arlene sy

Red, white, blue

by Arlene on Sep 07, 2011 (1) Comments

If you take all the clothes I have, you’ll get a pile of black, a pile of white, and a pile of denim (with the occasional pale pink, peach and salmon). To be honest, I’m beginning to get bored with my wardrobe. I love how functional and versatile these staples are, but my closet has started begging for color as of late. Okay… The truth is, I love how easy, casual, classic French style has made its way into the current trends–sailor stripes and dainty polka dots, combined with solid reds, whites and blues. Time for some shopping!

I love… Teen Vogue

by Arlene on Sep 06, 2011 (0) Comments

I collect very few magazines these days, but I’ll always have a soft spot for Teen Vogue! I’ve stopped buying every single issue, but I made an exception when I saw their September cover (Emma Stone in a pretty red Burberry Prorsum coat–it totally seduced me). There are things to be said about Teen Vogue that can’t be said for many other glossies. The editorials are always fresh, vibrant, and everything looks and feels happy! And, how can you refuse a magazine that has “cute” (yet classy) written all over it?

WIP 08.29.2011

by Arlene on Aug 29, 2011 (0) Comments

It’s been chilly and stormy in Manila these days, but I’m letting the sunshine into this third piece in the series I’m working on. Everyone, meet my sunny Happy Lemon Girl! She’s about 70% done here.

I’m seriously getting my painting groove on, and it’s true–once you start drawing a few hours each day, it gradually turns into a habit, and your body just starts looking for it. I can feel my techniques changing (maturing, I hope?), too, and each stroke of the brush is becoming less uncertain, more deliberate. And, can I just say–I’m getting very addicted to negative (white) space.

Like strange fruit under the willow

by Arlene on Aug 26, 2011 (0) Comments

Few runway shows leave a lasting impression on me, and fewer designers make my heart go a-flutter. But while I’ve always loved Lanvin, their Fall 2011 collection (which showed in Paris last March) really took my breath away. The feel was very gothic, peppered with preacher/pilgrim references, transitioning later into expert drapes and jewel tones. The end of the show was the perfect, hauntingly beautiful summary–a parade of models, arranged from darkness to lightness of dress, like a wave of ultra-chic zombies. To quote Style.com‘s Tim Blanks, “They gathered like strange, exotic fruit under the willow.”