Latest news with #Mago
CairoScene
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
The Art School Dropout Edit
They never finished the degree, but they always understood the assignment. You've seen them. Sitting on pavement outside a gallery, sketchbook in one hand, a cigarette or iced oat latte in the other. They talk in references - Barbara Kruger, Sally Rooney, Rei Kawakubo - and they wear their clothes like walking critiques of conformity. They might don thrifted oversized jackets with shoulder pads that don't sit quite right, paint-streaked trousers that used to be beige but now lean toward 'off-white with history of stains and spills,' and T-shirts screen printed with something ironic, maybe even in Times New Roman. The fashion history of the art school misfit finds its grounds in rebellion. In the '60s, they wore beat-up denim and army surplus coats, channeling the anti-war student. In the '90s, it was grunge and deconstruction, like Martin Margiela's threadbare seams or Yohji Yamamoto's academic draping. Today, their look is an archive of eras - Dickies workwear meets Schiaparelli earrings, a vintage Céline tote. They dress like they read theory for breakfast and don't care about trends, even though they're constantly setting them. This edit is for the misfits, and the ones who dropped out - not because they couldn't hack it, but because the classroom was too small. It's for those who live in between critique sessions and underground zine fairs. Those who treat clothing like a medium, and getting dressed like a daily project brief. So no, it's not polished. It's layered. Intuitive. Slightly chaotic in the best way. Welcome to the wardrobe of the art school dropout - who may or may not still have their student ID for the museum and library discount. Jessica K | The Roman Jacket, Cabiria Corset & Mago Pants This satin set plays with contrast - between softness and structure, heritage and now. The Roman jacket and argyle corset offer texture without shouting. It's tailored nostalgia, repurposed for the dropout who sketches in gold ink. Medina | Maison Mohair Beanie This mohair beanie reads cozy at first glance, but look closer - it's full of cryptic texture and punk softness, fitting right in with the dropout's undone uniform. Mallakä | The Bedazzled Flannel I This piece features a familiar silhouette glitched with unexpected sparkle. This oversized flannel is the dropout's take on small-town nostalgia, remixed with stage-light fantasy. It's worn best while staying in, daydreaming out. Isis Dunya | Leopard Set This two-piece leopard set plays like a high-octane version of a teenage dream. Equal parts girlish and grounded, it's the dropout's answer to Y2K revival - worn with boots, bad posture, and a brilliant idea. Apoa | Rose Choker Equal parts pop-art and petal, this choker feels like a wearable sketch. It's delicate yet bold, soft yet strange - exactly the tension that defines the dropout's taste. Not Boring | Dating Season T-shirt Graphic and cheeky, this tee doesn't take itself too seriously - which is why it works. A nod to suburban rebellion and skater energy, it's the perfect dropout staple. Irony sold separately. Precious Trust | Workwear Pearls Jacket This jacket wears like a film still - gritty, brooding, and edited in grayscale. It's a wearable monologue from the dropout who dropped acid before critique day. It has just the right mix of angst and artistry. Mozari Jewels | Hag El Laila Rings There's a charm in wearing your colour theory on your fingers. These cabochon-cut flower rings from Mozari feel like relics from a folkloric daydream. They're the kind of statement you'd make after ditching design school for a jewellery bench. Proud Angeles | Not Proud Polo With its oversized fit and tongue-in-cheek slogan, this Proud Angeles polo leans into post-ironic streetwear. The airplane motif and sport stripes feel like a sketchbook doodle that made it big. Raw the Label | Denim Set in Light Dirty Shade This denim-on-denim moment turns washed-out blues into something sculptural. Raw the Label's matching set echoes the utilitarian lines of workwear but sits somewhere between wearable and installation. Nöl Collective | The Mina The rust-toned corduroy jacket feels tactile and rooted - like something you'd sew in your studio apartment between theory lectures. Handmade in a refugee camp and dyed naturally, the look bridges craft, story, and statement. It wears like a soft protest. Coddiewomple | CW Crewneck Milan This piece looks like it was made in a basement silkscreen studio on a caffeine high. Styled with clashing layers, it's a nod to that art student energy - half-styled, half-accidental, and all self-aware. It's merch for your imaginary band and the final year project rolled into one. Suez Studio | Khayamiya Crescent Jacket This Suez Studio jacket incorporates hand-stitched khayamiya panels into a crisp modern silhouette. Its heritage technique reimagined as outerwear - clean, graphic, but deeply textured, perfect for the dropout who still honors the source. Menage 07 | Volume 5 Beanie This beanie punctured with metal eyelets has the energy of a late-night design experiment gone right. It balances punk utility with precision shape - genderless, seasonless, and full of texture. Double A | Beckett Leather Waist Belt Brown With asymmetrical panels and blunt metal studs, this belt could double as a sculpture in your thesis show. It's the kind of accessory that doesn't just cinch - it directs the entire look. Anippe | Freesia Top This sheer yellow mesh top toes the line between daring and playful. The asymmetrical panels and exposed structure give it an experimental edge, and the high-cut silhouette hints at dancewear. BLSSD | Oversized Silk Blazer Dress Warning: do not paint with this on. A pristine white oversized blazer reworked into a dress, worn with textured gaiters - this look plays with proportion like a sculptor plays with clay. It's minimal, yet confrontational. Rafa Earth | Crochet Fishnet Shawl Delicate and conceptual, this piece literally wraps you in metaphor. The fishnet veil and