Dress up like a ‘royal’ for British Fashion Month

“We'll never be royals. It don't run in our blood. That kind of luxe just ain't for us…” so goes the 2014 Grammys song of the year “Royals” by newcomer Lorde.

We may never be royals but we can certainly dress up like them, especially now that the British Embassy in Manila is celebrating British Fashion Month in the Philippines. From February 10 to March 9, high street fashion brands such as Marks and Spencer, Speedo, Lee Cooper, Warehouse, Clarks, and others are giving special discounts and freebies.

If you think “high street fashion” in the UK means dressing up like Queen Elizabeth with her elegant coats and fancy hats, think again. High street fashion refers to the mass-market style or clothes found in retail clothing shops, the kind frequented by Her Excellency Princess Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and reigning queen of high street style, according to UK magazine Marie Claire. She’s been known to fancy clothes and accessories by Topshop, Whistles, Hobbs, and French Connection UK (FCUK). 

In an interview during the launching of British Fashion Month on Wednesday, British Ambassador Asif Anwar Ahmad said “the thing about British fashion is it covers a full spectrum” from formal wear to casual wear, even punk rock style.

During the launching, the ambassador was wearing a bowtie with a Union Jack design, iconic of British fashion. The Union Flag or Union Jack is the official flag of the United Kingdom. British clothing brands often put the Union Jack design on shirts, ties, bags, and practically anything.

“Fashion does really test the boundaries of fabric and what can be done and setting new trends,” the ambassador said.

He noted that “people in the Philippines like to dress well. I often find that in the events I go to, I'm actually less dressed than my guests.”

The ambassador said more UK brands are expected to set up business in the Philippines this year.

He believes these brands will do well in the Philippines. “I'm actually of the belief that this is a very good place for us to what we want to do because people can afford fashion,” he observed.

Alternative names

The British are fond of giving quirky names to places, food, and actually, even clothes. According to EffingPot.com, the British have unique names for even clothing staples:

• Anorak: waterproof, padded coat with a zip
• Balaclava: a ski mask
• Boob tube: an elasticated tube that covers the boobs
• Braces: suspenders
• Bum bag: called 'fanny pack' in the US
• Cagoule: thin, windproof jacket
• Cardie: cardigan
• Cozzy: bathing suit

Casual but fashionable

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Director of UK Trade and Investment of the British Embassy Manila Iain Mansfield described everyday fashion in the UK as casual but fashionable although for business wear, he said formal wear and suits are still the norm.

Mansfield said British fashion is “creative, exciting and (offers) something for everyone.”

He noted that there are about 250,000 Filipinos living in the UK. “Many of them come back home with a real taste for British brand so they want to buy the things heere that they seen and wore while living in London and the rest of UK,” he said.

During British Fashion Month from February 10 to March 9, the British brands are offering discounts and freebies.

• Marks and Spencer: Free P500 gift voucher for a minimum of P5,000 purchase at select malls on select dates ie. SM Aura (February 10-14), SM MOA (February 19-23), SM Megamall (February 26 to March 2), and more
• Lee Cooper: P100 voucher for every regular-priced item worth P1,000
• Clarks: Buy one pair, get second pair at 50% off
• River Island: P500 off for a minimum purchase of P2,500
• Speedo: Free squirty toy set for every P6,000 worth of purchase; free pool bag for every P12,000 purchase, among others
• TM Lewin: 15% off on selected items for BDO cardholders
• Warehouse: 20% discount on all regular-priced items for minimum purchase of P3,500

— VC, GMA News