ED WESTWICK IS PENSHOPPE'S NEW LEAD ENDORSER

One my favorite local brands is stepping up a notch this year! Yes, it's Penshoppe! They have served excitement to people like me (who supports local fashion brands) within the last couple of years by releasing stylish and fabulous clothes that you cant find elsewhere. Now that their celebrating their 25th anniversary, Penshoppe will serve even more! This time around they'll be bringing Hollywood to Manila. It is confirmed that Ed Westwick (famous for his role in TV series, Gossip Girl) will be their new endorser. Now I'm really excited to see that campaign!!!

( photo from GQ.com )

Here's the release!!

by Joyce A. Ramirez on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 10:00pm

The new face of the Philippines’ leading fashion brand PENSHOPPE is none other than international star ED WESTWICK, better known the world over as Chuck Bass, an overly confident and sexy bad boy, in the popular television series "Gossip Girl," from Josh Schwartz ("The O.C."), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers who attend an elite private school in New York City.

The announcement was recently confirmed by PENSHOPPE Brand Director Alex Mendoza stating that, “the selection of (Westwick) was for the British-born actor to headline the brand’s 2011/12 campaign in the Philippines as well as to introduce a fresh new face that will represent PENSHOPPE’s new and revitalized image,” he explained. “We believe it is time to appoint someone on an international scale. It’s time to show everyone that PENSHOPPE is upgrading itself to international levels. Someone like Ed fits the mindset and is admired by our market.”

Since the introduction of his bad boy character Chuck Bass in the popular series Gossip Girl in 2007, his alter ego has made a unique style impression that has since landed him in magazine covers as well as a style copied by men the world over.

“On its 25th year, PENSHOPPE is proud to have actor Ed Westwick as our headliner. His presence and charisma will definitely wake the Philippines to the fact that what is originally Philippine made can also be worn proudly by a worldwide icon as well as people around the world.”

Ed is set to fly to Manila first week of June to shoot the campaign with Australian fashion photographer Darren Tieste in cooperation with international publicity firm PR Asia Worldwide. The actor will endorse PENSHOPPE’s pre-Holiday 2011 to Summer 2012 collection. Mendoza shares, “Ed will embody the free and easy, sophisticated casual style that the brand is known for.”

ABOUT ED WESTWICK

In February 2011 Westwick starred in the romantic comedy “Chalet Girl," with Felicity Jones, Tamsin Egerton and Bill Nighy. Directed by Phil Traill, the story details the story of a young girl from a working class suburb who lands a job in an ultra-glam ski resort, where she's totally out of her depth until she discovers her natural snowboarding genius and the boss's gorgeous son Johnny (Westwick).

In March 2011, he began filming Clint Eastwood’s biographical film “J. Edgar”. Westwick will play Agent Smith, Hoover’s biographer alongside all-star cast Leonardo DiCaprio, Arnie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench and Jeffrey Donovan. This film is set for release in 2012.

In 2009 Westwick had a guest star role on the Showtime comedy, “Californication” as Balt, a vampire-obsessed student of Hank’s, played by David Duchovny.

He was also seen in "Son of Rambow," an independent film directed by Garth Jennings. Westwick played Lawrence, a bully and surrogate father figure to his devoted younger brother. "Son of Rambow," which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, caused quite a buzz at the festival, selling to Paramount Vantage for the highest amount at the festival.

Westwick was awarded the Young Hollywood Breakthrough Award at the 2009 Young Hollywood Awards.  An emerging young British actor trained at The National Youth Theatre in London, Westwick has been seen in “100 Feet” starring Famke Janssen and Bobby Cannavale and “S. Darko” a sequel to the hit movie “Donnie Darko”.He also played the role of Alex in Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men," opposite Clive Owen and Julianne Moore. Westwick was also seen playing the role of Zoran in Anthony Mighella's "Breaking and Entering," opposite Jude Law, Juliette Binoche and Robin Wright Penn.

Additional credits include guest leads in "Afterlife" for ITV1, "Casualty" for the BBC, "Doctors" for the BBC and "Dream Team" for Sky One. When not filming "Gossip Girl" in New York City, Westwick resides outside London.

ABOUT PENSHOPPE

Known for its fresh but sophisticated take on casual wear, high quality products and affordable prices, PENSHOPPE is the flagship brand of Golden ABC, the Philippines’ leading casual clothing brand.

The first boutique opened its doors in SM City North EDSA in 1991. Since then, PENSHOPPE's network of stores has grown to 300 sites, all strategically located in the key areas where its loyal style-aware patrons shopped, hung out and had fun. In 2002, PENSHOPPE broke Filipino Retail Barriers when it opened its first store in Xiamen, China.

With its 25-year strong heritage in up-to-date, global design and style; innovative marketing and advertising campaigns and strategies; and keen business acumen, PENSHOPPE is poised and rearing to bring its own unique brand of casual wear to the rest of the world.

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

PENSHOPPE has signed up international star ED WESTWICK as its new lead endorser for its 25th anniversary. The face of the 24 year old British-born actor will be seen in PENSHOPPE’s Pre-Holiday 2011 to Summer 2012 campaign spanning print, billboards, in-store campaigns, retail outlets as well as digital media including the brand’s official website, Facebook and Twitter pages in the Philippines.

The campaign was originally conceptualized and made possible by international publicity firm PR Asia Worldwide for PENSHOPPE on its 25th year Anniversary celebration.

Over the year, PENSHOPPE hopes that their campaign activities this 2011 as well as the use of social media promotions will generate millions of Filipino fans to support the brand even more.

Photos of Ed Westwick courtesy of GQ.com

Ad Campaign pic from Penshoppe.com