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Japan’s retail giant UNIQLO opens in Cebu

Uniqlo, the global clothing retailer, opened its first store in Cebu under its LifeWear concept, Simple Made Better, at the first level of The Northwing, SM City Cebu, on October 23, 2015. This will mark its 25th store in the country and its entry into the Visayas region. The 1,000 sq. m. store will feature a full range of style staples for men, women, and kids, and a dynamic product mix apt for the Cebuano lifestyle.

WELL-CRAFTED DAY. Uniqlo and Cebu march forward, transcending the norm when it comes to daily clothes. LifeWear leads the pack towards deviation hinged on a purpose for every facet of the Cebuano life, through innovation and making life simpler but better. (A ZEE LIFESTYLE x UNIQLO collaboration: photography by JAN GONZALES/creative direction by MELO ESGUERRA/styling by RYUJI SHIOMITSU and BLAQ MAFIA/makeup by EMI AYAG/hair by MARIELL FERNANDEZ/shot on location at the KENNETH COBONPUE SHOWROOM)

WELL-CRAFTED DAY. Uniqlo and Cebu march forward, transcending the norm when it comes to daily clothes. LifeWear leads the pack towards deviation hinged on a purpose for every facet of the Cebuano life, through innovation and making life simpler but better. (A ZEE LIFESTYLE x UNIQLO collaboration: photography by JAN GONZALES/creative direction by MELO ESGUERRA/styling by RYUJI SHIOMITSU and BLAQ MAFIA/makeup by EMI AYAG/hair by MARIELL FERNANDEZ/shot on location at the KENNETH COBONPUE SHOWROOM)

“We have opened 24 stores in Metro Manila and Luzon; entering the Visayas market is a milestone in our growth strategy,” shares Katsumi Kubota, Chief Operating Officer of Uniqlo Philippines. The opening of its first store in the Visayas will soon be followed by another one in the much-awaited opening of SM Seaside City Cebu this November.

CEBU LIFE MADE BETTER. (A ZEE LIFESTYLE x UNIQLO collaboration: photography by JAN GONZALES/creative direction by MELO ESGUERRA/styling by RYUJI SHIOMITSU and BLAQ MAFIA/makeup by EMI AYAG/hair by MARIELL FERNANDEZ/shot on location at the KENNETH COBONPUE SHOWROOM)

CEBU LIFE MADE BETTER. (A ZEE LIFESTYLE x UNIQLO collaboration: photography by JAN GONZALES/creative direction by MELO ESGUERRA/styling by RYUJI SHIOMITSU and BLAQ MAFIA/makeup by EMI AYAG/hair by MARIELL FERNANDEZ/shot on location at the KENNETH COBONPUE SHOWROOM)

Uniqlo provides clothing with innovation and real value, engineered to enhance everyday life. Committed to carrying clothing that focuses on the wearer, product offerings include Filipino’s everyday wear necessities such as premium denim jeans, stylish legging pants, colorful chino shorts, graphic t-shirts, polo shirts, Supima cotton t-shirts, and inner wear. The product line-up will also include the bran’d unique and proprietary collections AIRism, HEATTECH, and Ultra-Light Down among others.

DRY AND FLY. (A ZEE LIFESTYLE x UNIQLO collaboration: photography by JAN GONZALES/creative direction by MELO ESGUERRA/styling by RYUJI SHIOMITSU and BLAQ MAFIA/makeup by EMI AYAG/hair by MARIELL FERNANDEZ/shot on location at the KENNETH COBONPUE SHOWROOM)

DRY AND FLY. (A ZEE LIFESTYLE x UNIQLO collaboration: photography by JAN GONZALES/creative direction by MELO ESGUERRA/styling by RYUJI SHIOMITSU and BLAQ MAFIA/makeup by EMI AYAG/hair by MARIELL FERNANDEZ/shot on location at the KENNETH COBONPUE SHOWROOM)

Its LifeWear concept, Simple Made Better, advocates apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity made with such elegance that it becomes the building blocks of one’s style and clothing that is constantly being innovated to bring more warmth, more lightness, and better comfort to life. LifeWear is about simple apparel with a not-so-simple purpose to make life better.

UNIQLO
G/F The Northwing, SM City Cebu
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Fashion

Salt, Silk, and Stardom: Ten Reasons Celebrities Wear Amato by Furne One

by Oj Hofer

At Take Me to the Sea, Amato by Furne One unveiled more than a resort/bridal collection — he revealed a world suspended between tides and starlight, where salt, silk, and stardom stitched themselves into every look.

Held at The Hall of the Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, the show was a transportive experience. As waves whispered beyond the glass, Amato’s gowns swept down the runway like sirens called to shore. Here are ten reasons why global icons return — time and again — to his sea of style.

1. Salt in the Craft
His garments carry the wild grace of the sea — textured, elemental, unforgettable. Every bead, cut, and crystal tells a story shaped by emotion and intuition.

2. Silk in the Movement
Though opulent, his creations float. There’s ease in the drama — cascading motion without weight. Ideal for performers who speak through movement.

3. Stardom in the Vision
Furne doesn’t chase trends — he conjures icons. His gowns command attention while allowing the wearer’s light to radiate.

4. Salt as Spirit
There is soul in the stitching — a deep undercurrent of cultural pride and personal mythology. His work carries weight because it carries truth.

