Side piece? Not really. More like ‘side project.’
Check out this lil’ gem I made for my bf. It’s a wallet that holds your iPhone, cards, and whatever else you choose to cop and carry. Exterior: black python. Interior: calfskin and suede. Hand-stitched, too.
What do you think? I may have to make myself one.
Now, back to my regularly scheduled program…I’m off to continue developing the collection.
My love for designing shoes remains constant like the forever smirk behind my smile. (Haha!) And when I saw Ivy Kirzhner’s SS13 debut collection, I was instantly reminded about everything I so dearly love about art, footwear and fashion: sky-high heels, geometric detail and Art Deco galore. The Art Deco era is hands-down my fave, and Kirzhner embodies it so nicely in her collection. Casted metal heels with hand-enameled designs and 18K gold (!) finishings? Yes, please!
Am I overly excited because she’s a fellow Filipina? I’m proud of my heritage – what can I say?
Photos: ivykirzhner.com
The book, Bottega Veneta, is one of the best pieces of inspiration I’ve ever read. I resonate so closely with the vision of Bottega Veneta’s creative director, Tomas Maier – more so than any other designer I adore. Maier aims to produce work that is focused on craftsmanship and quality: two main attributes that I too will forever value in my work. Maier appreciates the talented hand of the skilled artisan – a quality I consistently seek for myself as an individual craftsperson, as well as in the production of my collection. He also states, “Certainly, handcraftsmanship is expensive. You can own more things if they’re mass-produced. It’s also unnecessary.” I totally concur! Buy less, buy better. Quality over quantity, folks. Always.
Bottega Veneta’s slogan, “When Your Own Initials Are Enough” is a direct reflection of the company’s stance: quiet luxury. The brand has no need to scream “BV!” because its product clearly speaks for itself.
This is what I strive for in the creation of Pascual. In fact, I promise you now that I will always be brutally honest. I will not knock-off or sell-out. I will seek quality, luxury and creativity. I will build a foundation, and not a fast fix. And I won’t give up. Because I feel like I have so much to share, make, design and create for you – I love to create! I freakin’ love it.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…I feel good. Now, back to work.
/////Diary excerpt. Spacey and abstract, but, you get me, right?
Ballsy. That’s exactly what I want to be.
Living in one of the most expensive cities in the world has definitely taken its toll. Stability is great, but it’s just not for me. F$%* my $50 bag of fruit. I just won’t buy it anymore.
I’d rather dive head first into a sea of unknown than continue on with the same routine. Spreading myself too thin was the biggest mistake. Putting part time hours into a lifelong dream wasn’t okay. Designing while sleepwalking wasn’t okay. Pushing 30 years old and no goals crossed off the (new) bucket list is not okay. And sleeping on a floor in Queens was definitely not for naught.
I know I’m hard on myself, but that’s just how I roll.
‘Night.
I can hardly wait for the clouds to part, and the sweet, sweet smell of spring blooms. Though it’s not even February, I’m already living in spring mode.
So far, I’m feeling peek-a-boo cut-outs (A. Wang, Nina Ricci), sporty, silky bombers (JPG, Loewe) and animal prints and exotics (Miele, Cavalli) – my all time fave!
Check out my trend boards below!
Why am I always so ÜBER late when it comes discovering “new” artists? I haven’t been open to music for a super long while because nothing seemed to interest me within my favourite, go-to genre of music. I’m a hip hop and R&B fan through and through, but lately, everything feels so fake and manufactured. Real talk.
On a more positive note, meet Delilah — a British singer-songwriter signed to Atlantic Records. Her music is dope! And I’m pretty sure her steeze is genuine too. I’m not so sure what her genre is, but I know I like it — that’s all that matters.
Enjoy!
Note: I do not own these photos.
While on a recent meander at the bookstore, I came across a stack of fashion books published by Assouline. I was instantly brought back to the Assouline book boutique I stumbled into while rolling with Shell-Belle, (Ladurée macarons in hand), on a recent visit to Paris. The store was such a gem! Assouline was stocked with countless books on topics I adore most: travel, art, design, photography and fashion. Needless to say, I was in love.
Below are my fave Assouline-published books. If ever I choose to start a collection, these would def be my staple pieces.
Enjoy!
Photos: Assouline.com
