Not that kind of girl
MANILA, Philippines - Try searching the name Savannah Lumen online and chances are you won’t find anything about her, except, say, years-old Tumblr posts or YouTube clips of songs she made almost a decade ago. The elusive daughter of broadcast executive and former head honcho of MTV Philippines Francis Lumen had a promising career then as a jazz and blues singer. Add to that being labeled as one of those bright, young beautiful girls in the scene — well, it’s safe to say she was an It Girl in the making. She was never a party girl but she was living a rock ‘n’ roll life. And then one day four years ago, she had a change of heart and left everything.
She started a new life abroad and moved to Sedona, Arizona. She says there was something in that place that changed her. She exposed herself to a holistic lifestyle and started doing things the organic way. She might’ve changed a lot living there, she adds, but she made sure one thing never did — her love for music. With just an iPad at hand, she would record and create songs... inside her bathroom, mind you. But this time, shifting from jazz and blues to electronic. She would upload them online on Soundcloud under the moniker Odiette Amo and share them with just a few. Until one day, her dad called her up to tell her he knew people from home who would be able to help her with the more technical elements of the kind of music she wanted to produce. Next thing she knew, she was already on a plane heading back to Manila. With plans to create a new album in this new musical direction, but still open to performing her first love, jazz and blues, Savannah Lumen’s booked a one-way ticket and is ready for her next adventure.
Rural Americana - All stars and no stripes for this easy boho look. Self
Femme fatale? Anais Nin, hands down.
Vacation destination? The Blue Lagoon in Iceland and The Farm at San Benito, both incredibly beautiful places where one can rejuvenate and actually heal!
Top three TV shows? I don’t watch too much TV. I really enjoyed Planet Earth; such a gorgeous series. The old Cosmos is great, with Carl Sagan. Astrophysicists might as well be poets, as far as I am concerned.
Artist x Fashion collab? Director David Lynch x Christian Louboutin collaborated on a project in 2007, I believe. And the result was moody, sexy and surreal.
Who inspires you? My family and my friends do every day!
Necessary extravagance? Organic Everything.
Favorite place? My imagination.
Movie/s? I enjoy documentaries the most. Samsara is incredible and Alive Inside is important. And Searching For Sugar Man will make you cry tears of joy and believe in dreams!
Song (right now or always)? I’m God by Clams Casino is probably why I make electronic music. It’s a great track. And I have been playing the piano and singing to A Case of You by Joni Mitchell a lot lately!
Color/s? I think that verdigris is the most beautiful color in the world (the patina that forms on copper).
Fashion icon? My niece, Frances, as she wears everything with great confidence. The only truly necessary accessory!
Home
Where do you live? I am a gypsy by nature, and am on the move a lot. I do a fair share of living in breathtaking Sedona, Arizona, or here in Manila, which I will always consider home.
Favorite art? I have one painting, done by an amazing local talent named Ku Romillo.
Luggage? Anything big enough with wheels… and I am happy!
Flowers? Orchids, definitely the sexiest and most interesting flower.
Gadget? I love my Kindle as I love to read!
Neighborhood restaurants? Green Pastures in Shangri-La Plaza is amazing! And I just discovered Evolve Juice Bar in Salcedo. And it was love at first bite/sip/sight!
Drink? Coconut water… forever.
Snack? Seaweed all day… or castañas when in season.
Beauty
Beauty product? Bare Minerals and the accompanying brushes. That, and Blackout Mascara by Dior Show are all I need.
Skin product? Organic sea buckthorn seed and vitamin E oils are essentials for me.
Hair Product? My only must-have is a hair tie!
Soap? Anything organic, preferably with cocoa butter!
Nail polish color? Red or white. For some reason, those look the best on my hands.
Hairdresser? I go downstairs from my condominium to the nearby David’s Salon, and they take really good care of me!
Facials? Anything highly exfoliating and featuring steam are my favorites.
Scent? Anais Anais by Cacharel was my signature for some time. But honestly, I have not been using perfume for a long while! Rather, opting for essential oils (from which a lot of perfumes are derived). They do not contain any harmful ingredients. I love vetiver, ylang-ylang, sweet basil, sandalwood and Tahitian vanilla combined with black pepper. This list could go on quite possibly forever! They last longer too, and have healing properties to them!
