Design Triumvirate

The Capitol Social Hall has firmly established itself as the new style arena, thanks to the indomitable spirit of Governor Gwen Garcia, and a new troika was unveiled on that very stage. Fashion designer Philip Rodriguez allied himself with Cebu Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Foundation’s (Cebu FAME Foundation) accessory labels Pan Arts and Victoria Marin at the recently concluded Bijoux Cebu Gala.

Now, as then, it's Philip Rodriguez’ unflagging passion for fashion that most impresses. “Collaborating with entirely two different collections isn’t exactly a walk in the park but somehow, with a lot of help from Pan Arts and Victoria Marin, it’s still stamped with the signature Philip Rodriguez design quality and luxury in fabrication,” revealed the designer who made it a point to lengthily discuss his own inspiration for his pulled thru collection. He was in fact meeting separately with the two accessory labels and the time element was essential in conceptualization. His first line (with Pan Arts) tells of a gypsy summer siren wooed by three alpha males of the upper caste. Thus an Indian inspired collection consisting of dhoti pants, Nehru collared jackets and loose trousers for men and raw linen, loose fitting tube dress for the lady heavily styled by by Pan Arts. “The necklace and cuff comprised Second Life bringing out the beauty of the unseen. Re-use, recycle, beautify. Go green! Finding unconventional ways of things you normally see and turn them to something beautiful and unique. I found beauty in the insides of the watch (the mechanism),” expounded Pan Arts designer Chris Tecson. “The headdress is called Coral’s Nest with materials like shells, Swarovski crystals, brass metal for the leaf, metal coral castings inspired by the beauty and the shape of corals.” She further declared the men’s collection is entitled Modern Ethnic utilizing materials like Robles wood, Carabao horn, buri, leather, shell, resin, metal studs and brass metal inspired by re-using old indigenous materials and turning it to something modern and masculine.

Victoria Marin’s coral and floral accessories lent a heightened touch to Philip Rodriguez’ own Neo Aqua collection of above the knee cocktail dresses that resembled marine flora and fauna. Coral clasps and arm bands were visible as were pearl earrings that tell a story of an idyllic island life mirroring our own.