Tin Tin’s stylish adventure

It’s only been a week after being there to support husband, broadcast journalist Julius Babao at the PeopleAsia magazine’s “Men Who Matter” awards night where he was one of the honorees, and Christine Bersola-Babao (Tin Tin) is back in the proverbial limelight as she, along with two good friends, launch the latest concept store at Shangri-La Plaza’s East Wing.

The store is a 400-sq.-m. area devoted to curated retail known as #Styled. And of course, Julius was there, this time, to reciprocate and support his wife.

Christine and her friends Jason Alcoriza and Mitch Fernandez have carefully selected and put together some 20 “under-the-radar” quality brands and given them retail presence at a major mall. Ranging from fashion, to jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, leather goods, footwear and even home furnishings, #Styled makes a potent lifestyle statement and redefines the popular pop-up store concept.

As Christine and Shangri-La’s head of tenant management CJ Jesena relay to me, the original concept of being a one-weekend pop-up was jettisoned in favor of going full-blast with a six-month “trial period” to effectively give both parties a chance to properly market the concept, and see how valid it could be as a novel way of bringing quality brands, both online and boutique-style, to a wider market in a sustained manner.

At the blessing of #Styled are (from left) Christine Bersola-Babao, Fr. Anton Pascual, Jason Alcoriza and Mitch Fernandez.

A collaboration in more ways than one, the mall’s management took an active role in helping decide on the concessionaire roster, while allowing the #Styled group to take the lead and suggest names that would make up the retail mix. As a result, it’s a fashion hub/pop-up shop that will be open every day of the week for the next six months. Located on the second floor of the East Wing (behind TWG), #Styled promises to be an evolving story, that with success and the public’s support, could even extend beyond its six months.

A popular stylist who counts several show business personalities as his clients and friends, Jason was effusive in describing how he decided on the fashion brands represented by #Styled. One brand is a loose coalition of several young, upcoming designers; while another is very popular online and finally has mall presence. There are also international brands that specialize in fashion, home and lifestyle.

Reasonably priced and affordable, this is quality merchandise that deserves to reach a wider audience, and Shangri-La was more than happy to provide the opportunity. Mitch Fernandez is on board to provide her marketing know-how and strategize on behalf of the #Styled group.

On the aforementioned fashion apparel side, they have Viktoria, Fashion Hub of Dayan Hernandez, Bennita, Vorge Fitzgerald, Jamie Go and Jazel Sy. Polaris Jewelry provides the “stones” and bejeweled accessories, while Woodchuck has a stall selling its wood-inspired items. Katre is in an inner alcove, with its quality leather goods. Pili Natural Beauty has its health products derived from the pili nut, and Timeless Health & Beauty takes a similar route using turmeric. Japonesa and Reign Soaps Scrubs & Scents ply the personal care products to be found on the floor. Wade is there for its trendy footwear. Columnbus has home accessories, while Lilok represents furniture and design. Mary Kay and Butterfly Kisses are the cosmetics brands present. And there’s Mall of Korea, a brand of affordable Fashion. I would expect new brands to slowly filter in over the coming months.

During her little speech at the shop’s opening, Christine half in jest mentioned how being a “Mompreneur” meant one had to constantly be experimenting, getting involved in start-ups. Admittedly, not all will succeed; but if there was one destined for greater things, Christine was hoping this would be the one as it is a venture she has embarked on with true friends, and here finally, is a venture that has her working with CJ, a friend who goes back a long way.