Sew The Pop Station

There are quite a few local designers who are making their mark, and as a homage to my new found patriotism, I decided to start writing more about new talents, stores, people from the islands I call my home - I guess I'm just sick of taking so many pictures of myself in my clothes. But fret not, as soon as I get my new camera gear together, you can rest assured I will be back to my narcissistic self.. beware!

Ever since I saw Ava Paguyo on the 1st season of Project Runway, I have been a bit of a fan. Hey design style is fearless, unique and stands out from the sea of beaded dresses and jewel tones in Philippines fashion. If I could choose one person for her to dress, It would be Lady Gaga.. or M.I.A. Either way, I'm sure she would hit the nail on the head like it was nobody's business. I'm practically salivating over her graffiti tights and the striped shirt with the paint splashes.
She was kind enough to let me pick her brain a little.

What is your label called?
I have a line under my own name, my silk screened shoes and scarves are under Sew the Pop Station Specials and I have an RTW label, ELECTRIC CUTES which I share with my friends Kitty Caragay and Reza Aznar.

How would you describe the clothes you make?
The clothes that I make under Electric Cutes are eye candy street, dressed down hipster i guess, something you could dance and be comfortable in, and still stand out. We grew up to kawaii fashion, so now that we've grown, our aesthetics still borders on the cute, but not too blatantly.
My clothes in general are very graphic and experimental. I like playing with colors, cuts and drapes. i like doing my own prints either through silk screening or dyeing. My clothes are not confined to a certain style but you'll know they're made by me. The styles usually hint on street, Harajuku, 80s, the quirky and the not.

When did you know you wanted to design clothes?
I was in my 3rd year of BS Biology in The University of the Philippines Baguio when I decided to design clothes instead of becoming a doctor. Because of the thrift stores in
Baguio,I got exposed to alternative clothing that were not the usual mall norm plus I saw Vivienne Westwood's mini bustle skirt on TV which was insane. It was instant love. After I got my degree in BS Biology, I studied Clothing Technology in UP Diliman.

Who or what do you draw inspiration from?
I am always inspired by contrasts, irony and planned chaos and anything really. Vivienne Westwood is always an inspiration. Friends, inanimate things, the weather, a process, experiments, movies, music, Japan, the Brits, revolutionary street fashions, the counter and cute culture, vintage pop and anything that inspires a cut, a color combination, a mood, a detail and more.

John Waters of course for the humor or lack thereof I find in fashion or in making clothes.

What are 3 of your favorite current trends?
Michael Jackson fashion! Sprouse prints, bunny ears

If you could dress any famous person in the world, who would it be?
Molly Ringwald when she was Andie in Pretty in Pink because her pink prom frock was fugs (Duckie was way more stylish than her) Susie Bubble...I want to see what look she'll come up with dressed in my clothes.

What is your favorite movie of all time, style-wise?
Too many! KAMIKAZE GIRLS, Life Aquatic of Steve Zissou, The Royal Tenenbaums, Marie Antoinette, GIGI because of the white Cecil Beaton gown that Leslie Caron wore to the Ball. John Waters is insane and I heart him. His movies Hairspray (the 1988 original yo, I haven't the remake) and Cry Baby were most stylin' i think. Growing up, I always thought Tracy Turnblad's roach dress was sick and beautiful and that The Drapes was a pretty bunch.

What is your greatest accomplishment as a designer so far?
My first collection, The Madness of Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeves. It was raw and unaffected by anything that would normally trouble a designer. I'm glad I was able to make something that was all heart. Doing the collection then, I thought I was the shiznit haha.

What kind of music to you listen to?
Anything but ballad and heavy metal. I like music with killer awwww lines and music that me and my friends can dance to when its pretty late at the Junkie Shop. I have Passion Pit, Phoenix, The Black kids, Ladyhawke on loop lately.

What can we expect from you and your label in the future?
More awesomeness.

