Mango Made for Men

Mango has been in the Philippines for quite some time now, but it caters only to women. Now, the popular Spanish label offers men more options in fashion as it inaugurated its boutique of men's wear and accessories called H.E. by Mango on Oct. 9 at the North Court section of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Centre, Makati City, together with Mango Touch, Mango's concept store dedicated to accessories and footwear.

            HE (Homini Emerito) by Mango was launched in March 2008 as a complement to the women’s collection and as the leading Spanish clothing brand move towards the concept of the multi-brand store.

            According to Alexandra Grundrich, product manager for Southeast Asia, HE, like the main Mango, is mid-priced, targeting the cosmopolitan men, twentysomething to their forties, who are up-to-date in fashion.

            HE by Mango expanded in Europe first, going into Spain, France, Italy and Germany, before reaching Asia, particularly Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, chalking up a network of 91 stores worldwide. It did not take long before it reached the Philippines.

            "Our country is already fashion-forward. It's not highly improbable that the brand would land here as well. We have an expanding market. We know that here in the Philippines we have contemporary, modern men, and fashion trend as well. It is just apt we bring the brand here," said Kelly Santos, country supervisor of Mango.

            The Power Plant store has 87 square meters of floor area, predominantly of light wood interiors, carrying the complete lines of HE by Mango. Santos revealed that they will be opening stores at the Bonifacio High Street and Glorietta in Makati City, and at Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City.

            "HE offers a wide range of men's fashion. We offer several collections. We have a Premium line, which is sober, and the Blacksmith line, which is our casual collection. We try to be versatile and offer many different lines," Santos said. "The Premium line, which is our suit collection, is '70s-inspired. The mood is more elegant. It relives the Molto Milano."

            The Premium line has printed shirts, check suits and velvet ambiences designed for special occasions. On the other hand, "for the Blacksmith line, it is inspired by two ambiances. We have the Ivy League collection, which relive the American college kind of look. We have the Bermudas, the blazers, the shirts and ties. And there's T-shirts where you can see the Formula race symbols," Santos explained.

            She added: "For the winter collection, we try to show contrast of materials. We have technical garments like parkas. We combine it with the warm appearance of hand-knitted garments. It is a highly appealing contrast."

            Overall, HE by Mango offer "men a contemporary and modern fashion range. Its style is based on updating the classics by giving them the required touch of fashion, adapting the trends to a simple, everyday and urban style."

             For the fourth consecutive season, the image of the brand is footballer Gerard Pique.