Personalized watches, retro sneakers in Inquirer Lifestyle’s ‘Face-Off: #OOTD’
Fossil watches can now be engraved, while Converse Chuck Taylors remain all-time classics
Bright colors marked the Spring-Summer collections of Converse and Fossil that were shown in the 8th “Face-Off: #OOTD” at Shangri-La Plaza Mall last week.
Converse showcased classic/retro designs that have survived fickle fashion.
Marketing manager Odette Velarde said the current campaign, dubbed #ForeverChucks (named after original endorser and basketball star Chuck Taylor) for spring, features various designs revered by fans, including Chucks Classics, Chucks Seventies and Chuck 2, with new designs.
Models who strutted down the runway did so in utmost comfort even while wearing gowns because of their Chucks in neutrals like white, black and nude. There were also brighter designs in red, blue and green.
“We are showing all designs of Chucks through the years and the different designs that Converse featured before. We are starting to bring it back. We try to bring in the biggest collections. I think everyone is really into retro and throwback, so that’s what we are doing,” Velarde said.
Minimalist
“Colors are livelier, in keeping with spring,” said Julie Tan, brand manager of Fossil, right before the show.
Watches worn by the models were minimalist, with pops of blue, white and mint green. Bags shown on the runway were in navy and metal gray, a far cry from the bland neutral colors usually used for these accessories.
Tan said fun and lighter colors have been added to liven up the collection, which also includes neon orange and periwinkle.
“Fossil started as a watch brand, unlike others that started with apparel. Then we branched out into bags, accessories and wearable technology,” she noted.
Tan added with pride that Fossil is “the first to come out with fashionable techie watches,” as seen on the wrists of models, including Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 Maxine Medina.
“One looks like a regular watch but has the date and time, and you can synchronize it with your phone. It also has a changeable dial. You can preload a lot of dials so you can change the look of the watch,” she said.
Special message
Tan said Fossil watches “are very strong right now on per- sonalization. We have an engraving machine in the store. Your watch’s back case can have special messages. If you want to give someone a special message, you can have it engraved. It’s a free service. Also, the tin cans of watches can carry special messages.”
Fossil bags in the new collection come with accessories like charms, stickers and metal fobs that can also be engraved.
“The trend right now, especially for younger people, is to have very personalized accessories. We may have the same bag but add bag charms and additional stickers, and your bag becomes one-of-a-kind,” Tan said.
Fossil stores will soon have embossing machines to offer personalization, she added.