Lastly, are your clothes available to the international market and do you have a website?
Electric Cutes is available at code-limited.com, I plan to put up my Ava Paguyo label there soon too but by the meantime, you can view and order my stuff at sewthepopstation.multiply.com and at THE JUNKIE SHOP in CubaoX.

Photo Credits: [ fashionweek photos: ryan of http://miraclez77.multiply.com.
all photos EXCEPT files the madness and the ava_paguyo prints and others are by: EverywhereWeShoot.com ]

♥

Thanks Ava!

All you need is LOVE ~ Road Sale X

on Dane
bench altered skinny jeans, old navy tank, vintage batwing jacket and boots, I love you necklace

on Paula
topshop tee, vintage doc martens, marc jacobs tote, republ1c hat (forgot what brand)

Every month they hold a wicked little road sale at Cubao X, where you can bring your vintage or self made items, candies, clothes, projects what have you, and sell them on the road. Paula and I brought some boxes that we customized with old Archie comics and some vintage sunglasses we hunted down on a very hectic day downtown, and so had a good excuse to join the fun and drown ourselves in beer. I am always fascinated with Cubao X, and on every visit I find something beautiful to photograph and never go home disappointed. I also bought a boho dress for about a dollar and a pretty little bag for a little less than a dollar.. perfect for me considering how broke I am. Is it just me or does this year financially suck already?

If you grew up in the Philippines, you would know something we here call "plastic balloon". They go for 1-5pesos and come in a tube and you roll a bit around the end of a small what looks like a lollipop stick and blow into it creating a balloon.. there - in case you were wondering what the hell I was doing up in those photos. I love to go back to being a child even if only for a few minutes, and plastic balloons were definitely in my box of favorite childhood memories.

Halfway through the drinking, I decided to stop and babysit Paula instead.. my stomach has been acting up every time beer would go anywhere near it, which now resulted in my being on a personal alcohol ban - indefinitely. Good thing I am as much fun off as I am on it..

Oh! And I was also excited to finally get to wear the jacket that I bought on my last trip to Baguio. My boyfriend picked it out and it was a steal - at 20 pesos. That's like half a dollar if my math is correct. It is exquisitely patterned too, which gives me crazy batwing like ideas just by looking at it.. Hmmm.

♥ & ♥

Dane


PS: RIP my Tito Mateito =(

PPS: The lovely Karen did an interview with me here, thanks doll!

PPSS: If you want to be included in my blogroll, please let me know, I will update it soon.

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Cubao X

Thailand markets drop crotch pants, hanes white tee, vintage fur lined laceup boots, DIY studded bag, bugis vill (singapore) star scarf, Paula's glasses, assorted accessories, I Love You store name plate

I Love You store embellished star coat

Paula did a great job whisking me away to the land of all vintage treasures. We escaped the boys who were naturally more interested in poker playing and watching random football games.. we had to get the hell out of there before we start growing a beard or something. The Cubao X charm is undeniable, and since I had not been there in quite a while, it was like my being a kid in a very colorful candy store. I am currently debating whether or not a lomo purchase should be in my cards, but am held back by financial reasons. I was also eyeing the vintage cameras.. there is something so charming about a heavy, bulky, used and practically Jurassic camera that is just so intriguing. Oh my oh me and my toys.

I did manage to pick up a Beatles record after poking around a vinyl shop for a bit.. but there was an Elton John one I had my eye on, which they did not want to sell so booo me. After a few large bottles of beer and lots of comfort food including delish squash soup from Mogwai, and then more hanging out and taking photos at the "I Love You" store, we made our way home so I could drunkenly sum up my night for the ever so amused boyfriend.

♥ ♥ ♥

Last but not least, you must take a look at the huge collection of wholesale clothing at Red Tag Clothing. It's a great way to find great items for your wardrobe, from everyday basics to those special pieces.

Definitely a one stop shop!

Love, Dane xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx