SPARKLE WITH A TOUCH OF IRREVERENCE
Curated fashion rental Vestido Manila is known both for making stunning clothes accessible to many, and for its emphasis on what they call “a smarter and more responsible way of dressing up.” Partners Pam Quinones, Maica Salud-Tady and Cindy Go Bayot, with their significant backgrounds in fashion, found a more sustainable solution to beautiful, unloved pieces in the closets of clotheshorses and in the ateliers of many a designer by way of rentals.
For those who’ve never had the Vestido experience, it’s rather simple. Click on over to their newly relaunched site, vestidomanila.com. Peruse their ever-growing selection, which can be filtered by size, style, color, and designer. See what’s available based on your desired rental date, and select your pieces. Book your rental for the standard four-day period or put in a request for longer rentals via e-mail, and get ready to wear your selections, which will be delivered straight to you. Once you’re done, just put them back in the same bags they were delivered in, and Vestido will take care of pick-up and cleaning.
Vestido’s services are often em- ployed for special occasions, but it’s also a wonderful way to try out designer garb even for more casual instances without fully committing to the splurge. Their selection doesn’t just tout beautiful occasion wear, but also suits, outerwear, tops and bottoms, and most importantly, presko options for this summer heat. The brand, however, isn’t solely a rental outfit. It began its venture into very thoughtful retail as of October 2020 with its market tote and carryall, both lightweight, colorful and waterproof woven bags. Two months later, they launched a limited candle collaboration with Rare Earth, before expanding their tote line with updated and resized versions of the original designs. “We’ve always wanted to augment our rental services with an accessory leg; something you can add on or wear flexibly with your rental or with what you already have in your closet,” the brand explains. “But we’ve come to realize that jewelry is something very personal that people would like to wear very often, even everyday for some, making it not very ideal for rental. The same goes for the totes, which we felt were something to use for everyday with almost anything you wear.” And so now, in April 2021, they’re launching their first jewelry line called Burlô.
WHAT IS BURLÔ?
Burlô is the shortened version of the term burloloy or adornment, and the line features a curated selection of four unique pieces, centered around themes of water, sunshine and nature. “We are constantly looking at images of the sea and the blooms of flora that the summer sun brings,” says the brand. “We used these as inspiration to create a collection that evokes those elements and brings a sense of clarity and light to shine through in this rather grim situation.”
The brand further explains, “We curated the collection to only four special designs that would elevate any look, and made it so all three earring (designs) would go perfectly with the one necklace in the collection.”
The Burlô lineup begins with the Klaro necklace, a glistening strand reminiscent of water made with clear acrylic beads of varied shapes and lightweight imitation pearls. The floral drop earrings, aptly named Santan, continue the theme of clear acrylic beads, this time surrounding a freshwater pearl. Slightly more linear danglers are the Islas earrings, which feature the use of beautifully textured baroque pearls. Capping off the lineup are the C-shaped Cirkulo hoops, lined entirely with rice pearls, keeping your earring game a little fresher and a little less Titas of Manila.
“While we wanted to make fun burloloy, we also used materials that would bring a sense of timelessness,” the brand adds. “Ideally, these accessories can be used over and over again with countless looks. We wanted the pieces to be fun, light and versatile, and for the wearer not to feel like they’re too precious to wear to the supermarket, or too casual to wear to a dressier occasion.”
WEARING YOUR BURLÔ
Before the drop, the three partners all tested out these pieces themselves, and have found their own personal favorite ways to wear their own burloloy. Maica Salud-Tady, recently photographed in an airy blue dress and Santan earrings to celebrate her lockdown birthday, says, “I personally love the Santan because it’s a mix of clear beads and pearl. It’s easy and flexible to use to elevate a simple everyday outfit. I’d also wear it at the beach given its tropical design, or even to a dressier occasion.”
Cindy Go Bayot chimes in, saying, “The Cirkulo is definitely my favorite because I love feminine and timeless pieces that can elevate everyday wear.” Drawing attention to the unique composition that distinguishes each baroque pearl from the other, she adds, “I also love the fact that the pearls are of different shapes so each piece is one of a kind.”
“I love the rice pearl hoops because they look feminine and delicate, but surprisingly work with really sharp looks,” says Pam Quinones, who’s been sporting the pieces quite regularly on her socials in a myriad of ways. Further elevating the cool of the piece, she says, “It also looks great worn solo on just one ear.”
As a brand, however, the ladies recommend a simple approach to the line: “We would love for those who own a Burlô piece to love it, care for it, and wear it with everything with a touch of irreverence.” They also want those interested to know that a “Volume 2” drop is already in the works, with an edit of styles meant to build upon and seamlessly integrate with the first Burlô drop.
While we wait for the next installment, the first is readily available for your perusal and enjoyment. “Since we’ve gone back on enhanced quarantine, we thought that while we wait for our chance to dress up again, it would be a great way to extend that sparkly feeling straight to your homes.”
* * * To shop Burlô Vol. 1, hop on over to @vestido.manila on Instagram and send a direct message. For more information on Vestido rentals, head on over to vestidomanila.com.