Swing away

Rainy days are back. This, of course, means a shift in your wardrobe choices. Traditionally, back to the closet go the lightweight summer clothing and up for air go the darker, more rain (and mud) friendly colors.

But your rainy day wardrobe doesn’t have to be limited to seriously somber blacks and grays. This season’s runway provide alternatives to the monotonous monochrome, by introducing jolts of eye-catching color to liven things up. Exclusively, Rustan’s now carries one of the newest labels that do this to great effect. Welcome to the world of J. Lindeberg.

Johan Lindeberg left Diesel in ‘96 to pursue his own vision and ideas – the creation of an international prestige brand focusing on clothing and pieces suited for today’s modern and fast-paced lifestyle. The label started in Stockholm and New York at the same time, with both cities as its home markets. It was launched during the autumn / winter shows of ‘97, and quickly gained a following with the fashion flock. Trendsetters were soon spotted wearing the iconic JL brand around the hip spots of the world’s style capitals.

A personal passion for golf (over 25 years of fervor for the sport) actually inspired Lindeberg’s ubiquitous sportswear collection. Bolder designs and prints in breathable weaves that afford freedom of motion challenge the country club norm and bring the golfer into the 21st century. To quote the designer, "If you can inspire the game of golf, you can inspire the world."

As with most contemporary sportswear-inspired clothing, these pieces are multifunctional and can even take you from day to evening. Personally, it would be a good idea to pair up items from the collection with things you may already have in your wardrobe. For example, the shiny black tracksuit top with colored banding at the wrists and neck would look great with a pair of fitted dark denim pants. For the more adventurous, fuchsia pants with zipper details paired with a dark pique polo would be great for a night of clubbing. Windbreakers would look smashing for a drizzly day on the greens, while medium-weight knits could come in handy for the increasingly cooler evenings. The accessory-minded will fall for the wide leather belts that have amazing of-the-moment oversized buckles in matte silver with enamel detailing. Terry wristbands and visors add a healthy dose of color and graphic appeal as well. Just remember that the key to using color is to use it wisely. Use it as an accent and it will look great. Use too much of it altogether and you could be mistaken for a theme park mascot.

What’s great about the Lindeberg line is its versatility, which is important when investing in quality clothing – plus the modern silhouettes have a comfortable look about them, giving them a sense of timelessness. It’s not about rehashing old styles and revered traditions, but rather, building a clothing line that supports creativity while upholding the belief in functional couture.

Complementing the high-quality sportswear for this shoot is a location of equal caliber. Minotti and Bulthaup are leading names in furniture and kitchen systems, known the world over for their uncompromising standards and good design. A definite must-see, the beautifully designed showrooms are fitted out as if you were walking into any of their stylish catalogs. Minotti sofas and case goods are arranged in different settings, from living to dining spaces, which invite the client to experience the different qualities their furniture offers. The incredibly engineered built-to-order kitchen systems are truly drool-worthy. A friendly and informative team is on hand to assist the new walk-ins as well as the die-hard design aficionados. Good clothes and good interiors are always a winning combination.

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The Minotti Showroom is located at the 2nd floor, Makati Shangri-la Retail Arcade, Ayala Avenue, Makati City (tel. 830-2230 / 812-2649).

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Photographer Marlon Pecjo can be contacted at 0917-8552162.