shimmering underlayer merge textile and narrative - a nod to patience, process, and ritual. Rebel Cairo | Feline Open-Back Linen Dress A wild cut in a domesticated print, this linen mini captures the chaos of a thesis meltdown and the thrill of ditching it. Unapologetically sassy, it's for the dropout who turned their final into a performance piece. Steffy Gamayel | Mystique Cardigan A crocheted patchwork of mismatched stripes and striking colour clashes, this cardigan has the soul of a sketchbook. Handmade but not precious, it feels like a wearable collage from a textile student's final project. Brown Toast | Dissociation XL Tote Oversized, screen-printed, and a little too honest, this tote reads like an overexposed zine you'd pick up at a student-run gallery. Its XL size fits a sketchpad, your trauma, and a half-finished manifesto. Antreprima & Bea Bongiasca Jewellery | Wire Bag & Colourful Jewellery This beaded wire bag and jewellery are part toy, and entirely unserious in the best way. They're the kind of accessories an art school dropout grabs on the way to a manga exhibit or a rave-themed performance piece. Functional? Barely. Expressive? Entirely.
Gulf Today
26-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Filipinos find a new way to earn extra pesos
Faith Brown, Agence France-Presse Nathalie Mago's work day begins after she's tucked her three daughters into bed and flicked off the lights in their house north of the Philippine capital Manila. As her young family sleeps, she fires up her laptop and begins discussing the day's agenda with her boss — an American half a world away. A 'virtual assistant', Mago is one of a growing number of Filipinos flocking to the booming but unregulated sector in the face of a tight job market, low wages and frequently hellish commutes. 'It literally saved me,' Mago said. 'I was able to support myself and my family at the same time.' A former office worker, the 32-year-old said she's now earning five times as much serving as the 'right hand' of employers for whom she writes copy, manages social media and even buys family birthday gifts. Government figures for the sector are unavailable as the role falls into no recognised job category, meaning legal protections are also effectively non-existent. But Derek Gallimore, of advisory firm Outsource Accelerator, estimates the number of Filipino virtual assistants at around a million — a number he expects to grow. 'It's the assumption that they can call their own shots, have more freedom and earn more money,' Gallimore said of the job's allure, adding the reality may not always meet expectations. Job-seeking platform Upwork lists the Philippines among the top five countries churning out virtual assistants, alongside India, Nigeria, Pakistan and the United States. 'We expect the growth of virtual assistant work in the Philippines to continue,' said Teng Liu, an economist at Upwork Research Institute. Filipinos' English proficiency made them a 'strong fit' for global clients, he added, with Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States among the biggest markets. A recent TikTok video with tens of thousands of likes featured a virtual assistant slowly unveiling a screenshot of her pay for five days' work — P29,400 ($512), more than double the monthly minimum wage in Manila. Several Facebook groups for virtual assistants — whose tasks can include everything from marketing to making travel arrangements -- boast hundreds of thousands of followers who view the job as a path to a better life. But there are risks associated with the sector. 'I know a lot of people who got scammed. The last one got scammed for 50,000 pesos,' said Mago, describing a scheme in which a virtual assistant was tricked into paying for access to jobs that never materialised. Others complete work for clients who then simply disappear, she said. Law lecturer Arnold de Vera, from the University of the Philippines, told AFP the industry lacks protections under Philippine law because it falls into no existing government category. 'They're invisible in the sense that they are generally treated not as Philippine employees,' de Vera told AFP, noting most virtual assistants classify themselves as 'self-employed'. No law forces employers outside the country to uphold agreements made with Philippines-based workers, he said. 'It's risky because there is no remedy involved but people are willing to take that risk because of the rewards they can reap.' Lyann Lubrico is among those who think the reward is worth the risk. The 33-year-old, who became a virtual assistant after losing her job as an office manager in the United Arab Emirates, believes remote work can be a path home for overseas Filipino workers, or OFWs. Now the owner of her own agency, Lubrico calls it her 'mission' to give OFWs, whose remittances account for nearly 10 percent of national GDP, a way to make that money at home instead. 'I know some cleaners who grew old being cleaners abroad... I thought to myself, Filipinos shouldn't settle for this all their lives,' she said, noting the abuse and discrimination faced by many. Through a Facebook group called 'Balikbayan (Returning Home) For Good', Lubrico has so far offered informal training to about 200 OFWs hoping to become virtual assistants. 'My mission is to enable overseas Filipinos to come home — one at a time,' said Lubrico. But while a true believer in the sector, she agrees legal protections remain a crucial step. Renato Paraiso, spokesman for the Philippines' Department of Information and Communications Technology, told AFP one key challenge is the fact that virtual assistant work 'is borderless'. 'That is something we should address,' he said, adding that forging labour partnerships with other countries could be a path forward in protecting the rights of Filipinos. 'If we have more protections I think more people will be encouraged to become virtual assistants,' said Mago, working remotely for the American. 'I strongly believe if every household in the Philippines has (someone employed as) a virtual assistant, no one will be hungry.'
