The Philippine Online Chronicles

Flip-flop lovers and beach luxe fashionistas have another collection to check out: the Ipanema Gisele Bündchen Colorful Sea Collection. Bündchen, Ipanema spokesperson and the most successful supermodel of this generation, has been collaborating with the footwear company Grendene (founders of Ipanema flip-flops) since 2002.  The comfy Brazilian flip-flops and sandals made out of flexible PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) shot to uber-chic status in 1998.  Celebrities everywhere were constantly seen with them, inevitably making it popular casual wear that is reminiscent of the laidback Brazilian lifestyle.  With Its newest collection, Ipanema provides a myriad of vibrant designs and colors inspired by the beauty seen at the bottom of the ocean.  A blogger event to launch the line was held last Thursday, March 18, at White Space along Chino Roces extension, Makati City.

The program officially started with a sumptuous buffet dinner catered by Via Mare.  DJ Anne from Wave 89.1 was the host for that evening, and she introduced Mr. Patxi Elizalde, responsible for bringing the popular flip-flop brand to the Philippines, for his opening remarks.

Elizalde gave a backgrounder on Ipanema GB and its advocacy.  The stylish flip-flops aren’t just chic and extremely comfortable footwear; it also serves the purpose of being a medium for environmental awareness. Gisele Bündchen is a UN Goodwill Ambassador, and her collections have always been in line with her social civic campaigns.  This year, the Ipanema GB 2009/2010 collections chose to support the TAMAR Project which is dedicated to the preservation of sea turtles.  In 2009, with help from a portion of the proceeds from the Ipanema GB line, TAMAR Project was able to protect 10 million of these beautiful and gentle marine creatures.

Locally, Ipanema Philippines chose to focus on the issue of climate change and how the company and its patrons can help make a difference.  A video presentation showed the audience that night its current status, and the cause and effect of climate change.  Not only have we been experiencing extremely hot and cold climes more often nowadays, but last year Filipinos have already tasted the worst of it in the form of typhoon Ondoy.

A unique fashion show, which DJ Anne has said to be a first in the Philippines, soon started to introduce the Colorful Sea Collection that night.  The Steps Dance Project, from Ballet Philippines, performed graceful dance numbers that mimicked the flowy movements of the sea while modeling the newest line of flip-flops.  The evening ended with a raffle draw, with 10 lucky winners receiving gift bags, and a grand prize winner receiving a pair of the limited edition Ipanema Thong with Swarovski crystals (amounting to around P6,000 a pair!).

Below are the other styles from the line:

The Kirey Fem (in lilac) is as simple yet ergonomic as they come.

The Thong Fem stands out in its unique design.

The Plataforma is a boost in both height and style (the leaves design wraps around the thick sides of the flip-flops).

The Sand Fem is another comfortable, classic style with a slingback for ease of use.

The Sandal Star Fem is attention-grabbing with its stylish straps, see-through soles and a starfish accent.

The Star Thong Fem is much like the Sandal Star Fem but with simpler straps. It also boasts of hot tropical designs and bright colors.

Mothers who want to dress up their stylish little girls can help themselves with mini versions of the Ipanema GB Colorful Sea collection.  Star Sand Baby and Star Sand kids are available in pink, orange, lilac and gold.

The special limited edition Thong Fem is as luxurious as they come.  It’s available in equally luxe color combinations of black and gold and gray and silver.

Ipanema Gisele Bundchen (or Ipanema GB) is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by ELRO Corporation.