Palamuti by PJ Valenciano: January 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Art of Bead Embroidery

We have chosen bead embroidery as our main beadwork technique for our embellished pieces. This type of beadwork focuses on the use of needle and thread to sew beads on the surface of fabrics. Through continuous learning, coupled with experience, our designs have evolved from simple patterns to detailed designs using a variety of beads.

Here's how we make these embellished pieces:

1. First ,we draw the design on a black felt cloth.
2. We start lining the edges of the design and stitch larger beads on areas that we want to highlight.
3. We cover the remaining spaces with seed or cut beads.
4. We then cut off the extra felt to take the form of the design.
5. We cover the back with fabric.

This peacock fascinator was commissioned by Dra. Angelene, which she wore on her hosting event, during the Cardio-Pulmo and Pedia Christmas Party at the Philippine Hear Center.

We made a snake inspired necklace in time for Chinese New Year 2013. We chose the color emerald since it has been declared color of the year by Pantone, worldwide leaders in color.

My personal project. This is my interpretation of the "Koi".

KOI VISIONS by PJ Valenciano

This dragonfly and tulip necklace was designed by Gracie Rosas who's based in Singapore. We executed her design using bead embroidery.

Follow our on-going projects by liking us on Facebook!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Power Dressing

As human beings we can't help but rely heavily on our visual perception. It is perhaps this innate trait in human nature that gives substance to the widely used adage that "first impressions last." We believe that both form and substance coexist, or at least, runs parallel in all things.

In 1975, the book Dress for Success by John T. Malloy hit the shelves of bookstores far and wide. The book focuses on the concept of dressing for success, becoming an instant bestseller. Following its footstep was another book, The Women's Dress for Success. These two books popularized the concept of power dressing; which to date has become a guideline for every professional who wants to climb the corporate ladder.

The concept of Power Dressing is usually associated with women, although this concept encompasses both sexes. Women have transcended beyond the housewife role, and have taken a big leap forward in the very realms of corporate world, and dressing up for work has evolved from power suit, to sophistication and femininity.

One way to spice up your corporate outfit is by adding statement pieces.

Give your collared blouse a flair by adding a bib necklace.

Choose pieces that will complement your office wardrobe. You can break the monotony of your outfit by wearing statement pieces ,with a choice of either necklaces or earrings.

Start using accessories in neutral colors, and eventually experiment with colors to give life to a black and white outfit.

After catching their attention with your style, back it up with your personality, to communicate that you have so much more to offer than just being another rank-and-file employee.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Practical Body Wraps and Cover Ups

We've touched on how to dress up your formal outfit using embellished necklaces. This time, we want to show you how to turn a long scarf, a shawl or poncho into a wonderful and sophisticated cover up. Investing in key piece shawls and scarves can save you from overspending on new clothing, most especially on pieces which you will only wear once at a formal gathering. The best part is, when you invest on the right pieces, you can wear your shawl, scarf and cover up at any other occasion ranging from casual to corporate affairs.
Remember, you can always give new life to formal attire by changing accessories.

1. Invest in plain long scarves. They make excellent body wraps.

2. Choose a classic poncho that can be paired not only with your gown or formal attire, but with your overall wardrobe as well. Use a brooch to restyle your poncho.

3. Shawls have been around for years and are used in many different cultures. Find a classic and simple design, and keep one handy in your closet. You may use a brooch or a belt to play with it.

4. Wearing a Kimono Bed-Jacket can be a very stylish piece when paired correctly with your get up.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Head-Wraps and Head Scarves

We've been playing around with our newly found passion for scarves. We had an idea to make head-wraps, and it came about when Tita Mercy, an inspiring and strong-willed woman battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, and needed an alternative to a wig. In conjunction to this, we have been receiving requests to make "Tarhas" to pair with Abayas, by family and friends based in the Middle East. Thus our affair with head-wraps and head scarves began.

Our inspiration, Tita Mercy, wearing her head-wrap with customized brooch. We made a two-toned head-wrap which she can wear to work.

The fabric we used for our two toned head-wraps are micro-peach and chiffon.

More two-toned head-wraps.

This one is a triangle scarf, with beading on the edges, which

can be used as "Tarha" over an Abaya.

This scarf collection is named after my mother, Rosalina. Unlike the Hiraya Scarf-Necklace, the beading is embroidered around the edges of the scarf. This was inspired by the beading techniques of women from Basilan, Philippines.

Our Hiraya Scarf-Necklace can be used as a head-wrap and necklace at the same time!

Using the Hiraya Scarf-Necklace as a headpiece looks romantic, like a "Juliet" inspired veil. You can have something like this customized for your wedding entourage. Let the girls wear it as a headpiece on your wedding ceremony, and afterwards they can wear it as a scarf-necklace.

Another fun way to wear the scarf as a headpiece is to use it as a headband.

Braid the rest of the scarf to your hair.

With just one scarf and a little bit of imagination,

there are many ways to use it as a head accessory.

Here are our favorite videos on head-wraps from MOAMNetwork

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Style It: White Sleeveless Top

Dressing up is fun! With so many clothes to choose from, it's no wonder many women turn out to become shopaholics. However, we believe that one can be stylish without having to change your wardrobe every now and then. We promote practical shopping, and we believe one can enhance the appearance of even the plainest of clothing, to become fashionably chic by using key piece accessories and cover-ups. Investing in these items that go with your wardrobe can take clothes to a different level.

Wear a scarf or a simple fabric necklace embellished with semi-precious stones

Use statement bib necklaces

Wear a single pendant necklace

Kimono Bed-Jackets and Ponchos can be restyled with a little bit of imagination

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Scarf Necklaces

After a year, we finally had the time to make one. It has been in our list of things to do since a good friend from the US suggested Palamuti by PJ Valenciano to make scarves. Here it is, our Hiraya Scarf-Necklaces, which we released last Christmas. Since then, we developed the design and added some embellishments, to give our clients a wider selection.

This is the first piece we made which we used as sample to show clients. One customer fell in love with this piece and insisted on buying it on the spot.

Our standard sized scarf-necklaces in summer colors.

At first we only made scarves using two yards of fabric, but some clients were requesting for longer ones, so we obliged. The thing with a long scarf-necklace is; you can wear it in many different ways.

Novie, one of our beaders, shows us how a long scarf-necklace can be turned into a belt.

You can also wear it into a bolero.

Use the long edges and tie it into a ribbon on the neckline making it into a

statement neck piece.

Turn it into a cowl inspired necklace.

At first we used semi-precious stones, acrylic crystals, and seed beads for the necklace design. After a while we started using mother of pearl shells and we also began adding seed bead tassels to the edges of the scarves.

This scarf-necklace was commissioned by one of our loyal clients and her batchmates, to be given to their professor in Theater Arts.

We made a scarf-necklace which matches the gracefulness of a dancer.

We were enjoying stitching tassels, we experimented different ways to do it.

And here are some of the beautiful women in the real world loving our Hiraya Scarf-Necklaces.

"Thank you so much for the scarves! I liked what you did with the gray one, it looks alive but not too striking. The red one is very mature and appropriate for the recipient, and my piece is just... wonderful!"

Maybelline Victor

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Beach Wedding Inspired Hairpieces

Aura is the goddess of summer while Aurai are nymphs of summer breezes

Summer symbolizes harmony, perfection, contentment, and a great time of year to begin your journey as a married couple. In a few months we will be delighting in summer breezes.

We gathered our favorite hairpieces using mother of pearl hairpieces apt for this season, to make you feel like the goddess Aura accompanied by your entourage of nymphs.

1. Bridal hairpiece in Mother of Pearl and Acrylic Crystals