The art of power dressing

Van Laack is known for its luxurious shirts with crafted comfort, modern cuts and fine fabrics. In the Philippines, businesswoman Alou Koa spearheads the brand and promotes smart to power dressing with only the best styles, cuts and fabrics such as Italian staples Loro Piana, Marzotto and Reda and Belgium’s Scabal. I am proud to say that most of my dress shirts are from Van Laack.

Recently, the brand introduced its Made to Measure Suits. This latest service will complement its already sought-after made-to-measure shirts. Made to Measure manager and tailor specialist from Germany Karl Josef Essers or Kajo, as he is fondly called, was in Manila for a few days to personally train the brand’s local staff in merchandising, quality, different cuts and sales. His specialty is crafting men and women’s shirts and suits.

Upon learning that Kajo  was in town, a number of loyal clients immediately booked an appointment with him, knowing that only limited slots were available. Kajo personally assisted clients and explained the whole process of picking the fabric, understanding one’s proper measurements and the best cuts to enhance one’s form.

Guests enjoyed scrumptious canapés served during the event from Lartizan by Johnlu Koa.

When it was my turn to be measured, Kajo had to measure me three times from my left shoulder to my wrist. He explained that the measurement on the right side may differ on the left side by one to 1.5 centimeters and it won’t even be noticeable. The discrepancy between my right and left side is two centimeters, so he had to make sure. These were little things I didn’t know before I had a bespoke suit made.

Van Laack’s Made to Measure Suit process is quite simple. Clients can call the store for an appointment. A wide selection of fabrics is readily available — from solid colors, stripes and patterns, to prints. One may choose the lining and piping of the suit as well as the buttons and printed initials if the customer chooses to do so.  The store will keep a record of one’s measurements for future reference. And in just four weeks of production and shipping, the new suit from Germany will be ready. One last fitting and adjustment will be made when the suit arrives because Kajo explained to me that the weight of the fabrics differ so the fall on a particular person may still need slight adjusting, especially on the length of the trousers.

For the client’s added convenience, Van Laack also offers a more personalized service where its staff will personally go to the client’s home or office to present the fabrics and for measuring.

(Van Laack is located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City and Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. For appointments, call 0917-8243329. For more information, visit @vanlaackphilippines on Instagram.)

Linear by Marc Aran Reyes

(From left) Yorkie Gomez, Mike and Monette Mapa, Marc Aran Reyes, Amado Fores and Sarina Fores.

Art collectors and followers of award-winning contemporary artist Marc Aran Reyes witnessed another successful exhibition by the FEU-trained artist. Linear, which focused on man’s conviction towards progress, opened at Art Underground in Mandaluyong City as the artist’s third solo show.

Marc’s 11 paintings and an installation art, which were spread over three galleries of Art Underground, represented his understanding of the relationship of humans and technology. His paintings remained black and white and as expected, they were sold out.

The atmosphere was very festive at the opening of the exhibit with guests hopping from one gallery to another to witness Marc’s works that almost seemed in motion. They also  enjoyed Filipino street food from carts that served barbecued pork and grilled innards, fish balls and siomai.

Marc’s successful exhibitions that are constant crowd drawers have raised his profile. He is widely considered as one of the brightest and fast-rising contemporary artists in the Philippines. He also gained attention when he showcased a triptych series in his Dreams Within the Sand of Time in Art Fair Philippines last year.

Marc won the 2016 Philippine Art Awards and is a two-time finalist at the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Awards (MADE).  He also represented Art Underground at Art Fair Tokyo both in 2017 and this year.

(Art Underground is located at 814 Balagtas St., Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. Visit Art Underground Manila on Facebook.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)