THE LITTLE PRINCE NEEDS TO WORKOUT

When I got back from Manila, I gained a bit of weight. Maybe? 5-6 pounds. Now, I understand how Oprah feels. Most of my friends tell me, "Gipetto, you look well rested." Meaning, I gained some weight.

True enough! I used to be size 48 in my Dries Van Noten pants.  Guess what? I went a size up... 50.

5 years ago, I used to have a very lean body. I never gain muscles. My friend, Juliano, encouraged me to go to the gym. He does not like drama... so do I. Hahahaha!!!!

The most practical way is to enroll myself to the gym. I have been spending so much money on clothes and accessories. I must allot a couple of dollars for the wellness of my body.

When I used to live in Chelsea, I went to Chelsea Piers. I always do all the classes in the gym: boot camp, capoiera (brazilian martial arts), and aerobics... It's so not HOMME, but very FEMME.

Next week, I've decided to go to EQUINOX. I have seen the facilities. I fell in LOVE with the gym... and the men. I am focused when I am in the gym. I try not to talk that much, but I end up chatting with someone. Thus, I do not finish my workout routine... I need to back stitch my mouth. Hahahaha.

We will see, if I am going to do my routine religiously. I must fit into my SKINNY JEANS again.

I always believe in what the little prince said, "It's only the heart that can see through rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."  In my industry it has to be the physical and inner beauty... fashion dictates!!!

TO DREAM IS FREE!!!

EQUINOX- MY SECOND MECCA

MY TOM FORD BODY-  IN THE FUTURE!!!

BRAD PITT'S BODY- NO WONDER ANGELINA CAN'T LEAVE HIM!!!

RAFA NADAL'S BODY- CAN BE?

TOMMY HAAS' ABS- MAY WORK!!!

NEW YORK MOMENT

Today, I had lunch with my god son, Miggy, at Fred's of Barneys New York. I was so happy because I have not seen him since his baptism in Los Angeles. Ginger Ignacio is one of my closest friends. She has also a line of fine jewelry that can be purchased at www.gingerignacio.com.  I had a great time with them. For the first time, I stayed in the city for the 4th of July weekend. Last year, I was in the Hamptons celebrating with friends.

I like it when the city is quiet. There were not that much people on the streets of New York. For once, the city is calm.  Ginger has a knack for accessories, especially bags and shoes. First stop, Yves Saint Laurent. I know that the muse bag has been out for the longest time. She acquired this amazing butter caramel ostrich bag. I have not seen the muse bag done in ostrich... I was blind maybe.

Then, we went to SAKS Fifth Avenue to visit my dear friend Tante Flores. He is the king of the shoe department on the 8th floor. Once again, Ginger purchased 2 pairs of flats that were not on sale... talk about economic recession.  HAHAHAHA! After our shopping extravaganza, I went home.

I am being a good son. My mother is not feeling well. Right now! We are watching my all time favorite movie... "Babe".  For the first time, I get to relax with the company of my mother goose.

You guys have to be proud of me! I did not buy anything. I was a bit frustrated because Barneys did not have my shoe size for Dries Van Noten... Kung Fu style.

Well! I thought that I am going to see the fireworks with my god son... I was wrong. I have to stay home and be with mom... :(

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE SHOE SALON- LOOK FOR TANTE FLORES

FRED'S AT BARNEYS NEW YORK

BARNEYS NEW YORK- MECCA IN THE USA

YSL'S MUSE BAG

CLASH OF THE TITANS- WIMBELDON STYLE

It takes me 2 hours to get ready. I have an appointment today at 11am. Before hitting the showers, I enjoy sipping a cup of coffee.  Guess what? I forgot that Wimbeldon is going on. I am not a sport fanatic, but I enjoy watching tennis.

When I was a young boy, I was not a fan of this amazing sport. At first, I was looking at the men.

Damn! They are hot.  Afterwards, I started to learn about the sport.  I tried, but I did not succeed... I'd rather watch.

Now! It's the semi finals at Wimbeldon. Roger Federer (2) is playing against Tommy Haas (24). The match is not over, but Roger Federer is leading 2 sets to LOVE (love means zero in the tennis world).

I know Roger will win Wimbeldon again. If so, he will beat Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slams. Can you imagine? He will have 15 grand slam titles... including his recent win at the French Open. He is also the first player to have reached the Wimbeldon semi finals for 7 consecutive times. AMAZING!

How about face value? I believe that Tommy Haas is so handsome. He is the kind of guy you just want to look at. Don't get me wrong, he has skills too. 

Happy 4th of July!!!

MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE- ROGER FEDERER (2)

STUD MUFFIN OF THE TENNIS COURTS- TOMMY HAAS (24)

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH- PRATIMA

4 years ago, I was not happy with my dermatologist. I was having a little problem with my skin. My friends were there to support me. It was not a severe case of acne, but when you work in the fashion industry... your face is your business card.

Vicky Kagia, a close friend, talked to me. She said Ayurveda changed her life. Only one word came out of her mouth... Pratima. I was nervous in the beginning. Hey! If it helped my friend, why can't this treatment help me?

Not everyone knows Ayurveda. This is what I've gathered from my extensive research... ABC's of this magnificent healing process.  Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words: Ayu, which means LIFE  and Veda, which means the KNOWLEDGE OF.  To make it simple for everyone, AYURVEDA IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE.  Ayu is comprised of four essential parts: mind, body, senses, and soul.  It is considered to be oldest science of healing. Can you imagine? Ayurveda has been in existence since 1500 BC. WOW! I DIE!

