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Walk this way

By Dinah S. Ventura

02/27/2009

In the realm of eco-chic, Gisele Bundchen’s collection for Brazilian flip-flop brand Ipanema is hot property. Since the supermodel’s first collaboration with the brand a few years ago, a stamp of GB style has been highly anticipated by those who walk in the famed Brazilian style icon’s fashionable footsteps.

This year, Ipanema launches the GB Seeds Collection by “The World’s Top-Earning Model,” as Bundchen was dubbed by Forbes magazine.

This latest collection supports global reforestation, which is why the brand’s exclusive Philippine distributor ELRO Commercial and Industrial Corp. has partnered with the Haribon Foundation to “take a green stride by organizing a walkathon to benefit the Philippine Rainforests, called ‘Walk the Green Mile,’ slated for March 21 in front of Le Souffle, The Fort, Taguig,” revealed ELRO managing director Francisco Elizalde.

As Elizalde notes, “Ipanema marks another year of stylish effort to conserve the country’s natural resources by launching the GB Seeds Collection and by partnering with Haribon Foundation to help raise awareness in this joint green movement.”

The Ipanema GB Seeds Collection is the fourth line exclusively designed by Gisele Bundchen for Ipanema. “The first line was a trial collection so they kept it within Brazil,” disclosed Elizalde. “The last three was launched worldwide to great results. In fact I think they are negotiating for a few more years to continue the environmental consciousness theme. Definitely there is one more collection after this.”

Elizalde admits that while the footwear costs about 30 percent more expensive than the regular line, it is attached to a worthy cause, with part of the proceeds from one’s purchase contributing to the “Road to 2020 projects on planting and growing native trees in one million hectares of our local rainforests until year 2020.”

Secondly, the limited edition GB sandals will only be available this year.

And last but not least, the flip-flops are “relaxed, sexy, nice to wear,” Elizalde describes. “Ipanema is a more creative type of flip-flop. It is a lifestyle flip-flop, able to be worn in lots of social situations, not just the beach, if you choose the right style and color.”

The GB Seeds Collection is made from safe, recycled materials and supplies such as industrial residues, painting residues and surplus PVC. Unique details adorn the Collection such as the forest-inspired print on its soles and the metal spiral button gracing the front sandal strap that symbolizes “the seed of life.” This metal emblem “empowers each wearer to do their part and share in the campaign towards a lush Philippines by helping to spread the word.”

Five diverse styles in different vibrant hues make up the GB Seeds Collection. The New Thong Fem is made with double straps. The Sand Fem has eyecatching straps. The Thong Strap Ad combines the classic thong strap with a uniquely positioned horizontal strap. The Plataforma Fem is a wedge sandal with a three-strip strap detail. These are the latest flip-flops for the eco-chic and environment conscious.

Grab a pair and join the green campaign — Haribon’s awareness campaign called “Road to 2020” (Rainforestation Organization and Advacates). Purchasing a pair of Ipanema flip-flops allows you to walk the streets with fellow advocates in the much-anticipate “Walk the Green Mile” walkathon. Haribon Foundation is likewise accepting donations at the event.

Register now and grab exciting prizes and freebies at “Walk the Green Mile!” The first 30 persons who finish the walkathon get a free pair of Ipanema GB Seeds flip-flops of their choice. Be among the first 300 persons to join and register on March 21 and get a limited Ipanema Gisele Bundchen baller ID, while the first 100 participants to register at the venue get a limited “Walk the Green Mile” shirt.

If you purchase Ipanema GB Seeds slippers at the Ipanema booth during the event, you get a 10 percent discount. Up to three pairs of Ipanema GB Seeds flip-flops signed by Gisele Bundchen will also be raffled off to participants who buy during the event.

For more information on the upcoming walkathon, “Walk the Green Mile,” contact ELRO Corp.’s Maricel Mabalot at 753-3647 to 48 local 103 or e-mail cel.mabalot@elrocom.com.

The limited edition Ipanema GB Seeds Collection for women is available this month in the following stores: SM Department Store, Shoe Salon, Chocolate Clothing Co., Red Alert, Landmark, Freeway, Planet Sports, Crossings, Chimes Davao, 25th Avenue Square Naga, Basix Bacolod and other boutiques nationwide. New batches of colors will also be introduced in the coming months.