A parade of alluring styles by Tadashi Shoji at Rustan’s

With every new turn of the season, a woman gets reenergized as this means a wonderful change in wardrobe, too. And this speaks of exciting times as well for artist-designers like Tadashi Shoji who gain immense inspiration and are excited by the challenge of weaving new textures and colors to paint a new palette for the season.

A renowned global designer, Tadashi Shoji is a true style purveyor who sees himself designing for the new, dynamic woman. He embraces a woman’s curves and gives her the confidence to shine in the spotlight wherever she may be with beautiful, whimsical pieces that celebrate her femininity. From the fashion runways of London and Paris, to the red carpets of Philippine society’s most celebrated affairs, Tadashi’s signature of opulence is intact and sought after.

Recently, at the Tadashi Shoji boutique nestled in Rustan’s Makati, Susan Gaddi-Campos – a fellow artist, designer, and much celebrated fashion icon in high society – was joined by good friends for an evening to highlight Tadashi Shoji’s range of alluring styles showcasing mystical color gradients. A true style maven, Gaddi-Campos previously worked as the customer development manager of VIP services for Rustan’s Commercial Corporation, the merchandise coordinator for Rustan’s in Cebu, boutique manager for Momento, and Chanel consultant of Rustan’s.

“I’ve always been a fan of Tadashi Shoji. He’s a master craftsman and visionary, who seamlessly integrates timeless design with luxury,” Gaddi-Campos shares during the event. As wine and refreshments flowed, the ladies were regaled by the beautiful ensembles that were inspired by the brand’s vision of “cosmic wonder and future hope.”

Found in his collection for Spring 2019, Tadashi Shoji once again mesmerized with his expert manipulation of textures – flowing chiffon dresses with luxurious princess capes, meticulous beaded work painstakingly crafted by hand, dramatic draped dresses in sensual shades, and much, much more. Each piece is a work of art and a romantic, mystical interpretation of beauty found beyond the stars.

Specifically inspired by the great galactic unknown and the feeling of hope, according to the designer, one will see that “the future is bright and star-filled.” Glossy finishes and chrome sheens played up sensual cutouts with figure-skimming draping. Flowy gowns offered a natural ease of movement and ethereal prettiness. The breathtaking scenes of galaxies – in all their shining, captivating mystery– were masterfully interpreted into dainty sequined bags and shimmery dresses. Sequins glittered like liquefied jewels on dripped down sleek silhouettes, helping sculpt and highlight a woman’s alluring silhouette.

Delighting the senses further like watercolor, hues blended from darkness to vivid, vibrant color, reflecting the Milky Way’s enchanting nebulous glow. Also, a red-iron dégradé, coated with clear palettes, created multi-dimensional shimmer on fabric.

Venus, aptly named after the goddess of love, burns the brightest with her grace, charm, and beauty as seen in the powerful yet feminine blouson waists, Watteau trains, and cosmos-printed chiffon.

This season, Tadashi Shoji encourages us to gaze skyward, and wear our cosmic wonder on our sleeve. Like the bright, brilliant Orion’s belt, the stars have aligned, leading you to a new fashion discovery.

A Blissful Afternoon That Celebrated Love and Engagements!

A truly lovely celebration – Rustan’s Weddings and Beyond and brideandbreakfast.ph treated 40 engaged brides and their companions to Bliss: an afternoon of fun, pampering, and exclusive giveaways! With the amazing lineup of speakers and booth activities, it was so evident that both brands just love weddings and want to make every bride’s engagement journey as memorable as possible.

The blissful treat started as soon as the brides and their companions stepped foot at the 5^th floor of Rustan’s Makati. A luxe yet friendly setup welcomed them—a combination of pastel and muted tones for the venue styling, well-curated brands on display, relaxing music to set the mood, and the latest Patricia Santos Atelier wedding gowns that made each bride’s eyes sparkle! 

An hour past noon, the program started with talks from different industry experts. They shared their personal experiences and expert tips to help engaged couples make the best decisions for their wedding day.

Janna Simpao, founder and Editor-in-Chief of brideandbreakfast.ph talked about how to plan a beautiful wedding while Adrianne Concepcion, a trusted celebrity fashion stylist shared tips on how to effectively put together a tasteful engagement and wedding wardrobe. The last speaker during the event was the sought-after wedding photographer, Pat Dy, who shared pointers on how couples can look their best in their engagement and wedding photos.

After all the interesting talks, it was time for the attendees to go around the booths to enjoy the different activities and discounts the brands offered: Beauty and Wellness Booth, Women’s Booth, Men’s Booth, Home Booth, and Fine Jewelry Booth.

