Region.

The information gathered during the cleanup, according to the DENR, will help identify the kinds of waste impacting the nation's waters, informing future efforts in conservation, waste recovery, and resource utilization. Recyclable trash will be delivered to the nearest Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga said that this year represents a key milestone in the Philippines' ongoing commitment to coastal cleanliness and environmental conservation.

“With the ICC 2024 theme, ‘Clean Seas for Blue Economy’, this year’s cleanup not only aimed to address immediate pollution but also sought to inspire long-term behavioral changes among communities, encouraging everyone to reduce waste and participate in ongoing clean-up initiatives,” she said in her speech.

“Today, we witnessed an incredible outpouring of support and dedication from Filipinos who care deeply about our environment. As we celebrate the 30th year of the International Coastal Cleanup in the Philippines, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding our coastal resources and promoting sustainable practices that protect our marine ecosystems,” she went on.

President Marcos had earlier identified climate change and improper waste disposal as key contributors to the severe flooding in Metro Manila.

The ICC is one of the world’s largest volunteer initiatives, with over 150 countries and millions of participants annually. The Philippines began taking part in the ICC around 1994, and in 2003, the government formalized its participation through Presidential Proclamation 470, designating the third Saturday of September as the official ICC day in the country.

‘Disaster-proofing’ strategies for coping with calamities

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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Disaster preparedness programs have become a part of many government agencies’ responsibilities and this concept has been introduced to various sectors. 

Recently, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced that it has implemented the “disaster-proofing” of its strategies to continue its programs and services amid disaster situations. 

“Disaster-proofing” measures highlight the continuous study and testing of systems for disaster response especially when conditions do not allow communications or travel to affected areas. 

One of the measures is how to respond to the most vulnerable communities that may become isolated from help.  Family Development Sessions teaching disaster preparedness were conducted for the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that are among the most vulnerable communities who would be affected by recurring disasters.

For the response teams, the sessions also included a review and demonstration of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Operation Listo program which has established local protocols for disaster preparedness.  The module teaches preparedness for tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

The agency’s disaster response has been strengthened by the anticipatory action (AA), an innovative humanitarian approach that systematically links early warnings to a set of interventions aimed at protecting at-risk families and their assets ahead of a hazard, using science-based forecasts and risk analysis.
A good project that supports this initiative is the Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters (B-SPARED).  It was launched in August 2023 and is a collaboration of the DSWD and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), supported by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.

In two pilot areas in Mindanao, the anticipatory action concept was demonstrated through the simulation exercises on the effectiveness of B-SPARED, particularly government systems and processes that support its implementation.  One exercise was the simulation of flood interventions where cash pay-outs and the distribution of drums for storage of agricultural products were tested.  The drums with tight lids provide protection for the livelihood of the farmers.

The simulation exercise also tested the collaboration of provincial and local government partners, the private sector and local communities to protect the resiliency of the poor and vulnerable in times of disasters.

It is good to know that government is always active in testing and updating its systems to respond to any situation, especially on natural disasters like strong typhoons and floods.  Approximately 20 typhoons enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility every year.

This kind of anticipatory action should also be adopted by private companies and households as a guide on disaster preparedness.  Strong typhoons have been bringing continuous rains to many parts of the country, especially in the south, in the last few weeks.  Disaster preparedness is not only for those living in the urban areas where floodwaters come usually after heavy rainfall.  

It’s time to think about what kind of anticipatory action 

Michelle Dee is excited to be a fashion reporter

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

Sep 23, 2024 08:24 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Michelle, or MMD, announced the new development in her life when she turned over the money she won in the "Voice for Change Challenge" of Miss Universe 2023 to her chosen beneficiary, the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP). The prize was P684,000 (or $12,000).

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Michelle Marquez Dee (Instagram)

Beauty queen, model, and Kapuso artist Michelle Dee is excited to wear a different hat as a fashion correspondent for Vogue Philippines when she attends Paris Fashion Week from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1.