5. Silk as Spellwork
His fabrics don’t just dress — they enchant. Each piece invites touch, reverence, and awe.

6. Stardom in the Silhouette
Furne understands form. He doesn’t simply clothe a figure — he sculpts for presence. For red carpets, concert stages, and film legends.

7. Salt of the Earth
Despite global acclaim, Furne remains grounded. His humility fosters collaboration, creating space for intimacy in the creative process.

 


8. Silk-Wrapped Strength
There is softness, but never fragility. These gowns are fierce — veiled in elegance yet unapologetically bold.

 


9. Stardom as Alchemy
Wearing Amato is not mere adornment — it is transformation. A star steps into a Furne One creation and becomes mythic.

10. Salt, Silk, and the Furne Himself
Furne One is the thread. With quiet charisma and a generous spirit, he doesn’t just dress celebrities — he disarms them. And from that space of trust emerges what every artist longs for: wonder.

And in Amato’s world, wonder always wins.

Fashion designer Furne One

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Fashion

Ravens, Runways, and Revelations: A Glimpse of Amato

by OJ HOFER | photo credit JOSEPH ONG | jewelry ROYAL GEM  

Fashion had become as instinctive as breathing—so natural that one scarcely noticed it. Yet, after seasons adrift in sartorial limbo, the piercing peal of Birds of Prey by Amato Furne One jolted this archipelago’s fashion scene to attention. Amato’s spectacle soared beyond mundane couture, drawing me from the quiet of my atelier to the intoxicating front row at the reinvented Tops in Busay—from the low murmur of machines to the electrifying brouhaha of the style set.

Amato is not merely a label; it is a visionary ideal stitched in silk and dreams, a symphony of artistry that transforms yarns, fibers, and fabric into fashion phantasmagoria. Under the deft hands of Furne One, Amato has adorned the world’s most fearless icons—Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez—women who, like his creations, embody style, strength, and spectacle. His couture is not merely worn; it takes flight, transforming the wearer into a mesmerizing apparition of fleeting beauty—a phenomenal vision that lingers long after the moment has passed.

But how does one conjure such fantastical transformations? To offer a glimpse into the mind of this visionary, we posed three playful questions:

Oj: If you were a bird, would you soar as a mighty raptor or scheme as a clever corvid?
Furne: I’d be a raven—sharp-witted, shrouded in mystery, and draped in the perfect shade of midnight. Its inky plumage matches my flair for dark romance; because even in shadows, I prefer a little drama.

Oj: What would be your most formidable power?
Furne: As a raven, I straddle the seen and unseen—transcendence is my superpower.

Oj: What bird would you absolutely refuse to be reborn as?
Furne: Never a turkey—too commercial, too festive, and far too likely to end up as Thanksgiving dinner.

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Fashion

Lucky Colors of 2025: Harness the Energies of Emerald Green & Carmine Red for Success

Thom Browne Cropped tweed jacket
by Oj Hofer

With the Year of the Wood Snake underway, understanding the significance of lucky colors can help align us with its energetic flow. Rooted in Chinese astrology and Feng Shui, the year’s fortifying shades—emerald green and carmine red—offer mindfulness and good intention attracting luck, and fostering personal growth.

Emerald green, associated with the Wood element, symbolizes renewal, clarity, and inner peace. In the year of the wood snake, its dynamic energies will empower and inspire you, fostering growth, renewal and wise transformations. The hue is ideal for moments of self-reflection, study, or creativity. Wearing or incorporating this shade into your space enhances balance and mental focus.

Carmine red, linked to the Fire element, embodies passion, confidence, and vitality. This year, which according to the Bazi Four Pillars Chart, has a lack of metal, earth and fire elements, it will bring balance and the propitious energies. It’s perfect for professional meetings, decision-making, and moments requiring assertiveness as a splash of red can energize and embolden you throughout the day.

Stella Macartney vegan Leather tote

Stefano Ricci silk tie with paisley print

To fully harness their benefits, use these colors in a contemporary, mobile context; through clothing, jewelry, bags and accessories. Alternate between these two potent tints based on your needs. For example, wear green for calmness and clarity when you are going into stressful and mind challenging meetings or appointments. Choose red when you are going into places or situations where you need courage and motivation such as fashion galas, elite socials, prestige affairs, VIP gatherings and so forth. 

Saint Laurent crepe de chine mules

Optionally, you can also choose to wear these colors inconspicuously in small details, such as a garnet or jade bracelet, or a ruby or emerald pendant and earrings set. Men can wear a burgundy or forest green tie or pocket square, or casual polo shirts with poppies or with botanical prints, or jade and garnet jewelry. Doing so can subtly align your energy with the year’s vibrational flow.

Jan Leslie emerald bracelet

Daily Mood Cuff Links with red tiger’s eye tubes

The use of colors is more than just aesthetic choices or preferential picks. Colors can serve as energetic tools, reminding you of your good intentions and keeping you mindful of you daily motions. Effecting an optimistic mental state in the wearer, they can effectively shield you from negativity while fostering prosperity and emotional balance. Thoughtfully incorporating them into your wardrobe and surroundings ensures that you move through 2025 with confidence and the right intentions.

Embracing emerald green for tranquility and carmine red for strength are intentional, mindful choices that have the power to transform your energy and shape your path forward. May you have the best of luck in navigating through Year of the Snake with harmony, energy, and the power to attract good fortune.

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