|
THERESE
BALAGUER La’O’s first love was really lingerie. But when
she approached some local malls with her scintillating
idea, right after graduating from the Fashion Institute
of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco in the
late-’90s, they deemed it too racy and risqué.
Frustrated and with nothing to do with the sewing
machines that she purchased specifically for producing
lingerie, she followed the suggestion of her
patternmaker to do the next best thing: design swimwear.
The label she simply called Nothing But Water (NBW)
eventually became the top source of bathing suits in the
country.
“In
choosing labels for the store, I usually look at what
celebrities in other countries are wearing, and I also
research on the Net on what the latest hot brands are,”
la’O reveals. “We are constantly adding new styles to
our stores.”
A
tankini girl herself, “I love to mix and match them,
since I have so many!” she says. la’O picks designs from
Vitamin A by Amahlia Stevens and L Space, both big names
in surfer-crazy and babe-magnet southern California; the
all-American appeal of Michael Kors, with sizes from 4
to 18; and Sophia, Hermanny and VIX, all designed by the
world-famous (well, to beachcombers anyway) Brazilian
Paula Hermanny.
“I
remember [former screen queen] Helen Gamboa coming in
and looking amazing in a Hermanny suit,” la’O recalls.
“We have also sold suits to model-hosts Phoemela Baranda,
Amanda Griffin and Angel Jacob, as well as former sexy
actress Ina Raymundo.”
Swimsuits made of Lycra are Nothing But Water’s
bestsellers. “But for the components that go into a
suit, I like those with metals, crystals and natural
embellishments, like shell, wood or leather,” la’O says.
Indeed,
recently at the Top Shelf roofdeck of Fully Booked at
the Bonifacio High Street to introduce Swim, the new
division of NBW, beach and lounge wear in all their
possible saucy permutations were showcased. Flowy
caftans, bandeaus, tankinis, tops and bottoms with
stripes, polka dots and animal prints all looked ready
for a swim or a stroll. Bags by Talimaya, also available
at NBW stores, were scene-stealers, too.
Water-bound.
Too hot to trot,
Nothing But Water’s sexy selections are everything that
a swimming woman loves.
NBW and
Swin also offer a first in its industry: shopping
online. “The beauty of buying online is the freedom to
choose what top and bottom you want. All suits are sold
as separates. Your size, your style,” states Angelique
la’O, the online sales manager, urging the guests to
visit www.swim.com.ph and www.nothingbutwater.com.
Nothing
But Water is currently at Robinsons Galleria, Glorietta
3, Alabang Town Center, D’Mall D’Boracay and Starshops
Center in Cebu City, and in TriNoma, while Swim is at
The Power Plant Mall.
“We will
be opening Swim soon in Boracay, and we are also looking
into having another NBW store in Cebu,” Therese la’O
says. Size doesn’t matter at the stores, she says, as
any woman, even the pregnant ones, can find a suit
that’s right for her. Being model-thin is not a factor
to look and feel sexy in a swimsuit.
And what
does pray tell? “It’s the cut, the fit—but most of all,
it’s how confident you wear it.”
For
inquiries: 643-9363. |