Michelle, or MMD, announced the new development in her life when she turned over the money she won in the "Voice for Change Challenge" of Miss Universe 2023 to her chosen beneficiary, the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP). The prize was P684,000 (or $12,000).

"It feels so fulfilling because (Voice for Change)  was part of the Miss Universe competition I worked the hardest for. And for us to receive a tangible amount, to be able just to set things in motion, to help over 100 chapters around the Philippines, this can really go a long way," Michelle said at the check turnover ceremony in Antipolo City which ASP officials and Miss Universe Philippines national director Jonas Gaffud also attended. 

Michelle Dee presents her check donation to a very happy Mona Magno-Veluz, national president of the Autism Society of the Philippines

The priority program of her award will be the provision of employment to those on the autism spectrum. "We have employed and provided training to over 300 individuals, and we believe this number can grow exponentially," Michelle stated.

Of her Vogue stint, the 29-year old beauty revealed that the offer just came to her one day. She revealed that she's preparing for her role as a "correspondent" by doing "research, research, research."

"It's just being able to know what you're doing, what you're talking about, the pieces, the story behind it. Again, I'm grateful to be guided by people who have done it. And also because I am a fashionista, I know I'm very passionate about it," she pointed out.

"Paris " is very exciting because it feels like we're wearing a Miss Universe wardrobe. I mean, of course, the style isn't for a pageant, but, again, I'm highlighting a lot of young and well-established designers," she added.

Miss Universe PH 2023 Michelle Dee with MUPH National Director Jonas Gaffud  (center) and a beneficiary from the Autism Society of the Philippines (left)

After Paris, Michelle is scheduled to cover Los Angeles Fashion Week next. She bared that her new career made her mom, Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, "happy."

"My mom is just happy that I'm traveling. She's happy I can explore outside Miss Universe because she knows I took that job very seriously. And I didn't allow myself to plan outside of that because I focused on that career. My mom is glad I can explore and experience even a little bit of what she experienced when she was younger. She calls me every day and checks on me," she shared.

Michelle, however, clarified that she's not leaving the country for good. "I have amazing opportunities abroad. But as I said, the Philippines will always be my home base. I will always be proud to call the Philippines my home."

JoJo was a teen sensation. At 33, she’s found her voice again.

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sep 21, 2024 12:04 PM

  

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Joanna Levesque also known as Jojo (AP) 

NEW YORK (AP) - Joanna Levesque shot to stardom at 13. Two decades later, “JoJo” — as she’s better known — has written a memoir and says the song responsible for her meteoric rise, “Leave (Get Out),” was foreign to her. In fact, she cried when her label told her they wanted to make it her first single.

Lyrics about a boy who treated her poorly were not relatable to the sixth grader who recorded the hit. And sonically, the pop sound was far away from the young prodigy’s R&B and hip-hop comfort zone.

“I think that’s where the initial seed of confusion was planted within me, where I was like, ‘Oh, you should trust other people over yourself because ... look at this. You trusted other people and look how big it paid off,’” she said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. 

“Leave (Get Out)” went on to top the Billboard charts, making Levesque the youngest solo artist ever to have a No. 1 hit.

“I grew to love it. But initially, I just didn’t get it,” she said.

Much of Levesque’s experience with young pop stardom was similarly unpredictable or tumultuous, and she details those feelings in her new memoir, “Over the Influence.”

With “Leave (Get Out)” and her several other commercial hits like “Too Little Too Late” and “Baby It’s You,” Levesque’s formative years were spent in recording studios and tour buses. Still, she had a strong resonance with teens and young people, and her raw talent grabbed the attention of music fans of all ages. 

“Sometimes, I don’t know what to say when people are like, ‘I grew up with you’ and I’m like, ‘We grew up together’ because I still am just a baby lady. But I feel really grateful to have this longevity and to still be here after all the crazy stuff that was going on,” she said.

Some of that “crazy stuff” Levesque is referring to is a years-long legal battle with her former record label. Blackground Records, which signed her as a 12-year-old, stalled the release of her third album and slowed down the trajectory of her blazing career.

