Fashion is just a reflection of what’s happening around us,” said Rajo Laurel. “If the people need more outerwear and workout clothes to attain a healthy lifestyle, as designers we have to provide that.” Thus came about “Fitness.Fashion,” the SRO curtain raiser to the Samsung-sponsored Inquirer Lifestyle Series, held last Thursday at Peninsula Manila. After Samsung, major sponsors are HSBC, The Peninsula Manila. The brands behind the show are Kipling, Speedo, Puma, Fila, Bench, Nike Golf, Marks & Spencer, Adidas, Aigle, Oxbow, Swatch and L’Oreal. A collaboration between Manila’s top designers and leading activewear brands, the show featured fitness icons as guest models. Lulu Tan-Gan said, “Thelma (Lifestyle editor who conceived the project) keeps us designers competitive and challenges us to trend-set... Today’s health-craze lifestyle is balance at work and play. Having to change gear from work to exercise can take time. The ideal is to be half-dressed for the action. This generation is selective and will not do active performance without style.” Tan-Gan added: “It would be great if active sports brands can add new top-end lines that fuse athletic sportswear and style, with designers coming up with high-fashion athletic wear that focuses on sports performance.” That may not be a long shot. This early, the project has already produced results. At least one designer is now in discussions to develop a fitness line, while a few others are adding sportier looks to their RTW lines. Louis Claparols’ ‘Star Wars’ for Speedo Since last year, Louis Claparols’ garments have taken a sportswear feel. Thus, “Fitness.Fashion” was a natural fit. A devout yogi, he didn’t, however, design around yoga. He worked around the brand’s Spa Collection of basic black swimwear and loungewear, influenced by the uniforms of the imperial storm troopers on “Star Wars.” He designed skirts, leggings, sheer tops and boleros in contrast black, blue and white for “visual impact.” Lulu Tan-Gan’s futuristic tenniswear for Fila Knits queen Lulu Tan-Gan stuck to her signature knits—tube ribbings, spaced dyed texture—to jazz up Fila’s tennis line of traditional tops, dresses, skirts, skorts and culottes. Her theme was “Spacey at the Court,” featuring what she described as “futuristic, fun, easy pieces.” In a nod to tradition, Tan-Gan maintained Fila’s traditional black, red and white, but used yellows for accent. In keeping with the futuristic theme, she used nylon thread for the knits with metal hardware thrown in. Ivarluski Aseron’s couture touch for Puma Hussein Chalayan will reportedly create a collection for Puma, which made Ivarluski Aseron especially thrilled to work with the brand. Aseron’s first activewear line paired Puma pieces with jackets and pants with couture touches—pleatings and drapings, patchwork patterns. “There were couture techniques, but they were very wearable. I put no linings and the fabrics were very easy (cotton pique).” The good news: Similar pieces will be sold under his line for Myth.

Not pictured: black nightgown.

I also got two sweaters that I opted to return -- a cabled "bed jacket" and a cabled trapeze sweater. They were both beautiful, and much higher quality than I expected, but they didn't flatter me and the trapeze sweater was gorgeous but fit funny.

Ham wasn't a helpful assistant. At all.

The keepers:

denim bermuda shorts -- I LOVE THEM
beautiful long-length turtleneck
fair isle cardigan with pom-pom belt
Body by Victoria knit loungewear set (soooo comfortable)