Ayurvedic medicine is holistic.  It is based on the intrinsic law of nature that states that the whole person is made up of many interdependent parts. When one part of the body is malfunctioning, it disrupts all other parts.

From this research, I believe that true beauty is an expression of wellness.  

PRATIMA is the only spa I go in New York. Whenever I travel, I always bring all her products. She does not use any chemicals. All the ingredients are ORGANIC...so ORGANIC.

Here's the deal! What keeps me young? PRATIMA!!!

Treatments: Micro peel treatment, and Ayurveda facial

Facialist: ONLY JAMILE

NIRVANA!!!

PRATIMA PRODUCTS!!!

SECRET OF YOUTH!!!

JAIHO LAND!!!

PRATIMA

110 GREENE STREET, SUITE 701

P: 212-581-8136

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FAST FORWARD- 2010

In my belief, "Accessories make the outfit." My former editor Jasmine knows about that... I love, love, love, and love accessories.  She knows that I only inhale fashion... forget about the exhalation process.  Hahahaha!

For Spring 2010, the men's wear industry focused on colors and prints for accessories. YAY! Throughout my research, I have seen amazing prints from Marni and Dries Van Noten. Mellow Yellow lace up loafers from Jil Sander. Bright Colors from Bottega Veneta... FINALLY! Luscious scarves from Lanvin.  Classic leather bracelets from the house of Hermes.

Here are some of my top picks from the recent Spring Summer 2010 Men's Shows from Paris and Milan:

1.) DANCING SHOES- KEEP ON DANCING...YEAH!!! (BEE GEES)

LOUIS VUITTON

2.) WORK TOTE- MR. PRIM AND PROPER!!!

LOUIS VUITTON- TAIGA LEATHER

3. OVERNIGHT BAG-  GREAT ESCAPE!!!

BOTTEGA VENETA

4.) YELLOW SHOES-  SMILING BRIGHT!!!

JIL SANDER

4.) BRACELET OF CHOICE-  LUXURY AT ITS FINEST!!!

HERMES

6.) SCARF- SILKY SMOOTH!!!

LANVIN

7.) FASHION FORWARD SHOES- IN YOUR FACE!!!
 

DRIES VAN NOTEN

8.) FRIENDSHIP SANDALS- PEDICURED TOE NAILS PLEASE!!!

LANVIN

SHOUTOUT to all the BUYERS in NEW YORK:  Please buy these accessories.

They are simply the BEST. 

I can't wait for next summer.

New additions to my wardrobe. Hahahahhahahahaha!

SEAT OF POWER- KARTELL

You know why I do not like the rain? Besides getting wet, I have to carry a big umbrella.  It was a huge misfortune for me yesterday... my mother and I forgot to bring one. To kill time, we went to the home department of Barneys. I showed her the Visionnaire Books of shirts that Anton and I purchased the other day.  We fell in love with this amazing stool. It looked like a prism in plastic... very GREEN.  KARTELL is the brand name of my new stool. It is going to be a part of my apartment.

I was chatting with Ron, my go to guy at Barneys Home on the 9th floor. He was telling us about the history of Kartell.  The company was founded by Guilio Castelli in 1949. He is a chemical engineer. He won the "Nobel Natta Award", and started producing plastic articles for car accessories and later on to home furnishing. AMAZING.

Why is Kartell so unique? The company uses plastic instead of wood and glass. The company's goal is to make plastic look chic. The company hired a team of experts with the likes of Ron Arad, Philippe Starck, Tokujin Yoshioka, and many more to modify and translate Guilio's vision in the modern world of furniture.

To tell you the truth, my new stool fits well with my other furniture... IT'S VERY COMFORTABLE.

VERY GREEN RIGHT NOW.

VISIONS OF LA CHEMISE- LACOSTE 54

I had an amazing shoot at the High Line this past monday. My friend, Anton San Diego of Asian Tatler, is going to feature me in their August issue. After the shoot, we went to Chelsea Market. From the beginning, I told Anton that I am not familiar with the place. We went to Chelsea Thai. Yes! The food was so cheap, but it had so much grease on it. Anton said that he felt like we were carpenters from Manila. He is so funny.

After our horrible lunch, Anton needed some shopping therapy. We went to Bergdorf Goodman. Our cab driver was nuts. We thought he was high on stackers or on red bull. We got so dizzy in the cab. Ha! 

Thank God for the full blast AC at Bergdorf Goodman, we started to cool down. Anton loves D Squared. When we got there, there were only a few pieces left.  We left and we headed to Barneys.

We went straight to the home department. Our friend, Rico Ocampo of Celestina, told us about the Visionnaire Book with all the Lacoste shirts. Thank God! It was on sale. Famous artists collaborated with Lacoste to produce an amazing ensemble for the magazine. Artists like Michael Stipe, Karl Lagerfeld, Peter Lindbergh were some of the participants in this issue.

In the beginning, I wanted to wear the shirts. I told myself, it will be a collector's item someday.

We carried these heavy books to the Paris theater. Thank God for Anton's knack of beauty, we saw Cheri. You guys have to see it.

Till next time.

MY FAVORITE MODEL-COCO ROCHA IN LACOSTE FOR VISIONNAIRE