Levesque said she knows, despite the hurdles and roadblocks the label and its executives put in her path, they shaped “what JoJo is.”

“Even though there were things that were chaotic and frustrating and scary and not at all what I would have wanted to go through, I take the good and the bad,” she said.

Levesque felt like the executives and team she worked with at the label were family, describing them as her “father figures and my uncles and my brothers.” “I love them, now, still, even though it didn’t work out,” she said.

With new music on the way, Levesque said she thinks the industry is headed in a direction that grants artists more freedom over their work and more of a voice in discussions about the direction of their careers. In 2018, she re-recorded her first two albums, which were not made available on streaming, to regain control of the rights. Three years later, Taylor Swift started doing the same.

“Things are changing and it’s crumbling — the old way of doing things,” she said. “I think it’s great. The structure of major labels still offers a lot, but at what cost?”

As she looks forward to the next chapter of her already veteran-level career, Levesque said it’s “refreshing” for her to see a new generation of young women in music who are defying the standards she felt she had to follow when she was coming up.

“‘You have to be nice. You have to be acceptable in these ways. You have to play these politics of politeness.’ It’s just exhausting,” she said, “So many of us that grew up with that woven into the fabric of our beliefs burn out and crash and burn.”

It’s “healing” to see artists like Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish play by their own rules, she said.

In writing her memoir and tracing her life from the earliest childhood memories to today, Levesque said she’s “reclaiming ownership” over her life.

“My hope is that other people will read this, in my gross transparency sometimes in this book, and hopefully be inspired to carve their own path, whatever that looks like for them.”

Oktoberfest in Munich opens under tight security | DW News

29,516 views Sep 22, 2024 #Oktoberfest #Germany #Munich

Millions of visitors are expected at the world-famous beer festival in Munich, Germany's southern metropolis. Following last month's knife attack in the city of Solingen, the Munich mayor assures the public that all measures will be taken to ensure visitors' safety.

Vibal releases 10 new books on Philippine ancient history, postage stamps

Earl D.C. Bracamonte - Philstar.com

September 22, 2024 | 9:53am

MANILA, Philippines — After receiving the prestigious "Best Academic and Scholarly Publisher" distinction at the recently-concluded Gintong Aklat Awards, the Vibal Foundation aims to sustain its momentum with the launch of 10 new titles during the 2024 Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center.

"Vibal has been in the book industry for the past 72 years. Thirty percent (30%) of our publications are textbooks, while the 70% is comprised of trade books and children's books. The government supports children's books. The Department of Education buys these books for public libraries," said Kristine Mandigma, executive director of the Vibal Foundation during the 'Vibal Tertulla: Book Launch, Book Talks' event. She is the first non-Vibal publisher sitting in office.

Mandigma said that apart from these they also print textbooks for schools and the publishing house joins regional and national book fairs. To date, their best-sellers are "Boxer Codex" and "Pugot." Vibal's physical store is located at the Lucky Chinatown mall. 

Organized by the Book Development Association of the Philippines, the Gintong Aklat Awards recognises the outstanding contributions of publishers for their exemplary books published from 2022 to 2023.

The 10 new Vibal titles are:

"Colonial Philately: Philippine Postage Stamps 1854-1946" by Jose Eleazar Bersales

"The Twentieth-Century Philippines in Ten Novels: Literature as History (1913-1975)" by Soledad Reyes

"Travel Notes" by Paz Mendoza Guazon

"A Visual Guide to Philippine Ancient History" edited by Vicente Villan

"Philippine Cinematic Art (Second Edition)" by Gaspar Vibal, Andrea Peterson, Nicanor Lanom, and Christopher Datol

"Old Jolo and Zamboanga 1268-1945" by Mark Francis Francisco

"More Mi Panasonic Than We Admit: History, Culture, and Identity in the Philippine South" edited by Jhoanna Lynn Cruz

"More Political Than We Admit: Theories and the Problematic of Philippine Politics" edited by Nulio Teehankee

"The Conquest of the Philippines by the United States 1898-1925 (Second Edition)" by Marcial Lichauco and Moorfield Storey

"Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays of Fernando Zialcita" by Fernando Zialcita

The vision of the Vibal Foundation is to engage Filipinos in intellectual discussion of Philippine history, culture, and the arts by providing insightful print and digital materials.

