A Picture Book (is worth a thousand words!)

The more predictions there are about the death of the printed word, the more gorgeous and stunning the new artistic books get! There is nothing like that feeling of opening a big and beautiful book with images so hypnotic and seductive , you want to jump into the pages and leave the mundane reality of life.

It seems to me bigger is really better nowadays.

This is planet Earth. Our big beautiful planet, captured in a big beautiful book.

Strike a pose there is nothing to it, Vogue. Not just a magazine, not just a Madonna song, but a whole way of life, captured in not one but two absolutely swoon worthy books.

What is black and white and sexy all over? Tom Ford, of course.

My favorite!

His curvaceous and monumental architecture deserves a huge tribute!

Love this book!

An icon immortalized in an unforgettable book. Ryan Seacrest, out! Out having a Coca-Cola break that is!

Doesn't the little car look like a real object, about to ride off the cover?

Pucci packs a punch. This book weighs at least seven pounds!

The Pedro Almodovar Archives. Proof that kitsch can cross over to cool.

The iconic Audrey Hepburn!

Audrey Hepburn never goes out of style.

Visionaire 2000. Encapsulating the end of one century and the start of a new one.

Next best thing to Cartier jewels? The special commemorative book that marked the Cartier sesquicentennial.

Thinking inside the box

A box can hold a sweet delight, a naughty memory or a long forgotten dream. Or it can be a little precious object of beauty in its own right. Whether displayed as a group, or tucked away in a hidden drawer, a box can be a lovely treasure. I love to keep boxes, and think of them as the best souvenirs and keepsakes of good times and good friends.

Jean Paul Hevin's vivid brown and blue color scheme is so very French.

The Maison du Chocolat box has a nubby texture, just like real leather.

The Villa del Contei box combines the orange of Hermes with the chocolate brown of Louis Vuitton.

The intricacy and delicate motifs on Laduree evoke a kinder, gentler era.

Vintage value

I never got into the It bag craze. I guess I'm lucky because my mom lets me borrow her vintage bags, and oftentimes, these rare brands such as Rodo and Roberta di Camerino get even the most jaded fashion folk wide-eyed and surprised that such vintage pieces can look so contemporary yet timeless. Some of them don't have brands, they are just fortunate finds that stood the wear and tear of partying from the Swinging sixties and seventies!

Crocs rock! This croc clutch goes day to night so easily.

Plastic fantastic. This cute little gold bag with the Lucite handle is the very definition of charm.

Heigh ho Silver! Emerald cut crystal pailettes make this evening clutch shining, shimmering, splendid.

The Green and blue rattan bags by Rodo, an old Italian brand, are summer in a purse. They are shaped like old lunch boxes and I love matching them when I wear bright happy colors!

Lady is a champ. This ladylike crocodile Judith Leiber actually holds a lot of stuff, but is always prim and proper.

The black satin evening bag, also by Judith Leiber, has its own silver comb and mirror, with its own little velvet pouch.

Velvet evolution. The tortoiseshell frame and the crushed velvet are portable luxury.

Rajo's Revolution

The best person to elucidate on Rajo's latest collab with Bench is Rajo himself. Here he is in his own words:

"There were actually two projects, the scent and the jeans collection. The beauty of this collaboration is that Ben gave me carte blanche. He really said to me, 'Rajo bahala ka na, do what you want.' So for me, jeans are purely democratic fashion. And so at last, I was able to design the jeans that I wanted to wear. It started with the mood board that was inspired by Japanese street style. Then the jeans supplier walked me through the process and even the choosing of the buttons got me so excited. And the little details with the folding of the hem and all the other details, I got to do what I wanted. With jeans, you can be preppy, punk, gay, straight, and you can wear jeans. And especially with the price points, these jeans are for everybody."

"For the perfume, it's a very intangible thing, so I thought about the feelings I wanted to evoke. At first, I just wanted one scent, but my sister in her wisdom found it too strong. So when I asked Ben if we could do two scents, he said yes. And that's how the dichotomy of the paradox that underlied the show came about. I have Peter Pan syndrome, I really wanted the show to be all about what's young. Hence, Enchong and the 30 plus plus young ones we could find!"

In these backstage photos, Rajo said that the atmosphere was one of "calm nervousness." He says, "I have learned through the years that when you do the right pre-prod, and surround yourself with the right people, everything will fall into place."

Love the smell!

Uno: Rajo with Enchong Dee

Dos: Rajo with Sam Concepcion

Uno, Dos: Rajo with Sam & Enchong

With Sarah Labati

With Steven Silva

Uno: Hair up! With Joseph Marco

Dos: Hair down.

With Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda & Steven Silva

Direk Robby Carmona in action

Rajo giving his last minute directions.

Fierce hairstyles!

And the show starts!

Work it Sarah & Joseph!

Joseph Marco, Riana, Tetta Ortiz Matera & Enchong Dee with a fierce model in the middle.

All star: Enchong Dee, Regine Angeles, Enzo Pineda, Joseph Marco & Nacino Rocco

The crowd definitely loved Enchong's performance!

Congrats Rajo!