This was actually my first ever to attend a local fashion show and I didn’t really have an idea what to expect. Plus the fact that it’s being co-presented by Nokia, it was kind of mind boggling (Did I understand it correctly, they’re not going to strut phones in the runway, right?). Anyway, I’m not really much into clothes but for sure, there will be shoes whether by the designer or just like this one, sponsored by Via Venetto.

A short snippet about the designer. Leonardo Salinas is the Filipino-born designer based in Australia who’s creations are being carried out by High Maintenance. Started his career in 1995 when he graduated with distinction from Sydney’s renowned Whitehouse Institute of Design.

Last night’s collection was from his latest summer collection for 2008-2009, autumn-winter 2009-2010 collection and bridal haute couture collection for 2009.

Ursula is a silk faille ivory backless dress bikini top, slinky gown accented with a peligree brooch.

I like this one in particular amongst the collection last night. And honestly, I was actually more interested with what shoes the models wore in the catwalk than with the dresses. Hey, what can I do, I love shoes.

I actually told my good friend Sasha (of Style Manila) to get this style for her wedding. Why not? If you got the body, flaunt it! Right?

Mark your calendars; starting Thursday, 28th of May until the 1st of June, Havaianas Philippines is having their Make Your Own Havaianas 2009 at Rockwell Tent.

With nearly all the hues of the covetable Havaianas collection available as your palette, there are hundreds of possible combinations of soles and straps for Men and Women, in the popular Top and Slim styles.

Also available are different pins for embellishing your masterpiece, from sleek Swarovskis so you can unleash your inner chic to Lifestyle Pins so you can show off your inner soul. Lifestyle pins range from peaceful Yoga poses to funky, vintage tellies.

This year, Make Your Own Havaianas will also be offering an artistic treat by giving you the chance to parade your Filipino pride with Culture Pins featuring symbols of our unique and colorful heritage, such as wide-eyed Tarsiers, vibrant vintas and much more.

THE ROCK ED ORIGINAL PROJECT GRANT
MADE POSSIBLE BY HAVAIANAS

Your ORIGINAL idea.
An express budget.
An impressive impact!

What is THE ROCK ED ORIGINAL PROJECT GRANT?
THE ROCK ED ORIGINAL PROJECT GRANT is a search for the most original youth-involved and youth-targeted projects.

Send in your original idea for implementation, and receive a grant to turn your original project into a reality!

Once you’ve emailed your entries, RockEd will post them on their multiply site (rockedoriginalgrant.multiply.com) and ask for the public’s help in deciding which original idea will be made real!

Who can join?

Any individual or group between the ages of 13 to 32 years old.

Group entries may be made up of two members or more.

How can you join?
1. Send in your original youth-involved and youth-targeted project on or before April 4, 2009.
2. Email your entries to: myidea@rockedphilippines.org
3. Entries must include the following information:

• Complete name/s of sender/s
• Age/s of sender/s
• Email address/es
• Address of project representative
• Telephone and cell phone number of project representative

4. The project entry must follow the following format:

• Project Title: (name of your project should be catchy, original and descriptive)
• Objective: (the main goal of your project)
• Project Team: (information about the team? why are you joining?)
• Beneficiary: (who will benefit from your project?)
• Mechanics: (how will you go about it? where will it be implemented? details will be greatly appreciated — this portion of the application is your best opportunity to explain and describe your project, feel free to enumerate)
• Budget: (a detailed report on how you intend to distribute the grant money)
• Extra info we need to know about you/your team?

Terms and Conditions:
1. All projects details will be posted on rockedoriginalgrant.multiply.com for online voting. Online voting ends on April 17, 2009.
2. There are three (3) categories:

• a. High School – any individual or group ages- 13-17 years of age.
• b. College – any individual or group aged 17-21 years of age, not necessarily enrolled in a university.
• c. Professional – any individual or group 21 years and older.

3. Three (3) projects will be chosen per category. A total of nine (9) projects will be chosen.
4. The following are the minimum* grants to be awarded:

• a. High School – PhP 8,000
• b. College – PhP 10,000
• c. Professional – PhP 15,000

*Actual grants will depend on the pledges during the launch of the Havaianas Original Campaign

5. Entries will be evaluated and selected following this criteria:

• a. ORIGINALITY of idea (25%)
• b. Social relevance (25%)
• c. Impact on intended beneficiary (25%)
• d. Votes garnered through the Multiply site (25%)

6. Entries will be evaluated and judged by:

• a. Anne Gonzalez of Terry SA/ Havaianas
• b. Gang Badoy of RockEd Philippines

7. Winners and awarding event details will be announced via the Multiply site. Winners will also be notified by phone call and email.
8. Winners must be available to physically accept the grant during the awarding. They must also present two valid ID.
9. Winners must agree to the implementation guidelines of RockEd, which includes liquidation of the grant fund with official receipts, vouchers and document the event with photographs and/or video.

Havaianas, the flip flops most people have grown to love, was first created in 1962. Sao Paolo Alpargatas, creator of Havaianas, had an idea out of a Zori – the Japanese straw slippers. He used a secret rubber formula in creating the first Havaianas flip flops and it is still that same formula that is being used until today in a factory in Northern Brazil where every Havaianas are being made. These flip flops are a combination of idea of a breezy aesthetic of Hawaii and the minimalistic sensibilities of Japan.

In 2003, Havaianas was introduced to the Filipinos. And now, taking pride to its legacy, Havaianas Philippines in partnership with Rock Ed is conducting a pledge of support for all things original. It may be an original thought, an original work, and or even an original creation.

Starting the grant last March 4, 2009 at the “Are You Original?” Havaianas Event, for every picture in the I am Original wall, PHP470.00 was donated as pledge of support for the Rock Ed Original Grant. For more information and for pledge of support, please visit www.havaianasphilippines.com/original

*Rock Ed is a youth oriented, non-profit organization that encourages and supports alternative education.