Adora and the power of celebrity

MANILA, Philippines - If a celeb wears it, we will come. Adora has always acknowledged the power of a celebrity point of reference for showing the artistry of new brands that deserve attention. Not only are these actors, musicians and artists on the same style wavelength as Adora, but the brands they represent are in sync with Adora’s unwavering passion for detail and craftsmanship.

These “passion” brands that care about image are helping build a reputation for men’s special-occasion clothes at Adora. The thrill of seeing these “mannequins with faces” wearing a Neil Barrett, Costume National or Kris Van Assche is by far the best way to appreciate the clothes we turn to for our dressy affairs.

Costume National

While keeping true to its core inspiration of Seventies rock-‘n’-roll, Costume National evolved its concept of tailoring, delving into technological minimalism with laser-cut fabrics, pantone colors and futuristic silhouettes. Actors Keanu Reeves and Ethan Hawke represent a style of disheveled cool — guys who look like they don’t really care but actually have an eye for sharp style. Their fashion instincts have often even surpassed their career status, which adds to their charm.  Even for a celebrity of Jon Bon Jovi’s age and veteran status, Costume National still believes in maintaining a look that changes according to the needs of the individual, who really makes it their own. Thus a garment lives again thanks to the celebrity who wears it.

Kris Van Assche

Worn by Jared Leto, Usher, Justin Bieber and Taio Cruz, Kris Van Assche brings an old-world, lived-in look to these young, fresh, over-the-top personalities. Known for a relaxed and light wardrobe, Van Assche projects a world-weary and wise image with gray cotton and linen with summer black, ecru, white, and off-black colors with a stroke of red and metal everywhere. A man fresh out of adolescence desiring his first suit is exactly the visual message these artists call on the brand for. They take the time to dress up and, like us, want to show that underneath the clothes is a person who “has experienced something more than the world they are currently in.”

Neil Barrett

Since 2004, international under-the-radar trendsetters began turning to Neil Barrett for their wardrobe needs: celebs like Colin Firth, Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, and Justin Timberlake. These artists share that innate against-the-grain spirit that Neil Barrett has carried as a company. At the turn of this century many designers were taken over by large conglomerates. However, Neil Barrett remained focused on his vision step-by-step, goal after goal. Rather than investing in new flagship stores, the decision was to strengthen the very heart of the brand, its production division, based in Italy. This current and new-generation strength is shown in fashion choices made by artists like Joe Jonas, Zac Efron and Taylor Lautner, who have all worn the brand proudly.

With these three brands, an in-the-know cult of customers has discovered that the small corner on the right-hand side of Adora’s second floor boasts raw artistry and a hint of rebel cool. They are guaranteed that dressing up for an upcoming event will mean no fuss and no lines but rather a simple rifle through the racks, a three-minute conversation with a front-liner, and a five-minute stay in the fitting room.

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Costume National, Krisvanassche, and Neil Barrett are available only at Adora, 2/F and 3/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City, tel. no. 217-4029.