Bench introduces hang tags made of soap
PHILIPPINE fashion brand Bench recently unveiled an innovation that is sustainable and practical: a hang tag that also serves as a detergent for the item’s first wash. “We are consistently looking for ways to improve every aspect of our business,” Ben Chan, Chairman of Bench, was quoted as saying in a press release. “This includes reducing our environmental impact. We understand that there is a lot of room for us to improve on this aspect. Reducing paper waste by shifting to detergent tags may seem like a small effort for others, but we believe that every little thing we can do to improve will eventually add up and amount to something significant.” The first of its kind in the country, Bench’s Washtag is made completely of detergent sheets from the tag to the twine, and printed with biodegradable, non-staining ink. For its initial run, Bench is using Washtags on 4,080 of its Better Made shirts — that are shirts made of recycled plastic bottles. Each sells for P499 and are available in over 60 Bench stores nationwide, Lazada, and on https://shop.bench.com.ph. “Bench always has and always will believe in transparency. Currently, there are limitations to the rollout of washtags. That said, we hope to be able to apply this to all our fashion products moving forward,” Mr. Chan was quoted as saying.
Beauty Bar carries even more products
BEAUTY BAR, which already carries an extensive range of products, from haircare to body care, make-up, skincare, and more, is adding even more international products to the offerings in its stores. These include Korean brand Unicorn Glow’s whimsical range of products, from eyeshadow sticks to lip tints, foundation, and hair masks. Another rising brand in the K-beauty industry that it carries is L.O.C.K., which provides easy-to-follow tutorials along with its makeup products like concealer, blush, and matte lipsticks, among many more. Yet another Korean brand is Sky Bottle, which offers perfumed skincare like body lotions, mists, creams, and body washes. Beauty Bar also has the sustainable Danish brand Last Object whose products range from makeup cotton rounds to Q-tips and laundry bags; and a selection of face creams, lip balms, and skincare items from British skincare brand Skin Sapiens. Other brands include Dr. Pawpaw (cleansing balms, serums, day creams, night creams, and sheet masks), Urban Apothecary (body and home fragrances), Bodyography (lipstick, crème blushes, foundations, primers, and more), and Korres (body fragrances). Hince Cosmetics from Korea, Elvis & Elvin from the US, and the clean and green line of The Balm from the US are also coming to Beauty Bar this year. In the Philippines, Beauty Bar is under Stores Specialists, Inc., with stores located at Central Square BGC, Alabang Town Center, Power Plant Mall, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza, The Podium, Robinsons Galleria, Eastwood Mall, TriNoma, Robinsons Place Midtown, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, and Marquee Mall Pampanga. Shop at beautybar.com.ph and discover more brands of cosmetics, skincare, and beauty products.
COS returns to NY Fashion Week
COS returned to this September’s New York Fashion Week to present its Autumn Winter 2023 collection. Held within the Manhattan Classic Car Club, the deep brown catwalk surface contrasted with the iridescent shine of metallic sculptural forms that framed the space. The collection’s 43 looks encapsulated the brand’s core principles of “timelessness, uncompromising quality, and day-to-evening dressing,” according to a press release. The collection explored “functional yet innovative tailoring through methods of deconstruction, classic cuts are reinvented from the inside out.” There were refined trouser suits, head-to-toe knitwear looks finished with hoods, and oversized fringed scarves. Fringes were used on capes and dresses, and there were neck scarf detailing on shirts. The show also debuted the Autumn Winter 2023 COS Atelier collection, its third capsule. The collection featured an intricate hand-knitted crochet look using Responsible Mohair Standard mohair, and delicate leather tassels that adorned wool outerwear, made from off-cut materials. Over 92% of the collection was made from more sustainably sourced materials, including knits crafted from recycled and GCS cashmere. A selection of items from the show collection are already available at COS stores and cos.com and limited numbers will continue to drop throughout the season. COS Atelier will be available from October.
