Around the world with Jun Escario

Step into Jun Escario's shop whether in Manila or in Cebu and you really do enter into another world: one which is more spiritual, contemplative and sensual than the chaos outside. He who has conquered Manila with his whimsical albeit high fashion style has numerous schemes for private clients. His A-list clients could be the country's fashion cognoscenti who have found his shops not just as a tactile sanctuary but a manifesto for relaxed but beautiful contemporary environ. So, most naturally, creative juices flow freely in a two-way direction.

Thus, it came as no surprise, for Jun Escario's Samsung Style Watch at the Waterfront collection, the country's undisputed enfant terrible, to have the whole world as his inspiration. This is partly due to his keen but far from narrow eye – Jun is adept at placement so that every piece chosen joins into an orderly collective that has a space to breathe – and to his choice of a colorful palette. To this palette he added the luxury of incredibly tactile fabrics and textures. An Indian sari came out as a pencil skirt paired with a corseted maize yellow top complete with a Japanese obi belt and surprise! A tussled scarf with 5 cents coins dangling at every end. A chrome spaghetti strapped gown has African references with its Watusi patterned beading. A black and white chiffon dress has a French feel and look. Even his footwear is a cross between Japanese sandals and Dutch wooden clogs. These gave the collection a nomadic luxury, as if everything could be packed into a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk, move to another time-place continuum and still looking fantabulous and put together well.

Indeed, Jun Escario manages to blend many diverse influences and yet somehow adds up to something that is a cohesive whole. Her Sposabella collection unveiled mastery in cut and superb attention to details. Bravissimo!