Lifter Peralta bags bronze in world junior tourney

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Sep 21, 2024 12:54 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Jhodie Peralta added another medal in the Team Philippines’ war chest after scooping one bronze medal in the IWF World Junior Weightlifting Championships in Leon, Spain on Friday, Sept. 20.

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Jhodie Peralta added another medal in the Team Philippines’ war chest after scooping one bronze medal in the IWF World Junior Weightlifting Championships in Leon, Spain on Friday, Sept. 20.

Jhodie Peralta,center. (IWF)

Peralta posted 85 kilos for the third-best lift in snatch in the women’s 55kg division, finishing behind eventual gold medalist Chen Guan-Ling of Chinese Taipei (98 kilos) and silver winner Gelen Yulieth Torres Gomez of Colombia (89 kilos).

The Filipina bet, however, tumbled at seventh in clean and jerk with a 102-kilo performance, eventually affecting her total where she landed fifth with 187 kilos. 

Chen grabbed the gold with a total lift of 217 kilos after also topping clean and jerk (119 kilos), while Torres Gomez finished silver with 192 kilos.

Aleksandra Grigoryan of Armenia settled for bronze with a 191-kilo total after placing seventh in snatch (81 kilos) and silver in clean and jerk (110 kilos).

Meanwhile, Rosalinda Faustino failed in all attempts in the same weight class.

Overall, the Nationals have four gold medals and two bronzes courtesy of Lovely Inan and Angeline Colonia. 

One more lifter is set to compete for the PH team with Albert Ian Delos Santos seeing action in men’s 67kg.

LOOK! Franki Russell makes a statement at Miss Cosmo 2024 National Costume Show

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

Sep 22, 2024 00:21 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The coronation night will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on Oct. 5, with former Miss Universe president Paula Shugart as one of the judges.

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Miss Cosmo New Zealand 2024 Franki Russell

Miss Cosmo New Zealand 2024, Franki Russell, captivated audiences during the Miss Cosmo National Costume Show with a powerful statement emblazoned across her ensemble designed by Simeon Cayetano. It read: “YOU ARE WORTHY.” 

The Viva actress said this bold declaration serves as a reminder of her resilience and commitment to pursue her dreams despite recent challenges.

“I want to inspire others to chase their dreams and not be discouraged by setbacks or rejections,” she wrote in an Instagram post from Miss Cosmo New Zealand’s official account. “Every journey has its hurdles, but persistence is key. We must continue to fight for what we believe in.” 

Franki expressed hopes that her words will resonate with many, particularly in a world where aspiring individuals often face obstacles and stereotypes on their paths to success. 

Last August, Franki admitted to netizens that her work as an actress resulted in her dethronement as Miss Universe New Zealand. This was revealed in her interview with the Boy Abunda Talk Channel  on Youtube where she threw shade at the Miss Universe Organization: "think about what you mean when you say inclusivity."

The half-Kiwi, half-Pinay beauty said she couldn't believe that her work as an actress shattered her Miss Universe dreams. “Beauty is subjective, I guess, so is art is subjective. I think it just took someone’s opinion to sort of say no to a whole dream, which I’m still kind of trying to understand,” she told Tito Boy.

Franki emphasized that her traumatic experience only fueled her determination to advocate for herself and others. She pointed out that indeed, the Miss Cosmo platform opened up "new opportunities" for her.

A total of 59 lovely candidates from all over the world are presently competing in Vietnam for the inaugural Miss Cosmo 2024 pageant, including the Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo. The coronation night will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on Oct. 5, with former Miss Universe president Paula Shugart as one of the judges.