Khaleej Times
26-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Filipinos see pathway from poverty with virtual assistant jobs
Nathalie Mago's work day begins after she's tucked her three daughters into bed and flicked off the lights in their house north of the Philippine capital Manila. As her young family sleeps, she fires up her laptop and begins discussing the day's agenda with her boss — an American half a world away. A "virtual assistant", Mago is one of a growing number of Filipinos flocking to the booming but unregulated sector in the face of a tight job market, low wages and frequently hellish commutes. "It literally saved me," Mago told AFP. "I was able to support myself and my family at the same time." A former office worker, the 32-year-old said she's now earning five times as much serving as the "right hand" of employers for whom she writes copy, manages social media and even buys family birthday gifts. Government figures for the sector are unavailable as the role falls into no recognised job category, meaning legal protections are also effectively non-existent. But Derek Gallimore, of advisory firm Outsource Accelerator, estimates the number of Filipino virtual assistants at around a million — a number he expects to grow. "It's the assumption that they can call their own shots, have more freedom and earn more money," Gallimore said of the job's allure, adding the reality may not always meet expectations. Job-seeking platform Upwork lists the Philippines among the top five countries churning out virtual assistants, alongside India, Nigeria, Pakistan and the United States. "We expect the growth of virtual assistant work in the Philippines to continue," said Teng Liu, an economist at Upwork Research Institute. Filipinos' English proficiency made them a "strong fit" for global clients, he added, with Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States among the biggest markets. Risks and rewards A recent TikTok video with tens of thousands of likes featured a virtual assistant slowly unveiling a screenshot of her pay for five days' work —P29,400 ($512), more than double the monthly minimum wage in Manila. Several Facebook groups for virtual assistants -- whose tasks can include everything from marketing to making travel arrangements -- boast hundreds of thousands of followers who view the job as a path to a better life. But there are risks associated with the sector. "I know a lot of people who got scammed. The last one got scammed for 50,000 pesos," said Mago, describing a scheme in which a virtual assistant was tricked into paying for access to jobs that never materialised. Others complete work for clients who then simply disappear, she said. Law lecturer Arnold de Vera, from the University of the Philippines, told AFP the industry lacks protections under Philippine law because it falls into no existing government category. "They're invisible in the sense that they are generally treated not as Philippine employees," de Vera told AFP, noting most virtual assistants classify themselves as "self-employed". No law forces employers outside the country to uphold agreements made with Philippines-based workers, he said. "It's risky because there is no remedy involved but people are willing to take that risk because of the rewards they can reap." A path home? Lyann Lubrico is among those who think the reward is worth the risk. The 33-year-old, who became a virtual assistant after losing her job as an office manager in the United Arab Emirates, believes remote work can be a path home for overseas Filipino workers, or OFWs. Now the owner of her own agency, Lubrico calls it her "mission" to give OFWs, whose remittances account for nearly 10 percent of national GDP, a way to make that money at home instead. "I know some cleaners who grew old being cleaners abroad... I thought to myself, Filipinos shouldn't settle for this all their lives," she said, noting the abuse and discrimination faced by many. Through a Facebook group called "Balikbayan (Returning Home) For Good", Lubrico has so far offered informal training to about 200 OFWs hoping to become virtual assistants. "My mission is to enable overseas Filipinos to come home -- one at a time," said Lubrico. But while a true believer in the sector, she agrees legal protections remain a crucial step. Renato Paraiso, spokesman for the Philippines' Department of Information and Communications Technology, told AFP one key challenge is the fact that virtual assistant work "is borderless". "That is something we should address," he said, adding that forging labour partnerships with other countries could be a path forward in protecting the rights of Filipinos. "If we have more protections I think more people will be encouraged to become virtual assistants," said Mago, working remotely for the American. "I strongly believe if every household in the Philippines has (someone employed as) a virtual assistant, no one will be hungry."
