Nicole Whisenhunt and Vanda Fondunaeva at Enderun

Since my first year in college, I've been regularly visiting stores like Firma in Greenbelt 3 and the more recently opened AC+632 in Greenbelt 5. The items in those stores never fail to enthrall me, making me feel like Holly Golightly looking through Tiffany's window display. Nicole Whisenhunt is one of the jewelry designers featured inside Firma. She's a young designer who broke into the jewelry world a couple of years ago with her precious stone-embellished chain necklaces. Last night, she, together with Vanda Fondunaeva launched their new bridal inspired designs at Enderun. 

{Outside the event area, we sat down beside velvet cut upholstered chairs}

{Warmly lit bar with tall post in beveled mirror panels}

 {Left: Model Right: Vanda Fondunaeva}

Nicole's new pieces are bold statements. During the event, I can't help but look at the pieces worn by the models. Hairpieces, bib necklaces, belts and brooches, these things call for attention. They're not for wallflowers like me.

 {A futile shot of one of the hairpieces}

 {Bib necklace by Nicole Whisenhunt}

They say that each piece takes around 100 hours to make. Beaded, embroidered and hand-sewn semi-precious stones and crystals into velvet and satin fabrics, they make intricate pieces. A simple dress? Anyone wearing this will be anything but plain.

 {A close up of the beautiful "bride" passing by wearing Vanda's bridal gown design which complimented Nicole's diamond-like bib necklace }

 {With half of the entourage. Yes, actress Heart Evangelista and socialites modeled Nicole's pieces}

 {Clothing line by Vanda Fondunaeva, Accessories by Nicole Whisenhunt}

 {Vanda stands beside her model.}

 {The whole entourage with the designers}

 {Me, Nicole Whisenhunt, Shari Quimbo}

Nicole was so gracious to have let us take a picture with her.
Nicole offers made-to-order services for her bib necklaces. You can choose from a 12-piece collection and may opt to modify these ready designs. For those who want to get pieces of Nicole's new collection, you may head on over to Firma located at Greenbelt 3.

Oh, by the way, I had fun at the event not just because of the fashion show but also
because of the freebies they gave after!

{Freebies from the show}

Shari told me to take a picture of my first freebies while I'm on the job.

{The Nicole Whisenhunt giveaway was a notebook, which
I think, I will never use since it has very smooth and glossy
paper that I will never want to write on}

{I got a pink scarf from Vanda which I've thought of
wearing as a belt for upcoming occasions this summer}

{I fell in love with the floral fruity scent of Lalique Perfume's Amethyst. It has this floral fruity scent doesn't overpower the soft, powdery base it has. Plus, it's bottled in a seductive violet hue!}