Spring of Style

CEBU, Philippines - A full bastion of female warrior goddesses took off at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu as this city’s recognizable young designers proved once again that the locale is a spring of talents.There were multiple musical instruments heard in the background, accompanied by soundtracks from a live band — just in case some dullard in the house (or rather, the multi-level Terrace’s concrete stage) didn’t immediately get the meaning of the full regalia of modern wear that crescendo-ed to a finale by fashion czar Philip Rodriguez.

Ray Kuan’s avant garde-ish pseudo strapless dress mania can be mind-boggling at times, but on this occasion he, well, winged it with aplomb. It’s a season of lightweight satin, after all, and since he is part of the ultimate seat of forward thinking skins and superb tooling, the enfant terrible, along with Barbie Alvez, gave full vent to the house expertise. There were red belted structural mini dresses from the young lady designer and a fiery whisper thin chiffon pleated dress from Philip Tampus.

Glamour is another aspect of the forties mood that’s floating around this summer, so the spirit of jersey clad glamazons from Salvador Malto, Wendell Quisido and Ivan Belocura show cross-referenced knowingly with the mainstream flow of fashion. In truth, though, the silhouettes’ appeal is most persuasive when the styling is at its furthest distance from seasonal trendiness (read: the ubiquitous floral summer staple). And for evening wear, it was a Philip Rodriguez bronze and champagne, bias-cut satin dress and pantsuit that carried the sort of classic grace and subtlety that should have all the worshippers in the altar of style placing an order pronto. These were the finale with two well-suited military inspired menswear also from Philip Rodriguez on sandal clad hunks.

The show was made possible by The Banana Book, Studio 125, Mickie Go, James Go, Dan Douglas Ong, Jon Unson, Erwin Lim, Ryan Go, The Summit Granite and Chery Automobile. Edwin Ao directed the show. Bravissimo!