I’ve noticed during the course of my … er, stay here in the Philippines is that a lot of the spreads, layouts and ads now are referencing at least one of these things:
1) Upper-class preppy schoolkid - no doubt thanks to Gossip Girls, a show I’m actually not keen on. (Wow, I must be the only kitty I know who doesn’t enjoy watching that show, but it must be because I studied in a private school. >w< While I miss being in a more XX-laden school, I do NOT miss the cattiness that came with it.)
2) Gyaru - yes I am seeing this a LOT more now. The make-up is such that everyone looks tanned or au naturel, even if you see soon enough that they use bronzers and tanners and nude shades of lip, eye and cheek products. The hairdos are also more varied in terms of colours, cuts and styles. And of course the clothes are right at home with the local weather. Still not a lot of manba going on yet though, but we’ll see in a few.
3) Ulzzang - this has actually been around a bit longer thanks to the proliferation of so many Korean drama series on TV (and around the neighbourhood ;P). It looks to have also paved the way for gyaru’s entry into the country, thanks to the similarities between himegyaru and ulzzang style. Would I be right in saying that the only difference between the two is that ulzzang prefer to stay pale?
4) Crazy street style - not just Japanese in nature, this is anything and everything that most of the fashionable people back in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s would never be caught dead wearing. Some mix pyjamas and outerwear, while others parade their innerwear outdoors. There are a daring few whose style is simply indescribable and undefineable.
5) Geek chic - Not quite preppy, but definitely tech-driven, this marriage of tech and style makes me all sorts of happy. It’s nice to be able to carry a smart and stylish look literally, instead of being dowdy with clunky computers and cellular phones (now thankfully and more appropriately renamed mobile phones). ♥

Of course, toned-down European haute couture is not going to go away anytime soon, and neither will the super-casual styles that are on a lot of American fashion magazines. All I’m saying is that a lot of Filipinas and even Filipinos are a bit more adventurous in dressing up - and honestly, I’m very happy about this, because, hey, at least the modern fashion staple known as jeans now come in many other different (and mostly bright) colours! ;P

Also, to Filipina fans of female Japanese talents, buy this month’s (March 2009) issue of MEGA. There’s a spread inside for Coffret D’ Or by Kanebo, featuirng Kou Shibashiki, Miki Nakatani, and Keiko Kitagawa. ;P (And it’s got passable Engrish too! :P) I really wish the local office of Kanebo would bring in the ads for the Kate line, as Mika Nakashima is their model. >w<

I’d love to live a literally jet-setting lifestyle, to be honest. Especially because this age is the perfect time of one’s life to see the world - any older and you’d be too tired or too busy, any younger and you would never be as appreciative (not to mention you’d be an absolute pain for other jet-setters to deal with). I’m a city girl so this would mostly be an urban post, but knowing how I am I’m going to find one quiet piece of land to retreat into and recharge.

If I could, I’d live in these places:
~ Japan - but of course! XD
~ Hongkong - if I can’t get into Japan, I would love to stay here and explore more, especially now that I’ve heard that they’re tearing down a lot of the old buildings to make way for “progress.” D: I’ve always loved going to the former British colony and not just for the shopping, though that’s definitely a plus. XD I haven’t explored the northern outskirts yet darnit! XP
~ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - I’m not as familiar with Hanoi, so I’d rather be here. Its vibe is like Metro Manila’s, only it’s more colourful, less crowded, and a walking and motorbiking city. Not to mention that I heard that international companies based in the area are looking to employ English-proficient staff who can and are willing to learn Vietnamese, and I must admit I’ve been thinking about that quite a bit…
~ Rizal, Laguna, Philippines - It’s a great place to get away from the rest of the world, since it’s so close to Mt. Banahaw (via San Pablo City), cultural treasure Nagcarlan, the refreshing Lake Caliraya, and of course the shoe heaven of Liliw. The atmosphere is relaxed, and I’m sure to not be so lonely - in fact, I’m very sure I’d always have company, for worse XD;;; {nervous laughter} because the residents of that town are VERY nosy.

I was going to include Seoul, South Korea, but it’s just too cold even in spring. D: I’m temperature-, weather- and climate-sensitive, and even with all my fluff I’ve learned that no amount of bundling up can keep me from being chilled to the bone. XP

And for those wondering why I didn’t include a beachfront here, I’m just not a beach person. Beaches to me are really for summer vacations; living in/around them for a long time with my very urbane lifestyle would kill them and also make me grow less appreciative of their beauty.