Fendi launches Fendigraphy watch
THE LATEST addition to Fendi’s Fendigraphy family is a watch. Designed by Delfina Delettrez Fendi, Artistic Director of Jewelry, and linked to the bold Fendigraphy hobo bag, the jewelry were first launched with the Fendi Women’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection and have been present since then with the statement Fendi metal lettering. The Fendigraphy watch features the signature Fendi logo which wraps around the wrist disguised as a bangle bracelet. The letter D encapsulates the watch dial, revealed behind a sapphire crystal. It comes in two versions: one in full stainless-steel and the other one in leather and steel. In the stainless-steel version, the watch case is formed by the letters framed into squared plates in polished stainless-steel, colored in gold or declined in silver with the golden script while the leather and steel style has the same golden lettering but applied on black or dove calf leather straps. The watch is available in Fendi boutiques worldwide and on fendi.com starting this month.
Longchamp goes to the races
IN 1948, WHEN Jean Cassegrain founded his leather goods house, he decided to link his family name to that of the Longchamp racecourse. This season, Longchamp is returning to its roots with a collection that expresses the sporty, casual-chic spirit of equestrianism, given a twist with warm, feminine materials. Here are rain boots emblazoned with an oversized Longchamp logo, inspired by riding boots. They can be customized with leather straps evoking the colors of bridles and racing stables. There are shearling coats and blousons, lambskin gilets, structured parkas with color-block panels or jackets with stand-up collars revisited in leather or quilted flannel, cargo pants, and more. High boots in black or tobacco-brown come with contrasting technical laces for a winter- and adventure-ready look, which can be completed by a baseball cap in velvety corduroy. Pea coats, pullovers and coats with sailing stripes are a classic style revisited by Longchamp. The Box-Trot bag comes in bold new shades of cobalt-blue and grass-green, as well as a new baguette format. The collection draws inspiration from racing silks — the famous jackets worn by jockeys whose eye-catching colors and patterns are unique to each stable. Longchamp thus unveils a series of patterned pieces: dresses and blouses in silk and cotton with a black and white checkerboard motif, chunky and fine-knit cashmere pullovers emblazoned with horses and riders, and bomber jackets with bold diagonal stripes evocative of racing silks. New to the Epure line is a bag that takes the shape of a binoculars case. Le Pliage, too, gets in on the action with designs in the vibrant colors of racing liveries: maroon, sky- blue, orange, red, grass-green, yellow and pink. Longchamp is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Cebu, Greenbelt 5 and Rustans.com.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen opening its first Manila store
Flying Tiger Copenhagen — which traces its roots to the Scandinavian design-led value-for-money retail concept store that now boasts of a global imprint of 892 stores in 33 markets — is coming to the Philippines via the SSI Group, Inc. The first store will open in October at Ayala Malls Glorietta, offering a diverse product line ranging from toys and games, arts and crafts, party and gifts, sports and wellness, as well as food, home, and stationery. “We bring Scandinavian elements, affordability, and create a joyful experience for customers in our stores. Seeing people smile and share their finds captures the essence of what we aim to bring to our customers,” Martin Jermiin, CEO of Flying Tiger Copenhagen, is quoted as saying in a press release.
Avon PHL holds fun run for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
IN ANTICIPATION of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Avon is inviting the public to join the Fun Run to Boob Love on Oct. 21 at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Fun Run to Boob Love continues Avon’s “Breast Cancer Promise” to ensure every woman knows the signs, knows the risks, and knows how to take action. From selling intimate apparel products to sharing knowledge of breast care as part of self-care — Avon has constantly advocated for keeping women’s breasts in the pink of health. The fundraising event will feature3K and 5K runs and a fair dedicated to breast health. Proceeds will be donated to Avon’s long-time partner organization, the Philippine Cancer Society. Join Fun Run to Boob Love by registering at https://bit.ly/AvonBoobLove.