South China Morning Post
26-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Filipinos find a new way to earn extra pesos
Nathalie Mago's work day begins after she's tucked her three daughters into bed and flicked off the lights in their house north of the Philippine capital Manila. Advertisement As her young family sleeps, she fires up her laptop and begins discussing the day's agenda with her boss – an American half a world away. A 'virtual assistant', Mago is one of a growing number of Filipinos flocking to the booming but unregulated sector in the face of a tight job market, low wages and frequently hellish commutes. 'It literally saved me,' Mago said. 'I was able to support myself and my family at the same time.' A former office worker, the 32-year-old said she was earning five times as much serving as the 'right hand' of employers for whom she writes copy, manages social media and even buys family birthday gifts. Former office worker Nathalie Mago says she earns five times as much serving as a 'virtual assistant'. Photo: AFP Government figures for the sector are unavailable as the role falls into no recognised job category, meaning legal protections are also effectively non-existent.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Filipinos see pathway from poverty with virtual assistant jobs
Nathalie Mago's work day begins after she's tucked her three daughters into bed and flicked off the lights in their house north of the Philippine capital Manila. As her young family sleeps, she fires up her laptop and begins discussing the day's agenda with her boss -- an American half a world away. A "virtual assistant", Mago is one of a growing number of Filipinos flocking to the booming but unregulated sector in the face of a tight job market, low wages and frequently hellish commutes. "It literally saved me," Mago told AFP. "I was able to support myself and my family at the same time." A former office worker, the 32-year-old said she's now earning five times as much serving as the "right hand" of employers for whom she writes copy, manages social media and even buys family birthday gifts. Government figures for the sector are unavailable as the role falls into no recognised job category, meaning legal protections are also effectively non-existent. But Derek Gallimore, of advisory firm Outsource Accelerator, estimates the number of Filipino virtual assistants at around a million -- a number he expects to grow. "It's the assumption that they can call their own shots, have more freedom and earn more money," Gallimore said of the job's allure, adding the reality may not always meet expectations. Job-seeking platform Upwork lists the Philippines among the top five countries churning out virtual assistants, alongside India, Nigeria, Pakistan and the United States. "We expect the growth of virtual assistant work in the Philippines to continue," said Teng Liu, an economist at Upwork Research Institute. Filipinos' English proficiency made them a "strong fit" for global clients, he added, with Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States among the biggest markets. - Risks and rewards - A recent TikTok video with tens of thousands of likes featured a virtual assistant slowly unveiling a screenshot of her pay for five days' work -- P29,400 ($512), more than double the monthly minimum wage in Manila. Several Facebook groups for virtual assistants -- whose tasks can include everything from marketing to making travel arrangements -- boast hundreds of thousands of followers who view the job as a path to a better life. But there are risks associated with the sector. "I know a lot of people who got scammed. The last one got scammed for 50,000 pesos," said Mago, describing a scheme in which a virtual assistant was tricked into paying for access to jobs that never materialised. Others complete work for clients who then simply disappear, she said. Law lecturer Arnold de Vera, from the University of the Philippines, told AFP the industry lacks protections under Philippine law because it falls into no existing government category. "They're invisible in the sense that they are generally treated not as Philippine employees," de Vera told AFP, noting most virtual assistants classify themselves as "self-employed". No law forces employers outside the country to uphold agreements made with Philippines-based workers, he said. "It's risky because there is no remedy involved but people are willing to take that risk because of the rewards they can reap." - A path home? - Lyann Lubrico is among those who think the reward is worth the risk. The 33-year-old, who became a virtual assistant after losing her job as an office manager in the United Arab Emirates, believes remote work can be a path home for overseas Filipino workers, or OFWs. Now the owner of her own agency, Lubrico calls it her "mission" to give OFWs, whose remittances account for nearly 10 percent of national GDP, a way to make that money at home instead. "I know some cleaners who grew old being cleaners abroad... I thought to myself, Filipinos shouldn't settle for this all their lives," she said, noting the abuse and discrimination faced by many. Through a Facebook group called "Balikbayan (Returning Home) For Good", Lubrico has so far offered informal training to about 200 OFWs hoping to become virtual assistants. "My mission is to enable overseas Filipinos to come home -- one at a time," said Lubrico. But while a true believer in the sector, she agrees legal protections remain a crucial step. Renato Paraiso, spokesman for the Philippines' Department of Information and Communications Technology, told AFP one key challenge is the fact that virtual assistant work "is borderless". "That is something we should address," he said, adding that forging labour partnerships with other countries could be a path forward in protecting the rights of Filipinos. "If we have more protections I think more people will be encouraged to become virtual assistants," said Mago, working remotely for the American. "I strongly believe if every household in the Philippines has (someone employed as) a virtual assistant, no one will be hungry." fb-pam/cwl/rsc/pst
