WHY DOESN'T MONIQUE LHUILLER BOOK FILIPINA MODELS?

This is a question I have had in my mind for quite some time now. Given that Monique Lhuiller (a New York-based and Hollywood famous Filipino-American Fashion Designer), does shows during New York Fashion Week twice every year, I do not get the point why she does not book Filipina Models who are based in New York.

With the likes of Charo Ronquillo, Sharina Gutierrez, Charlene Almarvez, or Danica Magpantaydoing rounds on different shows during New York fashion week, I have yet to see any one of them walk for Ms. Lhuillier. But I guess this is far from happening.

Now I just think that given that she is Filipino, it could have been great if she books Filipina models on her shows, as a support to them being equally hard working in the fashion industry. She could have very well been an instrument in promoting the Filipina models trying their very best to make it big in the industry. I would, definitely, if I were on her place. She books Chinese models and other models of other Asian ethnicity but she never booked a Filipino. And do not get me wrong, coz for sure, a designer has a say on the models she gets to walk for her show.

Well, this post is not really to put Monique in a bad light or anything, I am just wondering and asking. I am just expressing an opinion, which may sound too much of country patronizing to some, but really feels right for me to be given a chance to consider at the least.

Now why doesn't Monique book Filipina models?

I DO NOT KNOW. I WANNA KNOW.

CHARLENE ALMARVEZ: NYFW REVIEW

k,l; Here are the list of shows FORD Filipina international top model CHARLENE "CHAT" ALMARVEZ did during the recently concluded New York Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (Fall 2012). Though we have missed fellow Filipina, Ford Supermodel of the World Danica Magpantay in New York this season, Chat did a great job for walking a total of 13 shows this season which includes her opening for A Detacher, and her impressive 5th consecutive season for Nanette Lepore.

(backstage at kimberly orvitz show)

Continuing the winning streak of Asian models on runway shows lately, Chat surely did represent Filipina beauty on the international scene, once again.

Miguel Adrover F/W 2012

The Blonds F/W 2012

Katya Leonovich F/W 2012

Nanette Lepore F/W 2012

Veda F/W 2012

Geoffrey Mac F/W 2012

RuffianF/W 2012

Costello Tagliapietra F/W 2012

Kimberly Orvitz F/W 2012

Bibhu Mohapatra F/W 2012

Mara Hoffman F/W 2012

Corey Lynn Calter F/W 2012

A Detacher F/W 2012 (Open)

This has been a great season for Chat, her best so far. With her visa issues last year resulting for her not being able to do shows in Europe, I hope this time, she and her representing agency (Elite Milan and Elite Paris) will be able to fix things out. I can't wait to see her doing shows in Milan and Paris. Milan Fashion week will commence in a few days, I am stoked. Hope she makes it.

Her walk has improved a lot from her previous seasons, it comes off stronger and more controlled (but in a good way) this year. And I totally love that she adds a very different dimension and fresh dynamics to the concept of "asian look" in runway. And I truly love her facial expression on the runway. If Sasha Pivovarova has her famous "death stare" on runways, Chat has what I call the "ninja stare". ^_^ That certain look in her eyes which spells fierce and deadly but in a concealed way. That type of stare which looks lonely and sad but at the same time you can feel that it is fighting from within---and it is just waiting to strike in a blink of an eye. (Gah, It's just so hard to explain it. 0_0)

You're on your way to the top, Chat. And a hardworking model like you will surely make it there, sooner than we all know. :)

Hugs and kisses! xxx 

image credits: style.com

ASIA MAJOR

The imminent rise of Asian fashion models in the international scene is definitely something to celebrate about. It's been a long-time coming for Asian models to be recognized in the fashion world, and I say it is about damn time that we Asians take center stage.

As I would like to see it, the rise of Asian models in the fashion world is a testament that fashion recognizes diversity and choice. It is a testament that fashion recognizes and values the Asian market, specifically China, Japan and Korea, which continues to grow and steadily rise above many any other western economy.

It is only until recently when Asians land on big chip fashion jobs. Before, Asians were only used in ad campaigns, fashion magazines and fashion shows (one or two out of forty models for one show) as token diversity chips. It was only Anna Bayle (the First Asian Supermodel, a Filipina, 1980's) who was able to really penetrate the fashion big names (YSL, Valentino, Calvin Klein, Thierry Mugler, etc.), and no one hardly came close in the next 30 years.

It am very happy to notice that lately, Asian models were given the spotlight. Just about time that the world appreciate the diverse beauty of Asians, and know that they, too, have what it takes to sell fashion.

I would like to share with you photos of my favorite Asian models at the moment.

The Chinese Superstars.

From L-R top: Ming Xi, Fei Fei Sun, Emma Pei, Du Juan, Liu Wen, Wang Xiao, Shu Pei, Bonnie Chen and Sui He. 

Chinese models are H-U-G-E lately. Liu Wen is definitely the Next Asian Superstar. Having been the first Asian to land a big chip beauty contract (she is the new beauty ambassador of make-up powerhouse Estee Lauder, joining the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Elizabeth Hurley). She was also the first Asian to be a Victoria's Secret Angel. Aside from that, she constantly graces the covers and pages of different fashion magazines around the world, and also has done major campaigns for fashion big names. On the other hand, Fei Fei Sun has also booked numerous shows for big names in fashion and also landed campaigns for DSquared, H&M and Louis Vuitton. Sui He became the first Asian model to be the face of Ralph Lauren, while Ming Xi graces pages of i-D, V Magazine and Vogue Italia, China, Korea and Japan.

The Korean Dolls.

From L-R top: Hyoni Kang, Hye Park, So Young Kang and Hyun Yi Lee.

Hyoni Kang was the first ever Asian to win the highly coveted Ford Supermodel of the World contest.


The Filipina Beauties.

From L-R: Danica Magpantay, Charlene Almarvez and Charo Ronquillo.

Danica Magpantay was the first Filipina and second Asian to win the Ford Supermodel of the World contest. Charlene placed 1st runner-up the year prior to Danica's win. While Charo placed 3rd runner-up in 2005. All of them constantly grace the pages of international magazines and fashion runways.

The Indian Women.

Lakshmi Menon and Alyssah Ali.

Lakshmi constantly graces the pages of high-end fashion magazines and has landed on several ad campaigns for fashion big names. Alyssah Ali on the other hand is the new face for Chanel Beauty Line, and one of Karl Lagerfeld's muse for the Chanel Pre-Fall 2011 Collection.

The Japanese Flare.

Tao Okamoto

Tao Okamoto is at the top of her game. Being the top Japanese female supermodel in the industry, she has graced all of high fashion magazines and shows all over the world. She has also starred in various ad campaigns for different big fashion names such as D&G, Kenzo, Kenneth Cole, Ralph Lauren, Gap, Uniqlo and a lot more.

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2011 has been a great year for Asian models. It might be premature to hope that 2012 will even be more hotter for these Asian superstars, but the rise of Asians in the fashion world is highly welcome for me.