Stuart Weitzman now in the Philippines

When news broke that Stuart Weitzman would be opening in the Philippines, excitement rang through the female population. His shoes, known for their high quality and elegance, often crafted from unique raw materials like wallpaper, cork, vinyl, Lucite, jewels and even 24-karat gold, have become favorites of Hollywood celebrities, high society and royalty.

Kate Middleton in Stuart Weitzman's Corkswoon
Kate Middleton in Stuart Weitzman’s Corkswoon (Photo courtesy of shoerazzi.com)
The Duchess of Cambridge in Stuart Weitzman Minx wedges (Photo courtesy of shoerazzi.com)
The Duchess of Cambridge in Stuart Weitzman Minx wedges (Photo courtesy of shoerazzi.com)
Miranda Kerr in Stuart Weitzman Privacy ankle-strapped pumps
Miranda Kerr in Stuart Weitzman Privacy ankle-strapped pumps (Photo courtesy of shoerazzi.com)
Jennifer Aniston in Stuart Weitzman Alex Espadrille Wedges
Jennifer Aniston in Stuart Weitzman Alex Espadrille Wedges (Photo courtesy of Instyle.com)
Michelle Trachtenberg in Stuart Weitzman Naughty pumps
Michelle Trachtenberg in Stuart Weitzman Naughty pumps (Photo courtesy of Just Jared/ Tutti Frutti)
Olivia Palermo in her Stuart Weitzman suede 5050 boots
Olivia Palermo in her Stuart Weitzman suede 5050 boots (Photo courtesy of oliviapalermo.com)
More love for the 5050: Leighton Meester, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lindsay Lohan and Angelina Jolie rock their Stuart Weitzman boots
More love for the 5050: Leighton Meester, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lindsay Lohan and Angelina Jolie rock their Stuart Weitzman boots (Photo courtesy of intheircloset.com)

Weitzman is also known for creating some of the world’s most expensive shoes—eight of the top 10!—as listed in TLC’s “Top 10 Most Expensive Shoes Ever.”

Stuart Weitzman’s Million Dollar Shoe first made its debut at the 2002 Academy Awards on "Mulholland Drive" star Laura Harring. It was adorned with 464 diamonds, designed to be removable so they can be worn as jewelry. It fetched a price tag of USD $1.09 million
Stuart Weitzman’s Million Dollar Shoe first made its debut at the 2002 Academy Awards on “Mulholland Drive” star Laura Harring. It was adorned with 464 diamonds, designed to be removable so they can be worn as jewelry. It fetched a price tag of USD $1.09 million

For the opening of its first flagship store in Manila last August 7, Stuart Weitzman tapped Lifestyle Asia as the official partner, and  to execute the event, along with One Mega Group events company, Events 100. The flagship boutique was located at SM Aura Premier, and it carries the complete line—meaning shoes and bags.

Lifestyle Asia Stuart Weitzman invite
For the official launch in the Philippines, Stuart Weitzman tapped Lifestyle Asia to be the official media partner and to execute the event with sister company, Events 100 (Notice that Kate Moss is also wearing the 50/50– it’s the iconic boot’s 20th anniversary this year, and therefore it takes centerstage in the F/W 2013 campaign as captured by Mario Testino)

Stuart Weitzman also handpicked 15 ambassadors for the Philippines, all from different fields and sectors. They were: One Mega Group President Sari Yap, Lifestyle Asia Editor in Chief Anna Sobrepeña, Associate Publisher and Deputy Editor Cheryl Tiu, fashion columnist and Lifestyle Asia August cover Frannie Jacinto, skincare doctor/ dermatologist Aivee Aguilar-Teo, entrepreneur Cristalle Belo Henares, model/ banker Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez, model/ furniture designer Jessica Kienle, mental health advocate Jerika Ejercito, parenting columnist Audrey Tan-Zubiri, beauty columnist Ria Francisco-Prieto, corporate banker Zandra Ty, yoga instructor Marilen Elizalde, and educator Feli Atienza, and singer Pops Fernandez.

Stuart Weitzman Philippine ambassadors Feli Atienza, Jerika Ejercito and Marilen Elizalde
Stuart Weitzman Philippine ambassadors Feli Atienza, Jerika Ejercito and Marilen Elizalde
Stuart Weitzman Philippine ambassadors Pops Fernandez, Cristalle Henares, Frannie Jacinto and Jessica Kienle
Stuart Weitzman Philippine ambassadors Pops Fernandez, Cristalle Henares, Frannie Jacinto and Jessica Kienle
Stuart Weitzman Philippine ambassadors Mikaela Martinez, Ria Prieto, Anna Sobrepeña and Aivee Teo
Stuart Weitzman Philippine ambassadors Mikaela Martinez, Ria Prieto, Anna Sobrepeña and Aivee Teo
Stuart Weitzman Philippine Ambassadors Cheryl Tiu, Zandra Ty, Sari Yap and Audrey Zubiri
Stuart Weitzman Philippine Ambassadors Cheryl Tiu, Zandra Ty, Sari Yap and Audrey Zubiri

The Ketch Pocket was raffled off, and the lucky winner was stylish food entrepreneur/ columnist, Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi!

Stuart Weitzman General Manager Janice Go presenting Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi the Ketch Pocket
Stuart Weitzman Philippines General Manager Janice Go presenting Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi the Ketch Pocket

The store at SM Aura features the season’s picks, as selected by Lifestyle Asia. The shoes are super cute! And are very comfortable as well. (I stood in my high heels for about 4 hours without sitting and I was fine!)

Some of our picks as seen in the Stuart Weitzman flagship at SM Aura:

Stuart Weitzman Yellow Triboro Heel made from canvas with an open t-bar strap, with a snakeskin center below
Stuart Weitzman Yellow Triboro Heel made from canvas with an open t-bar strap, with a snakeskin center below
Stuart Weitzman red pumps
Stuart Weitzman red satin Stiletto pumps are perfect for evening affairs

Here’s a closeup of my Stuart Weitzman shoe, the Vamp in Petal Nappa. I like it alot because it’s simple, versatile, and can go from casual, every-day to a dressy cocktail event:

My chosen pair, Vamp in Petal Nappa, can go from casual, everyday to the office to a cocktail affair
My chosen pair, Vamp in Petal Nappa, can go from casual, everyday to the office to a cocktail affair

I have to admit though that this Triboro heel with the golden monkey middle (worn by Aivee Teo) was a complete show-stopper. Just look at it, it’s such a stunner!

The ergonomically-designed Stuart Weitzman Triboro heel with the golden monkey gem caught everyone's attention
The ergonomically-designed Stuart Weitzman Triboro heel with the golden monkey gem caught everyone’s attention

Each style only comes in limited pieces, so be sure to come by soon!

Stuart Weitzman is located at SM Aura Premier, and will soon open at SM Megamall.