In the Beauty and Wellness Booth, brides and their companions were treated to free pampering sessions: hand massage from L’Occitane, skincare consultation and makeup trial from Perricone, Nexa consultation from Murad, back massage from Dermalogica, and makeup and beauty consultation by Bobbi Brown and Clinique. Aside from these brands, Clarins Skin Spa, La Prairie, and Neal’s Yard Remedies also displayed their products during the event. And what is the finishing touch in every bride’s look? Fragrance, of course! Acca Kappa and Maison Francis Kurkdjian added to the awesome event experience with their unforgettable scents selection. Also, all brides were lucky enough to take home a Rustan’s Beauty Addict membership at the end of the event. What a treat!

From lingerie and accessories, to dresses and shoes, brands from the Women’s Corner helped the brides tick off outfits they’ll need for her engagement parties and send-offs. Apparel selection from Adrianna Papell, Aidan Mattox, Bari Jay, Finders Keepers, Halston Heritage, Keepsake, Natori, Tadashi Shoji, and lingerie from Maidenform presented a wide variety of styles and colors for every bride to choose from. Once they found the right outfit, it was time to head on to the shoe selection from Aquazzura, Christian Louboutin, Sergio Rossi, and Gianvito Rossi. Of course, no outfit is ever complete without accessorries and bags! Good thing brands such as Jessica McClintock, Abanicos Aparisi, Kitsch, Majorica, Medusa’s Heirlooms, Swarovski, Volart Encajes, Silnag, and Rustan’s Hankies were present during the event.

In the Men’s Corner, Ascot Chang walked the grooms through the bespoke fitting experience, showing them why it’s smarter to invest in a well-made shirt and suit which they can reuse after the wedding. There were also shoe and accessory brands on display from Allen Edmonds, Punto, Tricker’s, Umber, Gouache, and the Tie Bar in this section so it was easier for the grooms to complete their wedding look. Couples also enjoyed the practical and creative giveaway ideas that was presented by Brouk & Co., Corkcicle, Swell, and luggage options from American Tourister and Samsonite.

In the Home Startup Booth, Rustan’s Weddings and Beyond helped couples plan their future home through the basic home essentials consultation and gift selection. The must-have pieces for the main parts of the home were covered. Ergomotion and Uratex displayed their latest pieces for a good night’s rest. Kassatex, Malouf, Natori, and Ralph Lauren made sure that the attendees had great quality options for their bed and bath accessories. Home appliances like Dyson, Gorenje, and Delonghi, and home fragrance brand like Collines de Provence and Millefiori truly offered a luxurious option for a more welcoming home. And speaking of welcoming, sprucing up the dining room is a must if you want your home to be impressive. Glassware from LSA, Luigi Bormioli, Nachtmann, and Schott Zwiesel and tableware from Bugatti, Christina Re, Christofle, Kate Spade New York Home, Lenox, Herdmar, Queen Anne, and Royal Albert showcased items that can elevate a startup dining room. It was difficult not to bring home some of the gift items from Oleg Cassini and Rustan’s Filipiniana Our Very Own! They were all so beautiful!

Couples who needed help with their wedding rings found the jewelry consulation in the Fine Jewelry Booth very helpful. A beautiful selection of rings were lined up by Argyor, Cento, Damiani, and Denovo, while complementing jewelry sets were showcased by Mikimoto and Roberto Coin. Montblanc provided the selection of men’s watches and accessories.

The whole Bliss experience was really an afternoon to remember for all the brides and their companions, and the raffle prizes given out during the event was definitely the big cherry on top that everyone was waiting for! Everyone stayed until the end of the program for a chance to win the free engagement shoot with Pat Dy as grand prize! It really was a privilege no one wanted to miss.

Of course, no treat is ever complete without sumptuous food! All attendees of Bliss sure enjoyed the feast—ham and pasta from The Plaza, raclette cheese spread from La Petite Fromagerie, champagne and wine from Ralph’s Wine and Spirits, and other mouthwatering dishes perfect for an afternoon affair. Delicious!

All couples left the venue feeling happy and even more excited to plan their weddings! They took home luxury samples from Maison Francis Kurkdjian,

tokens from L’occitane and Write Impression, complimentary service vouchers from Bobbi Brown and Clinique, and collar stays from Ascot Chang for their grooms who happily spent their afternoon with them.

For those who missed this event, you can also drop by the Rustan’s Weddings and Beyond office to create your wedding registry in preparation for the exciting new life you and your soon-to-be will build together!